Merino Wool Vs Cashmere – Which is Warmer?

Wool is one of the top-performing materials available today. Due to its strong qualities, wool is most frequently used within outdoor clothing to enable explorers and sports enthusiasts to perform at the best of their ability. When comparing merino wool vs cashmere, which type of wool is warmer? Is one more durable than the other? Is one more prone to pilling?

When you’re shopping for outdoor gear, these are some of the questions you need to know the answer to. This will help you to find the most appropriate clothing materials for your chosen activity. Continue to read our guide as we explore the properties of merino wool and cashmere.

What is Wool?

Wool is a natural fibre that covers the skin of a range of animals, including sheep, goats, and alpacas. Its most commonly used in woven and knitted textiles. Wool fibres are gathered during the animals' annual shearing process.

For many years, wool has been used to manufacture warm clothes, blankets, and many other soft furnishings. This is because wool is a naturally good heat insulator due to the crimped quality of its fibres. It doesn’t matter what animal the fibres have come from, wool will always keep you warm in cold conditions. It is important to note, this does not apply to all the characteristics of wool as they can greatly differ depending on the animal source.

Wool is unique in that, although being an insulator, it can also help keep you cool in hot weather depending on fibre structure and thickness. It's a breathable material that has the ability to wick moisture away - keeping you dry and controlling body odour. So, what's the difference between merino and cashmere?