faq

The questions we get asked about merino wool running shorts — what merino does on a run, and what synthetic gear puts against your skin. The science behind the chemical claims is on our research page.

are merino wool shorts good for running?

Yes. Merino regulates temperature, wicks moisture, and resists odour, which suits the stop-start heat of a run. The catch is that most 'merino' running shorts are mostly polyester with only a merino liner — 100% merino keeps the benefits without the plastic.

is merino wool good for running?

Yes — it is one of the few natural fibres that genuinely performs for running. It moves moisture away from the skin, keeps you cool when it is warm and warm when it is cool, and does not hold odour the way synthetics do.

do merino wool shorts smell?

No — staying fresh is one of merino's signatures. Its fibre structure naturally resists the bacteria that cause odour, so merino stays fresh far longer than synthetics, with no antimicrobial chemical coating needed.

is merino wool good for summer? does it keep you cool?

Yes. Merino is a year-round fibre: it actively regulates temperature, moving heat and moisture away from the skin, which is exactly what you want when running in summer. Fine merino is light and breathable — not the heavy wool people picture.

does merino wool itch?

Fine merino, with a low micron count, sits softly against the skin and does not itch the way coarse traditional wool does. We use a fine Australian merino chosen for next-to-skin softness.

does merino wool chafe when running?

Merino is smooth and moves moisture rather than holding it, which helps reduce the wet-fabric friction that causes chafing. Fit and construction matter most here, which is what we are designing for.

what are running shorts made of?

Most are polyester, nylon, or elastane — petroleum-derived plastics spun into fibre. Ours are 100% merino wool, a natural protein fibre, with no synthetic content.

do workout clothes have microplastics?

Synthetic activewear is plastic, and it sheds microplastic fibres — into the wash, and into the air around you as you move. Natural fibres like merino do not.

does polyester shed microplastics?

Yes. A single wash of synthetic fabric can release up to around 700,000 microplastic fibres, and ordinary wear sheds them too. Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, the placenta, and breast milk.

is polyester bad for you or your skin?

There is a growing body of peer-reviewed concern. Synthetic fabrics can carry residual industrial chemicals — PFAS, antimony, phthalates — and the sweat, heat, and friction of exercise can move them through the skin.

can gym clothes leach toxic chemicals into your skin?

Research suggests they can. A 2025 study modelled sweat increasing dermal PFAS absorption from textiles by up to 3,252 times versus dry contact, with the highest concentrations found in sportswear and water-repellent clothing.

what are pfas in clothing, and how do i avoid them?

PFAS ('forever chemicals') are used for water- and stain-resistance and do not break down in the body or the environment. Avoid them by choosing untreated natural fibres and looking for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 testing — our yarn is tested and free of PFAS.

how do i know if my clothes have pfas?

You usually cannot tell from the label. The reliable signal is third-party testing such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100, together with avoiding 'performance' water-repellent finishes on synthetic garments.

merino wool vs polyester — which is better for running?

Polyester is cheaper and dries a touch faster. Merino regulates temperature, resists odour, and — crucially — does not shed microplastics or carry the residual chemistry synthetics can. For what touches your skin on every run, merino is the cleaner choice.

are merino wool running shorts worth it?

If you care about what sits against your skin on every run and want gear that does not shed plastic, yes. You also wash merino far less often than synthetics, so it earns its keep over time.

how do you wash merino wool running shorts?

Wash cool on a gentle cycle and air-dry; skip the fabric softener. Because merino naturally resists odour, you will wash it far less often than synthetic shorts — which also makes it last longer.

is merino wool durable enough for running?

At the right weight and construction, yes. And because merino resists odour you wash it less, which means less abrasion and a longer life. Durability is a design problem, not a fibre verdict.

what does rws-certified and oeko-tex standard 100 mean?

RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) certifies the wool for sheep welfare, responsible land management, and traceability from grower to yarn. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests the finished yarn free of harmful substances such as PFAS, formaldehyde, and heavy metals.