Wool makes me itchy, so I’ve avoided it for so long. So trust me when I tell you that Merino Wool is different and it is an absolute game changer for your family travel needs. TMI, but I took the Wool& Renata dress on a 5 week trip and NEVER washed it. Didn’t have to! My other dresses couldn’t handle my natural deodorant, but this dress didn’t smell one bit. I’m actually wearing it right now as I type this. I have it in black and navy.
In fact, Wool& has a 100 day dress challenge for anyone up for wearing the same dress for 100 days for $100 gift card. They say you’ll be shocked by how little clothing you need when your clothing is versatile and needs minimal washing. And while I haven’t embarked on the challenge, I can absolutely see how this would be possible. I’ve worn this dress to work, to parties, on planes, and on hikes. Add a blazer, a jean jacket, a scarf, necklace, sneakers, or heels, and poof- feels like a totally different outfit.
When it comes to packing light for travel, merino wool is a backpacker’s or carry-on master’s MVP. This high-performance fabric allows you to minimize your wardrobe and toiletries while keeping you comfortable in any climate.
The many magical properties of merino make it the ultimate travel companion:
- Temperature Regulating – Merino keeps you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold, perfect for unpredictable weather.
- Odor Resistant – The natural fibers prevent buildup of odor causing bacteria. Merino clothing can be worn multiple days without washing.
- Lightweight – Merino fabric is ultra-fine and lightweight. It packs down small so you can squeeze more into your bag.
- Quick-Drying – Avoid long dry times. Merino clothing dries extremely fast if it gets wet.
- Durable – The strong natural fibers resist tears and abrasions. Merino holds up well during rugged adventures.
- Soft – Merino wool feels soft and comfortable next to skin, not itchy.
With merino as your trusty companion, you can ditch cotton pieces which are bulky and slow to dry. Merino T-shirts, leggings, dresses allow you to cut down on laundry while staying fresh on the road.
Here are some top merino wool pieces perfect for travel:
- Tshirt Dress (versatile, soft, has pockets, stink resistant- I took this dress on a 5 week trip without having to wash it)
- Merino wool tshirts (stink resistant): humid friendly linen blend here or tshirts here, tanks here
- Wool leggings (I can layer this under a dress, tshirt, or even Rain pants)
Consideration
Do I buy these premium items for the kiddos? Depends! For the 13 year old, I have graduated him to more of the merino products once he was in need of deodorant. For the youngsters, I like wool socks and base layers for them for cold trips (like Iceland) or ski trips, but I don’t invest as heavily because they grow out of them pretty quickly, and they don’t need as much help in the smelly pits department. But the biggest benefit for them that I found is the thinner layers- the youngsters really hate being bulky and semi-claustrophobic in big puffy clothes. Though my kids are California kids, so they’re generally not as used to needing winter clothes.
Give merino wool a try on your next trip. Your suitcase and laundry machine will thank you!
