Smartwool Merino Gear for Trail Adventures: Comfortable, Durable, and Thoughtfully Made

Spring weather can be all over the place. One minute it’s sunny and warm, the next there’s a cool breeze or a surprise shower. Packing the right gear is key, and that’s where Merino wool comes in.

If you haven’t tried Merino wool for hiking yet, spring is the perfect time to see what it’s all about. Unlike that old cotton tee that gets damp and stays damp, Merino wool is fantastic at managing moisture and regulating temperature. It helps keep you comfortable whether it’s cool or warm, wicks sweat away from your skin, and naturally resists odours (which is great after a long day on the trail!).

Smartwool Merino Short Sleeve

Sometimes you just want a comfortable, reliable shirt that can handle whatever the day throws at it. The Smartwool Merino Short Sleeve Tee fits that bill perfectly. It looks like a simple tee, but it’s built for performance. Smartwool uses what they call Core Spun technology – wrapping soft Merino wool around a nylon core. This means you get the comfort of Merino right next to your skin, but with extra durability from the nylon, which is great for handling the rub of a backpack. The seams are flatlock stitched to help prevent chafing, and the slim fit moves with you. It’s the kind of shirt you can wear hiking all day and still feel pretty good in afterwards.

Smartwool Merino 7″ Cargo Hike Short

Finding good hiking shorts can be tricky, but these Merino 7″ Cargo Hike Shorts from Smartwool strike a nice balance. They blend Merino wool with recycled nylon and a bit of stretch. You get the breathability and comfort from the Merino, plus the durability, quick-drying ability, and flexibility from the synthetic blend. They have an athletic, body-skimming fit that isn’t baggy but gives you room to move. Plus, they’ve got practical features like belt loops, an adjustable drawcord waist, a proper fly, and plenty of pockets – including a zippered one on the side for securing essentials. They look good enough that you won’t feel out of place grabbing a bite to eat after your hike.

Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Second Cut Crew Socks

Okay, these socks are pretty neat. The Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Second Cut Crew Socks are comfortable hiking socks with light cushioning for protection without too much bulk. They also feature a smooth toe seam to help avoid irritation. But the really interesting part? They’re made using recycled materials through Smartwool’s Second Cut Project. The yarn is a mix of recycled fibers (from old socks sent back by customers and manufacturing scraps) and new Merino wool. So, you get a comfortable, capable hiking sock that’s also part of a circularity effort.

The Second Cut Project

That brings us to the Smartwool Second Cut Project itself. Instead of tossing old, holey socks (from any brand!) into the trash where they end up in a landfill, Smartwool wants them back. They’ve partnered with Material Return to collect and deconstruct these unwanted socks. The fibers are then given a new purpose, like becoming part of the yarn for those Second Cut Hike Socks we just talked about.

It’s a cool initiative aimed at reducing waste and making the outdoor industry a bit more sustainable. If you want to participate, keep an eye out for collection bins at participating Smartwool retailers. Just make sure the socks are clean (please!) and donate them individually, not rolled or paired up. It’s a small step that contributes to a bigger effort to reuse materials.

So, as you plan your spring adventures, consider gearing up with Merino wool. It offers real comfort and performance benefits for those unpredictable days on the trail. And by checking out gear like the Smartwool pieces mentioned, including the innovative Second Cut socks, you can explore comfortably while supporting efforts towards greater sustainability in the gear we use.