Swap your synthetic workout gear for wool, experts say. Plus, six buys to try | Canada Voices

Temperature-regulating, odour-resistant and moisture-absorbing, merino wool has long been the go-to choice for winter base and mid-layers. Now, the natural fibre is becoming more popular for workout clothing, too – tennis star Venus Williams even wore custom wool-blend pieces by New York-based fashion label Luar at the 2025 U.S. Open when it was 24 degrees out.

“Particularly in the running space, which has been typically dominated by synthetic fibres, we’ve seen a lot of consumers now are looking for natural alternatives to those products, particularly when it comes to tops and also socks,” said Nick Barber, director of global product at merino wool clothing brand Icebreaker.

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There are some clear benefits. “Wool is very absorbent, so it absorbs a lot of your moisture that you would produce when you’re sweating,” said Rachel McQueen, a professor of textile science in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Alberta. But wet merino wool garments won’t feel as damp to the touch, because “the outside surface of wool is a little bit hydrophobic,” said McQueen.

It also dries quickly and releases smells readily, which means that wool workout wear may not need to be washed quite as often as garments made with synthetic fibres, like polyester. Dan Demsky, the co-founder of Toronto-based Unbound Merino, claimed to have worn a T-shirt for 46 days straight before washing it.

“You can literally wear it for a workout, you can hang it up and you can go back the next day and it’s just as fresh,” said Barber. “With synthetics, if you’re working out every single day, you will need multiple sets of products. With merino, you don’t.” When you do wash it, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions; McQueen recommends using a wool detergent and a gentle cycle and never putting it in the dryer.

You can find 100-per-cent merino wool garments for a variety of fitness activities, but wool blends are also common for activewear. Nylon, for example, can be added to enhance durability, said McQueen. Icebreaker adds natural fibres like Tencel Lyocell to create “a lighter, more cooling and breathable product,” said Barber. “We use some bio-derived materials as well to just add dimensional stability to some of the fibres when it comes to things like shorts and things like outerwear.”

Six buys to try

In the men’s section

In the women’s section