Merino wool
Close to nature, AYAQ has turned to natural materials such as virgin Merino wool for certain garments.
You have certainly heard of it, but you may not be aware of the many technical and environmental benefits that make this natural fibre so valuable when you are looking for comfort, performance and respect for nature.
Merino yarn is made from the virgin wool of Merino sheep, which have the particularity of living in regions with extreme climatic variations. To cope with scorching heat in summer, heavy rain in the off-season and periods of drought as well as intense cold, their wool protection must be adaptable and thus have widely versatile qualities.
And this adaptation to the roughest of climatic conditions is made possible by a wool whose fibres are very fine: a merino wool fibre is about half the size of a "normal" wool fibre!
Several characteristics of merino wool make it a very good material for certain technical garments to be worn next to the skin as a first layer.
Non-scratch and extremely soft: The fineness of the fibre will influence its softness. From 25 microns, the wool can be scratchy and prickly. AYAQ uses 17.5 micron yarns which are extremely soft to the touch, and in contact with all parts of the body.
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Warmth and insulation: The structure of the fibre, which allows a lot of air to be stored, makes wool thermoregulatory and warm. It is therefore particularly suitable for use in the mountains.
Moisture absorption: Merino fibre is able to absorb up to 35% of its weight in moisture and still remain dry. À during exercise, less sweat remains on the skin because the fibre absorbs this moisture and then wicks it away.
Anti-odour : Merino wool has a natural anti-bacterial effect. Bacteria from perspiration are the elements that cause bad odours. Thanks to the structure of the merino wool fibres and the lanolin (a natural substance) that naturally covers these fibres, bacteria cannot cling to them and unpleasant odours are prevented.
Its anti-odour characteristics mean that your garment can be worn for several days without unpleasant odours. This saves on machine, energy and water. You can also go hiking for several days without being overloaded with a lot of spare clothing.
Certifications
The virgin merino wool used by AYAQ is sourced from respectful and sustainable farms.
It is certified non-mulesing, for the respect and well-being of the animals. Mulesing is an unfortunately common and cruel operation to animals, which consists of cutting a large slice of flesh around the tail.
The wool used by AYAQ is certified by : B Corp and ZQ
More information on these labels can be found at https://bcorporation.eu/ and https://www.discoverzq.com/
Care for your merino wool garment
Wool is considered more delicate to wash and care for.
However, a well cared for merino wool garment can last a very long time, without being very complicated, by following a few simple instructions and tips.
You can find all our washing and maintenance tips on our Maintenancepage.
You can also discover our two products made of 100% virgin merino wool fabric:
The MEFONNA Merino Long Sleeve technical underwear and the Lobbia Merino Neck Warmer multi-purpose choker.