When you head out for an epic day of powder, a three-pitch ice climb, or a backcountry snowshoe tour, I/O Merino has broad selection of garments ready to serve as the ideal partner in your layering system. Made from soft, stretchy, odor-resistant merino wool, I/O Merino garments wick moisture and dry just as quickly as your synthetic base layers in a comfy, all-natural package.
On Performance and Design…
You might not think a lot about sheep but, once you slip into the I/O Merino garments, you’ll have a new respect for the producers of the greatest fabric on the planet.
The merino is one of the world’s most ancient breeds of sheep. And one of the toughest. Merino’s fleece is built for extremes – breathable in summer, insulating in winter, yet exceptionally soft and lightweight. Through years of experience in the wool industry and collaboration with heavy users, I/O Merino has worked diligently in blending nature and technology resulting in high performance merino wool whose quality, durability and comfort is second to none.
What makes I/O Merino different? Australians are fiercely protective of their merino sheep, where they’re called “national treasures.” I/O Merino not only uses only Australian Merino wool, but the true difference is that they actually own the entire supply chain in which I/O Merino garments are made. They source the wool and buy it in raw form. In the stages of production, they make sure the most environmentally sustainable methods are used. When it’s all said and done, the final product is ready to serve as the ideal partner in your layering system.
The I/O Merino team sent our crew a variety of garments to put through the paces. From the beginning of the review process, one thing was readily apparent: Comfort, durability and versatility are the name of the game for I/O Merino.
In extreme exertion, you need a garment that ‘breathes’, which means it must be able to absorb perspiration and release it into the air. No fabric does that quite like Merino. I/O Merino can absorb 35% of its weight in moisture, keeping you dry and helping garments to breath. Its ability to absorb moisture offers superior insulation even when wet.
I/O Merino’s line-up of garments has you covered from every angle for every adventure. Long yoga sessions at the gym? All-day powdery assaults on the mountain followed by fireside chats at the lodge? The lightweight merino wool Contact Tights are ready for action.
The I/O Merino Longsleeve Zip tops have a mid-height collar and a ¼-length chest zip so you can seal out the cold or dump excess heat as conditions dictate. Merino wool insulates when wet and doesn’t funk up like synthetics after a sweaty training run.
Need an extra layer beneath your shell or just a casual piece to wear around town? Rely on the I/O Merino Track Jacket that merges massive comfort with a stylish semi-form fit.
From outerwear to under garments and everything in-between, the soft and naturally breathable merino wool fabric ensures that your body will be able to appropriately regulate temperature while you work up a sweat, while athletic-focused cut leaves you free to live without limits.
Bottom Line…
Make no mistake, I/O Merino feels nothing like the wool in your mom’s old ski sweater. It keeps you comfortable over a much wider range of temperatures, without the itch and bulk factor. Come Fall and Winter, the athletic, warm, breathable garments from I/O Merino goes with everything—skiing, hiking, climbing, running—and, with natural odor resistance, they are indispensable on epic excursions. I/O… it’s Australian for awesome.
Manufactured by I/O Merino and available from http://www.io-merino.com/shop-online I/O Merino offers a variety of garments in both men’s and women’s sizing.
*Gumption Gear Review received the I/O Merino garments at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.