Merino-on-Merino: Train in Comfort this Winter

Can you feel that chill in the air? It's subtle at first - you might notice it when you are out for your morning run. But as the days shorten and the leaves begin to fall, it's hard not to notice that winter is just around the corner.

But colder weather doesn't mean that you have to stop running. Indeed, when it comes to your training, cold weather simply means that you need to dress according to the conditions. And while the temptation might be just to throw on another layer, there are better options out there to help you perform at your best when the seasons start to change. 

Take Merino wool, for instance. While many of us have heard about the advantages of training in Merino, not many of us know why. Well, to celebrate the launch of Altra and Smartwool’s collaboration with REI on a head-to-toe Merino Wool cold weather run collection, we thought we'd take a look at the benefits of Merino when it comes to training in cold weather.

Merino Wool: What makes it special?

Not all wool is created equal - you'd know that if you were ever subjected to an array of Thanksgiving or Christmas jumpers as a child. Of the 200+ varieties of sheep in the world, there is almost unanimous agreement that the best wool comes from the Merino sheep.

Originally from Spain, the Merino sheep produces the finest wool in the world. And when we say 'fine' we are referring to the microns of the wool. A micron is a measurement that defines the diameter of wool fiber, with Merino wool measuring anywhere from 11 to 22 microns - to put that in perspective, a cobweb is around 12 microns in diameter, and human hair is about 50 microns. Wool from other sheep can be up to 40 microns wide, meaning it is coarser (and scratchier) than Merino.

What does this mean? Merino wool is much softer than other types of wool. This level of comfort makes a Merino a popular choice amongst athletes looking for comfortable layering.

Why is Merino Wool good for training?

The true benefit of Merino wool is not derived from its comfort, though. Merino wool is something of a 'super' fabric, providing multiple benefits for athletes who wear it regardless of the weather. 

Aside from the comfort and elasticity associated with the material, Merino wool is also tailor-made for regulating your body temperature during a run, ride or hike. Along a single thread of Merino wool there are small ridges, also known as crimps. When the wool is woven into a garment, these ridges capture pockets of air that create insulation around the body.

Merino wool is also known for its ability to wick moisture away from the body. This is because the wool has hygroscopic properties that allow it to absorb - and release - water vapor very quickly. When it does this, the wool releases heat in colder conditions, and moves water vapor away from the body in warmer environments. In short, Merino offers exceptional temperature regulation properties regardless of the conditions.

And the best bit? As a fabric it's pretty odor resistant, meaning that you can wear it more than a few times before you might think about needing to throw it in the washing machine.

Altra and Smartwool : Joining forces to keep you moving in the cold

What's better than a single layer of Merino? Merino-on-Merino, obviously. And Altra, Smartwool, and REI have joined forces to deliver the ultimate Merino-on-Merino experience that combines technical features with versatile silhouettes, enabling runners to mix and match to find the right layering system. From base layers to outerwear, socks to shoes, Altra and Smartwool have got you covered - quite literally. 

Smartwool’s apparel and accessories consist of key styles from the brand’s Active Fleece, Intraknit™ Seamless, and Smartloft™ lines, that can be layered for enhanced benefits. Active Fleece is new for this Fall and is a 4-way, stretch-knit fabric with soft-brushed Merino next-to-skin, with a windproof front panel and DWR finish to protect runners from the elements. Smartwool’s patented Intraknit™ technology is a seamless knitting technique, which amplifies movement and comfort through targeted mesh ventilation. This not only enables the garments to move more naturally with the body, but also improves thermoregulation.

Additional technical features from Smartwool to further improve the performance of the collection apparel through the winter months include paneling, body mapping, targeted ventilation, and reflective elements. 

Altra, meanwhile, has incorporated a Smartwool Merino blend knit upper on its Escalante, an iconic performance road shoe. This addition improves thermal comfort by 3.5% over the standard model. Pairing the Altra Escalante with Smartwool’s Targeted Cushion Run Sock offers added support and comfort next to skin, harnessing the benefits of Merino including moisture management, thermoregulation, and odor resistance. 

In short, the Altra x Smartwool x REI collection is designed to keep you comfortable while training regardless of the weather. This exclusive collection is available in-store and online at REI. Shop the collection here.

Altra x Smartwool : Bringing the run community together

To celebrate the launch of this collaboration, Altra and Smartwool teamed up to host a Winter Warm-Up Run on October 4th at Denver’s flagship REI. This 5K, glow-in-the-dark event brought the Denver running community together, with nearly 200 runners from local run clubs and community groups in attendance.. 

While this night run was a kickoff to the launch of the collection, it was just the beginning of Altra and Smartwool’s commitment to keep runners training through the dark, cold months.  Altra and Smartwool also have committed to a donation to the City of Denver to help fund new solar lighting installation along urban trails.

Time to train

So remember that chill in the air? There's no need to worry about warmth and comfort in your winter training. You simply need to layer up properly - and choose the material that will manage your body temperature, and keep you feeling fresh, regardless of the conditions.