The Best Underwear for Hiking

We often talk about layering for insulation, or wearing wicking fabrics for moisture control, but we tend to neglect the fabric closest to our skin: Underwear!

Cotton vs Merino Wool

Why not just wear cotton undies? Well, for starters, you don’t have to wash wool as regularly and it doesn’t retain odour, which makes it very attractive! Wool also performs considerably better in terms of durability and moisture control.

Cotton is made of cellulose and is an incredibly absorbent fabric, meaning it can take some time to dry, whereas wool doesn’t hold onto moisture, so it dries quickly. If you’re looking for underwear that won’t feel as sweaty while you exercise, merino wool underwear will keep you drier than cotton. The quick-dry benefit is also very helpful when you have to dry your undies overnight at camp.

Value for Money

There’s no way to sugar-coat it — wool is definitely more expensive than cotton. Monica Ebert from wool athleisure wear brand Core Merino says that people are often put off by the price. However, considering the reduced need for washing, naturally anti-bacterial properties and greater durability, you end up needing far fewer changes of clothing.

She says another myth is that people believe wool to be itchy. You’ll be glad to know that those days are over — scratchy jerseys are a thing of the past. Merino wool is extremely fine and soft, so it won’t itch like other wool, it’s hypoallergenic, and it’s an environmentally sustainable material.

Ebert lists four reasons that merino underwear is worth the cost:

Wicks well: It’s a strong, natural material that performs well in terms of wicking moisture away from your body, keeping your skin dry and chafe-free.

Climate control: Merino wool is very insulating for its weight. It feels thin yet insulates better than thick cotton. You’ll feel warmer in colder conditions (even if wet) and cooler in warm weather.

Odour free: Wool is naturally resistant to odour-causing bacteria, keeping it fresh even after multiple days of wear. Cotton and synthetics will start to smell after sweating.

Long lasting: Merino wool is almost seven times as durable as cotton. Your wool underwear will last long after your cotton undies have worn out.

Check out the range of merino underwear and garments at www.coremerino.com.

Read the Hiking South Africa review here.