![\"Merino](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/DSC9722-700x467-1.jpeg\")
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Merino wool is a pretty magical fabric. <\/strong>It’s lightweight, wicks away moisture, resists odors, and helps thermoregulate (that is, it’s breathable). We’ve been shouldering hundreds of garments made from this wonder fiber in our quest to find the best merino wool shirts, and now, half a decade down the road, we’ve identified a slate of 12 absolute winners.<\/p>\n The beauty of a merino shirt is the ability to wear it everywhere \u2014 and wear it everywhere we do. From international travel in Iceland to mountain bike hot laps in the Kootenays, we’ve sweated through the lot to challenge their breathability, durability, and, yes, odor retention. When it comes to outdoor wear, the sheep’s clothing is dang near tough to beat.<\/p>\n However, there are some tradeoffs for this wonder textile. It can be more fragile and less durable \u2014 both in wearing and washing \u2014 which is why we considered both 100% merino wool layers and blends (with a majority of merino greater than 60%). It’s not easy to find that perfect, comfortable yet functional, fits-great, do-it-all layer, but merino comes pretty darn close.<\/p>\n At the end of our selection, check out our <\/strong>in-depth Buyer\u2019s Guide<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Comparison Chart<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>and Price & Value<\/a> sections to guide you to your next wear-all-day shirt.<\/p>\n Editor’s Note: We updated our Merino Wool Shirts guide on <\/i>September 18, 2024, with the addition of the latest Icebreaker Merino 150 Tech Lite III T-Shirt<\/a><\/strong>, a new Price & Value section, as well as additional details on our testing practices and history.<\/em><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t100% wool construction<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo visible branding<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReinforced seams in the shoulders<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImpressive odor resistance<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOn the pricer side<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNeeds to be laundered on gentle cycle<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Now in its third iteration, we’re still on team Icebreaker Merino 150 Tech Lite III<\/a><\/strong> ($80) when it comes to the best Merino tees around. This 150-weight tee is primed for warm weather and physical activity, and even though the fit is slightly let out in the torso in this version, we’re still convinced it’s perfect for everything from the gym to the jetway.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n As a full 100% Merino tee, there’s no hiding the true properties of the wonder fiber here (though you will need to treat it a bit nicer), and the 18.9-micron fiber used in the Tech Lite III is right on the line between fine and superfine Merino. Sliding this new tee on for the first time, we were reminded of why we loved the previous version so much: a supremely soft touch. From mountain bike laps in British Columbia to rainforest hikes on the Olympic Peninsula, it performed flawlessly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n This new version of the Tech Lite has a bit of a less athletic cut than the previous, with a slightly baggier fit in the torso. Some will love this, while others who appreciated that cling may want to pivot to something else like the Patagonia Capilene Cool (or the really trim Ortovox 185 Rock\u2019N\u2019Wool). We found it to be a better all-around fit that felt a little more casual, and as a bonus, the updated version gains improved shoulder seams that are stronger than our last tee.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Now, obviously, going with a full Merino tee is going to come with some durability shortcomings, and it’s true that nearly every wool tee we’ve tested has eventually gained a few holes through use. The Tech Lite III is no different, and while surveying the damage after a full week in this tee, we found two small holes in the torso. That’s just the way it goes, in our opinion, and found that laundering this tee on a gentle cycle was a good way to slow the process.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n $80 is about the going rate for a quality Merino tee like the Tech Lite III these days and is even a bit competitive when compared to the $100+ you might spend on a full Merino sun hoody. If you’re after the genuine article (and are willing to trade a bit of longevity for performance), there’s nothing quite like a full Merino tee and we think the Tech Lite III is one of the best you’ll find.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCozy soft to the touch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGenerous cut<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUPF 50+ sun protection<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAdded nylon weave improves durability<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill shrink up a bit in the wash<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSizing gives some people trouble<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n While other wools can be as coarse as 40 microns (think itchy grandma sweaters), Merino wool can be as thin as 24 to 15 microns, which is exactly why the Ridge Merino Journey<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>and <\/strong>Wander Merino Wool Shirts<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>($60) \u2014 made with 17.5-micron Merino \u2014 are so dang buttery smooth. And at $60, these tees slide in far below other comparable Merino shirts. Now a few seasons into wear, we can confidently anoint the Ridge Merino tees to the best value in our review.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Having crafted an entire line revolving around sheep’s clothing, it’s clear that Mammoth Lakes-based Ridge Merino certainly has a thing for good wool. The Journey tee is easily one of its most popular, and we found it’s for good reason. This tee is just all-around cozy, and the 17.5-micron Merino is finer than even our top pick, the Icebreaker Tech Lite III.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Sewn with a double-stitched neck and sleeves, the Journey felt like it was made for the long run in our testing. Couple that with the nylon core-spun Merino textile, and you\u2019ve got a durable Merino piece that\u2019ll keep up for as long as you wear it. When holding a nylon-Merino hybrid tee next to a full Merino cut, we noticed that the blend has a good bit more stretch and that it bounces back with little bagging.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n There\u2019s also no external branding on this tee \u2014 which is something we\u2019ve actually come to appreciate. The look isn’t as travel-ready as the sleeker Unbound Merino Crew Neck, but its nice to not feel like a billboard when you’re stepping out for a jog.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n We particularly liked the cut of this tee, which is a bit slimmer and longer \u2014 though washing and drying will shrink it to some degree. This can cause a little confusion when trying to find the right size, but thankfully, Ridge Merino provides a sizing chart to assist. Across three different testing team members, we all were able to get into a size that fit perfectly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n When comfort is king, but price is still a consideration, the Journey <\/strong>and Wander Merino Wool Shirts are high on our list of most cozy Merino wool shirts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Best Merino Wool Shirts of 2024<\/h2>\n
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\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Overall Merino Wool Shirt\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIcebreaker Merino 150 Tech Lite III T-Shirt\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t100% 18.9-micron Merino wool<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tN\/A<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5.1 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t150 (Warm to hot conditions)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tXS-XL (women's); S-XL (men's)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegular, with slightly baggy torso<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\t![\"Product](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/BestOverall_2024.png\")
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tMary Murphy<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t$80 at REI – Men's<\/a>$80 at REI – Women's<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Budget Merino Wool Shirt\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRidge Merino Journey and Wander Merino Wool Shirt\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t87% 17.5-micron merino wool, 13% nylon<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tN\/A<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5.2 oz. (men's medium)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t145 GSM (Warm to hot conditions)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tXS-XL (women\u2019s); S-2XL (men\u2019s)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRelaxed (women\u2019s); Regular trending fitted (men\u2019s)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ridge-Merino-Journey-and-Wander-Merino-Wool-Shirt.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tMary Murphy<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\tCheck Men's Price at Ridge Merino<\/a>Check Women's Price at Ridge Merino<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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