Technology

Merino

Merino wool is a very outstanding fibre. It has a number of unique properties which make it the superior choice when looking for a high performance garment. Merino sheep are generally bred in a temperate climate zone but here in New Zealand’s South Island which falls just out of the temperate zone the Merino sheep population is exposed to a harsh but clean natural environment, and they prosper. With a consistent quality nutritional intake year round, the risk of wool fibre becoming tender has been avoided. Superior strength consistently along the fibre means processing is improved and the finished product is of a high quality. Below are some of the unique properties that Merino holds:

  • Breathability - Merino fibres are much finer than other types of wool and synthetic fibres. This means that for a given weight Merino contains more air spaces. More air spaces = more insulation. That’s why Merino is better at keeping the cold out, and the warmth in. In addition, the natural crimp of superfine Merino fibres keeps them apart from one another, creating more air spaces = more insulation.
  • Supreme levels of durability - A Merino fibre can be pulled, bent and twisted but will return to its natural state because of its innate elasticity. This quality makes it particularly appropriate for exercise because as the sportsperson stretches, so does the fabric.
  • Odour resistance - Bacteria prefer smooth surfaces with a positive charge – like synthetics – whereas the neutral scales of a Merino fibre hold no attraction. Since some outdoor enthusiasts can go days without a change of clothes, Merino’s odour resistance is welcome news for fellow travellers.
  • Ability to maintain O.B.T - (optimum body temperature) - Merino not only helps remove sweat, it actually lowers your temperature in the process. The process by which Merino transforms sweat into vapour is known as evaporation, and evaporation produces a drop in temperature. So, Merino helps the athlete keep cool in the heat of competition. Trials at the University of Graz in Austria showed that athletes performed better in Merino than in synthetic garments. During aerobic exercise on bikes the body temperature of those wearing Merino was 13% lower than those wearing polypropylene. And, as volunteers were pushed to their anaerobic limits, Merino again proved superior to polypropylene with a 9% lower lactate build-up.
  • Moisture Management - While the interior of a Merino fibre is hydrophilic – it attracts moisture – the scales on the exterior of the fibre make Merino hydrophobic – it repels water. So, while Merino next to your skin absorbs sweat to keep you comfortable, a light shower won’t penetrate. During exercise the air above the skin is saturated with vapour, creating higher humidity that is uncomfortable and potentially debilitating for the athlete. With its amazing ability to absorb moisture vapour - up to 35% of its dry weight - Merino is far better at dissipating these vapours than synthetics.
  • Anti-Static - Part of the hindrance of wearing synthetic garments is the build up of static electricity. This means that during exercise the garment will cling to the body, this doesn’t help in maintaining optimum body temperature. Merino on the other hand is relatively free of static problems, the chemical structure of the fibre and it’s water-sorbing properties make it a good conductor.
  • UV Protection (up to 50% UPF) - Merino provides superior UV protection to cotton, making it a better choice for outdoor enthusiasts with prolonged exposure to the sun. Importantly, Merino wool has a natural sun protection of UPF50+, a must in harsh outdoor conditions.
  • Environmentally Friendly - While synthetics not only use non-replenishable resources, their production involves petro-chemicals and is extremely harmful to the environment. Cotton is renewable, but its production consumes massive amounts of water and pesticides and also poses salinity problems for the landscape. Only Merino is natural, renewable and environmentally responsible.

All VARA merino performance products have achieved all of this and much more when put to the test. Please see recent endorsements from the likes of Team ATP winners of the 2006 race to the North Pole Polar Challenge as well as others who demand the utmost performance from their apparel.

Trinomax™

Trinomax™ was purposely developed in New Zealand. Fara's (Trinomax’s creator) unique vision saw that the yarn could be used in performance apparel and further research and development into the yarn ensured that it would be suitable for apparel. Independent testing has shown that Trinomax™ is one of the most durable and high performance yarns on the market. What separates Trinomax™ from the myriad of other performance yarns out there is that it still maintains a very high Merino content.

Trinomax™ is a Merino based performance yarn which is light, breathable and durable. It is a unique yarn which combines a single Merino fibre with synthetic and/or natural filaments. These unique properties emerge from the innovative spinning process in which two synthetic and/or natural filaments and a single strand of Merino fibre are combined. Its natural Merino base in combination with a variety of external filaments makes it the ultimate performance yarn. The yarn holds the superior qualities of merino but also the many different qualities of synthetics.

Trinomax™ will change the way you think about merino!!