Struggling to pack light for your winter travels? Choose merino wool! It’s the best fabric for traveling light and staying warm in the winter. Find out the best merino wool sweaters according to our readers!
Best Merino Wool Sweaters
Table Of Contents
Travel Fashion Girl help! A reader asks:
Everyone recommends merino wool for winter traveling. What are your suggestions for the best merino sweaters?
Nothing will ruin your trip faster than standing outside freezing because you packed the wrong type of clothing. When traveling during the winter months, make sure you include a merino wool sweater on your packing list!
Start by reading these tips on packing for cold-weather travel:
- Winter Packing List
- How to Pack for Cold Weather
- How to Stay Warm in Cold Weather
- The Best Travel Shoes for Winter
The Best Merino Wool Sweaters
Here are our readers’ favorite merino sweaters!
J Crew Tippi Sweater | Sizes XXXS-3XL Plus
J. Crew Tippi Sweaters
If you’ve been reading TFG for a while, you know how obsessed we are with the J. Crew Tippi sweater. This sweater comes in many colors, such as red, blue, and green, so there is a color to suit everyone. It’s offered in inclusive sizing too (sizes XXXS-3XL Plus)!
One reader says, “I love my sweaters, as they are incredibly soft. I’m a little obsessed now.” Another reader adds, “I only get my merino wool sweaters from J. Crew, as they are such great quality.”
Readers have spoken and so did we in this video review below:
Watch this video on why the J. Crew Tippi sweater is warm yet comfy for winter!
TFG editor-in-chief Alex also wrote a specific review on the benefits of this sweater for winter travel!
Icebreaker Merino Affinity Thermo Hoodie Pullover
Icebreaker Merino Affinity Thermo Hoodie Pullover
Icebreaker is one of our readers’ favorite brands for merino wool clothing. This Affinity Thermo Hoodie Pullover is made from textured fabric with a flat black to provide maximum warmth, so is perfect for your winter travels! The sweater comes in burgundy and jet grey.
One reader says, “I love my Icebreaker sweaters.” Another reader says, “I love Icebreaker for all my merino clothing! It’s the best.”
J. Jill Merino Tunic
The J.Jill Talia Merino Tunic is a pretty design, which is well loved by older readers who say their line of sweaters are flattering yet fashionable. This tunic has 3/4 inch sleeves, a lovely flange detail above the hemline, and side vents for a layered effect and super cozy feel.
This sweater is soft! One reader echoes that, saying, “I love my J. Jill merino sweater.” Another reader adds, “I have it in red and adore it.” The other high point of this piece is that it’s offered in misses, petite, and plus sizes—we say, yay!
Cuddl Duds Softwear with Stretch Long Sleeve Cowl Tunic
Cuddl Duds Women’s Softwear Tunic
Cuddl Duds is another popular brand among our readers. This Stretch Long Sleeve Cowl Tunic is designed to be lightweight and comfortable, providing warmth without bulk, so you can avoid the bulky snowman look!
One reader says, “I love my sweaters from Cuddl Duds as they are soft and cuddly.” Another reader says, “They are so soft, comfy and hand wash well. Perfect for very cold weather urban sightseeing.”
Banana Republic Italian Merino-Blend Crew-Neck Sweater
Banana Republic Italian Rib Crew Sweater
This classic pullover sweater from Banana Republic is made from 50% merino wool blended with cashmere and rayon, perfect for keeping the heat in. The cashmere blend gives this sweater a luxurious feeling.
One reader shares, “I brought a second one after getting the first. I was really impressed with the quality!” Another reader says, “I love mine.”
One reader took her Banana republic sweater to Europe in the winter and says, “I was so glad I packed it, it kept me toasty and warm.”
Pendleton Timeless Turtleneck Merino Wool Sweater
Pendleton Timeless Turtleneck Sweater
The name says it all, a classic! This stylish turtleneck from Pendelton can be worn tucked in or not, allowing for versatility based on whatever outfit you’re donning. It comes in multiple colors to add a pop of color to your winter wardrobe.
One reader touts its virtues, saying, “For a smoother merino wool compared to the Tippi, I recommend this!”
Athleta Transit Crew Sweater | Sizes XXS-3XL Plus
Athleta Transit Crew Sweater
This merino-nylon blend piece by Athleta is a sound investment for adventure travelers, or anyone wanting a more casual, sporty look during a trip. It can be worn on or off the trail, has a relaxed fit, and the piping along the neckline and arms gives it a retro ski-vibe feel.
One reader points out, “Athleta has great quality merino sweaters.” We couldn’t agree more, but the biggest thing to adore is the inclusive sizing available from XXS-3XL Plus!
Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino Crew Neck Sweater
UNIQLO Extra Fine Merino Crew Neck Sweater
Super popular and affordable, readers adore the UNIQLO merino sweater a lot. One reader says she has “three and loves them,” while another adds, “I have never had much luck wearing merino, it always made me itch! Not so for these—I can wear them next to my skin with no itching. And they’re brilliant and warm.”
Don’t be fooled by how soft this sweater is, the fine blend of merino wool packs a warm punch, so you can stay toasty and not overheat during a winter holiday. And with an array of colors to pick, you can mix and match easily!
Merino Wool Sweaters Comparison Chart
| BRANDS | REVIEWS | RATINGS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
|
J Crew Tippi Sweater |
“I only get my merino wool sweaters from J. Crew, as they are such great quality.” It’s offered in inclusive sizing too (sizes XXXS-3XL Plus)! | Check Price | |
|
Icebreaker Merino Affinity Thermo Hoodie Pullover |
“I love Icebreaker for all my merino clothing! Icebreaker is the best.” | Check Price | |
|
J.Jill Talia Merino Tunic |
“I love my J. Jill merino sweater.” | Check Price | |
|
Cuddl Duds Softwear with Stretch Long Sleeve Cowl Tunic |
“They are so soft, comfy and hand wash well. Perfect for very cold weather urban sightseeing.” | Check Price | |
|
Banana Republic Italian Merino-Blend Crew-Neck Sweater |
“I brought a second one after getting the first. I was really impressed with the quality!” | Check Price | |
|
Pendleton Timeless Turtleneck Merino Wool Sweater |
“For a smoother merino wool compared to the Tippi, I recommend this!” | Check Price | |
|
Athleta Transit Crew Sweater |
“Athleta has great quality merino sweaters.” We couldn’t agree more, but the biggest thing to adore is the inclusive sizing available from XXS-3XL Plus! | Check Price | |
|
Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino Crew Neck Sweater |
“I have never had much luck wearing merino, it always made me itch! Not so for these—I can wear them next to my skin with no itching. And they're brilliant and warm.” | Check Price |
Why Merino Wool Is So Popular
When choosing the best clothing for your vacation, fabric is an important factor to consider. (Read this post to find out the best fabrics for travel.) Merino wool is not just perfect for cold weather, it is also fantastic for warm weather, because it helps keep you cool.
Merino wool is the ultimate travel fabric, because it is super lightweight, durable, and very versatile, so you will only need to pack a few items. One of the best advantages of merino wool is that it wicks away moisture while retaining airflow, keeping you warm and toasty while you’re out sightseeing!
Here’s the best merino wool clothing for women!
How to Wash Merino Wool Sweaters
A smart traveler secret is that you can wear your merino wool sweaters multiple times before needing to wash them. If you do want to wash them in the machine, make sure you wash at a low temperature on a gentle machine cycle. Use a wool or delicate option if available.
If you are worried the machine might ruin the wool, then hand wash your sweater inside out to prevent bobbling. Also, double check the washing instructions on the label to ensure you are washing your sweater correctly.
Don’t use fabric softener, as it will coat the wool fibers and limit the wool’s ability to wick away moisture and keep you warm. Always dry on the line, and do not put your merino wool sweater in the tumble dryer.
One reader shares, “I machine wash my merino wool sweaters on a cold setting and then hang them out to dry.” Another reader adds, “I never wash my sweaters with regular soap or pods, as fabric softener can ruin them.”
Tip: If you attempt to wash your merino wool sweater while traveling, it may take forever to dry!
Planet Wise Reusable Clear Bags
How to Care For Your Merino Wool Sweater
The best way to protect your merino wool sweaters when you’re not wearing them is to store them in a tightly sealed storage container to keep bugs and moths away from the wool. A few readers store their wool sweaters in storage bags to protect their sweaters from moths.
One reader says, “I make sure my sweater is clean and properly dry, and then I place it in a bag until it gets cold again.” A reader shares how she places her merino wool clothing in a drawer with an “unwrapped bar of soap or a lavender satchel to keep my clothing lovely and fresh.” Another reader says she “uses a cedar chest for my wool items. I put moth balls in with them.”
Moth balls, cedar balls, or a lavender satchel are the main methods that readers recommend to keep merino sweaters free from bugs and fresh for use next time.
Compass Rose Carryon Packing Cubes
How to Pack Your Merino Wool Sweater
Packing cubes will change the way you pack. We designed our own brand of slim packing cubes, with a unique color and numbering system, so it’s easy to remember where you’ve packed everything—ESPECIALLY your sweaters!
We put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. Check out the first video below:
Learn our packing hacks with packing cubes in this video!
If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
What do you think are the best merino wool sweaters for traveling in the cold? Share in the comments below!
For more ideas on what to wear in cold weather, please read:
- Best Merino Wool Clothing
- Different Ways to Wear A Scarf
- Best Thermal Underwear for Women
- How to Dress for Cold Weather
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Has anyone else noticed problems with small holes in both wool and cotton, and even blends these days?
I would REALLY like to know what is causing these? Everything from high-end cashmere and Merino sweaters to
cotton ( and blend) jersey sheets! It’s nuts!