Wren & Wool Review: Merino Sweaters and Base Layers After a Full Winter

Wool has an image problem. For many people it means scratchy childhood jumpers, shrunken washes and a faint smell of wet dog. Merino is the corrective: a much finer fibre that is soft against the skin, manages moisture well and can be worn for days without smelling like it. It is also expensive, so it pays to buy from a store that tells the truth about what it sells.

Wren & Wool makes and sells merino base layers, tees, sweaters and socks, and promises garments that last. I wore its products throughout a full winter, on morning commutes, weekend hikes and cold days at a desk, and kept notes on warmth, comfort and durability.

What Wren & Wool sells#

The range is built around a few essentials: a 150 gsm merino tee ($58), a 200 gsm long-sleeve base layer ($74), a cable-knit crew sweater ($168) and a half-zip midlayer ($132). There are also merino socks ($22 a pair), beanies and neck gaiters. Everything is made from 100 percent merino, unless a small percentage of nylon is added to socks for durability.

Product pages give fibre diameter (17.5 microns for garments), fabric weight, country of manufacture and, unusually, garment measurements in centimetres for each size. A short explanation of the "mulesing-free" wool sourcing is provided, and the store links to its supplier list.

How we tested#

I bought the tee, the long-sleeve base layer, the crew sweater and two pairs of socks. Across the winter I:

• Wore each garment for at least 30 days, with several multi-day wears to test odour.

• Washed them on a wool cycle at 30°C, following the care label, and air-dried.

• Checked pilling and stretch at week four, week eight and the end of the season.

• Compared sizing with the store's chart and returned one item.

Warmth and comfort#

The long-sleeve base layer is the star. Under a jacket it kept me warm on a 2°C commute without overheating on the walk. It feels smooth against the skin, with no itch at all, even for a colleague who reports being sensitive to wool. The crew sweater is heavier and cosier, ideal for a cold office, though its chunky cable knit is bulky under a coat.

Odour and everyday wear#

The claim that merino resists odour held up. I wore the base layer for four consecutive days, including two workouts, and it smelled of nothing but faint wool. Airing it overnight refreshed it fully. That means fewer washes, which is good for the garment and the planet.

Durability#

After a winter and roughly 12 washes, the sweater and base layer looked good: minimal pilling, no stretching at the elbows and no shrinking. The 150 gsm tee is a different story. Its fine knit snagged on a rough backpack strap and developed a tiny hole at the hem. It is lovely to wear but is best reserved for lighter use.

Socks were excellent: cushioned, seamless and still thick after 10 washes.

Fit and sizing#

The garment measurements are a real advantage. I compared them with a shirt I own, ordered accordingly and got a perfect fit on the first try. A colleague ordered the sweater in her usual size and found it roomy, but the site's chart showed exactly why. The store's fit notes ("cut boxy, size down for a closer fit") are honest and helpful.

Shipping, service and returns#

Orders shipped the same day and arrived in three business days, in a paper mailer with no plastic. Support answered a question about the yarn's origin within two hours, and the answer was specific and referred to a named mill.

The returns policy is a highlight. You get 45 days to return anything, including worn items, and shipping is free. I sent the tee back on day 40 and received a refund within five business days.

Price and value#

Merino is costly, and this is no bargain-bin brand. At $74 for the base layer, it is priced similarly to established outdoor brands, with better information. If you wear it twice a week for years, the cost per wear is low. The $168 sweater is expensive but well made. We would skip the lightest tee.

Who should buy, and who should skip#

Buy from Wren & Wool if you feel the cold, dislike synthetic fabrics and want honest sizing.

Skip it if you want to spend under $40, need a bright colour palette or dislike hand-washing and flat-drying knitwear. Merino layers pair nicely with a good night's rest; our Linen & Lull review covers natural fibres for bed.

The verdict#

Wren & Wool earns 4.4 out of 5. The merino is soft, warm and odour resistant, the sizing information is excellent and returns are generous. The price and the delicate tee stop it from doing better.

Disclosure: we bought all garments ourselves. Some links on this site are affiliate links. See our review policy.