Top 10 Merino Wool Travel Shirts For Men

Last Updated on November 26, 2024

We are all adjusting to the new normal, and isolation has been rampant over the past few years. So, I thought it would be nice to spread our wings and fly into something new: the best men’s Merino wool shirts for travel.

I’ll first go over why Merino wool is such a fantastic fabric for travel clothing and then dive into our top 10 favorite Merino wool travel shirts. Hopefully, there’s a piece of gear that piques your interest and reignites your eternal travel flame.

Because no matter how far you travel, Merino wool gear lets you experience the comfort of home.

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Why Is Merino Wool The Best Travel Fabric?

My first ever experience with Merino wool was a lightweight wool buff I used for an eight-country Eurotrip several years ago. So for the last decade, traveling and Merino wool have gone hand-in-hand for me. The level of comfort, odor resistance, versatility, and performance of Merino wool gear makes it the top choice for weekend warriors and digital nomads worldwide! 

So, let’s closely examine some of Merino’s top-notch travel properties. And hopefully – in combination with some of the Merino travel gear suggestions – you’ll be able to find a shirt that fits all your adventure needs.

Odor Resistance

No more layover stink. You know what I’m talking about. When you get to a new city, the first thing you should be doing is exploring, not showering. With Merino wool, your clothes will stay fresh all day long.

But why? Well, it has to do with Merino’s moisture properties. Basically, nasty odors from your skin get trapped in the moisture within the fabric, not the material itself. So when you’re on the road, you can go a solid week (or more) without smelling like the inside of a gym bag.

Still, just because your clothing doesn’t stink doesn’t mean you don’t too. Pack some travel wipes for crying out loud!

Comfort

In my not-so-humble opinion, Merino wool is the softest everyday fabric on the market, hands down. The ultrasoft next-to-skin feel is due to the fine, low-micron fibers. Plus, wool’s natural crimp provides both stretchiness and support, so your clothing moves when you do.

And, people often ask: isn’t wool itchy? No, not Merino wool, at least. The fibers are so tiny that your skin doesn’t view them as irritants (unlike rough, traditional wool). And since wool fibers are composed of keratin – just like human hair – it’s improbable that you are allergic to it.

All in all, the comfort of Merino travel clothing truly makes it a cut above the rest. In other words, it feels like you’re wrapped in a cloud while you’re flying through the clouds.

Versatility

You may not think of Merino wool as the most fashionable of travel fabrics, but there are many styles to choose from. I usually like to travel with a couple of basic Merino tees and a fantastic wool sun hoodie (as you will learn soon). But there are polos, button-downs, base layers, and so many other types of Merino wool clothing that you can pack on your adventures.

The overarching moral is that Merino wool comes in all shapes, styles, sizes, colors, and patterns. It’s versatile enough to wear as a layering item or a standalone piece. Even some Merino wool travel shirts I’ll cover could be considered formalwear!

So, whichever your travel style, there’s a functional, versatile piece of Merino wool gear for you!

Performance

Finally, you truly can’t beat the performance of Merino wool clothing in the travel-sphere. Wool does an excellent job at regulating your body temperature. Therefore, you need less clothing to achieve the same level of protection.

In other words, traveling with Merino wool allows you to pack less to adventure more. What more could you want?

Best Overall Men’s Merino Wool Travel Shirt

Unbound Merino Crew Neck T-Shirt

100% Merino | Lightweight (190 gsm) | 17.5 microns | Slim-to-Regular fit

Pros: Literally designed for travel | Minimalist style | Ultrasoft fabric

Cons: Some user-reported shoulder seam issues | Sizing may run small

Made for travelers – by travelers – Unbound Merino flies in first-class on Travel Gear airlines. Okay, that was a lame attempt at humor, but you get the point: if you want Merino wool travel gear, you can’t go wrong with Unbound Merino.

And their crew-neck Merino tee is a must-have in any traveler’s kit.

The ultrasoft Merino is comfortable and odor-resistant! And while early versions of this tee had some seam irritation, I think Unbound has finally designed out that issue. It’s pretty cool to see the development of these travel tees over such a short amount of time. True innovation.

Yet, the thing we love most about the Unbound Merino crew neck is the simple, no-frills design. It’s a t-shirt. A d*mn comfortable t-shirt that you can wear anywhere, anytime. What you see is what you get. And you’ll get is one of the best Merino wool travel shirts on the market.

Runner-Up: Men’s LS Merino Travel Tee

Patagonia Men’s LS Capilene® Cool Merino Shirt

65% Merino & 35% Recycled Polyester | Ultralight (~125 gsm) | Regular fit

Pros: Best-in-class breathability | Outdoor performance features | Trusted sustainability brand

Cons: May be see-through in certain light | User-reported short sleeve length

All right, there are tons of great Merino wool travel shirts from wool-only brands. Still, I have to give the silver medal to the Capilene® Cool Merino Shirt by one of everyone’s favorite climate-friendly brands: Patagonia.

I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Patagonia just an outdoor brand?” Well, you’re right. They do have a small collection of Merino wool clothing for the outdoors. I even crowned this LS Tee one of the best Merino wool hiking shirts. However, as any hardcore hiker and traveling enthusiast would know, it’s all the same clothing. They both need ultralight, functional, and odor-free gear for weeks at a time. And the Cool Capilene® Merino shirt is just that!

This long-sleeve travel tee is a must-own for anyone looking to pack light. It weighs only 4.9 oz and is made of featherlight fabric (~125 gsm), 65% of which is silky-soft Merino wool. The remainder is recycled polyester, adding strength and structure. Moreover, you get all these awesome features: side vents, a hanging loop, and a drop-tail hem.

Combining everything gives you an ultralight, breathable, sustainable shirt that performs just as well on the trail as on the plane. You can style it as a standalone piece with chinos or layer it under a jacket for warmth. It’s truly a versatile piece for anyone prepping for adventure.

If you’re interested in harnessing the power of the outdoors for your travels, head to Patagonia below to learn more!

Most Versatile Merino Travel Shirt

Ridge Merino Men’s Solstice Hoodie

87% Merino & 13% Nylon | Ultralight (145 gsm) | 17.5 microns | Relaxed fit

Pros: Cloud-like drape & feel | Oversized hood is versatile | Ultralight yet surprisingly durable

Cons: Arm length is long due to thumb holes | Slight wrinkles after several uses

If you’ve read our reviews before, you may know how much we love gear from Ridge Merino. They always have some of the best-fitting, high-quality wool apparel, all at a solid price. So, it’s only ‘fitting’ to include their Solstice Hoodie as our “Most Versatile” Merino wool travel shirt.

I know it sounds strange, but the Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie is the swiss-army knife of travel shirts. Honestly, it’s the ‘key ‘to my travel capsule wardrobe. The oversize hood is an excellent eye cover for an airplane snooze. The ultralight fabric weighs next to nothing if it’s in your carry-on or worn as a base layer in chilly climates.

Plus, I can acceptably wear it anywhere. It’s got a bit of that high-end outdoor style that does not look out of place in an urban setting. Oh yeah, and it’s relatively affordable – unlike anything at the airport.

Anyways, I’m not going to dive into too many tech specs with this one. You only need to know that I never travel without my Solstice Hoodie. Period.

Best Merino Wool Button-Down For Travel

Western Rise Limitless Merino Button-Down

53% Merino & 47% Polyester | Lightweight (175 gsm) | Slim fit

Pros: Classic yet casual style | Fantastic all-around performance | Packs down small

Cons: Wish there was more Merino wool | Limited color options

Western Rise knows that you may need more than a simple wool tee while traveling. They created this functional Limitless Merino wool button-down to cater to all your travel needs. The design is professional yet fashionable. And, you just can’t beat the comfort of Merino wool!

“Looks like an Oxford, is more comfortable than a t-shirt, and outperforms your activewear.”

Yet, if you want a 100% wool shirt, you’re out of luck with this one. The overall material construction is about 50-50 Merino-polyester. While this does help with the long-term durability, we tend to find it not as comfy as a pure wool button-down.

Still, the Western Rise Limitless Merino button-down gets the job done when you’re on the road. You won’t stink, you won’t wrinkle (as much), and your body temperature will stay regulated. Now, that’s all you can ask for in a travel shirt, right?

Best Merino Wool Polo For Travel

Woolx Summit Polo

85% Merino, 12% Nylon, & 3% Spandex | Lightweight (150 gsm) | Slim fit

Pros: Comfy raglan sleeve construction | Simple, classic style | Mix of performance & fashion

Cons: Attracts lint, pet hair, etc. | Sizing inconsistencies

Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of the casual business aesthetic. Perhaps it’s because I was forced to dress in bland-colored khakis and a navy polo for nearly a dozen years. Still, there are some situations where a t-shirt is just too informal, so that’s when I reach for my Woolx summit polo.

This slim-fit polo is crafted from ultralight 150-gsm fabric, so you don’t sweat when running to your gate. It’s like a performance tee with a collar, which is an underrated combination. Plus, since it comes in three distinct colors, there’s a style that’ll match any pair of work slacks. That way, I can look – and feel – good if I’m traveling for work.

Woolx has found the proper combination of long-term performance and style, especially for those always on the go. And when it comes to the fabric itself, I really like the overall durability. The 85% Merino blend is comfortable and stretchy, but the corespun synthetics add extra strength.

Best Merino Wool Travel Shirt For Hot Climates

Icebreaker 125 Cool-Lite™ Sphere III T-Shirt

60% Lyocell & 40% Merino | Featherweight (125 gsm) | Regular fit

Pros: Breathable, ‘featherlight’ fabric | Offset shoulder seam = less chafing | Drop-tail hem

Cons: Material may be see-through | Fabric may wrinkle over time

If you’ve read our best Men’s Merino t-shirt review, you’ll know that the Icebreaker Tech-Lite tee topped our list. However, we think Icebreaker has a better t-shirt option for tropical travel: the Cool-Lite Merino Sphere crew.

Many ultralight Merino shirts have a thickness of at least 150 gsm. Yet the Icebreaker Cool-Lite tee is even more ultralight, coming in only 125 gsm. And sure, you may have long-term durability concerns (since we do too). Still, Icebreaker has an excellent warranty policy, and the fabric is corespun with lyocell for extra strength (and sustainability). So, in reality, there’s not too much to worry about.

I find it a bit ironic that a brand named Icebreaker has one of the ‘coolest’ Merino wool tees out there. But that’s the thing about irony: it’s true! And what better way to travel the globe than with the Sphere tee. Check it out below.

Best Merino Wool Travel Shirt For Cold Climates

Smartwool 250 Merino Base Layer Crew

100% Merino | Midweight (250 gsm) | Slim fit

Pros: Industry-leading performance | Engineered fit & updated features | Versatile design

Cons: Slightly more expensive than alternatives | Not suitable in warmer weather

In these review lists, I always return to the Smartwool 250 Merino base layer. It’s perfect for any cold-weather traveler as a layering piece and even a standalone shirt. I understand it sounds biased toward Smartwool, but after being in the Merino game for several years, I can say their products are legit.

The functional midweight baselayer is tight enough that a mid-layer won’t bunch but relaxed enough to be worn as an everyday shirt – especially in chillier climates. For example, if you throw on this shirt with a packable down jacket, you’ll be cozy in below-freezing temperatures.

Honestly, it’s my go-to utility layer when I’m backpacking, and the same performance qualities transfer to the travel world. And, since Smartwool consistently releases new colors and patterns, you may want to grab one before you get ‘frozen out ‘of a great deal!

Most Stylish Merino Wool Travel Shirt

Wool & Prince 130 Button-Down Shirt

100% Merino | Ultralight (130 gsm) | 17.5-18.5 Microns | Classic fit

Pros: Classic, professional look | Dozens of patterns | Multiple fabric thicknesses available

Cons: Fabric doesn’t ‘feel’ entirely durable | A bit more expensive than other options

You can still wear Merino wool even if you need to dress to the nines! A perfect example is this stylish button-up from Wool & Prince. You get the high-end luxury vibe plus the enhanced travel properties of Merino wool. I would even go on a limb and crown it the perfect wool button-down!

The one thing about Wool & Prince that makes them elite in the Merino world is their sheer selection of styles and fabric weights. Their classic Merino button-down comes in all shades of blue, gray, checkered, plaid, etc. Plus, you can get a button-down in various fabric thicknesses: 130 gsm, 170 gsm, 210 gsm, or blended with linen!

Think about it like this: there isn’t a professional outfit or classy look that can’t be achieved with one of these Wool & Prince Merino wool shirts.

And while I don’t pack mine on outdoor vacations, I always have one while city-hopping. In all honesty, it’s probably the best-looking piece of Merino wool travel gear that I own. And if you don’t want to take my word for it, check it out for yourself below!

Best Wool Shirt For Adventure Travel

Ibex 24-Hour Merino Wool Long Sleeve Crew

100% Merino | Lightweight (165 gsm) | 19.5 microns | Regular fit

Pros: Designed for all-around performance | Versatile layering | Fantastic moisture management

Cons: Need something thicker for freezing temps | Fiber length could be finer

I love adventure travel. The thrill of exploring the outdoors in an unfamiliar country has always appealed to me. But one major issue I’ve always had is packing for the travel and adventure parts of the trip. Typicaly, that means two separate bags and lots of disorganization. However, I’ve learned that Merino wool serves both the travel and adventure roles during my trips. And one piece of gear that does this exceptionally well is the Ibex 24-hour Long-Sleeve Crew.

The reason is that I can wear the 24-hour crew for 24 hours! So, whether I’m killing time on a layover or jetting off for a foreign backpacking trip, I know I have a versatile, functional piece of gear for wherever the road leads me. It’s sort of like a safety blanket but much more comfortable.

The 24-hour long-sleeve crew is an essential piece for any one-bagger. So, I won’t bore you with the tech specs since I listed them above. Moreover, if you like the design but are looking for a different style, check out other Merino wool gear from Ibex.

Best Value Merino Wool Travel Shirt For Men

Allbirds Men’s Soft Merino Tee

50% Cotton, 30% Merino, & 20% Lyocell | Lightweight | Classic fit

Pros: Top price-to-performance ratio | Available in white (rare) | Trusted brand

Cons: Fit discrepancies | Long-term durability concerns

Yes, I know some of these Merino wool travel shirts are pricey. Still, there is affordable gear out there without sacrificing quality. One of those brands is a fan favorite: Allbirds. Their newly released men’s Merino Tee is priced under $50, leaving your bank account with extra legroom to upgrade your seats for some extra legroom.

As this is a new release, I have yet to be able to test it out. However, I dig Allbirds as a brand because of their elevated focus on sustainable materials. So, while I haven’t got my hands on this white Merino wool tee yet if it’s the same quality as my multiple pairs of Allbirds sneakers, it’s definitely worth the price.

With some of these other Merino wool travel shirts priced in the triple digits, you might wonder why Allbirds set this pricepoint so low? Well, it’s because there is only 30% Merino wool, which reduces material costs. Still, the unique blend of cotton, wool, and lyocell gives this tee the softness, strength, and versatility to face any roadblock head-on. And if that’s not high-quality, I don’t know what is.

So, hit the road in style and comfort with some extra money in your pocket when you travel with the Allbirds Men’s Soft Merino Tee. Check it out below to learn more!

Final Note: Best Merino Wool Travel Shirts For Men

And that’s that; the top 10 men’s merino wool shirts for travel. From tees to polos, button-downs to sun hoodies, I think I’ve covered nearly every style you could want in a travel wardrobe. All so that you can find that one piece of Merino Wool Gear that genuinely fits your needs.

I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Honestly, it helped me itch my travel scratch – for at least another few months.

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