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James

Site owner at Canadianomad

I sold everything 8 years ago to play professional sports & explore the world. After living in 7 countries, I made this to share everything. 100% authentic and strange!

Latest posts by James (see all)

• Icebreaker vs Smartwool vs Arc’Teryx vs Devold vs Decathlon vs… – Ultimate Merino comparison - March 27, 2025
• Rab Muon 50 review – Excellent and awful! - March 19, 2025
• Review: Ticket To The Moon Backpack Plus (25L) - March 11, 2025

Back in the day I did an Icebreaker vs Decathlon comparison, so I figured it’s time to revamp that with a modern interpretation since way there are more manufacturers out there now. I’ll cover some of the biggest ones.

So, this non-sponsored, non-endorsed, honest comparison of all the top Merino makers will let you know my thoughts over the last 7 years of almost exclusively wearing merino wool attire!

I already did a Merino wool sock comparison (Darn Tough vs Smartwool vs Icebreaker etc) and a Merino wool neck gaiter comparison (Buff vs Icebreaker vs…), so it’s about time I did shirts!

Icebreaker

Most popular merino brand

Arguably the ones to popularize it to the masses, Icebreaker is now synonymous with merino wool.

I found that Icebreaker merino is some of the softest, comfiest, and nicest fitting stuff. Also, certainly among the most expensive.

I’ve had over a dozen pieces from pants to shirts, underwear to socks, sweaters, neckwarmers, and more.

Some were quite crappy (Shifter pants…. Grrrr), while the shirts outlasted most competitors with the best fit and feeling. Typically I get 1-2 years from a shirt before it succumbs to its injuries.

Overall I think it’s hard to go wrong with Icebreaker attire and while it’s not my favourite ever, they’re pretty great! In fact, the Icebreaker Anatomica boxers are about the best things to have ever graced my parts – if only they were a little tougher!

In short: Most expensive, but also some of the best merino out there.

Smartwool

Most balanced merino clothes

It took me a while before I started liking my Smartwool items. I found my shirt to be not as soft, stretchy, or comfy as other brands. In fact, it felt like an average cotton shirt. It didn’t give me that premium feeling.

However, it has actually been the longest lasting and most durable merino shirt I’ve had so far! At the 2 year mark with only a couple small holes – I’m impressed by the durability. The fit kind of looks like an ‘average t-shirt’ too, which, I don’t like as much as the ‘fitted’ slim look of Icebreakers stuff.

Often Smartwool stuff fits in the mid-price bracket – oftentimes undercutting those like Icebreaker but more premium than the likes of Decathlon – so I feel it represents a good price:performance ratio.

Arc’Teryx

Most expensive merino shirts

Surely Arc’Teryx has got to have some good quality gear, right? And yes, the Arc’Teryx merino clothes are certainly up to snuff and worthy of the brands reputation.

A really nice quality wool, very soft and comfortable, and quite durable as well. The cut leans onto the leaner side of things – better suited for those with a slim or ‘climbers’ build.

However, when we consider the price tag of about $110 USD – thats where the discussion gets a bit more interesting. Even the industry-leading Icebreaker shirts retail at $80, and Decathlon at $40. Of course, you’re paying for the name and branding with the Arc’Teryx gear – this is universal across their whole catalogue.

Is it better quality? I’d say, yes. It looks great, feels great, and performs great, but at 2-3x the cost of other brands, it makes it hard to recommend – after all, it will still wear down and degrade after a couple years regardless.

Arc’Teryx is notoriously high-priced and becoming super popular, so check my Arc’Teryx Alternatives list for some more options!

Devold

Best looking merino clothing.

Norweigan, so it’s gotta be good, right?

I actually adored my Devold merino – super soft, lovely athletic fit, very nice overall. However, I found it got shredded and holed up quicker than most of the other brands out there.

Also their colours, designs, and traditional-style garmets and in my opinion the best looking out there – credit to that Scandinavian influence of course.

High price, high quality, but unfortunately not the most durable. Certainly worth picking up a piece though!

Decathlon (Forclaz)

Best value merino clothes

Budget kings Decathlon of course have a merino offering.

Their Forclaz lineup of hiking gear always has some goodies, and their merino shirts are also excellent. No, not as soft or comfy as Icebreaker, Arc’Teryx, or Devold, but really quite durable and, in my opinion, beats out Smartwool. Not to mention the really good price.

The underwear is a really nice price and they outlasted my Icebreaker ones – though they were awfully uncomfortable at the beginning and didn’t look nearly as good.

But yes, to anyone on a budget I would certainly recommend Decathlon/Forclaz/Simond brand merino without a doubt!

Aclima

Best performing merino wear

Mesh knit is a spicy new trend now, and for good reason – it’s very performant!

If have no plans of being visible in your fishnet attire, then by all means, revel in the glory of superior ventilation.

With that being said, it’s not the comfiest stuff by any means… A non-knit shirt or long johns will be more durable, comfortable, and socially acceptable.

I have a full set of mesh baselayers for when I venture into sub-zero territory and it’s brilliant – can dump heat very quickly when you unzip your higher layers – crucial for sweat management in the freezing. But, I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone due to the high price (~$100+) and rather niche use-cases.

Other brands

There are just so many manufacturers which make merino now that I’m not going to dive into the list at all. Hundreds, if not, thousands of different manufacturers. If it’s a good price though, just go for it. Maybe report back with your findings so we can all learn from you!

I would generally stay away from re-branded Cheap Amazon/AliExpress/AliBaba merino shirts. For one – their merino is certainly not ethically sourced. You’re also not guaranteed to even get merino as cheap acrylic yarn feels and looks quite similar to merino but has zero of the performance characteristics of merino. Buyer beware!

Summary

So, who makes the best and what do I prefer?

Well, once you think of merino shirts, socks, underwear, etc as consumable objects then the choice becomes clear – pick the one that has the best value/price/fit.

Yes, brands like Icebreaker may give notably better look/softness/durability, but it will eventually get destroyed in the short natural lifespan of merino anyways. So keep that in mind when you whip out your card.

I’ve gone through at this point probably hundreds of merino shirts, socks, underwear, etc – I just pick stuff on sale that fits me nicely. I do have preference for brands, but honestly, it’ll all do just as well as each other.

For more nerdy merino madness, check out the aforementioned comparisons of Merino Wool Socks and Merino Wool Neck Gaiters – you won’t be disappointed!