Why icebreaker merino the merino is an ancient breed of alpine sheep over millions of years they evolved a superfine highly breathable fleece to protect them from freezing winters and scorching summers it will do the same for you what is merino wool merino wool is a performance fibre invented by nature and engineered for people merino combines the best qualities of traditional wool synthetics and cotton its soft and non itch its warm in the cold and cool in the heat it breathes to p