Our ambassador and collaborator Diana Martín, better known as Enjoying Mountains on Instagram, compares first-hand how these two merino wool garments perform at different stages of a hike. One designed for a fast pace, the other for pure comfort.

Merino Dry vs. Merino Pure: my hiking experience

When I spend hours walking in the mountains, one of the garments that affects my comfort the most is my T-shirt. Hiking has one particular feature: the pace isn’t constant. There are tough climbs where you end up sweating, calmer stretches and, suddenly, a stop to enjoy the views or have something to eat. That’s why a garment’s ability to adapt to these changes is so important.

I’ve been able to try two Lurbel options based on merino wool: Merino Dry and Merino Pure. Although merino wool is the star of both, they feel different out on the trail.

A few years ago I associated wool exclusively with winter. Merino wool has completely changed that idea for me. On a hike you can be cold when you set off, hot on a tough climb and feel the chill again when you stop. In that context, a fibre that can help regulate body temperature makes a lot of sense. After several outings, I understand why more and more people choose it for mountain activities at any time of year.

The truth is I don’t think one replaces the other. If I’m planning a route with plenty of elevation gain, mild or hot temperatures and I know I’m going to push hard, I’ll probably choose Merino Dry. On the other hand, if I’m looking for a very comfortable, versatile garment with all the natural qualities of merino wool, Merino Pure seems like an excellent option to me.

After using them for hiking, I feel that Lurbel isn’t offering two competing T-shirts, but two different ways of understanding merino wool: one geared towards performance when the intensity rises, and another focused on natural comfort over many hours (I’ve even worn it to meetings — with a blazer on top, it looks amazing!).