The Wool Wear Gift Guide: A Warm Hug for the Outdoor Heart

Wil Rickards digs into his Welsh lineage and suggests some recent favorite items made from this magical fabric.

Looking for a gift that says “I love you” more convincingly than Travis Kelce bending a knee to TayTay? You might want to consider wool. When it is done right, it is like a gentle hug when you feel low, a little reminder that a kind gesture makes a difference, and warmth is only a thought away. For the person in your life who feels most at home beneath an open sky or upon a windy crag, here is a collection of dependable layers that offer comfort, performance, and style in equal measure. These garments are the ones I usually reach out for and have worn extensively during the last two years.

The Workhorses

Icebreaker 200 Realfleece™ Descender Half Zip $160

A base or mid layer designed for those chasing high-intensity pursuits in cool-to-cold conditions. The Realfleece™ uses brushed Merino wool providing warmth without the weight for next-to-skin comfort. It manages moisture impressively, incorporating Cool-Lite™ mesh underarm panels for optimal ventilation. I either use this versatile garment as a next to skin layer in the skin track or as a spare layer when moving light in the summer. It is also available as a hoodie, which is my favored way to go.

Royal Robbins Rockcraft Wool Hoodie $140

This hoodie is a tribute to the early climbers of Yosemite. Liz and Royal Robbins brought and sold European wool sweaters to US climbers in the early days of Camp 4. This beauty takes your classic hoodie, cranks up the elegance and improves temperature regulation, aligning with all your projects be they at the boulders or in the boardroom. CEO or dirtbag, everyone should be impressed by this 100% Merino wool sweater which is a fantastic layer to bring to the arsenal. The wool is Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified and boasts the incredible outdoor performance benefits of Merino: moisture-wicking, odor resistance, and thermoregulation. I confess when the mercury drops I wear this everywhere from the climbing wall to meetings and I never worry that it might look tatty or smell. Another added bonus is that I do not have to wash it often either, in fact, wool is best washed infrequently to preserve its natural qualities.

Minus 33 Trailblazer MIDWEIGHT FULL ZIP HOODIE $159

Another hoodie, this one lives up to its name; not only is it a great piece when you are following your own path, it also looks great and is bound to leave people wanting to follow you. This Midweight is an ideal quick extra layer to keep you going, with a temperature recommendation of 30°F to 0°F while active. Features include a slim hood that fits underneath a helmet, thumbholes for easy layering, and three pockets (two hands, and one chest) for securing essentials. Consider this a fusion of your favorite wool sweater meeting the technical fleece you pack for your best adventures. This is hands down one of my most frequently used pieces, all the advantages of a zipped jacket with the comfort of a wool sweater and surprisingly light for the warmth you feel when wearing it. Throw in the long cut and resulting lack of draft at the waist and this is a winner.

The Outer Shell

Ortovox SWISSWOOL PIZ DUAN JACKET $320

For when it gets cold on a challenging summit, this jacket is a technical piece built for the alpine adventurer. It provides protection with a minimal 70 g/m² SWISSWOOL lining, utilizing sustainable SWISSWOOL insulation. The outer shell is made with TEC STRETCH material, which is both breathable and repels wind and water, guaranteeing maximum freedom of movement for your next grab-and-go adventure. Designed for ski touring, it is extremely minimalist and takes no space or adds no weight when stowed in your pack and yet provides the snug feel of wool when pulled out on a summit. There is no doubt in my mind that wool has some psychological benefits over down, and feels cozier when my body is cold. Throw in the wind protection and suddenly my thermostat seems to rise markedly.

Vermont Glove Uphill Skier $150

You may have guessed by now that I am happiest outside in the weather. If I had to choose a single activity it would be backcountry skiing. I confess I like my gloves modular, and wool and leather is my favorite combo. Vermont Gloves’ offering is about as good as it gets, but please don’t expect to love them right away. These are like your old Levi 501’s; if you are old enough you get it. It took about 3 months to wash and wear them in, you loved them until they wore out two or so years later and then you had to go through the familiar process again. Well these will take even longer to really soften up, you will have to condition them excessively in the initial period and then you are likely to get a decade of them handling your daily abuse. Wear the inners, wear the outers or wear them together; you will definitely be replacing the wool liner before the goat hide leather. However the deeply tanned outer worn smooth by constant treatment and use will make you look like such a badass.

Travel and Everyday Comfort

Smartwool Men’s Short Sleeve Button Down $63

With a look that can go straight from business class on a plane to the local crag, this shirt is made for comfort. The regular fit allows for free movement without bulk. Its fabric blend of 56% Merino Wool and 44% Recycled Polyester combines the odor resistance and temperature regulation of Merino with the durability and quick-dry time of polyester. The perfect item for when you need to “up your style yet still be casual”. When you start wearing lightweight wool blend collared shirts, you will not go back. All day comfort even in fluctuating temperatures, and no need to be tied to a laundromat when travelling.

FITS Original Ultra Light Cushion No Show Sock $19

Be as kind to your feet as you can. These socks feature Targeted Cushion on impact-prone areas and mesh zones for breathability. They are built with Indestructa Shield™ technology and feature a Seamless Toe and an Achilles tab to prevent slippage. I hope by now the message is becoming clear. Wool needs less washing because it miraculously does not smell as much. When the fabric is lightweight, it does not take so much space in your drawer or luggage. These socks fit that bill. When you have packed them on your international jaunts you will wonder why you chose other materials in the past.

Artilect Walrus Beanie Black $45

The finishing touch. A simple piece of headwear that provides warmth and temperature management for year-round use. Nuyarn merino wool beanies are naturally odor-neutralizing and soft against the skin, perfect for keeping you comfortable on a cold day’s outing. I usually wear hoodies but having a hat on hand to use with more formal attire or as an extra layer in the pack is a game changer. This that is about as simple as it gets but fits beautifully, and does not battle with me to ride up over my ear lobes.

Don’t forget the underwear!

All the reasons we have been talking about highlight why you need some woolen underwear in your wardrobe. There is no point amassing a fine collection of wool then using underwear that leaves you clammy around your warm parts. I have boxer briefs for day to day wear and briefs to throw in the backpack for spares when doing multi day sorties. I may not change my pants daily but when based from home I put on fresh underwear religiously. However, when I am camping that is not always the case, wool is ideal, it is easy to handwash with natural soaps, dries quickly and does not smell. A top tip is to choose dark colors on account of maybe wearing them for a few days and camping in the dirt. You will find Icebreaker, Ortovox, and Smartwool represented in my smalls drawer.

The Classic Companion: The Guernsey Sweater

Munrospun Guernsey Sweater $124

Finally, if you do want to look more refined than dirtbag, then I encourage you to have at least one classically knit sweater in your collection. Every European maritime region with a history of sheep farming has a design shared among local women, created to defend their husbands and sweethearts from the hostilities of ocean weather. The Guernsey is a classic sweater, so entrenched in its history that it almost is the place it represents. It is both durable and water resistant—the sort of warmth one can sit in, unbothered, while the waves crash and the rain tears down. Like its cousins, the Aran, Shetland, and Fair Isle knits, this piece encapsulates sailor chic and reliable aplomb. A classic sweater in the wardrobe is timeless and will last way longer than your fleeces (be careful to store them so they don’t become moth food.)

Thanks mum, I think she secretly always hankered after a lawyer or doctor for a son but ended up with an outdoor instructor. Her choice of gifted sweaters meet somewhere in the middle and work for both and maybe helped inspire this article.

Finally, for all you men looking for Female Specific wool gifts, here are some pointers and favorites from Engearment’s own Erin Trail.

Baselayers

Wild Rye Bassett Half-Zip ($139) and Leggings ($119)

Made for active women BY active women, Wild Rye has updated their Basset baselayers for the winter 2025-2026 ski season. Made from 95% 18.5 micron merino wool and 5% spandex, these baselayers will keep you warm when it’s cold and breathes when you heat up. The half-zip has thumbholes in the sleeve cuffs and flatlock seams to keep you itch-free. The leggings have an updated waistband (jacquard elastic), side paneling for an optimized fit, and a ⅞ length to ensure the bottom cuffs lay flat inside your winter boots.

Casual Sweaters

Fjallraven Snow Round Neck Sweater $155

Made from 100% traceable ZQ lambswool, this sweater is exactly what you’d expect from Fjallraven: incredibly well made and purpose built. As a bonus, this sweater is super easy to wear, due to the STUNNING jacquard-knit and incredible softness from the lambswool. This item is sure to impress the woman outdoor enthusiast.

Royal Robbins Westlands Fairisle Crew $100

This sweater carries the Royal Robbins dirt bagger philosophy and combines it with stylish performance, making this a great cool weather option both on and off the mountain. It is made from a lightweight 12 gauge merino wool blend, making it a great shoulder or winter season option. The fairisle pattern is beautifully stylish as well. This sweater would be a great addition to any woman’s cool weather clothing collection.

Woolx Oaklynn Waffle Shacket $270

The Woolx Oaklynn Waffle Shacket is definitely a luxury item, at $270. Made from 460g ultra-heavyweight 87% merino wool and 13% nylon, this shirt jacket is a warm layer that can be styled for any occasion. The waffle knit detail gives a bit of texture detail that differentiates this jacket. The weave of this shacket is also incredibly soft at all of the contact points. The Shacket is intentionally oversized, so if a more regular fit is desired, size down.