What Makes Nuyarn® Merino Wool Technology Unique?

Nuyarn® represents the world's first performance merino wool that behaves exactly like wool does in nature. As Odlo continues expanding our Performance Wool merino fabric collection, let's explore what makes this revolutionary merino wool technology unique for everyday athletes who gravitate towards natural performance materials.

Revolutionary merino wool technology

Odlo has partnered with Nuyarn® – a New Zealand-based textile manufacturer specialising in performance merino fabrics – to create brand new Performance Wool products that redefine what merino wool can achieve across base layers and mid-layers.

Lighter, faster drying and stronger than traditional merino wool yarns, Nuyarn® offers a natural performance alternative for running, cycling, hiking, skiing and everyday activity. While everyone at Odlo loves pure, natural merino, traditional merino wool has one significant limitation: once it reaches peak saturation, it stops wicking sweat effectively.

Performance advantages of Nuyarn® merino wool

Performance Wool powered by Nuyarn® delivers measurable improvements over traditional ring-spun merino wool. Independent tests by AgResearch, New Zealand, reveal 35% more volume and aeration, 5x faster drying, and 35% more elasticity compared to conventional merino wool options.

The technology also provides 35% more thermal retention, 35% more resistance to air, and 50% greater burst strength. Most impressively, Nuyarn® merino wool offers 8.8x more resistance to abrasion and 120% stronger seams than traditional merino alternatives across all garment types.

Twist-free spinning technology explained

According to Nuyarn® CEO Andy Wynne, traditional spinning compresses natural air pockets and restricts fibre movement, creating rope-like structures that trap sweat. This isn't how merino wool performs in nature, which is why Nuyarn®'s unique spinning technology drafts yarns around synthetic filaments without twisting.

This twist-free approach maintains and amplifies wool's natural performance characteristics that conventional spinning destroys. The incredibly fine, 2-ply yarns perform better across stretch, loft, strength, comfort, volume, dry time, abrasion resistance, elasticity, warmth and UV protection in both base layers and mid-layers.

Sustainable merino wool production

The merino wool used in Nuyarn® comes exclusively from farmers practicing ethical animal welfare. All wool is certified non-mulesed and sourced from open-range sheep shorn annually – key reasons Odlo chose this partnership for our merino wool products.

Nuyarn® technology uses 30% less raw material for manufacturing and spins 900-1,900% faster than traditional methods. Combined with centralised, vertical operations, this results in 25% less energy consumption compared to conventional merino wool production across the entire supply chain.

The future of merino wool performance

While pure merino will always suit low-intensity activities, Performance Wool powered by Nuyarn® represents something exceptional for active pursuits. This technology appears in products like our Revelstoke collection and Ascent hoodies, demonstrating its versatility across different garment categories.

All merino wool boasts inherent antibacterial and naturally thermoregulating properties, but pieces featuring Performance Wool powered by Nuyarn® offer unique advantages for those who love to move. If you haven't experienced merino wool technology yet, we encourage you to discover the difference this revolutionary spinning method makes.