I Wore Merino Gear While Hiking in NSW’s Outback & I’d Do It Again

We know wool is great in winter, but how about the heat of the Aussie Outback? Explorer Kate took the new icebreaker merino hiking range to Far West NSW to sweat it out and find out.

Good hiking clothing doesn’t just survive the elements, it adapts with them. You need something that breathes, dries quickly, doesn’t smell, and somehow manages to keep you warm and cool all at once. Sounds impossible, right?

Well, that’s exactly what the new icebreaker merino hiking range promised. So, I took it somewhere that could test every single claim. Mutawintji National Park, hidden far in the NSW Outback, throws everything at you: crisp mornings, scorching days, cool nights, repeat. If merino could handle this trip, it could handle pretty much anything.

Why is merino better than other fabrics?

Forget those itchy wool jumpers your gran knitted, merino manufacturing has made leaps and bounds in the last 30 years, leaving any remnant of ‘itchy wool’ long behind. These garments are soft against the skin, like seriously, cotton soft, not scratchy.

Merino is natural, biodegradable, and doesn’t leave plastic microfibres floating in the wash. icebreaker sources its merino wool sustainably, prioritising animal welfare and working closely with farms to ensure the sheep producing the wool are treated ethically.

Read more: Merino Activewear? icebreaker’s Natural Alternative in a Synthetic Space

Why is merino so good all year round?

Merino’s like natural climate control for your body. It traps heat when it’s cold, providing insulation. It breathes when it’s hot, and wicks away sweat before you even realise you’re dripping.

Even for smelly hiker-trash like me, it doesn’t trap odours like synthetics do, so you can wear it on repeat without washing and not stink out the tent. It’s also quick-drying and naturally UV-protective, so it handles those wild swings from crisp mornings to boiling hot afternoons and back to chilly nights. Basically, it’s built for the chaos of real-world adventures.

Read more: icebreaker’s Revealing the Uncomfortable Truth of Plastic in Our Clothes

icebreaker Merino Hiking Range

Women’s Merino Blend 200 RealFleece Descender Zip Hoodie

Sizes: XS – XL (I wore a M, but could size up to a large for a more relaxed fit)
Fabric: 60% TENCEL, 40% merino wool
Weight: Small = 227g /8 oz
Price: $269.99 AUD

You know that extra light layer you always wish you packed? This is it. The 200 RealFleece Descender Zip Hoodie is super cosy yet breathable, making it the perfect throw-on when the temps drop just enough to catch me out in a T-shirt.

I lived in it during the cool Mutawintji mornings, tossing it on while we brewed coffee over the stove, watching the sun spill orange across the jagged rock walls.

It’s a slim fit (size up if you want a looser feel) and packed with a few simple but smart design touches: a hidden chest pocket for my phone or keys, and my personal favourite, thumb loops with fold-over mitten cuffs (genius).

The RealFleece merino and TENCEL blend gave me serious warmth without the bulk, and the fit makes it ideal as a transeasonal layer on its own or as a lightweight mid-layer under a puffer when winter really kicks in.

But what I’m most excited about? icebreaker’s bold colour blocking (hello Citrine). It feels fresh, modern, and actually fun to wear. A serious step up from the sea of khaki and beige that usually dominates hiking clothes racks.

Women’s Merino 200 Waffle Elevation Tee

Sizes: XS – XL (I wore an M and I’m usually a size 10-12AU in tops)
Fabric: 100% merino wool
Weight: Small = 150g/5.29 oz
Price: $169.99 AUD

By day two, this tee had seen it all: dusty roads, rock scrambles, and an aggressive number of flies. And somehow, it still felt (and smelled) fresh enough to wear again. That waffle texture isn’t just for show, it actually helps the fabric dry faster and dumps heat when the sun’s beating down.

The fit’s a little shorter than your standard hiking tee (slightly cropped). The raglan sleeves, underarm gussets, and flatlock seams meant I could chuck my pack on without any seams to rub and chafe.

Women’s Merino Blend Elevation Stretch 5in Shorts

Sizes: 26 – 33 (I wore a size 30 and am usually a 12-14AU in pants)
Fabric: 50% merino wool, 47% cotton, 3% LYCRA
Weight: Size 32 = 220g/7.76 oz
Price: $289.99 AUD

The Elevation 5in Shorts are made from icebreaker’s new Peakflex fabric, a blend of merino wool and organic cotton that somehow has just enough stretch to move comfortably without feeling like activewear.

They felt buttery soft but were tough enough to handle scrambling over boulders and pushing through scrub on the Mutawintji trails. Plus, they didn’t cling or sag when the heat cranked into the 30s, which is saying something.

The fit is genuinely flattering too: a regular cut with a zip closure for structure, and a hidden elastic waistband at the back for comfort (thank you, icebreaker). With two zippered hip pockets and a back pocket, the design team nailed the practical details for women as well.

icebreaker calls the colour ‘Olive’ but to me it’s a brighter, fresher green. When paired with the Citrine hoodie, I felt it was a total fit. I wore them straight from rocky gorge missions to the post-hike pub stop, without even thinking about changing.

Women’s Merino Hike + Light Crew Fresh Fern Socks

Sizes: S – L (I wore a size M and am size US 9 Women’s in shoes)
Fabric: 61% merino wool, 37% nylon, 2% LYCRA
Price: $39.99 AUD

The Hike+ Light Crew Socks were plush. They offered just enough cushioning to keep my feet happy through long, dusty days. I didn’t really think about them much on the trail, and honestly, that’s probably the biggest compliment I can give a hiking sock. No slipping, no bunching, and no blisters, even after a few sweaty days in the same pair.

The anatomical fit, seamless toe, and breathable zones helped keep things comfortable when the temperatures climbed, and the reinforced heel and toe added that bit of durability I want when hauling a pack over rocky ground. They didn’t feel overly bulky or padded either; just a good, reliable pair of trail socks.

Photo by J Armstead

Merino in Mutawintji

After a few days hiking through wild Mutawintji National Park, it’s pretty clear why merino wins out for all-year adventures. It’s airy when it’s hot, keeps you warm when it’s cold, doesn’t cling when you’re sweaty, and (most importantly) doesn’t make you smell like you’ve been living out of your backpack for five days (true story).

The new icebreaker merino hiking range takes all those natural advantages and pairs them with modern, trail-to-town styles and colours that actually feel good to wear all day long.

Photos by @courtneyevewhite