Merino - Origin & history
Origin and History
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More than half the world's sheep population is descended from merino sheep or is a merino cross-bred. The merino sheep originally comes from Spain, where records first show it being traded in 1307. Like all domestic sheep, it is a descendant of the mouflon. The European mouflon now only exists on Sardinia and Corsica in the wild. The first Spanish merino sheep were exported to Australia approx. 200 years ago. Whereas the priority for European sheep farming was improving the meat, Australian breeding concentrated on the wool. The Australian settlers had no other choice, as exporting meat was unthinkable with the old sailing ships. They therefore worked down through the generations on improving the sheep's wool in order to get more and finer wool fibres of the best quality. The sheep's numbers are today estimated at over one billion worldwide. With approx.125 million sheep altogether, Australia is the world's leading supplier of fine-fibred wool. New Zealand with approx. 70 million sheep, China and the former Soviet states are also significant wool producers, above all of a coarser quality. The ORTOVOX merino wool comes from select Australian merino sheep. The farmers have managed to rear merino sheep that can even survive under extreme conditions in the Australian outback. The wool protects the sheep as a shield against heat of up to 35 °C in summer and against ice-cold winter temperatures of well below zero.
Tradition at Ortovox
Ortovox developed its first wool products back in 1988. At first milled new wool was used. The first range included touring ski jackets, pullovers, hats, gloves, gaiters and socks. In the following years, the collection was hugely expanded due to its success. New wool is used even to this day on our socks and gloves because of its great thermal efficiency.
Ortovox first used pure merino wool in 1995, which was largely responsible for the upcoming boom in natural products. The focus in the first few years was on pure merino undergarments. In subsequent years, top layers and finally the unique merino softshell and hardshell collection were added to the range.
Tradition at Ortovox
Ortovox developed its first wool products back in 1988. At first milled new wool was used. The first range included touring ski jackets, pullovers, hats, gloves, gaiters and socks. In the following years, the collection was hugely expanded due to its success. New wool is used even to this day on our socks and gloves because of its great thermal efficiency.
Ortovox first used pure merino wool in 1995, which was largely responsible for the upcoming boom in natural products. The focus in the first few years was on pure merino undergarments. In subsequent years, top layers and finally the unique merino softshell and hardshell collection were added to the range.
