Merino vs cashmere: an honest comparison
Warmth, wear, price and care: what to choose for winter and where the premium is justified.
Merino vs cashmere: an honest comparison
Two noble fibres, two prices, two camps. Cashmere is status and tenderness, merino is practicality and durability. Let's break it down point by point so you don't overpay for a name.
Warmth: who holds it better
Cashmere has a thinner fibre, which means a larger air layer - at the same thickness it is about 30% warmer than merino. But in everyday minus 5-10 degrees, the cashmere advantage is imperceptible.
Wearing: where durability matters
Here merino wins outright. Cashmere is a festive fibre; it wears out and pills faster. In a sock that rubs against shoes and the floor, cashmere without reinforcement lives 2-3 times less than merino.
Care and whims
Both fibres are afraid of hot water and the tumble dryer. But cashmere is pickier: even contact with a rough surface leaves snags. Merino forgives more - especially with a polyamide additive.
Price and the meaning of the extra cost
A kilogram of cashmere costs several times more than merino. It is worth paying if you need maximum lightness and tenderness. If you need an everyday sock, the extra cashmere cost does not pay off a single ruble.
The verdict
Socks: choose merino, ideally with 5-10% polyamide. Leave cashmere for sweaters and scarves, where it truly shines. The savings will be measured not in rubles but in years of service.