Tracksmith vs Nero
Both blend their merino. One blends it with wood pulp, the other with plastic.
Why Nero is better
Nothing blended in. Tracksmith's Van Cortlandt liner is the same polyester mesh as its shell.
GOTS certified, woven, no plastic in it. Tracksmith's Van Cortlandt short is 82% polyester and 18% spandex.
Merino Air pairs merino with Tencel Lyocell. Tracksmith's Brighton base layer pairs merino with 28% nylon and 20% polyester.
Tracksmith's striped Brighton adds 18% polypropylene, taking the wool down to 36%.
An animal welfare standard audited farm by farm. Tracksmith names Woolmark Wool Blend, which certifies how much wool is in the blend.
Nero vs Tracksmith
| Nero | Tracksmith | |
|---|---|---|
| Shorts shell | 100% GOTS organic cotton | Tracksmith lists 82% polyester, 18% spandex |
| Shorts liner | 100% merino | Tracksmith uses the same polyester mesh |
| Merino blended with | Tencel Lyocell, from wood pulp | Tracksmith blends with nylon and polyester |
| Synthetics in the wool piece | Zero | Tracksmith's Brighton is 48% nylon and polyester |
| Striped colourways | Same fabric in every colour | Tracksmith's striped Brighton drops wool to 36% |
| Wool certification | RWS, audited farm by farm | Tracksmith names a blend content mark |
| Microplastic shedding | None, natural fibre | Tracksmith's polyester and nylon shed in the wash |
Tracksmith figures taken from claims published on their own site. Specifications change, so check the current pages before you buy.
The Active Merino Liner Short
A 100% GOTS certified organic cotton shell over a 100% merino liner at 17.5 micron, RWS certified with no mulesing. Two open pockets, one secure zip pocket, 5.5 inch and 7.5 inch inseams.
- Moisture moves into the fibre, not across it. Merino absorbs water vapour into the fibre core and releases it to the air, so odour compounds stay bound inside instead of sitting on the surface.
- Zero petrochemicals. No polyester, no nylon, no elastane, no recycled bottle flake.
- Merino sourced and produced in New Zealand. RWS certified, no mulesing, under OEKO-TEX Made in Green and WRAP.
The shorts are where most men start. The rest of the range, tees, vests and boxers, is in best sellers.
Shop the liner shortMerino Air is two pieces: a T-shirt and a vest
Merino Air is one fabric in two garments, and that is the whole range. The Merino Air T-Shirt and the Merino Air Vest. Nothing else uses it.
Both are 60% Tencel Lyocell and 40% merino in a 150gsm open mesh knit. Both come in black, carbon and burnt clay, sizes S to XL, single or in packs.
Shorts for Any Season
Temperature-Regulating: Stay cool in scorching heat and warm when it's chilly - no more sweaty plastic clinging to your thighs.
Naturally Moisture-Wicking: Merino wool quickly absorbs and evaporates sweat, keeping you dry and comfortable throughout the day.
Built for Every Workout: Crafted from unbelievably soft yet durable Merino fibers, our shorts handle intense workouts, weekend hikes, and everything in between.
Test them out for 99 days
We're so confident you'll love Nero that we offer a 99-Day Money-Back Guarantee. No questions asked. Try them risk-free and feel the difference immediately. Say goodbye to sweaty plastic shorts forever.
Shop Nero ShortsWhat they say after training in them
★★★★★5/5 – Best Shorts I've Ever Owned
I bought the Nero Shorts made with wool and organic cotton, and I can confidently say they're the best shorts I've ever worn. The material is next-level, breathable, soft, and somehow manages to feel both lightweight and durable at the same time. The fit is perfect, relaxed but sharp, and they move with you without ever feeling bulky or stiff.
They've quickly become my go-to for everything from casual wear to lounging, and I genuinely notice the quality every time I put them on. The wool keeps you cool when it's hot and warm when it's cool. You can tell these were made with intention and attention to detail.
Highly recommend. I'll be buying another pair (or two).
Great shorts
These shorts fit and look great. The materials are excellent. Will definitely buy more going forward.
Comfy and practical
These are some of the best shorts i've ever worn! Comfy, good pocket size, sits well on the booty! The merino on skin is really cosy, while the cotton outer always looks good! Finally found a pair of shorts that are good for me and the earth!