Unbound Merino vs Nero

Unbound Merino's only 100% merino short is the one you sleep in.

Why Nero is better

A liner that is 100% merino

Built into the short at 17.5 micron, so nothing goes underneath. Unbound Merino's shorts have no liner.

A merino short built for training

Unbound Merino's three shorts are sold for travel, sleep and the beach.

No nylon anywhere

Unbound Merino's Flex short is 47% merino against 33% nylon, 14% polyester and 6% elastane.

17.5 micron in the short itself

Unbound Merino lists 18.9 micron on the Flex short, the one meant for everyday wear.

No polyurethane

Unbound Merino's linen beach short lists 25% polyester and 2% polyurethane.

Nero vs Unbound Merino

  Nero Unbound Merino
Training short Liner short, 5.5 and 7.5 inch Unbound Merino makes travel, sleep and beach shorts
Liner 100% merino, 17.5 micron No liner in any Unbound Merino short
Everyday short Organic cotton shell over merino Unbound Merino's Flex is 47% merino, 53% synthetic
Merino fineness in the short 17.5 micron Unbound Merino lists 18.9 micron on the Flex
Their 100% merino short Built for training Unbound Merino sells it as sleepwear
Unlined cotton short 100% organic cotton Unbound Merino's beach short is 25% polyester
Elastane content Zero Unbound Merino lists 6% in the Flex short

Unbound Merino figures taken from claims published on their own site. Specifications change, so check the current pages before you buy.

The Active Merino Liner Short

Nero shorts with the waistband lifted to show the built in merino wool liner

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 short

RWS certified merino, sourced and produced in New Zealand

Aerial view of an RWS certified merino wool farm

Responsible Wool Standard is audited farm by farm by a third party against published criteria. You can look up the scheme and check who signs it off.

Manufacturing runs under OEKO-TEX Made in Green and WRAP. Standard 100 tests a finished garment. Made in Green certifies the facilities that produced it as well.

★★★★★1000+ Reviews

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.

Nero merino liner shorts

Test them out for 99 days

Nero 99 day money back guarantee

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 Shorts

What they say after training in them

★★★★★
JJ Joel J. Verified Buyer Canada 06/20/2025
★★★★★

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).

JY Jeffrey Y. Verified Buyer Canada 06/02/2025
★★★★★

Great shorts

These shorts fit and look great. The materials are excellent. Will definitely buy more going forward.

FP Findal P. Verified Buyer New Zealand 06/01/2025
★★★★★

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!