Clothing brand Sheep inc — known for its “high-performance, carbon-negative knitwear” — has moved into the swim segment with the launch of a new line of swim shorts.

The company said they’re “ingeniously crafted from traceable ZQ Merino wool” and are a “groundbreaking product [that] leverages the extraordinary properties of Merino wool, to elevate swimwear to a new level of comfort, performance, and sustainability”.

The wool is woven in Italy with the swimwear manufactured in Portugal.

Wool swimwear is certainly interesting as its something we tend to associate with the 1800s and early 1900s, although it has been used more recently in other eco-focused swim pieces.

The new swim shorts are made from a “unique fabric blend” with 91% Merino wool from New Zealand farms, “ensuring a perfect balance of durability and flexibility”. Weighing in at 255 g/m2, the material is “lightweight yet robust, designed to withstand the rigours of both intense swim sessions and casual beach lounging”.

The fabric is said to be both breathable and temperature-regulating due to wool’s specific properties, and it includes ripstop technology to prevent tears. It’s also quick-drying and washable with the inherent thermal control properties of Merino wool to “keep the wearer cool in the heat and warm in cooler waters”.

The launch comes with a Merino Marina campaign that “celebrates the versatility and luxury of Merino wool in maritime settings, these swim shorts epitomise the fusion of elegance and functionality that [the] brand represents [and] highlights the wool’s suitability for active maritime lifestyles,” we’re told.

Earlier this year the company reported rising sales during 2023 and said Q4 alone saw a 115% year-on-year revenue increase with peak daily sales reaching up to £50,000.

It also cited a “strong performance” in the US market, accounting for over 40% of total sales and said average order value climbed 43% over the past two years.

And it flagged that it was “poised for continued expansion” in 2024, backed by planned product launches in new categories, including outerwear.