Is cashmere warmer than merino?

Yes, gram for gram cashmere is warmer, because its fibers are finer and trap more air. Merino is still very warm and outperforms ordinary wool, but cashmere leads at the same weight.

Why does cashmere pill more than merino?

Cashmere fibers are shorter and less elastic, so loose fiber ends migrate to the surface and tangle into pills more easily. Merino is springier and more resilient, so it resists pilling and recovers its shape better.

Which is better value?

Merino, by a wide margin. A single Merino sheep produces a full fleece each year, while a cashmere goat yields only a few ounces of usable down, which is why cashmere costs many times more.

Side by side

Cashmere vs Merino

Cashmere and merino are the two benchmarks of soft luxury knitwear, but they come from different animals and behave differently. Cashmere is the fine combed down of the cashmere goat, prized for an extraordinary softness and warmth-to-weight. Merino is the fine sheared wool of the Merino sheep, nearly as soft, more elastic, and far more durable. The choice is softness and warmth against resilience and value.

Cashmere

No. 109

fine woven or knitted, from cashmere down · first documented Middle Ages

Merino

No. 112

fine woven or knitted, from Merino wool · first documented Middle Ages

The differences

Aspect	Cashmere	Merino
Source	The soft underdown of the cashmere goat, combed out by hand each spring.	The sheared fleece of the Merino sheep, the finest of the wool breeds.
Fineness and hand	Extremely fine and soft, with a dry, plush hand.	Fine and soft, slightly less so than cashmere, with a springier feel.
Warmth for the weight	Exceptional. Warmer than merino at the same weight.	Very warm, and warmer than ordinary wool, but below cashmere.
Durability and elasticity	Less elastic; pills more readily and wears faster.	More elastic and resilient; resists pilling better and holds its shape.
Cost	High. A goat yields only a few ounces of down a year.	Far more affordable; a sheep yields a full fleece.
Best for	Luxury sweaters, scarves, anything where softness and warmth lead.	Everyday knitwear, base layers, suiting, anything that must wear well.

Which to choose

For the softest, warmest, most indulgent hand, cashmere wins, at a price and with more care required. For a garment that is still soft but springs back, resists pilling, and costs a fraction as much, merino is the better everyday choice. Many of the best knits blend the two to borrow from both.

Common questions

Is cashmere warmer than merino?: Yes, gram for gram cashmere is warmer, because its fibers are finer and trap more air. Merino is still very warm and outperforms ordinary wool, but cashmere leads at the same weight.
Why does cashmere pill more than merino?: Cashmere fibers are shorter and less elastic, so loose fiber ends migrate to the surface and tangle into pills more easily. Merino is springier and more resilient, so it resists pilling and recovers its shape better.
Which is better value?: Merino, by a wide margin. A single Merino sheep produces a full fleece each year, while a cashmere goat yields only a few ounces of usable down, which is why cashmere costs many times more.

Full entry: Cashmere Full entry: Merino

Sources & References

1.Cashmere wool, Wikipedia
2.Cashmere goat, Wikipedia
3.Merino, Wikipedia
4.Wool, Wikipedia