>>2541018wool pants merino or otherwise aren't common because its not a good material for hiking pants*. you generally don't want your pants to be insulating if you're planning on high activity.
wool pants are better suited for stuff like logging, bushcraft larping, soldiering, things where you're static and less physically active. its a great pants material for city wear if you live up north.
you can get coarse wool pants very cheaply at your local thrift store if you really desire them. dress pants tend to be made of it.
if you're investing in wool gear to hike in the most important pieces are the leggings/long johns and the socks. with the leggings you can wear them under your normal hiking shorts or pants if you need lower body insulation. pull them up or take them off if you get warm. using a layering system instead of wearing warm pants lets you adjust to exactly how warm you need to be. there's no reason to have it stuck to the inside of your pants like a lining in an /out/ context.
>>2540859>that virtually must be Merino wool is your socksnot true, coolmax polyester is just as good* for socks as merino. they each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
coolmax: longer lifespan, cheaper, dry faster but feel gross when wet, a bit warmer, stink like ass
merino: smell proof, not gross feeling when sweaty, warmer when damp (not saturated), less durable, more expensive
coolmax in hot/wet weather and dayhiking, merino for cold weather an
*if they're actually hiking socks with some under foot padding. running/sports coolmax socks might suck for hiking depending on the design.
the reason you see wool socks the most is less about the materials science and more about darn tough's amazing replacement program where you can swap them out for a fresh pair for free at most outfitters while on a long distance hike.
injinji's coolmax socks are more popular than every other wool sock including smartwool.
