McNair Shirts

McNair Shirts is a British clothing brand with a distinctive focus on creating mountain apparel that blends natural materials with high performance. Their story begins with a simple yet compelling idea inspired by the enduring qualities of Dachstein gloves—made from 100% wool, these gloves remain reliable and effective in mountain conditions for years. This inspired the brand to ask whether a wool shirt could achieve the same lasting performance, and they found that it could. The brand questions the widespread use of bright synthetic clothing on snowy mountains, which often looks out of place and resembles a "tube of Smarties spilt across a white tablecloth." McNair Shirts sought an alternative that would harmonise with the natural mountain environment rather than stand out. Their solution was to develop performance mountain gear made from natural fibres, specifically merino wool, that offers warmth, wind and snow protection, and longevity without sacrificing breathability, comfort, or feel. They acknowledge that while nylon and plastic clothing have their uses, these materials come with significant trade-offs such as reduced breathability and environmental concerns due to their persistence in landfills. By contrast, the McNair Mountain Shirt delivers thermal efficiency and weather resistance through carefully processed merino wool. When paired with a merino base layer, the shirt can replace an outer shell on most days, and it performs remarkably well as a jacket. For the harshest conditions, it can be complemented with a thin shell for added protection. Their approach is rooted in a traditional and principled British manufacturing ethos. The brand proudly produces their shirts in Huddersfield, an area renowned worldwide for its woollen industry. Every stage of fabric preparation—from weaving and milling to raising and steaming—occurs within a 10-mile radius of where the shirts are made. This localised craftsmanship underpins their commitment to quality and authenticity. McNair Shirts aims with clarity and conviction: to make the best mountain shirt in the world. Their focus on merino wool and mountain performance apparel sets them apart by combining natural fibres with effective technical performance, crafted through British expertise. The brand’s product range includes heavyweight corduroy shirts and jackets, as well as merino wool jackets, offered in both men’s and women’s variants, each designed to meet the demands of mountain environments with style and durability. In essence, McNair Shirts represents a thoughtful reimagining of mountain apparel, driven by respect for nature, performance, and traditional British textile craftsmanship. Their dedication to producing the finest merino wool shirts and jackets reflects a commitment to enduring quality and natural performance that stands the test of time.