Merino wool sweaters offer a lot to love. Soft, strong, naturally thermoregulating, anti-stink, and water-repellent — it’s hard to refute the natural properties of a merino wool sweater. So there’s no doubt that in the outdoors, merino wool is a beloved staple. But $400 worth of love?

Vollebak, the bombastic builder of such oddities as a $3,000 wooden jacket, today announced its new Planet Earth sweater, made with merino wool and a dash of cashmere for extreme softness. However, the price tag taps out at a whopping $395 per sweater.

Why so costly? Well, the brand explains that this is a 3D-knitted garment with no seams. Here’s what that means.

The Perks of 3D Knitting

Vollebak claims that it 3D knits each Planet Earth sweater from a single merino-cashmere thread, which piqued our interest. 3D knitting works much like 3D printing, but for textiles. Vollebak says it eliminates two key issues, seams and waste, by using a single thread to knit.

To be clear, there are other similarly knit products from brands like Smartwool. But these do have seams, even with largely knit fabrics.

This is where Vollebak takes it a step further by 3D knitting. The completely seamless sweater, it says, reduces the chance of skin irritation and chafing significantly, and it brings the comfort factor up a notch. Seamless clothes also follow a more natural body curve than seamed clothing for a more flattering cut.

With zero seams, it claims, also comes zero waste. The process of using only one strand of thread for an entire sweater means each sweater uses the exact amount of thread needed, eliminating excess trimming and wasting material. This practice reduces surplus material that can end up in a landfill or recycled, which still takes time and resources to reuse.

Why Merino Matters

Merino wool is a versatile natural fiber, making it a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers who spend a significant amount of time wearing it without changing.

Vollebak says its merino wool “evolved to survive scorching summers and freezing winters” and praises its natural thermoregulation, breathability, elasticity, and water-repellent nature. Since the Planet Earth sweater is marketed as a travel sweater, Vollebak made sure to call out its crease-resistant properties, as well.

Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial, which means the bacteria that collects on your shirt and starts to stink won’t be an issue with merino wool products. It also naturally wicks away moisture when you start to sweat and releases heat when you get too warm.

Worth Its Weight in Gold?

But here’s the $400 question: Is it really worth that price tag?

I spit out my seltzer when the price of the Vollebak Planet Earth sweater appeared on the computer screen. $395 is a pretty penny for merino wool anything. For context, I circled back to the price of other merino wool items we’ve covered.

The average price of the winner of GearJunkie’s Best Merino Wool Shirts guide was all of $80. The Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie, the Best Alternative Insulation winner of GearJunkie’s Best Midlayers guide and chock-full of premium merino wool insulation, rings in at just under $250. Why is the price of a travel and leisure sweater 1.5 times that of an insulated midlayer jacket?

In full disclosure, I haven’t gotten my hands on the Planet Earth sweater, so I can’t confirm Vollebak’s claims about its softness, durability, or performance. I could speculate that the luxurious addition of cashmere might have something to do with the price tag, but I can’t say for certain — or justify the price. But as Vollebak goes, it’s another wild new product by a brand that once auctioned an off-grid eco-compound, so it’s on-brand and very expensive, as usual.