Woolen Prince PK Polo Shirt Review: Merino Wool With a Honeycomb Twist

Introduction

Merino wool polos are usually smooth and slightly shiny. That is exactly what makes the Woolen Prince PK polo shirt interesting: it is the first merino shirt we have come across that uses a pk (piqué) fabric weave, giving it a honeycomb texture that looks far more like a traditional cotton polo. After about two weeks with the shirt in two different sizes, here are our initial impressions.

What Makes the PK Weave Different

The pk weave is popular in regular polo shirts, and the textile industry generally pronounces the name simply as “pk”. Instead of a smooth, slightly shiny finish, this weave creates a textured honeycomb pattern. We think it looks great in this style of shirt, and it helps the shirt read as a classic polo rather than technical apparel.

Held up next to the regular Woolen Prince merino henley, which is a 78/20 merino blend with a smoother face, the difference is immediately obvious. The pk shirt has a matte, dimensional surface with no shininess at all.

Fabric Basics: GSM, Micron, and Blends

Two terms are worth knowing when shopping for merino clothing. GSM stands for grams per square meter and measures fabric weight. Woolen Prince ranges from about 130 GSM on lightweight button-up shirts up to around 315 GSM on heavy-duty sweatshirts and jeans. For reference, the henley and crew t-shirts sit at a lightweight 160 GSM, the oxford button-down is a heavier 210 GSM, and the PK polo lands right in the middle at 190 GSM. So while it counts as a lightweight weave, it is not the lightest option in the lineup.

Micron measures the thickness of the wool fibers. Woolen Prince shirts use an extremely low 17.5 microns. Shirts with lower micron counts, like 15.5, do exist but are uncommon and generally much more expensive.

On blends: many merino shirts we have tried feel at least a little itchy, especially 100% merino options. The PK polo uses a 78% wool, 22% nylon blend, where thin nylon threads are wrapped around a larger wool thread. This gives you the durability and non-itchiness of synthetic fibers while keeping the odor-resistant properties of merino wool, which we think is the best of both worlds.

Sizing: Large vs Extra Large

We debated on sizing and ended up ordering both the large and the extra large to compare. For reference, the fit test was done at 5’11” and about 220 pounds, and unfortunately the result is between sizes.

The large fits well up top in the shoulders but feels a little slim, especially around the midsection. The extra large feels more comfortable and fits better overall, though it is still a touch big: it sits a bit long and reads slightly baggy. It actually looks noticeably better tucked in, but that is a little more formal than a polo is usually worn.

As with all merino we have tried, there is a slight itchiness when first putting the shirt on, but with this fabric it is not very noticeable and fades quickly. The plan is to return the large and keep the extra large, possibly having the shirt altered by shortening the length and taking it in a little around the waist.

Everyday Wear and Travel Plans

Beyond the texture, the PK polo behaves like the rest of the Woolen Prince merino line: breathable, odor resistant, and easy to style as a step up from a t-shirt. The matte honeycomb surface means it works equally well with jeans or under a light jacket, and it does not carry the shiny, performance-fabric look that some merino shirts have.

The shirt is about to head out on its first long trip of the season, which should be a good real-world test for wrinkle resistance and odor control. We will report back with updates after that trip.

Buying Advice

If you are between sizes, order both like we did, since the fit runs a little slim through the midsection in the smaller size and a little long and baggy in the larger one. If you prefer a textured, cotton-polo look over the shiny finish of typical merino shirts, the PK weave is genuinely appealing and unique in the merino space. Minor tailoring is a reasonable expectation if you land between sizes.

Conclusion

The Woolen Prince PK polo shirt brings a fresh look to merino apparel with its honeycomb piqué texture, a sensible 190 GSM weight, and a comfortable 78/20 wool-nylon blend. Sizing is the main thing to get right, but the fabric itself is a standout and well worth a look if you want a merino polo that does not look like one.