Merino wool clothes
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Merino wool clothes
Hi,
do you have any experience with merino wool clothing? Is it worth? Is it just a hype? How much the brand matters?
do you have any experience with merino wool clothing? Is it worth? Is it just a hype? How much the brand matters?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,837
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Elite Disc, 1983 Trek 520
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
430 Posts
The few garments I've owned were given to me as gifts. They work(ed) well in many conditions, but I'm not sure I'd buy one myself. I don't sweat heavily so I can't evaluate that aspect. And I have no opinion on brands.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: SE Wyoming
Posts: 604
Bikes: 1995 Specialized Rockhopper,1989 Specialized Rock Combo, 2013 Specialized Tarmac Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Liked 588 Times
in
278 Posts
I have several Merino wool garments, some for biking, some for other outdoor and daily use. IMHO, it's no hype. Comfortable to wear, sweat wicking, doesn't get smelly with repeated wearings. I wear wool socks year around.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,852
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 810 Times
in
471 Posts
Good stuff. I have 50/50(+) and 100% Merino socks and base layers and wear them hiking, camping, and biking in cool weather. Thin, lightweight, moisture-wicking, and comfortably warm. With hiking..year around for merino socks. Merino can be pricey, but if you look around you can get items at a reasonable cost. For socks, I have a bundle or two of "Fun Toes" (amazon) that I wear through the winter in all shoes, inexpensive warmth. Darn Tough socks are a standard in hiking socks.
#6
I’m a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,422
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 699 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
647 Posts
Most thing that touch my skin in day to day lifer are merino, but I ride bikes with Lycra
#7
ret'd msgr
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: upstate
Posts: 117
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
10 Posts
Merino wool is the, um, stuff. Warm when wet, non-itchy, can be worn day after day without stinking (bacteria breed poorly in wool).
I highly recommend Darn Tough Vermont socks, and wool clothing from Rivendell- i think i have four of their long-sleeved shirts and two short-sleeved, and need a new pair of tights to replace the ones that lasted about ten years.
I highly recommend Darn Tough Vermont socks, and wool clothing from Rivendell- i think i have four of their long-sleeved shirts and two short-sleeved, and need a new pair of tights to replace the ones that lasted about ten years.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
Yes, Yes, No, sometimes
On today's 3 hour training ride, it was raining hard and fairly warm at 72F. I cannot imagine riding in a lycra top in those conditions, my merino jersey was perfect. OTOH, it was 95F and 70%RH yesterday, I cannot imagine wearing any merino jersey in those heat index conditions.
Merino can be itchy depending on the fineness, which can range from 14-24 microns. That is where brand matters. Unfortunately, few brands give you enough information to know the quality of the wool.
#9
Banned
Wool was much better than cotton in the old days, but now there are synthetic materials that are as good or better in terms of performance and comfort.
Likes For Calsun:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
I do not think I have met a single long distance hiker or long distance endurance type cyclist who does not appreciate the performance benefits and comfort of merino wool socks. Not that they exclusively use merino or other woolen socks, but they often chose to wear them.
I'll wear synthetics. But they stink. Smell awful if worn multiple days.
For baselayers, I prefer alpaca or yak over merino because they have a finer structure and more of a hollow structure that traps more air. Obviously, wool is not as light as synthetics. Alpaca dries much quicker than merino and it makes my favorite winter socks. None of these are cheap but then again neither is Capilene plastic underwears.
I'll wear synthetics. But they stink. Smell awful if worn multiple days.
For baselayers, I prefer alpaca or yak over merino because they have a finer structure and more of a hollow structure that traps more air. Obviously, wool is not as light as synthetics. Alpaca dries much quicker than merino and it makes my favorite winter socks. None of these are cheap but then again neither is Capilene plastic underwears.
#11
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: North East
Posts: 458
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 50 Times
in
29 Posts
I was gifted some Smartwool socks. They are great. Merino doesn't smell. For bike commuting and touring, I only wear Merino socks. Smartwool is too expensive though. The Amazon Fun Toes mentioned up thread sound good as well. The founder of this Merino wool dress shirt company boasts that he wore the same dress shirt for 100 days - https://woolandprince.com/blogs/ever...could-be-on-us
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,799
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,025 Times
in
723 Posts
For MTBing and more relaxed styles of riding I'm all for using merino, you really can tour with it without it stinking. I find synthetic jerseys start to smell after only a short bit of time and after 3-4 hours of riding in the summer either on trails or on tour they're awful. But merino is just comfortable and smells fine.
#13
Newbie
How does merino work for very hot weather and high UV? Like Arizona or New Mexico?
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,843
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 896 Post(s)
Liked 2,065 Times
in
1,081 Posts
Middleweight wool jersey plus windbreaker or rain jacket will work in a very broad range of conditions. The knock on wool jerseys is they're heavier than modern alternatives, and tend to be floppy.
Thin wool baselayer is still pretty darned competitive with any other materials.
Wool socks are tough to beat for winter warmth.
I can't imagine anyone using wool shorts or bibs.
Merino is the wool of choice, afaik.
Thin wool baselayer is still pretty darned competitive with any other materials.
Wool socks are tough to beat for winter warmth.
I can't imagine anyone using wool shorts or bibs.
Merino is the wool of choice, afaik.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,375
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2484 Post(s)
Liked 2,956 Times
in
1,679 Posts
Older synthetic jerseys did tend to stink after only one or two rides. Modern one don't.
The best socks I've found are bamboo with reinforced toe and heel. Comfortable, long-wearing, odor-free.
The best socks I've found are bamboo with reinforced toe and heel. Comfortable, long-wearing, odor-free.
#17
Full Member
2c i started wearing wool underwear because probably of a rivendell blog post. Wear it every day, no stink chafe or bunching. Brooks saddle, no pad. Up to 200km and change or a few days tour. Also wear wool hiking socks most days.
Other fav stuff is the Paradox cheap merino long johns and long sleeve shirts from Costco. I think you can get a 2 pack of each for like 20 or 25 dollars CAD when it’s in season. Mostly use these for layering up on or off bike based on weather. Works good though.
Other fav stuff is the Paradox cheap merino long johns and long sleeve shirts from Costco. I think you can get a 2 pack of each for like 20 or 25 dollars CAD when it’s in season. Mostly use these for layering up on or off bike based on weather. Works good though.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,490
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1083 Post(s)
Liked 687 Times
in
441 Posts
I also buy Fun Toes. Even though they call them lightweight, they're really not and so I only use them as winter socks.
The thing with Merino wool is that they can have a very low percentage of Merino wool, and still use that term. I've seen some with only 10% Merino wool that were labeled "Merino wool socks".
The thing with Merino wool is that they can have a very low percentage of Merino wool, and still use that term. I've seen some with only 10% Merino wool that were labeled "Merino wool socks".
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
UV? I've worn out exactly one poly jersey in some 25 years, and that one started leaking UV its last summer. I haven't experienced any sunburn below any other kind of clothing I've worn -- lycra, polypro, wool, or cotton. But of course I'm not a pop/rock star, so I'm not wearing anything to flash my audience.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,852
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 810 Times
in
471 Posts
Costco also sells everyday merino socks that are very nice. They'll be available in season (not now). Come in packs of 3 or 4..can't remember if they are a blend or 100%. I'm thinking they're 75-90%. Probably some spandex in there to hold their shape. They're replacing my Fun Toes, which I've worn, and worn out, for years.
#21
Senior Member
Merino wool is good, especially if you are likely to get wet. A local mountain club tells hikers "cotton kills." Cotton is okay if you are dry, but in wet and cold conditions it offers little protection from the cold. A number of hikers wearing cotton jeans and sweatshirts have died from hypothermia when a sunny day turns cold and wet.
#23
Senior Member
The brand means nothing other than a gigantic markup. When I was living in Japan Uniqlo had lightweight merino wool turtlenecks for about $20, those were my bread and butter for cycling and back country snowboarding.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Right where I'm supposed to be
Posts: 1,634
Bikes: Franklin Frames Custom, Rivendell Bombadil
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 209 Times
in
127 Posts
I can wear merino wool for socks, hats and a neck gaitor I find even the best merino itchy on my my torso. They are fragile however, unless blended with around half polyester or nylon. I wear Smartwool liner socks for cycling in the summer, but they're blended with half nylon to make them durable, and from my experience they are durable and they retain the wool benefits, except softness. They feel coarse, but i like it that way actually. I might be able to wear some blends like that on my torso, but then we come to garment fit(I'm tall and thin), and the very high prices of such. Since I wash anything I sweat in daily, synthetics work just fine and they line dry quickly. If merino half blends were as available as all the synthetics in fit variety and cost, sure, sign me up. But they're not.
#25
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Maryland
Posts: 162
Bikes: Pedego Stretch 2016 (electric cargo bike for around town and grocery shopping, Small surly Ogre (2015), Bianchi Advantage (46cm) 1993, Bike Friday NWT, 2005
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 126 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
24 Posts
I have a TON of wicking clothes and so does my son and partner. Wicking polyester stuff is great for wearing, but IT STINKS - washing it with vinegar, etc.
We also ski and we wear the same clothes all season (merino wool) and we don't have to wash all season and they still don't stink. Now, granted, we don't get as hot, but we WORK on the slopes too!
There is no reason to wash wool as often (nor should you) but I'm a bit skeptical of the merino wool wicking stuff for fitness. I have a shirt and it feels GREAT, but since so much of it still polyester, I'm not sure how much less stinky it will be and of course it is PRICY.
We also ski and we wear the same clothes all season (merino wool) and we don't have to wash all season and they still don't stink. Now, granted, we don't get as hot, but we WORK on the slopes too!
There is no reason to wash wool as often (nor should you) but I'm a bit skeptical of the merino wool wicking stuff for fitness. I have a shirt and it feels GREAT, but since so much of it still polyester, I'm not sure how much less stinky it will be and of course it is PRICY.