Merino wool cycling shorts?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Iowa
Posts: 682
Bikes: 2021 Salsa Fargo 1x12, 2019 Jamis Renegade Exploit 1x11. Motobacne NX Fat Tire
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 198 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times
in
170 Posts
Merino wool cycling shorts?
I’ve got several different brands of Merino wool underwear and base layers but none of them are seamless in the crotch area.
anyone know of some good merino boxer-briefs or cycling shorts?
love merino and it’s anti-funk properties!
anyone know of some good merino boxer-briefs or cycling shorts?
love merino and it’s anti-funk properties!
#2
Senior Member
I don't think merino wool is needed, because usually riders use a pad of some sort. My old blackbottoms weren't anywhere near as smooth as merino wool. The chamois provided comfort.
Kucharik still sells wool shorts - https://www.kucharikclothing.com/woo...83p0k5a8fgko53. I've seen them other places but I can't remember where.
Kucharik still sells wool shorts - https://www.kucharikclothing.com/woo...83p0k5a8fgko53. I've seen them other places but I can't remember where.
Likes For philbob57:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 727
Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 215 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
142 Posts
You do not see them now for reasons of cost, fashion, and the worship of new high-tech wicking fabrics, while Merino is the "original" wicking fabric.
Last edited by Bill in VA; 04-25-20 at 05:21 PM.
Likes For Bill in VA:
Likes For kingston:
#6
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,776
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3582 Post(s)
Liked 3,394 Times
in
1,928 Posts
Likes For JohnDThompson:
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Iowa
Posts: 682
Bikes: 2021 Salsa Fargo 1x12, 2019 Jamis Renegade Exploit 1x11. Motobacne NX Fat Tire
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 198 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times
in
170 Posts
I don't think merino wool is needed, because usually riders use a pad of some sort. My old blackbottoms weren't anywhere near as smooth as merino wool. The chamois provided comfort.
Kucharik still sells wool shorts - https://www.kucharikclothing.com/woo...83p0k5a8fgko53. I've seen them other places but I can't remember where.
Kucharik still sells wool shorts - https://www.kucharikclothing.com/woo...83p0k5a8fgko53. I've seen them other places but I can't remember where.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Iowa
Posts: 682
Bikes: 2021 Salsa Fargo 1x12, 2019 Jamis Renegade Exploit 1x11. Motobacne NX Fat Tire
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 198 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times
in
170 Posts
Boure and Cima Coppi both have wool shorts.
#9
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
"Anti-Funk"? How many days are you riding before changing clothes?
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: midwest
Posts: 2,528
Bikes: 2018 Roubaix Expert Di2, 2016 Diverge Expert X1
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 482 Post(s)
Liked 151 Times
in
105 Posts
That hasn't been my experience. I bought a couple pairs of Protogs merino wool shorts back in the late 70s, and they're still doing fine. The original leather chamois and waist elastic wore out and had to be replaced (thanks, Kucharik!), but the wool is still holding up fine. I can't say the same for lycra shorts I've bought over the years.
#11
Jedi Master
I got a pair of the cima coppi bibs last season with wool knee warmers a few of their wool jerseys, a wool base-layer and some arm warmers. It's all top-notch.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,358
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2477 Post(s)
Liked 2,947 Times
in
1,673 Posts
From the mid-'60s to the early '80s, I rode in wool shorts, including high-quality Italian brands. But I was happy to switch to Lycra shorts when those came along: first Giordana and then any number of others, preferably Italian. If you want Lycra shorts that fit right and don't wear out, buy the expensive ones made from thick Lycra (i.e., the ones that cost as much as the currently available wool shorts).
In an early Rivendell Reader, Grant Pedersen published an interview with his friend Maynard Hershon, a terrific writer some people will remember from his columns in VeloNews in the old days. When Grant asked Maynard what he would say was the most important innovation in the bike world that had come along during his writing days, Maynard immediately replied, "Lycra shorts."
Grant told him he'd change his mind if he tried Kucharik wool shorts and said, "I'll send you a pair." Maynard said, "I love you, Grant. Please don't send me any wool shorts."
You have to respect Grant P for not omitting that exchange from the published interview.
In an early Rivendell Reader, Grant Pedersen published an interview with his friend Maynard Hershon, a terrific writer some people will remember from his columns in VeloNews in the old days. When Grant asked Maynard what he would say was the most important innovation in the bike world that had come along during his writing days, Maynard immediately replied, "Lycra shorts."
Grant told him he'd change his mind if he tried Kucharik wool shorts and said, "I'll send you a pair." Maynard said, "I love you, Grant. Please don't send me any wool shorts."
You have to respect Grant P for not omitting that exchange from the published interview.
#14
Senior Member
Thanks for this thread. I have been having issues with my cold weather gear. I have Louis Garneau winter cycling pants. I wear merino wool knee high socks under them. But my thighs and butt are so cold by the end of a ride they can sting. Typically that happens below freezing or depends on the wind. I bought a base layer merino legging, but those have a seam in the crotch area and my lady parts took a serious beating wearing them 2 rides each longer than 17 miles. OUCH! So I thought maybe I could just get some merino shorts, or something else completely. Because of your comments, I see many options possibly on the Kucharik site. Maybe the Knee Warmers as they cover the thighs, but that leaves the butt cheeks. LOL I don't want to double chamois either. Both sites even make custom stuff, which is expensive but pretty cool. I am short, 5'2" and for example, my Louis Garneau pants have reticulated knees, but the knees never sit in the right place because I have stubby ass legs. The struggle is real...... At least now, I have some options to look into. In Missouri it has been pretty mild of a winter so far, but the worst is yet to come temp wise. I will ride in below zero weather, I never miss a day unless it ices up.
#15
Senior Member
My brother and I both used Protog wool cycling shorts for at least a decade. Very hearty shorts that don't wear out quickly. I still use a pair of Jackson wool leg warmers from the mid-eighties. Wool is good when properly cared for. Lycra on the other hand just ain't durable unless you get the thicker stuff. Boure makes the Pro short and Pro bib. I have a Pro bib still in service from 1998, and am going into the third year with the Pro short. The thin chamois is quite right for my needs. Can't say enough good about their products, and they are not crazy priced like other high-end brands.
#16
Senior Member
My brother and I both used Protog wool cycling shorts for at least a decade. Very hearty shorts that don't wear out quickly. I still use a pair of Jackson wool leg warmers from the mid-eighties. Wool is good when properly cared for. Lycra on the other hand just ain't durable unless you get the thicker stuff. Boure makes the Pro short and Pro bib. I have a Pro bib still in service from 1998, and am going into the third year with the Pro short. The thin chamois is quite right for my needs. Can't say enough good about their products, and they are not crazy priced like other high-end brands.
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Iowa
Posts: 682
Bikes: 2021 Salsa Fargo 1x12, 2019 Jamis Renegade Exploit 1x11. Motobacne NX Fat Tire
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 198 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times
in
170 Posts
My brother and I both used Protog wool cycling shorts for at least a decade. Very hearty shorts that don't wear out quickly. I still use a pair of Jackson wool leg warmers from the mid-eighties. Wool is good when properly cared for. Lycra on the other hand just ain't durable unless you get the thicker stuff. Boure makes the Pro short and Pro bib. I have a Pro bib still in service from 1998, and am going into the third year with the Pro short. The thin chamois is quite right for my needs. Can't say enough good about their products, and they are not crazy priced like other high-end brands.
i searched but couldn’t get any web match for Protog wool cycling shorts. Got a link?
#18
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,776
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3582 Post(s)
Liked 3,394 Times
in
1,928 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Has anyone had good experience with Kucharik? I emailed asking for measurement's of knee warmers and he was very curt and did not really answer the question. Then I replied asking about what a "seat liner" looked like, because I could not find it on their site. Again, he did not answer the question, but replied with it is made of wool. ********** I will order the knee warmers to start, because they have a no questions asked return policy, but the replies/customer service doesn't seem very good. Maybe he was having a bad day?
#20
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,776
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3582 Post(s)
Liked 3,394 Times
in
1,928 Posts
#21
Senior Member
Thanks for the feedback, I think maybe emails are not his thing. I am hoping this works out. I am really excited to find wool.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 646
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 184 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times
in
31 Posts
Cold weather gear
Thanks for this thread. I have been having issues with my cold weather gear. I have Louis Garneau winter cycling pants. I wear merino wool knee high socks under them. But my thighs and butt are so cold by the end of a ride they can sting. Typically that happens below freezing or depends on the wind. I bought a base layer merino legging, but those have a seam in the crotch area and my lady parts took a serious beating wearing them 2 rides each longer than 17 miles. OUCH! So I thought maybe I could just get some merino shorts, or something else completely. Because of your comments, I see many options possibly on the Kucharik site. Maybe the Knee Warmers as they cover the thighs, but that leaves the butt cheeks. LOL I don't want to double chamois either. Both sites even make custom stuff, which is expensive but pretty cool. I am short, 5'2" and for example, my Louis Garneau pants have reticulated knees, but the knees never sit in the right place because I have stubby ass legs. The struggle is real...... At least now, I have some options to look into. In Missouri it has been pretty mild of a winter so far, but the worst is yet to come temp wise. I will ride in below zero weather, I never miss a day unless it ices up.
Similar method on top...Craft mesh tank top, wool base layer longsleeve, wool jersey, outer jacket, and then similar layers on my face/head. Good luck.