pakeboi

Looking for merino wool base layers , underwear , tops , for warmer weather cycling .

Have you found anything that works for you ?

revcp 

Just about all companies making merino clothing do some very light weight tops, short and long sleeve. Smartwool, Icebreaker, Minus33, etc, etc. 150 weight is what you're looking for. They all work well, won't be as durable as synthetic, but you'll only have to wash them every other year. Personal experience, I would steer clear of merino underwear for cycling. To me, it's a bit sandpapery, and I've talked to others who have experienced the same.

Duo

i wear the wool about 70 percent socks from Costco year around. excellent year round and with the wicking of perspiration away from the skin, durability...well it beats the cotton socks. other than that, i don't wear bicycle clothing yet. Costco has the best prices too on wool socks, but appear thinner this year for whatever reason. hopefully they go back to their old formula soon.

pakeboi

thanks , would appreciate some other companies to search .

keithdunlop

I just bought my first Rapha jersey - a Classic II which is a blend of 64% polyester and 36% wool. It's by far the most comfortable jersey I've ever worn, silky soft and not excessive snug. I've worn it up to about 75 degrees with a light Voler base layer, and never felt excessively hot. I'm pretty happy so far.

TimothyH

Smartwool Merino 150 Quarter Zip Long Sleeve - $58.73
https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/produ...layer-top-mens

Smartwool Merino 150 Short Sleeve - S and M Blue Only - $51.93
https://www.rei.com/product/112044/s...r-t-shirt-mens

pdlamb

Find something, try it, and see what you think.

I like wool below about 60-65F. When the temperature tops 80 degrees, it's too hot for me to wear wool comfortably.

pakeboi

Yes ; trying to narrow the search .
Prefer looser fit top , crew height or higher socks

kingston 

I wear a lot of wool jerseys and base layers up into the 80's or so. More synthetics when it's hotter than that.

I like the De Marchi wool jerseys from competitive cyclist. Just bought a bunch of stuff from Cima Coppi that I haven't worn yet but it seems nice. Breathe Velo is a new retailer that took over the old eleven merino business. I don't have anything from them, but it seems like nice stuff. I like the smartwool cycling socks.

PedalingWalrus

djb

guess it depends on what you consider "warm weather"
Ive ridden a lot in hot weather, 30, 35, 40c and can't imagine using wool, which I love for cooler temps, as I find synthetic jerseys that are made for hot weather to work great. The thing is that there are so many diff types of jersey material, and some are much cooler, and breath so much better than others--so it really depends on the jersey.

guess you're just going to have to try stuff

MAK

I wear merino wool socks year round. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer and best of all, if they get wet in cold weather, they still keep you warm. I use Chrome merino socks but other brands of merino have the same properties.

Machka 

Merino is all right for cooler temps, but you wouldn't want it for warm conditions.

I don't use base layers at all in warmer temps.

djb

jefnvk

I have yet to try it in warm weather, but I have taken to wearing merino socks year round, and from my experience with that I really want to try.

In the cold weather, I generally wear a long merino shirt under my Specialized softshell, works well. Brand doesn't matter much to me, I have SmartWool, Icebreakers, REI, Mountain Warehouse, and probably one or two more I am missing. I pick up whatever I find on the clearance racks. The Mountain Warehouse stuff gets used quite a bit, all winter at work I am wearing one of their base layer t-shirts daily, it is a great value and holds up well.

bikenh

I've been using 65-70% merino wool socks year round for years now. I wouldn't use anything else. I pay $3.99 a pair for them at one of the regional chain stores here in New England. They hold up far better than the twice the price socks from Walmart that I used to use.

fietsbob

Define "Warmer" 20C + ?

pakeboi

20c +

Leebo

Patagonia is my go to. Great stuff.

fietsbob

Wool does take longer to dry * and so I Opted for Patagonia Synthetics for their easier care and durability

*and moth larvae did evolve to eat hair .. I rode in wool bike shorts with a leather pad, in the 70's..

got away from them when better synthetics replaced them..

DanBell

I used to buy a lot of merino stuff from Planet X. I found their gear to be good quality and reasonably priced, and they regularly have good sales. I tried to buy some more stuff recently though, and they only had DHL as their international shipping option and the shipping cost for a couple of small merino things was more than my order total. I think they used to have an American website/base in addition to the original shop in England though, so if you're in the states or the UK they're worth checking out.

john m flores 

I'll wear my De Marchi wool jersey until around 75F then I'll switch to lycra, mainly because the jersey is pretty thick. Maybe there's a thinner one I can try. I've got a thin pair of Chrome arm warmers that are great.

I love the no-stink quality of wool and wear Darn Tough and other wool socks all year 'round.

HobbesOnTour

I'm a big fan of Merino wool for cold weather and on tour. Even if not fully dry it warms up far quicker than non-natural materials and is warmer. I've read of the benefits of light merino layers in hot weather for protecting from the sun without being overly warm. I've never tried it, preferring loose fitting, light synthetics in hot sunny weather.... and some sunscreen. What I will say is that my thinner Merino layers are nowhere as durable as the heavier ones. Perhaps a Merino mix might be longer lasting.

WMBIGS

I have Ibex wool cycling shorts that work year-round. A wool jersey, but does get too warm when it is getting hot out. I found a very thin wool fabric running shirt that works great as a layer or by itself when the temps get hot.

DropBarFan

I find the SmartWool 150 socks & short underwear comfy even in 90°'s F. I ride with L/S top now in the summer but haven't tried merino for that since I already have synthetics that work fine & are very durable. One Helly Hansen top is over 30 yrs old I think, has only a tiny hole in the sleeve.