Touring - Merino wool jersey, where to get? How Good?

It's getting cold in old Sydney Town at the moment and I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of a producer of merino wool jerseys. I would also appreciate any feedback in regards to comfort and wicking and are they better/worse than synthetic? So if there is anyone out there that has experience can you please provide some feedback.

Here in the US, Kucharik and Ibex make very nice all wool jerseys. The Ibex ones are a little thin for my taste, but the nice long zipper is nice for ventilating on long climbs. The Kucharik jerseys are a little tighter weave for better wind protection, and seem to be a little thicker than the Ibex, so a little warmer. I've cycled comfortably in the short sleeve Kucharik in temperatures approaching 85 deg Fahrenheit (29-30 deg C) in dry conditions. The same jersey kept me somewhat warmer than my synthetic-clad companions when the sun dropped behind the mountains, which was nice (I live at fairly high altitude, so temperatures drop fast when the sun goes away).

The long sleeve Kucharik is very nice for cold weather biking, it zips way up around your throat like a turtleneck, and the thickness and tight weave are a definite plus. I get them from Rivendell Bicycle Works, http://www.rivbike.com.

If you're posting from Australia like you seem to be, there might be a few sources down under that would be cheaper than shipping from the US.

Shifter Bikes in Melbourne has wool jerseys

www.shifterbikes.com

Haven't tried wool.

Have a look on www.groundeffect.com
I am using a "frosty boy", "daddy long legs", beanie and their full fingered gloves on the commute to Randwick. Cold? not me.

Cheers

Geoff

www.swobo.com

is another you should check out

take one average synthetic jersey and place it in a side by side comparison test with wool. The wool jersey is both cooler in the heat, warmer in the cold, keeps you drier than synthetics and more comfortable at rest stops, minimize the sudden chill from evaporative cooling, stink less, and wool has a better natural drape than synthetic fabrics.

I think wool cycling clothes and longjohns are far superior to synthetics. There's some made down in your part of the world.

Dang! You are right in the neighborhood, well, compared to the US,of major merino production.
Lucky you! I have been totally won over...summer and winter. Wool rocks!

I have a couple of Icebreaker tops that are great in the winter, but they have to be worn under a shell/windbreaker cycling jacket. Have worn their Zip Engine + a thin nylon cycling jacket down to freezing and been warm. The NZ Icebreaker brand is one of the best on the market, Ralfa (European) also makes some really nice stuff but you'd better have a fat bank account.

This won't help those in Australia, but for us in the US, this is the best deal in the world for a wool jersey, if you don't mind advertising great beer: http://shop.newbelgium.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=m14-00342-wool&Category_Code=BJ

it seems like it would be difficult to ge a merino jersey in aus. i dont even know if they make em anymore, you are better getting a rothlesburger jersey.

for those in USA searching for the dheapest jersey, I can second the New Belgium jersey....mine is holding up really well....I took the embroidered patch off the sleeves....I wish they made them in another color.

I've heard good things about the Icebreaker brand made in New Zealand, although I don't know if they make bike jerseys. I bike in various merino wool layers throughout the seasons and I think it is a wonderful fabric. I have yet to get wool shorts, but shirts, tights and socks are all wool all the time.

I've heard good things about the Icebreaker brand made in New Zealand, although I don't know if they make bike jerseys. I bike in various merino wool layers throughout the seasons and I think it is a wonderful fabric. I have yet to get wool shorts, but shirts, tights and socks are all wool all the time.

I have an icebreaker t-shirt. Best t-shirt I own! :) Er, it's not a cycling jersey, but it works really well for biking. If you can score a long sleaved one, I would definitely go for it.

Icebreaker makes AWESOME stuff.
When I have a for-real job and some $$, I will buy lots of it. For now I own their midweight longsleeve half-zip, which is great all around. A plus is the thumb holes....keep your wrists from getting cold!

I bought a macpac top in 2002 and it has been great. I don't wear my synthetics anymore. I just checked there site and they now make clothing which is a mix. No idea how good it is but here is the link:
http://www.macpac.co.nz/products/display/catalogue/do,menuitem-view/mid,111/miid,3179/
I also have one from Devold which is a little thinner than the Macpac. You can wear these for days and you won't smell. Maybe your body will, but not the clothing. I also recommend the wool t-shirts. You would have never thought wool could keep you so cool.
http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/clothing/

I haven't made any enemies in almost 20 minutes so it's time to state my opinion again.

I've heard all that stuff about wool jerseys and quite frankly it's a bunch of malarkey. The one advantage you do have with wool is that it absorbs a great deal of sweat without stinking. Other than that they're generally too hot, itchy regardless of what you hear and way too expensive. What's more they don't like to be washed and will stretch or shrink a GREAT deal.

To be perfectly frank, COTTON is generally a better material for touring clothes than wool if you're against the use of synthetics. What's more you can buy cotton clothing anywhere. Try comparing a wool jersey with a chambray shirt and you'll soon see what I mean.

not all wool is itchy, just the cheap stuff, not all wool shrinks.

cotton would be fine for hot and sunny weather, but if it turns wet and/or cold, cotton has no insulating value and just keeps you cold and wet.
yep its expensive but you usually get what you pay for...

but thats just my opinion.