General Cycling Discussion - Wool Bicycle Jersey selection help wanted: Can you recommend a Wool Bike Jersey?

I am looking to get my husband a wool bicycle jersey and would like some experienced recommendations.

Husband size/requirements: 6'2, 225 lbs. He wears a large in regular Tall Sizes in shirts as he has a long torso and arms. Pure wool jersey is the best. The jersey can have pockets or not. I would prefer not to spend $200.00; less is much better.

Questions:
I have heard that wool jerseys don't stink like the synthetic ones when exposed to sweat; what is your experience?

How is wool on those cold, cold mornings?

Do you think wool would be too warm for temps between 38-55º F? (he commutes in the morning at these temps; we are in southern California).

Mainly I would love a warm jersey for him for cold mornings that wouldn't stink like a cat box, ya know what I mean?

Pearl makes one thats 100 bucks, pretty good quality. Good luck

http://www.yellowjersey.org/wool.html

portlandcyclewear.com I have never owned one, but I have friends that do and they love them. And the prices are good.

I recently picked up a Nike wool long sleeved jersey from a local shop doing a year end clearance and couldn't be happier with it. Real cheap now that Nike is phasing itself out of the cycling apparel business

Ibex makes a few nice wool jerseys, I love mine.

I am looking to get my husband a wool bicycle jersey and would like some experienced recommendations.

Husband size/requirements: 6'2, 225 lbs. He wears a large in regular Tall Sizes in shirts as he has a long torso and arms. Pure wool jersey is the best. The jersey can have pockets or not. I would prefer not to spend $200.00; less is much better.

Questions:
I have heard that wool jerseys don't stink like the synthetic ones when exposed to sweat; what is your experience?

How is wool on those cold, cold mornings?

Do you think wool would be too warm for temps between 38-55º F? (he commutes in the morning at these temps; we are in southern California).

Mainly I would love a warm jersey for him for cold mornings that wouldn't stink like a cat box, ya know what I mean?

I have been buying my wool from these folks for over 20 years : http://www.longscycle.com/webstore/shopping.asp?categoryID=24
Their prices are cheaper because much of what they sell are overstocks and closeouts or just ugly

At 225 your husband will want an Xlarge.

I love my Smartwool zip-neck. Plain black,sizing for normal folks. Got it on sale last year for like $65.

Any Ibex cycling jersey would be well appreciated. First rate stuff (though not cheap).

Wool does not stink. And todays ultrafine wool fibers do not itch.

portlandcyclewear.com I have never owned one, but I have friends that do and they love them. And the prices are good.

Thanks for all of your help.

I like the retro styling of the Portlandcyclewear.com jerseys, and I ordered my husband one of those. I called up there and Chad, the owner, called me back to answer questions for me about the fit and length of sleeves. Very nice guy.

I will let you know how the jersey is when I receive it.

Thanks again,

-foehn

Thanks for all of your help.

I like the retro styling of the Portlandcyclewear.com jerseys, and I ordered my husband one of those. I called up there and Chad, the owner, called me back to answer questions for me about the fit and length of sleeves. Very nice guy.

I will let you know how the jersey is when I receive it.

Thanks again,

-foehn

Too bad I didn't see this sooner, or I would have recommended Woolistic from Vintage Velos (http://www.vintagevelos.com/). I have the black short sleeve Cinzano jersey and matching shorts. Actually, if you wanted to add a pair of plain black wool shorts, it appears that Portland doesn't have any. The Woolistic shorts are a heavier weave that the jerseys and have a very good pad.

I've ridden with the Woolistic outfit from 39F to about 72F. At the low end, I was comfortable with a very thin wicking t-shirt underneath, arm warmers and a windbreaker. For most people, the high limit is low to mid-70's. But, contrary to what was stated above, wool does eventually get funky. I would say it takes 3 to 5 rides for it to smell as bad as regular jerseys worn once.

These are supposed to be one of the best values on the market.

http://www.kucharikclothing.com/jerseys-wool-jerseys-c-21_26.html?osCsid=0556cb88ad071b054a3ff402f2a0b40b

Too bad I didn't see this sooner, or I would have recommended Woolistic from Vintage Velos (http://www.vintagevelos.com/). . .

I've ridden with the Woolistic outfit from 39F to about 72F. At the low end, I was comfortable with a very thin wicking t-shirt underneath, arm warmers and a windbreaker. For most people, the high limit is low to mid-70's. But, contrary to what was stated above, wool does eventually get funky. I would say it takes 3 to 5 rides for it to smell as bad as regular jerseys worn once.

Thanks for the reply! I had hit the Vintage Velos site, but the long-sleeved trainers, though handsome looking, were way out of my price range. The are very nice though. Mebbe I will buy my husband a pair of wool shorts too.




These are supposed to be one of the best values on the market.

http://www.kucharikclothing.com/jerseys-wool-jerseys-c-21_26.html?osCsid=0556cb88ad071b054a3ff402f2a0b40b

I had also hit upon Kucharik in my searches. I almost was going to buy one of them but then I checked out Portland Cycle Wear. I may just drag my husband down there some day as they are within an hour's drive of where we live. Then he could try on some jerseys and see how he liked them.

Thanks to you both!

Thanks for the reply! I had hit the Vintage Velos site, but the long-sleeved trainers, though handsome looking, were way out of my price range. The are very nice though. Mebbe I will buy my husband a pair of wool shorts too.





I had also hit upon Kucharik in my searches. I almost was going to buy one of them but then I checked out Portland Cycle Wear. I may just drag my husband down there some day as they are within an hour's drive of where we live. Then he could try on some jerseys and see how he liked them.

Thanks to you both!

One final thing:
I forgot about Swobo. They have wool in sizes for men and women. After I bought mine, I got a pink women's Swobo for my wife's birthday. She sent it back, but she rued her decision when she saw how much I liked mine. Who knew?

You're not going to go wrong with a Portland jersey. They are as soft, comfortable and as well made as Woolistic or Wooly Warm. (I wear of all of them). The Kucharik's come in bright colors and are well made but not as soft when worn next to my skin. You may not notice.

The other super handy wool garment for this time of year until May are these Wool Tights (http://http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/clothing?page=4#product=22-271) in fashionable black. Wear them over regular shorts and if the day really warms up you can take them off and roll them up small enough to put in a bottle cage. (Or a proper saddlebag).

I am looking to get my husband a wool bicycle jersey and would like some experienced recommendations.

Husband size/requirements: 6'2, 225 lbs. He wears a large in regular Tall Sizes in shirts as he has a long torso and arms. Pure wool jersey is the best. The jersey can have pockets or not. I would prefer not to spend $200.00; less is much better.

Questions:
I have heard that wool jerseys don't stink like the synthetic ones when exposed to sweat; what is your experience?

How is wool on those cold, cold mornings?

Do you think wool would be too warm for temps between 38-55º F? (he commutes in the morning at these temps; we are in southern California).

Mainly I would love a warm jersey for him for cold mornings that wouldn't stink like a cat box, ya know what I mean?

You've already had a lot of recommendations, and you've already chosen what to buy - so this is just a post purchase re-affirmation

The Santini retro Italia jerseys in the attachments are my very favourite bike kit. I wear the things with a thermal underneath in below freezing, and also wear them in a middle east summer, 50+ C. In very hot temperatures, they seem to wick away heat as well as moisture. I love 'em.

Also, the longer I wear 'em, the more fragrant I become.;)

I recieved my husband's jersey yesterday (fash shipping, but I did not have any letters or embroidery added to the jersey). This jersey is absolutely beautiful! Smooth and soft and not scratchy at all and just wonderful. I think I want one too--It looks like a dress sweater you would wear over your shirt and tie!

The sizing seems to be good for my husband and the arms seem plenty long. Very nice; I recommend Portlandcyclewear.com. heartily. They've got the price and they've got the quality.