General Cycling Discussion - Wool clothing for cycling - anyone?

Hello,
I am wondering if anyone wears wool jerseys or shorts when cycling. I've heard numerous stories about the better feel of wool, less smell, high quality and so on. For a long time I was considering purchase of some wool jerseys but i always backed off because of my experience with standard wool clothing. Namely, my sweaters and other wool clothing items tend to stretch after repeated washing.
I wonder if wool jerseys and shorts are made differently so they can retain their shape after repeated washing and extended wear. Can someone with experience tell me what to expect from wool clothing for bikers?
Thanks.

I love wool jerseys! Wool shorts scare me though. Wool can be stinky!

I have a pair of Burley wool leg warmers that are fantastic. They are made of merino wool, so not itchy and scratchy, and oh so nice and toasty. I bought them in the mid 80's, I'm sure that Burley no longer makes them, so I guard them. Still use them on cool mornings, nothing like them in synthetic.

Wool jerseys I can see. Wool shorts, I don't see what the advantage over Lycra could possibly be, it sure as heck ain't price and I don't see how any friction reducing properties would make wool superior. As far as smell, do your laundry and take a bath!

I have a LS wool jersey that I live in during the winter. I can get away with wearing it for a while because it doesn't retain my funk. It is also warmer than a regular jersey of comparable weight.

Sure. Tough to beat as a base layer for colder rides. Wool socks too which are also nice for wet rides.

I just bought some Merino wool arm warmers and they're great. My PI's are fine on days when I just need some help for my SS jersey, but The wool is the ticket when it's sho' 'nuff cold. My bud swears by his wool tights. I've been thinking about some shorts as spandex is drafty on those marginal leg warmer days. The new merino wool stuff doesn't itch OR stink.

I use a Merino wool long-sleeved top (not a jersey, more like a base layer), and I love it. Fairly warm, light, and soft. :)

I've washed it in the machine, and dried it in a dryer with no ill-effects at all.

I have a couple of Merino jerseys long and short sleeve. They are very comfy. Care is a bit of a pain. What with the making ABSOLUTELY SURE you don't stick them in the dryer.

I'm with the wool base layer crowd. Put a thin merino wool layer under a bike shirt on a cold day, and you don't even know you are wearing it, except that you are warm on a day when you would normally be cold. And when you are done you throw it in the wash with the dark stuff and it's ready to wear again. I bought my favorite one last year, and it's shown no sign of stretching despite repeated washings (but no tumbledrying). And wool socks are also a don't freeze dream come true. But I'm not sure about wool between feet and waist. The wool underwear I've seen seems designed to go under skiing or hiking pants rather than over bike shorts, and I suspect there might be all sorts of strange seams in the wrong places to wear as a next to the skin layer for biking. Does anyone make actual bike shorts in wool? With padding and all that?

http://www.branfordbike.com/smmrwear/summer7.html#item1

Here's a link.

I have a couple of Merino jerseys long and short sleeve. They are very comfy. Care is a bit of a pain. What with the making ABSOLUTELY SURE you don't stick them in the dryer.

???

Like I mentioned, I've dried mine in a dryer any number of times with no problems at all. When I was touring for 3 months, I couldn't very well dry it any other way.

My cycling partner also has a Merino wool long-sleeved top like mine, has had it for a couple years longer than me, and has always dried his in a dryer too. It's still in great condition.

No dryer problems? Really? I accidently put my Merino beanie(Spot Brand) in the dryer and it would barely have fit a GI Joe when I got it out.

I've got Ibex wool tights and they are fantastic for cool days. Ibex also makes wool jerseys, knickers, and wool shorts. Wool shorts on a hot day would be cooler than lycra because of the breathability/evaporation characteristics, although I haven't tried that theory out because wool bike shorts are expensive.

Having worn wool shorts first time around before lycra & spandex came in I have severe doubts about the practicality of it all. As I remember they sagged and lost their shape and looked dreadful.When wet they became heavy and drooped. The beauty of modern thermal materials is not only their insulating qualities but in their light weight and ability to dry quickly. George.

I have a couple of Merino jerseys long and short sleeve. They are very comfy. Care is a bit of a pain. What with the making ABSOLUTELY SURE you don't stick them in the dryer.

I have a merino wool long sleve top (from SmartWool) that I wash I dry every day. Check out the Smart Wool web site at http://www.smartwool.com. Here is the quote (can't link directly, since the whole site is flash based):

"SmartWool has been specifically prepared to handle machine cleaning and drying and is guaranteed not to shrink"

No dryer problems? Really? I accidently put my Merino beanie(Spot Brand) in the dryer and it would barely have fit a GI Joe when I got it out.

I've had no problems -- I've dried it in a dryer probably a dozen times.

I've had no problems -- I've dried it in a dryer probably a dozen times.

I'm with you, I use a merino wool base layer for ski touring, and HAVE to wash each use. They've been washed/dried many times, however, I do adjust the dry temperature to medium religiously.

What about when we have to "dress up"? I often ride a bike to work-related meetings. From "trial and error", I've discovered that light weight wool slacks and sport coats work well for bike commuting. They "breathe" when the heat index is over 100 degrees (unlike polyester, etc.), and dry rapidly if I get caught in a light rain. And, they are warm on chilly January mornings. Those sheep are smart to be wearing that stuff year-around.

Those sheep are smart to be wearing that stuff year-around.

That is so true, they also produce the main ingredient in Bag Balm, that also works great on a hot day and long ride. (it's lanoline) Moooooo! :D

sheep dont moo

sheep dont moo

Can anyone explain the relationship here?

Also, Do you think that if you wear wool shorts and use bag balm you might get a Baaaaad reaction?

sheep dont moo

No, but dose udder critters do!

I wonder if the different experiences with wool and washing and drying has something to do with brand names or initial quality.

it (in part, at least) has to do with the type of wool and how it has been processed. virgin wool will shrink a ton, merino not so much, etc etc.

where're the aussies and kiwis when you need 'em? (wait, do they let kiwis post here??)

I would love to have a couple wool jerseys but they are SO expensive. I do have a couple wool tee shirts from Rivendell that were reasonably priced. These are kind of poor man's jerseys. They are extra long so they cover your rear but have no pockets or zipper. Still, they are nice to wear on cool days and they certainly don't take on a stink as quickly as synthetics. The wool is fine enough to wear against your skin without itching. They're also machine washable and can be tossed in the dryer on LOW temp without harm. It helps to get them one size large because they will shrink a bit when first washed.

I think it just depends. I got a merino wool shirt from the Rivendell people. I did not put it in the dryer, but did put it next to the hot radiator in my apartment and it did shrink. I can still wear it, thankfully, but it's more of an undershirt for sure now. Also, like others I can wear if for almost a week before needing to wash it. I can't wait to get more. Smartwool is preferred, but any of it's good. I have smart wool socks and haven't worn cotton socks much at all. It's healthier to not grow that fungus that smells.

I have a Schampa brand winter shirt w/hood that does pretty well too. But other polyester stuff? pew!

Boure ( www.boure.com ) has machine washable Wool garments.
I've gotten some good buys on e-bay on wool jerseys.
I still have some wool shorts the problem I had with them is that
they kind of sag when wet. . . and they have 30 year old chamois
that is beyond help. . .

Marty

I wonder if the different experiences with wool and washing and drying has something to do with brand names or initial quality.

Also has to do with the temp of the dryer. I dry my stuff on our homes hot water radiators with no skrinkage...socks sweaters shirts. Some companies make a poly inner and wool outer layer shirt. I can only wear it in extreme cold. It's nice, good wicking and great warmth. i like it best for hiking

Supcom,
I buy wool clothing, but not often. As you say, it is expensive.
If you can find a good used clothing store, it can be a gold mine.
I have gotten a number of wool sweaters at places like that.
Whenever I get into a big city, I always try to hit a couple of the tonier 2nd hand clothing shops. That's where I have the best luck.

I have wool Swobo shorts. They work well.

Some wool is machine washable and dryable ...some aren't.

I have 2 pair of Ibex wool cycling shorts: They are cooler in the summer, especially very humid days, and they are warmer during cold descents in the winter. They do not bag, lycra in with the wool, but they don't stretch as much as lycra shorts do. Both of my shorts have developed "venting" around the stitching of the chamois (which is of the high quality synthetic type), but Ibex would replace them for me if I bothered to send them back (it's winter and I have tights over them, so why bother?). I spent 33 hours riding in them last February 28, 29 and March 1 (380 miles) and had no problems whatever. I washed them the second night in the motel sink and easily dried them overnight with the forced-air room heating.

I also have several wool tops, and except for my Craft windblock top, they are the only tops I choose to wear fall, winter, spring; they have a much wider temperature function range than either polyesters or polypropylene.

If you hang the wool where it can breath my experience is that it "drops" body odors overnight.