steve-in-kville 

Okay, so I was pumped last night. Really wanted to try out my new merino wool base layer this morning. We were to get some snow, some stiff winds, etc. Woke up at 4-ish. No snow. But plenty windy.

So I put on my new merino base layer, regular thermal bottoms, plus my uniform shirt and trousers. I bought a 4-in-1 hunting jacket on sale last year at our local Dunhams Sporting Goods (not my favorite place to shop... long story). I wore my leather gloves and my heavy beanie and a neck gaiter I bought some years ago (further testing on this to come!).

One mile into the ride (all uphill) I was roasting!! Had to stop and unzip. Maybe if it was below 20 it would have been okay. I was impressed with the jacket's performance, but wrong application I suppose. I think the temp was about 32 degress at the time.

On a lighter note, I am most impressed thus far with the merino. Very comfortable. I am still wearing it this evening as I type this. My size fits a bit loose, not tight like my UnderArmor. I am really hoping these base layers perform like all I have read.

Just thought I would share...

eofelis 

If I'm a little cold during the first half of my 4 mile commute (ever so slightly downhill), I know I will warm up pretty well on the second half of it (ever so slightly uphill - only a bicyclist would notice).

davidmikesell

I hear so much that merino wool is like a miracle fabric. What are your opinions, but in more depth?

steve-in-kville 

Give me at least through the weekend. I will have more of an opinion.

ben4345

I wouldn't say it's a miracle, but it is darn close. Once I started wearing wool, I became a believer, very quickly. And I am a very skeptic person, by nature.

gmt13

Wool is great. It's been in the mid 30's here this week and I've been wearing a poly long sleeve T under a wool jersey topped off with my HiVis windbreaker. Half way into work I have to unzip and sometimes remove the windbreaker. I have yet to convince co-workers that I really am toasty on the way to work.

-G

Ns1

Just started wearing my merino jersey this week and it's sooooooooo much better than nike drifit

ChrisM2097

I've been using merino wool base layers for several years...hunting, fishing, cycling, hiking, camping - anything I do outdoors when it's cold. I've got a couple pairs of "Darn Tough" merino wool socks, that are my absolute favorite, most comfortable socks.

It's lightweight and easily packable.
Getting wet only helps it's insulating properties.
It doesn't stink or retain odors. Seriously. You can wear this stuff for days camping/hiking, and it won't stink.

Downsides:
it ain't cheap.
I've found the light-weight (thin-material) ones can be quite frail. For instance, I was removing an Ice Breaker merino wool shirt, and my thumb went right through the back...first time I wore it. I had just paid over $50 for it. Thankfully I was able to return it.

stedanrac

FWIW, LL Bean has a very nice set of 100% Merino Wool base layer. I just bought one lightweight and one medium weight. I get XXL/Tall size and they were $59 and $69 each. The quality and feel is great. I have not yet worn in riding, but will tomorrow.

ChrisM2097

I picked up a "Merino Blend" mid-weight base layer from Costco for $24 last week. Great price for a great product, IMO.

ben4345

Those are like 80% polyester aren't they?

ChrisM2097

Probably. Not sure, though. I couldn't find anything that would tell me the actual materials...but it actually works great, and is very comfortable.

[edit]
just looked it up on costco's website. 11% merino. Meh, whatever. The rest of my base layers (mostly Ice Breakers) are 100% merino. We'll see how well each hold up. I don't notice much of a difference in feel or warmth provided just yet. And I haven't yet worn them for days on end in an attempt to stink them up, either.

Temps around here very rarely drop below freezing in the early mornings. Winter daytime highs are usually in the upper 50's, so I'm not too concerned.

gerv 

Merino wool is pretty good... maybe a little finer and softer, but don't toss out a lambswool sweater. Unless you want to send it to me.There's absolutely nothing wrong with lambswool.

To the OP, wear a long sleeve base layer, a wool sweater and over that a wind-breaking layer of some sort. That's about all you need at 27F. At least on you torso. You might need a balaclava or some hat and some reasonable gloves too.

ben4345

I hate when they do that. They should call it Polyester blend. They did have sweaters for $24 there, 100% merino wool, they have a zipper in the front that just goes down to your chest.

chefisaac

Steve, I think you learned a good lesson, one we often have to relearn each season which is to layer with different things versus a heavy coat. Last year I wore a heavy coat and was like you.... roasting! Now it is a layering puzzle that one needs to continue dialing in.

Question for you Steve:​ Where did you get your merino wool layer?

erig007

I prefer 90/95% merino rather than 100%. The durability is far greater. It's easy to make holes through 100% merino garments. Especially low quality merino

chefisaac

where do you get yours at?

chandltp

At 25 degrees yesterday, I had on a light balaclava, a windbreaker (no insulation) with a light long sleeve shirt, sweat pants, regular shoes and gloves (with my scooter mitts).

I rarely wear anything heavier than a light jacket. It has to get below 15° F before I put on thermal underwear and a 3rd layer on my top.

I think it would have to be about -10°F before I put on what you wore.

acidfast7

I've found recently that around 0°C/32°F just having good leggings and a top is more than enough. I wore a sweatshirt this morning 6°C/41F and i was roasting at the end (12km ride).

I do find the good hand protection is essential.

The Chemist

Shanghai winters aren't very cold - gets down to about -4C at the coldest. Last winter I wore a fleece-lined water resistant bike jacket (stayed dry in light to moderate rain) with a standard short sleeve jersey underneath on top, and fleece-lined tights on the bottom (just a single layer), and I was plenty warm. If the temperature was below 2C I added thicker gloves and a very thin balaclava.

This winter I'm going to use the same gear, but I'm going to buy cycling-specific gloves and a pair of waterproof winter boots, as I had trouble keeping my feet warm and dry last winter (Shanghai winters are quite wet).

tarwheel 

I have to relearn how to dress for cold weather every fall/winter and usually overdress at first. Like today. I wore my warmest tights and jacket and was sweating even with temps about 32 F, so I'm gonna roast this afternoon when temps are in the 50s-60s. I should have dressed like I did yesterday with knicker bibs, long-sleeve jersey and vest but the weather guys were all talking about how cold it was this morning and I made the mistake of listening to them rather than trusting my judgment.

modernjess

Holy moly, that's a combination for 0F or below. I got hot just reading that.

davidmikesell

I know that smartwool makes good merino socks, but what are good brands for baselayers?

ItsJustMe

No kidding, at 27*F you barely need any insulation at all. A wind breaker and at 27 I'd just be starting into a base layer under the poly alert shirt.

kookaburra1701

One thing to remember when reading clothing labels - in the US, fiber content is calculated by weight. So, since wool is usually lighter than synthetics, a 50/50 wool/synthetic blend would actually have more wool than synthetic fibers in it.