bhh

Merino Wool Long Underwear - Thermals / T-shirts
you have to scroll down to the bottom of the page.

https://www.nznature.co.nz/mshop/spi/1001/1_CLO_782

Its a whole new level of posing when people don't even know you are wearing it but you KNOW its there!
Seriously, anyone tried anything like this?

EDIT: This is a quote, "Merino Wool Long Underwear: The key to this Merino garment's great performance is its ability to absorb moisture - ten times more moisture than the best synthetics and up to 33% of it weight and still feel dry and warm to the touch."

Patriot

I have a set for skiing, but not sure if it would work well with cycling because of the constant motion from pedalling, but it may. I am sure there is wool cycling specific merino undergarments available.

bhh

I was thinking more about the upper body, long sleeve shirt for under the jersey. Anyone know of anything specifc to cycling?

spunky

Check out this link: https://www.ibexwear.com/F05/Products...&Category=1036
I use the Woolies Crew as a baseshirt. It's awesome. Form fitting, light weight, breatheable and warm. I need to order another one myself. Expensive stuff....but highly recommended. Plus it doesn't stink after one ride like synthetics.

bhh

oh he77 yea, that tutle neck is sweet!
https://www.ibexwear.com/F05/View_Pro...&CategoryLine=

EDIT: Are the sized ok to fit under jerseys or do you need to go down a size?

Paniolo

I use thin merino wool turtlenecks as base layers when it's cold. I love them. I bought mine off ebay for around $15 or so including shipping. Just make sure it's the thin wool.

spunky

Yeah...sizing is great for jerseys. They're really thin and form fitting. I'm 5' 8'', 43" chest, 30" waist and the medium fits me perfectly. I'm looking at the zip turtle myself. I also have their La Strada jersey in the closeout section which is really nice too. Heck of a deal. Wool is the best.

bhh

I am ordering one of the turtle necks but am a little confused on sizes. I am 5'11.5 and I normally wear a medium jersey, waist is 32", chest is 38" and my sleeves, not exactly sure, dress shirts are 16/34/35. Kind of in-between sizes, what would you suggest based on how they fit, S or M? S would probably fit right through the body but I'm afraid the sleeves would be too short.

ncjok

I've seen Howies New Zealand Merino Wool clothing in a couple of bike shops. Their LS base layer was a few quid cheaper than the equivalent Assos Powerstatic SL.

https://www.howies.co.uk/merinonew.php

spunky

I'd probably be inclined to go with the medium. I've got a feeling that the small might be a little tight in the waist for you. You could always return it if the fit isn't quite right. I tend to have a hard time with shirts myself....broad shoulders and short arms.

johnny99

Is aborbing moisture really a good thing? Seems to me that synthetics that wick and evaporate moisture are more useful, especially in an aerobic sport where you are sweating a lot.

Personally, I don't like wool because it requires much more elaborate care than synthetics. I can hand wash my synthetic stuff in the sink, let them drip dry over the tub, and they're ready to for tomorrow's ride. If you try to drip dry wool, it will stretch out-of-shape in no time, and it will probably take a few days to dry as well.

spunky

Wool does wick. Care is more or less the same as synthetics. I do lay mine out on towel though. They don't need washing as often as synthetics. I've even put them on when slightly damp and still been warm.

johnny99

You don't wash it after every use? Doesn't all the oils in your sweat destroy the wicking properties? Does it really dry over night if you lay it out on a towel?

hi565

If we are talking about base layers then anything from marmot is indeed the most OCP of them all.

I mean how could you beat base-layers with silver woven in it to kill bacteria that usually grows on the clothes. Its so sweet! Its made so you have the ability to wear the same pair for like a week.

spunky

Here's a link to an article that tells you more than you'll probably want to know about the properties of wool.
https://www.tft.csiro.au/textile_news..._technical.pdf

gcasillo

I have used merino wool base layers for hiking and cycling for several years now. Good stuff, particularly for the upper body.

However, I would caution those who are looking at Terramar brand merino wool base layers. Their long sleeve shirts are WAY to short in the arms, especially for a cyclist. I ended up cutting three shirts I have; one sleeveless and two short sleeve.

bhh

I ordered the med Ibex T-neck monday and it showed up yesterday. VERY NICE. Spunky, you rock and excellent article you posted btw. Rode with it this morning at 44 degrees and it was TOO warm. I had a polypro t-shirt under it, the marino layer, then a lined LS jersey over it. 20 minutes into my ride, the jersey was unzipped 3/4 of the way down. Normally I wear this same combo but with a LS polypro t-shirt in place of the wool and have been chilly at this temp. As for its technical performance, pretty good. Because i was overdressed, I was pretty soaked or so I thought, the outer jersey was wet but the two base layers were dry as a bone. i would have to recommend this to anyone on the fence or considering warming up your winter riding.

https://www.ibexwear.com/F05/View_Pro...&CategoryLine=

spunky

Cool. Glad you like it. I'm going to order one of those myself soon. I usually put the merino shirt on first and then if it's not too cold, below 60, I just wear a regular s/s jersey over that. If it's colder, I just wear another cheap loose fitting wool sweater over that and then the jersey. If I start getting too hot, I can just push up the sleeves. If I know I'm going to be wearing a wind/rain jacket the whole time, I'll even just wear the baselayer and no jersey at all. But...I do tend to be a bit cold blooded sometimes. You can always peel layers off as your ride progresses. Enjoy the woolies.

sofc

I use Craft undershirts (actually I use them for everyday use and just started cycling.) A layer of the long sleeve, a layer of cutoff windproof one and a Nike Thermafit thin sweatshirt on top. It's been about 40 in the mornings when I've gone and I've been fine. I got the Craft stuff from Sierra Trading Post. Will try merino wool stuff when the weather gets colder (I have Smartwool socks and they are great.)