I have both deFeet merino wool and Craft base layers. The Craft base layers are fine for an easier ride or one with minimal climbing since you can dial in your layering (minimal in California of course) for the temps and effort, but the wool wicks much better; I can do a climb where I'm bound to sweat, zip up on the descent and the wool will be dry if not at the bottom, then certainly when I finish the ride. I did experiment on one recent cool ride, starting temperature about 40, where I had a Craft base over the wool and that seemed like a good combination.