Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
........... I've always figured that wicking sweat away from the contact surface (keeping it as dry as possible) was the real key. I hardly ever ride in bike shorts anymore, preferring a pair of merino boxer briefs under lightweight gym shorts. The merino undies are amazing at wicking moisture from one point to all surrounding points to evaporate away, and I can ride pretty much indefinitely without fear of sores.
I am sure your wool shorts work well for you (and there is no reason they
shouldn't) but not for the reasons you think.
Wool is a great insulator. The fibers kink well together and stagnate want is in the fibers. It can we dry air or even water... it will stagnate it to body temperature and become completely saturated. Only because of saturation does wool migrate the moisture. Because the moisture absorption and insulation to body temperature it will feel dry/comfortable. It will also stay close to your skin as does/would the sheep skin (chamois).
Once our tender areas become accustomed to the rigors of cycling blisters aren't all that common. Saddle sores.... often confused with blisters aren't the same thing at all. A
saddle sore is more like a painful butt pimple.