Let's talk wool
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: SFV, CA
Bikes: 2011 Look 566 Rival, 2009 Fuji Roubaix pro
Let's talk wool
I just recently picked up 2 Sugoi wool jerseys (tag says 100% Merino Wool). I've never owned wool before.
What are the best temps to wear wool jerseys?
Can they be worn in the rain?
How often do I need to wash? (tag says cold, gentle cycle, inside out, tumble dry low)
What other care tips do you have? I want these suckers to last a long time!
What are the best temps to wear wool jerseys?
Can they be worn in the rain?
How often do I need to wash? (tag says cold, gentle cycle, inside out, tumble dry low)
What other care tips do you have? I want these suckers to last a long time!
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Coupeville, WA
Bikes: 84 Raleigh Technium- 89 Shogun Mt. Bike-96 Miyata 914
Wash in room temp water using regular shampoo in the bathtub.
To dry, lay on a dry towel, roll it up tight for a couple of hours, then remove and lay flat on a table in a warm place.
Wool is well worth the extra care it requires.
To dry, lay on a dry towel, roll it up tight for a couple of hours, then remove and lay flat on a table in a warm place.
Wool is well worth the extra care it requires.
#4
Wool rules.
It stays warm when wet, is antibacterial, and does not require as much cleaning as synthetics... on the downside Merino tends to make for a better base layer or works well on it's own in more temperature climates.
It stays warm when wet, is antibacterial, and does not require as much cleaning as synthetics... on the downside Merino tends to make for a better base layer or works well on it's own in more temperature climates.
#5
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Northeastern USA
Bikes: 2007 Bianchi Castro Valley, 1985 Specialized Sequoia
I own a Sugoi wool jersey. It is on the thick side, but is comfy in a wide range of temps. With arm warmers (if short-sleeved) mine are comfy from high 30's to mid 60's. With a rain/wind jacket it's good down to low 30's or below. I don't baby mine at all, as far as care. I wash them like normal clothes and have experienced no shrinkage, but I don't wash anything on 'Hot'. If you care about it getting pilly, be sure to turn it inside-out.
#7
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Western Florida
Bikes: 2017 Kona TI, 2011 Mezzo D9, Gazelle Ultimate C380
Love all my wool stuff - socks, underwear, hats, jerseys, and even polo/riding shirts. I wish I could find more gear that is wool and casual. I like the biking jerseys, but looking for casual shirts that can be ridden in and sit around a pub in (with "regular" people). The polo shirt I have is very thin and can be worn summer or spring/fall and is comfortable.
#8
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From: Eugene, Oregon
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Dolce Triple, 1987 Schwinn Tempo, 2012 Windsor Kensington 8
Wool is comfortable in almost all temps. I knit my own socks, and I only give up wool socks when the temps get into the upper 80s.
#9
Idealistic Troublemaker
Joined: May 2011
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From: SF Bay Area + Surrounding Planet
Bikes: Friday, Brompton, Soma, Fuji, Haro, No_Name...
Agreed, it is tough to where lycra after spending time in any wool gear. Sad that Sugoi has dropped their wool jersey and now sells a lycra one with a sweater-like argyle pattern printed on it! (American Cyclery does this too)
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
I just recently picked up 2 Sugoi wool jerseys (tag says 100% Merino Wool). I've never owned wool before.
What are the best temps to wear wool jerseys?
Can they be worn in the rain?
How often do I need to wash? (tag says cold, gentle cycle, inside out, tumble dry low)
What other care tips do you have? I want these suckers to last a long time!
What are the best temps to wear wool jerseys?
Can they be worn in the rain?
How often do I need to wash? (tag says cold, gentle cycle, inside out, tumble dry low)
What other care tips do you have? I want these suckers to last a long time!
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
#12
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Yup.
I have some wool jerseys that are 30 years old. I love merino wool. It's so named because it comes from the merino sheep, a Spanish breed.
Costco was selling long sleeve merino polo shirts for $20. I was an idiot and only bought one.
I have some wool jerseys that are 30 years old. I love merino wool. It's so named because it comes from the merino sheep, a Spanish breed.
Costco was selling long sleeve merino polo shirts for $20. I was an idiot and only bought one.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#14
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
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From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
Wash it when it stains or stinks. Cold water, gentle cycle, lay flat on a towel to dry.
Silk, wool and cashmere are my preferred cool/cold weather fabrics and see plenty of use jogging, winter sports, cycling and general hanging out.
Silk, wool and cashmere are my preferred cool/cold weather fabrics and see plenty of use jogging, winter sports, cycling and general hanging out.
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HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

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HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
#15
I have two wool shirts that I've worn for years, especially in the fall. Absolutely my favorite outerwear when there is a chill in the air, or in gentle (cool) rain. Mine weren't meant for cycling, but I wear them constantly this time of year. Wish I had more.
#16
Living the Dream
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
We just made 2 pair of knickers from wool slacks.
I started out with one trial pair, but instantly fell in love with the material.
Now I'm on the hunt for a few shirts.
I started out with one trial pair, but instantly fell in love with the material.
Now I'm on the hunt for a few shirts.
#17
Descends like a rock
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Fort Worth, TX
Bikes: Scott Foil, Surly Pacer
I treat my wool stuff the same way I do the synthetic. I don't dry either in the dryer. I can wear my thin wool jersey up to the mid 90Fs. I have a thicker one that gets a bit too hot around 90F.
#18
Senior Member

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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Cashmere is also a great wool. My wife was throwing out a cashmere pullover that the moths had gotten to. I cut off the sleeves and wear it as a baselayer on cold days.
#19
I sweat "a lot" and have several wool garments. When I wear the stuff I tend to not be too hot or be too cold, sort of a damp, cool feeling (more cool than warm). It works best for me as a baselayer w/ some sort of wind blocker. The only real downer for me (over poly) is it takes longer to dry.
#20
Thread Starter
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From: SFV, CA
Bikes: 2011 Look 566 Rival, 2009 Fuji Roubaix pro
I've noticed that as well. I wear a backpack so even on cooler mornings I sweat on my back. When I left work for my evening ride home, 9 hours later, it was still damp. Can wool be hung or will it stretch?
#21
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From: Eugene, Oregon
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Dolce Triple, 1987 Schwinn Tempo, 2012 Windsor Kensington 8
I put my wool socks on blockers to dry, because it makes them pretty and I'm kind of picky about my laundry.
#22
It'll probably never stink. I bought a beautiful Brroks Bros. cashmere sweater at a resale shop for $4. I wore it almost daily as an undershirt for a few years, and it smelled as good as the day I bought it. I only washed it once, by hand in cool water.
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#23
I don't know.

Joined: May 2003
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From: South Meriden, CT
Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night, '89 Marinoni
Minus33 wool clothes are well priced. Check 'em out. I wear their t-shirts as a base layer.
https://www.minus33.com/
https://www.minus33.com/
#24
Slowpoke
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Near Boulder Colorado
Bikes: old Stumpjumper, Riv Simple One, Riv Cheviot
Wool is great for biking. That's what I wear most of the time, in various weights for various temperatures.
You need to get clothing that does handle washing in water "washable". If it says "Dry Clean" there is a good chance that water washing will leave you with a lot of long lasting wrinkly stuff. I believe it's at least partly a function of how the wool is spun into yarn, or perhaps how the yarn is knitted or woven into cloth.
I do washable wool in the machine, mine actually has a 'wool' cycle so I use that, with Woolite. I usually hang dry after washing. Socks seem to get into the regular load and into the dryer a little more often and hasn't really been a problem with them.
You need to get clothing that does handle washing in water "washable". If it says "Dry Clean" there is a good chance that water washing will leave you with a lot of long lasting wrinkly stuff. I believe it's at least partly a function of how the wool is spun into yarn, or perhaps how the yarn is knitted or woven into cloth.
I do washable wool in the machine, mine actually has a 'wool' cycle so I use that, with Woolite. I usually hang dry after washing. Socks seem to get into the regular load and into the dryer a little more often and hasn't really been a problem with them.




