Hair Shirts of Penitence? :rolleyes:

I bought a pair of wool riding tights back in the eighties. I still wear them daily in the winter (50 or below). They keep me toasty when I need it but they're quite comfortable as it warms up too. I do use some synthetic base layers, but wool is what I rely on.

Thanks for the idea. I just grabbed an expensive merino wool sweater for a fraction of it's retail price an can use it as a base layer. It has a zipper neck which I love as it adds to much versatility.

I trust you know the difference between "empirical" and "anecdotal", right?
I want to know what equipment was used to determine Stink Factor in the lab.

Some of the recent posts are excessively argumentative. If these issues continue, the thread will be locked.

2013 was the year I experimented with wool socks throughout the year. I wore my DeFeet Woolie Boolies in the cold (20's) and in the heat (100's), and I love 'em. I will continue wearing them. Santa gave me another pair for Christmas. Also, I use wool glove liners and a wool neck gaiter in the cold. They work well.

I wore my merino wool arm warmers for the first time this week. A benefit I never thought of was if you start to sweat the wool still keeps you warm.

I use Smartwool socks with boot covers over my thin summer cycling shoes during the winter. The combination is good down to about 35F.

Below that, I add a second set of boot covers.

Well I just ordered one of these back pocketed merino T shirts (which they call a jersey) from Rivendell.

http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/at13.htm

It's supposed to be very fine & thin so I'm hoping to use it quite a bit on moderate summer days. I'll cold wash it and hang dry it and hope to heck it doesn't shrink up my back since they don't offer a tall version.

I picked up a wool gator over the holidays and it really came in handy with temps in the mid 20's when we started this am.

Wool is great because it doesn't stink. But wait.... it gets soggy. My favorite base top layer is cashmiere. But wait..... wool is delicate. Good old poplypro rocks in any condition but it stinks. But it's easy to dry. And tougher. (Anything Patagonia rocks) So I use both, depends on how hard core the conditions. Or how much I'm keeping up with laundry.

I got this today and it's really nice, comfortable feeling and very light and airy but not transparent. I think it will be OK for even warmer summer days. We'll see. What I like is that it doesn't fit too loose for me and it still is plenty tall (so far). The back pocket is perfect for my weekend rides. I never fill up all 3 pockets in my jerseys. Just the middle one (unless I carry arm warmers).

As soon as they run out of this color they seem to indicate that they'll stock this design in another color so I'll probably buy another in some other color if they do.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=410459http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=410460

Just got this tall man's hand sewn Merino jersey from Australia by these guys:

Team Merino Cycling Jersey | ELEVEN vélo

They did a great job on it and didn't charge me more for the xtra inch and a half on the length. Choose your colors. Takes a couple months from ordering till receiving. Haven't ridden in it yet but it seems airy.

I never figured people's experience would be so different. Kind of interesting.

I am a died in the wool.... uhmmm... wool lover, and have been forever. I rarely wear a cycling jersey, but when I do, my favorite is a wool Swobo. Other than that, I have and wear a lot of wool. Ibex long underwear tops in different weights as shirts or undershirts, wool long john bottoms in the winter, socks, drawers, sweaters, a few hoodies, hats, gloves... this list really goes on for quite awhile. I also have some much prized Loden Tracht (traditional and modern) from Austria and Bayern (I have family there, and go there often), and a few Filson wool whatnots I've had since my late teens in Seattle, some handed down from relatives who had them many years before passing them on. I even still have some of the well-worn woolens the Army issued me back in the 80's, which saw a lot of field duty, but are mostly not too ragged, and still going strong.

Personally, I find it much more durable, comfortable, easy to keep up with, and far less stinky than cotton or synthetics. In my opinion, with proper layering and ventilation, I don't get the wet clammy feeling I do with synthetics, and of course nowhere near as bad as cottons, which absorb and retain water.

Guess we all have to figure out what works best for us.

Absolutely. There are some basics, like snow caves, don't get wet unless spare clothing is Immediately Available, etc. But, materials, weights and use vary widely between people. They vary even more with climates. What works in +20F with wet snow isn't generally appropriate for -20F in dry, windy weather. If a person sweats a lot their needs are going to be different than a person who hardly perspires.

A good basic rule is to try different things when life and limb do not depend on them. When you find something that works buy lots. When you need replacements the Best For You item will no longer be available.

Glorious socks. I bought 5 pairs a few months ago. Soaked my feet riding through the rain and puddles, and me feet are toasty war.