Who makes wool base layers?
 

I know Smartwool and Rapha do. Which other companies have them?

Icebreaker, Ibex, Woolistic, Swrve...

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Ibex, Icebreaker. Ibex has cycling specific wool pieces. I personally feel Icebreaker is softer.

edit - littledjahn beat me to it. swobo?

Im not even positive of the wool content but patagonia makes a nice base layer. Smartwool is where my moneys at though. (Even though I have patagonia lowers on right now)

My money's with Ibex or Icebreaker from now on. Smartwool is ok if you're looking to spend a little less money for what feels like lower quality stuff. I own products from all three.

That said, I don't pay full retail. Ebay, froogle searches, etc typically yield savings of 30% or more. Hincapie has a wool baselayer and at one point I think Craft did.

Sierra trading post has some Icebreaker pieces right now.

Swobo also.

Craft, campagnolo, Louis Garneau are a few more.

Swobo S/S $30.

Hincapie S/S $39.99

Rivendell S/S $52

Terramar L/S $19.99

Of all these, the Hincapie one has the most contoured fit, but all the others are fairly tight-fitting as well. The Terramar L/S is a little thicker than the others. None of them are itchy and all are machine-washable.

I have a bunch of Terramar polypro/wool blend baselayers. My favorite piece of clothing! Very comfy and fits me nicely. The only downer is that they get stinky pretty easily (presumably the 100% wool version won't smell as bad).

Patagonias' are all 100% wool and aren't washed in chlorine (nasty chemical) so are more environmentally friendly, if thats important to you (which it should be).

In the UK, Chocholatefish sell NZ merino. I have a couple of T-shirts style bases and they are very good.

sheep

I have a Patagonia baselayer. Wore it commuting all winter and its been fantstic.

As mentioned above its chlorine free, made from NZ Merino and its available in different weights. I use the lightest one with a hard shell over it to keep wind/rain off.
http://www.patagonia.com/images/stru.../wool_desc.jpg
It wasnt cheap, but shows no signs of wear. I dont see why this would not last me like 4+ years.

Patagonia makes good stuff. I use the cap3 base layers all the time during the winter. I find the tops extremely comfortable and wear them around the house all the time. I have found no issues with durability. I have not tried the cap1 stuff, but am in the market for some right now and will be getting some soon (top and bottoms). As far as wool goes, their wool layers are great as well, I have tried them but people keep giving me the capilene during holidays and I have liked them so much I stuck with them. The wool tops are great too and I would recommend them too, I just don't have quite as much experience with them.

I love smartwool socks but have to admit I have not tried their base layers, they are probably great as well.

-JR

Icebreaker is the softest, Smartwool is ok (socks are great). As far as patagonia goes, they are the most eco friendly as mentioned above, and offer both Capilene and Wool, and range from Cap1 - Cap4 and also wool1 - wool4. One of the biggest differences between the two is that Wool is natural bacteria repellent, where capilene needs a synthetic component to be bacteria repellent. In short Wool will not smell bad after sweating in it. Although working at a specialized retailer that sells all three of these products my money would be on Icebreaker based solely on durability, body temp regulation, and price.

Ground Effect makes some nice cycling garments, some 100% Merino, some blended, but all well designed and executed. Ordering is easy and, customer service is first rate.

wool
 

check out
joneswares.com

made in the US and they'll custom size for $10-$20
shorts with 3 different inseam options!, knickers, tights, jerseys, baselayers, i thought very reasonable for the money, really like my shorts.

defeet

I haven't used the new wool Patagonia stuff but I've worn their capilene for years and swear by it. Their base layer shirts are seriously some of the best articles of clothing that I've ever owned.

I have a smartwool shirt long sleve crew and really like it as well. My biggest complaints are how many holes I've gotten in mine after a few years of use. I'm sure this is just from washing it using the normal cycle or moths or something - who knows - point is that you'll have to take special care of it if holes bother you.

I'd avoid the ice breaker stuff. I've had it in the past and my biggest complaint was that it quickly gets discolored in the arm pits. I don't know if its my deodorant or what but it looks nasty. That hasn't happened with my patagonia or smartwool stuff after several years of use.

+1 and when it wears out.. they'll take it back.. recycle... there stuff containers post consumable... IE.. environmentally friendly :)

Who makes a white (not light grey, not light tan i.e, natural white) wool longsleeve baselayer?

Al

Icebreaker used to make a "snow" baselayer in long and short sleeve. It was called the oasis crew. I'm not sure if they are available anywhere.

The Icebreaker stuff is amazing.