RyanWilson

Thanks

mattm

Don't get me wrong, I love wool - but dammit my (smartwool) jersey sure does stink after a few weeks with no wash! Though I do like how the salt crystals build up on it, kind of like extra accessories/pins on a general's shoulders.

Maybe it's because I don't wear deoderant, dunno.

clausen

Should be fine. My Rapha is a blend and is great.

GreenRiver

I'm all over this. I've had one for 2 years now and like it a lot.

flatlander_48

I have 3 100% Merino jerseys from Vintage Velos and 1 Campagnolo 50-50 blend, but it doesn't specifically say Merino. I wash them about every 5th or 6th ride. They get a little bit funkier with each ride. I like them up to about 60-65 deg F and down to 25-30 deg F.

Good Stuff!

tuxbailey

Well I guess they are gone now and there is not a single one left. And mine is shipped already!

Just checked the smobo website. I didn't realize that they cost $110 each. I need to get some more when they go on sale again.

milnerpt

bonktown has them up atm. i bought 2 in blue. under 40 buck each

jeebusaurousrex

Bought a merino wool Descente jersey on sale from PBK last year. Love it. I use shampoo to wash it every 2 or 3 rides. It WILL start to stink after extended rides in hot weather (80+), but not nearly as badly or quickly as polyester ones.

Unfortunately after using all winter and most of spring/summer I wore a hole through one of the rear pockets with my keys and cleat covers.

HigherGround

I also bought a merino wool Descente jersey from PBK about a year and a half or two years ago. I liked it initially, but it developed several holes along the side seam after only a few washings. I wash my wool jerseys in a mesh bag on gentle cycle, and let them air dry. None of my other wool jerseys have developed similar holes.

When I called Veltec, they said I had to handle the claim through the retailer. When I mentioned the experience on Bike Forums, another member said that he knew of several riding buddies who bought this jersey and had the exact same problem with the jersey falling apart. I didn't feel like sending it to the UK, waiting for PBK send it back to the US, and then receiving a replacement jersey that would probably do the same thing!

Eljimberino

That's the problem with cheap wool products. I found that with hiking gear too.

jeebusaurousrex

Ah so I'm not the only one. I noticed the side seam near the armpits losing a couple of threads. It fits me perfectly so I may be ripping the threads little by little when I struggle to peel it off. Can't really complain though, it was dirt cheap.

I hand wash my jerseys and am pretty gentle with them.

Merino jerseys are really nice, but most of them are pretty expensive on a fred budget. I should suck it up and get a few classic ones from vintage velos.

danarnold

I just received mine, black, from BackCountry. $45. Love it. Very smooth. Will wear it in morning ride. I used the free, economy shipping and it arrived 2 days after I ordered it. So impressed I ordered another in blue, to match my eyes I ordered a Wabi long sleeve as well, for fall/winter

Nachoman

Do you have a wife, daughter, classmate or co-worker to confirm this?
By the way, my farts smell like daffodils.

HigherGround

Really? I would have expected nachos.

Atol

How do you dry your jerseys after you wash them?

I thought you weren't supposed to stick wool in the dryer.

tatfiend 

Sierra Trading Post also has a number of wool and wool blend jerseys available currently. I bought several of the Canari La Mongie Retro jerseys. List price was $49.95 but with a discount emailed special offer I got them for $42.50 each. Quite light weight material so not bad in warm weather so far. Relatively loose fit compared to other XL jerseys I have bought. The Canari jerseys are even listed as made in the USA!

I have also ordered an Ibex Ventoux sleeveless wool jersey fom them that I am waiting for.

No association with Sierra Trading Post other than as a customer.

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/sea...criptions=True

GP

Can you machine wash a wool jersey?

Do they stretch or sag when the pockets are loaded?

flatlander_48

1) Yes, you can. Place it in a large lingerie bag to keep it away from zippers, etc.

2) Yes, they do stretch, but storing in such a way that takes the load off helps to return the shape.

GP

Thanks. I've been thinking of getting one on Bonktown.

ok_commuter

roll it up in a towel and press.

hang over a chair or shower curtain rod overnight.

profit.

ok_commuter

I almost always handwash all my cycling stuff, but have been known to use the washing machine on cold with any/all my wool jerseys. Works fine.

The pockets on my Ibex stretch less than the Swobo. YMMV.

grafik1979

I really want one of those vintage wool cycling jerseys. I was wondering if there's any itch associated with them but with what I'm reading here I guess not.

Paniolo

Those are typically NOT merino wool. So they do have more itch and are not as machine wash friendly. The itch factor really varies a lot by individual as to whether they are bothered.

Somebody above mentioned SmartWool ... I have a jersey of that and it is a mix of wool and poly, so they definitely have more issues with retaining smell.

I love wool for commuting in cooler temps ... but I felt cooler in modern fabrics in 100* heat.

NealH

Stay away from the blends and get pure merino wool - just like you should change all the oil in your car when its due for a change, not just half of the crankcase.

I prefer the Ibex full zip jersey since I often ride in hot weather. It allows me to totally unzip on those long climbs - in which case for all practical purposes its just as cool as any polyester jersey.

Another nice feature of merino wool jerseys is that following a long hot ride, one can leave the jersey on and it dries quickly, after which it feels like it just came out of the drawer of clean jerseys. No smell and no residue to increase its surface tension across the skin. Its like you changed to a clean and dry shirt before the post ride lunch.

flatlander_48

All of the VintageVelo jerseys are 100% Merino wool. Merino is very soft. The problem comes in when other wools are used or blends with synthetic. And, according to my sister-in-law, the wool merchant, wash in Kukaburra Wool Wash!