StanSeven

Wool is great when it's cool in the fall and spring but just doesn't work in hot, humid weather. Just look at the demand for short sleeve, light weight wool - no one carries it. That speaks volumes on the need and use

Seattle Forrest

You should learn about reality before you try to make authoritative statements like that, Stan. I have a dozen light-weight (100 to 150 grams per square meter) short sleeved 100 % merino shirts, and half a dozen more in long sleeve. From several manufacturers.

RT

I think you should really consider taking the authoritative opinion of those who live in sweltering humidity. I've been to Alpharetta, Dallas and Chicago for extended periods (Chicago for about 7 years). Wool is a winter fabric there, at least in my book.

Smiziley

Stan lives in a different environment than the PNW. I shelve all my wool shirts in the summer here too, except for the socks. It's just not practical in the South East to wear clothes that help induce heat stroke.

himespau 

I just wish good wool were cheaper. I love my merino socks, but have a hard time affording any baselayers/jerseys.

flashpoint145

Come to Florida for a Summer afternoon ride. 90 degrees with 90% humidity.

StanSeven

I just came back from a trip and went to R&A Cycles, the largest retail store in the US. I don't remember any short sleeve wool jerseys. I also went through several major on-line performance suppliers web sites and catalogs and came up with zero. I'm not saying you don't won those - I'm saying people just don't buy wool for summer use. Talk about reality - you are trying to force your preference and say it's for everyone.

Commodus

? Light, short-sleeved wool is extremely common.

I don't know what point you're trying to prove here...

Bah Humbug

Apparently it isn't extremely common in all climates.

SpeshulEd 

I can't say I've tried wool in the summer here, but when it's 110, anything is too hot.

I totally understood what you were going for...I was making a joke, saying 80 degrees is practically our winter. I meant no harm.

kimconyc

If you are talking about the R&A Cycles in Brooklyn, I would have to say that it is HARDLY the largest retail store in the U.S. I believe they do significant online sales for high-end bikes but their retail store is hardly large, and that is by NYC standards coming from a Brooklynite.

But I digress...

kimconyc

Stan, there is this tiny company called Rapha, perhaps you have heard of them. People buy their jerseys for summer use and for self-grandeur (like in those Rapha videos).

svtmike

Biggest problem for me with Rapha is the price. $185 for the lightweight merino wool jersey is just silly. I understand it's quality stuff, but that's way out of the range most people are willing to pay.

bikerjp

Same here. Comfortable, not clammy feeling and not hot. I've worn my wool base layers in near 100F temps and I've done it with just jersey and I prefer the base layer - it's more comfortable. If I lived in a humid climate... I'd move.

JohnDThompson 

Not unless your body was magically creating water out of nothingness...

Bah Humbug

That's... very helpful to those of us who won't, for various reasons, and doesn't do any favors to the "wool is always the answer!" calls from people in the mountains, PacNW, and Canada.

Elduderino2412

Ha, i'm kind of looking at jobs in Cali and Colorado right now.

Maybe he has a 3 pound water bottle

bikerjp

Who's trying to be helpful.

Seattle Forrest

I didn't say it's perfect for everybody. I said it's awesome, and that it can do well in the heat, which, as this thread has proven, a lot of people are not aware of. Also, I said heat and not humidity. Probably most people are more familiar with the conditions they live and ride in than I am.

Stan told us something that's factually not true, and half a minute with Google would have let him know that before he put his foot in his mouth. That's all.

Seattle Forrest

I get mine when they go on sale, and then I stock up. It's not uncommon to pay about $30 for a wool tee shirt. I think the best I've done is $20, for a summer-weight short-sleeve shirt, 100 % merino, and softer than cotton.

Commodus

Obviously, but that has nothing to do with the comment I was replying to. "I'm saying people just don't buy wool for summer use..."

Some people do. Just not those who live in...wherever these super humid places are. And those people have no problems finding said jerseys.

svtmike

Are you talking shirts or jerseys?

himespau 

Next time you see those quality lightweight merino wool baselayers at $20, let us know. I'd love to try a few.

canam73

Keep an eye on the backcountry.com sites, which includes deptartmentofgoods, chainlove and competitive cyclist. When their house brand 'Stoic' goes on sale it is about the best deal around and $20 items are not uncommon.

StanSeven

Oh come on now and let it go. Why are you making it personal? "That's all?" As far as my statement, I don't believe Excel and CC carry short sleeve wool which just is an indication of the popularity.

But I am glad to be informed by all the comments. I personally just put my wool away when it starts getting warm and humid but I will give it another try now.