Merino

[eminva]

Ibex

Icebreaker

These are the two I have tried and liked. Make sure you look on Sierra Trading Post before paying full retail.

Liz

[Bilsko]

Swrve uses Merino for some of their tops (jersey and zip sweater): http://swrve.myshopify.com/products/wool-jersey-blk-label
I think they have a Merino cap too.

Not sure what to recommend for pants

[Dirt]

Ibex Merino base layer is arguably my favorite garment EVAR! I originally bought it just for cycling, but now wear them as normal shirts. They’re expensive, but if you care for them well, they will last. I suggest you go to their store and buy direct. I think Boston is the closest. While not at all practical or inexpensive, it would make for a really fun weekend.

(Just kidding about the whole go to boston thing.)

Dirt

[rcannon100]

From Swrve:

wool naturally wicks sweat away, is odor resistant and fire proof!

Well that’s an F’ing relief! When I get into that accident, and my gas tank explodes, my jersey wont catch fire…. Wait a minute…. :p

AndBTW thanks for the input. Look like good choices.

[jopamora]

I noticed some 100% merino sweaters at Costco the other week for $20. Just normal everyday wear, but could definitely double as bikewear.

[Greenbelt]

@Dirt 30446 wrote:

Ibex Merino base layer is arguably my favorite garment EVAR! I originally bought it just for cycling, but now wear them as normal shirts. They’re expensive, but if you care for them well, they will last. I suggest you go to their store and buy direct. I think Boston is the closest. While not at all practical or inexpensive, it would make for a really fun weekend.

(Just kidding about the whole go to boston thing.)

Dirt

I love wool jerseys. Perhaps we should schedule a ride to Boston and stock up?

[consularrider]

For socks and baselayers, it’s hard to beat Smartwool. But not cheap. Sierra Trading Post frequently has the socks for less. STP also has a number of other merino wool products.

[consularrider]

@Greenbelt 30456 wrote:

I love wool jerseys. Perhaps we should schedule a ride to Boston and stock up?

Maybe the MassCycle people should fund a study trip for BikeArlingon?

[krazygl00]

@rcannon100 30439 wrote:

Any recommendations on where to purchase merino wool bike garb?

Looking at wool to replace spandex as the stench of spandex is a bit overwhelming. The lit says wool is naturally antibacterial and will not stink. But I am not seeing it in many of the LBS online inventories.

Hold on, I’ve never noticed that spandex has a stench in and of itself. Unless you neglect to wash it, it should be odor-neutral. And if you neglect to wash merino, antibacterial properties notwithstanding, you will likely have the same problem. Make sure to wash athletic clothes immediately post-workout, and add a little clorox 2 to the wash. I’ve been doing this for a long time with my bike-wear and it looks and smells like new.

Also: Febreeze.

@jopamora 30453 wrote:

I noticed some 100% merino sweaters at Costco the other week for $20. Just normal everyday wear, but could definitely double as bikewear.

Costco also seasonally carries Merino baselayers that look pretty nice. I’ll be looking to try some out when the weather turns cool.

Oh, and I should throw in my shill for the bestest-warmest-most-favorite-baselayer-garment-ever-ever-ever (even though it is not Merino), the Bontrager Hooded Long Sleeve Baselayer. I know Spokes Etc. carries them when the cold weather comes.

[consularrider]

@krazygl00 30464 wrote:

Oh, and I should throw in my shill for the bestest-warmest-most-favorite-baselayer-garment-ever-ever-ever (even though it is not Merino), the Bontrager Hooded Long Sleeve Baselayer. I know Spokes Etc. carries them when the cold weather comes.

This is what I want for Christmas. And it is merino, but ‘spensive!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1690[/ATTACH]

[krazygl00]

@consularrider 30470 wrote:

This is what I want for Christmas. And it is merino, but ‘spensive!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1690[/ATTACH]

Hmm, that looks great. And Smurfy.

[rcannon100]

Hold on, I’ve never noticed that spandex has a stench in and of itself.

It’s too late at night for me to find the articles I have been reading, but yes, apparently synthetic fabrics manage to capture sweat and more importantly bacteria – and can just stink. My joy with this started when my son played hockey. Ever want to go to a toxic hazmat site?? Got to a hockey locker room. Ug. Anyway, I soon discovered I was quite allergic to it all… and had to remove the trigger to my allergies. (there is a whole industry dedicated to cleaning hockey equipment).

So this summer I began to acquire polyester bike jerseys, normally having worn cotton before — and wretch!!! Cotton can be washed. Poly for some reason retains stench. Even the slightest whiff, and I am unhappy. So I am again removing the triggers. No problem with my cotton shirts and my cotton gloves.

And now the shorts… time to remove the trigger. And the wool promises no stench and anti bacteria.

No, this isnt about the way I care for the fabric. Because of all this, I am most vigilant about keeping more equipment clean. Synthetic fabrics simply have this property. You may not have notice it; but that probably has to do with you being less sensitive to it that I (which is good for you; sucks for me).

[vvill]

I have a bright hi-vis orange hooded jersey (not merino wool) from Performance I bought when I was first commuting more often. It’s extremely distinctive and amazing how well the hood works if you need it.

This doesn’t seem too bad a price for a name brand merino long sleeve jersey:
http://www.rei.com/product/824932/sugoi-wallaroo-290-long-sleeve-bike-jersey-mens-2010-closeout

[jopamora]

I wonder if REI is trolling this board. Not cycling specific, but a really great price for a Smartwool sweater

[Tim Kelley]

@rcannon100 30486 wrote:

It’s too late at night for me to find the articles I have been reading, but yes, apparently synthetic fabrics manage to capture sweat and more importantly bacteria – and can just stink. My joy with this started when my son played hockey. Ever want to go to a toxic hazmat site?? Got to a hockey locker room. Ug. Anyway, I soon discovered I was quite allergic to it all… and had to remove the trigger to my allergies. (there is a whole industry dedicated to cleaning hockey equipment).

So this summer I began to acquire polyester bike jerseys, normally having worn cotton before — and wretch!!! Cotton can be washed. Poly for some reason retains stench. Even the slightest whiff, and I am unhappy. So I am again removing the triggers. No problem with my cotton shirts and my cotton gloves.

And now the shorts… time to remove the trigger. And the wool promises no stench and anti bacteria.

No, this isnt about the way I care for the fabric. Because of all this, I am most vigilant about keeping more equipment clean. Synthetic fabrics simply have this property. You may not have notice it; but that probably has to do with you being less sensitive to it that I (which is good for you; sucks for me).

Why not consult Dirt on this? http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?1108-Vanquish-stinky-cycling-clothing

[Author]

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