Merino

[cyclingbore]

Anyone use merino cycling gear. Have looked at a few but soooo expensive! Now that the cold weather is upon us I am dreading a year like last. Never seem to have the right gear also my back and kidneys seem to get cold with tops that ride up.

 

[amaferanga]

Bib tights should keep your back and kidneys warm.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Yes, ChocolateFishMerino highly recommended. If it's cold layer two of their base layers on top of eachother and a wind/waterproof shell such as altura's night vision over the top...

 

[BSRU]

I wouldn't go out in the cold without my merino wool gear on, it makes huge difference when it gets really cold.
I had no problem last winter commuting when it was only -10.
Most of my base layer tops, tights and glove liners are Icebreaker 200 and my sock liners are Endura.
Unfortunately it is relatively expensive but it is quality gear and worth the investment to be able to commute all year round.

 

[Dayvo]

Mountain Wearhouse http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/mens/clothing/thermals-baselayers/
or
Millets http://www.millets.co.uk/category/clothing/mens-clothing/baselayers.html

might be of help.

There's nothing like being warm and snug on a cold & wet winter's morning.

 

[Hacienda71]

I bought a base layer/jersey from Planet x less than £20 iirc it is 250 gsm 100% merino and is great. Decathlon also sell them at a reasonable price in their skiing departament.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

watch out that some of the gear with 'MERINO' written all over the packaging in big letters are in fact blends with minimal amounts of merino in them.

 

[baldycyclist]

I love mine
Doesnt smell - although not done 5 days in it just yet!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Yep. Love it. Rarely ride in anything else. Ground Effect, Shutt, LabGear, Planet-x/On one but I have more money than sense, or so I'm told.

Some of the blends have all the +ves of merino with all the +ves of synthetics and none of the -ves of either.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

The Shutt stuff is lovely.

 

[yello]

My fave topic. I'm a merino bore. The stuff works, no question. Don't be afraid to pay the money for it as you'll not regret it. It doesn't need to be cycling specific either, look at Icebreaker base layers for instance.

As mentioned above, check the merino percentage in any mix AND check the country of origin. There is cheap (and ineffective) Italian merino to be had. If it doesn't say '100% NZ merino' (or Aus, but then I'm bias and prefer NZ!) then don't bother. The decent stuff IS expensive but there is a reason for that!

Edit: above applies for base layers. Merino is NOT windproof in the slightest. If you're looking for an outer layer, then 100% merino is useless! It's also not hard wearing, something else to keep in mind.

 

[BalkanExpress]

I'm another big merino fan. Even better my wife has banned polyester on the reasonable ground that I stink after a ride so I have accumulated a lot of merino, long sleeve, short sleeve, cycling specific and non-specific .

Different weights can do different things, I have an icebreaker T-shirt, very light weight and I've worn it comfortably at 40 degrees C or as a base layer in the cold. At the other extreme a heavyweight earth wind and rider long sleeve jersey and a windproof down below zero.

Agree with yello: it is not windproof, nor does it wick well and it soaks up rain. Not sure I agree fully with Greg , my only "sportwool" (50 merino 50% polyester) jersey is a di marchi: it holds moisture like merino and smells almost as bad as polyester.

All the items have one thing in common, they were purchased on the cheap: half price (or better in sales), from TK Maxx or gifts. If you look around you can find a bargin

 

[amaferanga]

Can't help but think people are missing the point that the OP has problems with his clothing that a merino baselayer isn't going to fix. Don't get me wrong, merino is good and I have a couple of merino baselayers, but without a decent windproof and bib tights a merino baselayer is gonna make f. all difference.

 

[G-Zero]

....clipped....It's also not hard wearing, something else to keep in mind.

I can back that up.

I wear heavy duty trousers at work and was getting sick of the amount of boxer shorts that were wearing away. I ended up in an outdoor shop in Keswick and explained the problem to one of the staff, who said to give Icebreaker merino a go. I bought 2 pairs at eyewatering prices and they were worse than my Helly Hansen and Mountain Equipment stuff that I was trying to improve on.

I wrote to Icebreaker and they sent me one new pair of boxers out FoC. To be fair to them, they are extremely comfortable and I wear them under everything except work gear and they have lasted ages this time round.

 

[yello]

Can't help but think people are missing the point that the OP has problems with his clothing that a merino baselayer isn't going to fix.

I don't think the point was missed so much as addressed indirectly.

Whilst I formed the impression that an outer (windproof) layer was what the OP needed, they did ask specifically about merino. That's why I mentioned that merino is not windproof!