Wool jerseys

[rich p]

A query about these retro (or otherwise) woolen jerseys or 50% wool mix - are they itchy, effective or just for show? I'm wondering about their efficiency but I like their looks. For the sort of money they sell at I'd like to know if anyone here would recommend them or not.

 

[Dayvo]

I have several retro/wool mix jerseys;

http://www.veloclothes.com/prod1.as... Brands!SID!1!Product_ID!1269!Category_ID!152 very comfortable (got mine from a supplier in the States for only $60!).

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos.php?id=/photos/2008/features/crvv_mar08/IMG_6374 This one is my favourite

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-MED-MER.htm and this is also a fave!

 

[rich p]

Nice shirts. Are they still ok when wet with rain or sweat? Do they begin to honk after a while or am I worrying unnecessarily?

 

[Dayvo]

My shirts, because of the wool mix, don't smell at all. In fact, it is recommended that the Belgian shirt is worn 6-7 times before washing!
It did get very long once when it was raining, but once washed, it returned to its proper size and shape.
The others are very warm (and, surprisingly, cool), comfortable and do not itch.
Some of my older Santini jerseys started to smell badly after only a short while (soon to be thrown), but the wool mix/Merino ones are great.

 

[Lardyboy]

I've got quite a collection now of wool and wool/acrylic mix jerseys. I have to say I much prefer them to polyester jerseys now. they keep you warmer when it's cold , but bizarrely keep you cool when it's hot just like polyester. Or perhaps it's just me? But I'd buy more if I could afford it/ justify it!

Got a few from http://www.vintagevelos.com/ when the pound was way over $2, so picked them up for less compared to today.

 

[Dayvo]

And this is for casual 'street' wear!

http://www.bobshop.de/en/article/nike-retro-jersey-t-te-de-course-m/

 

[Fiona N]

A woolly cycling jersey saved my life on the first Alpine Brevet I did (Swiss Sportive with the usual 3500m of ascent in 160km over three big passes in central Switzerland). Somehow, probably because the highest pass was only about 2400m, I expected it to be cool but OK and didn't take a jacket. What with the thunderstorm, snow, 40km downhills etc. I would have got seriously hypothermic had it not been for the insulating properties of the wool even when wet (assisted on the descents by the reknown folded newspaper). I tell you, I felt like a hero from the thirties TdF thrashing up the Oberalp in hail and lightening. By the end, descending into Biasca in the afternoon, the temperature was about 35C, which made quite a difference to earlier in the day, but the woolly was still comfortable enough (and dry).

 

[Dayvo]

. . . but the woolly was still comfortable enough (and dry).

and odour-free, no doubt! But then again, girls don't perspire.
Sounds like a hairy descent.

 

[punkypossum]

And this is for casual 'street' wear!

http://www.bobshop.de/en/article/nike-retro-jersey-t-te-de-course-m/

I like that one!!! Nice!!!

 

[John the Monkey]

This one would be my choice;

http://www.vintagevelos.com/jer-molteni_arcore1.html

what a belter.

 

[Tynan]

Got a few from http://www.vintagevelos.com/ when the pound was way over $2, so picked them up for less compared to today.

wow, there's some beautiful tops there, I'd buy them but I'd feel ashamed to wear stuff like that unless I was seriously kicking arse on a serious ride

 

[elvisparsley]

I have a Nike merino wool jersey which is fabulously comfortable, and not itchy at all as you might expect. And even better, it doesnt smell at all even having never been washed in 10+ journeys. All my other cycling jerseys have a permanent honk about them. Very much recommended

 

[Joe]

I have this

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=9338

It's great! It's a touch on the short size but I use it for my commute every day and despite only being washed every couple of weeks or so it never smells! Also looks good off the bike.
I LOVE that Molteni World Champion jersey...come payday, maybe...

 

[Tynan]

how's that a deep zip?

and only tangerine left in L

 

[John the Monkey]

Found this in an archived thread on BikeForums - a list of wool jersey suppliers...

Boure - http://www.boure.com/
Ibex - http://www.ibexwear.com/
Kucharic - http://kucharik.com/
Rapha - http://rapha.cc/
Surly - http://www.surlybikes.com/clothes.html
Woolistic - http://www.woolistic.com/ (available at http://www.vintagevelos.com/)
Wooly Warm (Rivendell) - http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/clothing

(Originally posted by Darren Cope).