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If hearing the word “wool” conjures up images of thick, rough sweaters in questionable colors and patterns, it’s time to update your mental image. Today’s wool MTB tops are more akin to sleek pajamas, ranging from loose, flowy cuts to tighter fits, and everything in between.
All of the riding shirts we tested this spring are made from a blend of wool and at least one other material, usually nylon. Wool is known to wick away sweat and keep the wearer cool, while providing bonus odor control properties.
The Giro Venture is one of our favorites. The look is simple, with minor functional elements, like a chest pocket and hip pocket for a small snack or a credit card, and the subtle styling makes it easy to fit anywhere from a ride. Relaxed XC at easy park rides. The Venture is available in six colors and sizes S-XXL. Our testers found it to fit a size and to be quite comfortable, with its polyester / merino blend. There is a bit of a tailored feel to the shirt, but it still fits on the loose side. The Venture is an easy choice for anyone who wants a quality merino shirt with a bit of functionality that will work anywhere.
Kitsbow makes the Lory reasonably priced considering the price tag of the brand and the merino. This long sleeve shirt is only available in a ladies fit and is another great choice for spring or fall. The Lory is available in sizes XS-XL, and in six different colors. It’s on the casual side again, and skirts being a heavy piece; it’s a quality merino wool long sleeve that will work in cold weather, or as a base layer under a rain jacket or windbreaker. Since Kitsbow manufactures their clothing in response to each individual order, delivery time may be longer than other brands, but consumers should find quality, durable performance gear.
MSRP: $ 125. Available at Kitsarc.
Mons Royale adds a nice option to the stack of wool jerseys available with the Tarn Freeride Raglan 3/4. Mons Royale says the jersey is made for everything from the park to freeride adventures, and that it will look great at lunchtime. Merino Shift is the proprietary name for their blend of 52% Merino, 35% Recycled Polyester, and 13% Nylon, giving it a soft yet rugged feel, without being so unlike any other merino blend we’ve seen. . The Tarn is lightweight and will work in both spring, summer and fall when the weather is warmer.
Again, there aren’t many fancy features to speak of, other than a small lens wipe inside. It looks and feels great, and should easily last for a long time.
Norrona makes a few similar shirts, with some subtle differences between them. The Fjora is a lightweight, $ 80 short sleeve made from a blend of wool, recycled polyester, and non-recycled polyester. The Fjora shirt has a slim fit and a slightly dropped tail. Norrona does this in sizes S-XL. This is really a basic, but good quality, short-sleeved riding shirt with no extra functionality. What makes him special then? Comfort, fit, quality and of course its merino properties.
The colors might not be too exciting for consumers on this short sleeve – they’re mostly an earth color with a touch of neon, but they’re not hard to get along with considering how comfortable this shirt is overall.
This simple and largely odorless Apex Merino Tech T is a fantastic edition for your wardrobe on and off the bike. With merino fibers spun around the nylon, the shirt is super stretchy to move with your body. Two unique features include a drooping tail to cover your lower back in an aggressive riding position and flat stitched side panels that reduce areas where backpack straps can irritate your skin. The breathable material feels great on 70-80 ° trips and also serves as a warming base layer for cooler days. Like cotton, this t-shirt collects dark sweat stains in hot weather, but unlike vegetable fiber, this merino / nylon blend dries quickly. The Women’s The cut comes in six sizes and four colors, while the men’s cut comes in five sizes and four colors.
The fit in my size is precisely measured with the brand’s size chart, leaving just enough excess material for air to pass through while it dries the sweat. The fabric will shrink slightly in the wash, but it will return to its original fit with a slight stretch before pulling it over your head.
Smartwool is best known for their premium sports socks, but they brought out their first MTB jersey from the bike park. The Merino Sport 150 3/4 has three-quarter sleeves and a loose fit, but not loose. The fit stretches for more coverage at the back and is made from a blend of more than half of merino and polyester. Like most of the other jerseys here, the Smartwool Shirt favors form over function. There is a small pocket on the hip, and this is a quality jersey that is comfortable to wear and also combats the stench. Really, how many of us need a jersey to do anything other than feel good and look somewhat presentable? Smartwool does this in three different colors and sizes S-XXL. They also have a short sleeve version for $ 70.
The Sweet Protection Hunter Merino Short Sleeve Jersey is made of 87% wool / 13% polyamide material in a fairly basic and familiar t-shirt style, albeit with a slightly elongated tail. There are no pockets, no zippers, or even a lens wipe which helps keep the price lower than anything else in this test. I ordered a size medium based on the size chart online and found the jersey to have a relatively loose fit. With a fairly thin material and a short sleeve length compared to other jerseys I’ve tested this season, this should be a good choice to wear all summer long. Overall, the material is light and soft.
Sweet Protection suggests drying the swimsuit flat rather than throwing it in the dryer after washing. As you might have guessed from the photo, I’m guilty of throwing mine in the dryer along with everything else, and while not recommended, the jersey has (generally) retained its shape. Available in sizes S-XL and in four colors, including “moss”, pictured.
Velocio products are akin to other premium brands like Kitsbow and Rapha and won’t be the first brand that comes to mind if you’re on a budget. That said, most of the Velocio mountain bike products that we tested a few years ago when this line was new are still in great condition, so they’re built to last.
The Trail Merino Long Sleeve is a new addition this year and is available in sizes XS to XXXXL. This is possibly the widest range of sizes we have ever seen on a mountain bike jersey, although Kitsbow has announcement they are also expanding their size range. The midrange we received is true to the size of the tester and has a slim fit. The long sleeves are made from a merino / nylon blend and there are panels on the shoulders and under the elbows for abrasion resistance where you could carry a bag or throw bows with vegetation on the edge trails. It can get a little warm, so spring and probably fall are the perfect seasons for the shirt, especially since the shirt is black.
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