merino baselayer

[AlastairS]

Hi, I am interested in buying a merino base layer - my base layer is synthetic and I have had it for a while so time for a new one
. I notice the Altura merino top in Cyclestore £32.
https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/altura_merino_long_sleeve_cycling_base_layer-ID_52174
Also the dhb on http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-merino-zip-neck-base-layer-m-200/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&utm_content=dhb%20Merino%20Zip%20Neck%20Base%20Layer%20M_200%20-%20XS%20Blue%20%7C%20Base%20Layers&kpid=5360566030&sku=5360566030&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360566030uk&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=sUjDi0o0y_dc%7Cpcrid%7C%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cprd%7C5360566030uk&dest=1&curr=GBP

I would be grateful for your recommendations and whether it's better to have a high collar with a zip.
Thanks, Alastair

[beardy]

Not recommending them (out of lack of experience) but Aldi have them coming on sale on Thur for £20.


I like the high neck and collar as I suffer from cold throats too easily.

[BigFoz]

Planet-x and search on Merino - they have a big offer on today (25% off with UKBFCLOBBER25 code) and you can get s/s or sleeveless for <£20, and L/s for <£30. They are very very good too. Easily a match for my expensive Norwegian Merino base layer! Bought one a year back to try, now have 4.

[reohn2]

FWIW,i tried a good quality Merino baselayer a few years back and found I overheated in it,it became saturated during rides even in quite cold conditions.It seemed it just couldn't cope with the kind exertion during cycling.
I went back to synthetic and have settled on Helly Hanson.
I realise other people may have different views but it's something to bear in mind.

[thirdcrank]

Last year, the Aldi "Merino" cycling tops were 30% merino, remainder something else.

However Aldi merino skiing togs are 100% merino wool (with Woolmark.) As I type this, having just come in from the cold, I'm wearing a skiing base layer top, bought last winter and some merino long johns bought six or seven years ago. These are a finer knit than the tops. I've never had anything posher/ more expensive to compare these with but I happily recommend them and I'll buy more if they have them this winter.

[BigFoz]

There might be some truth in that. The Planet-X s/s ones that I have have a lighter grade, almost mesh back, and that seems to work really well. Not encountered problems yet, even with my Lusso waterproof jacket that breathes not at all well...

[beardy]

Last year, the Aldi "Merino" cycling tops were 30% merino, remainder something else.

However Aldi merino skiing togs are 100% merino wool (with Woolmark.) As I type this, having just come in from the cold, I'm wearing a skiing base layer top, bought last winter and some merino long johns bought six or seven years ago. These are a finer knit than the tops. I've never had anything posher/ more expensive to compare these with but I happily recommend them and I'll buy more if they have them this winter.

It is the ski-ing merinos at Aldi this Thursday.

[ChrisButch]

Important to note that there are various grade and thicknesses of Merino, some of which are far too warm for cycling in UK conditions. As so often, it's worth looking at hillwalking/climbing clothing ranges for a wider choice.

[RickH]

It is the ski-ing merinos at Aldi this Thursday.

Yes

And they may still have some of the cycling ones (100% merino this year) at half price (but stock will be limited). (link)

Rick.

[meic]

I have a Merino Icebreaker.

I dont wear it for day rides as it isnt as easy to wash and dry as my synthetics, also it only zips a quarter way down and I have had to leave cafes as I was overheating in it.

During cold weather, I will wear it for the whole weekend (night time too if cold) when I am riding and camping almost exclusively outdoors. That is what it is brilliant at, letting you wear it even when drenched for long times without stinking. I never get the spare shirt out of the drybags.

[Sooper8]

+1 on the On One /Planet X merino. On offer now too.

[Mistik-ka]

An enthusiastic "yes" to a high collar with a zip — a) to keep your neck warm in the wind, and b) equally important, to let you vent extra heat when you come indoors. I speak with authority, having just come inside — wearing a base layer of mid-weight merino — after an hour of shovelling snow at –20º C.

[Vorpal]

Merino base layers are moer suited to colder weather than most of the UK sees. However, other layers can always be removed. Even at freezing, a merino layer and a winter jersey or a rain jacket may be enough, once I warm up. So, I head out wearing all three, and take off one layer if I need to.

And if the temperature drops, or I get stuck somewhere, ther merino is *much* warmer than a synthetic base layer.

[thirdcrank]

... I went back to synthetic and have settled on Helly Hanson. ....

Ages ago, possibly around 1990, C&A Modes did a range of ski togs called Rodeo. They were left with a lot of unsold stock and I made a killing in the clearance sale, especially with the polypropylene underwear (long sleeve tops and a couple of pairs of long johns) Similar to HH but a bit heavier fabric. The elastic soon went in the waist of the long johns, but the tops are still going strong. Some of the Rodeo surplus ended up in sales at places like the York Rally.

IME, the only problem can be it gets a bit pongy and the prescribed low temperature wash doesn't kill it. I've found that adding a slosh of antiseptic disinfectant - Dettol or something own brand and cheaper - to the wash keeps everything smelling OK.

[reohn2]

...... Similar to HH but a bit heavier fabric.... ..... the only problem can be it gets a bit pongy............

I take mine into the shower with me after every ride,for non pong wear .
Off the bike in everyday wear HH b/layers last two,sometimes three days before they need a wash.