Jerseys: Sportwool Vs. 100% Merino

[Fanwaar]

I'm looking to get a new short sleeved cycling jersey for an upcoming 18 month tour and have had my head turned by Sportwool. This is a merino synthetic blend used by companies such as Rapha http://www.rapha.cc/products/ and more recently, the increasingly lauded Shutt Velo Rapide http://www.shuttvr.com/products.php.

I'm a merino fan for obvious reasons but I wonder if anyone has any experience of how sportwool performs against 100% merino jerseys. Categories of interest include durability, breathability, odour retention, washing, wet warmth and shape retention. I'd appreciate mention of brands and models, especially if someone has found a bombproof and affordable 100% merino cycling specific jersey.

Many thanks.

[cycle_tourer]

I have several Rapha and Shut VR merino blend jerseys as well as some 100% merino base layers. I have generally found that 100% merino is better for keeping smells at bay for longer periods. My Rapha winter jersey (merino blend) over the top of a 100% merino base layer kept me warm when my waterproof jacket started letting in water during a wet week in Norway. My sportwool hat also kept my head warm, despite being saturated. I don't think i know of any 100% merino cycle-specific s/s jerseys (rather than base layers). I have a 100% merino Rapha l/s jersey, which is more of a casual "urban" cut (rather like a lightweight fleece), which is great at odour retention and appears to have washed and worn well over past year or so. I always take 100% merino baselayers away with me, because I can always use them if i get cold in a sleeping bag etc. I think sportwool is better at keeping it's shape when stuffing things in rear pockets etc.

Does that help at all?

[BigMig]

Hi - Sportwool is perfect for year round use and much more practical in the care dept... Washes at 40degs, quick drying... I have 100% merino and its great for base layer for winter. To warm now... I was out today in just a L/S Sportwool Jersey and gilet. Got wet but stayed warm.

I work for Shutt so I am 'slightly' biased, but I love my Rapha stuff too... just dont wear it as much now for obvious reason...

Worth keeping an eye on the Shutt website Monday as its being completely overhauled this weekend. Some very exciting new products going up.

Best, Peter

[minkie]

Sportswool honks more quickly than full merino, but it's still nothing like as much as poly stuff.
Also,keeps it's shape better than merino.
I like merino baselayer under sportswool jersey.

[Fanwaar]

Thanks guys, all really useful. I reckon I'll be adding the Shutt Training Jersey to my merino collection. I'd like to go for one of the Shutt short sleeved jerseys as well but am really put off by the dominance of black in their colourways. Why is it that so many cycling specific tops are designed with black backs? I can't see any positives in this... it makes us a lot less visible to motorists, doesn't help on those hot days when the sun is beating down on your back and makes salty sweat marks all the more obvious. Just makes no sense to me...

[gilesjuk]

I'd say that big brand manufacturers are always going to try using synthetic materials and hype up how good it is. It's so much cheaper to produce.

[thirdcrank]

One of the proprietors of Chevin Cycles in Otley is an expert on fabrics (as in that was his postgraduate qualification profession before he went into retail) and seems to know just about everything there is to know on this type of thing. (It's a year or two since I was in there so I'm assuming he's still there.)

[CREPELLO]

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is 'sportswool'?

[minkie]

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is 'sportswool'?

Jerry: it's a blend of wool (usually merino) and man-made polyester-type stuff. The idea is that you get some of the non-honk /breathable/ wicking / comfort properties of merino with the strength / shape-retaining properties of poly.
It must also be a good deal for the maker because poly is much cheaper than merino, but as far as I can see that doesn't seem to be reflected in the retail price.

[CREPELLO]

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is 'sportswool'?

Jerry: it's a blend of wool (usually merino) and man-made polyester-type stuff. The idea is that you get some of the non-honk /breathable/ wicking / comfort properties of merino with the strength / shape-retaining properties of poly.
It must also be a good deal for the maker because poly is much cheaper than merino, but as far as I can see that doesn't seem to be reflected in the retail price.

Oh right, thanks. Not a specific brand or blend then. I quite like the look of the Endura Baa Baa L/S baselayer. Left it a bit late now - I'll wait until the autumn.

[scottg]

100% merino s/s Jerseys, excellent quality, the pockets will sag more than a Rapha.
The colour bands are woven in, not pieced in like Rapha.
The trainers are like a mid weight sweater, embroidered not flocked, lovely stuff.
No French designs, the owner has it in for the French.

http://www.vintagevelos.com/jer-gray3.html
http://www.vintagevelos.com/trainers1.html

The sizes are about 1 off from Rapha xxl = xxxl in Woolistic.

[gilesjuk]

I have one of these, I'm sure I paid much less though:

http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/M ... _Tops.html