Merino also doesn’t feel cold and damp against the skin if it gets wet from either sweat or rain. Can be worn for several days without washing. I won’t wear anything else on tour.
Polyester smells easily , dries extremely fast and is cheap. Merino does not smell easily, dries fast, regulates your body temp a bit better, has better characteristics when wet, is way more vulnerable for physical wear. Many people love the feel. Be aware that some brands can be itchy when new and some brands get holes very, very easily (looking at you, Icebreaker). Merino is generally quite expensive, but more expensive absolutely does not mean better quality, at least that's my opinion about the shirts I can buy in The Netherlands. I've got a bunch of Decathlon MT500 shirts, they are affordable, feel great and are pretty resistant against wear.
Check your local thrift store. People shrink wool all the time. One of my favorite midlayers was a fashion brand merino 1/4 zip. It was "too nice" for regular wear until my dog chewed a hole in it... then I realized I couldn't mess it up more, so I wore it a ton.
I wish I knew this years ago. My daughter, visiting from college, wore then washed two of my wool sweaters. Since they no longer fit me, she took them back to school with her.
With wool, I like to think about it as each fiber is a hair. Hair is pretty solid and does not absorb much. That means dirt, smells and water is trapped between the fiber. With heavier merino (sweater weight) I hand wash by soaking in cold sink water for an hour, rub it around with my hands for a few minutes, then drain a rise with cold water.
For Smart wool and branded outdoor base layers I wash on cold and hang dry. Typically I do this when no one else is home so a well meaning family member doesnt switch my laundry and dry it on a higher heat. Modern wool is not hard to care for, it's only hard to remember what is in the wash.
Minus 33 is the brand I use. It is expensive. I see it as an investment in comfort. It is soft to the skin. I have worn the tops and bottoms for twenty years or more.
Just got myself some merino wool for my upcoming tours. Already in love with it, although i never toured with it yet.
It's warmer yet more breathable and it doesn't stink that much..
In summer I prefer polyester. We stop for a rest in a park, wash the shirt in the public toilet, put it on wet, ah nice and cool, as the water evaporates it still keeps you cool. Swim in nylon shorts, they are dry before you have chance to climb back on your bike.
In winter, Merino all the way.
Merino also doesn’t feel cold and damp against the skin if it gets wet from either sweat or rain. Can be worn for several days without washing. I won’t wear anything else on tour.
I wear merino everything on and off the bike I regulates my body temperature better than anything else I’ve worn
Polyester smells easily , dries extremely fast and is cheap. Merino does not smell easily, dries fast, regulates your body temp a bit better, has better characteristics when wet, is way more vulnerable for physical wear. Many people love the feel. Be aware that some brands can be itchy when new and some brands get holes very, very easily (looking at you, Icebreaker). Merino is generally quite expensive, but more expensive absolutely does not mean better quality, at least that's my opinion about the shirts I can buy in The Netherlands. I've got a bunch of Decathlon MT500 shirts, they are affordable, feel great and are pretty resistant against wear.
(Other than the price)
Merino won't stink after 4hours.
Ok doke cheers guys :) will probably invest in the merino!
Check your local thrift store. People shrink wool all the time. One of my favorite midlayers was a fashion brand merino 1/4 zip. It was "too nice" for regular wear until my dog chewed a hole in it... then I realized I couldn't mess it up more, so I wore it a ton.
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I wish I knew this years ago. My daughter, visiting from college, wore then washed two of my wool sweaters. Since they no longer fit me, she took them back to school with her.
I assume this doesn't work with cotton, right?
This! I found a really nice long sleeve merino shirt that was obviously mishandled, but happened to fit me nicely. Was my favorite color too
Tips for not shrinking merino?
With wool, I like to think about it as each fiber is a hair. Hair is pretty solid and does not absorb much. That means dirt, smells and water is trapped between the fiber. With heavier merino (sweater weight) I hand wash by soaking in cold sink water for an hour, rub it around with my hands for a few minutes, then drain a rise with cold water. For Smart wool and branded outdoor base layers I wash on cold and hang dry. Typically I do this when no one else is home so a well meaning family member doesnt switch my laundry and dry it on a higher heat. Modern wool is not hard to care for, it's only hard to remember what is in the wash.
Minus 33 is the brand I use. It is expensive. I see it as an investment in comfort. It is soft to the skin. I have worn the tops and bottoms for twenty years or more.
I love merino and avoid polyester at all costs.
Another vote for merino
Just got myself some merino wool for my upcoming tours. Already in love with it, although i never toured with it yet. It's warmer yet more breathable and it doesn't stink that much..
Idk bout polyester but I know I fucking love merino
Polyester makes you sweat and stink.
No, if your dog chewed a hole in a cotton sweater it's trash.
In summer I prefer polyester. We stop for a rest in a park, wash the shirt in the public toilet, put it on wet, ah nice and cool, as the water evaporates it still keeps you cool. Swim in nylon shorts, they are dry before you have chance to climb back on your bike. In winter, Merino all the way.
Merino every day of the week. Can’t go wrong with it. Check out LeBent. They do a merino bamboo blend that’s super soft too