Test & washing instructions: Cycling jerseys made from merino wool

Cycling jerseys were not always off light, robust, easy-care and quick-drying functional fibres. Originally, wool was the material of choice - it could feel correspondingly heavy, thick and scratchy on the skin. It wasn't until the mid-1980s that manufacturers changed their tune. Italian traditional brand DeMarchi For example, in 1983 the professional team Mareno-Wilier The company was the last to produce jerseys and trousers made of classic new wool, and the following year it expanded its production to Synthetic material to convert.

Renaissance of woollen jerseys

That Wool jerseys Nevertheless, the fact that the wool is experiencing a renaissance is mainly due to a special type of wool: Merino wool. The fur hairs of merino sheep are particularly fine and fabrics made from their wool are very soft to the touch. The fibres also absorb a lot of moisture without feeling clammy, and even after intensive exertion, they do not smell at all or only slightly of sweat.

How TOUR tests cycling jerseys

The overall score is made up of the three criteria of wearing comfort, handling and features, which were weighted according to their relevance.

Wearing comfort (40 %)

Several testers subjectively assessed the feel of the fabric, both on dry and sweaty skin. On fast descents, any fluttering noises were documented and graded accordingly from quiet (very good) to loud (poor). Merino jerseys are usually very quiet, but the different cuts result in different partial scores.

Handling (30 %)

For this sub-rating, we assessed how easy it is to operate the front zip: with both hands, with one hand, while riding; as well as the elasticity of the cuffs, which determines how quickly the jersey can be put on and taken off. Different scores between the women's and men's models result, for example, from differently cut and positioned jersey pockets, which are easier or harder to reach and fill.

Equipment (30 %)

We evaluated details such as additional pockets with zips, covers for zips and fabric covers for their sliders, the fit of the jersey waistband and cuffs, and the number and placement of reflective elements.

Our tested merino jerseys for women at a glance

• Agu Solid Merino jersey SIX6
• Café du Cycliste Eglantine
• De Marchi Classica Sportwool Jersey
• Isadore Woolight Jersey
• Maap Alt Road Jersey
• Triple 2 Women's Velozip Sub
• Velocio Women's Concept Merino Jersey

Fibre blend instead of 100 % wool

After some experience with Sportswear from pure Merino wool most manufacturers have now switched to labelling the wool with Synthetic fibres like Polyester, polyamide or Elastan fibres. This is intended to combine the advantages of natural and synthetic fibres. The material mix makes the jerseys more elastic, more stable - and less susceptible to moths.

Sustainability, fair, resource-conserving

More and more manufacturers are also making sure that their clothing more sustainable, fairer or more resource-efficient than in the past. For example, all of our Test jerseys in Europe manufactured, Isadore or Velocio guarantee, according to the label, the use of Recycled material for the synthetic fibre. Triple 2 pays explicit attention to gentle shearing methods in wool production (keyword: mulesing-free).

The woollen jerseys are equipped like other Cycling jerseysThe cuts also follow current trends. Standard are Fabric-backed zip fastenerse, Zipper garagen on the collar, Gel prints at the waistband to prevent slipping up, three Back pockets as storage space plus a Small zip pocket for small items.

Our tested merino wool cycling jerseys for men at a glance

• Agu Solid Merino jersey SIX6
• Cafe du Cycliste Eglantine
• De Marchi Classica Sportwool Jersey
• Isadore Woolight Jersey
• Maap Alt_Road Jersey
• Triple 2 Men's Velozip Sub
• Velocio Men's Concept Merino Jersey

Evaluation of the merino jerseys

The Criticism of our testers was more focussed on the Fit details - For example, cuffs that are too tight or too tight. Incidentally, the partial and final scores of women's and men's jerseys can differ: Some things were criticised by our Test crew differently - for example with the Handlingbecause zips are easier or more difficult to operate, or because smaller hands can get into tight jersey pockets more easily.

Ideal for the transitional period

Jerseys with merino wool are characterised by high wearing comfort and the Odour-inhibiting effect of their fibres. However, they cost a few euros more than classic Lycra models and are not available for less than 100 euros.

Their disadvantage is the lower elasticity of the material with a very high merino contentThis means that zips don't run as easily or fully packed back pockets pull the jersey down. Apart from that, the soft woollen jerseys are comfortable companions in the transitional period, on cool summer- as well as to warm autumn days.

Facts about the jerseys

Agu

• ModelSolid Merino jersey SIX6
• Info: www.agu.com
• Price/country of manufacture120 Euro / Portugal
• Material67 % wool, 22 % polyamide, 11 % elastane
• Women's jersey colours: Brown, Black
• Weight women's jersey (size S)/sizes121 gram / XS-XXL

• Men's jersey colours: Desert brown, black
• Weight men's jersey (size M)/sizes140 gram / S-XXXL

ConclusionThe cheapest jersey in the test was praised for its pleasant fabric feel, the cut suitable for racing bikes, its zip and the easily accessible jersey pockets. However, the sleeve cuffs were criticised for being too sticky even on dry skin. Not opaque, no reflective material.

Cafe du Cycliste

• ModelEglantine
• Info: www.cafeducycliste.com
• Price/country of manufacture160 Euro / Bulgaria
• Material54 % wool, 40 % polyester, 6 % elastane
• Women's jersey colours: Light blue, Grey
• Weight (size S)/sizes165 gram / XS-XL

• Men's jersey colours: Light blue, Grey
• Weight (size M)/sizes190 gram / XS-XXL

ConclusionThe cut is normal, the material is significantly firmer than that of the competition and correspondingly warmer. The side pockets on the men's model have an opening that is too narrow for large hands, but our female testers were more comfortable with this. The workmanship is high quality and the equipment is complete.

De Marchi

• ModelClassica Sportwool Jersey
• Info: www.demarchi.com
• Price/country of manufacture140 Euro / Italy
• Material67 % polyester, 33 % wool
• Women's jersey colours: 6 colours
• Weight (size S)/sizes160 gram / XS-XL

• Men's jersey colours: 7 colours
• Weight (size M)/sizes185 gram / XS-XXL

Conclusion: Thanks to their subtle shiny effect, the De Marchi jerseys look very elegant. Their cut tends to be comfortable, a little longer, and they are slightly heavier than average - but still airy. The zip is easy to use, the pockets are easily accessible, but not very deep.

Isadore

• ModelWoolight Jersey
• Info: www.isadore.com
• Price/country of manufacture130 Euro / Slovakia
• Material77 % polyester, 23 % wool
• Women's jersey coloursPink, dark blue, light blue, black
• Weight (size S)/sizes: 125 gram / XXS-XL

• Men's jersey coloursOchre, Red, Blue
• Weight (size M)/sizes135 gram / XS-XXL

ConclusionDue to the low wool content, the Isadore jerseys almost feel like classic synthetic fibre models. Advantage: they dry a little faster than the competition. Both men and women criticise the cuffs, which are too narrow and tight, of the otherwise well-equipped and finished jerseys.

Maap

• ModelAlt_Road Jersey
• Info: www.maap.cc
• Price/country of manufacture165 Euro / Lithuania
• Material49 % nylon, 47 % wool, 4 % elastane
• Women's jersey colours: Burgundy red, Purple, Blue-green, Beige
• Weight (size S)/sizes: 143 gram / XXS-L

• Men's jersey coloursBurgundy, olive green, blue, beige, dark grey
• Weight (size M)/sizes165 gram / XS-XXL

ConclusionThe Maap jerseys also have a slight sheen, albeit somewhat duller than those from De Marchi. There was a lot of praise for the great wearing comfort and the smooth-running zip. The sleeve cuffs were criticised for being too tight. As Maap's tailoring is very tight and short, you should try a size larger.

Triple2

• ModelWomen's/Men's Velozip Sub
• Info: www.triple2.de
• Price/country of manufacture: 139 Euro / Lithuania
• Material96 % wool, 4 % elastane
• Women's jersey colours: Blue, Orange, Purple
• Weight (size S)/sizes: 150 gram / XS-L

• Men's jersey coloursOrange, Blue, Black
• Weight (size M)/sizes: 165 gram / S-XXL

ConclusionThe Velozip Sub from Triple2 is made of almost 100 per cent merino wool, feels correspondingly fluffy and should be washed with care. Its cut is long and it sits very well on the body, although the large pockets pull the jersey down when fully loaded. The tight and taut cuffs are annoying.

Velocio

• ModelWomen's/Men's Concept Merino Jersey
• Info: www.velocio.cc
• Price/country of manufacture: 179 Euro / Italy
• Material75 % wool, 18 % polyamide, 7 % elastane
• Women's jersey coloursRed, Green, Blue, Black
• Weight (size S)/sizes115 gram / XXS-XXXL

• Men's jersey coloursRed, Green, Blue, Black
• Weight (size M)/sizes140 gram / XS-XXXXL

ConclusionThe expensive jerseys from Velocio have a racing cut and are short, which is why one size larger is an option. The pockets are easy to reach and fill, the zip is fully lined and the lack of a collar is a matter of taste. Despite the high wool content, the fabric feels rather firm.

The right care for merino clothing

All manufacturers allow machine washing at 30 to 40 degrees with Wool detergentl. Fabric softeners are taboo, when spinning you should 900 revolutions per minute be the limit.

Avoid holes with the right detergent

Important: The detergent must not contain the Enzyme protease it splits the oxygen contained in the merino wool. Keratin which leads to hole-forming wool leads. Not every laundry detergent manufacturer labels every enzyme on the packaging. Research on the website of the Manufacturer is advisable. If in doubt, it is better to Special detergent for Merino wool use.

The full test of the merino jerseys, all details and individual scores are available here here for download for 1.99 euros.

Download "Test: Merino jerseys"