I was introduced to the phenomenal properties of merino wool last summer when I bought a couple of Icebreaker brand T-shirts to take for a six-week summer road trip. I was so impressed, that in my quest to have the minimum gear with the maximum function, I had to try the base layer to wear under my motorcycle jacket and pants. I chose Icebreaker brand.
Merino wool’s insulating properties keep you warm in cold weather, and its breathability and wicking characteristics cool you in hot weather, so it seemed the ideal base layer underneath a high-quality, versatile riding suit, like BMW’s TourShell suit, which I reviewed on Women Riders Now (WRN).
I’ve not only worn the shirt and leggings on every ride since I recieved them last fall, but I’ve worn them under my street clothes during a long, bitterly cold winter. Merino wool properties allow these base layers to be so thin, yet so insulating. Thats the beauty of Merino wool. These items are both 200 gram weight, listed on Icebreaker’s website as “lightweight.” Ultralight is 150 grams, and 260 grams is listed as midweight.
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Don’t let the term “wool” fool you. This is not your grandmother’s itchy wool sweater from years ago. Merino wool (which comes from a breed of sheep called Merino) is non-itchy, naturally odor resistant, and machine washable. It dries very quickly so when it gets damp from perspiration during warm weather, it dries quickly when exposed to air flow.
I wear the leggings under my touring suit even in the summer because of the fabric’s wicking properties. Wearing anything is hot when it’s 90 degrees or more, but I’m always fully covered, and the wicking and quick drying properties are actually cooling.
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I wore these pieces almost non-stop last winter so they got laundered quite a few times, yet they have retained their original shape and feel like new, with no bagging at the elbows, butt or knees.
The socks kept my feet warm in the cold, and wicked away moisture when temperatures warmed up. I was a little disappointed though when the Ultralight Kelple socks wore thin before I expected them to. I replaced them with a pair of Icebreaker Hike Medium Crew socks and love them.
Aside from admiring their products, I really like Icebreaker’s commitment to a sustainable business model, their care for the environment and their ethical treatment of animals and growers. That certainly influences my purchasing decision. I’ve since purchased three T-shirts to wear in all my motorcycle travels.
The merino wool benefits to motorcyclists are:
• Extremely functional as a base layer under riding gear in heat and cold
• The quality stands up to extreme wear
• Easy to launder
• Quick drying, can hang to dry overnight
• Packs up into a small space.
Price on Icebreaker’s website for these items:
• Pace Crew Base Layer $99.99
• Pace Leggings $89.99
• Ultralite Kelple Socks $20.99.
For more information, to order online, and to find a retailer near you, visit Icebreaker.com.
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Great article and well written. Some more benefits of Merino wool to consider are its anti-microbial properties. If your touring and can’t wash your clothes as often as you would like then Merino will not smell even after several days. Merino wool is also flame retardant so will not readily burn if you get an ember from your camp fire jump out at you. Don’t forget to air dry your garments and not tumble dry; they may shrink!