Merino wool is all the rage right now, and its recent popularity has encouraged gear companies to weave this natural fiber into more than just base layers. Icebreaker of New Zealand came up with new ways for us gearheads to don merino wool, and this biking season they’re offering up wool shorts and jerseys as part of their GT Mountain Bike line. I got enjoy some desert mountain biking with the new Icebreaker SS Roto Half Zip mountain bike jersey, and am enthralled with what came off the sheep’s back.
The Icebreaker SS Roto Half Zip Jersey looks like your typical bike top, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. Merino wool is soft and flexible, and immediately after slipping it on I appreciated how much more comfortable it is over the standard Lycra fare. It also actually looks good with its subtle colors and styling, unlike the logo-covered, neon clown-suit monstrosities that have invaded the singletrack these days. So it came to be that the SS Roto Half Zip became my go-to shirt for spring mountain biking in Utah and Western Colorado.
I have to say, those merino sheep hanging out in New Zealand must be damn comfortable all the time wearing their wool, because no matter the temperature or weather, the SS Roto Half Zip kept me dry and content. The amazing thing I noticed was that the wool didn’t keep me warm or cool, but instead kept my body temperature regulated. Icebreaker was like a thermostat on my skin, to the point that I almost didn’t even notice I was wearing anything, even while hammering up steep slickrock under the desert sun, or zooming down paved hills at speed in a brisk spring wind. Plus, if I did start to overheat, the front zipper comes to the rescue for even more ventilation.
Decades ago, before Lycra dominated as the king of bike jerseys, wool was the fabric of choice for anyone riding two wheels. But wool tends to stretch out and lose its shape, especially after it gets wet. But Icebreaker has solved this problem by weaving a bit of Lycra into the SS Roto Half Zip so it stays flexible, dries faster, and hugs the torso like a typical bike jersey.
Other features include eyelet panels under the arms and on the upper back for extra breathability and temperature control, and a rear zipped pocket for handy storage of gel packs and snacks.
But the best part about Icebreaker’s merino wool is something that your significant other or anyone in close quarters will appreciate – odor. The SS Roto Half Zip doesn’t stink to high heaven like polyester fabrics, which means you can wear it over and over again (which I did) and not clear the room when you go indoors for a post-ride pizza.
Icebreaker’s slogan is, “Ride with Nature.” I can dig it, but I’m not sure my wallet can. The SS Roto Half Zip retails for $100, which is a bit pricey but comparable to other high-end mountain bike gear. But if you’ve got the bucks or can find it on sale, I bet you won’t be disappointed with any of Icebreaker’s offerings.
Plus, to be sure of the sweater’s sustainability, you can even track its origins right back to the farm it came from in New Zealand by typing in the “Baacode” on the green tag inside the jersey at Icebreaker.com.
The bottom line is this: if you’re looking for a mountain bike jersey that breathes, stays dry, doesn’t make you look like a rolling billboard, and is the most comfortable jersey on the face of the planet, then look no further than the Icebreaker SS Roto Half Zip.