Someone has to offer a less than stellar review, correct? Actually, I love the jersey for cycling in the northwest winters. With a base layer, 45-70 degrees is quite comfortable, and the breathability and wet (well, damp) weather insulation performance of the merino can't be beat. But the jersey is frankly far more fragile than a bike jersey should be. I stuffed a rain shell into the center back pocket, and I now have 2 holes in my jersey where the stress of the stretching caused the stitching to tear the fabric. There are literally holes in the back of the jersey now. C'mon - isn't that what bike jersey pockets are for? Buy the jersey, but not for more than $50, as it won't hold up to serious cycling use. Use the jersey for cool and damp rides and love the fabric performance, but anything other than a GU in the pocket will likely ruin it. Honestly, I'm going to start using a handlebar bag in winter when I use this jersey, simply because the fabric performance is worth the substandard construction.

Posted by: Slim | January 05, 2010 7:13 pm

I'm a kid again! I haven't had a wool jersey since the late '70s, and this one is better than anything I had back then. Beautifully constructed, sized great, a joy to wear in any weather. I'll be saving my pennies for another one.

Posted by: Bret Gross | December 27, 2009 6:14 pm

Add my voice to the chorus of praise. Merino is King of all Fibers, and I love the way this thing fits. Keeps me comfy, dry, and smelling sweet.

Posted by: Tortle | December 18, 2009 10:30 am

Best Jersey I own - Period. Took a bunch of the ole lycra jerseys and now use them to clean my bike with. For size: I am 6'3 220 and XXL fit fine - a little looks. Washes great as well.

Posted by: Kirk | July 11, 2009 6:52 pm

Just bought one of these. Fantastic quality and fit. Only wish they were easier to find retail in Canada.

Posted by: Jason | April 24, 2009 8:09 am

I bought three X-Large jersey's at the same time...I'm 6 foot and 190lbs, but based off of what I received, I guess SWOBO should offer these in a triple X size because all three are WAY too small for me...I'm going to have to lose another 30 lbs before these will ever fit me...other than that, they appear to be great quality, but for now...they remain unworn. Bummer!

Posted by: Dan | March 16, 2009 3:27 pm

It just arrived, my new ss wool jersey. It is pure awesomeness. Oh, the feel of wool to the skin. What an awesome athletic fit. The longer short sleeves are genius, no gappage with arm warmers. Blue note is the best color on earth, the photos don't reveal the everlasting beauty of this jersey. I may joyously proclaim MY ss wool jersey is lovely. It's also real nice wearing while riding.

Posted by: DaveyL | February 27, 2009 11:17 am

The stock photo doesn't do this jersey justice. I'm swearing off polyester jerseys after this purchase. I no longer stink when I commute to work and I'm far more comfortable on those 7 mile rides and weekend jaunts. I have a long torso and the cut is perfect (I'm 6'2" and wear a medium). Not to mention it's a workhorse that lasts for years. Paying a little more for one quality wool jersey that lasts beats paying for 5 stink-ridden and ill-fitting jerseys. I put this jersey on a pedestal (and give it the same daily abuse) next to my rapha long sleeve baselayers. Do yourself a favor and buy one.

Posted by: John-Patrick | January 22, 2009 6:04 pm

I wore an original back in 1997. I wore it on the bike and off. Sometimes to bed. Even with some small holes and perma-bike-back, it is still a favorite. I think it is time for a new woolie.

Posted by: Jamie | October 21, 2008 5:00 am

WHY WHY WHY do the short sleeved jerseys have such long sleeves? rolling them up will make ANYONE look like a charity ride participant. anyone had theirs altered?

Posted by: Mongo | October 15, 2008 5:09 pm

OK, so, I won a size large, short sleeve, mens jersey at the Quake City Rumble this year. It was a little awkward since I'm actually a medium sized woman. Are you calling me phat? But, I got all seamstress on it and made it a little narrower and now it's just the radest thing: my size but still long and that "mars" color is fucking epic!

Posted by: Victoria | October 10, 2008 5:49 pm

It's true what everyone else here has said: these jerseys are the best. There are a few things that you should know, though (or maybe, that I want the folks at Swobo to know). First, one of the reasons that these jerseys are so nice is because the wool is fine and thin; they are as comfortable as anything even up to 90F. But if you ride with a bag, or with pointy tools in your pocket, or if you fall a lot, you will put holes in them. It's just the nature of the jersey, and I wouldn't wear anything else in the summer, but I think a heavyweight jersey for winter use would be nice. Maybe the longsleeve is heavier, but I don't have one. I think because it's a nice, expensive jersey, folks treat it nice and for that reason they last a long time. Another thing is that the sleeves of this short sleeve jersey are quite long- they nearly reach my elbow. It's not to my taste, but I'm sure that some people prefer it (maybe it was designed to keep your bicep tattoos out of the sun). Also, the elastic on the sleeves isn't as strong as I would like. Although the weak elastic makes for a more gradual tan line, I would rather have something stronger that could keep my arm warmers from falling down. I would always recommend these jerseys, and the fact that they don't smell really is amazing, but they're not perfect. But they are pretty close.

Posted by: Dave | October 02, 2008 9:01 am

This truly is a great piece of clothing. I was given an older sleeveless swobo jersey with a martini embroidered on the chest. I loved it so much I had to have a sleeved one. I have only washed mine a few times and only in Broner's soap and water. Usually you can just turn it inside-out and let the sun shine on it for a while and its good-as-new.

Posted by: Mike C | October 02, 2008 8:13 am

First I gotta say that I love, love, love the wool jerseys. My only criticism would be that they are a touch too short in length. Give em like and extra inch two inches or so, and you all will have made my entire world complete.

Posted by: Tim Downs | October 02, 2008 7:39 am

i wear my jersey to church. on sunday, the pastor (who rides to church too) asked me where i got it.. he said it reminds him of an easter egg. god bless you, swobo. god bless you.

Posted by: Alex downing | October 01, 2008 9:52 am

Hey you guys said this jersey had a generous fit! Liar, Liars pants on fire. I know I could stand to lose a few pounds. But my two other jerseys advertised as a tighter fit are more comfortable size wise than the swobo.

Posted by: Dan | September 29, 2008 9:14 pm

I didn't think Swobo could improve upon the "original" Swobo jerseys, but they have. The wool is lighter and finer and the fit is right, but the best thing about the new jerseys is the taller, slightly tighter neck. It's just the ticket on a cool fall morning.

Posted by: Tomac | September 26, 2008 10:17 am

I have two of these jerseys and I think they're the absolute bomb. They're comfortable, they fit nicely, and they don't retain, um, odors, like other fabrics do. As it cools off I'm definitely going to pick up a long-sleeve edition.

Posted by: Danny | September 25, 2008 9:03 am

Whats better than a shirt that keeps you warm when its cold and cool when its hot.

Posted by: Gary | September 24, 2008 5:13 pm

this shizzel is da bomb! for real, the wool on this cycling jersey is the best. large pockets and best of all no stupid ad on the front or back. highly recommend!

Posted by: Derek Dos Anjos | September 24, 2008 3:33 pm

I've been riding Swobo wool since the mid-'90s, and these are the only jerseys I will wear. I've tried other brands of wool (Ibex, DeMarchi & Salsa) but always come back to my Swobo wools. I haven't tried Rapha but heard good things about them, yet I understand that Rapha is only about 25% - 45% wool and still cost twice as much as a Swobo. I still use every Swobo wool jersey I've ever purchased, even the vintage 1995s. The quality has only gotten better, yet the old ones are still going strong!

Posted by: Lorne | September 24, 2008 6:57 am

I love this jersey! The fit is great, the material is the most comfortable of any jersey I own. I worried that the wool would not hold it's shape, but I needn't have. Even after many washings this jersey fits like new. If you get the black you can be super stealth, too.

Posted by: Stephen | September 24, 2008 6:45 am

Purchased this and the baselayer last winter as a birthday present from myself. It my favorite jersey anytime the temps drop below 80 degrees. I plan on buying more. One small issue I had was the sleeves are a little long for my taste or mybe my upper arm is just short....

Posted by: James K | September 24, 2008 6:24 am

Why did it take me so long to get one of these? I went for my first ride last week in my new wool s/s I find myself woundering why I own any other jerseys. sleves the right length (long) and the fit is spot on. note: follow their size charts, no really a guy 6'3" 190lbs does fit into a med perfect!

Posted by: Matthew | September 24, 2008 6:12 am

Don't buy one...buy two.

Posted by: KV | September 24, 2008 6:06 am

Hand's down the best jersey I own! Nothing compares to wool. My only mistake is that I bough my first 1 I didn't buy 2.

Posted by: Jay | September 24, 2008 5:20 am

I bought one of these orange wool jerseys almost ten years ago. I'm still wearing it today. I love it! Can't beat the wool! Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Posted by: Fred | September 24, 2008 4:59 am

I cycle-commute 40 miles a day, 5 days a week. I do group rides that vary from social to city line sprint intensity. This jersey is what I wear all summer long, plus a lot of spring and fall, too. It's a running joke - "It's ALWAYS a good day for wool." It does not stink, ever. Even after three weeks (on a dare) of wearing in the summer without washing, it did not stink. It'll last longer if you wash it though. It feels better than any shirt I own, not just any jersey. It is not itchy, at all. It breathes so well, I barely bother to unzip it. But when it's cool out, it's comfy. It's not made in China. Guess what I'm buying myself for my birthday. On the downside, when it's hot, and you're sitting at a stop light, it can get a little steamy. I'm not a fan of the contrasting stitching. But, life is a compromise. Wool may be warmer than cotton when wet, but, if it's wet, I'll wear synthetics. Easier to clean, and warmer when drenched.

Posted by: Mike | September 24, 2008 -1:53 am

I have had mine for years. It is cut for your basic working stiff so it is comfy, particularly for long rides that begin in foggy, chilly mornings. It breathes well and does not itch. When I had a hole in the pocket, a quick repair job di the trick and is still holding, three years later.

Posted by: Sheldon | September 24, 2008 -2:35 am

I've tried/have them all. I'm a wool jersey slut. This one's the best. Not too thick, so you can wear it comfortably even as it warms up. It's shaped to fit a real cyclist. So many wool jerseys are wider in the waist than the shoulders. Who wears those? Baggy waist = sloppy pockets! The wool is really not itchy! It's actually better if worn against your skin to allow the wool to wick like it's supposed to. This jersey is always the first one I grab out of the drawer. Wish I had 5 more.

Posted by: Mike adamski | September 23, 2008 6:58 pm

The best bicycle jersey ever. Well, that I've ever seen, worn or tried on at any rate. I've owned a series of these and worn them for more than a decade. I still have the first one I bought - it's getting a bit worm and a bit tight, but... what a long-lasting comfortable jersey.

Posted by: Nick | September 23, 2008 4:03 pm

If you ride you need one of these. It's sort of like a set of brass knuckles. Great all weather jersey (I rode the Mt. Diablo Hill Climb in it, in what, July or something), and a great base layer if it gets extra cold.

Posted by: Paul | September 23, 2008 3:53 pm

This is my favorite Jersey and is an actual spot in my normal clothing everyday. It's like a best friend, that you can wear everywhere and on every ride. From 'Cross to Courier it is the best one out there. And all the ladies love it.

Posted by: Dustin | September 23, 2008 1:43 pm

This is my favorite jersey. I wear it 9/10 times I'm on my bike, and not just because it's the only jersey I own. The fit is perfect, not too baggy around the chest, and the sleeves are just the right length.

Posted by: Jeremy Smith | September 23, 2008 1:14 pm

This Jersey is good for every season! Not to hot in european summer, perfect in spring and fall season and it even works in winter time (with a jacket or a pair of warmers)! But wait - you better buy a longsleeve for winter, thats good for both parties: You and Swobo!! What can I say more: Wear it uphill, downhill and in the flat, no matter where, it works. And even looks great!

Posted by: André | September 23, 2008 12:22 am

This shirt is great, I love the longer sleeves and it has kept me comfortable in both hot and cold weather. It is my "go-to" jersey.

Posted by: Adam fuchs | September 23, 2008 11:30 am

Have had the ss Merino Jersey for a couple of months its great, wear it everyday on the school run/commute. The best thing is it appears to be very odor resistant, which has got to be good for everyone. Also its never too hot on the way up and never too cold on the way down. Dries quick. Keep up the good work. Not much more to add, can I have my propaganda kit now?

Posted by: Simon Allen | September 23, 2008 11:04 am

these are awesome!!! cool in the summer, cozy in the spring and fall. definately one jersey that won't sit in the closet for long.

Posted by: Luke Taggart | September 23, 2008 9:30 am

This is the best jersey I have worn. It is my go-to in any weather under 80 degrees, and has not ripped or blemished despite several falls. I also have the long sleeve for rainy days. Keeps you regulated and wicks well.

Posted by: Aaron | September 23, 2008 9:26 am

got my first ss merino jersey last fall, fell in love with the feel and comfort. Liked it so much i picked up another this past spring. I want to get a 3rd, just waiting for the red to get back in stock. if anyone wants 3 of 1 item, its got to be good.

Posted by: Karl Crapse | September 23, 2008 8:21 am

I heart these jerseys so much. ok this might sound gross, but I don't wash these very frequently, I just air dry them and they're great for eva. I have an older ~late 90's~ purple one and I still use it. It's lasted forever. I hope the moths don't get it. I have very sensitive skin and it really doesn't itch. It just gets better with age. seriously they're so comfortable and perfect for commuting. you won't kill anyone with jersey stink during a ride, during lunch, or when you roll in for work.

Posted by: John | September 23, 2008 7:31 am