Looking for some clothing which probably doesn't exist.

Canny Jock

Hi viz in winter is easy, but what about when it gets warmer? I really want to find a short sleeve, merino high viz base layer or T-Shirt, is this possible?

I might have found a long-sleeve version although it's not pure merino:

http://www.run3.co.uk/acatalog/Ronhill_ ... k_flo.html

Failing this I suppose I could get a white baselayer (e.g. Rapha) which is at least better than black. Or a Hump I 'spose?

LazyBoycp

Can't help with your search, but would advise against using a cream Rapha base layer on its own - it goes very see-through when wet! (Of course, this may be the look you're going for, in which case ignore me... )

schweiz

not merino but meets all your other requirements.

http://www.mavic.com/road/products/visi ... 369.4.aspx

perhaps with the rapha sleeveless merino baselayer underneath?

cjcp

How about this?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=23087

TiBoy

If you want wool why not give Shutt a call http://shuttvr.com/products.php?page=2 looks like they have a custom and made to measure option that appears reasonable and you can have a bit of fun with the design. I have one of the standard jerseys and am well chuffed with it.

amnezia

I'm quite tempted by this but black is not really high viz unless you live in the arctic

http://www.rapha.cc/merino-polo-shirt

Canny Jock

LazyBoycp wrote:

Can't help with your search, but would advise against using a cream Rapha base layer on its own - it goes very see-through when wet! (Of course, this may be the look you're going for, in which case ignore me... )

Ah - good point. I don't think it's a look either I, nor my fellow cyclists, would welcome. Unless I take to the roadie habit of shaving but continuing rather higher than the thighs.

Thanks for the other suggestions - I really want merino though - through winter I have basically worn one Endura BaaBaa merino base layer, which gets washed once a week and doesn't smell, it's warm enough and doesn't get too sweaty. Wore some synthetic ones in summer last year and they start to stink after one ride.

kurako

Not sure about merino but Pearl Izumi Select comes in pretty garish colours. I've got a couple of the LS ones and they're pretty comfy. Comes in SS too.

http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?m ... 13&outlet=

RufusA

Depending on the environment, hi-viz colour doesn't work too well in summer daylight!

With hedges, trees, grass awash with vivid yellows and greens giving off shed loads of reflected UV, hi-viz almost acts like camouflage!

Wool is also not very good at being hi-viz due to the nature of the dye, without sweaty transfers / synthetic layers which defeats the object of Merino. It also fades over time so even the most brightest colours become a muddy yellow after a month or two of washing.

Ground Effect do a version of their Meridian Strip in "Red Hot" colour. Not high viz by any means, but IMHO stands out well in the sun against hedgerows and tarmac. I have the silver version which I use in warmer months and it's lasted two seasons so far, and shows every sign of being good for a third:

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-d ... ED-MER.htm

Rufus.

miggers

TiBoy wrote:

If you want wool why not give Shutt a call http://shuttvr.com/products.php?page=2 looks like they have a custom and made to measure option that appears reasonable and you can have a bit of fun with the design. I have one of the standard jerseys and am well chuffed with it.

Ours is Sportwool which is a merino mix.

Endura do a Baa Baa 100% merino in a nice pillar box red in LS and SS... Not hi viz but loud... I have one. Nice fit too.

Pete

Canny Jock

RufusA wrote:

Depending on the environment, hi-viz colour doesn't work too well in summer daylight!

With hedges, trees, grass awash with vivid yellows and greens giving off shed loads of reflected UV, hi-viz almost acts like camouflage!

Wool is also not very good at being hi-viz due to the nature of the dye, without sweaty transfers / synthetic layers which defeats the object of Merino. It also fades over time so even the most brightest colours become a muddy yellow after a month or two of washing.

Ground Effect do a version of their Meridian Strip in "Red Hot" colour. Not high viz by any means, but IMHO stands out well in the sun against hedgerows and tarmac. I have the silver version which I use in warmer months and it's lasted two seasons so far, and shows every sign of being good for a third:

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-d ... ED-MER.htm

Rufus.

Thanks Rufus - this makes a lot of sense, I thought there must be a reason you don't see more high viz wool.

The Ground Effect stuff looks ideal - I see it's a merino mix, does it smell or does it behave like pure merino?

Edit: found this review which suggests its OK

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... oody-25797

itboffin

Canny Jock wrote:

Hi viz in winter is easy, but what about when it gets warmer? I really want to find a short sleeve, merino high viz base layer or T-Shirt, is this possible?

I might have found a long-sleeve version although it's not pure merino:

http://www.run3.co.uk/acatalog/Ronhill_ ... k_flo.html

Failing this I suppose I could get a white baselayer (e.g. Rapha) which is at least better than black. Or a Hump I 'spose?

Speak to MonkeyMonster he always we're bright stuff and rarely anything suitable enough to call winter wear.

Canny Jock

Calling MonkeyMonster...

Thinking about what Rufus said about colour - maybe the red Endura would do?

http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?de ... rod_id=204

RufusA

Canny Jock wrote:

The Ground Effect stuff looks ideal - I see it's a merino mix, does it smell or does it behave like pure merino?

It doesn't get permanently pongy in the way that pure synthetic does. If worn for three consequitive days, you may not want to share a lift with someone you love, but after a wash it returns to odour free (in a damp sheep and persil way).

I've never owned anything 100% merino so don't know how it compares with the real stuff. Also due to work space limitations, I don't air it during the day which probably doesn't help.

HTH - Rufus.

Canny Jock

miggers wrote:

TiBoy wrote:

If you want wool why not give Shutt a call http://shuttvr.com/products.php?page=2 looks like they have a custom and made to measure option that appears reasonable and you can have a bit of fun with the design. I have one of the standard jerseys and am well chuffed with it.

Ours is Sportwool which is a merino mix.

Endura do a Baa Baa 100% merino in a nice pillar box red in LS and SS... Not hi viz but loud... I have one. Nice fit too.

Pete

Thanks Pete I'll check your stuff out. Rapha use sportwool too so I guess it's good! Didn't see your Endura recommendation earlier but that could be an option too, cheers.

miggers

No problem... As Rufus says, the higher the merino content especially in sportwool the more limited the colour palette is, especially for real vibrant colours. You can print on the white to get some nice effects. We did a bright orange and blue for WF Holdsworth in Putney for instance.

You can see an example on www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4803921&id=283839068071

The rainbow colours are printed on a white Sportwool.

Pete

the_hundredth_idiot

Am I right in guessing that miggers is something to do with Shutt? It's early on a Friday morning, Pete, you're going to have to give me a bigger clue than that.

PS. I only clicked on this thread with the intention of making an emporer's new clothes joke.

miggers

The Hundredth Idiot wrote:

Am I right in guessing that miggers is something to do with Shutt? It's early on a Friday morning, Pete, you're going to have to give me a bigger clue than that.

PS. I only clicked on this thread with the intention of making an emporer's new clothes joke.

Yep, announced it on the forum when I started at Shutt recently after a 20 year career in IT and 30 years riding and competing. Not trying to hide anything and as you can see I have been a member of the forum for quite a while.

We are a great little company, started middle of last year and now gaining some momentum out there...

Cheers, Pete

jedster

two ideas for you

I've got one of these rapha 2009 country jerseys in bright orange - not hi-viz but pretty loud. Only limited sizes left though
http://www.rapha.cc/country-jersey-09

Or just wear normal merino colours with one of these on top
http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/info_1_LIVE.html
Now it's not exactly attractive but it is comfortable, non-sweaty and extremely visible!

J

il_principe

+1 to the Hi Viz in summer post , I don't see the point - something like red or blue is better IMHO. Yellow can blend in, whereas red stands out in the countryside.

the_hundredth_idiot

miggers wrote:

Yep, announced it on the forum when I started at Shutt recently after a 20 year career in IT and 30 years riding and competing. Not trying to hide anything and as you can see I have been a member of the forum for quite a while.

We are a great little company, started middle of last year and now gaining some momentum out there...

Cheers, Pete

I thought that must be it - just feeling a little dopey this morning (the little people in the house woke at around 5am ). Shutt looks like nice stuff - I'm intending to get one of your tops for this summer.

miggers

I was on our new website back end at 2am so I know what you mean... about ready for bed! Sportwool is perfect for summer... so much nicer than lycra...

Canny Jock

jedster wrote:

two ideas for you

I've got one of these rapha 2009 country jerseys in bright orange - not hi-viz but pretty loud. Only limited sizes left though
http://www.rapha.cc/country-jersey-09

Not a bad option, always after a reason to buy Rapha,

jedster wrote:

Or just wear normal merino colours with one of these on top
http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/info_1_LIVE.html
Now it's not exactly attractive but it is comfortable, non-sweaty and extremely visible!

J

I'm willing to look fairly stupid for my own safety, but that's a step too far...