By: Alexandrea Gerke
Bike shorts are having a moment, but do they work on the trail? Woolly Clothing Co. invited me to test their Merino Wool Bike Shorts which are part of their growing Active Wear collection. As a hiker, cyclist, traveler, AND a big fan of Merino Wool, I was eager to give them a try!
The benefits of Merino Wool fibers seem endless! It is terrific for regulating your body temperature. You’ll find it works wonders keeping you cool when it’s hot, and help you keep warm when it’s cold! Thanks to its natural properties and breathability, Merino Wool fibers don’t retain odors like synthetic materials. This means that you can enjoy wearing your clothes longer between washes. Clothing that requires less laundering while keeping you feeling comfortable in a variety of temperatures and conditions when you are out on the trail, hitting the gym or traveling abroad is a wonderful thing!
After four months of use, I am thoroughly impressed with these shorts! In addition to their use at home, they traveled with me (and on me!) to Europe for a one-month stay in Portugal. I hiked the Seven Hangings trail in the Algarve with these shorts, and I have enjoyed my local trails wearing them! They have provided additional coverage underneath dresses and allowed me to enjoy impromptu beach walks and strolls along the ocean cliffs. They’ve also been worn underneath pants to enable me to adjust quickly to changing temperatures. And of course, well …biking!
Fit/Style
These high-waisted bike shorts run true to size. I am 5’6” and typically wear a size 6-8. The size M fits perfectly. Upon receipt, I was relieved that these looked and felt like REAL shorts, not simply glorified base layers. These are truly opaque and feel like a genuine outer layer. I appreciate the modest length (9” inseam) while jogging and hiking, along with the versatility offered by its mid-weight fabric. The high waist and double-layer waistband are comfortable and very flattering.
Material
These are created with a 320 GSM merino/elastane blend that provides support while offering breathability in warm temps or sustained activity (Fabric Specs: 95% 18.5-micron merino wool, 5% elastane). I am someone who finds thicker wool to be slightly itchy when I first wear a new garment. Typically, after multiple wears and washing, I am completely fine. These are mid-weight and, right off the bat, are very comfortable. After a few wears, I can confirm these are indeed Itch Free!
Care
These beauties are machine washable. When I travel, washing clothes by hand is not uncommon. However, when I am at home, anything that can be machine washed IS! I prefer to wash my wool gear inside-out and in a washing bag when possible. I always line dry. I noticed that because these are mid-weight and have a double layer at the waist, they did take slightly longer to dry than my other summer Merino wool gear. They still dried within a very reasonable amount of time. The versatility of the mid-weight fabric and comfort of the double-layer waistband is worth a little extra time on the drying rack, in my opinion.
Durability/Performance
These have maintained their shape and size after countless wears and multiple washing. I still have zero pilling and no holes! Hooray! I did find a few loose threads, which I have since trimmed. This in no way affected the integrity of the garment.
I was honestly worried on the Seven Hanging Trail that these would get shredded. On most of the trail, you are surrounded by rough rocks and cacti. You will find yourself exploring sharp cliffs and hot sand. I was delighted to see them hold up like a true champ! The soft breathable Merino Wool kept me comfortable, and the flat lock seams helped avoid chaffing or any irritation at the seams. Thanks to the quality materials and mid-weigh fabric, these short still looked brand new.
These have performed exceptionally well on hikes and jogs and look nice enough to wear in many off-trail settings. With trail riding, I prefer a fabric that offers a little more protection in case I take a spill and padding for the rear. However, these were so comfortable and breathable on gravel rides!
These surprised even me… but I think these shorts will also be part of my winter wardrobe here in Michigan! Because they fit so close to the skin, they are perfect to wear underneath pants and dresses to maintain warmth as we transition into colder weather.
Pros
- Easy to care for (machine washable)
- Flattering fit, truly opaque
- Maintained their shape and elasticity after multiple uses and washing
- High Merino Wool content (95%)
- No tag, flat lock seams & itch free!
- No pilling rips or tears after 4 months of use and multiple washings
- Breathable & Moisture wicking
- Not padded – this allowed me to use these bike shorts for all different types of activities
- 4 color options (black is my fave!)
Cons
- Price (Merino Wool is an investment. The high fiber content & durability, still make these a great value!)
- Not padded (a pro or a con depending on what you plan on using them for! I prefer them for hiking over biking because of this)
- No pockets (I always hike with at least a day pack so this wasn’t a huge issue for me)
Final Thoughts
The Woolly Merino Wool Bike Shorts have become a staple for me; I have worn them way more than I expected! I am impressed with how great they look and feel after so much use. They have maintained their shape and elasticity through everything I have thrown at them. I’ve worn these shorts on hiking trails, jogging, walking around my hometown, and traveling in Europe. They have filled the role of shorts, base layers, and loungewear. Through it all, I have been thoroughly impressed with their comfort, durability, and versatility. After 4 months of use and washing, they are a worthy investment to enjoy the benefits of Merino Wool!
Alexandrea Gerke fell in love with the outdoors at an early age growing up in Michigan. She and her husband travel the world and enjoy car camping, backpacking, mountain and gravel biking, as well as bikepacking. She is a minimalist and thoroughly researches every purchase she makes, only making room in her tiny apartment for the highest quality gear and clothing.