Swobo Merino Cycling Jersey Short-Sleeve - Men's - 2008 BCS

This is my first merino jersey and I puzzled over how to use it for a while. I think the key to it is humidity...it just does not work well on hot humid days, it gets damp and heavy and won't dry. In dryer weather though it is great regardless of temperature. I think it will be great in cooler weather under a shell.
Fit is a little on the baggy side but ok.

This jersey is like no other I own in any way. The wool material is not the lightest but it is pretty soft and paired with a good baselayer and armwarmers the temperature range this jersey is comfy in is just absurd, easily 30 degrees. If you live in a temperate place this is probably good for year-round. The fit is good, I wear a medium in most brands and my medium of this jersey is snug but not constricting around my torso and chest, a good generous length (I'm 6'1), and hangs nicely on my shoulders without pulling at the armpits when I move my arms. The sleeves on this jersey are LONG-- they hit at about 2" above the elbow for me-- and slightly baggy. I'm not sure if I'm sold on this yet. Bad for showing off your guns and working on your jersey tan, but a little different in terms of style, and if you are pale and are into extra coverage from the sun this is probably a plus for you. The pockets are decent, but no great shakes-- standard three-pocket configuration, no buttons or zippers, no real reinforcement to keep them from sagging as you fill them up. They do end about 2" from the bottom of the jersey, which helps sag a little. There is a white embroidered Swobo logo on one sleeve. Made in Fiji, of all places, from material from New Zealand.

Wow, where to begin? First off if you don't know the difference between performance/technical/whatever fabrics you need to try on some polypro and then merino wool. Wool is softer and after a few hot and sweaty rides won't smell like your shoes. So enough about the material, I'm reviewing the jersey right? This thing is great, the cut is "American" as in it's not exactly the tightest thing but doesn't flap about in the wind. I'm 5'8" with a 42 chest and a little bit of a beer gut and I bought a large. The arms are just right and it doesn't constrict or feel baggy at all. The color is cool (I got orange) and the pockets and zip performed like I expected them to. I bought mine off Bonktown so I got a steal but if you spend more time training or riding than you do washing your gear I think I'd pay full price.

i have a nike and smartwool as well. the swobo is softer than both, great snug fit (i'm 6', 170, 32" waist and medium is perfect). sleeves and torso slightly long but not unbearable...retro look. pockets high enough as not to sag -- actually usable pockets vs the smartwool rambitions loose pockets. awesome deal at $40 so i'm super glad to have gotten 2 before they sold out of the mediums..

I'm 6', 188 lbs and take large with most shirts but I will have to trade this in for an XL. The large fit snug and would be great for race day, but I didn't want this shirt to be a second skin. Tried on the XL and it is exactly what I wanted - not too baggy and not too tight. The body still hugs a bit while I'm in the drops. Very comfy, very cool. If in doubt, size up. My new favourite cycling jersey. The pics don't do this shirt justice. To me the back photo makes it look like the pockets are pleated or something - way nicer on the body.

if you find yourself almost between sizes, size up. i sized up, put mine in the wash with warm water and in the drier for about 10 minutes, the fit is perfect now. so, yes, it will shrink if you want it to. really glad to have it

Let me preface with, I love quality wool products. I have about 20 pairs of Smartwool socks, plus tons of their shirts, beanies, gators, etc. After the reviews, I was anxious to try another brand of wool.

Got it off off Bonktown for half off, excellent price. The material is great I wore it for and 80+ degree ride with no issues. No itching. Washed it in cold and flat dryed it.

The only issue is the fit..... I am an XL in most American sizing, 6'2", 210 lbs. The jersey is snug around the chest and tight in the stomach area. The length is about 4" longer than I am used to, and it almost goes down to my crotch. Luckily, the ribbing does pretty good about holding it in place. The sleeves are also a bit longer than normal jerseys, but I roll those in to make them shorter.

Overall, the quality is excellent, no itching, if you are really tall and thin, this is your jersey.

I bought this a few months ago and I would do it again in a second. The material is EXTREMELY soft and comfortable, and it's been great in all sorts of temperature ranges, from 40s with wind to upper 70s, I haven't worn it in much warmer weather than that and it probably won't be great for a lot of Georgia summer days, but not terrible either. The zip lets you dump heat or keep it in. The merino wicks well, blocks wind, and I can't say enough about temperature regulation. Pockets are roomy and don't sag too much. At first I was iffy on taking it mountain biking, as I din't want to damage the material, but it can take a little abuse, the occasional shoulder into a tree won't kill it. Sleeves are long, but no big deal. Collar is nice when fully zipped but feels like it's not there when zipped down. I can't say enough about this jersey!

Everything about this jersey is rad - it has a club cut (a little closer than relaxed but not painted on), is clearly of very high quality, nice pockets and a generous 3/4 zip. It practically disappears on the bike - you'll feel like Ned Flanders wearing "nothing at all!" Kept me perfectly warm, not sweaty, just perfect on a ride in the mid-50s. Wool is it people!

Do not hesitate to buy this jersey. It is amazing. Haven't tried it in the summer heat yet, but for all other seasons it will not disappoint.

Simple, basic black with that sweet Swobo embroidered logo. Tasteful and understated, relatively loose fitting with arms that cover your guns (or, for me, peashooters). Ample rear pockets. Used alone as single layer on a 70 degree day, with a sleeveless base layer on a 58 degree day and with a base layer and arm warmers on a 49 degree day: it worked great in each case. One of the most versatile and attractive jerseys I have encountered. It's also reasonably priced. Gitcha one or two.

The Swobo is my first wool jersey, but it won't be my last. Riding in Argentina in both warm and cool mountain areas, the Swobo performed perfectly. The medium weight fabric protected my chest coming down hill, but breathed well on uphill climbs. At night I washed it and used it again the next day. I would like to have the same jersey in a full length version.

Well, it was on a 50% sale. It is the perfect bike shirt. Not too hot and not too cold. The wool is nice under a light jacket because it does do a better job of keeping you warm. I use to wear several poly layers when I went on a 50mile bike ride on a cold day. It was a pain to stop and remove layers and now I don't have to. I washed it several time in the washing machine (then air dry) and it is perfectly fine.

Well, it was on a 50% sale. It is the perfect bike shirt. Not too hot and not too cold. The wool is nice under a light jacket because it does do a better job of keeping you warm. I use to wear several poly layers when I went on a 50mile bike ride on a cold day. It was a pain to stop and remove layers and now I don't have to. I washed it several time in the washing machine (then air dry) and it is perfectly fine.

I've wanted to own a Swobo wool jersey since 1995. Back then I didn't have the cash to drop on an expensive jersey (I ended up buying a purple No Fear jersey from a bargain bin that I got way too much mileage out of).

I picked this up on sale and my only regret is that I didn't buy two. It's super comfortable, fits nicely, and is a definite style upgrade from my previous jersey collection.

I was torn between ordering small or medium (I'm 5'5" 140lb) and went with the small, which isn't baggy but isn't tight in the typical jersey ways. As someone else noted, the sleeves are on the long side. If you're torn between sizes I'd go down before I went up.

Don't make the same mistake I did by waiting 14 years. Pick one up.

The wool is comfy, and not at all itchy, which seems to be the big fear with wool. I wore this on a cool day with temperature changes and not a little climbing, and I was fine, while the others were constantly adding and removing clothing. The colors are nice and classic.

One thing--this jersey runs small. I usually wear a large, but wear an XL in this.

I've converted to wool for all my base layers and this my first venture into the wool jersey arena. I'm very happy with the quality and the performance. However, don't rely on the pockets to support cargo like a synthetic jersey. Expect lots of sag and movement. Like all my other wool products you can wear it for 2 weeks straight and odor is not an issue.

They got it right, again. I've stumbled onto Swobo 10+ years ago--back in the day when they were made in SF. So I was a little skeptical about what the new Swobo would have to offer.

The quality has actually improved: the wool is softer, seams are now flat-stitched, pockets have better reinforcement (previously a weak point).

First of all I snagged one of these at 50% off! Too bad they're back up in price again. I'm still itching to pull the trigger on a bluenote jersey even if it's 35% off though.

Anyway, the jersey...I commute year round in MN, so I need a full arsenal of clothing for all sorts of weather. I started with a lot of synthetics. Now I'm slowly converting over to wool due to the natural wicking and anti-odor characteristics. I'm completely sold on the comfort and warmth. The styling is reserved. There are no obnoxious corporate logos reducing you to a unpaid shill - something I prefer for commuting and general training anyway. The front zipper is half length and the pockets are standard issue for a jersey. The sleeves are just a tad longer than typical jerseys though.

Performance-wise this jersey is fantastic. I combined it with one of my Under Armor base layers on a 26F commute and was quite warm. Add a good wind shell and you'll be very toasty. I know this jersey will cover a wide range of temperatures.

The quality is top notch. The stitching is reinforced and the merino wool is form fitting. If you prefer a looser fit you can probably jump up a size and be fine. I fit into a M just fine - I'm 5'7", 31 waist, slightly longer torso, and 150 lbs for a sizing reference. Pay attention to the cleaning instructions and this jersey will last for years. It's well worth the money, especially if you get it on sale here!

I picked this up off of Chainlove I believe for around 50% off. I don't know if I could stomach paying full pop, but at a discount it's right up my cheap ass' alley. I was really afraid this would itch, but it doesn't. I wore it today on a blustery ride at 45 degrees outside with only a pair of arm warmers and leg warmers...well and shorts of course...and I was perfectly comfortable. I was planning on a quick ride to stretch the legs, but was warm and comfortable enough to keep going and going. I also wore it when I first got in indoors on the trainer where I always overheat, and while I wouldn't say I was perfectly comfortable, I was more impressed than expected. For 50 bucks I couldn't be happier.

Agree with other reviewers- Great Jersey. Put another way; if there was a Mafia in New Zealand and they rode bicycles, they would probably wear this jersey when they were having a "sitdown." Swobo founder Tim Parr and partner Rob Roskopp (yeah, that Rob Roskopp) had their competitors "clipped" when they made this jersey.