Erm... a 100% merino wool natural base layer?
100% merino wool .... in a base layer, naturally.
Merino wool base layer 100% (.... I'm struggling now!).
Price .... £55 for a woolly vest!!
I'm really pleased with this base layer, it cost more than any other piece of bike clothing I've bought so far but it's I think it's worth it, here's why.
The write up from Howies states this vest won't stink with sweat even after 90 days continuous wear. I tried to wear it for that long but Bev made me take it off after 3 days, not 'cos it stunk but she was fed up of seeing me wear it (I look really sexy in black and she was getting worn out. Ha! I'm good!).
After a few days casual wear, no stink. After two sweaty back to back rides, still no stink! The best thing though, and I've never experienced this from a base layer before, my skin was dry, the base layer was dry, but my outer layer was wringing wet. I thought my other base layers worked well but this is a new level of 'wicking'! (this is my new catchphrase now... 'wicking!').
An additional bonus, or maybe this is what made me buy it, is that Howies products are all environmentally friendly. Not like "hello tree, howyadoin mate" friendly, I mean really friendly: organic cotton, free range sheeps and recycled woollies sort of friendly, (these peeps are serious!).
Their stuff costs more because of this, but the quality is excellent, but best of all, it wicks!
I dropped the score from 10/10 to 9/10 because of the price, I know the reasons given for the cost seem to be valid, but £55 for one garment is expensive.
I'd buy another one though.
Score: 9/10
Monday, January 17, 2005
andrew joseph
| 2Danger Enduro 3 MTB | IRD Teflon Chain | Fusion Raid MTB | |
| Deuter Cross Air backpack | Casco Passion Sport helmet | Howies NBL |