They say there is no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong kit. With the correct choice of clothing and accessories you can cycle in rain, snow, high humidity and freezing or broiling temperatures - here in the UK, it's usually rain. Or snow. Or freezing. Or unseasonably warm.
The point is, you don't really want to overburden your ride with waterproofs and warm layers if you're out on a ride and suddenly the temperature changes by 15 degrees. It's all about temperature management, and the master of that is merino wool. It has been used for decades in cycling clothing - and even longer by sheep - but only relatively recently has it been made more versatile by mixing it with other materials to create a fabric that is more flexible and adaptable than ever.
Recent years have seen merino being increasingly combined with polyester to form the basis of premium brands' catalogues, but it still remained prone to stretching and damage from unscheduled dismounts or from overzealous washing machines. Nor was this kind of boutique kit suited to mountain biking, where scuffs and snags are a common feature of most rides.
Repack Clothing have looked at this and have developed a range of MTB-orientated clothing, based on merino but mixed with 25% bamboo charcoal. This gives their vanguard Berino jersey a toughness born of testing on trails, but with moisture-wicking and quick drying properties, allied with merino's anti-odour abilities. This, they say, makes it ideal for the road too.
This is a bold boast, so I've been trying to break a Berino long-sleeved jersey over the last few weeks.
My first try out was at the Wiggle Ashdown Sportive and initial feelings were mixed. There aren't any open cargo pockets on the Berino; that said, the three pockets are well-placed and have zip-closure. This meant a change of perspective for me, but recalling Repack's MTB heritage, the reasoning behind it became clear. The last thing you want, bouncing down some gnarly singletrack (am I right kids?) is to discover that your phone, keys, waterproof and wallet went flying off down the trail in the first 10 minutes. I had plenty of room for my bit and bobs, and no problem reaching them.
As my ride progressed and the the wind picked up, I began to feel the chill. I soon regretted choosing to wear only a gilet over the top, as the areas that were not wind-proofed soon began to lose all sense of feeling. However, my core stayed comparatively warm, thanks to air being trapped between the gilet and the Berino, while all of the other non-Berino covered areas of my body were turning blue and falling off.
As soon as I'd finished the sportive and was stood gently steaming with the others waiting to get their post ride swag, the 75% wool mix started to reflect my body heat back. I may've appeared more smug than I felt at this point.
A couple of days later, annoyed at my poor windproofing choices, I went out again wearing the Berino, but this time with a full wind-proof jacket over it. This time, although the temperatures were not as extreme, my comfort levels rose exponentially. Never too hot, nor too cold, it performed faultlessly over a couple of hours in the New Forest. Even when the rain started and became persistent, any fug that I'd built up during my efforts was wicked away to keep me nicely regulated.
The Berino looks as well as it performs, too. Deep grey/blue with contrasting panels around the elbows, the full-length front zip is picked out in a bold contrasting orange, finishing gated in a high collar to provide protection around the neck.
This feature is repeated on the two larger back pockets, their coloured zips orientated sideways for easy access. The smaller, centrally located third pouch is just the right size for your wallet, multi-tool or compact pump - the zip blending in with the main jersey colour.
The Berino is a very versatile garment, but with limitations. It doesn't promise to be an all-weather jersey, but where it claims to be proficient it comes through in spades. Warm when it needs to be, cooling at other times, it's stylish enough to be worn on the trails or the road, or in the pub after a day's riding.
I've washed it several times already and it's not lost its shape or quality of feel. I'm going to give it a go on my local ParkRun as well - I'm pretty sure it'll pass that test with flying colours, assisted, undoubtedly, by the lack of wind chill I experience when I'm running.
Berino Bamboo charcoal / Merino Cycle Jersey, £70 from www.repackclothing.com.
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