Le Col ARC Merino Long Sleeve T-Shirt Review

I’ve long been a sucker for Merino wool shirts. They are wonderfully-comfortable and remain stink-free for days. When Le Col entered the gravel scene with their ARC line, they decided to add a long-sleeve Merino. So, the Le Col ARC Merino Long Sleeve has been on test for daily use, trail running and hiking and it’s a versatile shirt for just about anything.

Le Col ARC Merino Long Sleeve T-Shirt Features:

• Designed for on/off bike use
• Offers natural temperature regulation
• Naturally odor-resistant
• Premium Italian Merino blend (67% Merino, 27% Recycled Polyamide and 11% Elastane)
• Hang tag on collar
• MSRP: $105

Hey there, Le Col Merino

I have a well-documented love affair with Merino wool. Frankly, I’d love to wear it all day everyday if I could. While I can’t always do that, I can enjoy wearing the Le Col ARC Merino Long Sleeve just about anywhere — and you can too. The trickiest part about Merino is the inevitable shrinkage. If you can, by some miracle, always keep it from hitting the dryer, you have my utmost respect. But, if you’re like me and have a family of five, all I have to say is “good luck.”

So, with that, the size medium Le Col ARC Merino Long Sleeve fit perfectly before it went into the dryer for the first time. After that, it has become a touch snug. However, when I can catch it before hitting the dryer and laying it flat to dry, the fibers are less tightly-wound and it’s almost as if it never made it to the dryer for that first time. Ideally, don’t dry it, but if you do, lay it flat the next time for a more original size shirt.

When considering Merino wool, know that there are infinite varieties of fabric construction. That being said, no modern Merino wool items are 100% wool. All of them are carefully woven with other materials for added stretch, comfort and durability. In the case of the Le Col ARC Merino Long Sleeve, it is 67% Merino. For my comparison, the Ibex Paradox Tee is 45% Merino, the Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight Merino Hoodie is 63% Merino and the Velocio Concept Merino Jersey is 75% Merino. In each case, the product designers select the right knit for the intended purpose. With the ARC Merino Long Sleeve, Le Col wants it to be versatile and functional as a base layer, outer layer or for daily use. With that, the understated look is at home everywhere.

My testing has consisted of all-day use, hiking and trail running so far this winter. While riding, I always wear a long or short-sleeve jersey, so I’m looking at the ARC Merino as a versatile off-bike all-rounder and that’s what I have thankfully found.

The fabric blend is comfortable next-to-skin and can be worn all day long without any itchiness. The Le Col chest logo is minimal and classic and the hem tag looks great too. I also appreciate the added function of a hang tag on the collar for drying after a trail run.

As mentioned, my athletic testing consisted of hiking and trail running in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. Worn alone on cool days or layered up with a vest or jacket, I have appreciated the moisture-wicking properties of the ARC Merino Long Sleeve. After an hourlong run, it does pick up a fair bit of perspiration, but it does dry quickly. And, thanks to the natural antimicrobial properties, I can repeat that process several times before washing. I’ll wear it into the spring as temperatures rise and report back on the upper end of comfort.

The shirt drapes well when somewhat saturated as well. Some Merino-blend shirts get really saggy and lose their structure, but the fabric blend maintains a pretty good structure at the end of a hard run. Overall, the fit is close, but not sausage-tight. I’ll call it “efficient.”

The collar has maintained its structure perfectly and the drop-hem adds more coverage in the back. I feel like the sleeve length is just about right, but could be a touch longer to be considered perfect in my mind — and also add coverage for on-bike use, if that’s your jam.

Fit: I’m 5’11” and 173 lbs. with normal proportions, wearing the size Medium ARC Merino Long Sleeve.

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