Spoiler alert: I am going to end this review by staying you should buy this jersey, probably. This has been one of my favorite pieces of gear thinking back over the last few years. It’s dead simple: just merino and a good fit. That’s the Patagonia Men’s Merino 3/4-Sleeved Bike Jersey.
Patagonia Merino 3/4-sleeve Bike Jersey Features:
- Merino Wool/Recycled Polyester Blend
- 3/4 length sleeve for added coverage
- Tailored seams and a longer back hem for bike positioning
- Fair Trade Certified
- MSRP: $99
Everything you need, nothing you don’t:
Everyone loves merino wool. It’s one of those fabrics that’s been around forever (almost literally), and isn’t going to go anywhere. It retains heat when wet, dries quickly and is naturally odor repellant. All incredible attributes for mountain biking clothing.
I started wearing this in the Spring, and one of the first trips we took back then was down to Bend for a few days of riding. Many of those days started cold and warmed up pretty significantly as the afternoon came on. The merino fabric is a touch cozier than pure polyester or nylon, and that was great in the mornings. At the same time, it doesn’t really feel heavy or oppressive when it’s warmer, topping out (for my comfort level) in the high 70’s or low 80’s.
The fit is really perfect. There’s a drop hem in the rear so the fit is just right when you’re bent forward in riding position. The 3/4 length sleeve is a nice touch because it’s so easy to push it up above your elbows when the mercury climbs, but when it’s down it just feels warmer and more protective than a traditional tee.
The styling is dead simple, with a base color and block panels at the sleeves in the three different color ways. I consistently got complements on the jersey’s looks, both on and off the bike.
From Bend, some of our later season riding was up in Nelson, then Bellingham’s Galbraith, and over in the Idaho Panhandle. These areas were cooler and sometimes quite wet, which was totally comfortable for the merino/polyester blend. It dries out really easily, and even on a multi-day van trip this was the one piece of gear that didn’t desperately need a bath. Patagonia included a locker loop for an easy hang-dry, and there’s no product tag to scratch your neck
The Good:
- Merino/polyester blend is a great performance fabric that spans multiple temperature ranges
- The fit is just right for mountain biking
- 3/4 length sleeves add just the perfect amount of coverage
- Simple looks make for great aesthetics
- Love the locker loop and lack of tags
The Bad:
- I genuinely don’t have one. This is such a simple, well-made product.
The Bottom Line: Patagonia Merino 3/4-sleeve Bike Jersey
I warned you at the start, this was going to be a rave review. This piece is so simple but so good, and it’s going to be at the front of my cycling kit rack for seasons to come. I wore it more this past six months than any other piece of riding gear that I own.
Buy now: Available from Patagonia.com
