Velocio Merino LUXE Jersey Review

The more and more I appreciate the finer things, the more I appreciate Merino wool. And, when Velocio does wool, they do it right. The new Velocio Merino LUXE Jersey is made in Italy and features the fine craftsmanship you would expect from the brand.

Velocio Merino LUXE Jersey Features:

• Back panel uses merino mesh for exceptional breathability
• Supportive fit is built for the longest rides
• Mulesing-free merino is naturally odor-resistant
• Lightweight fabrics enhance breathability and thermoregulation
• Tapered collar has added protection in the back and minimized bulk in the front
• Reinforced pockets are built to hold any load and support long rides
• Made from 71% Wool, 18% Polyamide, 11% Elastane
• MSRP: $199

Hey, hey Merino!

Velocio’s Luxe lineup has always lived up to its name — with the finest fabrics, textures and fit. I’ve had the Merino LUXE Jersey and the new LUXE Bib Shorts in for review since winter and they have several hundred miles of use indoors and outdoors. If you check out Instagram, I’ve pretty much been riding this kit exclusively. Part of that is to maximize testing miles, but, honestly, I dig this kit and much of that is due to the craftsmanship of the Merino-blend on offer.

If you’re familiar with Merino wool, you know that modern fabrics are blended with a mix of fabrics to both maximize the best qualities of wool while enhancing it for comfort, durability, breathability and fit. 71% wool is enough to maximize all the goodness of nature’s best fabric. If you’re not familiar with Merino wool, now you know a little more. And, hit up your favorite AI agent to learn even more.

The best modern jerseys have a familiar cut and fit. Sleeve length and collar shape are all important to both provide style and function. For starters, the sleeves are long-ish and sit just about an inch above my elbow pit (do other people call it that or is it just me?). That placement is just right to provide muscle support and style. The cuffs are stretchy and never constricting in any way.

Velocio has nailed the efficient fit of the Merino LUXE Jersey as it hugs my body and doesn’t get saggy when saturated. And, if it does get saturated on a long climb, the fabric dries out in a jiffy on the way down. Some of that is due to the Merino mesh back panel (something I’ve never had with wool jerseys before), but the rest is just due to the freakish nature of the material. Once it’s dried, the fabric hardly retains any body odors at all. I’m not lying when I say I will wear this jersey 3-4 times before it has even a twinge of odor. And, never is it so pungent that I can’t stand it. Try that with just about any synthetic fabric!

Each pocket is easily-reached and feature Velocio’s signature folded-over pocket lid that keeps items securely in place. This is especially true for jackets or vests stuffed in there because the grippy rubber holds them in place. Smaller items are also prevented from escaping with this ingenious design. It’s honestly one of my favorite features of Velocio jerseys. There is a single, zippered sleeve for a wallet or ID/cards. Keep in mind that it’s not waterproof, so plan accordingly. But, the sleeve is on the outermost panel, instead of being next to your back, so it will be minimal — items will curve around the pocket contents though.

The hem features a 360-degree silicone grip (hooray) for maximum “stay putted-ness” on and off the bike. Reducing weight is a common theme with summer jerseys, but I’m always a fan of full rubber all the way around the hem. The length is great for coverage and style.

Unzipping and zipping the jersey isn’t as smooth as you’ll find with other jerseys. I can mostly unzip it one-handed and can always zip it up one-handed. But, the upper zipper garage gets in the way of the pull. With that, I do wish the pull were a touch longer so it would stick out of the garage. I didn’t have a ton of occasion to need to unzip the Merino LUXE Jersey, but did a few times on the hottest days. I wore it with and without a sleeveless base layer (Pactimo Summit SL) and recommend whichever way you prefer.

On the hottest days, I did wish for a little more cooling action. While it will get decent airflow and the mesh back panel is clutch for that, the fabric doesn’t have a cooling effect like you’ll find with the best synthetic jerseys — like the Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey. Still, for rides stretching from early morning into the evening, this fabric is awesome. I wore it under the Velocio Ultralight Jacket on cold mornings and then stuffed the jacket in a pocket as temps increased.

I also love the added collar height on the back of the neck for sun coverage. I always forget to apply sunscreen and that extra bit helps keep my neck from getting fried.

Fit: I’m 5’11” and 175 lbs, wearing the size medium (typical for Velocio).

Buy Now: Visit Velocio.cc