As I mentioned briefly in my recent personal recommendations, the one thing I really want you to prioritize when riding your bike in the winter is your base layer. As it is the layer that literally sits against your skin, it is essential for winter rides—where temperature fluctuations are significant—that it absorbs and efficiently wicks away sweat, dries quickly, and provides insulation.
Of course, there are various materials out there, each with its own characteristics, but I truly felt the merits of natural materials when I started using the Rapha merino wool base layers that we used to carry at Circles. To be honest, it’s an item I still use today, and among all the products from a brand that presented a new perspective on cool cycling apparel, I believe that the base layer—the item never actually seen from the outside—is their most excellent product.
When we stopped carrying Rapha at Circles, this base layer was the item I found most difficult to part with, and it is an undeniable fact that it was the item we had sold the most. However, that prompted me to look forward and start thinking about things and the experiences they evoke from a broader perspective. I realized that there is a much wider world in the outdoor apparel market, represented by brands like Patagonia and Houdini, who know everything there is to know about enjoying the outdoors. That’s how I discovered IBEX, a manufacturer that continues to make high-quality wool apparel in America.
Wool, a material that was used by those who achieved adventures in lands untouched by humanity—like voyages to Antarctica or expeditions to climb Everest—is far more functional than the nostalgic image its history might suggest. Above all, it is a sustainable, earth-friendly natural material. Ibex uses only high-quality wool, shorn at the proper time from Merino sheep that survive the harsh, cold winters of New Zealand, and sews the garments in their own managed factory in North America, Canada.
Turning high-quality materials into a finished product using the right methods is the same in any industry. Near the state of Vermont, where Ibex is based, is Boston, where they have one of their few flagship stores. In that city, the birthplace of American culture, there is a bike manufacturer called Seven Cycles. In fact, Seven actually commissions Ibex to produce their original apparel. Whether it’s bicycles or wool apparel, when it comes to manufacturing, things created by people with a consistent philosophy like theirs possess a power that makes you want to use them.
To understand the benefits of Ibex wool, this Woolies 1 is the perfect place to start. With its ribbed knit construction, this base layer offers a snug fit that excels not only in cycling but also in activities like hiking and running. As it is the thinnest piece in the lineup, it can be worn across a wide range of seasons. It’s also something you can wear every day as an undershirt for your daily life.
Investing in something unseen like a base layer might require a bit of resolve, but please, take one in your hands. And if you’re willing, try wearing one. Since I first got my hands on a merino wool base layer, all the base layers I use have switched to wool.