The mountain village is very quiet, with only the sound of swaying grass and trees, the babbling of the stream, and the occasional sound of an airplane flying overhead.
It’s a truly pleasant time.
Whenever I have time, I head for the mountains, and I love riding in the cold winter as well.
Lately, I’ve been enjoying everything from on-road to dirt paths by putting Challenge “Parigi-Roubaix” tires on my Retrotec HalfTopCX.
That said, it’s a fact that you need the right gear to make those rides comfortable.
I’ve been heading out by mixing and matching items that I’ve slowly, bit by bit, added to my collection every year. Even now that I have a decent set, there are so many attractive winter items out there that, despite holding back my cravings, I find myself wanting all sorts of new things.
That is why I recently ended up buying this piece of underwear.
I may have mentioned this many times before, but underwear, which is the layer that touches your skin, is extremely important!
Aclima
Woolnet Shirt Crewneck
¥9,870_
Woolnet Polo w/Zip
¥11,550_
I can only say that I fell hook, line, and sinker for it. My curiosity was piqued—why would anyone wear a net in the winter? (I bought the “Woolnet Shirt Crewneck” myself.)
For those who don't know, Aclima is a brand from Norway that mainly releases apparel made from wool.
The high quality of their products is trusted by specialized organizations, including the military and fire departments.
Naturally, they are also highly regarded in the outdoor and active sports scenes.
And this underwear, known as “Woolnet,” is one of Aclima’s signature items.
Despite my worries about whether something this mesh-like could keep me warm, I was surprised to find it every bit as warm as other wool base layers.
Even more surprising is how quickly it dries; it’s completely dry just a little while after a ride. This is incomparable to other wool apparel.
When I wore it this past Sunday, I didn't even change afterward and ended up working in it, remaining comfortable all day long.
It makes the most of merino wool’s natural insulation and moisture-wicking properties, and because the net-structured fabric is as breathable as it looks, it wicks sweat away from the skin quickly, keeping you comfortable and warm.
Additionally, areas subject to high stress use ribbed fabric to increase durability.
You’ll feel a draft if you don't have anything on top, so be sure to combine it with something to block the wind.
Though, you’d be in a lot of trouble if you wore it on its own anyway.
By the way, we have also received the “Warmwool Hoodie” from Aclima, which can be used as a mid-layer.
Aclima
Warmwool Hoodie
¥14,910_
While I think it’s difficult to pair with a cycling jersey, it’s quite versatile if you treat it like a long-sleeve jersey, and I recommend it for everything from casual rides to mountain biking adventures.
On that note, I often wear the Rapha Winter Jersey for winter riding.
It’s warm and makes it easy to regulate body temperature.
We also have other new and restocked items from Rapha, so please check those out as well.