Since the series “Clothes, as a Bike Shop Sees Them” began, this is now Vol.15.
In the store, people sometimes kindly tell me, “I use it for reference! I'm reading it!”
I'm the type who grows when praised. It's a real encouragement.
Now, this time's theme is “Midsummer Merino Wool Style.”
A little while ago I wrote a blog post comparing the “RAL MERINO COOL MAX” and “MERINO 100%” T-shirts based on first-hand experience; did you get a chance to read it?
When it comes to Merino, it has to be this item I love so much.
The one piece for summer should, above all, be easy.
“Function + design”
For me, summer Merino Wool means this, of course.
RAL Merino Coolmax L/S Tee V2
The 2026 model went on sale the other day, so I bought one right away.
(For details, see Chan-Mai's blog.)
To go over it once more,
Merino Wool is the wool that comes from a breed of sheep called Merino.
Even among wools its fibers are especially fine and supple, and its comfortable feel is what makes the material so appealing.
As for merino wool's characteristics:
- Highly moisture-absorbent; it takes up sweat and other moisture and readily releases it to the outside
- Fine fibers, supple and gentle against the skin
- It retains heat and copes easily with changes in temperature
- It doesn't get sticky easily even when you sweat, and helps keep post-sweat chill down
- It doesn't readily develop odor
- It doesn't pick up dirt easily and doesn't tend to need frequent washing
- Excellent insulation; it feels cool in summer and warm in winter
That's how many advantages the material has, just off the top of my head.
On the other hand, the thing that inevitably nags is durability. You need to take care when washing it, and it is a somewhat delicate material.
To make up for that weakness of merino wool, what RAL adopted is
merino wool 50% × COOLMAX® polyester 50%
That's the combination.
By blending in polyester, which excels in strength and shape stability, it adds quick drying and ease of care while keeping the comfort that only merino wool offers.
I'm still wearing my 2025 model to death, but
since it was often worn on its own and not just as an inner layer, the 2026 model keeps the material as is and updates the design.
With vivid colorways and a bicolor design at the neck and sleeve ribs, it isn't too sporty even worn on its own, and blends into the city.
This design appeal is something the 2025 model didn't have.
There's a pocket at the right rear, too! A point cyclists will be glad of.
Summer outfits inevitably tend toward the simple, but with this, one piece makes the whole look.
I'm 174cm and wear a size L.
I wear it slightly on the large side, and style it with care for the balance with my shorts.
The one piece for summer should, above all, be easy. This delivers that.
It's the best piece there is, combining function and design.
RAL Merino Coolmax L/S Tee V2
Material：Merino wool 50%, polyester 50%
Color：Black x Beige / Green x Red / Purple x Navy / Lilac x Purple
Size：S / M / L / XL
Price：¥17,600 (tax incl.)
The shorts fully reflect my current mood. “MANNENROU”
The shorts are the NYRON HARVEST LOOSE SHORTS, a model reflecting my current mood from MANNENROU, which it's no exaggeration to call a Circles Tokyo staple by now.
The model was born with the loose work shorts of '90s street style and the like as its design source, and is characterized by a wide silhouette that falls below the knee.
The roomy silhouette lets the breeze through, so heat doesn't build up and it stays comfortable on hikes on humid days, walking around town in midsummer, and when riding a bike.
It's a just-right length that doesn't pull at the knee when you pedal on the bike.
An urban look, and specs that work well for both mountain climbing and cycling.
I recommend them of course to those who want to enjoy everyday life and the field seamlessly, and also to those whose shorts silhouette has got into a bit of a rut.
A fresh silhouette, a little different from your usual shorts.
Just wearing them lifts your mood.
Midsummer Merino Wool Style
T-Shirt：RAL MERINO COOLMAX 2026
Pants：MANNENROU NYRON HARVEST LOOSE SHORTS
Shoes：BEDROCK SANDALS Mountain Clog Nubuck Leather
Sunglasses：OMBRAZ DOROMITE
Sox：Hiker Trash
Bag：Hiker Trash
Cap：NOAH
This time's style, too, is by no means “clothes just for cycling.”
In this outfit I might go shopping in town, or enjoy a long ride on the bike. Sometimes I head straight up a mountain in it.
I like clothes that can move back and forth like that across the line between everyday life and play.
Not tied to a single use, free to use however you like, and before you know it they're naturally getting more and more wear. And you don't just own them; you actually wear them, move in them, get them dirty, wash them hard, and wear them again.
In that way, “using clothes up.” Those are the kind of clothes I choose.
