WoolX contacted us out of the blue asking if we’d like to give one of their WoolX Merino Wool ¼ Zip Base Layers, dubbed the model X505, a try. WoolX is a new company offering Australian Merino Wool base layers and underwear. While the company is new, it is backed by Hank’s Clothing, a 64-year old company in New York that has been offering quality clothing for a long time.
If you’ve been reading stories on this site for any amount of time you may recall that I am a big fan of all things Merino so the enviable task of testing the WoolX 100% Merino Wool offering fell on me and I couldn’t be happier with the shirt. It quickly became my go-to shirt when I go out for a ride.
With the late winter/early spring weather varying a lot this year I’ve used the WoolX shirt both as an outer layer as well as a mid-layer on colder days. In every circumstance it performed very well and exhibited the qualities I like in Merino wool including excellent wicking and quick drying. Another detail I like about Merino wool is that it doesn’t stink even after extensive multi-day wear. No smell is a good smell.
Very nice “hand”! I know, I am throwing fashion industry speak / fabric talk at you now but the truth is that this is the softest Merino Wool piece of clothing I own and I like it!
The ¼ zip is one of the nicest features on this WoolX shirt. It zips up into a turtleneck and can be worn open or folded as well. I appreciated the turtleneck on one of our many beach rides when we made the turn for home into a brisk headwind with temps in the teens.
The underarm gusset design on the WoolX shirt allows for greater freedom of movement and shows that the shirt design is well thought out.
Frankly, if a wool offering still requires hand washing I am not likely to use much. I really appreciate the fact that the WoolX shirt is is Machine Washable and Dryable. I’ve washed it several times and have experienced no shrinkage.
The Nitty Gritty:
- 100% Australian Merino Wool
- 18.5 Micron
- Midweight – 230 g/m2 interlock construction
- 11″Auto lock zipper
- Zipper guard for neck/skin protection
- Tailored collar won’t collapse
- Flatlock – non haffe seams
- Non rub interior label
- Size Range – Men’s S through 2XL. WoolX do offer Women’s shirts too! Take a look at the WoolX website to learn more.
- WoolX backs their products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Maybe the most telling fact about this review is that I’ve already personally ordered a couple more WoolX offerings for the warmer weather coming up.
Do you want to give WoolX a try and save a few bucks in the process? The fine folks at WoolX have made and offer to our readers for a 10% discount if you order any gear before midnight on April 30th, 2014. Just use coupon code – FATBIKE10OFF – when you check out to have the discount applied.