Clothing

REVIEW: Vulpine Merino T-Shirt

by Henry Peacock

Price	£55.00
Size	M
Colour	Grey

This t-shirt is not exactly cheap at £55 but it is seriously worth it, it has the feel of a product that will last an age.

If you haven’t heard of Vulpine that’s because they're fairly new to the growing world of cycling apparel. Formed in March 2012, they have hit the ground running with what seems to be a pretty neat, ever-expanding line up of garments. Although not specifically aimed at road riders, it's easy to see the detail and care that have gone into their clothing.

Merino T-Shirt - £55

This is aimed at the everyday user who rides across town, gets out on their tourer for the day or commutes to work. It is a t-shirt, not a jersey; its merino wool wicks away moisture from the skin better than just about anything else out there. It is not your average merino synthetic mixture, it’s the real deal, 100% Tasmanian Merino. Like most natural fibres they won’t smell if you sweat a bit, we know that familiar pong after a ride in a regular synthetic jersey is a bit anti-social. The other natural feature of wool, which sheep know very well, is that when hot it removes moisture from the skin meaning it can evaporate away, this is what keeps you cool. Transversely when it’s cold merino traps warm air next to the skin.

merino
Easy Rider

The cut is cycling specific with a longer back so your backside keeps covered; it is slim in design so if you are a bit more portly I’d go for a larger size. The care instructions are printed on the inside of the garment, meaning there are no labels scratching on your skin, a neat feature and most welcome.

It is very odour resistant which is just what you need for the trip to the pub. It has a neat pocket at the back for your phone, which is ideal, although you may not want to put too much in there because the shirt will sag. It has a lovely logo emblazoned button to secure the contents. It is available in black and grey.

merino
Nice Detailing

The neon green flat-lock stitched seams set it apart from contenders, it’s a feature that runs throughout the Vulpine brand. The flat-lock stitching creates a smooth seam so it won’t rub on your skin, which for cycle wear sounds perfect. This t-shirt is not exactly cheap at £55 but it is seriously worth it, it has the feel of a product that will last an age. When comparing to other similar merino products on the market it seems to be at the right price point. I’ve worn mine a few days a week for a couple of months and it’s still in good shape. The negatives? Well there aren’t really any, if you're in the market for merino. Put it against normal t-shirts and it seems expensive, but this is a well-thought out product. We love it.

Cyclosport.org Verdict: 10/10
Highly recommended

We Like: The fit, merino, odour control, softness

We Don’t: If we have to grumble, the price, but it's fairly priced compared to other merino products.

Many of you may not have heard of the Vulpine brand, if you like your clothing well made and made to do a job you need it to do then it is worth a try. Nice innovations such as a magnetic snaps and new materials are a breath of fresh air. Vulpine may just keep some other high-end brands on their toes with such features.

Where to buy: www.vulpine.cc