Cycle Clothing with Merino Wool | BOBSHOP

The History

The Beginnings as King of the Hill

For much of cycling history, wool was the only material available and suitable for the production of clothing. Both jerseys and shorts were woven from this natural fiber and became sweaty affairs in the heat and heavy burdens in the rain. Nevertheless, wool remained the state of the art for decades, even though it was realized as early as the 1950s that Merino wool offered significantly better properties for sports than conventional virgin wool, which had been used until then. However, the Merino wool used at the time can hardly be compared with today’s fabrics, which have become true natural high-tech materials through special processes.

Lycra Conquers Cycling

That is why the development of Lycra in the 1970s by Castelli should be seen as perhaps the greatest revolution in cycling clothing. A decisive moment for this development was—as so often—the Milan‑Sanremo race, known for rain and cold, and also the longest race in the cycling calendar. The already legendary Italian maker wanted to produce clothing that would not absorb rain, and also be breathable and aerodynamic in its cut. Lycra was born, and particularly for shorts, pro and amateur athletes quickly recognized the comfort gain through elasticity and ventilation. In jerseys, however, it soon became clear that cyclists were traditionalists; when the Tour de France wanted to switch its yellow jersey to synthetic materials, some riders even considered refusing the honor of wearing it, because the shiny and tighter‑fitting aesthetic of the new jerseys was repellent to them. Nevertheless, the incredible technical advantages ensured that synthetic fabrics prevailed and continued to be developed. Natural fibers were hardly noticed in the sport in the following decades and almost vanished entirely.

Stylish in Retro

The unmistakable aesthetic of wool jerseys remains unforgettable—just the sight of them evokes pure cycling history and excites retro fans. At Bobshop, we also celebrate these historical jerseys with our own retro world, allowing you to feel like Fausto Coppi or Eddy Merckx Retro cycling clothing | BOBSHOP . Even these retro jerseys now combine modern comfort with historic design, thanks to blends of natural and synthetic fibers—because the “good old days” certainly don’t apply to how old sportswear used to feel. Santini, for example, is also the official outfitter of the Eroica event—a cycling event dedicated to vintage cycling, where participants ride only historical bikes over the scenic white gravel roads of Tuscany. Enthusiasts often go to great lengths to match their clothing to the bikes.  Collection Santini Eroica | BOBSHOP

The Rediscovery of Nature 

Only in recent years has the outdoor sports industry realized that natural fibers still offer unique advantages that simply can’t be replicated by synthetic fibers. Various fabrics were tested, and Merino proved to be the best-suited natural fiber for sports contexts. This time, it wasn’t cycling that led the way—but rather the hiking and outdoor scene, which began using Merino base layers. Leading cycling brands now blend Merino wool with synthetic fibers to combine the best of both worlds. By implementing it as the "first layer" and combining it with purely synthetic clothing as the "second layer," the original disadvantages that once led to wool's decline have been effectively eliminated.  Merino wool cycling clothing | BOBSHOP

The Advantages of Wool 

1. Nature Tech

Merino wool possesses a property that acts almost like a natural sensor—detecting whether the athlete is overheating or freezing. The fabric can therefore provide both warming and cooling effects and adapts to the wearer.

2. Cozy Warm Feel 

But perhaps the most important advantage is its comfortably warm feeling. A good Merino base layer can feel like a high-tech Norwegian sweater, almost making you forget the unpleasant conditions of winter.

3. No Stink After Sports

Another reason Merino is perfect for technical underwear is its odor resistance. Especially when it comes to socks that are hidden under overshoes in winter, this is a welcome benefit—for both athletes and those around them.

4. “Natural” Sustainability 

Merino wool’s natural origin makes it a sustainable companion. Merino sheep—often found in New Zealand—live long and fulfilled lives. They can be sheared countless times throughout their lives, making the product completely renewable. Product sustainability

The Best of Both Worlds: 

Blend Fabrics as the Perfect Solution 

Merino wool has carved out its own market and earned a loyal fan base who no longer want to miss out on its benefits and sustainability. Pure wool products, however, are not capable of providing moisture transport and ventilation at the highest level—areas where synthetic fibers remain unbeatable. Synthetic materials are also more elastic, and thus the only way to create tight-fitting yet comfortable clothing.

That’s why at Bobshop, we’ve decided to offer only products that combine the natural properties of wool with the fit and breathability of synthetic fabrics—to create the perfect product. We're confident we’re providing our customers with the best possible clothing, made even more sustainable by the increasing recyclability of synthetic fibers.

The Next Generation

Highly innovative manufacturers are continuously researching fabric compositions and weaving methods that further optimize the benefits and interplay of both materials, striving to create the perfect winter clothing. The adaptability and targeted use of Merino in fabric design is opening up new applications—even as a second layer. Fall/Winter collections now integrate the material even into jerseys,  tights, and jackets to develop warmer, more comfortable outerwear.

From Benchmark to Outsider to Beloved Product 

Merino wool has thus found its unique place and is now an indispensable part of winter sportswear. For most customers, the cozy warmth and odor neutrality are the most important factors—for environmentally conscious customers, these products are simply non-negotiable. Sportswear manufacturers have transformed the material through targeted treatments and hybridization with synthetics into a true natural high-tech product, and it will be exciting to see where the journey of development goes from here.

The Largest and Best Selection – Only at Bobshop!

We at Bobshop are truly enthusiastic and therefore offer a wide range of products that perfect the natural properties of Merino wool through ideal material compositions. Our in-house experts are constantly on the lookout for products that genuinely offer you the best possible performance, based on their composition and characteristics. It’s our mission to offer you only the products we are genuinely convinced of—from classics like socks and base layers, to new high-tech items that push the limits of what’s possible. We’ll make sure you’re not afraid of tough winter conditions anymore!