Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey Review
Words by Dave Malwitz / Photos by Jussi Oksanen & Dave Malwitz
As we finally come to the end of an unusually long and wet winter, I find myself reflecting on the apparel pieces that I’ve come to appreciate the most over the past season. Here in North County San Diego, “rainy season” temps typically range from the mid-40s (°F) in the AM to somewhere in the mid-60s during the day. One long sleeve jersey stood above the rest in these conditions, and that was a piece from the “Special Projects” bin at Ornot.
In case you’re not familiar with Ornot, they are a San Francisco-based company that prides itself on minimal design, ethical production, and quality construction. Bay Area weather is characterized by mild temperatures, frequent fog, and unpredictable shifts between sun and chilly winds. Ornot clearly strives to address these conditions with collections that are packable, breathable, and multimodal. In looking for a new long sleeve that would perform well on everything from morning commutes to all-day gravel adventures, I was especially drawn to check out Ornot’s Merino Grid Thermal Jersey.
On April 1, 2023 we hosted our annual invitational gravel event, the Great Western Reroute and what would prove to be the perfect test for the jersey. Apparel selection for the GWR is debated almost as much as tire selection, with the course starting in Alpine, CA and eventually climbing to an elevation around 5000’ in the Cuyamaca Mountains. Our rider guide described it as “a ride of 100 microclimates”, giving participants fair warning to choose the right gear for an unpredictable day through everything from desert landscapes to high-mountain snowscapes.
Testing the Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey at the Great Western Reroute on April 1, 2023. PC: Jussi Oksanen
The Merino Grid Thermal Jersey is made with Polartec Power Wool, a product that takes wool’s age-old benefits of odor resistance, moisture management and thermal regulation, and combines it with a synthetic face yarn for increased durability and quick-drying properties. In this application the wool makes up 42% of the jersey, and is placed on the interior making up a grid-like pattern. Wool can often have an itchy affect when worn directly on skin, and here it is noticeable without a base-layer, but only mild. I had no issues when wearing the Merino Grid Thermal on its own, but I find myself wearing a base-layer on most rides. The three exterior pockets are nice and snug to the body, and managed to hold a few snacks and a phone just as they should.
The Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey is built with Polartec Power Wool for maximum comfort between 40-60F.
At 5’10”, 165 lbs I’m typically a size medium, and that’s what I opted for here. The Merino Grid Thermal Jersey has a good amount of stretch, and feels snug to the body but not overly tight, to my liking. The exterior of the jersey proved to be abrasion resistant, a must through our narrow singletrack that often features overgrown bushes that can snag at certain fabrics.
The Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey is made in the USA from deadstock fabrics that needed to find a home.
The Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey features 3 rear pockets, a YKK zipper, & reflective details.
Ornot apparel often features non-branded tags that match the brand’s minimal aesthetic.
Overall I’m happy to report that I was just as pleased with my apparel selection as I was with my tire choice (Schwalbe Racing Ralph 27.5x2.25) at the 2023 Great Western Reroute. The Merino Grid Thermal Jersey managed to combine all the right properties I was looking for on a day where we saw temperatures range from the low 40s to the low 60s. When it comes to selecting a jersey that blends warmth, fit, style, and moisture regulation in one, I can’t think of a better choice than what Ornot has done here with the Merino Grid. According to Ornot’s Temp Scale, this jersey is tuned for 55° riding when worn on its own, and based on my experience I’d say that’s pretty spot on. Surprisingly comfortable up to 60°, and pleasant down to much colder temps with the right base-layers and outerwear.
The collar height is just right, and includes a zipper garage for maximum comfort when the Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey is fully zipped.
The Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey features a gridded fleecy interior that does a great job trapping warm air pockets while also wicking moisture in the vapor state.
Bi-component jerseys like these are truly outstanding for the average rider, and it’s great to see Ornot consistently offers products like these at a great value. Available in sizes XS to XXL, the Men’s Merino Grid Thermal Jersey in sapphire blue is available for $168. A women’s version is also available. Also worth noting is this jersey, like so many of Ornot’s products, are sewn by hand in the USA.