Velocio CONCEPT Merino Long Sleeve Review
Words by Danny Geary / Photos by Jeff Russell
New in the Velocio lineup for shoulder seasons and colder climates is the Concept Merino Long Sleeve Jersey. Velocio describes the jersey as “uncompromising”, with details for performance and durability. They suggest wearing the Concept Merino as a standalone piece for cooler days, or as the perfect mid-layer beneath a jacket or vest when the temperature drops. When I opened the package and initially looked over the jersey, I was quite happy with what was in my hands. All black (one of my favorites), lightweight, soft and what seemed to look really well made. As the local temperatures had recently started dropping, I was enthusiastic about giving it a try. My wear test results were even better than I anticipated.
Benefits of Wool
The fit is very form fitting and I would say fit as good as I could hope. Trim through the body and sleeves, length was decent and the neck/collar height was perfect. The fabric felt nice and stretchy fitting it over my arms. As I pulled it on, I noticed a slight sense of itchiness, which had me worried. In all fairness, I struggle with certain wool products, even knowing the performance benefits. Interestingly, if you didn't already know this, wool is the only natural fiber that insulates when cool and wicks moisture when warm. It's literally the only fiber that I find truly works in any climate. Additionally, wool is the only fiber that still insulates when wet. Think about that for a second. When you sweat out an underlayer, it becomes cold and cools you down. This jersey does not. It still provides a nice light and breathable insulating bit of comfort. Amazing really.
FEEL AND FUNCTION
Back to the experience. Once I got moving, I quickly noted that the itch didn't not happen. The fabric was just soft enough to be comfortable and feel technical. After spending a fair bit in the saddle, I noticed the back of the jersey sagging a little. It looks like Velocio tried to prevent this by lining the back panel behind the pockets with a more structured lightweight fabric, but with the back pockets loaded up, I think the back panel of the jersey couldn't handle the weight. So the pockets weren't stretching out and sagging, it was actually the entire back panel that was growing in length from the shoulders down. It wasn't enough to bother me and ruin my ride, but it was enough to notice.
Men’s Concept Merino Long Sleeve Jersey in Army
Final Impressions
I've worn this jersey several times, typically on cold mornings as an underlayer. As well, I've had the opportunity to wear it on cooler days as my only layer. I have yet to experience how it works in really warm conditions or a hot summer day, but I expect it could work well while also acting as a sun barrier for my arms. I'd say I still prefer to have a base layer beneath it, but this jersey was great. It's been a great addition to my gear and it's a definite go-to piece when temps require it.
The Velocio Men’s Concept Merino Long Sleeve Jerseys costs $219 and is available in sizes XS to 4XL. There are 4 colors available including Black (tested), Navy, Army, and Rust. A Women’s style is also available.