Review: Smartwool Ewephoria Sleeveless Jersey

[mariposa]

I own *lots* of wool, but this is my first experience with a wool cycling-specific jersey with the back pockets. See it here:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=30827

I LOVE THIS JERSEY! I think all of my synthetic jerseys with pockets are going to rot away in my drawer now (or will be given away). Some of the pluses to this jersey:

* The torso is nice and long! Now, I don't even *have* a long torso. But I like shirts/jerseys that do not expose a gap on my back that will get sunburnt.

* Elasticized hem is perfect. It is not a tight grip - just enough to keep the jersey in place. (Normally I don't care for elasticized hems, because I have big hips and they usually feel too tight on me.)

* Armholes are perfect. Not too tight; not so loose or low that they show your bra.

* The back pocket is very roomy.

* Neckline is very flattering.

* The blue is a very nice color, somewhere between royal blue and navy. And because of the dark-ish color, there is no "show-through" like with some other wool microweight fabrics.

Some caveats:

* Runs ever so slightly too big. If you like a tighter or more aerodynamic fit, size down. (You can get away with a size-down on the blue version of this jersey, because of the no show-through!)

* I would like to try the white version of this jersey, but am not sure how see-through it is. Anyone tried the white?

* The neck area is a bit big/loose. I will probably sew it tighter. It blows around in the wind, a bit. This may be a good jersey for you if you tend to have wide shoulders or a big neck.

* The elastic on the top of the back pocket is somewhat looser than with most jerseys. Thus, I would carry something lightweight or bulky there - such as a jacket - but probably wouldn't carry, say, a bike pump in there, something that could fly out.

* The fabric is advertised as microweight (150g), which is my preference for summer. However, somehow this jersey seems thicker-weight than my other Smartwool microweight shirts. Maybe my shirts have just thinned down as they've gotten worn. I don't know.

* I wish TE carried the similar Smartwool jersey that has sleeves. As with other sleeveless jerseys, I'm a bit worried about sunburnt shoulders, with the Ewephoria.

[kayandallie]

I have the white and it is my favorite jersey, also, except that I wouldn't wear it in company as it is a bit see-through and revealing of fatness. I got the white because I ride quite a bit through woods and like to make sure I'm easily seen. All the stuff you say about it otherwise, though, is true. I don't have any trouble with the neck but I do have wide shoulders.
I love sleeveless, so that works for me, and I'm tall and need the long torso.
I think they make it in pink but it isn't available on TE. Pink would be perfect, though.

[bmccasland]

What begs the question - is how while this jersey hold up to the hot muggy deep south? Since moving here from the arid west, I've discovered what being "soaking wet" truely means. Cotton T-shirts just soak up all the sweat. eeewwwwww.

Since wool is a natural fiber, I'm just wondering if it'll hold all the sweat too?

For winter riding, I'm lusting after wool. But for summer, I'm not so certain.

[ny biker]

I got the white because I ride quite a bit through woods and like to make sure I'm easily seen.

Just don't wear it in the woods during hunting season - when hunters see white they think it's a deer.

[kayandallie]

I'm not really riding "in" the woods; my roads just have woods on the sides here and there and I always feel hidden in the shadows without something light on.
It is pretty humid here also; I don't ride in the hottest part of the day but the jersey is kind of like thin gauze would feel- lots of airholes so I don't think it really holds sweat in.

[Flur]

What begs the question - is how while this jersey hold up to the hot muggy deep south? Since moving here from the arid west, I've discovered what being "soaking wet" truely means. Cotton T-shirts just soak up all the sweat. eeewwwwww.

Since wool is a natural fiber, I'm just wondering if it'll hold all the sweat too?

For winter riding, I'm lusting after wool. But for summer, I'm not so certain.

Wool is a wicking fiber, so it acts like polyester and pulls the sweat away from your skin so that it can evaporate. No moisture retention at all. And merino doesn't retain odors, so you can go out in merino, sweat like crazy for hours at a time, and the jersey will still smell fresh and clean.

I love sheep. They grow the best stuff!

[Flur]

I just ordered one of these! I knew Smartwool made jerseys but I didn't know they made sleeveless ones and I'm not a fan of short sleeves so I've just been riding in icebreaker tanks. I'm looking forward to the big pockets. Mariposa - you're review really helped me pick the right size. Thanks a lot