I/O Bio Merino Contact Glory Zip Shirt - Long-Sleeve - Men's - 2010 BCS

I never gave wool a fair chance until now. I hail from a family of staunch polypro and spandex wearers…

That’s all about to change. As per the advice of a friend, I got a pair of these for Christmas along with some Stoic long underwear bottoms to be used as a base layer. Having worn the pair for several months, I have a few observations:

This shirt has become a second skin. As advertised, the material was unexpectedly soft right out of the box (a bit softer than the stoic) and stayed so after several washings (you can machine wash it)! The hood fits VERY closely and is extra cozy when donned under a puffy, and keeps out any cold that might have made it past your other layers. You WILL look like an astronaut. The neckline sits comfortably at my Addams apple, even with the hood up, so I never feel completely choked. The zip comes in handy here for the claustrophobic. The sleeves are really long, but the thumb holes will keep things under control. Plus, the cuff stretches enough to be rolled up past the elbows, but I find the length helps to keep snow from creeping in between my glove and jacket-cuff. For the backpackers out there, it packs to about the volume of a softball.

So, is it really that warm?

Last night, Colorado Springs experienced -40° F, with highs around 4 today. With this shirt, the stoic long underwear bottoms, a t-shirt, jeans, and a down jacket, I've been fine for my numerous treks across campus. I was equally comfortable wearing this shirt when I landed in Tanzania. Mind you, it was a balmy 75° F there.

I’ll never travel without it, and I’ll never wear polypro again. Full stop.

This is a must-have piece. Happy trails!

A top-notch baselayer or standalone piece for active sports. It's very lightweight but the wool does its job to keep you warm. The little bit of stretch in the material is a great touch. I went running today in freezing temps with just an MH Geist vest over it to keep my core warm and I was very comfortable, with just a little chill on my arms when I faced the wind. The hood fits fantastically. The zip comes pretty far down when needed in warmer temps. Very soft. I'm a real fan of I/O Bio and this is one of the best from them yet.

I agree with all reviewers: The wool is super soft and resists odor. The fit is very slim, with longish sleeves and hem length, which I love! I'm 6' 185lbs and the Large fits great. The hood is nice to have, just pop it up and instant comfort about your ears and face. I wash in wool wash and hang to dry. Very highly recommended!

This is my first piece (or second depending on which came out of the box first) of I/O. It's really good stuff. Seems well stitched and is nice and soft (like all good Merino wool). Bonus, you never really need to clean this stuff. Just put it in the sun and poof! Clean as the lamb it came off.

Since buying this item I choose it exclusively over every other garmet I have for my first layer. For running, hiking, biking, backpacking etc. it is simply invaluable. The merino wool is ultra soft and comfortable and the temperature control options regarding the 1/3 zip up front/hood are great. If I'm down in the valleys I can stay warm and when I get back out into the sunlight I can drop the hood to let my body's natural radiator do its job, excellent piece of clothing, well worth the $$

I've been waiting for years to find a merino hoody that was lightweight enough for BC skiing and with a well-fitting hood -- I finally found one that matches my needs. Previous versions by other manufacturers were either too heavy for aerobic sport, had poorly-designed hoods, or both. This one is ideal for me. Light enough that I don't perspire charging up Glory at Teton Pass and the well-contoured hood fits easily under my helmet for the descent. A neck gaiter is all I need to keep the cold winds at bay. I use the thumb holes, too, giving extra warmth under my gloves to my hands.

Bio Merino redefines wool clothing. I love the stuff and have bought Bio Merino Christmas presents for everyone this year!
It's soft, well designed, comfortable and has no smell even after days of wearing.
The clothing has a good slim to medium fit. The sleeves are long enough for tall slim people.

Got this for Christmas. It is super soft and light. Although thin, it regulates body temperature well. Wore it outside this morning with a windproof shell to shovel snow for 2 hours. It was before dawn, in the teens, and windy, with gusts up to 30 mph. I felt great. I put up the scuba hood to keep my head warm and it kept the heat in nicely. I never felt clammy or hot, and I only felt a little cool when the wind would pick up. This is a solid base layer piece, and I look forward to using it in the backcountry.