Mons Royale Merino - Tarn Shift Wind Jersey & Virage Pants

My first encounter with wool base layers goes back to a time in my childhood(early 90s) when my father dragged me from mountain to mountain, no matter the weather. He was just discovering European designed technical wear and with his limited income, he would order boots from Meindl, and sleeping bags from Vaude. All in the name of keeping himself warm and dry. None of this high tech gear made its way on to my body until I was about the same size as him, and by that time, it was very worn out and mostly outdated. 25-year-old Deniz kept warm in frigid Montreal Lofts with that amazing Vaude sleeping bag with Primaloft filling my dad gave me as a duvet.

When I was around 9, we took a week long hiking expedition to the Kackar Mountains of North East Turkey, where snowboarding was apparently invented. My ever-so-prepared father packed our sacks with the essentials like sunscreen, glasses, and shorts only to find out that August is the rainiest and cloudiest season to venture into the wilderness in that area. We were quickly confined to our single pair of pants and jackets that we wore wet, over and over again. One thing he did remember to pack along for both of us was Wool baselayers.

This is the coolest photograph of the wool baselayers of that era I can find on the internet. Coincidentally, it happens to be of a Contemporary Turkish Comedian.

Mons Royale - Tarn Merino Shift Wind

I am all for descriptive names for apparel but this is a difficult name and SKU to remember. It is the "winter" version of their long sleeve mountain biking jerseys. It is categorized under Jacket & Vests section in their store. Having received this jersey just in time for summer, I shook my head and well, wore the damn thing anyways. Lucky for me, the summer never came. The thickness of the material is similar to other merino baselayers I have around the house. The million year old Ibex being the thinnest, almost see through, the NF Dan Merino (100% merino) being similar thickness to the Mons offering. Or would they like being called the Royale? The real difference is the front of the jerseys. Tarn Merino Shift Wind (TMSW) differs from all the others with the windproof tech layer that covers the entire chest area of the garment. For those times when higher speeds chill you to the bone but you still need the merino versatility on the rest of the garment. Clever way to add tech to a naturally technical product.

Looks like Mons has 3 different fit and use applications for their stuff. Merino Air-Con for everyday use. The merino density is 140gsm for this line, which is on the lighter side of things. These garments are designed for intense activities that keep you warm through movement. Heat management is key when you are moving fast and air-con delivers on that front. Mons's Air-Con line has a merino blend of 83% Merino Wool 13% Nylon 4% Elastane. When we look at the Shift line, we get a more diluted mix of merino for higher fabric durability. I deal for activities where there is high heat output moments but also high speed low energy output situations like bike park riding or shuttle sessions. The TMSW is a mix of %52% Merino Wool 35% Recycled Polyester 13% Nylon. There is also the Merino Flex line for heavier, slimmer fitting baselayers mostly needed in winter sports.

The Jersey has a relaxed but flattering fit. You will need some muscles to fill the arms but the fit feels sufficient without the excess. Length is at the sweet spot with a decent splash coverage for your plumber's crack. It would be possible to double up on the merino layers for much colder situations where a slimmer fitting layer could go under the jersey.

If you are going to spend any kind of money on active wear, an expensive, almost out of your reach priced merino jersey should be the first on your list. Learn from my dad's mistake and be aware that the weather outside your window may not be the weather in the outback. So you'd better be prepared.

There was a time when air-travel was a little more luxurious and prestigious. You could still smoke in planes and for some odd reason they still asked you if you wanted a seat in the non-smoking section. It was around the same time my dad and I went on that wet, high-altitude expedition. We showed up at the airport in rainy Trabzon, steam dried over and over again over smouldering campfires. Having hiked all day, everyday for what seemed to me at the time for tens of thousands of feet in elevation. We were dirty, we were smelly and our group was informed that we would not be allowed on the plane unless we showered and had clean clothes. Off to the airport bathroom we went for a sink shower and we wore the only items of clothing that didn't stink to high heaven; our wool base layers. Clean as a whistle and looking like circus performers, we went on our flight.

The incredible anti-microbial characteristics of wool allows garments to stay odour free even after countless consecutive days of use. Sweat in it all you want because instead of lingering on the jersey your perspiration will evaporate.

Wearing a highly-breathable jersey like this makes most sense when aren't wearing a backpack. This isn't possible for every one and I have to deal with some sort of equipment portage on most of rides. Lately, that has been in the shape of an USWE 16L backpack that I will be reviewing later on. Even the best backpack sweat management solutions fail to work well for me, so it was a good opportunity to see if the Mons jersey is as magical as they make it out to be.

Turns out it is. Sure there was extra monkey I was carrying on my back through the hills of Oakridge in humid and wet conditions. Sure I was maxing my heart rate on an e-bike race out in soggy Vancouver Island. The jersey stayed comfortable and dried extremely fast without a trace of odour left from the day's efforts. Hung on a makeshift clothes line, it dried completely within a couple of hours and the dirt came off with a simple wipe of the hand. To this day, I still haven't washed the top after many rides and a full vacation expedition to Europe for a month, since the styling of the jersey is very Euro-accepted for day to day use.

Virage Pants

Riding pants are back baby and there are so many of them to choose from tight-as Fox pants that look like skin suits to loosey goosey Evil 686 Collaborations. I enjoy a cut that can sometimes be hard to find in the trouser world. Back in the day Levi's used to make 'tapered' cut 502 and 512s that they unofficially called the "Carrot cut." Not unlike the pants of an Army-leading Napoleon Boneparte, who commanded from on top a horse most of the time due due his vertical challenge. Horse riding pants generally have tighter calves and more relaxed thighs for freedom of movement. I have taken my new pants for alterations in the past to tighten up the knee-down to my liking. I carry my muscles on my thighs and thats where I need to space.

The Mons Royal Virage pants are the perfect answer to my unheard prayers, rocking a blend of 81% Recycled Polyester 14% Merino Wool 5% Elastane. They are made mostly from recycled plastic bottles. I personally try not to purchase liquids in plastic bottles but it is great that Mons has taken the initiative to do something about all the plastic garbage we are leaving behind. The 14% merino ratio may seem low coming from a company that is merino but it was the perfect amount of wool for pants that are designed to be an ectoderm* of your clothing layers.

*ec·to·derm| ˈektəˌdərm | noun Zoology & Embryology the outermost layer of cells or tissue of an embryo in early development, or the parts derived from this, which include the epidermis and nerve tissue

While not claiming to be a waterproof winter garment, the Virage pants are one of the most comfortable pants you'll ever slide into. Remember when you used to toss your jeans in the freezer to kill the odour because you were told strictly not to wash them? Well the merino content of the Virage makes the smelly crotch syndrome a thing of the past. We know how smelly some synthetic polyester fabrics can get.

I have a 31" is inseam and a 31 waist and the medium Virage Pants fit me just the way I'd like them to. The ankle cuffs are elastic and they stay secure. Length is adequate, although the general trend is on the shorter side for most riding pants. Wear cool socks if you have long legs. My year-long goal of wanting to ride in pants is now possible thanks to these lightweight numbers. Th only other option was some custom hemp hippie pants that I'd have to tailor myself but I'm not sure how successful that would be. There is a fine line of comfort and security when it comes to riding in pants. Thicker, heavier-duty pants give you a different kind of confidence charging through rough stuff, knowing you have an added layer of protection for your skin. Virage pants take a different approach and prioritize comfort. Go ahead, wear your knee pads under these as there is plenty of spece and the articulation is second to none.

The key feature that makes these pants so comfortable is also their achilles heel. I do not expect the fabric to survive a high speed slide on dirt. Or even a low speed one. I imagine any local tailor will be able to fix up the tear easily however. I have so far ripped my 3 year old NF Destroyer pants twice and they have been repaired within a day by the very people who made them. For Free. Patagonia has a similar program that may take a little longer turn around due to their volume. Mons Royale doesn't publicly offer this kind of service at this moment. It might be different if you are a New Zealand local.

I have a new favourite outfit for my rides this year. I will keep wearing the Wind Jersey and the Virage pants until the temperatures reach 30°C in these woods, although it currently feels that will never happen.

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Mons Royale Tarn Merino Shift Wind Jersey - 160 CAD / 130 USD

Mons Royale Merino Virage Pants - 230 CAD / 190 USD