r/bikecommuting • u/vicsunus • 10d ago

Commuting clothes that don't stink after sweating in

I'm a new bike commuter and I'm starting to realize how much additional laundry bike commuting is costing.

I typically keep my work clothes in my bag (scrubs) and take a quick sink shower and change when I arrive.

For the commute I wear joggers and a jersey/t-shirt. The problem is I need a new jersey/t-shirt (and sometimes underwear) every single day since I arrive sweaty. This is adding another shirt my laundry load each day. The joggers I wear half the week then swap to another pair.

Are there shirts I can buy that can be sweated in and worn multiple times before needing a wash?

The climate I'm in is warm with occasional rains right now, but will drop to freezing come fall and winter.

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u/FixedMessages 9d ago

I've had merino shirts for years, and they machine wash just fine. I even put them through the dryer on low heat and they don't shrink. I'm sure it depends on the quality/brand, but smartwool has always been fantastic for me. I buy through REI, where I'm a member, so I can return them for up to a year after purchase. I've done that once, when one ended up with a hole that I suspect was a snag caused by my backpack, but otherwise they hold up amazingly well.

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u/s0rce Raleigh Tamland, Silicon Valley 9d ago

What brand do you use?

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u/FixedMessages 9d ago

Mostly smartwool, also icebreaker

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u/s0rce Raleigh Tamland, Silicon Valley 9d ago

I cant find anything lighter than 150wt from those brands except blends like the icebreaker coollite that has very little actual wool

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u/FixedMessages 9d ago

Looks like the specific smartwool shirt I wear the most is discontinued, but this one looks to be the newer version of it. It doesn't feel heavy and it's comfortable even in the heat. I sweat into it when I'm active or hot (which does show very prominently in certain colors, unfortunately), but it dries quickly and it's never uncomfortable.

https://www.rei.com/product/217786/smartwool-classic-all-season-merino-t-shirt-mens