Submitted by
SGensler1
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2009
Strengths: Looks and feels good. It also keeps me warm when I'm cold and cool when it's hot. Wool is great.
Weaknesses: I have two swobo wool jerseys and use each twice a week. Although I never dried these jerseys after washing they shrank by a size and holes developed around the three pockets.
Bottom Line:
Like I said before this jersey looks and feels great, but using them for eight months did them in. At $90 I need a jersey that will last for more than a year to get my moneys worth. Swobo, feel free to contact me if you'd like more feedback.
Strengths: look great, feel great (temperature control), smell fine after hard rides (no lycra stink).
Weaknesses: the company is now officially defunct. if you are lucky, you will come across a mass liquidation sale. wool jerseys requires more maintainance than plastic ones.
Bottom Line:
My favorite jerseys. very understated in looks - for those whose class goes beyond big logos and garish graphics. on top of that, wool is one of the best materials for activewear due to the fact that it regulates body temperature in all conditions. one could make arguements against wool shorts - but wool jerseys are all good. buy a size up. i'm a small, but the mediums fit me better at the neck. if your jersey does manage to shrink after proper care... you can stretch them back out. first dunk them in lightly soapy water and then stretch them out gently whist massaging it into shape.
Strengths: Customer service and support, especially Chris. Wool, wool, wool...says it all.
Weaknesses: If you don't follow the directions on the label you will set yourself up for shrinkage. It cannot go in the dryer! Take care of the jersey and it will take care of you.
Bottom Line:
I would certainly buy wool clothing from Swobo again.
Submitted by
Bea Trully
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette CA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2000
Strengths: It's the wool. It so baaaad it makes me feel good and warm and fuzzy all over. I have four, count 'em 4!!!!Super comfort at various temps, especially great during fallwinterspring in NoCal. Starts soft and gets softer. Yes, they have gotten a bit snugly as they were washed, but the guys seem to like that, so I can't complain too muck (wink)!
Weaknesses: A little too tight in the neck, but ummm, ahhh, that's hardly enuff to bitch about.
Bottom Line:
I have nothing baaaaad to say about Swobo jerseys. All the great properties of wool are all here, there are no tackyass sillly designs and dorky logos, 3 pockets in back, I look ravishing in them and that's the bottom line!
Similar Products Used: Lots and lots of "smart" fabric jerseys, cotton t's and one of my favourites, my old MX jersey!
Bike Setup: A clean bike is a happy bike is a fast bike....
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brent
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, VA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2000
Strengths: Pockets, Not to flashy, keeps you warm, can wear and wear and wear
Bottom Line:
This is my first jersey and it is absolutley great. I have worn it for two straight weeks without washing and it still doesn't humm. I beleive what swobo says about wool now, because I don't get cold, my jersey doesn't stink and I haven't had anyproblems with shrinkage. Swobo makes the best clothing for cycling.
Submitted by
Brendan
a Cross-Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: June 19, 1999
Strengths: For an emigre used to Australian summers the l/s wool jersey keeps me warm in less than temperate England without the sticky feeling you get with synthetics. Comfort (no, it ain't prickly, in fact it starts soft and gets softer after a few washes). Fit ('cause that roadie TT suit look works for me, you know?).
Weaknesses: It ran (wash 'em with similar colours or stuff no one but your close friends will see). It shrank (no, I didn't use a dryer (don't own one) and yes, I only wash in cold water).
Bottom Line:
They ain't cheap, they don't likebeing washed with your whites, and unless you buy 'em roomy you'll be gifting them to your other half before too long. But they are real comfy, they keep you warm when its cold and cool when you warm up. And, to the extent that a tight fitting piece of clothing with pockets at the back and a front zip can look cool, they look cool. Added bonus: they are subtle (that's muted, no logos from bike companies - so they should go down a treat with all of you out there who have to match your clothing with your bikes).
Similar Products Used: Any number of team replica jerseys (when I can find 'em on sale), polarfleece jerseys, etc.
Bike Setup: Don't know that this question is relevant in the context of a review of a piece of clothing.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross-Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1999
Strengths: Wool is a remarkable fabric. Good to about 85-90 degrees in NC (depending on the humidity)
Weaknesses: Swobo's customer service isn't so hot. Left 3 or 4 voice mails for Jeff. He never got back to me.
Bottom Line:
I own 2 Swobo short sleeve jerseys that I got for 1/2 price @ LBS. (Size L) They are awesome. (Probably a '97 or '98 product run) Upon advice from another review I ordered an XL sleeveless. (from their website...it took two weeks) The thing practically choked me. What's up? I love my other two jerseys. They fit great. Jeff in Customer Service never did get back to me and I called him 3 or 4 times. I sent the jersey back today (6/18) requesting that they post a refund to my card. Bottom Line: AWESOME PRODUCT.......Poor Customer Service. I'd like to get a long sleeve jersey or two for Fall/Winter. Will they send it? Will it fit? Will Jeff call me back if there is a problem? We'll see..........0 stars for Customer Service. 5 stars for product=3. I will be wearing my jersey tomorrow.
This is my second Swobo short sleeve jersey. The first I bought at half price from a bike shop, this one I bought directly from Swobo at full price. The jersey is great. Unless you have super sensitive skin, it won't itch. It's true what everyone says about wool; I stay dry and warm no matter what I'm doing or whhat the weather is. Also, it doesn't smell, even after 3 or 4 wearings. It doesn't shrink if washed in cold water, and the first one I bought which is several years old still has some life in it. Aside from some minor stitching problems, the product is great. As for the company, don't expect too much from them. It took them over a month to send my jersey out. After repeated calls to Jeff at Swobo, it finally showed up. But guess what, I got somebody else's order. Different color and size. I ordered a Med green, but they sent a large Red. The color was no problem, and as it turns out, they are now cutting the jerseys slightly slimmer. So I kept the large and washed it in warm water once. Result, perfect fit. Keep this in mind when sizing. I'll probably buy another one when I scrape up the extra coin.
Similar Products Used: all the other synthetic nylon crap wonder fabrics
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DJE
a Cross-Country Rider
from ABQ,NM
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1999
Strengths: Fits great Feels soft
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
This is the only jersey I want to wear now. Wool is the best tech fiber around. If you ride at altitude, wool is the only jersey mat'l you'll need, for days. Less layering, best temp. range, obsorbs stink etc... Swobo doesn't lie about the qualities of wool. The only washing instructions I received were sewn inside the jersey, ' cold wash, hang dry' . So far no shrinkage or dye runnage. Swobo has good service, just a little slow and they need to update there web page.
Submitted by
Adam Thomas
a Cross-Country Rider
from Cape Cod ,MA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have owned two of these and love the feel, warmth, and wicking properties. The jersey is warm for a day time ride and mine have both shrunk. No mine has never seen a dryer and I have followed all the washing instructions.
Submitted by
luther
a cross-country rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: December 13, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have had the Swobo jersey for several months and have put it through several washings. Nothing is more perfect. The wool looks great, hangs well, wicks like nothing else and has been very durable. This jersey still looks brand new! I don't wash it every time I wear it because the wool doesn't retain odors. I'm dying to try a pair of wool shorts now!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
smarty
a cross-country rider
from bellingham, wa, usa
Date Reviewed: July 30, 1998
Bottom Line:
Well, this is a third review of this jersey. More a review of the company than the product right now.... I've had one of the most positive reactions to a unsatisfactory product ever. I called Swobo about the ill fitting and dye releasing jersey I mention below. Jeff was extremely helpful in customer service. He only asked that I send my original jersey back. He sent another one out. It still fits a bit snug in the arms and neck, but just ease off the zipper and you're good to go. I'm really happy with the customer service that SWOBO has provided. It appears the compnay stands by it's product. More than I can say about other products. Maybe some of the big name, high dollar company's can take note. If you wanna keep a customer, better keep'em happy and satisfied. Swobo acknowledged a problem with the jersey and fixed it, promptly, without alot of whining and crying about it not being their fault. Five chilis for the company, I'll rate this second jersey after a few wears and washings.......
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
smarty
a cross-country rider
from bellingham
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1998
Bottom Line:
Please disregard the below review. After many wears of this jersey and washings, it has shrunk to a small size!!!! I feel like I'm in one of those skin suits worn by time trialists. After washing (as directed) it bled all over a pair of jeans, and other sundries....nice. Yesterday was the last straw, I recieved a case of 'bloddy nipples' from the jersey!!!! Ooooo, that felt so good!!!!!!! I'm sending it back to Swobo with a letter. I'll stick with my 1989 Nike jersey and T-shirts from now on. Thank God I only paid $37 bucks for it and not full retail!!!!!! I can't even give it ONE chili right now.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
smarty
a cross-country rider
from bellingham, wa
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1998
Bottom Line:
Just found a SS jersey for 50% off. THought I'd try one out. Glad I did, like the last guy says....'it is wooly'. Maybe after a washing it won't feel so itchy. But I do like the fit and the front zipper allows for the apres ride, Ricco Suave look at the local coffee shop. Just be sure your medallions are showing. Kudos to Swobo.
This jersey is G-narley, bra. The wool feels really....wooly. And the sleeves are long enough to cover my huge bisepts, which keeps the nectar babes from flocking, which can have a negative effect on my racing. Swobo is a good company, like dogs and flowers. They do clothes. They do clothes good.
