WoolWeenies Club [Archive] - Page 11 - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

SadieKate

11-17-2009, 03:13 PM

That's weird. I saw the text about the merino buff being longer (not bigger in circumference) but the dimensions don't agree.

Merino Buff:
Dimensions: 20.7” x 9.6”

Original Buff:
Dimensions: 52cm x 24.5cm or 20.7” x 9.6”

BTW, I saw that they now have a headband buff would might make some of you happier. ;) I think my big-headed hubby likes the length of the standard Buff.Our wool Buffs arrived today. Yahoo, they're actually @ 28.5" x 9.6” so they can be nicely doubled or worn balaclava-style without leaving a gap at the back of the neck. Since they're about the same weight as the microfiber version this is perfect for our cold winters. Thin, soft and yummy.

BTW, the red (grana) is a sort of dark cranberry in real life. The grey is a bit variegated so it isn't boring.

pfunk12

11-17-2009, 03:54 PM

I can't stop laughing! Maybe I'll turn the heat down next time. ;)

Were you cooking it? :eek: :eek:

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-17-2009, 07:23 PM

I can't stop laughing! Maybe I'll turn the heat down next time. ;)

Especially if it starts smelling like mutton stew. LOL

redrhodie

11-18-2009, 02:34 PM

Our wool Buffs arrived today. Yahoo, they're actually @ 28.5" x 9.6” so they can be nicely doubled or worn balaclava-style without leaving a gap at the back of the neck. Since they're about the same weight as the microfiber version this is perfect for our cold winters. Thin, soft and yummy.

BTW, the red (grana) is a sort of dark cranberry in real life. The grey is a bit variegated so it isn't boring.

Thanks for the review! The Grana one is going on my Xmas list!

violetpurl

11-24-2009, 09:51 AM

Icebreaker Olympia Zip Top for $49 right now on SAC. I am so very tempted.

I've done a search here and googled - still can't find it. What is SAC? :confused: Thanks!

PamNY

11-24-2009, 11:23 AM

Presumably it's Steep and Cheap (http://www.steepandcheap.com/). I wish I'd never heard of it.

Pam

violetpurl

11-24-2009, 11:54 AM

Thanks Pam!

PamNY

11-25-2009, 09:36 AM

Has anyone tried merino base layer pieces by Kombi? It's less expensive than Smartwool or Icebreaker, but I don't want inferior merino.

Pam

GLC1968

11-25-2009, 11:17 AM

News flash - for the male wool weenies in your lives...

Twin 6 is having a 25% off sale today only and it applies to their long sleeve wool jerseys. I'm debating - they are nice looking and I know Twin 6 does good quality work.

http://www.twinsix.com/gear/mens-tech/wooly-gray

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-25-2009, 11:40 AM

Has anyone tried merino base layer pieces by Kombi? It's less expensive than Smartwool or Icebreaker, but I don't want inferior merino.

Pam

Says their merino wool items are from China (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=1811K&plp=Kombi_Base_Layer_Top_-_Merino_Wool_Long_Sleeve_For_Women&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=PaidShopping&utm_term=Kombi_Base_Layer_Top_-_Merino_Wool_Long_Sleeve_For_Women&utm_campaign=PCGOOGLEBASE9&codesProcessed=true).
I personally won't support and don't trust '100% merino wool' from China, and I just won't buy it no matter how cheap.

NbyNW

11-26-2009, 12:42 PM

I personally won't support and don't trust '100% merino wool' from China, and I just won't buy it no matter how cheap.

I only check in on this thread from time to time, so maybe this discussion has already occurred, re ethically raised/manufactured wool products?

I don't know anything about Kombi, but Icebreaker seems to make a priority of looking at sustainability and ethics at every stage of production -- there's quite a bit of space on their website devoted to this topic.

Icebreaker does send its raw wool to China for processing, and as someone who was trying to boycott anything made in China long before it was fashionable to do so, I was initially disappointed to learn this, but as I watched their videos about their production facilities, I felt reassured that they are processing their wool in a manner that is kind to the environment and humane to their workers.

I like supporting companies like this, even if it is a little harder on my pocketbook. I figure that for a quality product that supports ethical practices, it's probably money well spent, and if I take good care of my woolens, they'll last a good while.

nscrbug

11-26-2009, 05:58 PM

Has anyone tried merino base layer pieces by Kombi? It's less expensive than Smartwool or Icebreaker, but I don't want inferior merino.

Pam

Yes, Pam...I have, and honestly I wouldn't purchase a Kombi piece again. For starters, the top I bought from Sierra Trading Post was not 100% merino wool...infact, it was only like 12% merino and the rest was some other material, I forget what it was. It was really cheap (like $15) so I should have known that I was getting what I paid for. It doesn't wick moisture nearly as well as some of my other 100% merino wool tops do...and the fit isn't all that great either. It has these weird seams on the sides (I suppose they would be "princess seams"), that make it fit awkward on me. I would steer clear of Kombi stuff.

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-27-2009, 01:24 PM

I went to a thrift store today and scored bigtime.

Two comfortable fitting black turtlenecks- one was all merino and $12, and the other was 100% cashmere and was $22 ..."as is". Just had a few tiny holes in one elbow that I can easily darn. :D :D :D

7rider

11-27-2009, 02:27 PM

Says their merino wool items are from China (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=1811K&plp=Kombi_Base_Layer_Top_-_Merino_Wool_Long_Sleeve_For_Women&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=PaidShopping&utm_term=Kombi_Base_Layer_Top_-_Merino_Wool_Long_Sleeve_For_Women&utm_campaign=PCGOOGLEBASE9&codesProcessed=true).
I personally won't support and don't trust '100% merino wool' from China, and I just won't buy it no matter how cheap.

Judging from the origin statement on STP, that threshold would eliminate a bulk of theiir merino*, including Icebreaker and Ibex (from my really quick scan of their available products). Most of the Smartwool socks are USA, but "imported yarn" - and some are Korean. Perhaps older stuff from thrift stores would get you non-Chinese stuff (is China your only distrust??), but even then, you never know....

* Of 296 items with the word "Merino" in it...100 also have "China" in the product description.

OakLeaf

11-27-2009, 02:44 PM

IME most Smartwool socks (and other garments) come from China. You can still find some US-knit SW socks, but not by mail order - you have to read the label on every pair.

I have yet to see anything from Ibex that comes from China. Just browsing their website I'm seeing a lot of final assembly done in Fiji, which is new. Still, not to discount wages and hours, but the most toxic parts of the garment trade are in spinning and dyeing, which is still done in NZ for the vast majority of their product. And their website discloses fiber, fabric and garment source for every item they sell, which is admirable in my book.

Beyond country of origin labeling, I'm not sure what else we can do. TransFair (http://transfairusa.org/content/certification/apparel_program.php) is starting a pilot project next year to certify cotton apparel and linens, but that's next year, and they don't mention wool. :(

IAE I don't trust a re-seller's representation of country of origin, since with many brands, the same garment is made at multiple factories (which is why you have to read the label on every pair of SW socks).

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-27-2009, 04:28 PM

I have yet to see anything from Ibex that comes from China. Just browsing their website I'm seeing a lot of final assembly done in Fiji, which is new. Still, not to discount wages and hours, but the most toxic parts of the garment trade are in spinning and dyeing, which is still done in NZ for the vast majority of their product. And their website discloses fiber, fabric and garment source for every item they sell, which is admirable in my book..

That's one reason I am a big Ibex fan. They also buy their wool from ranchers who participate in a program that promotes humane treatment of sheep in commercial sheep ranching of New Zealand. I still check their country of origin when ordering a particular item, just out of habit, because I think I did notice some Chinese items a few years ago in their offerings. Haven't checked lately, but I do check any items that go into my shopping cart.
I'm not going to 'save the world' by avoiding Chinese wool products, but I believe China is the worst offender in terms of both worker and animal abuse (that's one major reason their products are so cheap), so I won't buy their products if I can help it. Just my preference.

7rider

11-27-2009, 04:46 PM

OakLeaf

11-27-2009, 04:54 PM

My Ibex bike jersey (I think it's called "Spin") says "Made in China".
My Ibex shak jersey says "Made in USA of imported fabric".

Current model Shak jersey (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1366/2477/womens-shak-jersey) is fiber and fabric from NZ (as with most of their stuff), final assembly in USA.

"Spin" jersey is apparently discontinued. IAE you can look up any item on their website.

7rider

11-27-2009, 05:04 PM

"Spin" jersey is apparently discontinued. IAE you can look up any item on their website.

Yes, I couldn't find it on their site. (it's about 2 y.o.)
Coincidence perhaps that it, um, is probably my least favorite piece??? ;)

NbyNW

11-27-2009, 10:00 PM

Icebreaker has some excellent videos showing their production and manufacturing processes:

http://www.icebreaker.com/site/philosophy/#/sustainability/transparentsupplychain/

If they truly are treating their workers well and keeping their environmental impacts to a minimum, then I don't mind that the wool originates in NZ but gets processed and finished in China.

KnottedYet

11-28-2009, 05:09 PM

I am filled with sadness over my one Icebreaker piece. It's at least 5 years old, but it has been shrinking and shrinking and shrinking... until after trying to wear it last week, I decided it was over.

My love affair is over. Sigh.

None of my Ibex has shrunk. (oops, I take that back, a recalled jacket I had shrank. But it was recalled, so who am I to complain?)

(oh, and I treat my Ibex and my Icebreaker exactly the same: machine wash in cold with Ecos detergent and drip-dry.)

Becky

11-28-2009, 05:20 PM

I am filled with sadness over my one Icebreaker piece. It's at least 5 years old, but it has been shrinking and shrinking and shrinking... until after trying to wear it last week, I decided it was over.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but glad that you posted this. I've been thinking about ordering some Icebreaker...maybe I'll hold off.

OTOH, I did get two new Smartwool tops today- a lightweight long sleeve v-neck, and a short-sleeve microweight tee :)

OakLeaf

11-28-2009, 05:46 PM

I had a sweater that was exhibiting that kind of behavior. Yesterday I washed it and brutally stretched it before blocking it to dry. We'll see what happens...

NbyNW

12-01-2009, 04:54 PM

I am filled with sadness over my one Icebreaker piece. It's at least 5 years old, but it has been shrinking and shrinking and shrinking... until after trying to wear it last week, I decided it was over.

So you got 5 years out of it? That sounds decent.

I picked up an Icebreaker tank top w/ shelf bra and a jacket when I was NZ earlier this year. I couldn't resist the sales, and the exchange rate was in my favor. Also have two thin base layer tops that I acquired in last winter's post-Christmas splurge. I wear them all the time. So far, so good.

I will let you know in 5 years if any of these pieces are still holding up or not.

KnottedYet

12-01-2009, 07:10 PM

So you got 5 years out of it? That sounds decent.

Oh yes, very decent! But I loved that thing, and my heart is broken that I can't wear it any more... :(

NbyNW

12-01-2009, 08:48 PM

Oh yes, very decent! But I loved that thing, and my heart is broken that I can't wear it any more... :(

My husband has a strategy where if he finds something he likes, he will go back and buy several more of the same exact thing. So later when they alter the style to something he doesn't like or discontinue it altogether, he's got reserves, or he's been rotating so many pieces that they don't wear out as fast.

mariposa

12-02-2009, 12:32 PM

Dianyla

12-02-2009, 02:51 PM

I realize this is kind of off the cycling topic, but...Anyone have favorite wool gloves for winter sports such as skiing?

My little Smartwool liner gloves were all I brought on my last backcountry trip - it wasn't supposed to be that cold/snowy - they got trashed!

Is there anything that is more solid, grippy (for hanging onto poles, etc.), durable, and...dare I say...waterproof (or close to)?

- Mariposa
I've been on the quest for the perfect winter glove for a long time. I really like a lot of the Ibex gloves but they simply don't have anything beyond lightly weather-resistant soft shells. Unless I'm really missing something, in which case I'm sure y'all will gladly enable me... :eek:

For mildly cold (30-40) my new favorite glove is the Shak Two Layer (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1444/8990/unisex-shak-2-layer-glove) glove. It picks up lots of moisture, though.

For moderate cold (20-30F) I've been reasonably happy with the Ibex Kilometer II (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1445/8990/unisex-kilometer-glove-ii) gloves that are wool inside/climashell outside, but again these are absolutely not waterproof only water resistant.

For cold cold (<20F) I finally got tired of crappy cheap ski gloves and splurged on these Black Diamond Guide (http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/gloves/women-s-guide) gloves and have never looked back. Leather palm, full goretex liner, and stuffed with gobs of soft wool fleece stuffed inside. I actually can't wear these when it's warmer than 25F because my hands overheat. I luff them! :D

BleeckerSt_Girl

12-02-2009, 04:26 PM

Oh wow Dianyla, my husband and I both have those Black Diamond Guide gloves (in black) and yes they are insanely bulletproof for the very coldest conditions! Great for snowshoeing, hiking in the dead of winter, and blizzard wear!

For me they are too bulky for biking though (prolly wouldn't be biking in sub zero anyway).
My best system for biking in the cold for over an hour is to wear some thin cashmere 'ladies' fashion gloves as a fuzzy soft wool liner, then good pair of polartec-lined windstopper women's gloves, then last on top of those a pair of men's Manzella brand ski shell gloves which are quite warm, lightweight, & windstopper. This last pair is loose and slips on well over the other two gloves and is thin and flexible so that I can still work the brifters. The leather grips well on my handlebars. They are loose enough to allow another layer of air to keep my hand warm.

Crankin

12-02-2009, 04:33 PM

I have a pair of Cabella mittens that rock for very cold weather. I can't wear them above 25 degrees. If it's super cold (like below 5 degrees) I can fit a pair of silk liners underneath, or liners that hold chemical heat packs.
I used these hiking in Lake Placid when it was -14 degrees out and there was no snow for x country skiing.

blackhillsbiker

12-03-2009, 01:06 PM

I'm not sure of the quality (but I'm about to find out), but Cabela's has wool base-layer bottoms and tops in the Bargain Cave for $19.95. Only one color choice.

Deb

Cataboo

12-03-2009, 02:07 PM

I also have the BD guide gloves. I find their liner is overkill for skiing, so I tend to use other glove liners & just use the shell. I have a pair of insulate ibex gloves that I like.

Mostly for skiing I just tend to use a goretex outer gloves and have various liner gloves that I use inside. I do like to use a softshell glove as a liner, so that if I take off the bulky goretex glove, the glove I have underneath is still waterproof.

I have a lot of icebreaker, and none of it has ever shrunk on me.

I went to TJmaxx yesterday, and they had a ton of smartwool, icebreaker, and various other brands of merino wool socks (keen included)... the ski socks ran about $10, and the hiking socks a bit less.

They also had a lot of merino wool sweaters, etc.

They also had marmot and cloudveil jackets... There were some really nice cloudveil ski gloves for about $50, and they had some of the cloudveil run don't walk baselayers for about $50 (Okay, not merino - but I love the run don't walks)

I did manage to avoid buying the socks, because I have more merino wool socks than 10 people need - but did get a couple merino wool turtle neck casual sweaters.

Crankin

12-03-2009, 04:08 PM

Wow, I have never seen any Smart Wool or Icebreaker or anything good at the TJ Maxx by me. They have some Nike stuff, but that's it. And none of it is in my size. Maybe I should go look tomorrow.

Cataboo

12-03-2009, 04:23 PM

I was surprised, because while I've seen smartwool at tjmaxx and marshall's before, I've never seen icebreaker - even if it's just socks.

iI'm going to try going back in a couple of months and seeing if there's any remaining on clearance. I'm hoping not enough people really know what icebreaker is and it won't sell well.

mariposa

12-04-2009, 04:05 PM

Thank you for all the replies!

I ended up getting some gore-tex mitts at a used-gear store.

I figure I can wear my thin-ish wool gloves underneath as liners. They just breathe so well. :) I hope they still breathe through the gore-tex outer layer.

Sad, though, that the wool-glove manufacturers don't appear to offer any truly waterproof gloves or mittens. I would sure love that.

Cataboo

12-05-2009, 01:04 AM

I was just packing for my ski trip and realized... I have waterproof wool gloves.

They're the smartwool competition gloves, waterproof leather outside, wool inside. I got 'em 3 or 4 years ago at sierra trading post and I've been using them for skiing ever since.

Here's what they look like, and I don't know if you can still get them. I have the women's version, and the red/black's kinda dumb... but they're very warm wool gloves.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/224,57186_SmartWool-Competition-Leather-Ski-Gloves-For-Men.html

While I'm bragging about favorite wool pieces... I also have a smartwool blanket that I absolutely love and it's much softer than those throws that ibex sells:
http://trail-running.sierratradingpost.com/p/6881,91436_SmartWool-Merino-Wool-Woven-Blanket.html

Cataboo

12-05-2009, 01:34 AM

And I further remembered what I do when it's really cold while skiing 'cause a friend who used to own an outdoor store in New England highly recommended it and 'cause the bf used to use 'em when he used to mountaineer & ice climb.

Dachstein boiled wool mittens. Kinda old school, but they keep your hands warm.

I have some goretex shell mittens from outdoor research (another sierra trading post) that I put over them, but the wool is supposed to resist getting wet & remains insulating if wet and a nice/icy shell is supposed to form around them that is insulating:

copied from elsewhere:
Ragg wool is the most natural of all spun wools. The natural lanolin remains in the fibre to repell water and remain warm even when wet. Boiled wool products are made by knitting them and then "boiling" them to tighten the weave and shrink them down to size this results in a very dense fabric. The boiled wool process results in a better insulated product.

http://www.joe-brown.com/outdoor-equipment/winter-mountaineering/hats-and-gloves/dachstein-tyelnmitts-2.html

some reviews here:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/review/reviewProductReviews/mps/rpn/929/prod/Trailwise-Dachstein-Mitt/rcn/38/rgn/3/v/1/sp/#6382

Cataboo

12-05-2009, 01:36 AM

and in case anyone ever wanted a merino wool sleeping bag, I use these in the summer or for a liner when travelling:

http://www.amazon.com/Slumberjack-Meridian-Regular-Right-Sleeping/dp/B0009J1F4W

kmehrzad

12-05-2009, 07:50 AM

And I further remembered what I do when it's really cold while skiing 'cause a friend who used to own an outdoor store in New England highly recommended it and 'cause the bf used to use 'em when he used to mountaineer & ice climb.

Dachstein boiled wool mittens. Kinda old school, but they keep your hands warm.

copied from elsewhere:
Ragg wool is the most natural of all spun wools. The natural lanolin remains in the fibre to repell water and remain warm even when wet. Boiled wool products are made by knitting them and then "boiling" them to tighten the weave and shrink them down to size this results in a very dense fabric. The boiled wool process results in a better insulated product.

http://www.joe-brown.com/outdoor-equipment/winter-mountaineering/hats-and-gloves/dachstein-tyelnmitts-2.html

some reviews here:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/review/reviewProductReviews/mps/rpn/929/prod/Trailwise-Dachstein-Mitt/rcn/38/rgn/3/v/1/sp/#6382

Do you know if these Dachstein mittens be purchased anywhere in the US? I've tried looking myself but am coming up 'empty handed.'

Cataboo

12-05-2009, 10:29 AM

Almost all the websites I'm pulling up selling them are in the UK. I bought mine from campmor a few years back. From the forums of people looking for them, at somepoint, ortovox bought dachsteins and you could buy them under the ortovox name:
http://mountaineer.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MTR&Product_Code=ArcticMitts&Category_Code=020

That place has 'em for $50, which seems to be a lot for wool mittens.

I'll ask my friend up in New England, 'cause from what I could tell they were pretty big with the vermont/new englander crowd.

From reading this thread, if you get a really really big pair of ragg wool mittens, you can boil them yourself till they shrink down:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-2379.html

The person saying how to do that is DebW, I wonder if it's the same DebW on here.

DebW

12-06-2009, 05:42 AM

I'll ask my friend up in New England, 'cause from what I could tell they were pretty big with the vermont/new englander crowd.

From reading this thread, if you get a really really big pair of ragg wool mittens, you can boil them yourself till they shrink down:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-2379.html

The person saying how to do that is DebW, I wonder if it's the same DebW on here.

Yup, same DebW. I believe I mentioned Dachsteins very early on in this thread. I've had mine for 30 years. I bought some for friends from Campmor about 7 years ago. I've not actually tried boiling my own.

Grog

12-06-2009, 11:38 AM

Wore my Wallaroo boxers (Sugoi) for the first time today for running. It was around freezing point and I was planning to be out for at least 90 minutes.

I was skeptical (I don't wear boxers generally) but I completely forgot about them as soon as I walked out of the door. Very comfy, didn't grip me or pinch me in any way. And my bum stayed nicely warm.

I was a wool-lady on my run: only my shoes, my tights and my windbreaker jackets were not made of wool. I had wool socks, a thick-ish Icebreaker top, wool boxers, wool bra, wool gloves, and wool beanie.

My name is Grog and I am a woolweenie.

Jolt

12-06-2009, 02:00 PM

Do you know if these Dachstein mittens be purchased anywhere in the US? I've tried looking myself but am coming up 'empty handed.'

I was wondering the same thing! How ridiculous would shipping be from the UK?

Crankin

12-06-2009, 02:14 PM

I wore one of my Shaks, with a Craft base layer and my Go lite jacket, with the sleeves off, along with my Jones Ware hiking pants and Ibex boy shorts, for a snowy hike today. I felt very wool-ish! I even changed into my Smart Wool liners after i warmed up and took off my heavier gloves.
I love my Jones Ware pants. They look like yoga pants and are wide on the bottom, so my hiking boots fit underneath. Plus, I had them do a semi-custom sizing, since I was sort of in between sizes and the length. It only cost $10.00 extra. I even wore them cycling last week, just had to put a band around the ankle.

Jolt

12-06-2009, 02:54 PM

Well, while we're on the subject of what wool we wore, here's what I wore for my snowy hike today. Ibex Loose Tights on the bottom, and on top, an Icebreaker midweight zip-neck with a lightweight Icebreaker tank underneath and an Icebreaker vest over top. Also a Smartwool lightweight hat, wool mittens, and wool socks. I would have worn a pair of my Icebreaker boy shorts but both were in the laundry. The only non-wool pieces of clothing I had on were my sports bra and shoes.

Dianyla

12-07-2009, 05:42 PM

For me they are too bulky for biking though (prolly wouldn't be biking in sub zero anyway).
Yeah, I don't bike in weather that cold anyways! :o

then last on top of those a pair of men's Manzella brand ski shell gloves which are quite warm, lightweight, & windstopper.
Oh yes, I love Manzellas too. My favorites are the thin silkweight (http://www.rei.com/product/766531) ones. I trashed my last pair backpacking in Iceland (they did not hold up scrambling on rough rocks) and replaced them immediately upon returning home. When I'm generating enough heat from body activity and I just need a thin glove that blocks wind but doesn't hinder dexterity, they're my favorite choice. The men's version fits my hands (broad palm, stubby fingers) very nicely.

Geez, can you tell I'm a bit of a Glove Ho? :rolleyes:

mariposa

12-08-2009, 09:03 AM

and all other Patagonia stuff, wool or not...

OakLeaf

12-08-2009, 05:37 PM

Just did a bunch of holiday shopping on TE and Ibex.com.

Yikes.

Natasha

12-16-2009, 10:58 AM

Does anyone own a pair of Ibex Energy Tights? What are your impressions and how is the fit/sizing?
Thanks in advance.

Crankin

12-16-2009, 04:42 PM

I went on a short hike with my cycling group today. It was about 25, but the wind was blowing hard enough to make it feel like about ten degrees F.
When I got there, one of the women (who was wearing jeans :eek: and regular sneakers) said, "Oh my God, aren't you freezing?" I was like, "why would you ask that?"
I had on my wool Jones Ware hiking pants, Ibex boy shorts, Smart Wool socks and hiking boots on the bottom. On top I had a base layer (not wool), an Icebreaker top, and my Go Lite jacket, along with mittens and a hat (not my coldest weather hat, but a good one).
It turns out that she thought that because I wasn't bulked up with thick puffy stuff, I would be cold. I told her one word: wool.

BleeckerSt_Girl

12-16-2009, 05:23 PM

It turns out that she thought that because I wasn't bulked up with thick puffy stuff, I would be cold. I told her one word: wool.

I used to freeze to death before I discovered the magic of real wool and thin layering. Wouldn't matter how many bulky acrylic sweaters, hats, mittens, and cotton 'thermal' waffle underwear layers I had on....BBBBRRRRRRRRR...freezing!! :( Plus I always looked like Michelin man.

Now I can have 4 or 5 layers on and still look like I'm wearing maybe 2 layers.
Crankin, I can't tell you how many times people have said to me "Do you mean to tell me you're not COLD?!?" and I always answer: "One word....wool." :D

Jolt

12-16-2009, 08:23 PM

When I got there, one of the women (who was wearing jeans :eek: and regular sneakers) said, "Oh my God, aren't you freezing?" I was like, "why would you ask that?"
I had on my wool Jones Ware hiking pants, Ibex boy shorts, Smart Wool socks and hiking boots on the bottom. On top I had a base layer (not wool), an Icebreaker top, and my Go Lite jacket, along with mittens and a hat (not my coldest weather hat, but a good one).
It turns out that she thought that because I wasn't bulked up with thick puffy stuff, I would be cold. I told her one word: wool.

And this was the lady wearing JEANS? You should have been the one asking her that question! I guess some people don't know that "don't wear jeans or other cotton clothing" is one of the cardinal rules of hiking :rolleyes:.

blackhillsbiker

12-16-2009, 08:54 PM

I can't get over how warm my thin wool tights are – and I've worn wool for years! I'm taking advantage of a break in the frigid weather to wash them. I'm glad wool can be worn many times without laundering. Our bedroom smells of damp sheep:p I also grabbed the pile of wool socks, and my "big, ugly green wool sweater" which is my absolute favorite thing to wear in the whole world. It better not get really cold again before it is dry!

Deb

Crankin

12-17-2009, 03:48 AM

Jolt, this was a 3 mile hike in an urban forestry center in Portsmouth, so not everyone was in full hiking gear; this person is somewhat different in her cycling gear, too, although not to this extent! However, she couldn't believe I didn't have long underwear on. I did think about it, but really, the only part of my that was cold was my face. I should have been wearing my neck gaiter.
I really didn't know how long we were going to be out, so I dressed as I always would for a hike. And yes, I did think of saying the thing about wearing jeans, but this woman is somewhat, well, weird. She's the stereotypical artist who is totally disorganized and uncoordinated, but super talented in what she does. When we are on rides, I have to stay far away from her because she routinely falls on rides and she also will come careening up and pass me and then give me a dirty look when I drop her on a climb.
Anyway, I was surprised that someone who spends so much time in athletic pursuits was dressed like this.

Cataboo

12-17-2009, 06:23 AM

*shrug*

I have a ton of wool. and I hike in jeans all the time. I have a ton of other technical pants. I've yet to kill myself. I also... hike in cotton t shirts in the summer preferably.

I'm pretty sure I did the Inca trail in jeans... I did have an alpaca sweater, hat, and gloves, if that's any consolation.

I guess it depends what you call "hiking"... lots of times... I just consider things taking a walk in the woods as opposed to a hike. If I'm walking in the woods, no worries wearing jeans - they're thick and abrasion resistant and I can stick a wool layer underneath. If I'm actually doing a strenuous up a mountain hike, I probably am not wearing jeans. But in either case, I've got a backpack with an emergency kit, matches, and emergency blanket.

I spent the last week swaddled in wool - skiing when it's -10 Fahrenheit with 20-60 mph winds... I won't say I was warm on the lifts, but I never got frostbite, even with just 1 layer of smartwool socks on my toes (my friend skiing with me did get frost bite on her toes). dachstein mitts did keep my fingers warm, but the loss of dexterity really annoyed me. I had merino wool glove liners underneath.

Black diamond patrol gloves or whatever those are - weren't very warm in such conditions, which was funny given that they've been wayyy too warm the last couple years while skiing.

OakLeaf

12-17-2009, 08:09 AM

+1... I don't really hike hike, but if I'm going trail walking, jeans are ALWAYS my outer layer. They resist catching on brambles and sticks, give some protection against snakebite, and poison ivy washes off easily. I might have a layer of wool or polypro underneath if it's cold.

OakLeaf

12-17-2009, 01:36 PM

Anybody own a pair of these? Do they look like underwear, or can they really be worn on their own? Do they ride up?

KnottedYet

12-19-2009, 06:08 PM

Anyone have this? http://www.joneswares.com/item/Women_s_Interval_Midweight_Wool_Zip_Neck_/314/c70

How does it compare to a Shak?

My Icebreaker black wool zip t-neck has shrunk beyond hope, and my black cotton t-neck has frayed and ripped. Time for a new black t-neck. I'd like to try something from Joneswares.

KnottedYet

12-19-2009, 06:16 PM

Anybody own a pair of these? Do they look like underwear, or can they really be worn on their own? Do they ride up?

I tried to love them. I really wanted to love them.

I didn't.

Thought I'd written a review, but I guess I didn't. They smell funny for a couple months (preservative from the factory in Turkey?). They ride up terribly for a year or so, then as soon as that stops they develop holes.

Mine are sitting on a shelf waiting for me to fix a hole or two. They've been sitting for 6 or 7 months now.

Next time I'm ordering the wool shorts from Joneswares. http://www.joneswares.com/item/Women_s_Distance_Short/317/c71 I'm not gonna bother giving the Ibex Runner a second chance.

(oh, and the Ibex don't look like underwear, and you can wear them as shorts, though they aren't nearly as nice looking as the no-longer-made Ibex Roaster.)

KnottedYet

12-19-2009, 06:47 PM

Oooh, look at what's available for 60% off at 6pm.com...
http://www.6pm.com/icebreaker-tornado-black

and in my size, too. If it shrinks in 5 years, it's still worth it!

And this: http://www.6pm.com/icebreaker-exp-320-conquest-zip-black

Oooh: http://www.6pm.com/icebreaker-original-zip-brazil

I'm thinking of something heavier than the Ibex woolies, but I would consider this: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodIB_0123_0.html

Still looking for heavier, but looking here too: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSW_15213.html

Picky, picky me. I want made in the US, dropped tail, high neck, more than 8 inch zip, extra long sleeves, fairly substantial weight (230g+), black, raglan sleeves, no decorative stitching, and less than $100. Whew!

KnottedYet

12-19-2009, 08:54 PM

I ended up buying the Icebreaker Tornado. The price was too good to pass up.

BleeckerSt_Girl

12-20-2009, 10:26 AM

Anyone have this? http://www.joneswares.com/item/Women_s_Interval_Midweight_Wool_Zip_Neck_/314/c70

How does it compare to a Shak?

SHAK wool weight = 390 g/m2

Jones turtleneck weight = 270 gm weight

Shaks are thicker, heavier.
I wouldn't necessarily want a shak as my next-to-skin layer...it's a bit rough for that, much as i love my shaks for over-layering.
I suspect the Jones one is more like the nice soft Smartwool midweight turtlenecks. (my standard everyday top in winter)

KnottedYet

12-20-2009, 11:00 AM

Thanks, Lisa!

I would be interested knowing if the quality of the Joneswares is similar to the quality of the Shak/Ibex. I noticed a huge quality difference immediately between Ibex and Smartwool clothing. Smartwool was not as good, rough edges, irregular seams, sloppy stiching. (mind you I only have 3 pieces of Smartwool clothes, the rest of my Smartwool is socks which are perfect in every way)

Ibex and Icebreaker seem to be similar quality.

The Shak is my gold standard for shirts. I do wear it next to skin, and while it is rougher than my lighter weight Ibex shirts, I really like the feel of it. When I see a color I like on sale, I will jump for it. More is better!

I just bought a black 320g Icebreaker zip t-neck to replace the black 260g Icebreaker zip t-neck that finally shrank (after 5 years of steady wear). So I won't be getting a Joneswares zip t-neck.... at least not yet. ;)

Crankin

12-20-2009, 11:55 AM

I can vouch for the Jones Ware quality, though I don't have the pieces you mentioned. I bought a pair of their hiking pants last January. They are heavier wool and drape beautifully. I wear them snow shoeing, hiking, and a couple of times for cycling (with an ankle band). They have been through some rugged snow shoeing and gotten quite dirty, etc., but they also look good with a sweater. I can throw them in the wash and hang to dry and they look perfect.
Plus, they changed the length and adjusted the waist for $10.00, what they call a semi custom thing. I was directly between 2 sizes, so it was worth it.

Catrin

12-20-2009, 05:29 PM

Hmmm, I just purchased a Smartwool long-sleeve shirt for a winter base layer - does this mean that I have taken the first step into being enticed into a wool addiction? :p

BleeckerSt_Girl

12-20-2009, 06:15 PM

Hmmm, I just purchased a Smartwool long-sleeve shirt for a winter base layer - does this mean that I have taken the first step into being enticed into a wool addiction? :p

By itself, no. But the fact that you came to WoolWeenies thread to 'confess' afterwards clinches the deal. BWAH-hahahahaha!!!!!! :D

fatbottomedgurl

12-24-2009, 10:48 PM

I bought my son an Icebreaker long sleeve crew neck. That makes me a pusher.

lph

12-25-2009, 02:48 AM

hee-hee. My dh and I usually fix gifts for each our side of the family, but he is so clueless sometimes when it comes to buying for his sweet but needy mother that I gave him a hand this year. You should have seen her jaw drop when she unpacked a beautiful merino wool rib-knit turtleneck, white with delicate grey patterning, from her practical engineer son. :D

deeaimond

12-25-2009, 09:01 AM

I LOVED the smartwool midweight baselayer in heather that I bought in NOV, that and the smartwool socks!

They kept me warm without the crazy bulk when I was in NY the past couple of weeks. I'm so sad I won't be able to wear it anymore :(

It got a little ballsy in the wash though (and I only washed it once...) how do you prevent that? I used a washing bag too...

Triskeliongirl

12-25-2009, 04:59 PM

I decked out my whole family in merino for x-mass:

DH: blue full zip shak, icebreaker 320 grey sweater, icebreaker 260 base zipT, 2 ibex zephers, 2 ibex long johns, 8 smartwool ski socks (we have a ski trip is switzerland coming up and he has no wool..........).

DS: 2 sets of ibex woolies bottoms and tops, 1 icebreaker 320 sweater, 2 smartwool socks.

DD: 6 pairs smartwool socks (got her ibex woolies and shak last christmas.......).

Cataboo

12-25-2009, 05:17 PM

I've given up convincing my family of the wonders of merino wool. I've converted a few friends. The bf has a couple of pieces that he does wear all the time, but he doesn't really rave about them so I don't get him more (and he puts them in the dryer which makes me want to kill him)

I've done better with my cousins in Scotland - they continuously want me to buy them merino and ship it to them.

I once bought my older brother an arc'teryx shell - he didn't want it because it looked too star trek, and kept his north face shell jacket.

Ah well.

OakLeaf

12-25-2009, 07:11 PM

:D:D

2 sisters & mom: Zepher zip T
Dad and BIL: Shak jersey
FIL: Shak full zip
MIL: Juliet jacquard
Teenage niece: Kurta tunic
8 y/o niece: Indie hoodie

And wool Injinji socks for meeeeeeee :D:D

GLC1968

12-25-2009, 11:05 PM

DH: two smartwool tops and one pair of socks and a pair of Ibex long johns
Brother: Ibex Zephyr
SIL: Full Zip Shak

and for me: My H bought me the cute merino wool cycling sweater/jersey from Terry (with the bicycles on it!)

My parents won't wear wool - they live in FL and my mom is still 'flashing' so she wears sleeveless all winter anyway. Dad thinks wool is only for 'real' winters. :rolleyes:

Triskeliongirl

12-26-2009, 07:02 AM

I've given up convincing my family of the wonders of merino wool.....

Believe it or not my kids ASKED for wool. They live in Boston, and my daughter called to say its going to be a wicked winter, get them wool socks and long underwear for Xmass.

Grog

12-26-2009, 08:35 AM

Husband: Ibex Full zip Ultimate Guide Sweater in that wonderful charcoal colour. He has to take it off this morning to put his club kit on to go for his group ride, but it was a tough thing to do for him.

Myself: That lovely Ibex top - Tarrah - in soft brown. I quite like it. I had held off wearing it until Christmas because I didn't want to raise my husband's suspicion about an Ibex order.

My father in law is asking for wool tights. I think I'll order from Joneswares. Thoughts?

Crankin

12-26-2009, 09:08 AM

Do it!

kmehrzad

12-26-2009, 08:59 PM

Dec. 24th I received my Horny Toad Nikita Sweater from SteepandCheap - got a great deal on it. The sleeves are a little long but other than that it fit nicely.

Cataboo

12-30-2009, 11:17 AM

do any of you know if there's an equivalent weight/weave sweater in the current ibex line to the ibex long trail sweater?

BleeckerSt_Girl

12-30-2009, 12:34 PM

do any of you know if there's an equivalent weight/weave sweater in the current ibex line to the ibex long trail sweater?
Might be worth a quick call to Ibex- they'd know better than anyone.

SadieKate

12-30-2009, 12:59 PM

Another company to add to the mix:

Santa brought me an alpaca Ridgeport vest from Red Maple which some of our local stores are now stocking. It's wonderful soft and well made.

http://www.redmaplesportswear.com/store/

The closeout section has some great deals. And there are products made from other fibers.

redrhodie

12-31-2009, 05:14 AM

do any of you know if there's an equivalent weight/weave sweater in the current ibex line to the ibex long trail sweater?

https://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Fabrics.php

I don't know if this helps answer your question, but I noticed on their website that they have this handy fabric-search option.

I will be trying the Ibex Giro jersey that came yesterday in a few minutes when the coffee kicks in, hopefully before the rain/snow starts. I'm like a little kid on Xmas morning. I can't wait to try my new stuff out!

redrhodie

12-31-2009, 07:48 AM

Woo-hoo! I love my new jersey! It's lightweight, warm and comfortable, slightly stretchy like there's some lycra in it, but it's 100% Merino wool. The only drawback is the wash instructions say dry flat. I hate that, but will do it to maintain the gorgeous fit. It has 2 back zippered pockets which I didn't need to use today. I'd say they're good for a cell phone and id, but if you keep snacks in your pockets, these probably won't be your favorites due to the skill needed to zip back up.

It's probably in the high 20s out, and I wore it with a woolie underneath, and a PI jacket on top. I also wore the Ibex Coppi cap over a Merino Buff (it looked like I had on a balaclava), and it's a great combination. 15 minutes after I got home, it started to snow!

fatbottomedgurl

12-31-2009, 08:47 AM

sandra

12-31-2009, 09:14 AM

blackhillsbiker

12-31-2009, 06:33 PM

Got DH some wonderful merino sweaters (t-shirt style) at TJ Maxx. He's wearing one today as a base layer. They are an off-brand but really soft and nice. Flatlocked seams. $15. I might have to steal one, even if it is a bit too big. I wish they had had one in a small.

Deb

KnottedYet

12-31-2009, 07:04 PM

Hi! Long time no see but I'm still around and kicking.

I had some fabulous wool long underwear bottoms and discovered today that they got holes in them in the wash.

I need new bottoms so where do I come for recommendations but to the EXPERTS!!! I know y'all know the best pants at the best price. I'm in south Mississippi, so anything lightweight wool would be fine.

Mine were 100% Merino Wool. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance!

Hello! Good to see you again!
If the longies you had were early Duofold merino, they suck. Yes, they do. And I know this from personal experience (my own and S'Knot's) I'd suggest lightweight Ibex, Smartwool, or Joneswares.
Ibex: http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1356/9200/womens-woolies-bottom
Smartwool: http://www.rei.com/product/719536
Joneswares: http://www.joneswares.com/item/Women_s_Interval_Relaxed_Running_Tights/310/c71 (these are actually fairly heavy, but I've got several 270g items and they are very very durable!)

Triskeliongirl

01-06-2010, 09:25 AM

As I posted earlier, I decked out my entire family in merino for X-mass. I bought DH stuff for an upcoming ski trip, but with the cold snap we are under he hasn't stopped wearing it since X-mass day. DD phones me from frigid Boston yesterday, to say "I finally get this smartwool" and DS heads off for a trip to mexico with his GF sporting his new icebreaker sweater...............

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-06-2010, 12:47 PM

Sittin' here at my desk all warm and toasty (19F right now with a windchill of 8F)....wearing two pairs of stripey smartwool socks, my Ibex thick wool tights, a little cotton tiedyed sleeveless dress, with a thin Ibex base layer top and a thick smartwool black turtleneck over that. mmmmmmmmmmm........snuggly!!!

wool. it's not just for breakfast anymore. :D

Crankin

01-06-2010, 04:11 PM

The people I was x country skiing with were very interested in my Ibex tights/pants. Although they were dressed appropriately, not a one had any wool on.
I will educate them over the course of the next few weeks.

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-06-2010, 06:07 PM

I will educate them over the course of the next few weeks.

They will be assimilated. :cool:

Triskeliongirl

01-06-2010, 06:39 PM

Crankin, tell me more. Perhaps I strayed. I own the Ibex alpstar pant, but thought they might not hold up X-country skiing in switzerland in feb. if I got caught in the rain.

So, I just bought the arctyrex scorpion goretex shell pant, plan to layer it over my ibex woolies for x-country, and shebeest windpro fleece tight for downhill. Do you really think I'd be better of in the alpstar pant over woolies for x-country. I get cold very easily...........

Do you dress for x-country skiing like for biking, or warmer (i.e. I was planning to layer an ibex zepher and shak under my arctyrex goretex shell on top, or do I need my patagonia down sweater?). Same thing on bottom, is a fleece tight under the goretex shell too much, or will I need it?

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-06-2010, 08:28 PM

I don't know about xcountry skiing, but I get way colder when biking in the cold than I do when snowshoeing in the cold. With biking, my feet and hands stick out pretty isolated, and I am heading into a constant wind of my own making on my bike, going much faster than on foot.

Crankin

01-07-2010, 03:48 AM

Hey Trisk,
You know, I do dress for x country skiing like I do for cycling. I don't ride when it gets below 40 (or 30 for very slow hybrid rides), but I just heat up so much when I ski. I wish I could tell you the style of my pants. My DH ordered them for me a few years ago, when we got back into skiing. They are like tights, in that they are "tight," and have ankle zips. The backs of the thighs are wool and the rest of the tights are a pretty good windproof type of material. These were my first piece of Ibex, although I had no idea where it would lead me!
What I usually wear for skiing: base layer, like a Craft LS top, or silk long underwear top. Once in awhile I wear a Smart Wool base layer, but it has to be pretty cold (like in the single digits). I find the Craft base layers keep me soooo warm. My mid layer is either a mid-weight wool piece or a mid-weight fleece piece. Most of them are cycling tops, although I have a couple non-cycling fleeces, along with my Shak hoodies I have worn. My jacket is a Go-Light. It's pretty thin and windproof. It is not a soft shell and not waterproof, but it's pretty water resistant. I have also worn it for winter riding. On the bottom I wear Ibex boy shorts and the above pants, or a pair of wool Jones Ware hiking pants. They are pull ups and have flared legs. If it's below 30, I wear a pair of thin silk long underwear, too. If it's super cold, like below 18 or so, I have another pair of long underwear that are mid weight, but are synthetic something. I wear wool ski socks, sometimes with a silk or polypro sock liner. That's it.
I add headwear according to the temperature, and often take my headband to switch to, because I sweat like crazy. I have a pair of Cabela mittens that are super warm. It has to be in the twenties to wear them. Otherwise, I wear my Pearl Izumi Am-Fibs. Yesterday I had my glove liners on, too. They have a nice little pocket for chemical handwarmers! I use those and foot warmers, when it's really cold. I had them on yesterday, because it was very windy, although not that cold. I start with a fleece neck gaiter on, so I don't inhale the cold air, but it drives me nuts after 20 minutes or so and I usually take it off, unless it's frigid.
I find the key to being comfortable is to dress in very thin layers, and for me, it has to be thin enough so that if I stop skiing for a few minutes, I feel cool. I just heat up so much, and then that makes me tired, uncomfortable, which makes me lose my form. I see a lot of people wearing way too much.

GLC1968

01-07-2010, 12:22 PM

I think I just saw in another thread that LPH mentioned that dressing for winter cycling is similiar to dressing for cross-country skiing. Potentially the same level of exertion and generated wind. If the conditions were the same, I would think you could wear slightly less with cross-country skiing, but that would probably depend on how long you were going to be out there and how much stopping you might be doing.

blackhillsbiker

01-07-2010, 08:25 PM

I'm looking forward to trying out my new merino balaclava. It finally arrived today (clearance from Sierra Trading Post). I hate the microfiber/bamboo one I have been using, as well as the polar fleece one I tried. They get really wet, really quickly and don't ever dry out. This one is much thinner. It seemed easier to breathe through when I tried it on this evening. I think it will protect my face without being so hot and uncomfortable. I hope so, anyway.

Selkie

01-08-2010, 01:24 AM

A minor rant: people who have facilities crank up the heat in an already warm office. I've been boiling all week and have had to blast my fan.

As a result, I really can't wear my wool to work. Yesterday, I wore a lightweight cashmere cardigan and I was sweating. :(

It's hot and stuffy (the bathroom is the worst---don't ask!). It's like a breeding ground for germs and the woman who sits behind me has had a "snotty cough" for at least two months. They all claim it's a sick building but they fail to realize that insisting on having it overly warm makes the air quality worse.

None of them work out, by the way. I have the least "natural insulation" in the office, which is pretty ironic!!

I pretty much keep my mouth shut about it, since I'm apparently the only person who is too warm. I might ask the males if they find it too hot....

kmehrzad

01-08-2010, 06:18 AM

It's hot and stuffy (the bathroom is the worst---don't ask!). It's like a breeding ground for germs and the woman who sits behind me has had a "snotty cough" for at least two months. They all claim it's a sick building but they fail to realize that insisting on having it overly warm makes the air quality worse.

Oh yes, truly a breeding ground.

Thinking back when I worked in downtown DC, a woman who sat behind me was a chainsmoker (yes when smoking was allowed in the office) and I'd be literally dying from her smoke. She was coughing up a storm and I had to breathe in her secondhand smoke. My complaints fell on deaf ears. That was a sick building - when smoking was allowed indoors. And it really wasn't that long ago or so it seems to me (1970s).

OakLeaf

01-08-2010, 06:45 AM

it really wasn't that long ago or so it seems to me (1970s).

Oh, it was allowed in Ohio into the '80s... and building owners-landlords smoked in their offices well into the 90s when I retired. For all I know, they still do. Cleaning my office windows when there were smokers in the building was just DISGUSTING. I could wipe the brown-black film off the windows (with a LOT of solvent), but I didn't even want to think about what was inside my lungs.

But on topic - my sister's a musician in a state where smoking is still allowed in bars and nightclubs, and she didn't want to wear the Zepher zip-T I gave her when she plays a gig. I didn't know what to tell her about how well that sort of odor will wash out of merino. Anyone have any idea?

redrhodie

01-08-2010, 06:58 AM

Hi girls- I wear the Seamless Sport bras and I love them, so much that I want to try the ones with smaller straps to wear under my regular clothing. Do any of you know the difference between the Seamless Wool Support Bra, and the Seamless Wool Bralette? I am guessing that the support bra has more support (duh) but I was wondering if the fabric in the front is thicker. I have a real "headlight" problem, those babies just don't lie down.

I have the Bralette but not the Support Bra, but from their tech description, I think they're the same double-layer fabric. I don't have the sport bra to compare it to, but it's not at all thick.

I also have the Balance Light, and it's a single layer of the same weight fabric. It's not a lot of support, but very comfortable.

Eden

01-08-2010, 07:19 AM

A minor rant: people who have facilities crank up the heat in an already warm office. I've been boiling all week and have had to blast my fan.

As a result, I really can't wear my wool to work. Yesterday, I wore a lightweight cashmere cardigan and I was sweating. :(

Different folks, different tolerances.... I'm one of those people who is almost always cold. When everyone else is fine, I can happily run a heater under my desk....(while wearing wool socks and a wool sweater)

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-08-2010, 09:32 AM

I remember when I was young and clueless and smoking was accepted as totally normal....
I remember walking up and down the aisles of the supermarket with my cigarette going. And smoking on crowded Greyhound buses...and on AIRPLANES! :eek: LOL!!

mariposa

01-08-2010, 07:30 PM

Any of you tried any of the models of the Ibex sports bras for professional outfits?

I often bike to professional meetings. I sometimes have to change my shirt and pants when I arrive, but it would be nice to keep the same bra on.

The ones that offer the most support appear to have thick straps that might be too close to the neck? On the other hand, the skimpiest bra in the Ibex line looks, well...REALLY skimpy! I'm an A-B, but still.

Please share your experience! Thanks.
Mariposa

redrhodie

01-09-2010, 05:36 AM

Mariposa, I love the Ibex Balance light bra, but it is indeed very skimpy (one layer of their thin fabric, and in my size, it really looks like a training bra :p). I'm a 32 c and I ordered a med, which gave me no support, so I exchanged it for the small, which fits me much better. It's more supportive than you would think it could be, but it shows when you're chilly, if you know what I mean. I haven't yet tried it on the bike, and am not sure it will be as good as the Bralette for commuting.

The Bralette is less skimpy (2 layers of fabric), but also not enough to hide much under a thin t-shirt, for example. If you wear thicker tops than that, the Bralette will probably work well for you. I think it would be fine under a tailored shirt.

I tried the sports bra, and I found it much too high in the neckline, so I didn't keep it.

mariposa

01-09-2010, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the bra feedback. I definitely want 2 layers in my bra...if you know what I mean.

Anyone have a clue when Ibex might have their annual clearing out of these bras? Or I could get it on TE of course.

Mariposa

Grog

01-10-2010, 09:09 AM

Anyone have a clue when Ibex might have their annual clearing out of these bras? Or I could get it on TE of course.

They don't. I haven't seen them on sale since they were introduced, and I don't think they were on sale on TE either. They are not changing the models every year and I think they are pretty popular items...

Did others see a sale that I missed?

redrhodie

01-12-2010, 09:29 AM

I finally tried my Ibex Giro Jersey and their Bralette on the bike. I also wore a zip neck Woolie. I'm thrilled with how everything performed. The jersey is the perfect form-fitting cut, with no elastic in the hem. It was in the low 30s F out, and although I worked up a sweat, the jersey is still dry, and I never felt damp. I did somehow manage to snag the jersey, so I'm a little concerned that it's too delicate (I want it to last forever!). Luckily, I can fix the snag with a crochet hook. I will not be picking up the kittens with this on, and I'll be hand washing it when needed, even though it says it's machine washable.

The bra is great. It got a little sweaty, but I definitely could still wear it all day. It does not smell, and the layer over the bra (the Woolie) is still dry. It was enough support on the bike, and it was so comfortable I never gave it a second thought.

Biciclista

01-12-2010, 09:53 AM

kittens? what kittens?
we have a half grown kitten too. She likes to be held while I wear wool. I wore silk the other day and she did not like it!

redrhodie

01-12-2010, 10:11 AM

Well, technically cats, but Eddy's just 1 and a half. He's still my baby kitten. He actually hates to be held by me and will struggle, which makes the snags. Terrible teenager.

I just fixed the snag by carefully pulling it through to the wrong side.

Dianyla

01-12-2010, 11:34 AM

I trim my (indoor only) kitty's claws to save my wool clothing. :)

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-12-2010, 03:56 PM

GLC1968

01-12-2010, 04:13 PM

Our kitties show a very definite preference for lying on wool. If DH and I are sittin gin bed having our coffee, kitties will drap themselves on the one that is wearing wool, instead of cotton (or nothing). :D They love lying on real wool, they obviously have good taste.

Ours too. We just adopted a new shelter kitty and if I leave any wool lying around, he's sure to point it out to me by laying on it!. My black Carrie hoodie is permanently decorated with light grey cat hair, I think. :rolleyes: Oh, and he seems to prefer the boucle fabric over the shak fabric. Silly cat! :p

Eden

01-12-2010, 04:55 PM

At one point in time I was making kitty beds out of recycled wool sweaters (There's a Goodwill outlet in town - they sell everything left over by the pound....). I was finding the largest sizes I could and was washing them in hot water to shrink and felt them a bit. I kept two and my kitties love them, but I broke my sewing machine doing it and lost the impetus.... I still have some sweaters. I should start back up again.

Grog

01-12-2010, 05:42 PM

Sadness! Catastrophe!

The brand new Tarrah I bought for myself before Christmas (from Ibex, of course!) has a hole in it. After washing it a grand total of twice. I was really disappointed, and immediately wrote to Ibex, who (of course) offered to send me a replacement right away. They asked me for a photo but I won't have to return the shirt since I'm in Canada. I thought that was pretty classy. I still offered to send it back in a bubble envelope (cheap), but they haven't responded to that.

So my sadness shall be taken care of. But I thought it was really too bad. Brand new! It's nice that they stick by their products though. The customer service rep who emailed me was really nice, and she noted (as I had enumerated my Ibex items I was fully satisfied with to her) that while there had been returns on tops like the pointelle (which I own) it was her first one on the Tarrah. Oh well.

blackhillsbiker

01-17-2010, 08:32 AM

I LOVE my new Smartwool tights. I think I might have found the brand that fits me best!

Our kitty likes my house sweater if I leave it where she can find it. It has an extra layer of warmth with all the kitty fur. I know she's just concerned for my welfare.;)

Deb

divingbiker

01-17-2010, 09:06 AM

You all are lucky your kittens just lie on your wool. Sammy, my puppy, chewed up the sleeve of my ibex zephyr this morning. I guess it will become a short sleeve shirt.

Serves me right for leaving it where he could reach it.

OakLeaf

01-17-2010, 10:36 AM

Ack! Don't let it put you off wool, the way it put me off expensive sunglasses when my dog ate my Oakleys.... :rolleyes:

KnottedYet

01-18-2010, 07:58 PM

Ooooh, lookie: http://www.twinsix.com/gear/the-stuff/fat-cyclist/fatcyclist-merinotrainer

Fatty wool sweaters! Way too expensive for me, but don't they look nifty!

sundial

01-19-2010, 06:39 AM

Came across this the other day.

http://www.lab-gear.com/99/99mid

And a review:

http://bikeshopgirl.com/2009/12/lab-gear-99-preview/

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-19-2010, 07:52 AM

Today a good friend of mine is off to Canada with her boyfriend to go dog sledding among other activities.
This friend is not really an outdoors type, she's a Dr.Hauschka skin care rep (a very expensive brand of skin products). She didn't want to freeze up there, but it seemed unrealistic for her to buy expensive wool items just for her 3 day trip.
So I outfitted her with a great warm set of wool- socks, top and bottom base layer, over tights, turtleneck shak, jacket, mittens with liners, balaclava, earflap hat. The works. She had strict instructions not to wash anything (don't want anyone washing my wool but me).

I hadn't asked for anything in return, but she gave me a GIANT bottle of my favorite Dr.Hauschka face moisturizer, worth $50 retail, and a bottle of lavender shower/bath stuff worth $23. The face moisturizer is the one expensive skin care product that I actually do splurge on for myself- so this is about 8 months' worth for me and saves me $50!

Wool. Like money in the bank. :D

Cataboo

01-19-2010, 09:35 AM

You're a great friend. I haven't quite managed to lend out my wool and let it out of my sight... I was kayak touring with a friend recently and let her borrow a lot of my kayaking clothing and equipment... I still cringed everytime I heard her whack my carbon fiber paddle with something.

I lent my sister a bunch of outdoor gear recently so she & her daughter could go tubing... A way long time ago she shrunk one of my wool sweaters, so I didn't let her borrow any wool, but let them both borrow down jackets, goretex shells and pants, etc. I was having nightmares of her washing my down jackets (thankfully she didn't!) or ripping some goretex. I'm sure it's all brands that she's never heard of, so she doesn't quite understand how expensive the stuff I was lending her really was, and I didn't want to be that person who lends you something and harps on how expensive and what it is, to the extent that you don't want to borrow it or use it anymore.

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-19-2010, 10:19 AM

Catriona,
I never would have lent all that good wool to just any friend. :D
We discussed everything clearly- how she'd pay to replace anything lost or ripped, and she promised not to wash anything. She's very careful with her own clothes and she knows exactly how expensive my stuff is. She's a smart businesswoman, a good friend, and we are very frank with each other about such things. I felt safe. :)

Tri Girl

01-20-2010, 07:25 PM

OK- you've all done it!! I went to the thrift store and bought 2 wool sweaters. They're a teeny bit itchy, and not very pretty, but HOLY MOLY I'm sooooo warm when I wear them. I bought a thin merino wool one to wear under my cycling coat and a thicker wool one to wear in our house (it's always cold).
I honestly didn't think that wool would make a difference, but I'm sold now!

Thank you for all your tips and advice. My torso has never been warmer. Someday soon I'm going to get some wool tights and then my legs will be just as happy as my torso. :)

Cataboo

01-20-2010, 07:51 PM

I just mailed a load of wool off to my cousins in scotland - 3 260 weight icebreaker sweaters, 1 200 weight, 1 icebreaker t shirt, an ibex zephyr & ibex long janes for my female cousin, and 3 icebreaker t shirts, an ibex zephyr, a smartwool top, some smartwool socks, and 1 icebreaker quantum top for her brother. Both got softshells as well, and a few other things.

They'll definitely both appreciate it, and hopefully'll hurry up and pay me back for all the shopping I did for them.

pdxgal

01-21-2010, 10:54 AM

Cataboo

01-21-2010, 11:03 AM

[QUOTE=Catriona;487989]I just mailed a load of wool off to my cousins in scotland QUOTE]

Isn't that like shipping coals to Newcastle? :) You'd think the land of Shetland would be better equiped. But then again they don't really have merino sheep in Scotland, just the hardier breeds with coarser, scratchier wool.

I don't think they have merino sheep. Looks like those were initially developed in Spain/Portugal:
http://www.sheep101.info/breedsS.html

They definitely have wool, most of it's the standard itchy wool whenever I've gotten sweaters from over there... and all of it's a lot more expensive than what you can find merino wool on sale for over here.

I have a lot of friends in New Zealand or australia who have had me ship them icebreaker if I find it on sale cheap here - they can't get it at those prices back home, so even with the costs of shipping it to them, it's still cheaper. I've had new zealanders or australians buy icebreaker wool off me on ebay...

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-21-2010, 06:41 PM

Just got word from my friend that she's back from Canada, and both she and my wool are safe and sound. :D

Cataboo

01-21-2010, 08:02 PM

Crankin

01-25-2010, 03:51 AM

I've been having more and more problems wearing wool. Even 17.5 merino. Yesterday I wore my Kate after coming home from hiking, taking a nice shower, and settling down to relax. I was itching after a couple of hours and this morning my arms are bright red. Wearing my Smart Wool ski socks is also bothering my legs.
Since I am going x country skiing up in the Northeast Kingdom in 10 days, I need to get this to settle down. It's a place where wool is mandatory!

Catrin

01-25-2010, 05:24 AM

Dianyla

01-25-2010, 01:46 PM

Crankin

01-25-2010, 02:35 PM

I have been using the same detergent for years... All Free and Clear or Arm and Hammer Free and Clear. I only get this in the winter, so I suspect the wool. Or, I could just be going through one of my weird allergy/asthma stages where everything bothers me.
No, no, no. I will not give up my wool. I'm an x-small.

Cataboo

01-25-2010, 03:10 PM

Can you maybe get some silk underlayers or silkweight type underlayers and just put that underneath all of your wool? It's not wool, but still feels nice.

Crankin

01-25-2010, 04:44 PM

Well, I *don't* have wool long underwear. It's silk. I have a couple of smart wool base layer tops, which I can wear occasionally. I never wear wool next to my skin, except for the Kates and these smart wool base layers. But I am finding that on days when I wear my Shaks with a lycra or cotton shirt underneath, the itchiness develops over the course of the day. Also, when I wear regular sweaters with wool, with something underneath.
I am definitely going through some allergic thing that is being set off by something, maybe even stress (I am searching for my internship position for my last year of grad school). I am taking a wait and see attitude and trying to just let it pass. It's to the point that it's becoming even more than wool; regular cotton seams are bugging me, too. Guess I am just a princess!

Catrin

01-26-2010, 03:22 AM

.....I am definitely going through some allergic thing that is being set off by something, maybe even stress (I am searching for my internship position for my last year of grad school). I am taking a wait and see attitude and trying to just let it pass. It's to the point that it's becoming even more than wool; regular cotton seams are bugging me, too. Guess I am just a princess!

In graduate school I had something like this happen as well - and it got so bad that I couldn't even scratch myself without breaking out in terrible red welts that itched to the bone. Most fabrics were irritating as well, and I do have asthma and allergies.

Sadly the only thing that helped was time, my doctor thought that my stress levels were adding to my skin sensitivity. She tried me on several allergy medications, but nothing helped much - eventually the problem rectified itself. I do think the combination of asthma and allergies can cause hyper skin sensitivity in times of stress, and the dry skin in winter doesn't help...so hopefully this isn't about your wool at all.

Have you tried an intensive lotion or cream? I have found at such times that this can be temporarily helpful, but of course there are so many out there that just don't help the problem even if they are marketed for "extra dry skin".

Crankin

01-26-2010, 03:42 AM

Catrin

01-26-2010, 05:36 AM

Yep, Catrin, you described my situation exactly. If I scratch, I immediately get huge red welts/hives. Now, I can't figure out why this situation is so stressful... I went through the internship search for this year and it worked out. If I, for some reason didn't get one, I can change my concentration to the program where you only need to do one internship, and I still will have the hours for my license. This is my second time around in grad school and I know, that, this too, will pass.

Yep, but it is difficult to reason with stress :)

I took a Claritin yesterday, which helped. Also trying to apply all of the self-care strategies I use with my clients. Meh, who wants a retirement age therapist who is covered in hives???
I've been experimenting with different lotions. Since I'm just about out of the ones I have, I will be going to the store to search for more. Aveeno seems to be the best. Still wearing my wool!

Oddly enough, I have found that the original Nivea cream (in the blue container) the most helpful. It is a little greasy, but there is something about the formulation that seems to soothe my skin. I do not know if it would have been helpful during the most intensive problem, I discovered it last summer when I had a relatively minor flare.

I think that, at times, the effects of stress are cumulative over time, we get so accustomed to certain stress levels that we don't realize how high they actually are. At least that is how it is for me. Good luck, and I hope it passes quickly for you :D

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-26-2010, 12:44 PM

Crankin,
try a different detergent for a while. I used to happily use Burt's Bees lip balm many times a day for years, then I suddenly developed an awful allergy to it out of the blue.

Biciclista

01-26-2010, 12:51 PM

who was it that just bought burt's bee balm?
some big heavy company did.

OakLeaf

01-26-2010, 01:37 PM

Clorox.

Hope you find something that works, Crankin. I'd be miserable if I couldn't have my wool!

Crankin

01-26-2010, 05:30 PM

I might buy a different detergent; I am almost out of one bottle of All and even though I have another, this might be a good time to switch. I remember doing this another time, for the same reason.
I feel much better today. No itching. I have sort of narrowed down the source of the stress, which isn't my search for next year (although that is annoying). It's the fact one of my colleagues is leaving on maternity leave and my workload is going to increase 50%, with no increase in time to do the job. It's great experience for me, but, geez, I am not getting paid for this... I am paying!
Oakleaf, I will never give up my Shaks and my Jones Wares pants. Particularly since I just found out that JonesWares is a local company, run by 2 women (whose dad was a long time racer, who made wool jerseys. they still use his designs).

kmehrzad

01-26-2010, 06:37 PM

[QUOTE=Crankin;488708]Yep, Catrin, you described my situation exactly. If I scratch, I immediately get huge red welts/hives.

I have this problem in the winter months. There's no regularity to it and I have no idea what causes it. I'm not stressed and I've had allergy tests done with no conclusive evidence. My dr. told me to take 1 tablet of Loratadine whenever my skin starts to itch and hives appear. The Loratadine does the trick in taking away the itch and welts. My daughter started experiencing the same thing this past year ... again no regularity or clue why, but she takes Loratadine whenever needed. After about a week, we no longer need to use the antihistamine - until the next episode, which could be a month or longer. Sometimes it seems there's no explanation for this condition.

Triskeliongirl

01-27-2010, 07:10 AM

It is actually possible to be allergic to cold temperatures, in that exposure of the body to cold air can ellicit a true immune response. This happened to my daughter when she started going to college in Boston. In her case its the cold air hitting her bronchial system that triggers first an immune response, which if it isn't controlled can then result in a secondary bacterial infection. So, maybe discuss this with a doctor. She needs to avoid breathing cold air, and has a respirator if she becomes symptomatic.

Biciclista

01-27-2010, 08:31 AM

Funny, i just read a nytimes article about a guy who was allergic to cold. His hands would swell up when he went swimming. took him a while to figure it out.

Crankin

01-27-2010, 08:34 AM

Geez, Trisk, I would hate it if it were that! But, I don't think so, as it happens on days I am not outside, except to walk from my car to my office, etc. I generally pull my neck gaiter up over my mouth when I am x country skiing, etc. in the very cold weather, like below 20 degrees, so I am not inhaling the cold air, although it doesn't take long before I have that sucker pulled down because I sweat!
I hated wool as a kid, although I definitely wore it, always with something underneath. But, it made me feel itchy at times. Of course, it was not merino. And then, about 22 years ago, I had a bout of asthma/allergies where I also was getting the itchiness, red welts, and "lines" anywhere that a waist band, etc was close/tighter to my skin. Since I was living in AZ and it was summer time, like 112 degrees out, it sort of blows the cold theory. I don't dispute that this is some type of allergic, autoimmune reaction. But, it seems to appear and disappear when I am in a state of heightened reactivity, brought on by stress, not environmental things. The wool just brings it out.
I guess if I had decided to stay home and loll around after quitting my job, I wouldn't be having the stress I am having now. But then again, staying home with nothing to do made me stressed, too! I am heading out to ride my bike or run, depending on my mood, shortly. Since wool will be included,
I will report back.

Dianyla

01-27-2010, 09:11 AM

I've also had problems with chronic hives as well as dermatographism. After eliminating all of the skincare/detergents, I ended up tracking my food intake and narrowed it down to a few culprits. The big one that I can almost prove is food colorings, especially FD&C Yellow #5. Others I'm not sure about are preservatives like sodium benzoate, etc. It was really hard to tell because I wouldn't get anything immediately after eating. It took days of a dose accumulating in my body, and then another external trigger like stress, menstruation, heat/pressure/friction, or being sick with the cold/flu.

Now that I've figured out the foods, I still occasionally get periods where I get lots of hives and it's usually something I've eaten (say at a restaurant or free food at work, god I need to learn to say no!) or because I'm sick.

Crankin

01-27-2010, 11:54 AM

Food is a possibility; I've been through all of the allergy testing, blah, blah, blah 3 times in my life. I know I am allergic to peanuts, though it's not like anything happens if I am near them or inhale the fumes from someone else's sandwich. I developed a shellfish allergy (everything except scallops) when I was around 35, during that time I was having all of the asthma stuff. I had about 6 months to a year of not even being able to walk through a department store without feeling weird from the perfumes. I also would have reactions to wine, which I stopped drinking for ten years :mad:. I got sick of that and tested myself during the Passover seder one year and since I had no reaction, that was the end of it.
Kmehrzad, what you have sounds pretty much like what I am experiencing. There's no rhyme or reason to it and I am not going through allergy evaluation again. I went for a run, wearing smart wool socks, Ibex boy shorts, tights, and a light weight merino jersey with a lycra-ish base layer plus a thin fleece jacket. I had on smart wool glove liners, too. I felt a little itchy before and it's the same now. No hives. That pretty much only happens when I scratch.
OK, off to school.

rubywagon

01-27-2010, 12:13 PM

For those of you experiencing itchy, red skin that seems to only show up in cold weather, you might want to see a dermatologist about a condition called Chilblains. My husband was getting eczema type rashes on his hands and feet during the cold winter months. He thought he might be having a reaction to his wool socks. He went to see the dermatologist and it turns out he has Chilblains and they suggested aspirin therapy. I has made such a difference in his comfort.

http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/chilblains-skin-bumps.html

kmehrzad

01-27-2010, 05:39 PM

Crankin, my hives got to the point when I could feel them coming on. First a burning sensation then the itchiness then the welt. At first it started on a waistband or bra strap region then eventually progressed to my face. I could feel my lip burning then it would swell. The dr. was quite concerned when the hives moved up to my face, but again, there were no answers - nothing in my routine had changed (no new foods, detergents, soaps, etc.). I'd immediately take one Loratadine when I felt the burning sensation and the hives would go away - thank God. I haven't had the facial reaction in over a year now. It's been a good couple of months since experiencing hives on the trunk of my body. I've learned to live with it and keep Loratadine handy just in case.

PamNY

01-30-2010, 09:25 AM

Does anyone know how the Ibex Woolies crew compares with Smartwool's microweight crew in terms of weight/warmth?

On another topic, I finally dragged out ALL the thrift shop sweaters I bought last year. I almost fell apart laughing at myself; there must be more than a dozen. I was so darned determined to master winter biking -- and I did, although I didn't need nearly that many sweaters. I wish you people would stop making me spend money.

Pam

Eden

01-30-2010, 09:41 AM

Kmehrzad, what you have sounds pretty much like what I am experiencing. There's no rhyme or reason to it and I am not going through allergy evaluation again. I went for a run, wearing smart wool socks, Ibex boy shorts, tights, and a light weight merino jersey with a lycra-ish base layer plus a thin fleece jacket. I had on smart wool glove liners, too. I felt a little itchy before and it's the same now. No hives. That pretty much only happens when I scratch.
OK, off to school.

You can get hives - and especially what you are describing swelling where you touch without necessarily having an allergy to anything. It's referred to as Urticaria (mainly a fancy word for hives). I had an episode like this after going into a sauna. I think it was caused by heat. I had itchy hives on my feet, knees elbows and my face swelled up - especially around my eyes in a rather alarming fashion.

Physical urticaria refers to urticaria induced by external physical influences. The weals take about 5 minutes to develop, and last 15 to 30 minutes. Some people suffer from a mixture of different types of physical urticaria and generalized urticaria. The cause is unknown.

Dermographism means ‘skin writing’. Stroking the skin causes it to weal in the line of the stroke. This is very itchy, but scratching causes more wealing. Dermographism usually starts quite suddenly. Weals come up where clothes or furniture touch, especially when the affected person is hot or upset. A warm shower followed by rubbing with a towel can result in itchy weals all over.

Cholinergic urticaria results from sweating. In severe cases, hundreds of tiny red itchy spots develop after running, when warm, or when concentrating.

Cold urticaria affects skin warming up after a reduction in temperature, especially in winter. Weals can be widespread and may cause fainting attacks. Affected individuals should not expose large areas of the skin to the cold or wind. They should be advised never to swim alone.

Contact urticaria results from absorption of an elicting substance through the skin or through a mucous membrane. It may be allergic or non-allergic in origin. It may result in wealing confined to the site of contact or spreading more widely. IgE antibodies on mast cells react to chemicals in white flour, cosmetics, and textiles, or to proteins in latex rubber, saliva, meat, fish and vegetables may cause contact urticaria. Non-allergic examples include the stinging reaction of certain plants (e.g. nettles), animals (hairy caterpillar) and medicines.

Localised heat urticaria, aquagenic urticaria (water contact), solar urticaria (sunlight), vibratory angioedema and delayed pressure urticaria are less common.

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-30-2010, 11:15 AM

Does anyone know how the Ibex Woolies crew compares with Smartwool's microweight crew in terms of weight/warmth?

I have and use both a lot.
The Ibex woolies have cuffs, which make them seem more long-john like in style. They are longer in the torso.
The SW microweights are styled more like normal tops, and look more like a normal pullover and don't have as long a body length as the Ibex. Hence I like how they look over a skirt.
They are both about the same weight and warmth.
The SW ones are a bit more prone to holes, but their style is nicer to wear as a normal lightweight merino top. I wear the ibex woolies more like underlayers, and the SW ones more often as over tops.
Both are nice. :)

PamNY

01-30-2010, 12:17 PM

I have and use both a lot.
The Ibex woolies have cuffs, which make them seem more long-john like in style. They are longer in the torso.
The SW microweights are styled more like normal tops, and look more like a normal pullover and don't have as long a body length as the Ibex. Hence I like how they look over a skirt.
They are both about the same weight and warmth.
The SW ones are a bit more prone to holes, but their style is nicer to wear as a normal lightweight merino top. I wear the ibex woolies more like underlayers, and the SW ones more often as over tops.
Both are nice. :)

Thanks, Lisa. Why am I so not surprised that it's you who could answer my question promptly and accurately?

Pam

Crankin

01-30-2010, 12:26 PM

Thanks, Eden for that enlightening blurb. Yes, there's no rhyme nor reason, except the only common thread in the times I have experienced this (this is the third time in 25 years) is when I am under some type of stress, all different though. If I can negate the stress, it should go away.
I may go back to the acupuncturist. That was extremely helpful in helping me with stress a couple of years ago. I've gone back to doing yoga twice a week, too. I've been taking Claritin every day, which keeps it at bay. No real hives, just itchiness. I'm still wearing my Ibex!

kmehrzad

01-30-2010, 12:38 PM

Eden, I 'second' Crankin's thank you for the enlightening blurb on hives. It just reinforces my appreciation for Loratadine, which I carry with me almost all the time.

Catrin

01-30-2010, 05:10 PM

Backcountryoutlet.com has swobo merino wool cycling jerseys, short sleeve, for $18.99. If you go through bing cashback, you get 12% back.

http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/SWB0010/Swobo-Merino-Cycling-Jersey-Short-Sleeve-Womens.html

My two jerseys arrived yesterday :) They are a little small, but that is good as I am dropping inches right now like they are on sale or something...so I don't want them too large come spring.

Sadly they do seem just a little itchy, which isn't my experience with my Smartwool long-sleeve base layer. The label states that it is 100% Merino wool. I am hoping that the itchiness is simply from it being a little tight or from winter dry skin - or am I in denial? I do like the cut and look of the jerseys...

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-31-2010, 11:10 AM

Thanks, Lisa. Why am I so not surprised that it's you who could answer my question promptly and accurately?

Hmmm....maybe because you know I have 40 gazillion wool items in my wardrobe? LOL!

Cataboo

01-31-2010, 11:21 AM

My two jerseys arrived yesterday :) They are a little small, but that is good as I am dropping inches right now like they are on sale or something...so I don't want them too large come spring.

Sadly they do seem just a little itchy, which isn't my experience with my Smartwool long-sleeve base layer. The label states that it is 100% Merino wool. I am hoping that the itchiness is simply from it being a little tight or from winter dry skin - or am I in denial? I do like the cut and look of the jerseys...

Congrats on dropping inches! It might just be winter dry skin, i didn't notice them being being itchier than smartwool...But I typically don't notice itchiness in merino wool unless I've been wearing it several hours.

Catrin

01-31-2010, 12:21 PM

Congrats on dropping inches! It might just be winter dry skin, i didn't notice them being being itchier than smartwool...But I typically don't notice itchiness in merino wool unless I've been wearing it several hours.

This is good to know. I noticed the itchiness as soon as I put the new jersey on, whereas I have had my smartwool base top on for much of today and there is no itchiness present at all. I will probably just keep the two new jerseys and pray that come spring, when they are looser and my skin less dry, that I can wear them. If not I will find them a new home at that time - thanks for your input!

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-31-2010, 12:55 PM

I have some particular style Ibex tops that feel a bit itchy, while most of them don't feel itchy at all.
It may not be you, it might well be the item.

Cataboo

01-31-2010, 04:47 PM

This is good to know. I noticed the itchiness as soon as I put the new jersey on, whereas I have had my smartwool base top on for much of today and there is no itchiness present at all. I will probably just keep the two new jerseys and pray that come spring, when they are looser and my skin less dry, that I can wear them. If not I will find them a new home at that time - thanks for your input!

I think you'll still be able to return them to backcountry if they feel itchy come spring - last I checked they had an unlimited return policy. But they did tighten the restrictions on returns to sac lately, so it's possible they did on their main site.

Natasha

02-01-2010, 01:00 PM

Ibex added a bunch of winter stuff to the sale outlet on their website. Seems to be a fairly good selection.

PamNY

02-01-2010, 01:54 PM

Timberland (http://www.timberland.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2722386&camp=CSE:G:PRD:Timberland:TBL) has Smartwool tights on sale for $19.95. Only one color (deep purple) and size (medium) is listed.

Pam

Selkie

02-07-2010, 11:50 AM

Couldn't resist this: http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1367/7660/womens-shak-full-zip

I've been hoping this color would go on sale! After all the snow, figured it would cheer me up. My shak collection grows. Next year, I hope they do some other colors---teal, blue, purple.

Edited to add---the color--Cherry Red---is now sold out.

Haven't opened my b'day presents yet because we've been so busy shoveling but the UPS guy left an IBEX box addressed to my DH last week. I "hinted" about a couple items---purple shak jersey and a freestar shak---so we'll see. :)

Edited to add: DH got me the purple shak jersey and the red/grey freestar shak.

Crankin

02-07-2010, 12:50 PM

I thought I had forgotten to pack my Go Lite jacket I wear for winter sports when we got to our inn in Vermont Thursday. But, I had 2 full zip Shaks with me, which turned out to be a fine substitute for my outer layer. Not as windproof as the jacket, but still, with a base layer and a fleece mid layer, it was fine.
I found my jacket, neatly folded on the bottom of the bag with my hats, hiking boots, and mittens on Saturday, but I was sure glad I didn't have to go buy something out in the middle of nowhere...

Skierchickie

02-10-2010, 04:39 PM

Okay - prepare to drum me out of the club.

I have 2 Ibex wool bras that I bought about 2 years ago. I wear them all the time for skiing - still get sweaty & wet, but maybe don't chill down quite as fast, and still more comfortable than my others.

The problem: on my last few long skis, I've been getting chafing. First it was in front, where the gathers in the fabric chafed. Then, on Sunday, a line down from the top of my shoulder, where the stitching is. Now I realize that the sort of dry-skin-patch-feeling spots on my back are the same thing. Most of this is where the little bit of stitching is. I'm covered with red splotches & lines. Last week during a breast exam my doctor asked what the scratch was on my left one.

Now I don't know what I'm going to do. Body Glide helped in the first spot, but I'm not sure what is up in the back, since it doesn't have any binding along the bottom edge. Can't really afford to splurge on new bras at the moment (DH unemployed for over a year, and he went back to school last semester). GRRRRRR.

To complete my expulsion from the Woolweenies club, I have decided I prefer my Craft long underwear shirt to all my Smartwool ones. Feels warmer against my skin (if I'm cold, and I put on a Smartwool one, it still feels cool against my skin). I still love wool, but I'm just not finding it to be the miracle I once thought.

Cataboo

02-10-2010, 06:22 PM

I've been wearing wool all week with this snow - all of a sudden last night I just felt itchy as all get out, had to go find myself some nice non-itchy synthetics.

OakLeaf

02-10-2010, 11:14 PM

Me (just back from a run): I smell like a wet sheep.

DH (walking past me while I'm stretching, a couple of minutes later): You do smell like a wet sheep. I thought you were joking.

Me: I never joke about wet sheep.

Crankin

02-11-2010, 03:35 AM

SkierChickie, see my above comments about wool and itchiness, etc.

I've been taking Claritin and Zantac for 10 days to calm down my body's response to wool. Although I've had this issue with hives/itchiness before, it hasn't occurred in a long time. It's definitely calmed down and I've been avoiding wool as much as possible in the winter. Yesterday, I got itchy again when I put on a very soft merino dress for an interview. That was fine. But, when I put on my wool coat, over the dress, the prickles and stinging started immediately. It's like the weight of the coat and its wool made the dress irritate my skin more.
I also wanted to get a wool bra for x country skiing, but I think I'll stick with my regular sports bras. I wear Craft base layers, too. They keep me super warm. Sure, they stink a little, but they work. The thought of a wool base layer now isn't good!
I am wearing a very light weight wool sweater over a lycra/cotton shirt right now. So far, it's OK.

ivorygorgon

02-16-2010, 06:31 AM

I need a recommendation for a base layer.

I live in San Diego. I tend to feel cold a lot. I am a newbie biker. I need something to wear underneath my jersey to keep me warm in the mornings, but that won't be too hot when it gets a bit warmer, so of course I am thinking Smart Wool.

I also need a recommendation for some kind of light windbreaker that I would be able to take off and either put in my jersey pocket.

Thanks in advance.

Cataboo

02-16-2010, 09:32 AM

Light base layer - ibex woolie, the smartwools, an icebreaker 150 to 190 weight. I don't like the smartwools 'cause they get holes easily, I feel.

Light windproof jacket - i use the arc'teryx squamish. It's kinda on the pricy size, but marmot makes one that's similar for about $60 that's full zip. I can't recall the name.

SadieKate

02-16-2010, 10:54 AM

Just a basic review.

Best thing about it is that it's RED since it seems most of the wool companies can't seem to get it through their heads that light long sleeve shirts are great single layers in the winter for cardio sports but black, white, gray disappear.

I've been wearing this lately as a single layer for running and love it. When I first received it I was worried because of the smell. I can't identify it but it was a very familiar smell to someone who walks into a lot of yarn shops, probably a result of the dye process. I washed it before running due to the smell and concerend that it would run on me, but most of the smell left and no dye stains. True to wool, I managed to get two runs out of it before needing to wash. The next wash should remove the rest of the smell.

The fit is nicely tailored for feminine curves so it's flattering. While I normally don't like all the graphics popping up on everything lately, the graphics are nice because I don't feel like I'm wearing an undershirt as an outer layer and they're tastefully just at the hips rather than across my chest.

The red is more on the pink side of red. Deep and luscious but not red red. I'm hoping next year they come out with the same shirt in purple or royal blue or even white. Tad on the expensive side compared to other similar brands, but so far I've been pleased with the purchase. I'd buy a second one if I had some choice other than black.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLU_291366.html

Crankin

02-16-2010, 01:41 PM

If I were in San Diego I would try a 17.5 weight merino base layer, but I would also try the Craft short sleeved base layer. I wear the LS ones in the dead of winter and they are warm. I wear the sleeveless ones when it's really hot and the sweat just wicks away.
Pricey, but I've bought all of them for half price at the Terry semi annual sale.

Dianyla

02-17-2010, 11:18 AM

Tax return + Ibex winter sale = :eek:

Waiting for my thistle heather Shak hoody. And, um, the Mollie jacket. And, um, some undies. Whups. :o

bmccasland

02-18-2010, 05:42 AM

unseasonably cold winter, not well insulated house, high gas bill (again :().... and knowing I have a week long camping event coming up in a couple of weeks.... I just ordered 3 pairs of SmartWool Socks from TE. I am tired of cold toes, and have been wearing the one pair of smartwool cycling socks I own to bed most nights. I hate having cold toes.

Can't wait for me TE order to come in. ;)

Dianyla

02-19-2010, 10:29 AM

I am tired of cold toes, and have been wearing the one pair of smartwool cycling socks I own to bed most nights. I hate having cold toes.
At home, I'll use hot water bottles and/or an extra fleece throw/blanket just wrapped around my feet in addition to the socks. When camping, I'll often use chemical handwarmer packets stuffed inside my socks - just make sure the kind you use is approved for direct skin contact.

Also, sometimes when camping in the cold I'll stick all of my unworn clothes down in the bottom of my sleeping bag for more foot insulation. Also, that's a lot nicer in the morning rather than having to put on a freezing cold damp bra. :eek:

OakLeaf

02-19-2010, 11:04 AM

Aw heck, I've been sleeping in my wool base layers all winter long....

NbyNW

02-21-2010, 02:55 PM

I've lost 3 wool sweaters to the moths this winter. :mad: I thought I had layered plenty of cedar and anti-moth stuff in my closet but it hasn't held them back.

I wish I could find a good re-weaver around here.

Crankin

02-21-2010, 04:44 PM

Ack, I have a hole in a pair of my Ibex boy shorts. I will sew it up (not pretty, since I can barely thread a needle), but since they are underwear, I just want it to last more than a year. I wash them in a lingerie bag, too.

nscrbug

02-25-2010, 07:03 PM

KnottedYet

02-27-2010, 07:51 AM

Oooh, I just saw this: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_7572.html
Temptation, temptation... for someone else, cuz my size is sold out!

NSCR- I'd assume "classic fit" was a "traditional fit" jersey. I've not had good luck with durability with Smartwool clothing, but I love their socks.

Trek420

02-27-2010, 09:43 AM

I dunno, it says "dry clean only" ;) so you'd be giving someone else a dry cleaning bill? :p

malkin

02-27-2010, 11:14 AM

A "Dry Clean Only" label for a wool garment is a bit of CYA for the manufacturer. You should be able to wash gently and dry flat. Just don't agitate when hot (that's good advice for many of us!)

DebW

02-27-2010, 05:53 PM

Does anyone here have any personal feedback on SmartWool cycling jerseys? Sierra Trading Post has them on sale right now for $38...which seems like a steal for a merino wool (75%) jersey. Can anyone tell me about sizing? The description says "classic fit", so can I assume that this is NOT a traditional snug-fitting jersey?

I have 2 Smartwool cycling jerseys, but they are probably different from those. Mine were "salesman specials" or some such thing - maybe limited production that was never sold in quantity. For what it's worth, the ones I have are not overly snug, but they are rather long and the pockets have pleated bottoms, which means that when I put things in the pockets, they hang way down over my butt. But from the STP pictures, Smartwool has fixed the pocket situation.

malkin

02-28-2010, 12:39 PM

I got a long sleeve "Ramazing" jersey for Brewer. It's really nice; slightly lighter weight than the Swobo ones.

I also just figured out Smartwool's "Ram..." & "Ewe..." designations.

wavedancer

03-01-2010, 05:00 PM

Does anyone here have any personal feedback on SmartWool cycling jerseys? Sierra Trading Post has them on sale right now for $38...which seems like a steal for a merino wool (75%) jersey. Can anyone tell me about sizing? The description says "classic fit", so can I assume that this is NOT a traditional snug-fitting jersey?

I recently got a Ewenison long sleeve jersey from STP. Wore it yesterday in 25-40 degree gray wet weather and it felt great. I had them ship both a small and a medium and ended up keeping the small. I am always on the "cusp" of these two sizes,and the small had a little less fabric in the arms and was a little shorter. Both are quite long, which I appreciated on my ride yesterday.

I have never had any complaints with durability of my Smartwool sweaters/jerseys. Washer-dryer and put 'em back on!

PamNY

03-07-2010, 04:56 PM

I was thinking about spring/summer biking attire today and wondered if a Smartwool microweight crew would work when I need something under my jacket for evening chill. I can't ride very fast near home, and wind off the river after sunset can be brisk. I know people wear wool in summer -- I've read about it here, but I've never done it. I don't do real bike clothes -- usually just wear T shirts in summer.

This is all in aid of rationalizing additional purchases, of course.

redrhodie

03-07-2010, 05:14 PM

This is all in aid of rationalizing additional purchases, of course.

Well, we're certainly not going to stop you ;). I'm going to get a short sleeve Ibex jersey for summer (or two).

Natasha

03-07-2010, 06:37 PM

I use a Smartwool microweight crew under a short sleeve jersey when a summer day starts out cool. As the day warms up I can shed the wool crew if needed. Wool is so good at thermo-regulating that it works well in a wide range of temps.

BleeckerSt_Girl

03-07-2010, 08:09 PM

A thin merino top feels so good in the Spring sun when a playful cool breeze tries to dance with you. :p

PamNY

03-09-2010, 05:42 AM

A thin merino top feels so good in the Spring sun when a playful cool breeze tries to dance with you. :p

Ah, you're an enabler and a poet!

mariposa

03-11-2010, 11:20 AM

Which of these three is the warmest per weight:

Alpaca wool
Cashmere
Angora RABBIT fur (as distinct from angora GOAT)

Here's why I'm asking:

I'm going thrift-store-diving this weekend. The consignment stores are now getting rid of winter sweaters for cheap! I'd like to buy a fabric that is even lighter than merino wool, per weight. (Merino wool is actually kinda heavy for the warmth it provides.) This is for around-town, and/or for very delicate use on a bike or for hiking (under a shell, to protect the fragile fabric).

I realize it'll be more delicate than merino...But for $10 second-hand, I won't worry about that.

Thanks!

pdxgal

03-12-2010, 09:33 AM

I would say alpaca, because the fiber is hollow. Alpaca typically isn't quite as "sturdy" a fiber as a result, as you have noted.

BleeckerSt_Girl

03-12-2010, 09:46 AM

Alpaca is said to be the warmest type wool...substantially warmer than sheep wool.

I have found it to be true in my own experiments as well.
I think it might shed more, though.

Crankin

03-12-2010, 11:33 AM

Cataboo

03-12-2010, 12:32 PM

Powderhorn makes some alpaca blend baselayers.

Most of my alpaca stuff I bought in Peru :)

BleeckerSt_Girl

03-13-2010, 11:33 AM

Lisa, what type(s) of clothing do you have in alpaca? I can't remember seeing anything made of that in a long time.
Angora makes me itch/break out in hives horribly. A couple of years ago there was a trend to put tiny amounts of it in lots of sweaters and I made a couple of purchasing mistakes. But, it was around the time I found merino.

I have some alpaca gloves I got from an alpaca farm near here. I also have a couple of older alpaca sweaters, one of which has shrunk too much. :o But MAN, they are warm!
I use the gloves all winter as really warm glove liners. :)

merlin

03-13-2010, 05:17 PM

As a serious woolly woman, I feel compelled to delurk. I think Mariposa has a good idea!
I agree that alpaca is the warmest fiber, usually very soft and light weight. There are different grades of alpaca fiber, some finer/softer than others. The reason for shedding is usually that there are guard hairs mixed in with the finer hairs. In higher quality products, guard hairs have been removed, or only the better parts of the fleece have been used. Not all alpaca fibers are hollow; the coarser ones are more likely to be hollow.

Hope that's not TMI. I happen to know way more about fiber than about cycling. :D

OakLeaf

03-13-2010, 06:46 PM

Oh merlin, I don't know what might be TMI on this forum. :eek: But I know that that definitely ain't it. :p

merlin

03-15-2010, 06:05 PM

Oakleaf, you may live to regret those words! :D
So did anyone ever notice that alpaca garments are more drapey than wool? Alpaca fibers have less crimp than most wool, so it's less stretchy. Often, it is mixed with wool for better resilience. For any knitters, Nashua Handknits makes wonderful alpaca mix yarns.

KnottedYet

03-27-2010, 08:01 PM

Oh, darn...

Sudden loss of Visa continence. I bought the LAST piece of Ibex in "thistle heather" that I want and don't have. Thistle heather is my all-time favorite color. I guess no-one else liked it, because it's hanging out in the Outlet.

To keep it company, I bought something in my second favorite color: charcoal heather. (I think Ibex calls it "black marle")

Sigh. I'm pretending I bought these two thingummies for work. Professional wear and all that.

Stop me, before I buy again!!!! :eek:

(there's still a hooded Shak in thistle heather.... I don't want it, but it's in my favorite color... urg!)

Beware the Ibex Women's Outlet! http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/products/4/0/womens-outlet

redrhodie

03-28-2010, 05:36 AM

Beware the Ibex Women's Outlet! http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/products/4/0/womens-outlet

Beware the outlet? A little too late for me.:o Even though I got way more stuff than I had any business buying, I REALLY REALLY (REALLY!) regret not getting a couple of short sleeve Giro jerseys while they were on sale. I fooled myself into thinking I had time to space out all my shopping (like a junkie, getting my "fix" in small, harmless doses). Luckily, I got 2 long sleeve ones.

OakLeaf

03-28-2010, 08:38 AM

I can't believe they discontinued the Woolie tank. I LOVE that thing for yoga and general light base-layer-ness. :( But I only have one. :(:(

sandra

04-03-2010, 12:41 PM

Hi WoolWeenies!

I have an Icebreaker crew neck top for sale if anyone is interested.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?p=501192#post501192

redrhodie

04-21-2010, 03:48 PM

I won a $200 gift certificate from Ibex :D! They have a monthly drawing for submitting product reviews on their website, and I got a call today that I won January's contest! This is the best thing I've ever won! I only wear their jerseys now, so I'm getting another one of those. I'll save the rest for later.

ETA: A really weird thing. The bells from the church I grew up attending were stolen last week. Although I'm not religious, I feel a strong connection to that church. My grandparents were married under those bells. I feel like they're part of my history. So, on Monday, I sent the church a $200 donation, in my mother's memory, because it was what I thought she'd want me to do. Just strange that that's the same amount I won from Ibex. And, the news this morning said someone was arrested for the theft, so maybe the bells will be returned.

Juliegoddess

04-21-2010, 04:19 PM

Hey Merlin! You must be a spinner? I am a fiber artist, and I couldn't help but understand your language! Nice to see other wool and fiber-lovers here on TE!!

BleeckerSt_Girl

04-21-2010, 05:14 PM

Redrhodie, that is a very lovely story. :) I totally believe it's all cyclical (no pun intended).

merlin

04-21-2010, 06:49 PM

Juliegodess, yes I am a fiber artist. Good to know the different forms of wool weeny. I am one to the core.
I have a couple of spinning wheels. But mostly I make nuno felt. I'd say that my Schacht wheel and my Cannondale bike are my two most highly prized possessions.
Funny how much of my life relies on circular motion--including my thought patterns! :D

PamNY

04-23-2010, 07:38 PM

Found a looks-new Icebreaker bodyfit shirt, a Patagonia sweater that's 50% alpaca/50% wool, and a nice zip merino black cardigan. All for about $12.

redrhodie

04-24-2010, 06:34 AM

Redrhodie, that is a very lovely story. :) I totally believe it's all cyclical (no pun intended).

Thanks! I believe that too.

I got my Ibex order yesterday! So fast! I ended up getting an Indie jersey http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1639/9752/womens-indie-cycling-jersey, which I wasn't sure about from their web photo. I'm so glad I did! It's gorgeous in person, and flattering on. It's thinner than the Giro jerseys, so I'm pretty optimistic about being able to wear it even on the hottest of days. The length and cut are great. The only thing that keeps it from being "perfect" is the lack of a zippered pocket. I'm considering adding a snap to the center pocket so I don't have to worry about my ID falling out (which it probably wouldn't, but I'd rather not risk it).

Another bright note--the church bells have been recovered! Unfortunately, the largest one was cut in half. The others were scraped up in an attempt to disguise them. They were being sold for scrap by the thief. I hope they will ring again.

malkin

05-10-2010, 06:19 PM

*sigh*
Selling church bells for scrap!
Oh, what fools these mortals be...

forestbiker

05-29-2010, 12:55 PM

A whole thread dedicated to lovers of merino wool???

I wear nothing but merino wool for hiking. My favorite piece of gear is an Ibex merino wool t-shirt.

So, go forth and preach the gospel of merino wool. Mother Nature got it right when she put the merino sheep on the earth.

bmccasland

05-29-2010, 04:20 PM

Found out LS is horribly allergic to sheep's wool, but not allergic to other wools. So if I was going to be nice, and buy her something, any suggestions?

She is not athletic - other than chasing a toddler and 2nd grader around.

Let me be more specific - can you send me to some web sites, please?

GLC1968

06-03-2010, 10:40 AM

Sorry, Beth - I'm not familiar with non-sheep's wool companies! Hopefully someone else here will have some ideas.

I have a question for everyone else who own's the Ibex Shak full zip. Anyone have problems with holes? I own 5 of these and so far, only my black one is falling apart. It probably gets slightly more wear than the others (but not THAT much more because it also shows dog hair more than the others!). In fact, I tend to treat my black one with a little more care since I wear it to work and try to keep it 'professional' looking. It's never seen a dryer and I probably wash it less often than the other colors. I just noticed that it's got a hole in one elbow and a few signs of unravelling in a few other spots. Could I have a poorly constructed one? It's not my oldest shak either as I bought all the others first because they were on sale. The black one is the only one I paid full price for, actually!

Should I contact Ibex or is this just the nature of wool and I need to suck it up (and learn to darn :p )?

Biciclista

06-03-2010, 10:59 AM

gee, call them! you sound like you've spent enough $$ on their stuff to deserve a little customer care!

Grog

06-03-2010, 06:39 PM

The elbows on my Shak and Bouclé are both quite worn, and I will get them patched up by a seamstress. My Ultimate Guide Sweater is also very worn at the elbows. Honestly, I won't call customer service about it. I've worn the things A LOT. They're really good wool, but they're still wool, not kevlar...

On the other hand, I've had an Ibex Tarrah showing premature holes, and it was replaced by them at no fee.

redrhodie

06-04-2010, 04:07 AM

I'd call Ibex. It doesn't sound like normal wear.

GLC1968

06-08-2010, 12:41 PM

Update on the shak issue!

I emailed Ibex and they immediately responded and asked to see a photo. I sent a couple today and they told me that they'd put a brand new one in the mail to me! Yay!

Normally I know when I'm hard on my clothing (like the pair of double thick Carhart jeans I wear for farm chores every day that are falling apart at the crotch!), but this just seemed abnormal since it's my newest Shak and the one I treat with the most care. I'm very pleased with their response!

Since I don't have to send this one back, I'll probably try patching it and designating it as 'farm work' attire (since it's no longer work appropriate).

malkin

06-26-2010, 02:28 PM

Now that it is about a hundred degrees outside, I'm starting to feel a little warm, riding in my Smartwool knickers.

Ok, I'm also feeling like hiding inside in the dark, because it's just too hot out there.

northstar

07-09-2010, 11:23 AM

I believe I am on the way to converting...I found two Smartwool Ewetopia jerseys at Nordstrom Rack a few weeks ago for $35 each...snatched 'em up because hey...can't even find cheap regular jerseys for that, right?

They're nice and long, and quite thin. I'm honestly glad they're darker colors - they might be a little too transparent if they were light.

I've loved them in the heat. No itchies. Awesome.

pdxgal

07-10-2010, 09:30 PM

[QUOTE=northstar;519753]They're nice and long...QUOTE] You can say that again! On me the pockets fell on top of my butt cheeks. Granted I'm short-waisted by about 2", but the Ewetopia still seemed long. I compared it to two other wool jerseys with rear pockets (Swoba and Oregon Cyclewear), and the Ewetopia was 2"-3" longer in the waist. The Ewetopia was also available for cheap on Sierra Trading Post (where I ordered it). If you're long-waisted, could be a great jersey. Seemed well made generally.

northstar

07-11-2010, 10:54 AM

Yep, the length is the big thing with me. I have the hardest time finding enough length in shirts in general, so I'm going to keep my eyes open for more of the SW jerseys. I haven't had that experience with their shirts, though...the length of them seems more typical to me. I like the short sleeves, too...they're a flattering length and not too loose, not too tight.

Can you tell I have a hard time finding shirts that fit to my liking? ;) Anyway, I'm a happy girl. Got back from a 32 mile ride this a.m...it's 80 already.

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-12-2010, 11:19 AM

Not wearing wool right now. :eek:

OakLeaf

08-12-2010, 11:24 AM

I'm still in wool socks! Even more so when it's hot, I'll get blisters if I wear anything else to run in.

Biciclista

08-12-2010, 11:25 AM

this is a summer where we never stop wearing wool!

Crankin

08-12-2010, 11:49 AM

I wear my wool Tekkos to run or walk in, even if it's 95 out.
Next week I am going to Little Lyford Pond Camp, about 60 miles north of Greenville, Maine. It will be in the forties at night, even if it's 75 in the day.
I will be taking my Shak(s), wool hiking socks, and maybe some wool base layers. Frankly, I can't wait.

OakLeaf

08-12-2010, 12:26 PM

DH wore a microweight SW top under his motorcycling jacket last week and felt it worked fine as a wicking shirt.

I've always felt that keeping cool at moto speeds is a whole different proposition, though - for that matter, keeping cool at bicycle speed is different from running IME.

OakLeaf

08-12-2010, 12:30 PM

Oooh, I need a couple more pairs of Teko socks. They're so much more comfortable than SW! I really want to love my wool Injinjis, but I'd rather have the Tekos under blistery conditions.

GLC1968

08-12-2010, 03:47 PM

I still wear wool amost daily. I wore a mixture of wool and other tech fabrics when I was hiking last weekend and the wool stuff was so much more comfortable and non-stinky. It also still looked good when the weekend was over.

I also wear wool amost every day at work and when working around the farm. And ALL of my running socks are wool.

I think I've gone from WoolWeenie to WoolPsycho. :p

Here I am wearing one of my shaks at Goat Rocks Wilderness (at our campsite):
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/uu34/GLC1968/GoatRocksme.jpg

moonfroggy

08-12-2010, 04:15 PM

i have gotten to the point where i will only wear wool ibex bras. they are so much better hot or cold than any other bra i have ever owned.

Catrin

08-13-2010, 03:21 AM

i have gotten to the point where i will only wear wool ibex bras. they are so much better hot or cold than any other bra i have ever owned.

Even in the summer? I would not have thought that comfortable, but obviously wool bras aren't what I am thinking of :)

I am hoping for a few pre-winter sales - I would like to pick up a pair of wool tights/knickers, a base layer that fits, and one or two bras for the winter. I did pick up two wool short-sleeve jerseys at the end of last winter cheap (and they were too small then, which I hope means they will fit now). I would love to get a wool long-sleeved jersey for the winter, but since I already know I will have to replace my much-too-large jacket for the bike I doubt I will be able to afford both...

I seem to have been converted to the dark...errrrrr...wool side :D

Catrin

08-23-2010, 09:35 AM

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPA_36533.html

This looks good to me for a winter base layer - has anyone any experience with their wool base layers? I know that there is a lot of support for Ibex here, but the price is nice :D

Crankin

08-23-2010, 10:44 AM

I wore wool socks for 3 days and my Shak one night, as well as a short sleeved wool top for hiking and mountain biking last week. I noticed after wearing the top one day, I felt itchy the next day when I tried wearing another one. I hope this doesn't start again, as I was having some pretty annoying allergy stuff going on with wool at the end of the winter. I decided to wear a regular wicking top, so I didn't end up ruining my vacation. I also wonder if the 2 heavy wool blankets I was sleeping with increased my sensitivity.
I have invested in so much wool for the winter, that I will be devastated if I can't wear it. Although, my Shaks don't bother me, as long as there's a long sleeved shirt under them.

PamNY

08-23-2010, 12:53 PM

Catrin, I have Patagonia wool bottoms which are fine.

lph

08-23-2010, 10:38 PM

[QUOTE=Crankin;530650] I also wonder if the 2 heavy wool blankets I was sleeping with increased my sensitivity.
I have invested in so much wool for the winter, that I will be devastated if I can't wear it. QUOTE]

Crankin, I wear wool more out of necessity than comfort, and I have some of the thinnest, finest wool money can buy. It's super when you need wool's qualities, but after a few days skiing or camping wearing wool 24/7 I am very happy to get home and put pure cotton next to my skin. But I haven't grown more sensitive over time or anything, I just don't wear it all day.