WoolWeenies Club [Archive] - Page 8 - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

BleeckerSt_Girl

07-03-2008, 06:50 PM

OK, so I got my Ibex order today.

I liked the Outback long sleeve shirt. The Burnt Red is more of plum-red than a red-red though, and it's fairly thin like a Kate...but still pretty. Size medium fit me best.
Got a couple of Indie Crews on sale in dark charcoal and medium grey. Nice, and a little thicker. Size Large fit me best.

Darn, see how I always have to order both med and large because I fall in between on the tops! :o The free shipping helped a lot there, because now I just have to pay to ship the other ones back and keep the ones that fit.

I'll have to send both the Berk Short and the Razzle Capris back though.
The size 12 in both fit my hips and legs just right.....but the waist was hanging open in a gap in the back that jutted between 3-4" out from my back. :( A belt would not have solved it, it would have bunched up way too much.
I guess they figure if you wear size 12 pants that means you're probably just big all over. :( My hourglass figure done me in again, I should know by now not to try to buy pants online. I'm bummed....they looked so nice in the pix!

I do wish Ibex would go back to showing actual people wearing their clothes instead of just showing the clothes laid out flat and perfect. I do get a better sense of fit when I see someone wearing an item.

At least I have three new snuggly merino autumn pullovers. :) I especially like those stripes down the arms of the Indie crews.

7rider

07-04-2008, 07:21 AM

The size 12 in both fit my hips and legs just right.....but the waist was hanging open in a gap in the back that jutted between 3-4" out from my back. :( A belt would not have solved it, it would have bunched up way too much.

Boy. Don't I know THAT one....:rolleyes:

I guess they figure if you wear size 12 pants that means you're probably just big all over. :( My hourglass figure done me in again, I should know by now not to try to buy pants online.

HEY!!!! :eek: I resemble that comment!!! I am NOT "big all over"!! (I'm very small in the chest!) :rolleyes:

BleeckerSt_Girl

07-04-2008, 10:05 AM

OK, I just gotta tell this thing from our ride this morning, speaking of 'big' hips....

DH and I are riding along on our bikes on a country road, and we see an elderly couple of pedestrians up ahead walking along the road. I say "Let's not give these people heart attacks"- meaning I am going to call out "Good Morning!" to them well ahead of when we pass them so as not to startle them.

Then Dh says "With a rear end like that you don't NEED a bell."
:eek: :eek: :eek:
I say "Hey, what is THAT supposed to mean!?"
He explained that my rear hub makes a pretty loud clicking noise when I'm coasting, and gives people in front of me advance warning that I'm coming up behind them without needing a bell, and that's what he was referring to.

:D :D :D :D

So today's joke around the house is me saying "With a rear end like mine I don't NEED a bell!"

Man, I'll be getting good mileage out of that one for some time to come. :D

KathiCville

07-06-2008, 08:37 AM

Howdy.....Great story, Lisa, LOL!

In an effort to reclaim drawer space, I'm trying to purge my ridiculously large collection of summer cycling jerseys. Among the ones that I'm willing to send off to new homes are two Ibex sleeveless Peregrine jerseys, never worn. Size Medium. One is a light turquoise (see photo below). The other is identical except the main color is a burnt orange. Very lightweight wool, but NOT see-through.

I paid about $35 each for them on Sierra Trading Post last fall or winter. (The retail price is around $60)

I'm game for parting with one or both for $22 each, plus shipping. $40, plus shipping, if you buy both.

I thought I'd list 'em here first on the woolweenies thread, before listing them on the general F/S thread. :)

PayPal only, thanks!! Any questions, PM me......

jennrod12

07-06-2008, 08:23 PM

Hi, based on this thread (because I am still a newbie) I picked up on CL (btw, I need a 12 step program for CL addiction - it is your fault though! - I learned about it here on the forum) Ibex Lightweight Spin Jersey for even $50.

My question to you all wool-pros is: What temps is this jersey most comfortable for? I know that it can go to quite extreme, but what is the ideal weather in which you would pick this jersey for a ride?

Well, for me, the hotter it gets, the more I can't think of any jersey that would be more comfortable than my Ibex Spin jersey.

Jenn

Natasha

07-07-2008, 12:59 PM

Ibex 405 jacket on SAC. I just missed it, maybe it will come up later. Does anyone have one of these?

KnottedYet

07-13-2008, 01:23 PM

Dang, the price of Bicycle Fixation's wool knickers just keeps going up!

Oh, how I wish I'd had the good sense to buy them when they were $90-ish!
http://www.bicyclefixation.com/prod_wool_knickers.html

Trek420

07-13-2008, 06:42 PM

90 ish? Dang, my Portland Cycling Knickers keep looking like a better and better deal. I'm having some problems with the zipper on one of the pockets. But I still love them and may get another pair.

Ooops, they are not wool, wrong thread. ;)

elk

07-14-2008, 11:53 AM

i really like that ibex spin jersey.....but it seems to only come in S M L--
no XL.

Like it never even came in an XL.

how does it run...sizewise.??

madscot13

07-14-2008, 05:39 PM

Anyone have any experience with the Ibex biking shorts? I am in need of a pair of shorts and they look interesting.

DebW

07-14-2008, 06:42 PM

I saw a pair of the Ibex bike short in person. The legs were shorter than most bike shorts. The spin jerseys are sized to fit snuggly. True to size if you like form fitting. Size up if you don't.

madscot13

07-14-2008, 07:06 PM

I would actually like a shorter seam. Did you hear anything on the chamois? They look ok, or at least more than a piece of felt.

mtbdarby

07-15-2008, 02:45 PM

Lord help me - I just bought the boucle jacket, 405 full zip and Kate sweater. All 50% off from backcountry outlet plus free shipping :eek: Where do I commit myself??

mariposa

07-17-2008, 05:46 PM

Has anyone tried these jerseys?

They are not widely available, for some reason. A brand new product?

TE seems to offer the Euphoria jersey: sleeveless, one pocket.

http://http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=30827

The Ewetopia one has sleeves and two pockets...I'd probably prefer it...any chance TE will offer it?

BleeckerSt_Girl

07-17-2008, 07:32 PM

I bought an Ibex 405 full zip in red today to try out:
405 Full Zip (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/ProductDetail.php?GID=1021&Outlet=1&VID=11897&Product=405-Full-Zip)

Jolt

07-17-2008, 07:36 PM

Ibex has up to 50% off everything in their outlet...I'm ordering a couple of things from there for the first time since everyone seems to be raving about how great it is and there are some great deals.

kayandallie

07-20-2008, 07:13 AM

I just bought the Ewephoria sleeveless on TE. I really like it. I've never known wool before but I'm now a convert.

GLC1968

07-23-2008, 09:01 AM

BleeckerSt_Girl

07-23-2008, 09:59 AM

I got my 405 Full Zip in red on Monday and I finally got a chance to try it on today. I'm wearing it right now at work and I LOVE it. It's soft and comfy like all my Ibex stuff, but the collar design and the finish makes it looks like a jacket/blazer. Very, very cute! (in fact, I may have to order the blue color, too!!!). The sleeves are a bit long on my short arms (like all Ibex stuff) but the shoulders and body fit nicely. I got a medium and I'd say it fits pretty damn close to the same way my full zip shak fits me. The red color is beautiful - true red...very nice.

Definitely cute and certainly worth the 50% off price point!

Yay! :p
Just to be accurate- the outlet boasts discounts of "up to" 50%....and the 405 was $150, now $95, so not a 50% discount there, but still a good deal for such a high quality item.

I got the very same 405 in red too, but I got one Large and one Medium....they both fit me- one fits like a loose light jacket and the other fits more like a sleek shirt..... but I still can't decide which one to go with. :(
Have to try them on again in a couple of days to be more objective. They are GREAT- not too heavy, not too light...and very handsome. :)

I often have this problem with Ibex tops- some look better in medium on me, and some in large, so I always have to order both sizes. :(

GLC1968

07-23-2008, 10:25 AM

Oh, I should point out that I did get mine for 50% off at backcountryoutlet.com. BUT, it's also not on that big of a sale there anymore, either. It's now back to $97...so it's again cheaper at Ibex. (in case anyone is currently shopping!)

Lisa - I know your sizing pain! I was that way with Ibex smalls and mediums before I gained all my current weight. :o Now it's easy, I'm always medium! How's that for a twisted 'silver lining'?! :p

BleeckerSt_Girl

07-23-2008, 10:34 AM

Natasha

07-23-2008, 04:59 PM

Backcountry.com has a 50% off coupon that is good throut 7/31. So you can still get the Ibex 405 for half price..

Jolt

07-23-2008, 06:00 PM

Got my Ibex order yesterday (Neela skirt and Ribbies tank)--nice stuff, especially the skirt. And the small was definitely the right size. The only problem is that the tank is a bit lower cut than I like so I need to shorten the straps a bit to fix that (not too crazy about everybody being able to see down the cleavage if I bend over)...

GLC1968

07-24-2008, 12:26 PM

Backcountry.com has a 50% off coupon that is good throut 7/31. So you can still get the Ibex 405 for half price..

You are totally correct! I forgot that you have to put the item into your cart to see the 50% off prices. The sale is definitely still on (as evidenced by my recent purchase for another 405 and a norgie crew! :o) Free shipping if you spend more than $50, too. And they ship quickly....not TE quickly...but still better than most places. :)

mtbdarby

07-25-2008, 11:46 AM

I also got the 405 at backcountry outlet and went with the tan large to use as a jacket. I LOVE IT! I'm also in the "short arm brigade" so I will have to shorten the sleeves but that's the price you pay.

I did not like the boucle jacket though. No pockets and it was kind of scratchie feeling. It's going back.

I scored on the Kara sweater! I love it as well. It was only left in black and I would have prefered the chocolate but that's ok.

I also got a pair of guys Ibex boxer undies to wear as pj bottoms from SAC and for a whopping $16 they are awesome:p I must stop shopping until I get unpacked from all my moving this summer.

Natasha

07-25-2008, 02:16 PM

Did you order your regular size in the Ibex 405, or go up one size?

GLC1968

07-25-2008, 03:33 PM

Did you order your regular size in the Ibex 405, or go up one size?

I ordered my regular Ibex size and it fits just right. I'd say it runs pretty close in sizing to both the Pingo jacket and the full zip Shak if you have either of those. It stretches a little too (which is good for my shoulders).

Mistie

08-05-2008, 06:10 AM

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-05-2008, 10:34 AM

Did anyone else get that notice from Ibex that seems to say they will be eliminating their 'outlet' section soon? Am i misinterpreting that?
Yikes, how awful that would be! I don't think they realize how that sale section spurs hesitant people to buy and then add other non-sale items to their order as well.

mimitabby

08-05-2008, 10:41 AM

Mistie
even though i am a wool weanie, i tend to not wear wool when it's going to be above 75 degrees because the wool feels heavier than lycra (or whatever our jerseys are made of) and hotter.
Wool is better for cool, damp, cold weather. Which of course we have a lot of out here in the Pacific NW 12 months out of the year!

oh, and welcome to TE.

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-05-2008, 01:14 PM

I'm wearing a very lightweight merino longsleeve top occasionally to sleep in on cooler nights, and sometimes if I'm outside in the late afternoon/evening I'll put on a light merino top as well. Plus, I still wear light wool socks for biking and fitness walking and roller skating- prevents friction sore spots on your feet like nothing else. :p

Other than that, not wearing my wool in July/August here in NY.

GLC1968

08-05-2008, 01:18 PM

I have been reading comments about wool jerseys and I have a couple of questions. I should mention I only wear wool socks and sweaters (also wool undershirts beneath my sweaters in the winter) and live in Roanoke, VA. While our winters are somewhat mild (25+ degrees F), our summers are awfully HOT and HUMID, especially in Roanoke, between two "mountains". I won't insult anyone from out west where you are surrounded by monster mtns.
1. How hot is the wool jersey in summer? I understand it is wicking and that is great, but wool can be hot. Give me your opinions please.
2. I read in a previous post that merino does not hold odors....please tell me this is true because it would be a dream! Both hubby and I are sweaty folks and no amount of washing/antiperspirent/deodorant will change that. His jerseys are the worst and we wash as soon as we can but usually the day or day after we ride. I am a newbie rider though so my stuff still has not had time to stink up the place.

Mistie - to be perfectly honest, I couldn't bring myself to wear wool for biking in the summer when I lived in NC. It was just TOO hot. I know some people did, but it didn't work for me. That said, I do wear wool up to about 80 degrees. It definitely wicks...and it does not smell! I now have a bunch of wool tank tops (that I didn't have when I lived in NC) and I think I could wear them in the summer there. I've worn them here on the 'hot' days (hot is a relative term!) and I was suprisingly comfortable. I think you just need to find the right weight for your needs. These tanks are quite thin - and I have a wool t-shirt that is actually thinner than cotton and it's wonderful for sweaty work (like moving day when it was mid 90's or working in the garden).

Hmmm, I probably didn't help much, did I? :p Bottom line, if you have a summer weight wool t or jersey, give it a try. Maybe wear it for a short run or some other endeavor where you won't be super far from home when you discover that it's not for you?! ;) Or, maybe wear it riding, but carry a regular summer jersery in a back pocket so that you can change if you need to?

Flur

08-05-2008, 04:44 PM

This is what I wear when it's above 90:

http://www.icebreaker.com/site/icebreaker_woman_icebreakergt140_aero_tank.html

Really, I wear this when it's above 75, but I find that when it's really, really hot this works the best for me. It feels so much lighter than any of my poly stuff and way better than the cotton stuff. Icebreaker has buried the link to the really light stuff as they're pushing their fall line right now, but you can still order it.

Triskeliongirl

08-05-2008, 05:35 PM

I am sitting here, writing this from an internet cafe in Provinceton MA, wearing my wool ibex kate. IT IS COLD ON CAPE COD even in august, especially at night!

With that being said though, I do not cycle in wool in summer.

But it is true that merino wool doesn't hold odors, and I do wear my ibex year round, even in sunny san antonio, although there I wear my ibex sweaters to stay warm in overly air conditioned interiors. Its also great at adjusting well to diff temperatures. I own pieces in different weights, that can be layered as needed.

GLC1968

08-11-2008, 11:38 AM

I'm sure you've all seen this already - but Ibex just put all their summer stuff on sale.

Yes, I'm now one full-zip shak, one cadence T and one pair of glove liners richer today. :D

Dianyla

08-15-2008, 02:57 PM

Icebreaker SuperFine190 Saturn Skirt - Women's skirt on SAC right now. :)

Grog

08-15-2008, 04:08 PM

... now replaced by the Icebreaker Stella Shirt (pretty).

elk

08-15-2008, 06:14 PM

It is over a 100 in Portland and I switched out of my cotton T a few hours ago for my Ibex T....it's shocking....but the merino is more comfortable!!!

Crankin

08-20-2008, 06:09 PM

I wore my Shak tonight....
First time in 8-9 weeks. It's 62 out and feels cool. And, I had my new ss Ibex t shirt on underneath.
Now, if I could find a black full zip Shak in an x small on sale!

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-20-2008, 07:23 PM

I wore my Shak tonight....
First time in 8-9 weeks. It's 62 out and feels cool. And, I had my new ss Ibex t shirt on underneath.
Now, if I could find a black full zip Shak in an x small on sale!

It was cool this evening here too! I wore a smart wool base layer longsleeve shirt and my Ibex black Kate on top of it when we went out this evening. I brought my Carrie hoody along too, but didn't quite need that yet. :eek:

Autumn is almost upon us!

elk

08-20-2008, 10:13 PM

Autumn is almost upon us!

:eek:
stop that at once!!!!

Grog

08-20-2008, 10:21 PM

Speaking of which:

Which one is your favourite Ibex short-sleeve tshirt? I'm thinking about the Echo. I want a black one.

Ideas?

KnottedYet

08-21-2008, 05:38 AM

My favorite get-out-and-play short sleeve is the Echo.

My favorite my-don't-I-look-nice short sleeve is the Q-T.

Crankin

08-21-2008, 06:12 AM

I bought a black Ibex skirt on sale last night. A weird thing happened when I went to check out. It said there were 2 things in the basket. Since I had only ordered one, I was surprised to see a black Kate in my size in the cart... huh? Did somebody know that I really want one, but I refuse to spend $110.00? I even searched for one, to no avail.
The only explanation I have is that I put it in there sometime late last winter and it stayed. I deleted it. :(.

mimitabby

08-21-2008, 07:22 AM

so are Ibex El Fito ever on sale? My husband's are about worn out. There's two holes in them, one on the knee from a fall, the other on a seam.

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-21-2008, 08:59 AM

:eek:
stop that at once!!!!

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5113&d=1199224984

Grog

08-21-2008, 09:20 AM

My favorite get-out-and-play short sleeve is the Echo.

My favorite my-don't-I-look-nice short sleeve is the Q-T.

No Q-T in black :(

I'll get an Echo I guess...

GLC1968

08-21-2008, 09:33 AM

No Q-T in black :(

I'll get an Echo I guess...

I have two of the cadence T's...very cute and flattering. I don't think they come in black either though.

Got my Ibex order yesterday. Love everything, of course!

I have been wearing my boucle full zip for farm chores, but I think I need something a little less textured for that purpose. The boucle grabs on to hay, goat hair, you name it...it's kinda gross. I think I need a full zip shak in the dark brown for farm work. That color will hide the 'ick' the best and it won't get as gross as quickly, I think.

Ah...another excuse to buy Ibex wool. Just what I need! :eek:

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-21-2008, 09:37 AM

Now, if I could find a black full zip Shak in an x small on sale!

A weird thing happened when I went to check out. It said there were 2 things in the basket. Since I had only ordered one, I was surprised to see a black Kate in my size in the cart... huh? Did somebody know that I really want one, but I refuse to spend $110.00? I even searched for one, to no avail.
The only explanation I have is that I put it in there sometime late last winter and it stayed. I deleted it. :(.

so are Ibex El Fito ever on sale? My husband's are about worn out. There's two holes in them, one on the knee from a fall, the other on a seam.

I notice that Ibex rarely puts things on sale that sell quickly. Plus, black sells faster than any other color, when a style goes on sale it's often in its colors other than black which have sold out already.
Black shaks....all gone now, both full and half zip. Other colors 'somewhat' available. (I doubt that black full zip shaks will EVER go on sale at Ibex.) :(
Black Kates were the first to disappear, now Kates are gone altogether (perhaps to reappear again later on?).
Fitos?- they always sell well, are black, and are multi-seasonal.... so I doubt they'll ever put them on sale unless they come up with a new style and have to move the old style out.

emily_in_nc

08-21-2008, 09:46 AM

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5113&d=1199224984

Running for the hills...I like snow but am not ready for COLD weather! :( Of course, it's quite a way off here in NC. :D

Cute hat, Lisa -- looks like braids!

Grog

08-21-2008, 09:54 AM

Any experience with the Pointelle t-shirts?

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-21-2008, 12:22 PM

Running for the hills...I like snow but am not ready for COLD weather! :( Of course, it's quite a way off here in NC. :D

Cute hat, Lisa -- looks like braids!

Well speaking of NC, 'Emily_in_NC'.....that hat is WOOL and was knitted specially for me last year by a musician friend who lives up in the mountains of Burnsville, NC. Here's a better picture:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5114&d=1199225005
And yes, people mistake the hat braids for real braids all the time...especially when they are encrusted with ice and snow! ;)
I have another wool hat that I added long wool braids and braided trim to as well.
I always feel like I'm wearing headresses when I wear these two hats. :)

emily_in_nc

08-21-2008, 12:41 PM

Well speaking of NC, 'Emily_in_NC'.....that hat is WOOL and was knitted specially for me last year by a musician friend who lives up in the mountains of Burnsville, NC.

Really cute -- but I fear I wouldn't look as adorable in it as you do. :p

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-21-2008, 01:20 PM

Really cute -- but I fear I wouldn't look as adorable in it as you do. :p

get outta town!!!! :eek: Look at your own avatar, silly! :p

Crankin

08-21-2008, 01:52 PM

I bought a hat just like that when I was in Lake Placid and it was around -10 out. It is so warm that I can't wear it 95% of the time I am x country skiing or snow shoeing. I did wear it when I was skiing at Craftsbury VT last January.

Grog

08-21-2008, 03:06 PM

I think BSG is the wooliest of us all.

She no longer has keratin-based hair, but wool hair!!!!! :eek:

:D :D

emily_in_nc

08-21-2008, 03:34 PM

get outta town!!!! :eek: Look at your own avatar, silly! :p

Aww, shucks...you're sweet. :o

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-21-2008, 04:28 PM

I think BSG is the wooliest of us all.

She no longer has keratin-based hair, but wool hair!!!!! :eek:

:D :D

Hmmmm....I thought I smelled lanolin when I was cutting my hair this morning. :eek:

mimitabby

08-21-2008, 04:33 PM

Hmmmm....I thought I smelled lanolin when I was cutting my hair this morning. :eek:

baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

crazycanuck

08-21-2008, 05:17 PM

No sheep jokes.. The kiwi contingent will just have to send air slaps

GLC1968

08-22-2008, 11:34 AM

I just had a conversation in the breakroom at work with a guy about Ibex. He saw my shak and asked if I was an Ibex fan. Little does he know!!

We both excitedly discussed the virtues of wool vs other materials...shared stories about our respective visits to the Icebreaker store downtown...exchanged information about the best place to buy....

How funny! I should have told him that it was nice to meet another woolweenie at work. Wonder what he would have said to that? ;)

Crankin

08-22-2008, 12:29 PM

My acupuncturist is an Ibex fan. He notices every piece of wool I wear to an appointment. Well, he's a former racer, so he is versed in all things wicking. It's funny, every medical professional I go to is a cyclist in one way or another.

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-03-2008, 01:04 PM

elk

09-03-2008, 01:15 PM

Just a little inside scoop during the autumn Ibex buying season....
The "Indie Crew" long sleeve tops that are on sale at Ibex in the women's outlet are not as soft as all my other Ibex merino tops....in fact they are a bit itchy. :cool:

great...i just ordered one (they had the color and size I wanted, same price) at backcountry...:rolleyes:

Crankin

09-05-2008, 04:45 AM

The 2 Ibex short sleeved shirts I bought at the Arcadia shop last month are kind of itchy, too.
I am bummed.

Trek420

09-05-2008, 07:10 AM

betcha could sell them here :cool: or can you layer something underneath?

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-05-2008, 08:49 AM

The 2 Ibex short sleeved shirts I bought at the Arcadia shop last month are kind of itchy, too.
I am bummed.

Uh-oh....is this a trend? :(

I think the Norgie long sleeves on sale are plenty soft though- can someone confirm that?
My Indie shirts are too slim to wear a softer base layer under. I didn't notice they were itchy until I had cut off the tags and started wearing them. :( I never figured anything Ibex would not be soft and dreamy.

Natasha

09-05-2008, 10:18 AM

I have 3 Ibex Norgie crews and they are very soft. I do not find them itchy at all. They are not a real slim fit. I wear them a lot in colder weather.

GLC1968

09-05-2008, 11:05 AM

I have a solid color Norgie crew (last year's maybe?) and it's nice and soft. It's a bit heavier than I had thought it would be, too - kind of like a thick t-shirt weight. I really like it!

Crankin

09-06-2008, 05:32 AM

Well, they are tight, but I like shirts that way. I guess I could wear a camisole underneath, but that would sort of eliminate the wicking properties, if I wore it while riding or hiking.
I am going to keep washing them.

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-06-2008, 10:01 AM

My Indies have softened a little bit after several washes and fabric softener. Just enough to keep them and wear them. But they are still not as soft as my other merino things.

elk

09-06-2008, 01:33 PM

my indie crew came...i tried it on with all my sensors on itch? but it seemed quite soft.
My Norgie is also soft. I think my favorite is the sleevless T though...which is roomy AND soft!

Grog

09-06-2008, 02:06 PM

Just scored a lightweight pink very soft merino turtleneck at a thrift sale. Will make a wonderful first layer for cold winter commutes!

GLC1968

09-10-2008, 03:25 PM

Grog

09-10-2008, 03:48 PM

Ibex fall line is out!

I forsee the purchase of a cranberry colored full zip shak in my future. Luckily, it's not available until Oct 8th...so I have time to save up! :p

I also really like the scroll sweater but it's not as useful as the shak so I'm restraining myself for once. :rolleyes:

I think I'll get that cranberry Shak too. I am drooling over the long jacket... but I'm afraid that at $250 it's a bit over my budget.

elk

09-10-2008, 04:05 PM

i'm giving in...even thought I have a brown one, and 3 OTHER wool sweaters in black...I gotta have that black FZ Shak... I looked for one everywhere last winter with no luck....

they won't charge your card until it ships....:cool:

Zen

09-10-2008, 07:01 PM

I am soon to come in to some money and want to buy a few select pieces of clothing one of which is an Ibex base layer.
in looking at the outlet site how do I know which pieces are base?

One thing I want for sure is a hooded shak which TE has on sale:)

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-10-2008, 07:24 PM

The "woolies" tops and bottoms are definitely a thin soft base layer.

For thin base layer merino items, I also like Smartwool brand "micro weight" tops and bottoms. The Ibex woolies and the SW microweight seem about the same thickness. The Ibex woolies tops have long knit cuffs (like long johns or henleys) and raglan shoulders, while the SW ones have a little hem at the wrists and regular set in sleeves and a hemmed crew neck instead. The SW for that reason can look more like a 'regular' top and be worn over a skirt better, for example.

Grog

09-10-2008, 09:34 PM

One thing I want for sure is a hooded shak which TE has on sale:)

Too bad it's only in L, I would have gotten one too! I have a black hooded Shak and it's great!!

elk

09-11-2008, 01:09 AM

Zen
the clothing is categorized by layer at the top of the page....because it's all wool, it kind of doesn't matter what you choose... ...they give you the weight of the wool in each piece.

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-11-2008, 07:59 PM

Zen
the clothing is categorized by layer at the top of the page....because it's all wool, it kind of doesn't matter what you choose... ...they give you the weight of the wool in each piece.

Yeah, we wool addicts buy our 'fix' by the pound. :cool: :D

elk

09-11-2008, 08:12 PM

Yeah, we wool addicts buy our 'fix' by the pound. :cool: :D

If you must know...I actually do have a studio full of merino roving...:eek:
(wool sculpture and an intention to become a better spinner.)

ANd I will say it again...in the heat, nothing beats a merino T shirt...We built a shed this week...85 degrees...me in Ibex sleeveless...

(you know Ibex really should do something nice for the TE loyalists....donchathink!!!???)

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-11-2008, 08:23 PM

If you must know...I actually do have a studio full of merino roving...:eek:
(wool sculpture and an intention to become a better spinner.)

I have seen some wonderful wool sculpture in my day. Here is some I liked at an art graduate students' thesis show last year:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/Strumelia/R_wnPEasOJI/AAAAAAAAAsU/WU00DELoIxI/s576/DSC01510.JPG
(my daughter had her jewelry in the show) :p

ANd I will say it again...in the heat, nothing beats a merino T shirt...We built a shed this week...85 degrees...me in Ibex sleeveless...
(you know Ibex really should do something nice for the TE loyalists....donchathink!!!???)

This thought has occured to me on numerous occasions when paying my ginormous Ibex credit card bills over the past couple of years. Occasional free shipping codes are 'nice' but hey....

My Ibex collection is obscene at this point.

elk

09-12-2008, 10:36 AM

but at least we can answer the question about a "favorite clothing design/manufacturer"....I used to say,...uh, Levi's? or Yamamoto if I could've afforded it...:cool:

what school is that?

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-12-2008, 10:45 AM

what school is that?

U Mass at Dartmouth (but the art museum was in New Bedford where the metals/art dept is located).

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-16-2008, 06:51 PM

Well I have to say I was hoping for a happenin' new shak color at Ibex this fall. But no....same ol' black, same ol' "warm green" (that looks awful on me), almost identical brown (again), and now a murky cranberry to replace the purple-y heather from last year. :(

No Tomato, or Celadon, or Saffron, or Camel, or Aqua, or pumpkin or Eggshell, or.......???

Guess I'll have to give my credit card a rest for the season. :cool: Well, it's not like I 'need' more Ibex right now, so I guess it's a good thing.

I wish there were some bright red or yellow shaks that I could wear on my bike in traffic and be seen.

GeoCam

09-16-2008, 07:23 PM

I'm not officially a wool weenie because I haven't tried it yet. Reading this forum has thoroughly convinced me, though.

I am trying to put together a wardrobe of commute-worthy clothes for this fall and winter, but can't afford the likes of Ibex or SmartWool. Today at a local consignment shop, I found two Pendleton washable merino wool turtlenecks - one red and one heather gray. Brand new, with tags still attached. The red one was $10. The gray one has a little hole in the neck part, and it was $5. Good start, huh?

sgtiger

09-16-2008, 08:59 PM

Geocam, great score on the Pendleton turtlenecks! Those consignment shops and thrift stores are a great place to look for wool wear. If you're handy in the sewing department, check out the mens section for wool pants. It's usually not too hard to find a pair or two that can be hemmed into a nice pair of commuting knickers.

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-17-2008, 04:09 AM

I think we all love finding wool treasures in thrift shops and Salvation Army!
I love the thrill when I see a likely item for $5 and look at the neck label and see "100% Merino Wool" Or better yet, the more rare "Cashmere" find!!! :D

Biciclista

09-17-2008, 08:33 AM

I have lots of second hand wool, they make great undergarments for winter rides if nothing else!

elk

09-17-2008, 10:11 AM

ebay too.....type in merino or cashmere or _______
and check the "search inside listings" box.

I got 2 VERY nice merino pieces for under 10....

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-30-2008, 04:03 PM

Oooooh....we're going to New Hampshire for the weekend, and will be taking our bikes. Forecast says high 50's daytime, in the 30's at night.

IT'S WOOL TIME. :D :D :D

Crankin

09-30-2008, 06:13 PM

Details, Lisa?
Where?

BleeckerSt_Girl

09-30-2008, 07:08 PM

A place called Hebron/Newfound Lake....I've never been there before. Some friends have a family lodge there on the lake and there'll be a dozen of us music friends there for the weekend. 3 or 4 others are bringing their bikes besides us- experienced riders all, so it should be fun riding around the lake and playing music and relaxing. :p I hope nobody suggests any monster hill climbs. :cool:
Sat and Sun forecasts look good....

Biciclista

09-30-2008, 07:42 PM

One thing about hill climbs, Lisa, they keep you warm!

:D

Crankin

10-01-2008, 04:32 AM

It sounds like fun. If you are near a lake, you can probably avoid the monster climbs, but that isn't easy in NH. The last time we were up near Mt. Washington, I got a book out of the library to look for rides before we left. I chose the one that was called a "ramble," i.e. did not entail climbing the Kangamangus Hwy. Well, it was short (28 miles), but there was about 3200 feet of climbing.
The weather should be great.

mariposa

10-03-2008, 10:49 AM

Hey - Though October 16, you can get anything 50% off retail (note this is not 50% off any "sale" price - you have to look for "retail" price) at

www.backcountryoutlet.com

with coupon code:
38M-1-GGDSP

Note this is only good at the "outlet." It does not work at backcountry.com.

What does this have to do with wool? Well I found Smartwool, Ibex, Icebreaker, Kavu, Swobo, Patagonia, and others on there!

Have fun!

redrhodie

10-09-2008, 05:00 PM

I found a Smartwool midweight turtleneck base layer at Marshalls today, for less than half retail price. I never find good stuff there. Now I realize, I must be waiting until too late in the season (like I try to buy bathing suits in Summer, stupid me). I bet by next week, they'll all be gone, and the swimsuits will be back.

They also had lots of cashmere sweaters, which are my favorite things to ride in in winter, but they were soooo expensive, and they were too poofy/dressy for road-bike riding.

Grog

10-09-2008, 05:49 PM

For the last two days I've been wearing the light-pink merino wool turtleneck I bought for two dollars at a church thrift sale last month. The turtleneck shows under my cycling jacket. Never looked so elegant on the bike! (And I'm toasty, too.)

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-09-2008, 06:41 PM

One of my favorite wool items cost me nothing and is also very sentimental to me...

My mother had a pair of 100% cashmere black gloves. She actually never got a chance to wear them, and they were brand new. She died two years ago and since then I use her cashmere gloves as liners inside my other various gloves in the winter- for both biking and snowshoeing, walking, whatever I do out in the cold for hours. They are not thick, but they are incredibly fuzzy and soft and cozy.
She would be so pleased to know she was still keeping me warm. :)

Zen

10-09-2008, 07:48 PM

madscot13

10-09-2008, 09:13 PM

You know that is one thing I don't understand. Can you refit it back to size? You know when you dry a pair of jeans in the dryer and the come out a size smaller but a day after you have worn them they are back to usual, does that happen with wool?

Cataboo

10-09-2008, 09:59 PM

I just got this
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSW_15204_1.html
Very nice, the fit is great. One thing worries me though. I like the way it fits now but the washing instructions say it might shrink slightly on first washing.

Anybody?

I've never had any of my smartwool shrink on me.

However, for the most part I don't put my smartwool or any of my wool in the dryer. I just hang them to dry. My bf puts his smartwool & icebreaker in a dryer on high without any problems (and much to my dismay he's put mine in as well)

I did just stay in a last week hotel and saw a bed bug (EWWWW), and after changing rooms - I washed all the clothes I had with me on high heat & dried them on high heat (supposedly kills any bugs or eggs) and left them on high heat for 5 mins after dry... I was about to cry because I did that to a ibex climawool softshell, an ibex shirt, and a smartwool shirt. Then I repeated that treatment when I got back home.

However, all of the wool handled it without a problem - no shrinkage.

The smartwool shirt did end up with a small hole. I've had that happen with about 6 pieces of my smartwool and lots of my smartwool socks that have developed random holes after a few washings, so I've stopped buying smartwool.

I like my ibex so much more.

Grog

10-10-2008, 10:45 AM

I had a wool sweater shrink once. But nothing like Smartwool or Ibex.

I've seen a new Smartwool piece that says DRY CLEAN ONLY on TE though. ?????

All of my other wool stuff has never shrunk. I wash it on cold, and hang to dry.

Cataboo

10-10-2008, 11:25 AM

I just got a merino wool arc'teryx emissary zip necka few weeks back, that after I washed I noticed it said dry clean only on it.

I wash all my wool with cold water and then hang/lay it flat to dry.

the fugitive zipneck was fine after that treatment.

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-10-2008, 12:06 PM

I just got this
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSW_15204_1.html
Very nice, the fit is great. One thing worries me though. I like the way it fits now but the washing instructions say it might shrink slightly on first washing.

Anybody?

I have several of those and I do wash them on warm/gentle in the machine- very very slight shrinking but nothing bad at all.
I usually dry them in the dryer on LOW and I don't set it for too long.

I do not think they can be 'unshrunk' after they shrink.

trinena

10-11-2008, 04:08 PM

Grog

10-11-2008, 05:18 PM

okay i'm new here & clueless about wool but motivated by this thread I ordered from TE the Ibex arm warmers in size (unisex) small. I was hoping they'd fit but they are too big. I did a search here but didn't find info. --- My question: Is there a way to shrink them and should I even risk it? if not then i'll return them.

Thanks for any help!

oh and if you have any rec.'s for any other x-small or small women's arm warmers w/ wool let me know.

I don't think I would try to shrink them, you don't know how they'll turn out and then you'll be stuck with expensive but useless arm warmers.

I have an old pair of Bleu Forêt silk/wool knee-high socks (with very cool stripes) that is quite worn at the heel, with assorted holes in the toe area. I'm going to cut it and somehow finish it (I'm still trying to figure out how) and wear them as arm warmers. They fit just fine and hold on to my stick arms, unlike ALL other arm warmers out there.

trinena

10-11-2008, 06:25 PM

I don't think I would try to shrink them, you don't know how they'll turn out and then you'll be stuck with expensive but useless arm warmers.

I have an old pair of Bleu Forêt silk/wool knee-high socks (with very cool stripes) that is quite worn at the heel, with assorted holes in the toe area. I'm going to cut it and somehow finish it (I'm still trying to figure out how) and wear them as arm warmers. They fit just fine and hold on to my stick arms, unlike ALL other arm warmers out there.

ooh maybe I can do that to my very cool striped smart wool knee-high socks. so if you figure it out let me know or i'll pass it on to my friend who can sew. i want to add some playfulness to my cycling wear!

Crankin

10-12-2008, 03:52 AM

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-12-2008, 10:30 AM

I'm pretty sure Sheila Moon has wool arm warmers in women's x small/small. I bought some wool knee warmers from her; they were too warm! I mean, if it's cold enough for wool on my legs, then I will be wearing my tights. They fit perfectly, though.

It should be noted that Sheila Moon's "Dri-Release wool fleece" arm and leg warmers are actually only 11% wool:

Specifications:
Dri-Release Wool Fleece: 11% Wool, 81% Polyester, 8% Lycra
sheila moon arm warmers (http://www.influence-tech.com/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?CatalogID=aa5864c3-3a87-4dd8-8d76-2c319d0f8f70&ProductModelID=d1247dbf-a6e7-4273-9538-ebed1d4ee8a9&Type=PN&Currency=USD)
However, I bought my daughter their hoody made from this material, and I have to say it is very soft and snuggly....but I wouldn't call it "wool".

Crankin

10-12-2008, 02:26 PM

Lisa, I knew they were only part wool, but man, they were just too sweaty for me. And one ripped in the seam like the second time I wore them.
I ordered a LS jersey from Sheila Moon today. Not wool, but it was only $42, which is cheap for LS. It doesn't have any thermal stuff or wool, and is very similar to a Performance jersey I have, that isn't made anymore. I can wear it with a Craft base layer and it will take me through the next few weeks, with a vest or jacket. Right now, my wool or lined regular jerseys are too warm.
Still waiting to get my black Shak...

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-12-2008, 02:44 PM

I like lots of stuff that isn't wool too. :eek:
For instance, i love my Sheila Moon poly boleros with matching sheer 'ballet skirts'. I don't wear the skirts biking though, but they are cute for everyday wear.
I love my screaming yellow polyester/lycra NightLife apparel for biking- I seldom ever go biking without at least one screaming neon yellow item. :D
I have many SheBeest and Louis Garneau biking pieces. And i love my silky Louis Garneau balaclava in the dead of winter.
There is a weather condition for every combination of duds. :)

Crankin

10-13-2008, 04:12 AM

I better warn Steve about the Sheila Moon purchase. Along with the receipt, came a warning that the charge will come through as some weird name; something Technologies, and if you dispute the charge, you will be charged more!
Oh yes, I could buy lots of cycling apparel. I think I own Terry. Have a few Shebeest and Sugoi, too.

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-13-2008, 10:32 AM

hoo-weeeee, found 3 good wool sweaters today at the thrift shop!

For a total of $45, I got:

a big warm Eddie Bauer 100% wool turtleneck ski sweater in various grays in a Norwegian type pattern with reindeer....

a black boat neck DREAMY SOFT sweater- 2/3 lamb's wool and 1/3 rabbit ANGORA...yummy yummy... :p

and a thin 100% merino charcoal gray turtleneck- very soft...

oooooooohhhh.....

Flur

10-13-2008, 04:15 PM

It's really irrational, but when I buy non-wool LS and SS t-shirts and jackets when there are equally good wool items out there I feel guilty. I have to wash the non-wool stuff more, but that's not really why I feel guilty. I feel like I'm cheating on wool! :eek: I think to myself, if I buy this $40 synthetic wicking t-shirt, that's $40 less I can spend on wool! What's wrong with me?!?!?

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-13-2008, 04:22 PM

Biciclista

10-13-2008, 04:29 PM

Shopping in Italian open air markets I found 3 sweaters, one a brown and orange argyle for me, one, a striped zipped cardigan for me, and a third, a very fine navy blue sweater for my daughter in law.
There were absolutely no wool socks for women at all, but the sweaters (probably sewn in China) made up for it, each being less than 15 euros.

7rider

10-19-2008, 12:34 PM

Question for all you Wool Weenies.....

This past week, I crashed while wearing my Ibex Spin merino jersey. :eek::mad:

I'm fine (sort of)...a bit of trail rash and some bruising, but I'll live.
However...
I have a tear in the shoulder of my jersey!! :eek::eek:
It's small - a three-sided flap-tear (in the fabric), about the size of a pencil eraser. How can I repair it? Should I stitch it? (From the inside or outside?) Can you patch merino?
Thoughts?
Thanks!

SouthernBelle

10-19-2008, 12:48 PM

Is it at the seam or in the fabric?

Either way I would repair it. It will begin to unravel and become bigger. Assuming it is a tightly knitted fabric, Stitch it from the inside. You MAY wish to treat it with a drop of Fraycheck which you can get at a fabric store. It will result in a touch of stiffness though.

Glad you're OK

Cataboo

10-20-2008, 08:01 AM

I'm not sure whether this will work - but it's worth a shot.

Try emailing ibex on their website, you might luck out and they'll replace it.

They've sent me new buttons when the buttons fell off my ibex cinch jacket, and they replaced a norgie for me that had an imperfection in the fabric (the tags were still attached on the latter)

Blueberry

10-20-2008, 08:19 AM

Along with the receipt, came a warning that the charge will come through as some weird name; something Technologies, and if you dispute the charge, you will be charged more!

I'm confused as to how they could charge you more if you dispute it. I've accidentally disputed honest charges before (sometimes they come through as something really weird), and I've never been charged more. That seems really shady to me. Just my opinion.

CA

7rider

10-20-2008, 11:13 AM

Crankin

10-20-2008, 06:13 PM

CA, I'm sure they must have had a lot of people checking their charges on line (we check ours daily) and when someone saw an unfamiliar name, they had the company question it. I know that Amex does this on the spot for any disputes. So probably they were sick of it and it took time, hence, money. I just wonder why she doesn't just use her real name, i.e. Sheila Moon.

xeney

10-27-2008, 10:10 AM

Cataboo

10-27-2008, 10:16 AM

Crankin

10-31-2008, 03:33 AM

Last week while I was waiting for the owner to come in for my fit appointment, I was chatting with the mechanic about our wool mania. She said she couldn't find a Smartwool bra and she thought they had stopped making them. So we got on the Ibex site and voila, there it was, along with some other items she wanted.
I was so jealous when she said she gets a discount on Ibex! She said they sell some type of Ibex bike accessories in the store; not clothing. I was doubtful about this, but I felt like I had done a "mitzvah" (a good deed) for the day.

xeney

10-31-2008, 06:23 AM

It is wool (so it shouldn't smell), you are going to be wearing shirts underneath it, so you don't really have to wash it all that often.

Alas. I have a toddler. My top layer is always covered in yogurt, applesauce, or snot. This was a dumb purchase.

But thank you for the washing ideas. Maybe I'll put it aside for a year or two.

OakLeaf

10-31-2008, 07:36 AM

I just wonder why she doesn't just use her real name, i.e. Sheila Moon.

She's probably co-oping the credit card account with another business. Credit card accounts are expensive, and most of them also charge based on volume (the greater the total charges, the smaller the fee). So if she, her family, or her business associates have other businesses that can share the credit card account, they all benefit.

Grog

10-31-2008, 09:27 AM

Alas. I have a toddler. My top layer is always covered in yogurt, applesauce, or snot. This was a dumb purchase.

But thank you for the washing ideas. Maybe I'll put it aside for a year or two.

Don't forget to put little cedar balls with it, just in case the moths get to it before you have a chance to wear it again!

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-31-2008, 09:32 AM

I have a question: I recently bought the Smartwool hoodie (Sagebrush, I think?) which is beautiful and comfortable and I love it. Problem: it says dry clean only! I did not notice when I bought it and just assumed it was washable like all Smartwool products.

Do I have to? I'm guessing yes, because it's felted. But this means I will probably give it away.

Alas. I have a toddler. My top layer is always covered in yogurt, applesauce, or snot. This was a dumb purchase.

But thank you for the washing ideas. Maybe I'll put it aside for a year or two.

Xeney,
I would recommend to dry clean it, NOT wash it....because it's felted.
A friend of mine put her husband's Ibex loden (felted) wool jacket in the washer (!), no dryer...and it wound up completely ruined- shrunk in all the wrong directions and became hopeless for anyone to wear. She then noted after the fact that the label said dry clean only.
It's one thing to put merino pullovers, turtlenecks, baselayers, and socks in the wash, ....but not felted outerwear, loden vests, or jackets.

One good piece of news about your felted wool piece though- you'de be amazed at how food and spills come right off when you rub the wool with a damp sponge and/or rinse the spot, then dry it by blotting or rubbing with a clean dry washcloth. Dense wool is very good about getting the spots and spilled rubbed out- the food doesn't soak in so much like on cotton and poly.

Cataboo

10-31-2008, 05:32 PM

I just checked my ibex switchback pullovers & my ibex vertigo jackets - Both are loden and I think are felted, the switchback description says it is and I'd say the vertigo looks more felted.

Anyways, the tags say "dry clean or hand wash"

I know the vertigo jacket has been through the washing machine without a problem because my mother ran it through once when I was visiting her. After I finished freaking, looked at the jacket and it was fine. I'm pretty sure I've washed the switchbacks in a machine before as well.

It may depend on how harsh your washing machine is?

BleeckerSt_Girl

10-31-2008, 07:06 PM

Just so you know- Ibex no longer makes Switchback items specifically because they were shrinking and distorting badly when washed in the washing machine, even on gentle. People were complaining and sending them back too much. KnottedYet had one that was a total loss. Switchback items are very risky to throw in the washer. I have several- the half zip, the full zip, and the vest...but I treat them as outer wear and haven't needed to wash them yet. I will be dry cleaning those.
On the other hand, I have lots of other Ibex items I throw in the washer (gentle of course). My Shaks are real champs when it comes to the washing machine. :) I tend to fluff them half dry in a low setting dryer (gets the cat hair off) and then lay them out to finish drying.

Cataboo

10-31-2008, 07:21 PM

I'll have to be more careful with mine. My ibex tends to be the most resilient of my wool. I've had so much smartwool stuff just randomly develop little holes after only wearing them a couple of times that I've stopped buying smartwool. A couple of icebreakers have developed holes around zippers. I think I've only got one ibex that has developed a hole and that's on a very thin shirt.

momof4greatkids

11-18-2008, 02:55 PM

Just so you know- Ibex no longer makes Switchback items specifically because they were shrinking and distorting badly when washed in the washing machine, even on gentle. .

+1 I got my Ibex Switchback from sierratradingpost, and it did a shrinking act after one machine washing. It got really short in the body and the arms....oh well, this was one time a bargain wasn't really a bargain after all.

Zen

11-18-2008, 07:01 PM

I just watched "Fringe"
A woman was shot in the chest. As they showed her body on the floor I looked at her sweater and thought "is that wool"? :eek::p

OakLeaf

11-19-2008, 03:43 AM

Zen, yuk, but since you posted it, inquiring minds want to know: does wool wick blood?

Zen

11-19-2008, 06:57 AM

It does on TV;)

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-19-2008, 07:13 AM

It does on TV;)

That would be fake blood....and maybe fake wool too! :cool: :D

Crankin

11-19-2008, 11:51 AM

Arcadian Shop sent 15% off coupon....:eek:

Triskeliongirl

11-19-2008, 02:08 PM

Dear Wool weenies. I need your help. I am in search of the following:

1. Wool long underwear to wear under regular pants in cold places walking around. I need to order some for my daughter in boston, but don't want it to be so heavy that she will overheat when she goes indoors. She also wants it cut to hit below the waist so its not sticking high above here pants.

I am considering Ibex woolies, smartwool baselayers (?microweight or lightweight?). Any thoughts, comparisons, etc.

I will also get some for me to wear on a trip from southern portugal to switzerland this winter. Not for sports, just everyday walking around stuff.

2. I just bought a goretex hardshell, and want one more layer for either skiing in switzerland or walking around that part of the world in january. I have tons of ibex light and midweight tops, and full zip shaks, but I think I need one more layer. I have one fleece that will work, but won't merino breath better and get smelly less?

I have a gift card to a place that sells smartwool (http://www.hudsontrail.com/vendor/53/70/) I want to use. What do you think of the kahn's peak half zip or sagebrush hoodie ? Does anyone know how they run rel. to ibex? Do you guys think I should just size up one (my shaks are small, so order medium to layer over a shak?) These guys do have the smartwool bottoms but only medium weight? Will I overheat in that indoors? Is a hoodie a good idea even without the shak under the goretex shell so I don't need to always carry a hat?

It is so hard cuz the stores here don't sell any of this stuff, I have to mail order it all.

Biciclista

11-19-2008, 02:16 PM

Trisk, I just got a pair of smartwool pointelle tights from Catriona that I just love.
If you found some of those they would be ideal. they are more like long johns than tights, but not baggy.

emily_in_nc

11-19-2008, 02:48 PM

These guys do have the smartwool bottoms but only medium weight? Will I overheat in that indoors?

YES! I have a pair of the Smartwool bottoms in mid-weight (bought for hiking), and I couldn't tolerate them for hiking if the temp was above freezing. Even in the 20s, I would have been happier with the light-weight (under thin, quick-dry hiking pants). Legs just don't get nearly as cold as torsos. I'd say the light-weight or micro-weight (or one of each) for your daughter and the same for you. No mid-weight unless you plan to be out and about in < 20 degrees. The mid-weight are also pretty bulky and cannot be worn under any slim-fit pants.

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-19-2008, 02:55 PM

My daughter likes the Ibex woolies bottoms as long johns under her daily pants in winter, even to work. They are lightweight but cozy and warm.

That Kahn looks more like a sweater than a 'top'- might be too heavy espec. under a jacket with other base layers.
I have two regular smartwool hoodies that are great when I don't want to carry a hat. They are casual looking. The hoods fit your head exactly, and fit under a bike helmet well. They are different from the sagebrush hoody you link to. The sagebrush is boiled wool (thicker and lightly felted) and does not have the built-in turtleneck that the reg. SW hoodies do. Also looks like maybe the hood is looser and more open?

I tend to layer 2 or 3 wool things in the coldest part of winter. I might start with a SW or Ibex thin base layer top, then a medium weight merino zip turtleneck, then maybe my Shak over that. If it's REALLY cold I might put a heavy felted wool vest over the Shak to top it all off.

If as you say you have quite a few thinner merino tops, try just layering what you have as opposed to buying a heavier top. Perhaps the SW hoodie will round things out for you? Or try the Ibex hooded shak- those are NICE and you could order one size larger so it will fit nicely over your other shak.
Shaks are my most practical items, and I have the half zip and then I might wear the full zip over that, sort of like an old fashioned 'sweater set'.
As for soft and warm- the one most versatile item I own is the SW medium weight zipneck turtleneck in black. It's VERY soft and warm and I have washed mine a hundred times in the washer already....keeps on ticking.
It looks very simple and elegant, so you could wear it at work too, or out to dinner.

Dianyla

11-19-2008, 05:06 PM

Zen, yuk, but since you posted it, inquiring minds want to know: does wool wick blood?
Sadly, yes. I was travelling while on my period. I didn't have the chance to wash out some blood-soaked panties, and ended up accidentally packing them up in a clothes bag next to a lavender :eek: colored Icebreaker shirt. I ended up with a good sized blotchy stain on the chest that wicked through to same spot on the back of the shirt. I tried soaking it in cold water for days but could not get the stain out, so I just gave up and resigned the shirt to underlayer use only. :(

But the story does have a happy ending. Now almost a year later it has slowly but surely been fading with each washing and it's almost invisible now. :)

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-19-2008, 05:46 PM

Dianyla,
You could be like the beautiful Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove of the Phillipines:
http://www.amateurphotoblogger.com/wp-content/gallery/birds/510177045_61aaec9685.jpg

Dianyla

11-19-2008, 06:37 PM

Dianyla,
You could be like the beautiful Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove of the Phillipines:
OMG, Lisa, I just love you! :D

Sadly it was a rather dull splotch of brown mildly resembling Madagascar. Thankfully it's almost gone, it can only be seen if I'm looking for it now.

Zen

11-19-2008, 07:10 PM

I'll never think of Madagascar the same way again :D ;)

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-19-2008, 07:13 PM

.

http://www.gracegalleries.com/images/AF/AF130.jpg

Triskeliongirl

11-19-2008, 07:14 PM

THANK YOU GUYS! I found a black hooded shak on sale at zappos that I ordered along with some woolie bottoms for both me and my daughter. I did get M so I could layer more underneath than I can with my S full zip shaks. Its nice cuz I don't own any hoodies, and I see how it will be great for skiing or cycling.

I just used the gift card at HTO for a winter cycling jersey for DH, cuz I didn't think the SM they had would work for me.

I thought I was done, but then the 20% coupon came from TE. I'd been wanting more midweight wool t-necks, especially to wear with my suits. I have 2 suits, one is black and one is charcoal grey. Which color SW mid weight zip Ts do you guys think would go best: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSW_15204.html

NEVER MIND, GRRR.........i decided to go ahead and order the orchid heather, and when I went to do it it was already gone in my size.

p.s. any XS gals check out the great buy on a red hooded shak right here on TE at 50% off..........

Crankin

11-20-2008, 05:30 AM

AHHH.. don't tempt me! I won't look at it.
Elaine, did the bottoms you bought have a low enough waist so they don't come up above your pants? I generally never wear anything under my regular pants, even when it's freezing, because I've never found any long underwear or tights that don't come right up to my navel. A couple of years ago, I did a search for low rise tights and got a very weird list of sort of a pornographic nature. The Gap did make low rise tights for a while, but I never found them again.

OakLeaf

11-20-2008, 06:18 AM

Bunch of SmartWool stuff on clearance at REI.

My parcel's coming this afternoon <vibrating like a dog waiting for a treat> :D

Crankin

11-20-2008, 09:41 AM

Lost my will power; I bought the red half zip shak, along with 2 Smartwool microweight LS tees.

Triskeliongirl

11-20-2008, 10:13 AM

Lost my will power; I bought the red half zip shak, along with 2 Smartwool microweight LS tees.

I'm sorry..........., but glad one of you tiny gals got it. It looks like a lovely piece. I ordered mine in black, and think its really gonna round out my collection.

I bought the most beautiful goretex shell parka, and really think that between this piece, the woolie bottoms that are coming, and the REST of my Ibex collection I can pull off a trip to a cold place without packing a big puffy coat.

This strategy works so well for me, since I can just use fewer layers at home, combine them when I travel, and be prepared for anything without trying to anticipate exactly what the weather will be like. I don't know why it took so long to sink in, especially the idea of combining even more layers.

Its hard cuz when I go to stores they really discourage the wool, try to sell me fleeces, down sweaters, etc., but the Ibex pieces are so much more versatile! Thank you wool weenies for educating me................. Lisa always has such great advice (and I know we have similar taste). I ordered one woolie bottom but I will also be on the lookout for the lighter tight Mimi recommended. I am lucky I still have pants that are one size too big from when I lost my weight, but are perfect for when I need another layer on the bottom.

Now I only have to wait for the packages..........

Triskeliongirl

11-21-2008, 07:09 AM

stp, right NOW, icebreaker merino jackets.........

Triskeliongirl

11-21-2008, 07:32 AM

Dear Wool Weenies:

As I said above, I am planning a trip at christams time that starts in southern portugal where it will be rainy, but mild temps- 50ish, all the way to Lausanne Switzerland where it will be cold and snowy-20ish.

So, when I was in DC this week I picked up a great deal on an Arc'teryx Beta Goretex Parka (pic attached). It was a 2006 closeout, but still not cheap. What I love about it is the color, it actually has a bit of a tailored fit so looks great, has pit zips and a drop tail, and while its heavier than your typical cycling specific raincoat, I think will do me well as a jacket for a bike tour to wear from down pours to off the bike stuff. Its also amazing just over a light base and shak in san antonio, my usual winter wardrobe (say in the 40s). Every day that I wear it I am soooo glad I bought it, something technical that is figure flattering! When I tried wearing it in DC though I was cold, in part cuz I didn't bring warm enough hats and gloves (just thin ibex liners), and my lower body was cold (no long underwear or even tights).

Do you guys think adding a hooded shak, and perhaps a mideweight rather than lightweight base, woolies long johns, and of course a more substantial hat and gloves and neck gaitor will get me to the 20s or high teens. Are jeans and woolies enough on the bottom, or do I need to wear wool pants too, or cover the jeans with a goretex cycling pant. I am asking about being up and about, not while exercising. To ski, I thought I'd put my shebeest windpro fleecy tight under my goretex cycling pants.

Is double shakking really weird and overkill? Is it as warm as a down sweater with less bulk?

I've always worn insulated coats in this kind of weather, so I wanna know if I should leave my primaloft coat at home, or pack in just in case as it doesn't take up a huge amount of room (North Face Boulevard Jacket). I did wear this coat in DC in the 30s and was comfy, over a shak and base and wool pants.

-A confused girl living in a warm place.

Cataboo

11-21-2008, 07:37 AM

Arc'teryx makes gorgeous stuff.

If you've got room to add stuff,

double shakking isn't weird and overkill - I put on 3-4 layers of wool when skiing and then through an arc'teryx shell over it. The ibex long trail sweater gets my vote as the warmest ibex piece. Sometimes I have a fleece over all of that stuff, or something like the icebreaker raven that was just up on sac.

If you look at the ibex climawool pants, I find they're a lot warmer than goretex - a layer of woolies with the alpstars or the backcountry pants is heavenly.

You probably don't need the down sweater or a primaloft sweater.

Triskeliongirl

11-21-2008, 09:44 AM

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-21-2008, 10:02 AM

Do you guys think adding a hooded shak, and perhaps a mideweight rather than lightweight base, woolies long johns, and of course a more substantial hat and gloves and neck gaitor will get me to the 20s or high teens.

YES.

Are jeans and woolies enough on the bottom

No.

Is double shakking really weird and overkill? Is it as warm as a down sweater with less bulk?

No. Yes.

I've always worn insulated coats in this kind of weather, so I wanna know if I should leave my primaloft coat at home, or pack in just in case as it doesn't take up a huge amount of room (North Face Boulevard Jacket). I did wear this coat in DC in the 30s and was comfy, over a shak and base and wool pants.

Just bring your new parka and all your merino layers. Jeans are not going to be your friend in the cold, so wear a two layer combo of warm tights or ski-type pants instead. If you can squeeze a thin merino base layer tight under your SheBeest WindPro tight (I have this and it's WARM!)- that would be PLENTY warm for anything down to zero degrees. Or a merino base layer tight under some ski type pant or wind resisitant Ibex pant.

Biciclista

11-21-2008, 11:15 AM

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Cataboo

11-21-2008, 11:19 AM

Wow, thanks for the tips Catriona. I bought the jacket in medium so I do have room for layers, up to a point that is. No problem to get 4 merino layers including two shaks. I was tempted buy that stp jacket, but thought the hooded shak would be more versatile. My hooded shak arrives today, and I hope that I LOVE it. So, I think I am OK on top.....

Your advice on the alpstar pant is intriguing. The reviews I read said this would work not just for skiing but for walking around in a cold place (i.e. not look like 'ski pants'). If that's correct that is just the ticket, since the only wool pants I own are dress pants, and I need something for just walking around in switzerland in wintertime, and if I could also ski in them that's a bonus.

You could ski in the alp star pants - what they don't have is kickpatches - the thick part that's usually on the inside of your ski pants that prevents them from getting torn up by sharp ski edges. So if you fall a lot or have a tendancy to tear up that part of your pants while skiing, I wouldn't wear them. However, they're going to be not as loose at the bottom as ski pants so they're not going to come all the way down over your boot, so they won't be as likely to get caught as longer ski pants.

I'll have to check tonight what size alpstars I have - I know I've got the ibex backcountry pants in a medium, and they're great. They do have kickpatches, they are windproof.

The alpstars are windproof as well, I'm not sure as much as the backcountry. They do look fairly casual. I know my alpstars are kinda huge because I got them them for cheap on ebay and for that price I didn't really care how well they fit. I'll check their sizing and mine tonight and PM you.

For skiing, it really depends on how much you fall. If you don't fall much, it doesn't matter that both of the pants aren't going to be fully waterproof - they will shed moisture and resist getting wet.

The thing that's extremely nice about the icebreaker raven & allstar is that the weave/fabric is so tight that they are windproof. I can use them as an outer layer on a windy day. That also makes them extremely warm. I love the hooded shak, but it's not as windproof as they are.

Triskeliongirl

11-21-2008, 12:12 PM

OK, so it sounds like I am good for top layers. I do not care about windproofness of my mid layers since my goretex jacket is windproof (and was told that windproof mid layers won't breathe well).

What I am still a little unclear on is what to wear on the bottom if its in the 20s. Not for skiing, but for just walking around a city, are you guys saying I would be cold with woolies under jeans. What about if I put a goretex cycling pant over that, or woolies, windpro tight, and a goretex cycling pant? It sounds like you are recommending the ibex climawool pants just for walking around, right, or are they primarially for skiing. Will I then overheat if I go inside?

Fortunately both my goretex pant and windpro tight are roomy enough to layer under (especially the goretex pant, which is really a size too big if I just wear it over cycling tights so I can put it over jeans, but is that super-dorky?).

Cataboo

11-21-2008, 12:38 PM

Since we're not you, it's hard to tell you definitely what you need to bring and not. You'll probably be fine in jeans with woolies - have a heavier layer with you in case you aren't.

You can use the alpstars for walking around in - they're casual enough looking. You could also use them for skiing.

I've got a couple pairs of the prana fleece lined pants, that I absolutely love and they're kind of my cold weather walking around in pants. It's more of a flannel lining than fleece
http://gearattack.com/items/9843

Bottom layers - truthfully, while I have wool bottom layers, they really just don't tend to be as warm as just putting on some polartec powerstrech and I really don't use them as much. I don't like layering multiple bottom layers for skiing. It constricts movement a bit too much.
http://www.backcountry.com/store/ARC0503/Arcteryx-Rho-AR-Bottom-Womens.html?CMP_ID=SH_FRO001&CMP_SKU=ARC0503&mv_pc=r126

The arc'teryx rho ar bottoms are extremely warm. The cloudveil run don't walk bottoms as well:
http://search.backcountry.com/exec/?mv_session_id=TVoLzUNz&aff=1&q=run+don%27t+walk&x=0&y=0

I've got a pair of run don't walk boxers, that layers with some power stretch tights with an outer goretex layer and I'm usually good for down hill skiing.

I wouldn't use woolies on their own under goretex, because I wouldn't find that warm enough. I do have one pair of ibex tights that are fairly thick - they're the weight of the loose tights & unzip at the bottom, I think they're the energy tights:
http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/ProductDetail.php?GID=1234&VID=14733&Product=Energy-Tight

That's my warmest wool bottom.

Polartec powerstretch dries quickly if washed in a sink or whatever.

Jolt

11-21-2008, 01:09 PM

I just got two good deals on Ebay--a blue Icebreaker tank top and a set of three pairs Fox River merino hiking socks (organic merino, to boot). It all arrived today and I am quite happy with all of it! So don't forget to check out Ebay if you know the kinds of things you're looking for...

Cataboo

11-21-2008, 01:10 PM

While I'm committing blasphemy in the wool weenies forum - another incredibly warm bottom (not wool) is the arc'teryx tau pants.
http://www.amazon.com/Arcteryx-Tau-Pant-Womens/dp/B000AMPXVE

They've got a pullover zipneck shirt as well.

Their gamma mx pants are another pair of softshell pants you might want to look into if you're not interested in the ibex backcountry or alpstar

Crankin

11-21-2008, 01:19 PM

Elaine, I don't see why you wouldn't be warm enough walking around with a nice wool layer (tights or long underwear) and whatever pants you want...
What did you wear on the bottom when you were here last January? I don't think you would need anything more than that! You had a lot of layers on. People generally don't wear layers on the bottom, here, unless they are going out to do some serious walking; like when I went to work, I just wore my pants or skirt and whatever tights or socks I would normally wear, since you are not normally outside. Outdoor sports in the cold are another thing, but I have never needed more than mid weight silk long underwear and my Ibex pants, even at -10 F. when skiing or hiking.
Today I had to go to Cambridge for a meeting; it is about 30 but feels like 15. I was cold waiting for the train in just my jeans, but if I had had a nice wool layer under them, it would have been fine. You don't want to be too sweaty!
Robyn

Triskeliongirl

11-21-2008, 01:44 PM

Wow, keep the tips coming. When I visited Crankin in Boston, I wore a goretex pant over my jeans, and was OK but felt really dorky. I then proceeded to buy a primaloft coat and tall boots which worked fine in Boston over jeans and ibex on top, but I think it was only in the 30s.

But, now I am looking for travel clothes to take me from southern portugal to switzerland with the smallest number of pieces that can be combined in lots of different ways. And I think Switzerland will be colder than Boston was, and I will want to ski. I guess this is getting mixed up cuz its not always clear which responses are good for just walking around vs skiing, and I guess I am looking for clothes that in different combinations will work for both. So, its sounding like if I want to add one more piece the alpstar pant will do it, I just need some sizing help on it from anyone that owns it (do your actual body measurements match the size you ordered?).

But Catriona gave me another idea. The shebeest windpro tight is lined with powerfleece. I have one pair of wool pants that are a size too big, so if its really cold in switzerland I could put the tight on under the pants, and if its less cold pair them with the woolies for walking around.

Cataboo

11-21-2008, 02:07 PM

Another thing to keep in mind are wool camisoles - ibex pointelle or the icebreaker ones. Those are great for layering and can be worn alone in warmer climates with a wool zip up over it. Portugal's probably still going to be in the 50's?

Triskeliongirl

11-21-2008, 02:13 PM

Oh Catriona, you have me so overwhelmed. I just looked at that arcteyrx tau pant and it looks lovely for walking around.

Maybe I should order both the alpster and tau pants in assorted sizes, and return what doesn't work.....

I do have a number of ibex tank tops that I use for around here under blouses, so I am good with those. But that's another great idea, layering those under one of my base layers.

So, while I know everyone is diff, Catriona tell me another thing, what would be the warmest temperature you would wear the tau and alpster out in (not for sports now, just walking around). I know that I froze in DC in lined wool dress pants in the 30s with wind (I think it was the wind went right through them), but I had no base layer on either.

Cataboo

11-21-2008, 02:20 PM

What I'd take:
Top layers:
Maybe 1 short sleeve wool shirt if you have one in case it's warm in Portugal.

A couple wool tank tops or camisoles

1 full zip wool layer or fleece layer.

At least 2 lightweight wool tops - icebreaker chakra or their 150 weight stuff.

Your ibex shaks or comparable 260-320 weight icebreaker.

If you need more warmth - bringing a vest along would be useful. A lot of the down ones fold in on themselves and don't use up a lot of space. You can sometimes get the kids north face nuptse vests pretty cheap and the kids large & x-large are actually quite big.

You seem to like jeans, so take your jeans.... They'll be fine for portugal and with your woolies or your sheebeast tights underneath them you'll probably be fine. But if you were putting your goretex pants over the jeans in boston, maybe you won't be.

1 pair of either goretex shell pants or some sort of softshell pants for skiing - You can probably do it in the ibex alpstars, but if you've already got the goretex shell pants, just stick with those. Softshell pants are more comfortable than goretex, they're warmer and you won't look as goofy just walking around town in them.

A couple pairs of ibex woolies (I dno't know how long your trip is and how many times you want to wear the same wool over and over - so if you don't want to change clothes to much - you can leave this off) or smartwool or icebreaker tights. If you had to, you could make them layer over each other for more warmth.

1 thicker pair of baselayers - your sheebeast tights if you want, or whatever

Wool hat of some sort.

A balaclava of some sort - I like the seirus windproof ones (this is for skiing)

Scarf

Gloves - I usually use a thin liner glove - there's the arc'teryx delegate ones that are wool, or patagonia capilene, and then a thicker layer over that (arc'teryx has nice fleecy ones and REI's got some nice midweight gloves), and then a goretex or waterproof shell over that. I also sometimes just use a softshell type glove with a shell over that. If you buy an insulated glove and bring it - if you need to adjust anything while skiing you get cold when you take them off. If you need brands or suggestions of these, let me know and I can go look.

Socks:
If you bring tall smartwool socks for skiing - remember those can also be used for layering when you're going around town in your jeans & woolies. I usually use a capilene liner sock under my ski socks. I don't like wearing more than that while skiing.

And you can decide on whatever other casual clothes you want.

It's going to depend somewhat on how windy it is and how you acclimatize to the temperature. I find after a few days skiing, I'm walking around town with my jacket & fleece completely unzipped because compared to the top of the mountain, it really doesn't feel all that cold.

Biciclista

11-21-2008, 02:28 PM

yeah, 50's is like a warm Seattle winter day (as opposed to a cold Seattle winter day) and that sounds like a lot too much to wear while riding.
When the temp is 40 degrees, I need a light hat, warm gloves (or double gloves)
a light-medium wool inside layer (think of a cashmere sweater) then on top of that, a bike jersey and on top of that a raincoat. add booties and that's really it for that temperate. when it's in the 50's I wear just that inside sweater and a jersey on top and maybe a light vest - while riding.

m

Cataboo

11-21-2008, 02:38 PM

Oh Catriona, you have me so overwhelmed. I just looked at that arcteyrx tau pant and it looks lovely for walking around.

Maybe I should order both the alpster and tau pants in assorted sizes, and return what doesn't work.....

So, while I know everyone is diff, Catriona tell me another thing, what would be the warmest temperature you would wear the tau and alpster out in (not for sports now, just walking around). I know that I froze in DC in lined wool dress pants in the 30s with wind (I think it was the wind went right through them), but I had no base layer on either.

Alright, I live sort of northeast of the dc area, closer to the mountains so it tends to be a little cooler out here. It's snowing out there now and 34 degrees. I just went out and stood outside in my tau pants and I found it doable. I only have ankle socks on, and I've have preferred taller socks because the pants are a little loose around the ankle. So I'd wear the tau pants to maybe 30 degrees and then stick some ibex woolies underneath. Probably the same with the alpstar pants. I was wearing the alpstar pants at Keystone in Colorado last February without base layers underneath them and walking around. (I think without base layers) without a problem. I don't know the temperature, but it was cold and at a ski resort.

On top I was cold, but I'm only wearing an ibex camisole & a patagonia synchilla hoody (also an extremely warm layer), and I just got back from a bike ride so I'm a little chilled in general.

On the bike ride I was wearing the tau pants, ankle socks, and some 3/4 length cycling tights - if I did it again, I'd put longer socks on or some leg warmers. I only stayed out for 20 mins, long enough to start getting warmed up, but to severely regret not taking some sort of face cover or thicker gloves. (so I wimped out and came back to the house)

Last week in the 30 degree DC temps - I think I was wearing my prana fleece lined pants and was fine walking about - but I really didn't do much walking about outside other than back and forth to my car. I think I spent sometime walking around at night on my cell phone because it wasn't working in the house, and I think I was wearing my tau pants then without a problem.

I should really not show you more arc'teryx stuff, because it's a more expensive addiction than ibex...

However a really nice arc'teryx layer is the arc'teryx emissary. There's a hoody version. I'd say it's similar to the shak, but heavier weight and it's wool.
http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/ARC0824/Arcteryx-Emissary-Zip-Neck-Long-Sleeve-Shirt-Womens.html

Triskeliongirl

11-21-2008, 03:42 PM

Thanks everyone for all the help, and Catriona, don't bother to look up the sizing tonite. I was worried the backcountry 20% off sale would end today, and I am gonna be busy tonite, so I went ahead and ordered all three pants you recommended: the ibex alpstar, the praana and the art'yrex tau in a couple of sizes each. I'll only keep what I love. I actually do this a lot, especially until I learn how the sizing runs in brands I am not used to. While I try to get things on sale, I am pretty selective about what I buy, I won't buy something just cuz its on sale, I have to really love it. Hence, the Ibex addiction..................... WHile I love my arc-tyrex parka, I think Ibex will always be first in my heart, the arc-tyrex folks use too many synthetics for my taste. I even bought and returned a fleece they make that is the same color as my parka, but then returned it cuz I didn't really like the fleece and worried it would get stinky traveling.

I must admit though, I am *most excited* about the ibex alpstar pant, but I'll give the others a shot too (afterall this is the wool weenies and not winter apparel thread.......). I really think at this point my bottom is my problem. In fact, the main reason I bought my long primaloft coat last year, was to keep my bottom half from getting cold, and the first thing I noticed when I tried to wear the arctyrex parka in DC last week, was how cold my lower body felt. So, I think this means I've got the top thing down (and I only had 1 shak and 1 light base on, so room for more on top when I go to a colder place). I even own a patagonia down vest, and while it fits under my parka, it does make me look puffier than I like but yeh, it folds down real small so probably is a piece I should bring along.

Another interesting tidbit about owning stuff for very cold weather as a person that lives in a mild climate, is that we don't have central heating either in our house here or in our family home in portugal, so I do need warmer stuff indoors than folks that live in cold places. In fact, what drove me crazy in DC is that stuff I wear here in san antonio everyday at work had me overheating there in interiors. Same thing in Boston. But, then they don't sell this kind of clothing here, so its really hard to get sized, etc. for mail orders. UPS is definitely my friend................. Can't wait to get home tonite and try on my hooded shak. But given I already have 2 full zip shaks, I just know I'm gonna love it.......................

Cataboo

11-21-2008, 04:13 PM

Great! I have a huge return box currently to go back to backcountry/sac/chainlove. So as you can with my extensive knowledge of all ibex & arc'teryx pieces, I end up ordering & returning a lot with them as well.

The only fleece from arc'teryx that I think is worth buying is the maverick sv. My all time favorite fleece is the patagonia lw r4 - hands down the warmest fleece for weight.

Arc'teryx does have a wool line - the rho w line, the emissary, and a few other pieces, but it's not really their strong point. Their hardshells, softshells, and packs are.

I have a lot of wool - but I still keep a lot of my synthetic stuff for different purposes.

Is the ibex shak full zip any heavier than the half zip or the hoody? I've got 3 of the half zips & 1 hoody. NOt that I need any more wool fullzips

I hope I didn't lead you astray with any of my suggestions.

Cataboo

11-21-2008, 04:14 PM

What's even worse in DC is the summers - where it's 95 degrees out + 95% humidity, and the air conditioning makes it 70 degrees indoors....

So if you dress for the weather, you freeze to death inside.

Triskeliongirl

11-21-2008, 09:04 PM

Well, I am a bit disappointed by the hooded shak, probably it will go back. It does let me add another layer, but it fits kind of like a sack or sweat shirt, not the sleek fit of the full zip shaks.

Catriona, the fabric is thinner than the full zip shak, and the cut is longer, although I am comparing a medium hoodie to a small full zip. Perhaps I don't like the cut cuz I got the medium, and while it layers just fine over my small full zip shak, the cut of the sleeves makes me start to feel too constricted around my arm pits yet its baggy around my torso. I also don't like the finger thingies either, and not sure I really need the hood since I have plenty of hats and neck gaitors (and it looks goofy on me). So..........back it goes.

But, the good news is I tried Lisa's suggestion of layering more under my shak. I didn't think I had room, but I got two midweight shirts under just fine (a norgie crew and zepher zip T in the same color, both smalls, and it looks cool together). Then I put my medium PI gavia jacket over that and my medium arc'tyrex parka over that, and had plenty of room to move since the sleeves of the gavia are less constricting than double shaking felt. I also like that my top 3 layers are full zips as I move indoors.

I like the woolie bottoms, they are very soft, and fit well, although they come quite high above my natural waist, and they are a tad long. Can I expect them to shrink a little? But, I am not sure that coming up so high is such a big deal, since its covered by my shirts. What surprised me is that they fit even under my slimmest cut size 4 pants. So, now I have to decide if I shouldn't worry about them coming so high. I did try a smartwool bottom on in a store and it was lower cut, so I could replace them with those. But I have had better luck with Ibex over smartwool, so not sure what to do. I think I'll probably keep them, Perhaps having the waistband come some high will just keep me warmer and helps them fit better under pants.

Catriona, you were a great help to me today! I know I went a little crazy on the pants order, but I really need to try this stuff on. I do hope I like the fit of the alpstar pant, as its my favorite from the pix and description, and I may have ordered too large on some since I keep overestimating my size, but that's in part cuz I lost 35 pounds 1.5 years ago, but still can't accept that I am really small on the bottom. I was really surprised how much looser small woolies felt than the small smartwool midweight tights I tried on in a store. I just can't seem to figure out my size.

Triskeliongirl

11-22-2008, 07:37 AM

Well I am finally 'getting it'. You guys must think I am such an idiot, but its really hard to figure out how to dress in a place that is a lot colder than where you live. But I woke up this morning, and it was cold in my house (remember no central heating) which made it a lot easier to try things own.

I continued to explore Lisa's idea of putting two base layers under a shak. DUH........ why didn't I try it before? I think cuz it was already so close fitting but its fine. Today I paired a kate with a norgie crew. Then I dug out my LLBean fleece in small sizes from 20 years ago, and it paired over that just great, with or without a shak underneath. So, I am absolutely set on top.

I was sitting in my freezing cold family room drinking coffee (just fired up the gas radiator but it hadn't kicked in yet, and never gets the large space it has to heat terribly warm), toasty warm on top, but cold on the bottom. SO, I slipped a pair of woolies on under my jeans. Yeh, the waistband sits higher than the top of my jeans, but with the kate tucked in over it no one can tell. Hmmm, toasty warm. Warm enough to go to the cold garage and dig out my husband's winter clothes (as he stayed indoors wrapped in a down comforter). These are a keeper..........

I don't know why I thought I needed to size up my clothes to fit more layers underneath. These pieces are so thin its just not a problem. A guy in an outdoor shop explained to me that the shaks are really designed to wear over a base, not over another shak, which is why sizing up just didn't work for me. He also pressed me to get smalls when I wasn't sure on stuff, explaining that these layers are designed to fit close to the body to work well.

For layering over my shak, I decided that I like garments that are my size (small), but designed for layering so they had wider arms. I know double shaking works great for a lot of you, but maybe my arms are thicker or something. But, the good news is that since my daughter is coming home for thanksgiving next week, I can let her try on all the medium stuff I ordered and see if any of it works for her before making the return packages (and its very hard for her to find time to shop as a busy student which is why she asked me to get her the woolies in the first place). I bet the hooded shak is a great piece for a college student in boston who doesn't own any ibex yet, its a beautiful garment it just doesn't fit me.......... I also ordered on the midlayer zip Ts on TE with the coupon in M, but now realize it won't fit, but it would also look lovely with her grey suit or under a shak..... She recently lost 20 lb and went form a L to a M, so she also needs some new clothes. SO, now I don't feel so ridiculous that I ordered so many things in so many diff. sizes, maybe I'll help her also even out her wardrobe.

I am so glad I bought the arc'tyrex parka. I got the idea from Catriona's response to wackyjacky who querried about columbia 3-in-1s. I have an old columbia 3-in-1 but its too big, so I too was looking for a better approach. I knew in theory layering under a goretex shell was better, but then it took me a long time to figure out exactly how to do it. I bought most of my ibex on closeout last year, so it was a bit random, but now I am finally figuring it all out. Some of what I need to do in europe is professional, some is vacation, some is active sports, and I am still amazed how I can combine the very same pieces in different ways to generate combinations that work for all 3. That is why I am a wool weenie/ibex addict!

Triskeliongirl

11-22-2008, 08:15 AM

Thanks for the input Mimi! I do understand what to wear to ride my bike at any temperature. Its how to deal with trips to very cold places (i.e. teens to 20s) and skiing that I am working out now, or trips that take in a wide range of climates. But with everyones help here, I've got a plan! Another problem for me is that when I travel, I am not acclimated, so often I need to dress warmer than folks that live in a place. But the breathability of merino works so well even if I overdo I am usually still OK.

yeah, 50's is like a warm Seattle winter day (as opposed to a cold Seattle winter day) and that sounds like a lot too much to wear while riding.
When the temp is 40 degrees, I need a light hat, warm gloves (or double gloves)
a light-medium wool inside layer (think of a cashmere sweater) then on top of that, a bike jersey and on top of that a raincoat. add booties and that's really it for that temperate. when it's in the 50's I wear just that inside sweater and a jersey on top and maybe a light vest - while riding.

m

Triskeliongirl

11-22-2008, 08:57 AM

OK, I know you are sick of my posts, so I promise this will be the last one. While my woolies feel so comfy, when I took my pants off I realized the fit is rather loose. Then I noticed they come in XS. Never in my life have I been an XS in anything, but should they hug the body, or should they feel a little loose? Will they shrink? I also don't want them to be too small or they'll tear more. Any thoughts? I know the smartwool fits more snugly in the same size, but I read reviews that they tear quite easily.

Crankin

11-22-2008, 11:00 AM

I would think woolies should be on the tighter side; too loose and they might not fit under other stuff.
What size I wear depends totally on the brand! Size creep is a wonderful thing. Seriously, I am a true extra small in Ibex tops, but a small on the bottom. However, there some Ibex styles in pants that I just can't wear. The x smalls are way too tight and the smalls are too big. I don't have any woolies, so I can't be specific, but you may well wear an x small.
My red half zip Shak came already! I know you didn't like the feel of it, but it is good for hiking as either an mid layer or top layer. I wore my black one once for cycling in the cold and it was too warm! I also ordered 2 micro weight smart wool tops, but I have to try those on...

Triskeliongirl

11-24-2008, 07:01 AM

Dear Wool Weenies, I nearly succombed to the purchase of a patagonia down sweater yesterday. But then, I got a new idea. While double shaking didn't work for me, when I got to work this morning, I saw my ibex full zip boucle hanging up (looks like a full zip shak but made from boucle not shak wool), which I know has a snugger fit than my shaks, even though the size is the same. So, I asked what would happen if I slipped it on between the Smartwool mideweight half zip T I had just gotten from TE (which is lovely by the way despite being a M.........) and my shak, and bingo, I've got my heavier merino layers down!

So, what I am learning, is that sizing in this stuff is CRAZY, even within one line. While I clearly prefer small tops in ibex, I think I am gonna need an XS woolie bottom (which is on order..........). When the med SM midweight full zip arrived from TE, I was pleasantly surprised that I liked the fit. I wanted to compare it to a small, so I went to a store nearby that stocks limited SM. What I found is that both pieces fit (I think cuz the fabric is very stretchy), and if I just wanted a very close fitting base layer for sports I would probably go with a SM, but to wear over another mideweight baselayer (i.e. Ibex ribbie, mmmmmmmm), it is perfect, and also for a more professional look with suits it is perfect. I tried their bottoms and their M lightweight bottom fit like my S Ibex bottom, while their S bottom was perfect. So I am hopeful the XS ibex woolie on order will fit like the S smart wool bottom. I did like the weight of the wool a tad better on the ibex than on the smart wool piece. I also like that I can layer my wool blazers over the midweight half zip Ts (with or without another base underneath) and under my goretex shell for professional stuff.

Doesn't this women's sizing stuff drive you crazy??? How can clothes sized 4-8, XS-M, all fit the same body???????????? Guys have it so much easier, they input their waist size and inseam and bingo, whatever they order fits.

Crankin is right though, the ibex hooded shak is a lovely piece, I just think for me I got the wrong size, and the look wasn't what I was going after. But I didn't send it back yet, cuz it may be perfect for my daughter to hike or go around town in chilly boston in, and its her normal size. For me sizing up to layer didn't work, but what I have noticed is that different ibex pieces even that are all the same size, have trimmer vs looser fits, and that is what allows them to be combined in different ways. I aquired my ibex a bit haphazardly, ordered stuff that was on closeout at the end of last season in colors and styles that were appealing. But, I am finding they pair up in ways I hadn't anticipated to really give me the verstaility I am looking for to deal with a range of climates and situations (from mountaintops to no indoor heating to probably overheated interiors.........). I think the only way I'll really figure this out is to take this trip, and see what works when I am in a range of situations.

So, I think I am done shopping. All that's left is to try on what's coming and make the return packages. The worst case scenario is if the woolies XS bottom doesn't fit I'll exchange it for smartwool S bottom.

Thanks again for everyones help and sorry if you are bored to tears reading my naive crazy posts!

Crankin

11-24-2008, 07:20 AM

Nope, not boring. I can live vicariously through all of your purchases, without spending a dime!
The Smart Wool micro weight T fit perfectly, a bit long, but not as bad as my Craft base layers. I wore it hiking yesterday, with the new half zip Shak over it, and my Go Light jacket on top. I had to unzip a little about half way through, but otherwise it was a good combo. It was 32 and sunny, but we were in the woods, so not a lot of warmth. Really my first truly cold outdoor activity of the season.

OK, off to the train.

Cataboo

11-24-2008, 12:26 PM

No worries Triskelion girl - I was busy all weekend and today. But it sounds like you've got everything almost under control. Get the x-small bottoms, loose bottoms are kind of annoying.

I know I've mentioned it like 80 times in here, but I've had a lot of my smartwool stuff randomly get holes after 1-2 washes, and have never had that with ibex or icebreaker. A fair number of people in the steepandcheap forums have complained about that as well with smartwool.

Triskeliongirl

11-24-2008, 12:50 PM

Catriona, thanks for confirming my ibex bias.......... Other than socks, the midweight zip-T is my first clothing purchase from smartwool. It seems sturdy, but the microweight bottoms made me uneasy and I've read a lot of reports of them tearing, but not of the woolies. I hope the top holds up. the color (orchid heather) looks wonderful over my ibex raspberry woolie........... and under a grey or black suit..............

Hopefully I'll be thrilled with the XS woolies that are due to arrive tomorrow! Zappos had them on sale, plus a 20% off coupon, plus free overnight shipping w free returns, so I'll know soon enough. I have one icebreaker thin base t that is scratchy, and I found their sizing terribly inconsistent, I've ordered small tops that run like mediums and small tops that run like XS, so most of what I've ordered from them has gone back. I also don't find their stuff works as well as 'scientist sheek', looks that I can either give a research seminar in or play in, with subtle modifications...... A little too on the sport only size, with the finger thingies and sport stripes.

I can't wait for wed, the day my children arrive home from college and the rest of my packages come! That way my daughter and I can try on all the goodies in the assorted sizes together. She is one size up from me, so maybe I won't be sending back that much at all if things work out right. I did get good deals on everything I ordered, loads of coupons, etc.

I think I am most excited about the ibex alpstar pant. Maybe it will make an Ibex 'suit' when paired with a shak......at least for a scientist rather than a business person!

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-24-2008, 01:01 PM

Trisk,
You will find that the Smartwool mid-weight zip top is very sturdy and warm and soft. I too have had occasional tiny holes pop up with the microweight SW stuff (easily sewn but annoying nonetheless), but the mid-weight is very durable- I've worn and washed mine dozens of times and no problem.

Incidentally, I've been wearing my SheBeest WindPro tight so much lately in the 20'sF, that I just ordered a second pair so I can rotate them while laundering. They are the warmest solo-wearing tight I have, on days that I don't want to layer 2 tights together.

Triskeliongirl

11-24-2008, 01:15 PM

OOh thanks lisa that is so good to know... You are such a great font of information! In fact, my small windpro tight also fits a tad loose, and while I was tempted to send it back for an XS, I figured that was Ok if I wanted to layer it over a shebeest tech tight for cold weather cycling, but I guess I could also layer it over the XS woolies if they fit right.

So, do you go out in just the woolies/windpro tight for a hike, or do you put that under a pant or goretex shell? I thought I could put it under a goretex shell to ski.

I am now realizing that all that stuff I thought was just a tiny bit big is great for layering stuff underneath!

Cataboo

11-24-2008, 01:37 PM

*sigh* I wish you hadn't mentioned an ibex sale.

I've had 2 midweight crews and 2 midweight smartwool tights develop the random holes. Probably about 6 of the lightweight shirts have developed holes, and a bunch of the socks. I do throw them in the washer, but I don't put them in the dryer.

I'm not sure if it's a quality control issue or what - because some pieces I can use over & over without developing holes, and others will just develop holes almost instantly. I haven't seen it in any of their heavier weight stuff, but usually those are sweaters or zip ups that I don't wash often.

Scientist Chic - do we have to dress up anymore? Some of the icebreaker works well for it... Look at the nomad hoody (okay, so I think it might have thumbloops), the nature line is really nice, and then the jetter jacket. Some of the sport 320 stuff that's just solid colors can also be dress up. thumbloops aren't noticable unless you put your thumbs in them.

Trying on ibex with your daughter sounds like it would be a blast. I can't say that I have gotten my mother interested in wool at all, however a couple of years ago the Anne Taylor loft outlet near my mother's would quite often have sweaters or sleeveless vests in cashmere or wool for $5 each in the summer... and my mother & I used to have quite a lot of fun buying that up.

Triskeliongirl

11-24-2008, 02:13 PM

By scientist chic, I mean that there are situations where I need to look professional, but with an edge, that is not like a business person. So for that I have 2 wool suits, one black and one grey. For each suit I bought 2 pairs of pants and one jacket (all from ann taylor loft at 70% off). I can then either pair the pants with a black or purple heather full zip shak, or with a suit jacket. If I wear the suit jackets, I like to dress them down with a zip T. Then to dress down further as I move from work to play, I pair the shaks with jeans, etc. Even this trip to europe involves both family stuff and professional visits with talks at universities in seville, madrid and lausanne. I won't bother to bring the suit jackets, but the dress pants and shaks will be perfect to give seminars in. I only wear the suit jackets when I have to go to DC to serve on government panels, or to give a very formal talk at a very large meeting.

Oh, my daughter just called. She is soooo freezing in boston right now. She can't wait to come home and pick up her wool! She also just lost a lot of weight and is getting cold more easily and doesn't have much that fits her. So, I have a feeling I am not going to be sending much back at all.............

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-24-2008, 02:29 PM

So, do you go out in just the woolies/windpro tight for a hike, or do you put that under a pant or goretex shell? I thought I could put it under a goretex shell to ski.

I don't ski, but I do snowshoe and I fitness-walk for miles in the cold and snow.
I have a pair of rain pants (thin but waterproof) that I put on one time snowshoeing in heavy wet snow conditions, but they were pretty hot over my wool tights, didn't breathe, not sure if I'd choose them in any but the worst conditions or going out in a blizzard or a long cold woodland hike.
My layering depends totally on the weather conditions which of course vary tremendously, so it's hard to tell you what I do "in general"...i've used dozens of different layering combinations in all kinds of weather. I keep learning new tricks every day, or abandoning old ones.
Generally, one warm pair of warm tights are enough down to 40F, then between 40 and 30F maybe just the WindpPro tights OR a combo of 2 other tights (like maybe my underArmor tights and my Ibex wool tights over those for instance). Below 35F I'll pair two of my heavier tights, or the Craft Storm tights. Below 25 I'll put my underarmor tights under my Storm tights or under my WindPro tights.
The SheBeest Tech tights are fairly warm, so when I need a chamois for a long cold ride I'll wear those and maybe pull some Ibex wool tights over them.

Catriona- about all those holes...it seems like an awful lot of holes you are getting! You and i have many of the exact same items but you are getting way more holes than I am. Are you using regular detergent? Regular agitation cycle in the wash?
I use only Woolite (granted not everyone thinks Woolite is great but it works well for me) and I set the washer to the GENTLE cycle and WARM/COLD temp. I do this for ALL my laundry.
Somewhere I once read that regular laundry detergent slowly eats away at the delicate merino fibers and weakens them. Just a possibility to consider.

Triskeliongirl

11-24-2008, 02:47 PM

Cataboo

11-24-2008, 05:03 PM

Hey Catriona, I just noticed in another thread you are a scientist too, so you should know what I mean. I just got back from SFN in DC, and while there the most common thing was a wool blazer with casual slacks, that's still too much of a uniform for my taste, so I prefer the dress pants with the casual shak sweater on top. It varies with the meeting though. I had to give a talk at the japanese neurosci society meeting this summer, and everyone but me was in a business suit, both male and female. I wore an ann taylor dress with a nice sweater jacket so it was fine, but again, its my retaliation against a uniform. I looked professional, but had my own personal style.

My Mom had a friend once that worked in a Kasper outlet - so I have a gazillion Kaspar suits... I tend to just pack one blazer with me and at least wear that if I'm giving a talk or something like that. I really like the keystone symposias (not only because I get to ski), so most of my meetings lately are at ski resorts... and there's usually a lot of people walking around in their ski gear. I tend to just put the blazer on over a wool sweater or shirt when necessary, and pants are usually the alpstars or the REI mistral pants (another softshell pant). However, quite a few don't even bother with that and just give their presentations in their ski clothing.

Triskeliongirl

11-24-2008, 05:33 PM

Yeh, that works at a ski meeting. Its just when you go to a meeting in a more formal location like a big city, that I like to have something a little dressier. We went to a cool meeting on the costa brava, where we cycled every afternoon in the foothills of the pyrenes, and you better believe we showed up for the morning session in cycling clothes to be ready to ride after lunch. In fact, one of the european teams was holding a training camp at the very same hotel, so we got to get ideas for routes from them.

But that is one of the cool things about science, there aren't a lot of rules about dress. Interestingly, we were visiting older colleagues in cambridge recently, and they told us they really hold it against a scientist that isn't dressed 'professionally' (not at a ski meeting or gordon conference where casual dress is de riguer) but at a big city meeting or seminar visit. So, as I've gotten older, I've learned that to some people its a sign of disrespect if they invite you to give a seminar and you don't dress 'professionally.' So, I started dressing better for these events, but still like to exert my personal style which means often means a zipped shak rather than a blazer. The other time I realized clothes matter is when trying to get money, especially from certain agencies that expect a more businesslike look. That is when I wear my suits. But sometimes I wear them cuz they look sharp, especially since I lost weight and bought some nicely tailored ones.

jobob

11-24-2008, 05:33 PM

I just had to approve 3 abstracts for a Keystone meeting.

Oh yeah, I like wool too. :D

Cataboo

11-24-2008, 05:39 PM

But that is one of the cool things about science, there aren't a lot of rules about dress. Interestingly, we were visiting older colleagues in cambridge recently, and they told us they really hold it against a scientist that isn't dressed 'professionally' (not at a ski meeting or gordon conference where casual dress is de riguer) but at a big city meeting or seminar visit. So, as I've gotten older, I've learned that to some people its a sign of disrespect if they invite you to give a seminar and you don't dress 'professionally.' So, I started dressing better for these events, but still like to exert my personal style which means often means a zipped shak rather than a blazer. The other time I realized clothes matter is when trying to get money, especially from certain agencies that expect a more businesslike look. That is when I wear my suits. But sometimes I wear them cuz they look sharp, especially since I lost weight and bought some nicely tailored ones.

I have some really nice wool sweaters from icelandic design. I often wear those when I'm "dressing up"

http://www.rei.com/outlet/search?vcat=OUTLET_SEARCH&query=icelandic+design&button.x=0&button.y=0

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?allwords=icelandic%20design&searchdescriptions=True

I'm going to a keystone in January, I'm all excited. Skiing sucks here.

Triskeliongirl

11-24-2008, 05:59 PM

Nice, yeh I much prefer a nice sweater to a blazer. BTW, I did just order a lot of stuff from backcountry with the 20% coupon code. Its not advertised at the site anymore but it does still work. PM me if you need it. They have a ton of ibex, some on sale plus the 20% off coupon and free shipping..........

My XS woolies arrived today..........mmmmmmmmmmmmm.............soft, now I get why Lisa wears them as PJs. In fact, I haven't taken them off yet. I am sitting here in my woolie bottom and SM zip T top, so cozy. That will also work great on our trip since I can have my baselayers double as sleepwear.

They are much more comfy and robust feeling than the smart wool bottoms, but still light feeling. I still am so surprised they fit even under my slim cut pants, I had this idea I'd need to wear loose pants with them. I think that is why I didn't buy any last year.

Oh, I so want to LOVE the alpstar pants, I just hope they fit me well. I am a little worried they report a pretty short inseam, but we'll see.

You know, I am actually excited when they are predicting cold weather, cuz it means I can wear more Ibex!!

Crankin

11-24-2008, 05:59 PM

Trisk, I have never worn anything but a pair of long underwear (silk, either light weight or mid weight) under my Ibex tights for snow shoeing, hiking, or x country skiing. I don't know what style the Ibex tights are; my husband bought them for me on STP before I knew what that was! They are part wool and part wind block fabric and extremely warm. I hiked in them in Lake Placid in -8 temps. There would be no need to wear anything over something like these. They are not quite as skin tight like cycling tights, but almost as tight.
It finally warmed up a bit here. It actually felt warmer tonight coming home from Cambridge than when I left at 11. I have to get up at 4:30 to head to San Diego, where I will be forgetting about wool. Well, I did pack my Shak for the evenings.

Triskeliongirl

11-26-2008, 03:39 PM

Well, my kids arrived and my packages arrived........

First surprise was my daughter fell in love with the M hooded shak (her first ibex piece, is this the gateway drug?). Its amazing how the same piece can look so differently on two different bodies. It fit her really well and is very flattering. Everything about it that I disliked she loved. The smile on her face as she slipped her fingers into the the finger thingies I hated, and pulled up the hood.......... Then I had her try my M patagonia down vest that I picked up at 75% off last spring. Bingo, another hit (especially over that hooded shak, warm and stylish!). Looked way better than the large clothes she arrived in (a big puffy fleece and down vest both a size too large for her). This made me feel much better since I didn't like at all how it looked on me but couldn't justify buying myself a different piece since I could wear it if I needed to. I knew it was too big when I bought it, but let the sale thing get to me. But giving her the vest let me justify finally getting myself the down sweater I'd been wanting for the last couple years. I tried it on in a store and it layers beautifully over a shak and under a shell, its very slim fitting and flattering (and its on TE at 33% off right now......). I know some of you think its too much, but it packs so tiny (comes w stuff sack) I think it will be great as an insurance policy, and I know myself well enough to know I'll need it if it drops below 20.

She took off to see some friends before the pants order arrived, so we didn't try those on together yet. But they screwed up the sizing on my order. I ordered the ibex alpstar pant in a 4 and 6, and they sent a 4 and 8. Wouldn't you know the 4 was a tad tight in the hips (could zip but no room for layers) and the 8 was too big. Its a lovely piece, the only one I liked of the 3 styles I ordered, but I am not sure its worth exchanging for the 6 since the waist on the 4 was actually too loose while the rest was a little tight. I am also not sure its worth the $ now that I have the woolie bottoms. It seems to me that I should be OK with the woolies paired with either my wool dress pants for casual/work stuff, or the shebeest windpro tight under my goretex pant for skiing or active stuff. Perhaps if I skiied a lot or lived in a colder place it would be worth it, but maybe its just an item I get only if I can find it very heavily discounted. If they sent the 6 it might have been hard to send back, but they didn't so maybe it just means I am just finished. I am like that, I don't shop for months, and then I realize I need something for a trip and get all focussed on shopping for a little while.

So, unless someone wants to tell me I must re-order the ibex alpstar pant, I am finished shopping!

Cataboo

11-26-2008, 04:20 PM

Triskelion - do your alpstars have velcro on the inside of the waist? Mine have an adjustment that you can cinch in the waist on them.

Sorry I led you astray on all the pants!

You should definitely take the down sweater. My current favorites for downs are the mountain hardwear phantom (very lightweight 800 fill), the cloudveil down patrol (windproof down with pitzips), and the mammut pilgrim jacket (hooded downy lusciousness).

Susan Otcenas

11-26-2008, 04:28 PM

(and its on TE at 33% off right now......).

Well, technically is 31.4% off. (It's a Pi Sale) :D Right here: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPA_84626.html

Of particular interest to Wool Weenies are the Ibex items here:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/ibex/product/pi-sale/c0-atspecialty_11-b100115-p1.html?sorter=productAge-desc

and the Smartwool items here:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/smartwool/product/pi-sale/c0-atspecialty_11-b100019-p1.html?sorter=productAge-desc

Enjoy!

Susan

Triskeliongirl

11-26-2008, 04:53 PM

Actually Susan's link is to the down sweater vest, which she calls an ultralight down vest, but everyone else calls a down sweater vest.

The one I got is this one, the actual down sweater (again TE calls it the ultralight down jacket but every one else calls it a down sweater):
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPA_84681.html

I think Susan did this so people wouldn't confuse them with their heavier down jackets. I tried this item on so many times in a store but couldn't bring myself to spend $200 on it. It is 800 fill down and is amazingly flattering on me (I have a broad back, small waist, and medium hips). It's the best thing I've found to layer over a full zip shak that isn't bulky but really adds warmth. I also think it will be good on a long cold airplane flight when the shak isn't enough. Again, its amazing how compact it is in its stuff sack for travel.

Catriona, yes the pants have those straps to adjust, but maybe I didn't do it right, rather than laying smooth it made it bunch in the areas where you adjust it. It is such a lovely piece though, maybe I should ring them up about an exchange order......... Its the only piece I think that is practical for me. The other pants were nice, but the prana pant was way too long and puffy, and I think I ordered the wrong size (M on the size chart but kind of big) but it just seemed way too heavy, its like a fleece attached to a shell, so something very bulky to pack that could only be used under very cold circumstances. The acrtyrex pant struck me as a very expensive hi-tech sweat pant, just not my style. But, you do have me reconsidering the alpstar...........oh the temptation...... I do really like them, and am pretty sure the 6 would work. Do you actually think I will be cold with woolies under a lined wool dress pant on the bottom and my arctyrex shell and layers on top? If so I could always order a midweight base layer to put under the wool pants.

And don't worry, you didn't lead me astray at all. Your suggestions have been very helpful. I think I am more averse to synthetics than you are. I am not fond of fleece. The shebeest wind pro stuff is different (and also available right here on TE!), very high tech and functional, same with goretex, but otherwise I love my natural fibers, wool, down, etc.

Crankin

11-26-2008, 05:55 PM

Had to take advantage of the Pi sale... I got my husband a jersey, a Shebeest sweater I'd been looking at for months, and (the best) a pair of Ibex boy shorts underwear. I am tired of having a cold rear when hiking.
It's been warm but raining off and on in San Diego. Took a walk on the pier at Mission Beach and around La Jolla, but no cycling this holiday. We brought hiking stuff, but I don't know if we'll have time. So, I guess this is mostly an eating vacation.
I will be wearing my Shak tonight, though, it's in the 50s.

Cataboo

11-26-2008, 05:55 PM

I can't remember if you got your alpstars from backcountry or zappos - but if you got them from backcountry, get on chat or call them and tell them they sent you the wrong size alpstars - they will send you out the right size if you want, but also ask them for a prepaid shipping label because of the mistake... They'll email you one of those and you can return everything you need with that.

The tau are high tech sweat pants, but they're warm & windproof ones.

If you're walking about town, you should be warm enough in woolies & your dress pants. I wouldn't ski in your dress pants though :)

The patagonia down sweater's are really nice. Patagonia changed their sizing chart a couple of years ago and I don't find that I like their fit as much anymore. I tend to live in their organic cotton t-shirts in the summer. But I'm going to be in Salt Lake City in a month so I can go to the patagonia outlet store!

I do a lot of kayaking, hiking, and skiing in addition to cycling - so I vary what I use depending on activity. Synthetics definitely have their purposes. Down is not something I want while on a kayak camping trip, I need things that will still insulate if they get wet, so I use a primaloft sleeping bags and jackets for that. If I'm climbing on rocks or something like that, I'd really rather abuse something synthetic than my nice wool.

Triskeliongirl

11-26-2008, 07:09 PM

Thanks Catriona. I never did the live chat before but it worked great. He even emailed me the return label while we were online. So, yeh, I'll get free return shipping and I'll have the size 6's here on wed. I'll wait to be sure I love the 6s before I do the return package, but from the way the 4s and 8s fit I am sure I will. I looked again at the velcro tabs, and I just need to adjust them more carefully. They do seem light and versatile, I was just so upset about the size mixup, and didn't want to start over with another order, etc. So, I'll have one pair of technical casual wool pants. Last year was about outfitting my top half in ibex, this year its my bottom half. But now I am done, really, I am. For me at least, but the saga continues..........

Dear Daugther returned home from seeing her friends, and wool weenies, WHAT HAVE I DONE??? All she asked me to get her was 2 pairs of long johns, and she tried the woolie bottoms on, and asked, can I have MORE? MORE ibex she wants.... She went from having no wool, to having a shak hoodie and 2 woolies overnight, and she wants MORE!!! So tomorrow, we sit down for some TE PIE, and make her another order, this time sent to her at school since she goes back on sunday.

FYI, she also needed to size down on the woolies which is great. She is usually a medium, but took the smalls I originally ordered for me. Just as I had hoped, since I had already worn one pair so couldn't return it anymore. I'll just send the mediums back in my backcountry return.

Cataboo

11-26-2008, 07:16 PM

Backcountry, steepandcheap, tramdock, and chainlove have a 100% satisfaction guarantee (as does Altrec.com and rei.com) - so you can basically return anything anytime whether or not you've worn it. I don't abuse it - but when something just doesn't work or gets a hole or fails in some other way, I do return them used. Backcountry sells their returned used stuff on geartrade.com

You've created another ibex monster.

Triskeliongirl

11-26-2008, 07:37 PM

Its getting worse, the monster is stealing MY ibex now............ she saw my ibex loppet jersey I bought used from Kathi right here on TE hanging on the drying rack, and while its a small she tried it on and noticed it fit her PERFECTLY. That's OK, even though its a small its the least favorite in my collection since it fits more like a medium, and I'm not thrilled about the color, but to her its the most beautiful jersey she's ever seen........... So, she goes from having no ibex 8 hours ago, to now being the proud owner of 2 woolie bottoms, one hooded shak, and 1 loppett jersey. OH DEAR WHAT HAVE I DONE? I CAN'T AFFORD THIS! SHE CAN'T AFFORD THIS!!! At least she already has a job lined up for after graduation, and maybe this way she'll stop getting sick in Boston. It never occured to me that she was simply freezing.

Triskeliongirl

11-26-2008, 07:40 PM

So, the next question is do I show her the medium tau and prana pants? I didn't dare, but maybe she actually NEEDS them. I know they'll fit her........... But is she ready for arc'tyrex yet, I don't know.................Maybe Ibex is enough for one day.

Cataboo

11-26-2008, 08:13 PM

Oh well - show her the arc'teryx tomorrow, and then the prana on Friday.

Then it won't all be in one day.

Occasionally, in the SAC forum someone comments that they just bought an X-small arc'teryx jacket for a 12 year old... And I think... if you get arc'teryx at 12, what's left???

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-27-2008, 07:58 AM

Trisk,
I can't imagine you would ever have the need to wear the WindPro tight under the Alpstar pants. That would be just too damned hot I'd think, especially if you were doing something active outside.
WindPro has a pretty nice fleece lining, though I like wearing UnderArmor tights under them OR Ibex wool tights over them if it's really cold.

I just got the Descente Coldout tights from TE, and they are very sleek and stretchy but have that fleece lining too. VERY warm. They are thin enough and form fitting enough to wear under just about anything, and they are satin-y so you can pull stuff on over them and it slides right on. No ankle zippers either - just very stretchy. I'll think of them like my Underarmor tights but warmer. If I wear those under my WindPro tights I will be virtually bullet proof.

Occasionally, in the SAC forum someone comments that they just bought an X-small arc'teryx jacket for a 12 year old... And I think... if you get arc'teryx at 12, what's left???

I'll tell you what's left....if they start at the top they will work their way in the other direction in order to assert their independence from their roots, and will discover the joys of finding cheap Navy wool p-coats at the Army Navy stores, and cheap wool sweaters at the Salvation army and thrift shops. :) This is all good. People tend to want to explore the direction they have not been in yet. I grew up in Salvation army wardrobe as a kid and thus have been exploring higher end stuff in my 'old age'. :cool:

Cataboo

11-27-2008, 08:28 AM

My sister has spoiled my little niece rotten with girly barbie princess, disney princess, painting her nails, etc.

I can't wait my niece to become a tomboy when she rebels during her teenage years.

Triskeliongirl

11-27-2008, 09:18 AM

Thanks Lisa for answering although I even deleted my post when I realized how silly it would be after trying them on this morning!

So, DD woke up, after spending the night in her woolie bottoms and loppet jersey, and is now the proud owner of a pair of arc'tyrex tau pants (thank goodness I got them for 50% off at backcountry outlet), and my old columbia 3 in 1 parka. When I showed her the pant, again her eyes lit up, and she said I would soooooooooo wear those hiking......... So, thanks again Catriona for another great suggestion!

The columbia parka has a very nice omnitech shell that she can wear with or without the zip in fleece. I loved this jacket, but its an M and just hangs on me after losing weight. We decided to stop there since she too is still slimming down. But she arrived here in baggy old clothes, and will leave with 2 woolie bottoms, a loppet jersey, a hooded shak, a patagonia down vest, and a columbia parka. Not a bad haul for thanksgiving weekend!

Crankin

11-30-2008, 11:03 AM

I just came home from a 3.5 mile walk in 30 degree sleet. I tested out my new Ibex boxers under my Ibex tights. Perfect! I never could keep my azz warm when it was still too warm for long underwear. I might get another pair. I think I could take a medium, though. They fit, but my cyclist thighs are just popping out all over. Not attractive, but hey, who will see? The rear fits well, though.
When I came back, I realized that I was entirely dressed in wool, except my bra: Besides the 2 Ibex bottoms, smart wool ski socks and micro weight base layer, Icebreaker half zip, and wool hat from EMS. Well, I did have a Craft rain jacket on. I never wear it cycling because it just gets too hot. It was perfect for today.

Velobambina

11-30-2008, 11:38 AM

Well, technically is 31.4% off. (It's a Pi Sale) :D Right here: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPA_84626.html

Of particular interest to Wool Weenies are the Ibex items here:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/ibex/product/pi-sale/c0-atspecialty_11-b100115-p1.html?sorter=productAge-desc

and the Smartwool items here:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/smartwool/product/pi-sale/c0-atspecialty_11-b100019-p1.html?sorter=productAge-desc

Enjoy!

Susan

You enabler you! I'm actually tempted to have another piece of Pi and get some more wool. Yesterday, I got my TE order and the wool piece I purchased is gorgeous.

elk

11-30-2008, 01:01 PM

My new joke ...and what a joke it is....is that I don't care about the stock market....I invested all my money in Ibex...:p

PamNY

12-03-2008, 05:55 AM

I snagged some merino blend tights for $12. Not bike tights; just regular tights. Not sure how they will work for cycling, but at that price I had to find out.

Pam

Triskeliongirl

12-03-2008, 07:54 AM

I snagged a beautiful WOOl dress coat absolutely free!

Actually, I spent thanksgiving weekend helping my daughter visiting back from college clean out her closet. For me, I found the wool dress coat, a silk suit, and a wonderful evening dress that I can wear on New Years Eve. I really lucked out. She paid me back for all the new Ibex she got to take back to school!!!

While the coat is old, it is a very classical tailored double breasted style that fits me beautifully and it is still in very good condition.

malkin

12-03-2008, 06:34 PM

My lightweight smartwools have also been prone to holes, which I have lovingly mended, rendering them slightly off-kilter.

Haven't had the holey problem with them since I started sticking them in lingerie bags for the wash. Even my mends have not torn out. I think they just like the extra attention, or else they are tired of my needle sticks.

Triskeliongirl

12-04-2008, 07:35 PM

Well, the ibex alpstar pants arrived today and they are keepers...........

They fit beautifully, a tad loose in the waist, but since I always have the waist covered with my shak its not a big deal. Overall the fit is slim and trim just like I like, layered over my woolies, and still very comfy to stretch and move in (i.e. ski). I also like how versatile they are, while I can ski in them, I can also wear them as a sporty casual walking around winter pant. That is what clinched the deal, since the only other cold weather pants I have are wool dress pants, and I just wanted one pair of sportier vacation pants. They are clima-wool, so warm and water repellent, but they are relatively thin so I won't overheat indoors in them, and can even wear them in San Antonio, especially in my underheated cold house! I am tempted to wear them tomorrow (lows in the mid 30's) but I already put them in my suitcase so they don't get dirty before my trip.

Thanks Catriona, for suggesting I exchange them! Having the right size made a huge difference. So, I just got my return order boxed up, with free return shipping thanks to their mistake (and Catriona's suggestion to ask for it)!

I also ordered the pretty smartwool hat, scarf, glove, set in the attached pic from REI, on sale at the outlet plus a 20% off coupon (OUTLET25), as well as some smartwool ski socks, also at a great price. So, I am finally set for my trip, at least for clothes. Now, I just have to finish preparing my talks!

But right now, its time for coach troy. I won't commute when its below 40, which its supposed to be tomorrow am.....

p.s. now its tomorrow, and it is so cold here (actual temp 37, with wind chill 30!) that I had to test the alpstars. so far so good. i layered them with woolies, and was comfy in my cold house this morning, in the windy outdoors on the way to work, and in my heated office. just what i was looking for!

Jolt

12-05-2008, 09:42 AM

After seeing your post, I ordered that Smartwool hat/gloves/scarf set as well (I got the black though) since none of the hats and scarves I have really go with my winter jackets anyway. You enabler, you! :D

Cataboo

12-05-2008, 12:48 PM

I've so far avoided that 20% off coupon. I got a bunch of smartwool fairisle hats in an REI sale in February.

Triskeliongirl, I'm glad the alpstars worked for you.

GLC1968

12-05-2008, 12:48 PM

I ordered this Icebreaker wool skirt in black from SAC earlier this week and I just tried it on this morning. I LOVE it! I really wanted to wear it today, but I'd already showered and I didn't shave...so it'll have to wait for next week. Super cute and yet cozy, too. Mine is a little longer on me because my legs are short. ;)

http://images.nittanyweb.com/scs/images/products/21/large/icebreaker_icebreaker_saturn_skirt_womens_s8ibc225_p43520.jpg

The one in this pic is a Pinot color that I might have to also get!

Crankin

12-05-2008, 01:16 PM

I got a similar Ibex skirt for half price last summer. I wear it all of the time.
Thankfully, I realized that I need a small in Ibex bottoms and x smalls in the tops, so no returns necessary.
Trisk, those Alpstar pants sound very nice.... but I would have to spend a fortune to get them hemmed.

Triskeliongirl

12-05-2008, 01:32 PM

Trisk, those Alpstar pants sound very nice.... but I would have to spend a fortune to get them hemmed.

Actually, you wouldn't. I ended up keeping the 6 over the 4, in part cuz the 4s are so damned short (they fit like petites)! I tried on a 4,6 and 8. In fact, I preferred the length on the 8 but they were way too big, the 6s are a little big in the waist, but the overall fit is the best and they do have room to layer.

But we seem inverted size wise, at least on the woolies bottom I needed an XS but I am a S in their tops. But you are tinier than me so I suspect the 4 alpstar pant would work for you, its the smallest size they make.

Its not always expensive to alter. When I lost my weight I brought my better clothes to a seamstress and she did wonders with them at very reasonable cost. I had a silk halter top dress I loved, and it had 4 darts, so she just took it in there and it looks great now. In fact, I have to stop by there after work to pick up an evening dress I found in my daughter's closet I want to wear on new years eve but had a broken zipper.

GLC1968

12-05-2008, 01:41 PM

I got a similar Ibex skirt for half price last summer. I wear it all of the time.

I have that one too...but I've gained too much weight to wear it right now. :( This Icebreaker one is to hold me over until I can wear the Ibex one again (so I got a different color in the hopes of one day being able to fit into both of them - with alterations)!

Cataboo

12-05-2008, 02:16 PM

I tried the icebreaker dress - it was just a little bit too clingy or I'm just a little bit too fat. I haven't tried the skirts because I thought they'd be similar.

I do have a couple of really nice long merino wool skirts that I bought off sierra trading post at some point, but they're more like sweater material and I should remember where I have those stashed.

elk

12-05-2008, 02:27 PM

I have the short Ibex skirt and I wear it over my Ibex capris...I'm a wool layer cake I am...and I have to force myself to wear something else some days!

I just bought the blackberry circle of trees scarf on Ibex and a skimmer hat...I try to buy everything on sale...and you can read that either way..:D

BleeckerSt_Girl

12-05-2008, 04:22 PM

I have the short Ibex skirt and I wear it over my Ibex capris...I'm a wool layer cake I am...

Yep, I have that short black Ibex merino "Lena" skirt too- and I wear it layered over any kind of capris or tights. :)

Crankin

12-05-2008, 05:54 PM

Well, I wear an xsmall in most things, but when i tried on an xsmall pair of Ibex pants last summer at the Arcadian shop, wow; I couldn't get them over my hips! Of course this was on the day that I had to get off my bike and walk up part of an 18% grade hill, for the first time in my life! Then, I realized the Ibex ski-pants/tights Steve bought me are smalls. They are too long, but since they are tights, I just pull them up.
Going to take a peek at the Alpstars.

Triskeliongirl

12-05-2008, 07:50 PM

Backcountry.com is still honoring their 20% off coupon, so with it they have the best price and the 4 is still in stock 3PU-1-R38LT.

Altrec.com has a 26% off coupon (HoHoHo), but the starting price is higher and they are out of the 4s.

These guys also have some good sales on ibex in general: http://www.westhillshop.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=159

Crankin

12-06-2008, 06:30 AM

I looked at the reviews on Backcountry.com. A few of them said the pants run big and the waist, especially is big. I already have a smaller waist and usually wear size 2 petite pants.
I don't want to order them just to return. What do you think?

Crankin

12-06-2008, 06:42 AM

I ordered them... but the code didn't appear to work. Still, they were on sale and I couldn't find it cheaper anywhere else. Let's hope they fit.

Triskeliongirl

12-06-2008, 07:25 AM

Sorry I didn't see this. The waist is big. It has these velcro thingies that you can use to adjust it with, but then it doesn't lie as smoothly. I hesitated because of that at first, but then realized that it allows me to tuck my shak in if I want, or if its layered over (full zip) it brings the waist in (its the back that gaps) and it looks fine. I decided if I get anymore compact I'll just bring them to my seamstress to tuck in the back seam, but for now I like them so much otherwise I can put up with it (and remember I got the 6 yet I am an XS woolie bottom, so if you can wear a S woolie bottom I would guess you'll be OK in the 4). Ibex says their small is a 4-6 and you said you are an ibex S on the bottom consistent wth their 4 fitting you. Also, if I am a 6 in this pant, and a 4 at Ann Taylor Loft, then maybe if you are a 2P at Ann Taylor Loft the 4 in this pant will fit you. And as I said before, the 4 is definitely cut short like a petite would be. I notice is some athletic wear, if the smallest size it comes in is a 4, I am usually a 6, but if its one of those stores like Ann Taylor Loft that goes down to 00, then I am a 4. But doesn't this inconsistency in sizing in women's clothes drive you BATTY? DH just made an order. He either ordered a M (top), or 32W/34L (pant) and everything that came fit perfectly.

I know you guys think I am crazy, but I can layer either my woolies under, or even my woolies plus shebeest windpro tight. While I know that is probably too warm for nordic skiing, I am going to consider that combo on my trip since I will be alpine skiing in the french alps where it is very cold.

I wore them all day yesterday, and it reminded me of first getting my shak, not wanting to take it off. Its a garment that is so comfy, warm, looks good, and breathes and adjusts as you move through different temperature zones. That is so important where I live. It was 30 when I woke up today, but highs are predicted of 71. Then unlike the northeast where interiors tend to be overheated, ours are underheated so there is less diff between inside and outside temp (in fact sometimes interiors are even air conditioned in winter so its colder inside than out). The building I work in didn't switch from AC to heat until last week!

I am sorry the code didn't work either. Next time email me, maybe you need to click on the link from my email (I could have forwarded it to you, as I tested it and at least it brought me to their website with an ad for the code displayed, although I didn't try to actually place an order).

Crankin

12-06-2008, 09:01 AM

Don't worry about the code. I also have some x country fleece pants that have those tabs. I forget what brand, but you are right, they don't lay flat if the tabs are cinched in all of the way. And yes, what you said about the sizes make sense. I am a 0 at the Loft, which is crazy... but yesterday I had to go to the mall for the first time in almost a year to buy some Clinique moisturizers that I can't get locally. While I was there, I went into a regular Ann Taylor store to buy a sweater and a pair of velvet pants for dress up. I fit perfectly into the size 2 and the modern fit jeans, which I like were actually a bit tight. I didn't buy those, but it proved that the Loft, which is the closest local store to me has huge size creep. I will take the Alpstars to get cinched in the back if I have to, because I see great possibility for them, especially when we go up north and I want warm pants for going out at night, but I want them to look good.
And my husband has had size issues with athletic clothes lately. He is short, too, well 5' 7". He has always been a medium in tops and now he has to get smalls most of the time. He is not that skinny, average to slim, but definitely not super small. I told him they need petites for men!
I feel bad for my son, who is 5' 6.5 and weighs 116.

Triskeliongirl

12-06-2008, 09:48 AM

Crankin, what may help your husband is to order eurocut or procut. My husband definitely needs medium tops to be large enough for his chest and shoulders, but then they are often baggy around the middle. This happened on a lovely PI gavia vest I ordered for him. BUT, I found that if ordering him cycling wear I pay attention to the cut, and order what they call eurocut or procut (he does have a european body, he was born in Portugal and is small boned) they fit perfectly. Also, certain stores cater better to his body type than others, i.e. international male. SO yeh, I guess its hard for guys too, but at least a 32 waist is a 32 waist everywhere (although DH's is actually 31, but they are too hard to find.....), whereas a women's 4 can range from a 0 to an 8 depending on the shop. I have clothes in my closet that all fit me, with size tags ranging from XS-M, and 4-8. I am also often a larger size on top (broad back and busty) than on the bottom, hooray for separates! I have one suit I bought as separates where I got the pant in a 4 and jacket in an 8. But most of the time I am a S/6 which I would call my true size, if there is any such thing.

I hope the alpstars work out for you. They don't look like they would be difficult (as in expensive) to alter. I may still do that, but I'm gonna wear them for a season first. While my weight has been quite stable for more than a year now, I find that very slowly my body has been getting more compact.

Cataboo

12-06-2008, 10:23 AM

I had to break out my alpstar pants this morning after all this talk about them. That & a shak.

Crankin

12-06-2008, 07:49 PM

My husband doesn't have a problem with cycling jerseys. He can wear the pro cuts, but he likes the looser ones more now. It's more the long sleeved hiking shirts, sweaters, jackets. We have both found that Mountain Hardware and Prana make things cut for small people.
He's a 31 waist, too.

Crankin

12-10-2008, 05:18 AM

My husband gave me a very nice Icebreaker full zip hoodie for our anniversary. It's lighter weight than the half zip Shak hoodie and not as itchy. I wore it all day yesterday, when the temperature went from 19 in the morning to 50 when I went to bed.
I was hinting that I wanted a full zip black Shak, but I guess I'll have to buy that myself!

Cataboo

12-10-2008, 07:33 AM

Crankin

12-10-2008, 04:20 PM

Yes, that's the one. I am going to wear it again tomorrow, when I go into Cambridge and I am in freezing cold and then a warm classroom at the university.

divingbiker

12-12-2008, 07:17 AM

I've been coveting a Neve sweater for a while, and finally decided to order one since I found it on sale for $90. Oh my, it is wonderful! I got this one (http://nevedesigns.com/productdetails.aspx?pid=245&cid=8&o1=1294).

I was worried that it would be too small, but it fits perfectly and is so beautiful I want one in every color! Now that I know how well they fit, I might have to order a couple more Neve sweaters.

Triskeliongirl

12-12-2008, 09:31 AM

Oooh, I clicked on your link. What lovely stuff they have. Why have I not heard of them?? How does the quality and weight compare to an ibex shak?

Today my latest (and final before my trip) package of wool goodness came from REI. The soho hat kit is lovely. I like that the hat covers my ears, and while the gloves are probably a tiny bit small (one size and I am usually a womens L in gloves) but I can make do as they are stretchy. The pink set matches my arc-tyrex fushia parka beautifully, and it will also brighten up my other gray and black dress coats. And you can't go wrong with smartwool ski socks for less than $7 a pair. I am glad I held out for that last coupon though!

I am sitting here typing this in my ibex woolies bottoms, alpstar pants, rasberry ribbies crew and light purple shak. Its been COLD in san antonio, AM temps in the 20s and 30s. The alpstars really are growing on me. I worried they were a tad loose, but it just makes them oh so comfy over my woolies and ribbie. I think I will wear them on the plane they are so comfy. And they will be easier to care for while traveling than my dry clean only wool dress pants.

p.s. Crankin, let us know how the alpstar pant works out for you. I so hope they aren't too big.