Ibex wool bra review

[mimitabby]

Yeppers, I'm wearing this woolen bra. It is AWESOME.
Raleighdon asked me to go riding today it was 38 degrees when i left home and 42 when we got back. So I wore wool kneesocks, Ibex knickers; thick wool undersweater, booties,
and of course the new bra. On top I wore a long sleeve winter jersey made out of god knows what artificial fabric and then my raincoat on top of that.
Plenty of layers, but it's COLD out. (and it even rained a little)

The bra was invisible. I did not feel it. As I started to sweat, i did not get the dreaded cold clammy chest!!! Wahoo!!
I got home, hot of course because of the #$@% annoying hill that I live on, but it was all good.

I changed out of my bike duds because I am painting a wall, and left the bra on underneath my overalls and shirt. you'd never know i had been riding..
I am a 36 b and have gravity issues because of my age, but I had plenty of support and comfort with this baby.

[KnottedYet]

Oh, the temptation! I just bought a bunch of stuff from TE, and 3 new Ibex pieces... but now I want the bra, too!

thanks for the review!

[mimitabby]

update:

This bra cost more than any bra i've ever purchased. I wore it again today on a ride/walk out in 38 degree weather. It was worth every penny!!! I stayed warm and cosy the whole time.

[sandra]

Don't feel bad about the cost Mimi. The only type bra I wear for every day, the Le Mystère, costs $68!!! :eek: I call it my Le Misery. :D

[elk]

hey Sandra...I wear that one too...Tisha?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Don't feel bad about the cost Mimi. The only type bra I wear for every day, the Le Mystère, costs $68!!! :eek: I call it my Le Misery. :D

Well, but I think that women who speak French and wear tiaras are supposed to have really expensive lingerie, right?

Lisa (looking forward to trying out my brand new $17 splurge pair of Patagonia capilene panties tomorrow instead of my usual "3 pak for $5" Fruit of the Looms.....) :eek: :cool:
I still can't believe I spent that on a pair of panties. They better be damned good.

[sandra]

yep, Elk, that's the one.

Hey Lisa, if they aren't any good, try Soma. That's what the people who wear tiaras wear. :D

[KnottedYet]

Lisa (looking forward to trying out my brand new $17 splurge pair of Patagonia capilene panties tomorrow instead of my usual "3 pak for $5" Fruit of the Looms.....) :eek: :cool:
I still can't believe I spent that on a pair of panties. They better be damned good.

I have 2 pair of them. They are my favorite girly-undies. (otherwise my favorite is the Ibex Roaster Boxer)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't know, the patagonia panties are ok, but the waistband is low (way below my hips) and they are not too flattering. A high cut style would be way better for me, sort of like this shape:
http://www.essentialapparel.com/index.cfm/a/catalog.prodshow/vid/14358/catid/43?CMP=AFC-YSHOPPING
But Patagonia only seems to have low hip type styles:
http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/collection.jsp?OPTION=COLLECTIONS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&catcode=MAIN_SP_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.WOMENS.BODY#sku.32401

[sandra]

eww. I would not like that either. I like the high leg brief with a higher waist like this:
http://www.soma.com/store/browse/product.jsp?colorFamily=&productId=100061759&subCatId=&catId=cat40090&fromSearch=&inSeam=

[kelownagirl]

I cannot imagine wearing a wool bra. I get hot enough as it is when I'm working out.

[KnottedYet]

The patagonia briefs I have are high waisted like that. More like a French cut than a hipster. I don't know if this is it, cuz I bought them a couple years ago: http://www.patagonia.com/usa/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&style_color=32401-678&patcatcode=MAIN_SP_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.WOMENS.BODY The waistband sits just about where my pants waistband is, so I don't have the dreaded "upper panty line". One of the things I like so much about my Patagonias is that the waist isn't low! :eek:

sounds like they may have changed the pattern since I bought mine. Bummer, cuz I'd really like a couple more pair.

[VeloVT]

sounds like they may have changed the pattern since I bought mine. Bummer, cuz I'd really like a couple more pair.

Betcha they have. This summer I bought a Patagonia bikini (swimsuit) online and though I actually do like it, boy it has teeny bottoms! Just short of showing cleavage, and I am just old enough that I don't think that's an attractive look on anyone in public...

(actually, does ANYONE think that's an attractive look????).

They are not indecent but I'm always worried that they will become so one way or another if I'm not constantly vigilant about where they are ;).

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The patagonia briefs I have are high waisted like that. More like a French cut than a hipster. I don't know if this is it, cuz I bought them a couple years ago: http://www.patagonia.com/usa/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&style_color=32401-678&patcatcode=MAIN_SP_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.WOMENS.BODY The waistband sits just about where my pants waistband is, so I don't have the dreaded "upper panty line". One of the things I like so much about my Patagonias is that the waist isn't low! :eek:

sounds like they may have changed the pattern since I bought mine. Bummer, cuz I'd really like a couple more pair.

No, mine look like the picture you linked to, but they are WAY below the belly button. Not great.

[KnottedYet]

Just dug my undies out of the dirty laundry. They are definitely a French Cut kind of style. Tag says, " Cut 5425 Style 32401 Spring 07"

I'll be very sad if I can't find more.

[Crankin]

Sandra, I could start a whole thread on Le Mystere... I don't buy their bras, but I do buy their undies. Yes, I buy thongs, ladies because I like pants that are below the waist and I can't stand the dreaded panty line. So, I went to a real lingerie store and they steered me to the Le Mystere line. They don't show through anything! I do buy Wacoal bras, which are just as expensive. And they make what are so nicely called "petite" sized bras!

[sandra]

I've tried a lot of bras in my lifetime, and believe me, with 34DD's I have to have a bra that is good. Won't wear any other kind now than Le Mystere. I wish they made a sports bra!

[KnottedYet]

Wacoal has a sports line with a completely different name: CWX. And TE sells it: http://www.teamestrogen.com/brands.asp?brandID=119

Susan O might know if Le Mystere has a sports line under a different name.

[Andrea]

I have a couple of sports bras from Road Runner Sports that I love- they're the only one I found for larger cup sizes that didn't have some sort of clasp or zipper that makes it look like underwear (I like to go shirtless sometimes in the summer). They used to have them in a wide variety of colors, but now they're only in black & white unless you want the long version: RRS Sportek c/d cup (http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/RRL427/)

The description says for moderate-impact activity in larger sizes, but trust me, if you're wearing this thing, they aren't going ANYWHERE. I use mine for trail running and usually refer to it as my bullet-proof bra :D

[mimitabby]

today was the big test for the Ibex wool bra. Chilly Hilly!

I got hot, I was cold, I sweated, I got cold, i got hot.
for over 3 hours (including off bike time)
NO COLD CLAMMY CHEST..
awesome!!!

[KnottedYet]

Mimi, post a review on Ibex's website!

[Zen]

Everytime I see "wool bra" my b@@bs start itching.
I know, I know "It's not scratchy!"
Tell that to my b@@bs.

A wool thong!? :eek: :eek: :eek:

[mimitabby]

Mimi, post a review on Ibex's website!

i didn't know you could.


Zen, a lot of people are like that! but like YOU said, Ibex isn't like that.

[KnottedYet]

i didn't know you could.


Here ya go! http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/ReviewProduct.php?PageID=240
You could be the first to review it!

[mimitabby]

Done

thanks Knot!

[Skierchickie]

Thanks for the info, Mimi! I've been wishing for a wool sports bra for a while (love my Smartwool long underwear). Over the last couple of years, I've been adding more wool underlayers to my drawer, and getting really sick of my supposedly-wicking, but instead just wet & clammy bras. So after reading your review, I started looking around. None of the ski shops I've been to lately carry anything. Lots of Smartwool, but they don't make a bra. So I ordered two from TE, because I was sort of between sizes. Well, they came pretty quickly (and just in time for my Saturday ski). I tried them both on, and they both felt amazingly comfortable. I couldn't decide which one fit better, so my DH said "why don't you just keep both?". I said "because they were $50 apiece". He said "so, how often do you get something like this?". I said "two weekends ago at Target, I got two sports bras". Okay, they didn't really count ($14 Champion semi-wicking clammy ones). It feels pretty extravagant (I'm not into the whole fancy underwear thing, and I'm more likely to splurge on a jacket or a jersey).

I've had them for a week, and I love them! Yes, I still get sweaty, but I don't notice it. It's been 5 degrees, it's been 30 degrees. I've been overdressed, I've been underdressed. Very comfy! No restrictive band across the bottom - just soft & stretchy all over (the knit is different in different areas). I do wish the straps were a bit farther apart, but otherwise perfect. I'm pretty lacking in the boobage department, so I don't need much support - can't give much input there. I probably won't use them for running, but they are great for skiing, snowshoeing, I'm sure for biking.

[OakLeaf]

I have a hard time imagining wool giving any support at all. Is it really there?

[sandra]

I have to tell you that I have a huge crush on your husband. :D Just kidding, but what a dear to encourage you to keep both. Enjoy!

[mimitabby]

Sandra, whose husband?

[sandra]

sorry, I was posting but other posts got ahead of me. Skierchickie's husband for this:


I tried them both on, and they both felt amazingly comfortable. I couldn't decide which one fit better, so my DH said "why don't you just keep both?". I said "because they were $50 apiece". He said "so, how often do you get something like this?".

Truthfully, I have a husband that is that sweet, but I hope she realizes she has a keeper.

[Skierchickie]

Thanks Sandra! I know - he IS a keeper! In spite of what I may say or think once in a great while:rolleyes:.


I have a hard time imagining wool giving any support at all. Is it really there?
Oakleaf: Probably not much. I don't need much - it's fine for me. Like I said, I'm pretty sure I won't use them for running. They are 2 layers everywhere, and different knit in different areas, so there is more stretch in some areas than in others. I can't really say if it would work for somebody with more of a bust than I have. Probably great for biking, anyway (I won't know until at least April). Seemed to work fine tonight for hauling firewood into the basement and playing in the snow with my kindling-stealing dog.

[Nokomis]

The Ibex cami is fantastic - kept the girls warm, without the post ride clamy skin. I'd prefer it to be longer, but it did stay down when tucked in to my short. Don't worry - it was well hidden under other layers. I was a bit worried about the thin straps - but they are soft & did not dig in.

Overall - this gives as much support as the Target Champion C9 sports bras - but is so much cozier in cold weather! Next purchase will be the Red sports bra. woo!