WoolWeenies Club

I still get the wet patch with the ibex bra, I still get cold... but I don't quite get the same level of chill as I do with a patagonia sports bra.

I don't think that wet wool truly keeps you warm. It does provide insulation that some other fabrics do not and it does not rob you of your warmth like some fabrics do. It also dries fast and wicks well, so that helps.

But any wet fabric is not going to be as warm as a dry one. I would say that a wet wool jersey is going to be warmer than a wet cotton one. Or, at least, that's been my experience. Of course, wet is still wet and that is rarely comfy for extended periods no matter what the fabrication.

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

I don't think that wet wool truly keeps you warm. It does provide insulation that some other fabrics do not and it does not rob you of your warmth like some fabrics do. It also dries fast and wicks well, so that helps.

But any wet fabric is not going to be as warm as a dry one. I would say that a wet wool jersey is going to be warmer than a wet cotton one. Or, at least, that's been my experience. Of course, wet is still wet and that is rarely comfy for extended periods no matter what the fabrication.

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i will agree wet is wet. but I never get that cotton clamminess I do as with cotton. you know when your socks get wet and how it feels terrible in cotton socks? I don't really get that feeling when I wear wool.

I tend to agree about wet wool not really helping retain warmth, unless you've got enough thick layers of it. Synthetic fleeces do that for me. My usual winter skiing layers are wool next to skin, and then fleece next to the wool (I really love the Arc'teryx Rho fleece layers).

The main reason I like wool even when wet is the tactile feel of it. I've often not noticed or perceived that my woollens are moist or damp, because they don't feel damp or clingy to me.

Wool does hold water. The old polypropylene synthetic fabric (like Lifa long underwear) will hold almost no water so could be better for heavy sweaters exercising heavily. Don't think I've ever seen a bra of polypro, though. It's pretty stretchy stuff.

Wool isn't necessarily going to be able to keep you warm, but it is a better insulator when wet than other fabrics so you might not get as cold as quickly. If you're getting cold when your wool bra gets wet, I recommend adding a wool undershirt too. I've loved that combo under my cycling jersey in cold weather. Remember too that there are different grades of wool - thick vs thin - so that will probably affect its properties.

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Originally Posted by DebW

Wool does hold water. The old polypropylene synthetic fabric (like Lifa long underwear) will hold almost no water so could be better for heavy sweaters exercising heavily. Don't think I've ever seen a bra of polypro, though. It's pretty stretchy stuff.

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that sounds actually painful to me.

so, skierchickie, what are you doing/wearing instead?

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Originally Posted by Skierchickie

Sorry guys, I can't resist. :p

I do love my Ibex wool bras, but the idea that they keep you warm when they are wet is a TOTAL MYTH. I wore mine skiing (nordic) for most of the winter, until I finally gave up on being completely and utterly frozen by the time I got home. I sweat. When I'd get home and change, I'd always be fairly dry except my bra and my shirt right where the wet bra was. If I quickly changed everything else, I'd still freeze until I got rid of the thing. It is soft. It is comfortable. It is great for biking, working, walking, okay for running (for those of us who don't need much support), and fine for sit-ups and push-ups. It is really not so great for high-intensity workouts in the cold. I've tried, but I just haven't had the "wool keeps you warm when it's wet" experience.

My problem is, I wear a light jacket until I get warmed up. Unfortunately, I've been going straight from "cold straight out of the car" to "cold because I'm sweaty", and end up leaving the jacket on. :mad:

Okay, ladies - let me have it! I supposed this will get me drummed out of the Woolweenies. :(

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Originally Posted by Dianyla

The main reason I like wool even when wet is the tactile feel of it. I've often not noticed or perceived that my woollens are moist or damp, because they don't feel damp or clingy to me.

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Yes, I totally agree with this. Wet cotton SUCKS...but wet wool is only a problem once I've already gotten cold. If I can stay warm (even when wet), it's not uncomfortable.

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so, skierchickie, what are you doing/wearing instead?

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Well, I'm not sure yet. Late in the season I got a Craft long underwear top (I've been wearing Smartwool for a few years), and went back to my old (old old old old) coolmax bras and my not as old Patagonia one. Not great, but better, actually. I may have to pick up a Craft bra before next winter.

I love the feel of the wool stuff, but it just isn't working for me in those conditions. And for me, it does seem as bad as cotton-cold. Although I haven't really worn cotton for exercising in many years. Now the Smartwool stuff I have doesn't seem to get as wet as the bra, except right where it is on top of it.

I think my problem is that it is just soaking wet after a while, and it really holds it. I thought my Patagonia one was bad that way, but this puts it to shame.

Long sleeve. Right now at Backcountry outlet. The ones for this price are ice blue and a juniper print.

I thought I'd add my take on the "warm when wet" thing since I wore wool on Saturday on a whitewater rafting trip (the Dryway on the Deerfield River in western MA). I was wearing an Icebreaker short-sleeve tee under a long-sleeved Icebreaker midweight crew, and the water was chilly (unfortunately I don't know the temp). The air temps were probably in the upper 50s at the beginning and then got into the mid to upper 60s later when the sun came out. I was in the front of the raft and therefore got pretty well soaked, and I was never cold (if anything, a bit warm as the air temp rose) except for one point where we pulled over to shore for a snack, there was a breeze and we were in the shade, and even then I only felt slightly chilly when standing still. The wet wool definitely didn't have that clammy feeling that cotton gets and didn't seem to cling nearly as much either. Overall, I think it's great stuff for wet conditions, the only disadvantage is that it takes longer to dry than some synthetics.

Sierra Trading Post has an unbelievable sale on wool Neve Designs sweaters--70% off.

I've got the Larissa (2) and Violet sweaters and they're great.

Thank you for the heads up, divingbiker!

I just ordered the Violet and the Ginger. They have a really good selection of sizes left, too. :)

I'm saving my wool money for a snazzy PI wool cycling jacket that's coming in the fall. Think Rapha.
I was at the shop when the rep came in with samples and went crazy for it.