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Ok, I ordered the Ibex Switchback that is on sale at STP in the large. Got it yesterday. I love it. It is too small. Actually it fits perfectly, but too perfectly. I don't like my stuff to be fitted. I want it looser.
If any of you girls are selling XL's that don't fit, please let me know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandra
The Switchbacks tend to shrink a little when they are washed. You do not want to get one that fits perfectly at first. Can't you send it back?
yes, it is going back.
KathiCVille The 2 way zipper is what allowed me to wear the SHowers Pass...but it was too big on top...all floppy...
I gotta say...I feel pretty hot in the Marmot Sharp Point (hot as in cool, not hot as in whew, open the pit zips) it fits really well. It breathes and with a few merino layers underneath could be perfect for cold drizzle....
It is wind stop and water resistant...
Maybe a packable rain poncho would be the ticket then if I were to really get caught in it....I don't forsee going out to ride in Heavey rain...Seattle/PDX Girls??
It's a really different proposition to stay warm in the NE than it is to stay warm and DRY in the NW!
So what am I gonna do when I have all the clothes I need, 2 bikes with all the right stuff...I guess I'll just have to ride instead of shop!!!
Lisa
what knickers are those? you look like you were born in them!!!
I hope to be in a situation like that next year when I have my second bike. :)Quote:
So what am I gonna do when I have all the clothes I need, 2 bikes with all the right stuff...I guess I'll just have to ride instead of shop!!!
I feel very lucky indeed to be able to get a second nice bike.
Sometimes if it's not deadly cold, I wear one pair of long tights, then my regular old Terry Spinnaker spinning knickers over them, and then wool knee socks. That puts two layers covering my legs. That's good for about as low as 35 degrees if there's no wind.Quote:
Originally Posted by elk
If it's colder, like today was in the 20's, then I wear 2 layers on my legs as well, but they will be more heavy duty. Today was wicked cold and windy, and my legs had first Ibex merino thick tights, then some SportHill wind proof tights/pants, then my Ibex short black wool skirt (I wasn't riding today). I also wore heavy boots and socks. I really bundled up this morning at 25 degrees very windy and did my 3.6 mile walk. I actually stayed toasty! :eek:
Those Spinnaker knickers have a VERY light chamois in them- so light in fact that I can wear them alone and no one can see any chamois at all. They look good just for everyday wear. You don't really feel the thin chamois- it's like 1/8" of cotton or something- not much good for long bike rides. Here's a picture of me wearing them alone in the summertime last year:
http://harmonias.com/LisaBike_1.jpg
And here is where they sell them:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail.html?item_no=1822
They stretch a lot, so you don't have to be skinny to wear them. :cool:
I just ordered the Spinnaker Knickers...they look great.
I better get some kneesocks...what kind are yours, Lisa..smartwool...what are they called?
I hope I didn't order them too big, but sizes in this stuff tend to run small...I ordered an XXL which I have never ordered before...
Sandra...Ibex has them in 3 colors for 1/2 off..tempted myself...Quote:
Originally Posted by sandra
I have persimmon and even though it's not my favorite color, I wear it all the time because it feels and looks great on me....
Elk,
my knee socks are Smartwool Ski socks. STP has some on sale at the moment:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Pro...f=AffinitySale
Not sure how heavy those are compared to mine. I paid about $17 for my SW ski knee socks, medium cushion. I think mine were men's small....
XXL might be too big for your Spinnakers- they aren't that tight and stretchy- more relaxed. You'll just have to see when they arrive.
Sandra needs an XL switchback- Ibex only has that size in periwinkle color- with no photo of the color. I'm not sure what periwinkle looks like. I'm not seeing many XL switchback full zips left on the net at this point.
I think my full-zip switchback is the periwinkle, a light blue with purple undertones. The periwinkle switchback fabric isn't as unstable as the charcoal fabric. (which shrank and shrank and is still shrinking... and that's why Ibex doesn't make switchbacks anymore) (at least according to one of the reps I talked to.)
As a footnote to the shrinking switchback issue- I now have Ibex "Shaks" and have washed them twice in the machine and low dryer....and see no shrinking problems at all. So going to the Shaks seems to be a good alternative. (except they are not on sale of course).
Elk,
I just checked my Spinnakers and they are a size medium and fit me fine- my hips are 42"- pretty substancial. The large would probably fit me fine too. So I would think the large would be plenty big enough for you (not knowing your actual hip size, but seeing your picture on your bike...)
Dear WoolWeenies,
STP has been rained on by Icebreaker sometime in the past month!
I just ordered the women's chakra zip and a few men's mondo zips - with the coupon I had they came to ~$31 a piece, and will make great xmas gifts (or maybe one will stay with me... )
See http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Icebreaker.html
Cheers,
Katie
hmmm i just went by the size chart on the site..I'm 44"...I hope I don't have to send them back!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
Hey...esp Lisa....Spinnaker model....:cool:
I got the Spinnaker Knickers today and I don't know if they fit...they slide on way easy, are high in the waist and baggy in the knees. These are the xxl...
They're not loose, but they're not tight...it's like they don't need to stretch to fit..Maybe I should go down a size and compare them...
??
The way you describe them sounds a little big to me. Order the next size and then send back the one that doesn't work.
Elk- they sound way too big to me- they should stretch on your legs like tights but not feel too tight of course. But .....before you send these XXL back-
Order the Large AND the XL. I really think the Large are going to fit you the best. The Mediums fit me great and you are only 2" bigger around in the hips than me. Plus I suspect you are shorter than me (5'5")
Since you have to send the XXL back anyway, if you order the other two sizes, you can send the TWO pairs that don't fit back in one package.
I strongly feel the XL will be too loose on you as well. These are capri length tights, not pants. Baggy at the knee is going to be extremely annoying. You want snug but not tight.
P.S. the sizing charts always say I should get XXL too, but it's always way too big. I don't depend so much on the sizing charts anymore.
Ok...I ordered the L and the Xl...we shall see! Yes, I am shorter...I'm 5' 3.5"
BTW I have worn my new wool stuff every single freakin' day since I got it...good thing I got so much! Changed my life...!!
Just got an e-mail from Ibex a little while ago announcing a week-long special on Woolies. Buy two tops, get a bottom for free.......Ends 12/13........Enjoy!
Yay! Ibex sale. I just saw my email from them a little while ago too. Wool=good, more wool=better. :D :D :D
REI Outlet has a Smartwool Brushed wool jacket as their deal of the day!
Like the gray/black heather http://www.rei.com/product/757950?cm...OUTLET_HP_DOTD
me too, but dry clean only? :eek: Do y'all do that?Quote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
Heck no! I don't dry clean anything! Gentle wash in cold water, dry flat or hang.
The nylon mix that Smartwool is made of might help keep it from shrinking, anyway.
I got a catalog yesterday with this in it. It is on sale plus with code: CH12511, it is an additional 50% off (any one item, not just this).
no pockets as usual!! but it IS nice.Quote:
Originally Posted by sandra
Mmmmm, Black Heather Size Large, come to Momma!!!!! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
Thanks a lot, Knot. :rolleyes:
And ditto on the dry clean only sentiments. The only stuff I take to get dry-cleaned is really tricky stuff like expensive interview suits. Everything else, I just wash and dry very carefully at home.
I got this Cirque Jacket from STP. This was the cheaper of the two that appeared to be just alike. Plus I got an additional 20% off.
It came today. I am thrilled. It is just what I've been looking for. Apparently I wear an XL in this stuff where I normally wear a L. This XL fit just fine with extra room for layers if I needed it, where the L fit to perfectly.
SO glad it fits you Sandra!! Its a great looking jacket.
Sandra- how'd you get another 20% off?
(Knot doesn't need another jacket... really... but look, it's a nice black and it comes in my size still...)
I get an email from them almost every day! See if this works.
Yep, when you put it in your cart it takes the 20% off.
not that I am enabler but if you type siera trading post into google there will be a few websites that have updated coupons for percentages off and free shipping.
Think of all of the money you could have saved had you known earlier. I did and it made me sort of sad.:rolleyes:
Sandra that's a great jacket and a great price! :)
Dang, I just went to the LBS' wool night with the Ibex and Smartwool reps. Not a dang thing for me -- and I'm even a medium which is what all the sales samples are sized. The one thing I really, really liked didn't fit. Bubba got 3 undershirts and he wasn't even there.
I do feel virtuous though - didn't buy the red Swobo jersey because it was only 10% off. Ooh, it is such a purty red! :rolleyes:
Wooly redemption story:
I have a pair of the fab-o MUSA pants from Riv. I sweat like a crazed weasel (and it shows), so for warm weather and longer rides I'll stick with my tried and true skorts.
The pants are nice for shorter rides or sort of cooler rides, but they were uncomfortable for chilly rides. Next cool day I tried putting them on over my Ibex capris. Oops. The fabric dragged and pulled and bound and made me grumpy!
I fell out of love with my MUSA pants for a while.
Today I wore UA compression shorts, Ibex long underwear over them, and the MUSAs over that. Whoopee! Everything slid easily, no binding, very warm and cozy and breathable for sweaty-weasel me!
Moral of the story; MUSA with Ibex capris, not perfect. MUSA with Ibex long johns, blissful!
(and I love my MUSA pants again)
Knot- your story reminds me of what I did today...
Since it's been in the 20's an awful lot lately, I have been doing less bike riding and more fitness walking.
This morning was in the 30's, so DH and I decided to brave a bike ride. I bundled up good....and I put my SportHill wind resistant winter pants on OVER my Ibex thick wool tights. Oooohhh-my legs were nice and warm! :p
A few miles after we started our ride, I suddenly realized that I had completely forgotten to wear something with a chamois pad. All my fitness walking had gotten me out of the habit of automatically reaching for chamois tights. Our ride was going to be 30 miles, about 3 hours long. My Brooks saddle has no padding whatsoever. :eek: Yes, Brooks saddles are nicely molded to one's butt, but they are still rather hard leather!
DH said we could shorten the ride, but I said no I'll get through it, it's only 30 miles. Well, I did manage just fine- a tad sore towards the end, yes, but only because my sit bones were accustomed to having a decent chamois pad on rides over an hour.
At least my butt was nice and warm though. ;)
I didn't have a chamois either, and I was kind of using the ride as a test of my chamois-system. (I brought my bus pass in case I got too sore to ride home.)
The 3 layers I rode in today were pretty darn comfy, a close second to the old style chamois i like so much, and much better than the way the new 3-d chamois (don't) fit my sits bones.
I only had a momentary bit of soreness under my right sit bone after I walloped a bunch of cracked pavement. That's my low bone as it is, and it has made a nice nest for itself on the right side of my Brooks. Don't think a chamois would've prevented that (opening my damm eyes and picking my butt up before I hit the cracks would've been good!) so I'm starting to wonder if I can safely skip chamois shorts under my "street" shorts and capris in the future.
I'd like to try my Ibex boxer briefs under a pair of street capris when it gets warmer.
hmmm
I only did 10 miles...but was uber comfortable the whole time. i did have to stop on the way back---INTO the wind--- to put on my new present from DH (which he picked out with no prompting from moi) a smartwool headband for my ears...
i had on my icebreaker 3/4 leggings, ibex skirt over, smartwool ski socks (with superstripes:) ) Under my shak zip i had a longsleeve Riv crew and over it I wore my new Marmot sharp point softshell.
I LOVE that jacket. It has so far been great in cold weather, rain, and if I get too hot I just unzip the pits for instant regulation.
Plus I looked ...:cool:
and listen to me...talking woolies with the big girls...:D
Terry doesn't communicate well, but WOW are they fast shipping! I ordered the L and XL Spinnakers, what, 3 days ago? and they came today.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
SO! The L fits and the XL fit too. What to do?
The L fit like tights and are comfortable...maybe a tiny tiny bit tight in the crotch (not short, just the material is pretty much stretched ACROSS..I can tell by trying to pinch it. The material, there) The XL is a little baggy in the knee and also feels like the waist is a bit high and yes, they are a little looser than a pair of tights.
which to keep? I'm leaning towards the L.
With all the biking you're going to be doing now, you'll more than likely lose couple of pounds over the coming year. Tights are sexy. Keep the Large if they feel comfortable.
Thought I would add my 2 cents worth on the chamois discussion. The past couple of years I have been riding without a chamois. Previously I liked the Terry T-shorts, but recently the chamois would just drive me crazy on longer rides. I switched to compression shorts with no chamois (running shorts) and have had no problems, even on centuries. During colder weather I use my Sporthill cross-country pants with long underwear underneath.
Each spring I get some soreness over the sit-bones, but after 2 or 3 rides I seem to have broken my sit-bones in and have no further discomfort.