WoolWeenies Club

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Originally Posted by Shagge

This is the Ibex I wear on the bike, in case anyone is curious.

Also in the fall, I wear the El Fitos. I absolutely love these, especially because they don't make my skin feel suffocated like lycra does.

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Shagge, what is the chamois/pad like in the El Fitos? They got a rave review on the adventurecycling site.

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Originally Posted by Shagge

I'm hungry for feedback, ideas, suggestions, etc., so I'll be on the lookout for wool-for-cycling related thoughts, be they complimentary or critical.

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Well, since you asked, why are women's T-shirts made with such short arms? I find that I get chafed in the upper arms while paddling or hiking with poles if the short sleeves aren't long enough. So I mostly wear either men's or unisex T-shirts. I picked up a women's Agate T on sale and really wish the sleeves were longer. Also wish it didn't have the extra piping fabric on top of the shoulders because that could be irritating under pack straps. I know I could have gotten a Qu T in mens and avoided these problems, but it wasn't on sale, and I never know if men's small or medium will fit better.

Welcome Shagge!
(and thanks Knot for alerting me to the new Woolweenie action flurry!) ;)

I would be too embarrassed to admit how much Ibex stuff I have "invested" in this year.

Just today, DH and I went on a 35 mile, almost 4 hour ride in 31degrees F.
Here's what I wore, from head to foot:
-Louis Garneau junior balaclava
-SmartWool helmet liner
-Helmet
-Underarmour sport bra
-Ibex woolies base layer (longsleeve)
-SmartWool crewneck LS base layer
-Salvation Army thick merino turtleneck
-SheBeest WindPro jacket
-polarfleece liner gloves
-Ibex Climawool gloves
-Shebeest long Tech Tights w/chamois
-Ibex Approach tights
-Smartwool knee socks
-very thick hi-tech hiking socks
-Thinsulate heavy hiking boots

At the end of our ride, I was not tired, but my fingers were much colder than I would have liked, and my toes were very painfully cold. Other than that, I was fine! :p

You asked for Ibex suggestions, here are mine:

I got Approach tights on sale this xmas for my 2 grown daughters & one "daughter-in-love"- they all LOVE them! I am addicted to my Approach tights- I wear them when cycling and when not cycling. :p They feel so good against the skin, and I love that they are thick. I did get an "Amelia" LS Ibex top on sale, I like the shape but I think it is just too see-through. Good for sleeping in I guess.

I would like to see your colors change more frequently.
Also, your "weekly special" has been the Neve jacket for what seems like Forever. :cool:
I don't buy "jerseys" per se- I find short sleeves very unflattering on me. I always wear either longsleeve, 3/4 sleeve, or tank tops (no sleeves). I like wearing regular merino tops for cycling- not specifically "cycling jerseys".
I too would like to see some more underwear from Ibex. Especially tank tops with built in bra shelf and SKINNY straps so they don't show at the neckline.
I wish there were more color choices for the Woolies line. I also would like to see more turtlenecks or mockturtlenecks WITHOUT zippers. There IS such a thing as having too many tops with zippers, zippers are not "cuddly". ;)
I love my Switchback pullovers and vest. I got them in Persimmon because they would be visible to traffic on the road.
Thanks for asking!!!

boy, this thread is getting expensive for me to read!
you guys have excellent comments for the Ibex rep.
my main gripe is here i have all these nice wool things and
a yucky bra that holds in the cold underneath.
sounds like this is going to change!

Hey Shagge - I want 2 more pair of Roaster Boxers. I can get 'em from Altrec for $30 each right now. If they are likely to go on sale at Ibex for a similar price, I can wait. (does Ibex make more money if I get 'em from the Ibex outlet or from Altrec?) Any hints to help me plan my shopping? ;)

Shagge, my Ibex wishlist includes:

1. Make the cycling knickers shorter for us petite gals. The end of the El Fito tights hits me right on the widest part of the calf, instead of somewhere between the knee and the bulge of the calf.

2. Make the cycling jerseys sleeveless or with cute little cap sleeves. Longish sleeves don't show off my nice girly muscles, they just make my arms look pudgy.

3. Wool bras (real bras, with underwires, in big boob sizes) and undies (prefer thong but could settle for bikini).

That is all. :p

Hey, Shagge.
Two words: Plus Sizes. (Or at least an XXL, for those of us who are *ahem* working our way down.)
Thanks for asking.:)

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Originally Posted by Dianyla

2. Make the cycling jerseys sleeveless or with cute little cap sleeves. Longish sleeves don't show off my nice girly muscles, they just make my arms look pudgy.

3. Wool bras (real bras, with underwires, in big boob sizes) and undies (prefer thong but could settle for bikini).

That is all. :p

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Yeah, I second that suggestion for both sleeveless and little cap sleeves.

And bras...but my bra needs are for NO underwires, and in small boob sizes! ;)

And wool bikini underwear or just high-rise briefs....YEAH!

Great sale going on at pendelton (www.pendleton-usa.com). Not athletic clothes, but lots of good stuff for wool afficianos.

*Pendleton's sale has a buffalo-plaid (blue and black) queen sized blanket for $100.*

Shagge - could Ibex offer things in petite length, but keep making the long length, too? I have a terrible time finding things that are long enough in the legs and arms, and just adore the fact that Ibex Large fit me perfectly. For example: Dianyla could use a knicker with shorter legs, but if all the knickers had shorter legs I would weep bitter tears.

Maybe try offering petites in a few basics and see how they sell?

And I've heard the call for XXL Ibex several times. Again, maybe a few carefully chosen (by the wool-weenies, of course!;) ) basics and see how they sell?

The women's market is out there. Look at how well Terry does with their signature bike short offered in 3 lengths for each size. Or Columbia with their basic chino styles each offered in 3 lengths for each size. Hind running pants, offered in lengths for each size.

Women want and need the length options just as much as men do. If Ibex had a little sub-specialty going on with lengths it could be pretty popular among the talls-and-smalls.

Edit: wool is on the upswing of popularity again, and more companies are throwing wool into the works. Ibex could have another selling point besides wool and Ibex's great quality: multiple sizes/lengths for women!

Shagge,
I would love to love Ibex but I can't- the sizes are never right. I am 5'2 and 115. Everything is too big/loose on me. It may seem vain, but I am proud of my figure and I would like to show it off. I tried the long trail sweater and the switchback zip but they were too big for me. Its not just the very long sleeves, they were too big even when I was excessively layering. I know these sweaters are meant to be looser but I could have fit a beach ball under there.

I was sad to return the long trail sweater it seemed pretty warm and I liked the colors (moon blue), but it had to go. Besides loose clothing to me seems like a hazard. You can't row with it. It gets caught in things. You can;t bike in it. It is too flappy. You can't ski with it. It is too hard to layer over the folds of extra cloth.

I wish that Ibex would carry more xs sizes and petite. Oh and bring back the ultimate guide sweater in those sizes- that would be great.

I don't wear jerseys because I think it would be such an investment when I only bike in half hour chunks. I don't even know what I am missing. I wear an rei wool zip (bought in that short period when they carried it) and that makes me pretty happy. Also when I am done biking I can just roll in to school without changing my outfit.

Please do what you can so i can wear Ibex!

Another vote here for wool sports bra, shelf bra camis. I hate to wear a clammy next-to-skin layer under my merino!

Another vote here for 2XL. I would have bought the El Fito except it was already snug, and being wool and all.....

Hi Shagge and welcome to TE, thanks for reading us!

I am with Madscot. I am currently wearing the Ultimate Guide Sweater and love it dearly. However it's the only piece of Ibex clothing that has fitted me so far. I have bought the cycling shorts last year along with a jersey, and they were not for my body shape (5'4" and 120 lbs or so). I have hips and thighs (but barely boobs) but I would have needed a tummy to fit in there. Maybe a XS would have worked. I was quite disappointed as the material is exceptional, and the chammy seemed quite good.

I was at REI in Seattle last week (I live in Canada) and tried the lovely full-zip hoodie (Carrie) in small and it was also way too big. I usually wear a medium or small in typical REI sizes.

From what I've read I think we need more sizes to reflect the diversity of our bodies. I understand it might be difficult for a small company!!

Thanks for reading!

Yes!

Wool sports bras,
Wool camis with shelf bra, and
Wool underwear (normal sized, not with the 'legs')

So hard to find these types of things.

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Originally Posted by DebW

Shagge, what is the chamois/pad like in the El Fitos?

It's a 3D, seamless chamois with stretch nylon panel. I find it a bit heftier than other chamois I've worn, but it's super comfortable on the bike and it doesn't move around too much.

Well, since you asked, why are women's T-shirts made with such short arms?

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The Agate T did have shorter, cap sleeves, and the piping is a style feature. I would not necessarily recommend this shirt for backpacking because of the these features. Last spring we introduced the Echo T for both men and women, and this shirt has slightly longer sleeves. It is made of the same 17.5 micron merino as the Agate, so it will feel just as comfortable and light.

Thanks for the questions!

[QUOTE=Lisa S.H.;156161]Welcome Shagge!


Thanks for your welcome and for all your great suggestions Lisa S.H! No need to be embarrassed by your Ibex investments (but of course I would say that, right?) I have made note of all your suggestions to pass along to design/production. Also, I will find out what's going on with the specials. I know that they are now called "web specials" because (as you noticed) we haven't been offering a different one each week.

Would you like to see more bright colors (for visibility sake) in our Woolies, or do you wear your Woolies as a baselayer only?

I also wanted to point out that we have a new and improved version of the Approach Tight now--it's called the Energy TIght and it uses the same material but has a revised fit (lower rise) and ankle zips.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Hey Shagge - I want 2 more pair of Roaster Boxers. I can get 'em from Altrec for $30 each right now. If they are likely to go on sale at Ibex for a similar price, I can wait. (does Ibex make more money if I get 'em from the Ibex outlet or from Altrec?) Any hints to help me plan my shopping? ;)

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Hi KnottedYet,

If you found a deal at Altrec, go for it. I appreciate your offer to buy directly, but we do like to support our dealers as well. It's all good for us!

Thanks for your support.

Shagge

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Originally Posted by Dianyla

Shagge, my Ibex wishlist includes:

1. Make the cycling knickers shorter for us petite gals. The end of the El Fito tights hits me right on the widest part of the calf, instead of somewhere between the knee and the bulge of the calf.

Noted. Will pass this along!

2. Make the cycling jerseys sleeveless or with cute little cap sleeves. Longish sleeves don't show off my nice girly muscles, they just make my arms look pudgy.

Check out this jersey: http://www.ibexwear.com/F06/View_Pro...&CategoryLine=
The sleeves are a bit shorter and tighter than the sleeves on our other cycling jerseys. We make a sleeveless jersey (the Ventoux) for men that may work for you?

3. Wool bras (real bras, with underwires, in big boob sizes) and undies (prefer thong but could settle for bikini).

Wool underwire bras? Now there's an idea! THe thong will be along before too long!

That is all. :p

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Muchas gracias!

Shagge

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Originally Posted by Bad JuJu

Hey, Shagge.
Two words: Plus Sizes. (Or at least an XXL, for those of us who are *ahem* working our way down.)
Thanks for asking.:)

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Noted! We are hoping to offer more petite and plus sizes in the future. We appreciate the suggestion JuJu!

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Originally Posted by madscot13

Shagge,
I would love to love Ibex but I can't- the sizes are never right. I am 5'2 and 115.

Please do what you can so i can wear Ibex!

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Hi Madscot13,

Have you given the Shak a try? It's a more form-fitting garment than the Long Trail, Switchback, and Ultimate Guide, and also one of our most popular because of its flattering fit and bomb-proof merino fabric. I think the Shak would be a better bet for activities like rowing and cycling than the more traditional sweater pieces (Long Trail, Ultimate Guide). It comes in half-zip, full-zip, and hooded versions.

http://www.ibexwear.com/F06/View_Pro...&CategoryLine=

As you can see from other recent posts, we have a challenge here at Ibex to build garments that will work for women (and men) of all shapes and sizes. We're still a small company, so we have to pick and choose which garments to offer in a wider size range. You all can help us make those choices, though we do have to be confident that they will sell before we build 'em.

You can also search by size on our website by typing in, say, XS, in the search box. http://www.ibexwear.com/F06/Sizing_Search.php
I wonder if an XS vest would work for you?

Thanks Madscott13 and all the other wool fans for your suggestions on Ibex sizing!

[QUOTE=Shagge;157104]

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Welcome Shagge!


Thanks for your welcome and for all your great suggestions Lisa S.H! No need to be embarrassed by your Ibex investments (but of course I would say that, right?) I have made note of all your suggestions to pass along to design/production. Also, I will find out what's going on with the specials. I know that they are now called "web specials" because (as you noticed) we haven't been offering a different one each week.

Would you like to see more bright colors (for visibility sake) in our Woolies, or do you wear your Woolies as a baselayer only?

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I love colors! remember, even the shyer of us like wearing bright colored undergarments. I can't stand beige, and if i have any of it, i wear it begrudgingly because it's nice material. if i ever have a choice though, i go for more color.

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Originally Posted by Grog

I have bought the cycling shorts last year along with a jersey, and they were not for my body shape

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We did have some trouble with the sizing of our Classica Road Shorts, but the new version (the Calais, available this spring) has an improved fit and a lighter weight fabric.

But I've added your general sizing comments to my "list" for production and will pass them along! Thanks.

[QUOTE=mimitabby;157131]

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Originally Posted by Shagge

I love colors! remember, even the shyer of us like wearing bright colored undergarments. I can't stand beige, and if i have any of it, i wear it begrudgingly because it's nice material. if i ever have a choice though, i go for more color.

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YEP, more bright colors!
I like the persimmon because cars can see me when I ride better. I would LOVE to see a nice rich yellow MANGO color! And maybe a bright spring LETTUCE green. Beautiful bright BLUEBIRD color! And rich TOMATO! I would wear these colors not only biking, but I like to sleep in my Woolies, and I love to layer rich colors for every day wear too.
Imagine a MANGO camisole-bra with a LETTUCE crew neck woolie over it....YUM!!!! TOMATO red wool tights, anyone?
(I'm getting hungry here....)

Hey Shagge,
Thanks for finding this forum and being so great. I really like the way you reswpond to keep us happy and your generous answers. It is not often that we get a voice (or maybe that is just me) but it would be great if even half of these requestes were looked into (the extended sizes being in that half).
Besides that stay in the forum and post your own likes and dislikes about clothing apparell. Afterall you are an OFFICIAL WOOL WEENIE.

So it's a mens t'shirt, so are all my other t'shirts :rolleyes: I might have to get:

http://www.steepandcheap.com/?id=dWi2pwJ4

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Originally Posted by Trek420

So it's a mens t'shirt, so are all my other t'shirts :rolleyes: I might have to get:

http://www.steepandcheap.com/?id=dWi2pwJ4

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Dri-Release wool: 88% polyester, 12% Merino wool. But for $12.74, what's not to like?

I bought a wool blend, long sleeve T from S&C awhile back that I really love. I posted about it.

I grudgingly sent back the cobalt ibex cirque softshell I ordered. Thank you, Shagge, for listening to our suggestions for more wonderful wool garments. The softshell was light, wind resistant w/ climalite, and fit well except for a big neck. I could of dealt with that but the blue was not visually bright enough for road riding. Please, more bright colors!

Someone please take away my plastic - I got 2 of the tshirts this morning:eek:

Did anyone get or is thinking of getting the Ibex Dash Hybrid jacket that is on special??? It looks very nice for cycling in cold weather....even though ibex states it is for cross country skiing and running. I am very tempted.....

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Originally Posted by mtbdarby

Someone please take away my plastic - I got 2 of the tshirts this morning:eek:

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Noooo, Dar you need to keep the plastic just in case your next date invites you out...and asks you to pay. :) :rolleyes: :cool:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Noooo, Dar you need to keep the plastic just in case your next date invites you out...and asks you to pay. :) :rolleyes: :cool:

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ROTFL........

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Originally Posted by Bikingmomof3

ROTFL........

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(can you see why I am so crazy in love with that woman?)


Ibex Dash Hybrid
http://www.ibexwear.com/F06/View_Pro...&CategoryLine=
Unfortunately my credit card is (literally) maxed out, or I'd be getting that jacket in black RIGHT THIS VERY MOMENT!!!!

I was so bummed when the Breakaway disappeared, but now I am happy again. Except that I can't get the jacket... and it's even in black like I really want. <Knot suffers mightily>

Edit: Ohmigawd! The back logo is REFLECTIVE!!!!!! <Knot suffers even more and wonders what she can sell to get $$ for a new Ibex jacket>

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

(can you see why I am so crazy in love with that woman?)

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Absolutely! :D

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Ibex Dash Hybrid
http://www.ibexwear.com/F06/View_Pro...&CategoryLine=
Unfortunately my credit card is (literally) maxed out, or I'd be getting that jacket in black RIGHT THIS VERY MOMENT!!!!

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Sweet jacket. I feel your pain. The carpet fiasco on 2006-2007 has set me back a good year. *sob*

Why is it everytime I look at the "apparel" thread I end up spending money??? This has got to stop....I DO need a 12 step program, not for just wool, but for internet stores in general. It is just too damn easy to spend, spend, spend. Don't even have to get up off the chair.

Just came back from cycling with my smart wool socks, and smartwool half zip top....they do such a great job keeping you comfortable but not sweaty. Just such a comfortable feel. Good thing that they don't smell as DH and I only have one top each. Anyway all during the ride in today's lovely 70 degree weather I could hear that Dash Hybrid jacket calling me. And it will get colder this winter, right??? So.....ordered the Dash Hybrid jacket from Ibex for me in that lovely red, and one for DH in black. (black matches all his other very black cycling clothes). After all, we don't have any nice jackets like that for active type sports, and it is such a great price.....

Is there help to be found??

It was very lucky that jacket does not come in orange as I'm already suffering from plastic abuse.

Why is that all the women's stuff is in girly colors?

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Originally Posted by alforfun

Is there help to be found??

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Alice, just go back to page 1 of this thread and re-read the 12 steps. I feel you wavering. Remember...one wool at a time.

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Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

It was very lucky that jacket does not come in orange as I'm already suffering from plastic abuse.

Why is that all the women's stuff is in girly colors?

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Personally I would never order the pale blue...reminds me of "suburban/ShipN'Shore/JCPenny". And black is cool, but not so great for biking and being seen in traffic.
I dream of MANGO yellow and bright Spring Lettuce Green! :cool: :D

With the miracle of the PI whisper vest in screaming lime yellow, I can wear any color wool I fancy and still be seen. (darn vest is an enabler, I tell you!)

Now if only I had some latitude left on my credit card... sigh

Lisa--I don't think you are really helping here with those 12 steps.....except to get us to buy more wool!!! Hmmm....