WoolWeenies Club

It was 37.1 when I left my house at 6:45 to meet Hirakukibou. When I arrived at our meeting place, only 3.8 miles from my house, it was closer to 34. First day of wearing my Ibex tights (usually reserved for snow sports!), Woolie Bullie socks, and mid weight wool jersey (an old Performance item. I don't think they make it anymore). Oh, and I have solved my issue of not being able to shift with thicker gloves, like my Am-Fibs. I bought a pair of light weight full finger gloves in a bigger size and I wore my Smart Wool liners underneath. Perfect. Most wool I've worn since February. I also had a wind jacket, a fleece beanie, and a Craft base layer to round out the warmth.
Tomorrow I really need to take a short ride around 5:30 AM (riding super early is my new habit). I think I might add the balaclava and toe covers under my booties. Having to go down 1.5 miles of a hill first thing in these temperatures is not really fun.

I know I've been incommunicado of late, but I had to pop in to share this. I just know yawl will be jumping all over yourselves to be the first to own one.

Unfortunately for the purists, it is a blend. :p

That beer cozy is awesome.

I picked up a lovely pair of Ibex glove liners from the REI sale. They are sooooo soft and I can tell they will keep my fingers nice and toasty under my wind barrier gloves, when the temps drop to freezing.

I even checked the catalog for REI they have hardly any of the nice Ibex garments I'd like to buy. what's a girl to do?!

I just joined the club. :D

Ordered cycling tights, trainer and socks etc from Jones Wares. Ordering and communication with them were very straightforward. Since I'm only 5'2", the women cycling tights in the market usually don't fit me well. In Jones Wares, I could have some minor custom fit on tights and even the trainer. The delivery was very fast. They shipped the order the following day after confirmed my measures.

Note that the cycling tights are quite heavy. Should be good for the winter in NY.

I also order the LS jersey, Flying Nun, from the New Zealand company, Ground Effect. The international shipping is very cheap. It's lightweight and can be wore most of the year (as a base layer for the winter). I looked up the reviews and comments before ordered from them. Unfortunately, the women section has fewer choices in wool products than the men section.

More Teko merino socks for me!

I've been doing my long runs all summer in a couple of pairs of their midweight hikers with the ankles folded down. I figured it was time to treat myself to some real running socks. They're so much nicer than Smartwool (which I've still been wearing for the shorter runs).

Did a little jog in one pair on Tuesday just to be sure. The other pair will get 26.2 on Sunday. :)

anyone know of a good place to get Ibex on sale? (oh come on, quit laughing!)
or better, does anyone else make stuff that looks like the shak? I love how it looks on me, sort of dressy, sort of not...

Okay, after all these months hearing about the Shak love, somebody please confirm my impression that I can't wear one. ;)

I'm 5'3", bigger in the hips than the shoulders, and I have basically no waist (less than two inches between my bottom ribs and my hipbones). So any longer tops, unless they're really tailored, either fit me like a tent or bunch up above my hips.

I'm also not terribly tempted by anything that isn't machine washable... but you guys keep talking about these Shaks like they were crack or something. :cool:

Does anyone know if there are some good quality sources for plus-size wool jerseys and other warm and fuzzy items?

Apparently I will be spending any budget I had on my sick kitty. :( Good thing the movers will be delivering my stuff in early November and I can finally get to my wool Mom-knit sweaters. :)

Herald Cat needs to have a tooth pulled next week. And as he's old, and diabetic, this hasn't exactly been a fun ride, for either of us.

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

anyone know of a good place to get Ibex on sale? (oh come on, quit laughing!)
or better, does anyone else make stuff that looks like the shak? I love how it looks on me, sort of dressy, sort of not...

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Here you go:

https://www.ibexwear.com/shop/produc.../womens-outlet

They seem to add new stuff at the end of every season, so there's a lot of summer stuff right now. I got the ribbed hoddie yesterday, and I love it.

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

I even checked the catalog for REI they have hardly any of the nice Ibex garments I'd like to buy. what's a girl to do?!

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Have you tried other local retailers?

I find nicer clothing from independent local outdoor stores that all have membership programs that give me the "dividend" upfront either through a discount or a gift cert once I've spent a certain amount. I'd far rather support them than REI.

http://www.ibexwear.com/maps/index.php

And Patagonia is making more and more nice wool clothing, but I gotta say I live in my Shaks for cold weather steelhead fishing (and the discontinued Patagonia Merino 4 pants :().

redrhodie, already been through their outlet, nothing I want that is in my size.

SadieKate. OOOO thanks thanks!! perfect....

Mimi - You can also just do a google search for 'Ibex Shak' and find lots of outlets (where you can then find other items). I have bought Ibex from Zappos, Sierra Trading Post, Altrec, Backcountry, and from a couple of local stores including TE. I've actually never bought Ibex at REI! Though, I do get most of my Ibex directly from Ibex themselves...

Oh, and definitely check SAC - I've gotten a ton of Icebreaker and Smartwool from them.

Oak - I bet you could wear it. I'm only 5'4" and my hips are definitely as wide as my shoulders (even though I do have a waist) and the shak does not ride up at all. It's also not even slightly flowy - so I don't think it could 'tent' on you. I think because it's a beefier material it stays where it should and looks nice. I actually noted that they seem to be making them a tad roomier than they used to as well. The medium I put on this morning (my newest one in the turquoise color) is larger than my older shaks. Oh, and I definitely put mine in the wash, I just don't put them in the dryer.

Speaking of wool, this is my next wool desire:
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/pro...102//large.jpg
:D

I put my Shaks in the wash.
+ 1 on Jones Wares. I had them do a semi-custom fit on a pair of wool hiking type pants. I wear them x country skiing/snow shoeing, since they have flared legs, not really perfect for cycling. However, I have worn them cycling to appointments, with the leg wrapped up, so it doesn't get caught in the chain. They actually look like regular pants and are extremely heavy and warm.

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Originally Posted by bmccasland

Apparently I will be spending any budget I had on my sick kitty. :( Good thing the movers will be delivering my stuff in early November and I can finally get to my wool Mom-knit sweaters. :)

Herald Cat needs to have a tooth pulled next week. And as he's old, and diabetic, this hasn't exactly been a fun ride, for either of us.

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So sorry about your cat. Hope he'll be ok.

Why in the world is it taking so long for the movers to get your stuff to you? You've been there quite awhile now, as I recall!

so has anyone else found something that is zephyr-like, but not Ibex, but still wool??
Is Ibex really the only outfit that gets it?
Since SadieKate's helpful post, I have been hunting around on those websites and find a lot of 50-50 cotton wool and 60-40 poly/wool....

I guess maybe if a Shak fits the same as a Razzel, only heavier, I might need one. I luuuuurve my Razzel (which I was a little apprehensive about ordering, but took my chances and wasn't disappointed).


Beth, hope Herald feels better. :(

ok i just bought two Ibex sweaters from EverestGear. Two, so if i don't like one, I will still have the other. They were discounted nicely...

Just got the Patagonia app (free) for iDevice. (iPod, iPad, iPhone, iDunno)

Sex-ay! It has a "wool" button, you click that, and all the wool leaps to your screen! You can specify outlet or regular price stock.

(I don't care that Patagonia is "Pradagonia" or "Patagucci", I've always liked their stuff. Never could afford it, but always liked it. The very nice folks at the store near Ghiradelli Square in SF let me recover from a wee panic attack in their soothing environs... I have a soft spot in my heart for them.) :p

I love Patagonia clothes and am an addict.

The wool base layers are wonderful---never itch, well made, etc. Well worth the $$$ because you'll have them for years (with proper care).

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Originally Posted by Selkie

I love Patagonia clothes and am an addict.

The wool base layers are wonderful---never itch, well made, etc. Well worth the $$$ because you'll have them for years (with proper care).

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YEARS. I have Patagonia stuff that I still wear that is over 20 years old!

I'm puttin on my wool yummies now...october.... :p

Happy that I have an ample supply since having gone overboard during the past two years buying good wool items. I expect to be swathed in merino for the next 15 years even if I don't buy another single thing! :cool:

Point6 merino socks :) I like them better than Smartwool.

Deb

Surly wool jerseys: http://surlybikes.com/clothing/wool_jerseys/

I have a Surly t-shirt. I love advertising the fact that I'm a Surly person. ;)

Ibex wool "Knickerbockers" http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product...mmuter-knicker

Too bad they're $160
Too bad they don't come in women's sizes (boy, Ibex's women's cycling selection just gets smaller and smaller)
Too bad they are woven in China.

Didn't TE have some really cute wool knickerbockers made by Sheila Moon? I remember Susan modelling a pair, I think. They looked like this http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_6572.html but they were wool tweed, I think. Like, a tan tweed with a tan/brown butt patch.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Ibex wool "Knickerbockers" http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product...mmuter-knicker

Too bad they're $160
Too bad they don't come in women's sizes (boy, Ibex's women's cycling selection just gets smaller and smaller)
Too bad they are woven in China.

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yeah, I noticed that too!

on the other hand, I got my Ibex stuff!!! OH MY GOODNESS!! HOW BEAUTIFUL!!

Both were heavily discounted last year's colors. (one was halfway between maroon and pink, the other was red with dark pink highlights)
I LOVE THEM

One is a heavier sweater type with a zipper. Don't know if that's a shak or not..

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Too bad they're $160
Too bad they don't come in women's sizes (boy, Ibex's women's cycling selection just gets smaller and smaller)
Too bad they are woven in China.

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That's three too many too bads for me.

I'm wearing a wool/soy ExOfficio sweater that I adore, though it seems to itch freshly shaved armpits (sorry). My cat keeps trying to make biscuits on it so I guess she loves it too.

I don't know how I've never looked at this thread before. Love love love wool!

Our cats LOVE LOVE LOVE our wool. Especially when we sleep in it (which is about half the year). Great for kitty biscuit making. :D

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Our cats LOVE LOVE LOVE our wool. Especially when we sleep in it (which is about half the year). Great for kitty biscuit making. :D

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Until I broke my sewing machine doing it.... I was making kitty beds out of old wool sweaters that I bought by the pound at a Goodwill outlet (yes, really a thrift store outlet). Washed them in hot water to felt them a bit then sewed them into round kitty beds. I did a few rectangular that were covers for kitty heating pads too. My cats love theirs. I still occasionally make a bed or two by hand.

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Originally Posted by Eden

Until I broke my sewing machine doing it.... I was making kitty beds out of old wool sweaters that I bought by the pound at a Goodwill outlet (yes, really a thrift store outlet). Washed them in hot water to felt them a bit then sewed them into round kitty beds. I did a few rectangular that were covers for kitty heating pads too. My cats love theirs. I still occasionally make a bed or two by hand.

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Wow, awesome idea, Eden!

The ONLY time that our cat will chose to sleep on me over my husband is when I'm wearing wool or cashmere and he's not. It's my secret weapon! ;)

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Didn't TE have some really cute wool knickerbockers made by Sheila Moon? I remember Susan modelling a pair, I think. They looked like this http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_6572.html but they were wool tweed, I think. Like, a tan tweed with a tan/brown butt patch.

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I have those tweedy pants!

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Originally Posted by jessmarimba

I'm wearing a wool/soy ExOfficio sweater that I adore, though it seems to itch freshly shaved armpits (sorry). My cat keeps trying to make biscuits on it so I guess she loves it too.

I don't know how I've never looked at this thread before. Love love love wool!

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If you don't shave your armpits, there's no problem. And welcome to the wool weenies!!!

My generous and thoughtful brother gave me a gift certificate to the Ibex website for my birthday. So I'm entering the world of Ibex.

Back in the 80s I had several (4 or 5) wool long-sleeve cycling jerseys. They were beautiful, but for some reason I got rid of them at some point. Dumb youth!

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Originally Posted by tulip

My generous and thoughtful brother gave me a gift certificate to the Ibex website for my birthday. So I'm entering the world of Ibex.

Back in the 80s I had several (4 or 5) wool long-sleeve cycling jerseys. They were beautiful, but for some reason I got rid of them at some point. Dumb youth!

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Oooh, lucky you (and nice brother!!). Happy Birthday, too. :)

My geriatric kitties have been enjoying themselves laying on my mohair shawl. Wore it a couple of weeks ago, tossed it on the couch, and they claimed it. So I guess that makes the kitties part of the Wool Weenies club too.

Hand-knit merino wool hat? Check.
Hand-knit merino-alpaca wool scarf? Check.
Merino wool sweater? Check.
Lambs-wool camisole? Check.
Wool coat? Check.
Cashmere socks? Check.

The only way to stay nice and toasty when it's -13 degrees and windy! :D

.... totally coveting an Ibex Europa jacket ...

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Originally Posted by inkspot

Hand-knit merino wool hat? Check.

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One bought or one you made? I'm trying to find an easy hat pattern that actually reduces the stitching to the top. I had a pattern last year that I thought would work but the resulting hat was wayyyy too small!