WoolWeenies Club

[Shagge]

Thanks KnottedYet! "Active, opinionated, and erudite"--sounds like my kind of crowd! I was going to say you all seemed "fit, smart, and savvy" before, but I was being shy. Since my last post I did poke around in the "Apparel" forum a bit more and saw several more conversations about wool-while-cycling. I felt a little silly for missing those before, but hopefully I'm getting with the program now. Thanks for helping me navigate.

The Norgie is a good choice for cool weather cycling, especially since you're trying to be smart with your $ and buy clothing that works for other activities and occasions (though I have kept my Serrano on all day long because I actually think it's quite stylish and super comfy).

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

In the summer: Asta Sport Top (with shelf bra). Oh, and here's some good news--we're working on a "seamless" merino line of underwear (sports bras, tops, briefs, runner shorts, and even thongs!) that will kick the Asta's *** (imo).

Also in the summer, I wear the Peregrine tank top and the La Luna (not at the same time). I don't have the shorts yet because my friend in the design department tells me the fit will be much improved next season (we had some issues before, but we've worked them out).

In the fall: Serrano top (longsleeve). Mine has a half-zip but the newer version is full-zip. Mine also has two diagonal zip pockets in back, which are great for keys, goo, an energy bar, cell phone, etc. One disadvantage of pockets in this fabric is that the pockets stretch out if you load them with heavy stuff (but it springs back when you wash the jersey). The Serrano fabric, by the way, is similar in weight and feel to the Norgie, so it gives the same amount of warmth, breathablity, and comfort.

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.

In the winter (before I whimp out) I wear a Woolies Zip-T baselayer top under my Serrano. If I need some wind blocking or if it's rainy, I wear my Floe Vest (wool softshell) or my Neve Jacket (we aren't making this any more, and I'm sad about that. I think it rocks, for teleskiing too, but we just weren't selling enough.)

Oh, and I can't forget the Meru Hat. We give these away when we sponsor cycling events, and people rave and rave about them. They are great under helmets.

It sounds like most of you live in warmer climes (am I wrong?), but if you do any cycling in frigid temps, our Loden Gloves and Kilometer Gloves do a good job keeping your digits warm.

My husband and I rode the Great Divide a few years ago, before we re-discovered wool, and I swear we would have been much happier (and less smelly) campers had we traded in our plastic layers for wool ones.

Anyway, I've probably gone on too long. Send me your sizing, color, and style suggestions, and I'll forward them along to our head designer. She'll LOVE hearing your feedback!

[KnottedYet]

Wool underwear! YES YES YES!!!!! (just make sure those shorts have long legs so they don't creep around... )

I can hardly wait! Wool underwear tops... mmmmm. Wool underwear shorts... mmm

I love my Roaster Boxers, don't mind the seams. You won't stop making them, will you?

Ibex sizes work peachy for me (Large in everything, tops and bottoms, and the sleeves are LONG enough, which is always a real treat!) But I know some of the other TE'rs have sizing issues.

(hey, does Ibex need a rep in Seattle? )

[DebW]

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.

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

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.

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.