WoolWeenies Club

[Dianyla]

So, if you really want to see something happen, send them an email.

Will do, thanks!

[Dianyla]

SAC alert: Ibex Skyline Full Zip, $62, Black/Pumice or Fuschia/Pumice, both in M and L

[kelownagirl]

I have always wondered about this clearly popular thread. Do you really just talk about wool stuff all the time or is that just a vegemite ploy?

I do not own anything made of wool. Wool is itchy isn't it?

[Susan Otcenas]

I do not own anything made of wool. Wool is itchy isn't it?

Old style wool was itchy. I couldn't wear the stuff. Now I wear undies made from it! I'm wearing a Smartwool top right now, and I came to work this morning with a Smartwool zip hoodie over it. My socks are wool today too.

Modern wool garments are far advanced from wool of yesteryear. One of the critical things to look for when buying wool is the MICRON measurement of the fiber used in that garment. The smaller the fiber, the softer and more luxurious the fabric. Smartwool, Ibex and Sugoi use 17-18.5 micron fibers on all of their next to skin pieces. They feel amazing on your skin. Mid-layer pieces will usually be slightly higher, say 20-21 micron. Still soft, but perhaps slightly itchy to folks who are more sensitive to wool. Anything smaller than 17 microns gets VERY expensive. 13-14 micron wool is the kind of stuff used in $5,000.00 Italian wool suits.

Does this address some of your concerns?

Susan

[kelownagirl]

Thanks for the info! I kept hearing about people wearing wool but imagined bulky, hot sweaters. I had a hard time trying to see it being used in cycling gear. I guess I'd better check it out at the LBS next time I'm down there.

[KnottedYet]

KG - I have maybe 10 Ibex pieces, and probably 15 wool next-to-skin pieces in all. (that's not counting sweaters and socks) Some are very thin, great for very hot days; some are thick and cozy but not bulky.

I have the El Fito capris Susan O says TE will be carrying. GREAT bike capris!

"Ibex already gave her a free hat!" Only because I was very aggressive! (I gave it to Trek and she wore it on ALC, does that balance out my karma?)

[uk elephant]

I'm being lazy and not reading through the entire thread, but I figured you experts would be able to help....what I am hoping to find is a camisole type thing but in wool. It gets really cold here in the UK in the winter, but without being actually cold if that makes any sense. It rarely gets below freezing, but with 99% humidity the cold gets to your bones while your skin still feels warm enough. So I was looking for a warming under-layer I can wear tucked into my pants to keep my back/kidneys warm while still wearing regular tops/t-shirts at work. I have plenty of long sleeved things for running/cycling but am looking for something discreet to wear under every-day clothes at work. Any ideas?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks for the info! I kept hearing about people wearing wool but imagined bulky, hot sweaters. I had a hard time trying to see it being used in cycling gear. I guess I'd better check it out at the LBS next time I'm down there.

Yes, this thread is totally serious....for serious wool lovers.
Wool is FABULOUS for biking, skiing, hiking....any sport really. It breathes, stretches, keeps the sweat off you, keeps you warm if it's cold out, lasts a long time, and doesn't get body odor until worn quite a few times (unlike polyester and tech gear). The new merino micro-fiber wools also FEEL wonderful on the skin to most people.

You may not find a lot of good wool in your LBS though....most LBS's are woefully behind in the wool movement. They tend to carry only bike-specific brands of "technical" (man-made material) spandex type apparel. We wool weenies have to haunt online makers of real 100% merino wool clothing like SmartWool, Ibex, IceBreaker, Rivendell, and others. TE sells some good real wool stuff, as do other sport clothing purveyors like REI, EMS, SteepNCheap, Rivendell, Patagonia, Sierra Trading Post....
Here are TE's current wool offerings:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/categories.asp?catID=114
Also check out Ibex.com if you want to get addicted.
Run while you can......

[sgtiger]

Icebreaker Tornado 1/2 zip, long sleeve on SAC! $56.88

[DirtDiva]

I have always wondered about this clearly popular thread. Do you really just talk about wool stuff all the time or is that just a vegemite ploy?

I do not own anything made of wool. Wool is itchy isn't it?

It's the sheep that eat Vegemite that make the lovely, non-itchy wool stuff they all talk about in here all the time.

Psssst... I still have more merino than Knot.