WoolWeenies Club

[3weight]

What a great sweater! Backcountryoutlet.com actually has this sweater for a bit cheaper, plus free shipping. (Backcountry.com runs SAC).

[short cut sally]

OK ladies, I have read and read your posts and am amazed at how many items you all have and how you sing the praises of wool. I must confess-The ONLY items I own are wool socks. Don't ban me please! I just went to a website and put 3 items into a shopping cart. BUT before I order. I need to ask a question. The items say that they are a base layer item, all 1/4 zip top. I thought I wanted to wear something like underarmor next to me then this top. I am under the impression that this is a no go correct? I use this wool as my baselayer and then what do I put over that (see below first)? If they are a base layer, how heavy are they? I am in the wool-less club here. I am looking at these items for x-c skiing, walking, and perhaps snowshoeing. I usually wear a heavy biking jersey and a soft shell jacket for walking/x-c skiing and find it okay and haven't had any problems. Would I use the wool top instead of my biking jersey? I have read the advantages, I just need to be sold now. i know- too many questions.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Tell us exactly which zip base layer tops are in your cart (brand, item name description), then we can advise you better.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

sigh.....I got my red pepper Ibex shak Hoodie.....and I'll have to send it back.
It fits me perfectly- but I wanted it to wear over some base layers and it's too snug for that. It's a LARGE, for goodness sake! What is up with that??- I'm just a medium average sized woman and a large fits me perfectly?? Sadly, they do not seem to be available ANYWHERE on the internet in an XL red pepper.
I have to give up my quest for the red shak.
Time to rethink again.

[elk]

yeah...those ibex jackets run SMALL!
sorry! maybe a men's S would do it?

[elk]

Wool. I'm wearing my Rivendell merino crew under a flannel shirt right now...I'm findin it easier on the skin than I did. But....what and how do you layer that wool? Is it right next to your skin? What do you wear for wind and wet over it? If you wear a waterproof shell, does the wool still breathe? HOw many layers ?

How to dress, is the question, for riding in this wet 35-50 degree climate of the NW in winter?? give me some specific stuff to shop for...
please.
oh! and I find Ibex runs a little small...anything good that runs more true to size?

[KnottedYet]

Wool. I'm wearing my Rivendell merino crew under a flannel shirt right now...I'm findin it easier on the skin than I did. But....what and how do you layer that wool? Is it right next to your skin? What do you wear for wind and wet over it? If you wear a waterproof shell, does the wool still breathe? HOw many layers ?

How to dress, is the question, for riding in this wet 35-50 degree climate of the NW in winter?? give me some specific stuff to shop for...
please.
oh! and I find Ibex runs a little small...anything good that runs more true to size?

Buy one size up in Ibex if it runs small for you.

Buy Icebreaker if you can't afford Ibex, but buy Ibex any time you can get it on sale. (check the Ibex Outlet and BackCountry.com and Sierra Trading Post and REI-Outlet)

Wear a bra under the wool. Ibex is coming out with wool bras this winter, but until then wear a regular bra.

Treat your wool t-shirt like you would any other t-shirt for layering. Put your favorite warm goodies on over it. It'll be just fine.

Wool just keeps on breathing, but how much vapor gets out your waterproof shell is entirely up to the SHELL. (not the wool)

When it's wet and in the cooler temps here in Seattle I like to ride in wool Ibex capris, wool socks, bra, wool longsleeve t-shirt, and wool sweater. I might put a shell on over the sweater if it's *really* raining, but tend not to. I generally wear just my PI visiblity vest cuz I sweat so much.

I have a wool helmet liner and wool gloves for those really cold days.

[Dianyla]

How to dress, is the question, for riding in this wet 35-50 degree climate of the NW in winter?? give me some specific stuff to shop for... please.

Here's what's been working for me this winter:

Morning or late night commute (sub 40 degrees)
I usually wear about three woolly layers, varying them for the temps.
1 light wool layer next to skin (Smartwool or Ibex underwear layer)
1 light wool shirt layer (not much thicker than the baselayer) (e.g. Smartwool Zip-T, Ibex Pico)
1 warm wool layer (either a sweater like the Ibex Long Trail or a jacket like the Ibex Pingo. I don't actually have the Pingo, I have something from a few years back that's a lot like it.)
Outer shell varies by weather - for wet the Showers Pass rain jacket in Mango color, or for dry the PI Whisper jacket or vest for high visibility and wind-blocking.

Bottom (I'm sadly wool-deficient in these areas):
Bike shorts or knickers (PI, Sugoi, etc. For wool I just got the Ibex Calais shorts and love them. The El Fito's just don't fit my legs at all for some reason.)
Fleece tights or pants (PI Amfib, Craft storm pants, etc)
Alternately, I may just combine my PI Sugar knickers with knee-high Smartwool ski socks. Classy!
If rainy, Craft Rain Pants over shorts + baselayer

Extremities:
Thick wool socks (Smartwool snowflake, adrenaline, or ski socks)
Balaclava (Smartwool, or some off-brand wool-blend thingy I bought from Sierra Trading Post)
Gore Vulcano Windstopper gloves
Gore-tex overshoes
(Helmet has rain cover)

Midday commute (~50):
Stash one or more warm wool layers and the balaclava in my panniers to prevent overheating.

I find it much easier to dress for cold 30's rain than warm 50-60's rain. For warm rain, often just a thin longsleeve wool underwear top under the rain jacket (with pitzips wide open) is enough.

[Trek420]

Wools socks are the gateway drug.

I just got myself an Ibex Breakaway jacket from Sierra Trading Post. Merry Christmas to me

[Sheesh]

I got wool for Christmas! Mr. Sheesh bought it on SteepandCheap a couple of weeks ago.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wools socks are the gateway drug.

OMG Trek that is TOO funny- and too true!!!

Those jackets you guys are getting so cheap are SO tempting!! That maple red Pingo jacket.....mmmmmmm....
But I am RESISTING!!!- I just bought myself the Ibex Cortina wool vest AND the Ibex Bregenz jacket this month.....and there is NO way I can, make further excuses to buy yet another jacket right now.
Besides, when I'm biking down in the 30's I seem to stay just fine and toasty with my merino base layer and 2 Ibex shaks AND a vest, etc. I think I would be just too durned sweaty in a wind proof jacket like the Cirrus material. I like the way the wool sleeves breathe -I can feel cool breeze on my arms, yet I never get cold and my core stays toasty. I've done this same layering while snowshoeing too, and it seems to be the perfect layering for me.
Of course some of you ladies, like in Seattle, are riding in cold rain- that's different and I can see a weather-proof layer jacket for that. I usually do not go riding in the rain- we don't get rain as often, so it's easier to avoid it here.

[short cut sally]

Ok Lisa, went to the Backcountry.com and went to the womens tops/jerseys and then when that page came up I put in a search for wool. On pages 1 and 4 are the items I was looking at. IcebreakerBodyFit200 OASIS crew long sleeve and also was the IcebreakerBodyFit260 Altitude Zip. Page 4 was the Kuhl Ridgerunner 1/4 zip long sleeve. I would post their links-I am not computer savy. The last 2 items are similiar and it looks like maybe the first item is thinner? THanks

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

....BUT before I order. I need to ask a question. The items say that they are a base layer item, all 1/4 zip top. I thought I wanted to wear something like underarmor next to me then this top. I am under the impression that this is a no go correct? I use this wool as my baselayer and then what do I put over that (see below first)? If they are a base layer, how heavy are they? I am in the wool-less club here. I am looking at these items for x-c skiing, walking, and perhaps snowshoeing. I usually wear a heavy biking jersey and a soft shell jacket for walking/x-c skiing and find it okay and haven't had any problems. Would I use the wool top instead of my biking jersey? I have read the advantages, I just need to be sold now. i know- too many questions.

Hi,
I'm afraid I am not familiar at all with Icebreaker stuff- can someone else help Shelly with the style/thickness question about the Icebreakers?
I only know about Smartwool and Ibex items.
I tend to wear the thin 17.5 micron "base layers" underneath, next to my skin. Then in cold weather I might put a heavy mid-weight wool layer on over that. You *could* wear a jersey over your wool base layer too. Usually two wool layers are enough. But if I'm biking in 35 degrees or less, then I'll put a 3rd layer on- either a jacket or another wool mid-weight or maybe just a vest.

The Smartwool lightweight base layers and the Ibex "Woolies" base layers are quite thin and soft, and best as an underlayer, or for warm days, or for sleeping in . The mid-weight stuff in both brands are more appropriate for wearing alone with just a bra, or over the base layer.
The "shak" line from Ibex that I like now is a thicker-midweight that feels good either alone or layered.

I personally don't recommend wearing your wool over a polyester/manmade base layer like Underarmor. Why?- because the wool works with your skin to keep it ventilated and insulated- put a fake layer between the wool and your skin and the wool will not be doing what it does best. Also, the man-made stuff will smell under the arms. If you put wool first, THEN the other layers, you will smell less after a workout and save some laundry energy! 100% wool can be worn several times before it gets smelly.

For leg layering however- I do sometimes wear an Underarmor winter tech or a chamois legging, then I pull my Ibex wool tights over that because they stretch softly and easily over anything I have on already- no tugging. And I don't need to consider the underarm odor factor for bottom items. It's just an extra layer that's soft and easy to get on and off.
When I'm not biking in the cold I like to wear my wool tights alone- they feel so good on the skin!

[madscot13]

I love Icebreaker. Fit wise I think it is pretty normal it I am an xs small in clothes form REI I am an xs from icebreaker. The once caveat is their next to skin line, which I would buy in a s small next time. the next to skin line material is akin to the ibex superfine merino 18.5 line- a bit on the see through side. The oasis crew,of which I own 3, are pretty thick material. Warmer than a cotton long sleeve, but not something I wear on their own in the winter. I think they are great for layering since it has a pretty close/ flattering cut. I usually wear a tank top under them because I think it is more comfrotable- not necceassily a warmth issue. the ignition top is my favorite of all my clothing articles. I love the theumb holes and how well it fits. it even has a drop tail for bicyling. In the winter I don't leave home without it.

For my winter sports I wear, an oasis crew with the ignition zip over it (the pinnacle, tipper, and classic zip are sort similiar but I think the igniton is tighter and more wind resistant- but don't quote me on the last part). I wear my wind proof fleece until I am warmed up and then I take that off and I'm pretty toatsty for the rest of my adventure. layering up like this lets me avoid those periods where I am freezing cold and wicked hot.

I wear wool for my outdoor activities because I can be just as warm without the bulk. personally if I am going to be doing an endurance activity where I layer I prefer 1/4 zips. fewer bulky zippers and I can let off some steam easily.