WoolWeenies Club

[elk]

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

[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.

[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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I like to wear the thin Ibex longsleeve crew "Woolie" shirts as a base layer underneath (over a bra), then a thicker wool shirt over that, like the Ibex Shak or the Ibex Zephyr. Then I'll either wear a wool vest or a screaming yellow windbreaker jacket or vest. On the bottom if it's really cold I'll wear my regular chamois tights and then my wool Ibex tights over them....or vice versa.

Sometimes i wear an Ibex woolie longsleeve to sleep with my ibex wool tights....yummy!
I find the new soft merinos are too soft to be itchy, but they have a nice subtle springy texture that feels like i'm getting a skin massage. Cotton doesn't have that effect somehow.

Always check Ibex's "Outlet" section too, for discounted items, and make sure it's showing "all" outlet items, not just the tops. The link to the outlet alway sseems to start with showing just the tops on sale.

[sgtiger]

My El Fito knickers arrived today! Yay! I'm in between sizes right now and I like my shorts on the snug side, so I ordered down a size. I'm really glad I did becuase they fit great! (Weeeeell, the waist is a bit snug, but it's not squishing internal organs or anything.) Like all Ibex the fit and finish is great. I can't wait to try out these puppies tomorrow. Maybe I'll just wear them around the apartment for a while....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yeah just wear them around the apt, wear them on non-biking days too with a cute short skirt!
I wear most of my wool biking clothes half the time whether I'm biking or not- they are just too damned comfy and make me feel so good. I wear my Ibex wool tights to bed now too. (and DH can't resist squeezing merino)


Hey, does anyone have the Ibex "Skyline" top?:
http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...l-Zip-Wool-Top
I just ordered one to try it before I decide about the shaks, and wondered if anyone had any experience with them....they look nice. Are they thick?

[surgtech1956]

What about the cheaper wools? Terramar Thermawool products?

[KnottedYet]

The last time I looked at Terramar wool, it was mostly man-made fiber with a little wool thrown in. That was a couple years ago, though. Do you have any links to 100% wool Terramar? I've had their poly-whatever long underwear in the past and liked their stuff. If they're doing 100% wool I'd like to find it!

[surgtech1956]

Sorry, I don't know how to attach a link for the specific page. They're at Campmor, Terramar Thermawool Pant(Mens) Item No. 79607 ($29.99) - its described as '100% merino wool'.

[sgtiger]

Do you mean these? For 30 buckaroos, they may be worth trying.

[KnottedYet]

OOOOH! And check out the price for the zip mock neck! Trek420 is sitting here egging me on to get the charcoal one... (not that I need much egging on )

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...berId=12500226

Thanks for the head's up SurgTech!

[surgtech1956]

I just ordered the pants and the zip top. I hadn't seen the zip just the crew neck.