WoolWeenies Club

[elk]

[QUOTE=GLC1968;270465

(Is it wrong that I am now excited about Christmas because I know I'm getting something from Ibex?)[/QUOTE]

you're just foolin' right?

[Dianyla]

Busy day in Wool for me today! My smartwool jacket arrived at REI in-store pickup (the one that Knot so kindly enabled me to purchase) and right afterwards I headed over to the new Icebreaker retail store here in Portland. Oh, yum! Bought some of their nice Legless shorter leggings which are sort of a capri-length which works really nicely with ski-boots in their heavier weight 260. I also bought two very light short-sleeved shirts for warm weather hiking.

While checking out at REI I had a chance to do a little wool evangelizing. I noticed the clerk was wearing an Icebreaker shirt and he was asking me whether I preferred Smartwool vs. Icebreaker. I said it depends on the garment (ok, ok, I'm a complete wool **** and I love it all) but confessed that, if I had to pick just one... my true love lies (mostly) with Ibex. He was completely unaware of Ibex! I noticed he was a cyclist so I made sure to inform him about the wool bike shorts and knickers, and pointed him to an LBS that carries these.

My wool shopping excuse for today? I just had to get a few more woolen wonders before departing for the Mecca of Wool. My sweetie and I are boarding a plane for NZ tomorrow to spend some time tramping in Fiordlands. I will be sure to wave to all our beloved sheep from the plane window.

[elk]

OMG...an Icebreaker store in Portland!?!?! WHere?

I washed all my wool today and was thinking that I actually like my IB pieces as much as my Ibex...it even feels a little silkier....

I'm in BIG trouble!!!

[sandra]

OMG...an Icebreaker store in Portland!?!?! WHere?

I washed all my wool today and was thinking that I actually like my IB pieces as much as my Ibex...it even feels a little silkier....

I'm in BIG trouble!!!

uh oh.

And she's OFF like a prom dress........

[Dianyla]

I'm back from New Zealand. OMG, wool heaven! Accidentally *cough* wandered into an Icebreaker store located right in the Queenstown airport. Accidentally *cough* found various pieces here and there on clearance racks in various sporting goods stores in Auckland and Te Anau. Accidentally *cough* came home with, erm, about *cough* 10 *cough* more wool garments than I left home with. Whoops!

OMG...an Icebreaker store in Portland!?!?! Where?

Yes, it's true! Icebreaker actually moved their main US headquarters to Portland a few months ago, and the Portland storefront is their only retail presence here in the US. Just opened about a month ago.

The Icebreaker "Touch Lab" is located downtown in the Pearl District on NW 11th, right across the street from Powell's and right on the streetcar line. They have all sorts of yummy woolies in stock, and they have one of those big pictures with face hole cutouts to stick your head through. So you can even get a photo of yourself as a sheep humping or being humped by another sheep. Classy!

[Triskeliongirl]

Hey Lisa, thanks for the sale tip. How do the sizes run on top? I am a small in shebeest and a med. in PI? Any idea what size to try in IBEX? Is it really not itchy to wear?

[Grog]

Hey Lisa, thanks for the sale tip. How do the sizes run on top? I am a small in shebeest and a med. in PI? Any idea what size to try in IBEX? Is it really not itchy to wear?

I don't know about Shebeest and PI, but I find that the Ibex pieces are not very consistent. Based on my narrow experience, pieces like the Carrie Hoodie and the Ultimate Guide Sweater and the cycling stuff from 2006 are bigger than I expected for a size S. I was told (by Ibex people) that the 2007 cycling gear would be made a bit smaller, but I haven't seen any. I have a size S Shak, however, that is just fine with me (I am a boobless but broad-rib-caged 5'4" 120lbs). The rest was too big. (Although I love the Guide Sweater, even if it's a big big.)

[Triskeliongirl]

I am in love with the strato sweater
http://www.backcountry.com/store/IBX...1&swatch=SSBLK,
pricey, but I don't own any wool sweaters and if I'm gonna buy just one........
From what you say I am tempted by the S. The hip measurements on the M are way too big, but I am borderline in the bust. Do they usually stretch? If they stretch then the S will probably work for me.

[Grog]

my true love lies (mostly) with Ibex. He was completely unaware of Ibex! I noticed he was a cyclist so I made sure to inform him about the wool bike shorts and knickers, and pointed him to an LBS that carries these.

That's weird: last winter I saw a few Ibex pieces (including the Carrie hoddie) at the big REI store in Seattle.

I hope they have some in stock this year because I'll stop there again!

And where's that Icebreaker store?