WoolWeenies Club

[Triskeliongirl]

OK. I am starting to get it. So, even though the shak appears to be thin, its really warm because its a tightly woven wool knit, right? Does that also mean that a base layer like the "Kate" http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...=Kate-17.5-L/S
would be warmer than say silk long underwear? If I paired a Kate with a shak, how warm would I be?

Why all the questions. Well, after work I went to that local outdoor store that I just found out carries Ibex and Smartwool. It was nice to see and try on this stuff. My first observation was that in general, I thought the quality of the Ibex was better than the quality of the smartwool. I was able to try on the smartwool Routt and didn't like either the color (it is more oatmeal than heather) or fit (arms were very baggy more like a jacket than a sweater), AND the zipper was broken on it. I also realized that the shak is a lot softer than the carrie hoodie, so a lot of variation within the line. It just made me all the more pleased with my shak. But then they had on sale some base layers, these 'Kates' so I bought 2 at 50% off. But they still have tags on so they can be returned. I want a sense of how warm they are gonna be from you guys. The clerk at the store said they would be no warmer than the silk long underwear I have already, but I thought tightly woven wool would be more insulating? She thought for going up north I needed something called capilene 4 but I didn't like it. I also thought the Kates would be good as a base if I wanna cycle in my shak, and I can always put my terry thermal vest over that (on or off bike) to add another layer. What do the wool weenies think? Is the Kate a keeper or return? It also really changed my opinion of wool. As I said, I thought I couldn't wear it next to my skin but this stuff felt soft as silk. It looks so pretty it can be worn alone (unlike my 20 year old silk LLbean underwear) too, prettier than at the website pic.

I tried to stop the order on the organic wool sweater based on Lisa's remarks, but it had already shipped. The women on the phone indicated that it runs small, and if the full zip shak fit me in small but without a lot of room for layers that the M in the organic really should do what I want it to. She also said while its not merino wool, its a very soft wool that can be worn next to the skin, and a really lovely piece. She assured me I can return it if I don't like it, but sounds like maybe it will be a keeper.

But this is it. No more buying anymore wool for me!

[Dianyla]

But this is it. No more buying anymore wool for me!

Uhhuh. Okey dokey, whatever you say....


I think we've got her, gals!

[Triskeliongirl]

Uhhuh. Okey dokey, whatever you say....


I think we've got her, gals!

Hmmm, you know me better than I do. I was already contemplating returning to that store with the 50% off ibex sale for more base layers after dinner. First it was to exchange one of my black kates for a purple, then it was to keep the black AND get a purple........

But what do you think of the Kate. Was the clerk wrong that its no warmer than silk. Doesn't wool have to be warmer than silk????? Come on, I need a reason to back there and get some more........

[sandra]

You don't happen to have a twin named Elk do you? You are reminding me very much of Elk in her quest for her wool.

I hereby proclaim Lisa the QUEEN OF IBEX. If you want a review on almost any piece, she can pretty well help you.

[Triskeliongirl]

I know, I was in the store, wishing I knew how to phone Lisa and ask her about the stuff they had. The sales staff new nothing.

Oh, but I wish she were online now, cuz I gotta decide if I should exchange it for purple, or get another one. If they have my size I think I'll exchange it, and wait to perhaps get one that has a zip turtleneck, like the pico-T is looking pretty nice to me right now too. But this 17.5 merino wool is sooo sooooft and its 50% off...........

[KnottedYet]

Wool vs Silk

I've had both, as I am a long-underwear kind of gal. I have DEFINITELY found wool to be more comfortable over a wide range of temps. It is also absolutely warmer than similar silk.

My favorite long underwear are Ibex. I've tried a few other wool longies, but Ibex wins hands down.

Ibex vs Smartwool vs Icebreaker

Ibex has had the best quality in my experience. Icebreaker is close second. Smartwool (their clothes, not the socks which are awesome) has come in third for me.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Triskell- I don't have any Ibex Kates, but I sure would have some if I found them for 1/2 price! I'd say grab what you can there. I think Kates are very chic. They are also all merino and so will make a fine base layer, except the the scoop neckline might not keep you covered up as much as an Ibex "woolie" top. But if you have your full zip shak or a snuggly wool vest to go over it, who cares?

I agree with Knot in that silk long johns/base layers were not nearly as warm for me as thin merino under layers. Also, I remember silk as feeling cold and clammy if I got sweaty. It also smelled under the arms lots sooner than wool.

Capilene warmer base layer than merino?- not in my experience. Plus it will stink bigtime after just one wearing if you are doing active things, whereas you can wear your merino base layer quite a few times before needing to wash it. I bet your salesperson who was pushing the capilene is another one of those who "can't" wear wool....

Wool keeps you warm when it's cold and keeps you cool and dry when you're overheated and sweaty...how can you beat that?

You can stop anytime you want......yeah....that's right........

[Triskeliongirl]

Well, I did go back to the store, and they had already sold the purple Kate, so I kept my two in black. AND I DIDN"T BUY ANYTHING ELSE!! At 50% off that stuff isn't going to last long, even in san antonio. I'll keep the tags on one and test one tomorrow. Do I dare to cycle in my new wool? Its gonna be in the low 40s, and I usually wear a shebeest long sleeve drifit jersey under my PI gavia jacket, with shebeest drifit tights in those temps. I am thinking to try my Ibex Kate base under my shak, topped with my terry headwind vest to get a little more warmth on my chest and some back pockets. Does that sound warm enough if its really only 40-41?

I also realized that my small shak really is fine even with my heavier cotton ribbed t-necks, at least with my newer smalls. Its only my older mediums that are really too big that it doesn't layer over. So, I hope the new sweater I ordered in medium isn't too big. It was nice to try a lot of stuff on in the store and see I am really a good small. Part of my problem is that since I lost so much weight this year I have a bit of a problem with body dysmorphia. I have a hard time believing that I need the sizes that I now need, and often buy things that are too large. Well if I don't like the ibex organic sweater I'll return it (but then I lose $15 on all the postage), but maybe as a medium it will be good to layer over my shak when I go to a really cold place.

Again, I have my shak on now, third day in a row. Even though I didn't wear it to work (I cycled and changed into clothes there), guess what I put on when I got home? If I don't like the organic sweater I guess I could just get another shak in a different color. What I am finding interesting is how I am comfortable over a wide range of temps. I have it layered over a heavy ribbed cottom t-neck, so when I went out tonite I didn't bother with a jacket (its in the mid-40s). I was OK outdoors, yet when I went into a bookstore and stayed about an hour reading, I was also comfy. I am so tempted to just get me another shak. That baby blue is so pretty, and matches my bike............ If I like it on the ride tomorrow I may very well do that.

Boy, did you guys hook me!