WoolWeenies Club

[sandra]

Girl, don't doubt yourself. Unless it arrives and doesn't fit or you hate it, it may work perfectly for what you are going to do ~ meetings and walking to restaurants. It will be something different.

You can always keep it and pick up another shak next year, or next month, or next week....

The sweater is very pretty.

[KnottedYet]

I've been really coveting that sweater. It is just gorgeous!

Got all excited when it went on sale, but I've had to restrain myself as I already bought my sweater for the season.

[Triskeliongirl]

OK, thanks for the encouragement. In fact, I almost ordered it instead of the shak but was worried it would be too big (they sold out of the smalls). But the women at Ibex did say it runs smaller than the shak so maybe it will be just what I am looking for. She told me she had one on while we were talking, and it was so cozy. I liked talking with her, felt a lot like the TE gals, and just like TE that order went out lickity split. Even though I tried to cancel the order today, now I can't wait to get the tracking number so I'll now when it is getting here. They said it would be emailed at the close of business today, but nothing yet....... Seeing how nice the quality is in all of the Ibex pieces at the store, if this originally sold for $225 it must be really nice.

So, no comments on tomorrows planned experiment to cycle in wool? I've never tried it.....

[madscot13]

I actually don't like silk long underwear. If I get warm in it, I sweat. And then it sticks. And then I am gross.

wool all of the way.

[KathiCville]

So, no comments on tomorrows planned experiment to cycle in wool? I've never tried it.....

Go for it! I loaded up on wool pieces about three months ago, thanks to this thread, and now that's what I wear for almost 100% of my rides. I love it! I have some silk base tops, but I haven't put one on since discovering wool.

Yesterday I rode 10 miles in temps that hovered around 30 degrees. (Colder w/wind chill.) Wore one Smartwool base layer under an Icebreaker sweater (similar to the Shak), and a Gore windblocker jacket on top. Ibex wool hat under my helmet. (Gloves, etc.) My core was perfectly warm!

I like wool so much that I've now started picking up sleeveless and short sleeved pieces when I spot 'em on sale, so I'll be ready for spring and summer riding!

The only wool piece that I've had any 'trouble' with is the Ibex Switchback, bought on Sierra Trading Post at a ridiculously low price about three months ago. It shrank quite a bit (just air drying!), and is now so snug that it feels too tight around my shoulders and arms for riding. So I wear it for hiking instead.....

[KnottedYet]

KC - I had the same problem with a Switchback. Ibex told me in an email that the Switchback fabric is unstable, which is why they phased it out. (the Shak is the replacement). Mine is unwearable, so I'm going to try to send it back. (my much older Switchback is fine, but my newer one is a disaster.)

[Triskeliongirl]

Oh no about your switchback shrinking. My shak fits me perfectly as is, but there isn't any room for shrinkage (assuming you followed the instructions). Was I supposed to plan for that? I thought they say they don't shrink. If so, shouldn't you be able to return it to them under the warranty?

Well, I could try to ride today with my goretex jacket over the shak and kate, but its now 36, 27 with wind chill, and I usually don't ride much below 40 and am not feeling great (?something is brewing in my intestines) so I think I am gonna pass. Its tempting to try out the new clothes, but right now my house is so cold I don't even wanna get out of bad. Looks like its day 4 in a row for my shak though. I hope the new sweater arrives soon!

[KnottedYet]

Ibex doesn't shrink.

If it does shrink, cosmic forces are in flux. Serious, I've got about 15 pieces of Ibex and LisaSH has a gazillion, and neither of us has shrinkage issues... except one thing.

My older Switchback never even said "boo". Just my one new Switchback I got in May.

Ibex is good stuff! (wash in cold, air dry) I wash my undies and my cycling capris after every wearing. No shrinking. No pilling. No problem!

[GLC1968]

Triskeliongirl - make sure to post your observations about that organic sweater when it arrives. I'm really, really considering it, but I'd like to hear a review from someone looking at it in person! It says it's grey/black, but I swear my monitor makes it look like that thistle heather color!

(and nice score on the Kate's for 50% off!)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Its tempting to try out the new clothes, but right now my house is so cold I don't even wanna get out of bad.

I find it's best to never get out of bad.
-And the more wool I buy the badder I get!

Knot is right- you won't have any problems with most Ibex pieces in shrinking or pilling. My shaks shrink a TINY bit when I wash them, but then they loosen right out again to how they were before. So it's not "shrinking"....sort of more like an "I was in the pool!" kind of thing (Seinfeld reference).

I go out in the worst kind of weather these days (15-20 degreesF, sleeting, breezy, nasty...) and on top I've been wearing a merino thin base layer (either SW or Ibex), my halfzip shak, then my fullzip shak, then my dense loden merino wool Ibex Cortina vest and a neck gaiter, and my top stays nice and warm for my walks and bike rides. The nice thing is that when I get overheated, the wool breathes and I can feel the cool air circulating around my arms and it feels so great- I get cooled off and dry again but I don't get cold. Something weird about wool, it keeps you comfy.