Don't worry about the black shak selling out before you get one. Shaks are Ibex's top selling item and they will continue to make them- especially in black. That's also why they go on sale less often- because they are never something that has to be phased out and sold off, unless it's some odd color.
I must disagree with you about the fullzip shak being heavier than the halfzip shak though. I have both a full and half in brown, and also in black. The material is identical in the full zips and the half zips. Perhaps the heavier zipper in the full zip makes it seem heavier- also the front left chest pocket (great for keeping your cell phone from freezing in the cold) which has a pocket liner adds a bit of an extra layer on one side in front. I tried the shak hoody on once too and that was again the same weight material. The full zip has additional curved "style" seams in lower front too, which almost make it seem like they are lined jackets...but they're not, it's just a style feature.
Sandra- i think the Mollie jacket would have been to heavy for you in your area. But the Carrie might have worked- it's like a fine terrycloth-textured hooded sweatshirt but more stylin' and wool of course.
The Kate definitely looks more elegant than my Smartwool LS crew pullovers...but I like them both. I could wear the Kate over a skirt and look very nice for going out to dinner, etc. I got the Kate to wear in less cold weather when I don't need to warm my neck. If anyone sees a Kate in that lavender in size Large anywhere- let me know.![]()