WoolWeenies Club

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Can someone tell me if ibex is made from Merino? I'd like to purchase the GRound Effect Ristroetto and want to know if it's the same thing as an Ibex item.

Ground effect mentions the Ristroetto wicks sweat away, which is fine but is it scratchy?

Perth isn't really really cold in the cooler months but it does get windy

HEeeeelp

Well the ristroetto:
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/produc...l-RIS-MER.htm#
is a polyester tank with an inner lining of merino wool. You can expect the inner merino to be a very thin flocked layer that is bonded to the polyester.

Ibex has a few "Climawool" jackets that have windproof poly outsides with a merino lining like this. I've seen them and though my friends like them a lot, I would prefer myself to have a thicker lining of merino- the merino layer almost seems paper thin and is somehow glued/bonded onto the outer fabric. Not my cup of tea when I'm looking for wool. But- some people really like that bonded wool lining stuff, and I suppose it would be more rain/wind proof than straight wool. But then if you wear this as a base layer you might get the stuffy/smelly polyester effects. Straight merino breathes so beautifully and doesn't get stinky.

Just some rambling thoughts about it.

I must add that the ristroetto certainly looks really stylin' and looks comfy.



P.S. Robyn- you should keep your name Robyn at least in your signature for a few weeks to give us all a chance to know who the heck you are now!

[elk]

Hey you guys who have FZ and HZ shaks.....

I have a brown full zip that I wear all the time...so I bought a half zip (on sale in black...cause i couldn't get a FZ in black)

and I find the FZ is softer and a wee bit stretched....or is it just because I've had it longer?

[Natasha]

Hi Elk,
I have 3 FZ Shaks which I wear one of almost daily. I like the extra venting of the FZ, but am considering getting a HZ shak while they are on sale. Other than the softness, which do your prefer?
Thanks.

[elk]

Oh, the Full Zip...by far.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The full zip and half zip shaks are exactly the same material. If one is softer or more stretched out it's just because it's older or has been washed differently, etc. Another possibility is that you wear the full zip OVER more other stuff, so it stretches more than the half zip which you might wear by itself or over only a thin base layer.

And yes I prefer my full zip shaks a bit more because they are so versatile. Wear them alone like a pullover, or wear them over stuff like a cardigan.

[elk]

well that's good news, Lisa.....cause the more I wear my FZ, the more I like it!
If the HZ breaks in as nicely...it too will be a good friend....

Hey, LSH...when's your LUNA coming? DId you pick your colors?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey, LSH...when's your LUNA coming? DId you pick your colors?

They are painting the frame right now. I'll likely be getting the completed bike in about 3-5 more weeks I think.
I picked a beeswax/honey color for the bike, and will have the cork tape and honey brooks saddle. The bike will have a lot of black components on it as well....black rims, hoods, etc. There will be a little honey bee on the top tube.

[elk]

well...float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!

[elk]

I finally got around to trying on my Ibex loose tights ...and I swear, I don't have a single piece from Ibex that I haven't "tried on" and then worn all day for days in a row.

These are awesome. I have a hard time with pants...cause I am pretty curvy and gotta a BIG butt...and it ain't an image problem..it's a big butt...and these look pretty good on me...even the tight part of loose tights.

comfort? a given. nice weight. soft, but substantial enough to not be flimsy.

i have to shorten them...i've been wearing them rolled up...but what luxury! what joy! it is to have been turned on to this company!!!

[sandra]

They are painting the frame right now. I'll likely be getting the completed bike in about 3-5 more weeks I think.
I picked a beeswax/honey color for the bike, and will have the cork tape and honey brooks saddle. The bike will have a lot of black components on it as well....black rims, hoods, etc. There will be a little honey bee on the top tube.

Lisa, do you know the song by Van Morrison "She's as sweet at Tupelo honey"? That bike sounds sweet. 3 - 5 more weeks!!! That's soon!!!

[Triskeliongirl]

Hey guys, I am considering one or both of these (trying to get outfitted now for next winter while its fresh in my mind):
smartwool headliner:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=10364

smartwool headband:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=10364

sheilamoon headband:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22478

For any of you that have these pieces, I am wondering what temp. range they are usable in without being too hot or cold. I know that varies with the user, but in general, I worry about overheating in a hat, but maybe not if its wool.......

I prefer the smarwool headband to the sheila moon in terms of actual wool content, but I worry it may not cover my ears as it doesn't have ear flaps.

Currently I use a PI microsensor headband, combined with a helmet cover when its really cold, so you could relate these pieces to those if you have both. Maybe I am fine, and just going wool crazy...........

[mimitabby]

the first two are the same link.
I just got one used ( I guess it's called a headliner). It is nice and light. If you are in really cold weather you're going to want something else. OR do as I have done, use it in concert with another hat.
I have this castelli skull cap which does NOT cover my ears. Wearing both at the same time, i'm cozy and warm (at least my head/ears are)

[DebW]

Hey guys, I am considering one or both of these (trying to get outfitted now for next winter while its fresh in my mind):
smartwool headliner:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=10364

For any of you that have these pieces, I am wondering what temp. range they are usable in without being too hot or cold. I know that varies with the user, but in general, I worry about overheating in a hat, but maybe not if its wool.......

How about the Zephyr skull cap from Ibex. I just got one for $15 on sale. It has ear flaps and covers the ears very well. It's a tighter knit than the Smartwool headliner but still thin for easy fit under a helmet. I haven't biked in it yet, but it should work out well for 30-45 degrees, lower if you combine it with a helmet cover (but then I'd switch to a balaclava anyway to cover my chin).

[Triskeliongirl]

sorry the link for the headband is this:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=21867

the first two are the same link.
I just got one used ( I guess it's called a headliner). It is nice and light. If you are in really cold weather you're going to want something else. OR do as I have done, use it in concert with another hat.
I have this castelli skull cap which does NOT cover my ears. Wearing both at the same time, i'm cozy and warm (at least my head/ears are)

[Triskeliongirl]

Thanks for the tip Deb. I went ahead and ordered the zepher cap. Your review helped a lot! I didn't realize it would cover my ears from the picture, and I have been so impressed by quality of Ibex, even over smartwool. In fact, I added to the order some ibex glove liners so I'll be all decked out in ibex from head to toe on the bike now (to add to my arm and knee warmers). I'd struggled to find leg warmers that fit, but the ibex knee warmers in a small (sizes posted here on TE) fit like a dream (w diff. thigh measurement than leg warmers, odd but true) and are on a really good sale now at ibex site. They took a few rides to learn how to position, the lycra/windblocker fabric goes on the front, and they are right and left specific (follows the curve of your knee) but if you pay attention to positioning they work like a dream. I think they will effectively work like full leg warmers when paired with wool socks, and therefore are a very versatile piece, especically for touring. They are great now for our in between weather where mornings are still cold enough to have my knees covers but its warm to downright hot by afternoon.

I should add that I have a sugoi helmet cover to keep the wind out of my helmet's air vents if its really cold, but wanted something to use between lycra headband and balaclava weather. Seems like the zepher skull cap will fit the bill nicely!