WoolWeenies Club

[Crankin]

Arcadian Shop sent 15% off coupon....

[Triskeliongirl]

Dear Wool weenies. I need your help. I am in search of the following:

1. Wool long underwear to wear under regular pants in cold places walking around. I need to order some for my daughter in boston, but don't want it to be so heavy that she will overheat when she goes indoors. She also wants it cut to hit below the waist so its not sticking high above here pants.

I am considering Ibex woolies, smartwool baselayers (?microweight or lightweight?). Any thoughts, comparisons, etc.

I will also get some for me to wear on a trip from southern portugal to switzerland this winter. Not for sports, just everyday walking around stuff.

2. I just bought a goretex hardshell, and want one more layer for either skiing in switzerland or walking around that part of the world in january. I have tons of ibex light and midweight tops, and full zip shaks, but I think I need one more layer. I have one fleece that will work, but won't merino breath better and get smelly less?

I have a gift card to a place that sells smartwool (http://www.hudsontrail.com/vendor/53/70/) I want to use. What do you think of the kahn's peak half zip or sagebrush hoodie ? Does anyone know how they run rel. to ibex? Do you guys think I should just size up one (my shaks are small, so order medium to layer over a shak?) These guys do have the smartwool bottoms but only medium weight? Will I overheat in that indoors? Is a hoodie a good idea even without the shak under the goretex shell so I don't need to always carry a hat?

It is so hard cuz the stores here don't sell any of this stuff, I have to mail order it all.

[Biciclista]

Trisk, I just got a pair of smartwool pointelle tights from Catriona that I just love.
If you found some of those they would be ideal. they are more like long johns than tights, but not baggy.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My daughter likes the Ibex woolies bottoms as long johns under her daily pants in winter, even to work. They are lightweight but cozy and warm.

That Kahn looks more like a sweater than a 'top'- might be too heavy espec. under a jacket with other base layers.
I have two regular smartwool hoodies that are great when I don't want to carry a hat. They are casual looking. The hoods fit your head exactly, and fit under a bike helmet well. They are different from the sagebrush hoody you link to. The sagebrush is boiled wool (thicker and lightly felted) and does not have the built-in turtleneck that the reg. SW hoodies do. Also looks like maybe the hood is looser and more open?

I tend to layer 2 or 3 wool things in the coldest part of winter. I might start with a SW or Ibex thin base layer top, then a medium weight merino zip turtleneck, then maybe my Shak over that. If it's REALLY cold I might put a heavy felted wool vest over the Shak to top it all off.

If as you say you have quite a few thinner merino tops, try just layering what you have as opposed to buying a heavier top. Perhaps the SW hoodie will round things out for you? Or try the Ibex hooded shak- those are NICE and you could order one size larger so it will fit nicely over your other shak.
Shaks are my most practical items, and I have the half zip and then I might wear the full zip over that, sort of like an old fashioned 'sweater set'.
As for soft and warm- the one most versatile item I own is the SW medium weight zipneck turtleneck in black. It's VERY soft and warm and I have washed mine a hundred times in the washer already....keeps on ticking.
It looks very simple and elegant, so you could wear it at work too, or out to dinner.

[emily_in_nc]

These guys do have the smartwool bottoms but only medium weight? Will I overheat in that indoors?

YES! I have a pair of the Smartwool bottoms in mid-weight (bought for hiking), and I couldn't tolerate them for hiking if the temp was above freezing. Even in the 20s, I would have been happier with the light-weight (under thin, quick-dry hiking pants). Legs just don't get nearly as cold as torsos. I'd say the light-weight or micro-weight (or one of each) for your daughter and the same for you. No mid-weight unless you plan to be out and about in < 20 degrees. The mid-weight are also pretty bulky and cannot be worn under any slim-fit pants.