WoolWeenies Club

[Kelly728]

I can't help you with questions about the top, but I own the Meru hat and love it. I wore it today under my helmet for a 13-mile ride in the high 20s and was very comfortable. It covers my ears, but is thin enough that it doesn't make my helmet too tight.

Sounds perfect

(and how long is TE shipping....?)

[madscot13]

you guys make me want to go on a wool splurge- oh wait I already have.

I picked up the Nomad hoodie. I wish I could find an EXP hoodie because I have a zip zip in the same fabric and it is great for the winter. I'm worried that the 320 fabric will be too close to the zephyr zip zip I have (well I think it is a zephyr).I prefer Icebreaker because the stuff is more form fitting and I know I am an extra small in everything the have. Ive tried the shak hoodie but my shoulders made the xs to small and the s is too lose on me.

I am also going to try out the icebreaker line of jackets, the Coastal Mayfair Jacket to be exact. I will report back in a week.

J crew has a wool coat that I really like the look of and for only $120 on sale. Except it is no refunds or exchanges on final sales.

[RTW]

Hey MadScot, hope you enjoy the Nomad. I have one too and used it a lot until I got the Conquest hoodie. Speaking of the Conquest, maybe that's what you're looking for, if you want a hoodie in EXP fabric?

Speaking of my own wool splurge, I got the Ibex pointelle camisoles today. Very soft and fitted, although if I had to be picky, I'd note that the straps are a bit closer together than on my IB camisole, and the top is a bit longer (which is a problem for petites, though not for taller people). Even so, I think it'll be perfect for warding off the Arctic air mass that's making its way across the country right now.

[madscot13]

Hey MadScot, hope you enjoy the Nomad. I have one too and used it a lot until I got the Conquest hoodie. Speaking of the Conquest, maybe that's what you're looking for, if you want a hoodie in EXP fabric?

Speaking of my own wool splurge, I got the Ibex pointelle camisoles today. Very soft and fitted, although if I had to be picky, I'd note that the straps are a bit closer together than on my IB camisole, and the top is a bit longer (which is a problem for petites, though not for taller people). Even so, I think it'll be perfect for warding off the Arctic air mass that's making its way across the country right now.

I have a zip zip in EXP and it is great. I usually find some use for it year round although it really shines in the winter. I wore it to inauguration and subsequent parade with my fleece. I also wore my thin biking jacket for the extra back pockets (no bags!) that way I could pack my sandwiches.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Does anyone here have the Ibex Balance sports top?:
sports top

If so, has it shrunk at all if put in gentle washer and gentle dryer?
Any other comments?
I did read the 4 reviews.
I am an A cup so it wouldn't be too small there for me.

[Cataboo]

REIoutlet is running a 20% off your entire order coupon.... They have the ibex serrano women's jersey for $90, so it ends up being about $71 after the coupon.

http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/787622

[kelownagirl]

Hello ladies, I'm sure one of you has the answer for me.

Erik just got a brand new Merino wool Icebreaker shirt in his race packet but he dropped it on the bike and it has fresh grease all down one side. It is a red, IcebreakerGT 150 ultralite in case that matters.

When I get grease on a cotton shirt, I just rub some butter or lard into it (who has lard anymore??) until the black grease disappears, then I hand wash it with warm/hot water and soap, then throw it in the washer and the grease is always gone without any stain (not even from the butter), but I'm afraid to try that with Merino wool.

So - does anyone have a tried and true method to remove fresh bike grease?

Thank you!!!

[Grog]

Erik just got a brand new Merino wool Icebreaker shirt in his race packet but he dropped it on the bike and it has fresh grease all down one side. It is a red, IcebreakerGT 150 ultralite in case that matters.

Oh my!!! I unfortunately have no advice whatsoever, but that is one nice jersey, and the fabric is indeed ultralight.

I hope you find a solution soon.

[malkin]

Don't worry. Sheep love grease so much that they make their own (lanolin).

Just remember no heat and agitation at the same time. Either one is ok on its own, but not at the same time.

Extra emphasis: go ahead and run hot water through the wool, but do not swish it around until it is cool.

You can rub the wool energetically, but ONLY in cold water.

[Aggie_Ama]

I try not to read this thread so I don't catch the fever but I must give a shout out to my Alpaca wool Cannondale beanie. It is so comfy and even after sweating up a storm mountain biking, it doesn't stink. You ladies may be onto something here!

[Grog]

You ladies may be onto something here!

We are.

[RTW]

Help...me...resist....

Altrec.com has the Icebreaker Nomad on sale with a coupon for $84. I know I don't *need* it, but that's a really good price. Someone make me stop shopping for wool!!!!!

ETA: Oh no. They have a lot more than that on sale. Cannot resist...

(Looking at the Quantum Pants and City Lily Pants. Anyone have experience with Icebreaker's pants?)

[Kelly728]

Bleecker,
Got my TE order today and thanks for telling me to get that smartwool midweight zip.... it is indeed seriously comfortable! I tried it on and haven't taken it off since!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Bleecker,
Got my TE order today and thanks for telling me to get that smartwool midweight zip.... it is indeed seriously comfortable! I tried it on and haven't taken it off since!

You're welcome!

Now you'll need a second one for when the first one is being laundered....because you'll want to wear them every day.

I'm assuming you know the basics about merino wash-safe items:

You can wear them more times than you'd think and they won't get smelly like cotten or poly- just hang them out to air overnight. Washing them after every wearing will just wear them out too soon. They are wool- they don't get stinky for a while.
When you do wash them- gentle cycle, gentle temps.
To dry- lay out to air dry is best, but you can dry them in a dryer if you set the temp on LOW and take them out as soon as possible. Sometimes I half-dry them in the dryer (to help get the cat hair off) then lay them out to finish drying by air.

Have fun!

[Grog]

Sounds perfect

(and how long is TE shipping....?)

Fast.