WoolWeenies Club

[NbyNW]

Icebreaker has some excellent videos showing their production and manufacturing processes:

http://www.icebreaker.com/site/philo...ntsupplychain/

If they truly are treating their workers well and keeping their environmental impacts to a minimum, then I don't mind that the wool originates in NZ but gets processed and finished in China.

[KnottedYet]

I am filled with sadness over my one Icebreaker piece. It's at least 5 years old, but it has been shrinking and shrinking and shrinking... until after trying to wear it last week, I decided it was over.

My love affair is over. Sigh.

None of my Ibex has shrunk. (oops, I take that back, a recalled jacket I had shrank. But it was recalled, so who am I to complain?)

(oh, and I treat my Ibex and my Icebreaker exactly the same: machine wash in cold with Ecos detergent and drip-dry.)

[Becky]

I am filled with sadness over my one Icebreaker piece. It's at least 5 years old, but it has been shrinking and shrinking and shrinking... until after trying to wear it last week, I decided it was over.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but glad that you posted this. I've been thinking about ordering some Icebreaker...maybe I'll hold off.

OTOH, I did get two new Smartwool tops today- a lightweight long sleeve v-neck, and a short-sleeve microweight tee

[OakLeaf]

I had a sweater that was exhibiting that kind of behavior. Yesterday I washed it and brutally stretched it before blocking it to dry. We'll see what happens...

[NbyNW]

I am filled with sadness over my one Icebreaker piece. It's at least 5 years old, but it has been shrinking and shrinking and shrinking... until after trying to wear it last week, I decided it was over.

So you got 5 years out of it? That sounds decent.

I picked up an Icebreaker tank top w/ shelf bra and a jacket when I was NZ earlier this year. I couldn't resist the sales, and the exchange rate was in my favor. Also have two thin base layer tops that I acquired in last winter's post-Christmas splurge. I wear them all the time. So far, so good.

I will let you know in 5 years if any of these pieces are still holding up or not.

[KnottedYet]

So you got 5 years out of it? That sounds decent.

Oh yes, very decent! But I loved that thing, and my heart is broken that I can't wear it any more...

[NbyNW]

Oh yes, very decent! But I loved that thing, and my heart is broken that I can't wear it any more...

My husband has a strategy where if he finds something he likes, he will go back and buy several more of the same exact thing. So later when they alter the style to something he doesn't like or discontinue it altogether, he's got reserves, or he's been rotating so many pieces that they don't wear out as fast.

[mariposa]

I realize this is kind of off the cycling topic, but...Anyone have favorite wool gloves for winter sports such as skiing?

My little Smartwool liner gloves were all I brought on my last backcountry trip - it wasn't supposed to be that cold/snowy - they got trashed!

Is there anything that is more solid, grippy (for hanging onto poles, etc.), durable, and...dare I say...waterproof (or close to)?

- Mariposa

[Dianyla]

I realize this is kind of off the cycling topic, but...Anyone have favorite wool gloves for winter sports such as skiing?

My little Smartwool liner gloves were all I brought on my last backcountry trip - it wasn't supposed to be that cold/snowy - they got trashed!

Is there anything that is more solid, grippy (for hanging onto poles, etc.), durable, and...dare I say...waterproof (or close to)?

- Mariposa

I've been on the quest for the perfect winter glove for a long time. I really like a lot of the Ibex gloves but they simply don't have anything beyond lightly weather-resistant soft shells. Unless I'm really missing something, in which case I'm sure y'all will gladly enable me...

For mildly cold (30-40) my new favorite glove is the Shak Two Layer glove. It picks up lots of moisture, though.

For moderate cold (20-30F) I've been reasonably happy with the Ibex Kilometer II gloves that are wool inside/climashell outside, but again these are absolutely not waterproof only water resistant.

For cold cold (<20F) I finally got tired of crappy cheap ski gloves and splurged on these Black Diamond Guide gloves and have never looked back. Leather palm, full goretex liner, and stuffed with gobs of soft wool fleece stuffed inside. I actually can't wear these when it's warmer than 25F because my hands overheat. I luff them!