WoolWeenies Club

[NbyNW]

I personally won't support and don't trust '100% merino wool' from China, and I just won't buy it no matter how cheap.

I only check in on this thread from time to time, so maybe this discussion has already occurred, re ethically raised/manufactured wool products?

I don't know anything about Kombi, but Icebreaker seems to make a priority of looking at sustainability and ethics at every stage of production -- there's quite a bit of space on their website devoted to this topic.

Icebreaker does send its raw wool to China for processing, and as someone who was trying to boycott anything made in China long before it was fashionable to do so, I was initially disappointed to learn this, but as I watched their videos about their production facilities, I felt reassured that they are processing their wool in a manner that is kind to the environment and humane to their workers.

I like supporting companies like this, even if it is a little harder on my pocketbook. I figure that for a quality product that supports ethical practices, it's probably money well spent, and if I take good care of my woolens, they'll last a good while.

[nscrbug]

Has anyone tried merino base layer pieces by Kombi? It's less expensive than Smartwool or Icebreaker, but I don't want inferior merino.

Pam

Yes, Pam...I have, and honestly I wouldn't purchase a Kombi piece again. For starters, the top I bought from Sierra Trading Post was not 100% merino wool...infact, it was only like 12% merino and the rest was some other material, I forget what it was. It was really cheap (like $15) so I should have known that I was getting what I paid for. It doesn't wick moisture nearly as well as some of my other 100% merino wool tops do...and the fit isn't all that great either. It has these weird seams on the sides (I suppose they would be "princess seams"), that make it fit awkward on me. I would steer clear of Kombi stuff.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I went to a thrift store today and scored bigtime.

Two comfortable fitting black turtlenecks- one was all merino and $12, and the other was 100% cashmere and was $22 ..."as is". Just had a few tiny holes in one elbow that I can easily darn.

[7rider]

Says their merino wool items are from China.
I personally won't support and don't trust '100% merino wool' from China, and I just won't buy it no matter how cheap.

Judging from the origin statement on STP, that threshold would eliminate a bulk of theiir merino*, including Icebreaker and Ibex (from my really quick scan of their available products). Most of the Smartwool socks are USA, but "imported yarn" - and some are Korean. Perhaps older stuff from thrift stores would get you non-Chinese stuff (is China your only distrust??), but even then, you never know....

* Of 296 items with the word "Merino" in it...100 also have "China" in the product description.

[OakLeaf]

IME most Smartwool socks (and other garments) come from China. You can still find some US-knit SW socks, but not by mail order - you have to read the label on every pair.

I have yet to see anything from Ibex that comes from China. Just browsing their website I'm seeing a lot of final assembly done in Fiji, which is new. Still, not to discount wages and hours, but the most toxic parts of the garment trade are in spinning and dyeing, which is still done in NZ for the vast majority of their product. And their website discloses fiber, fabric and garment source for every item they sell, which is admirable in my book.

Beyond country of origin labeling, I'm not sure what else we can do. TransFair is starting a pilot project next year to certify cotton apparel and linens, but that's next year, and they don't mention wool.

IAE I don't trust a re-seller's representation of country of origin, since with many brands, the same garment is made at multiple factories (which is why you have to read the label on every pair of SW socks).

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have yet to see anything from Ibex that comes from China. Just browsing their website I'm seeing a lot of final assembly done in Fiji, which is new. Still, not to discount wages and hours, but the most toxic parts of the garment trade are in spinning and dyeing, which is still done in NZ for the vast majority of their product. And their website discloses fiber, fabric and garment source for every item they sell, which is admirable in my book..

That's one reason I am a big Ibex fan. They also buy their wool from ranchers who participate in a program that promotes humane treatment of sheep in commercial sheep ranching of New Zealand. I still check their country of origin when ordering a particular item, just out of habit, because I think I did notice some Chinese items a few years ago in their offerings. Haven't checked lately, but I do check any items that go into my shopping cart.
I'm not going to 'save the world' by avoiding Chinese wool products, but I believe China is the worst offender in terms of both worker and animal abuse (that's one major reason their products are so cheap), so I won't buy their products if I can help it. Just my preference.

[7rider]

I have yet to see anything from Ibex that comes from China. Just browsing their website I'm seeing a lot of final assembly done in Fiji, which is new. Still, not to discount wages and hours, but the most toxic parts of the garment trade are in spinning and dyeing, which is still done in NZ for the vast majority of their product. And their website discloses fiber, fabric and garment source for every item they sell, which is admirable in my book.

My Ibex bike jersey (I think it's called "Spin") says "Made in China".
My Ibex shak jersey says "Made in USA of imported fabric".

[OakLeaf]

My Ibex bike jersey (I think it's called "Spin") says "Made in China".
My Ibex shak jersey says "Made in USA of imported fabric".

Current model Shak jersey is fiber and fabric from NZ (as with most of their stuff), final assembly in USA.

"Spin" jersey is apparently discontinued. IAE you can look up any item on their website.

[7rider]

"Spin" jersey is apparently discontinued. IAE you can look up any item on their website.

Yes, I couldn't find it on their site. (it's about 2 y.o.)
Coincidence perhaps that it, um, is probably my least favorite piece???

[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...