WoolWeenies Club

[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!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oh wow Dianyla, my husband and I both have those Black Diamond Guide gloves (in black) and yes they are insanely bulletproof for the very coldest conditions! Great for snowshoeing, hiking in the dead of winter, and blizzard wear!

For me they are too bulky for biking though (prolly wouldn't be biking in sub zero anyway).
My best system for biking in the cold for over an hour is to wear some thin cashmere 'ladies' fashion gloves as a fuzzy soft wool liner, then good pair of polartec-lined windstopper women's gloves, then last on top of those a pair of men's Manzella brand ski shell gloves which are quite warm, lightweight, & windstopper. This last pair is loose and slips on well over the other two gloves and is thin and flexible so that I can still work the brifters. The leather grips well on my handlebars. They are loose enough to allow another layer of air to keep my hand warm.

[Crankin]

I have a pair of Cabella mittens that rock for very cold weather. I can't wear them above 25 degrees. If it's super cold (like below 5 degrees) I can fit a pair of silk liners underneath, or liners that hold chemical heat packs.
I used these hiking in Lake Placid when it was -14 degrees out and there was no snow for x country skiing.

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm not sure of the quality (but I'm about to find out), but Cabela's has wool base-layer bottoms and tops in the Bargain Cave for $19.95. Only one color choice.

Deb

[Dianyla]

For me they are too bulky for biking though (prolly wouldn't be biking in sub zero anyway).

Yeah, I don't bike in weather that cold anyways!

then last on top of those a pair of men's Manzella brand ski shell gloves which are quite warm, lightweight, & windstopper.

Oh yes, I love Manzellas too. My favorites are the thin silkweight ones. I trashed my last pair backpacking in Iceland (they did not hold up scrambling on rough rocks) and replaced them immediately upon returning home. When I'm generating enough heat from body activity and I just need a thin glove that blocks wind but doesn't hinder dexterity, they're my favorite choice. The men's version fits my hands (broad palm, stubby fingers) very nicely.

Geez, can you tell I'm a bit of a Glove Ho?

[mariposa]

and all other Patagonia stuff, wool or not...