WoolWeenies Club

[Natasha]

Does anyone own a pair of Ibex Energy Tights? What are your impressions and how is the fit/sizing?
Thanks in advance.

[Crankin]

I went on a short hike with my cycling group today. It was about 25, but the wind was blowing hard enough to make it feel like about ten degrees F.
When I got there, one of the women (who was wearing jeans and regular sneakers) said, "Oh my God, aren't you freezing?" I was like, "why would you ask that?"
I had on my wool Jones Ware hiking pants, Ibex boy shorts, Smart Wool socks and hiking boots on the bottom. On top I had a base layer (not wool), an Icebreaker top, and my Go Lite jacket, along with mittens and a hat (not my coldest weather hat, but a good one).
It turns out that she thought that because I wasn't bulked up with thick puffy stuff, I would be cold. I told her one word: wool.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It turns out that she thought that because I wasn't bulked up with thick puffy stuff, I would be cold. I told her one word: wool.

I used to freeze to death before I discovered the magic of real wool and thin layering. Wouldn't matter how many bulky acrylic sweaters, hats, mittens, and cotton 'thermal' waffle underwear layers I had on....BBBBRRRRRRRRR...freezing!! Plus I always looked like Michelin man.

Now I can have 4 or 5 layers on and still look like I'm wearing maybe 2 layers.
Crankin, I can't tell you how many times people have said to me "Do you mean to tell me you're not COLD?!?" and I always answer: "One word....wool."

[Jolt]

When I got there, one of the women (who was wearing jeans and regular sneakers) said, "Oh my God, aren't you freezing?" I was like, "why would you ask that?"
I had on my wool Jones Ware hiking pants, Ibex boy shorts, Smart Wool socks and hiking boots on the bottom. On top I had a base layer (not wool), an Icebreaker top, and my Go Lite jacket, along with mittens and a hat (not my coldest weather hat, but a good one).
It turns out that she thought that because I wasn't bulked up with thick puffy stuff, I would be cold. I told her one word: wool.

And this was the lady wearing JEANS? You should have been the one asking her that question! I guess some people don't know that "don't wear jeans or other cotton clothing" is one of the cardinal rules of hiking .

[blackhillsbiker]

I can't get over how warm my thin wool tights are – and I've worn wool for years! I'm taking advantage of a break in the frigid weather to wash them. I'm glad wool can be worn many times without laundering. Our bedroom smells of damp sheep I also grabbed the pile of wool socks, and my "big, ugly green wool sweater" which is my absolute favorite thing to wear in the whole world. It better not get really cold again before it is dry!

Deb

[Crankin]

Jolt, this was a 3 mile hike in an urban forestry center in Portsmouth, so not everyone was in full hiking gear; this person is somewhat different in her cycling gear, too, although not to this extent! However, she couldn't believe I didn't have long underwear on. I did think about it, but really, the only part of my that was cold was my face. I should have been wearing my neck gaiter.
I really didn't know how long we were going to be out, so I dressed as I always would for a hike. And yes, I did think of saying the thing about wearing jeans, but this woman is somewhat, well, weird. She's the stereotypical artist who is totally disorganized and uncoordinated, but super talented in what she does. When we are on rides, I have to stay far away from her because she routinely falls on rides and she also will come careening up and pass me and then give me a dirty look when I drop her on a climb.
Anyway, I was surprised that someone who spends so much time in athletic pursuits was dressed like this.

[Cataboo]

*shrug*

I have a ton of wool. and I hike in jeans all the time. I have a ton of other technical pants. I've yet to kill myself. I also... hike in cotton t shirts in the summer preferably.

I'm pretty sure I did the Inca trail in jeans... I did have an alpaca sweater, hat, and gloves, if that's any consolation.

I guess it depends what you call "hiking"... lots of times... I just consider things taking a walk in the woods as opposed to a hike. If I'm walking in the woods, no worries wearing jeans - they're thick and abrasion resistant and I can stick a wool layer underneath. If I'm actually doing a strenuous up a mountain hike, I probably am not wearing jeans. But in either case, I've got a backpack with an emergency kit, matches, and emergency blanket.

I spent the last week swaddled in wool - skiing when it's -10 Fahrenheit with 20-60 mph winds... I won't say I was warm on the lifts, but I never got frostbite, even with just 1 layer of smartwool socks on my toes (my friend skiing with me did get frost bite on her toes). dachstein mitts did keep my fingers warm, but the loss of dexterity really annoyed me. I had merino wool glove liners underneath.

Black diamond patrol gloves or whatever those are - weren't very warm in such conditions, which was funny given that they've been wayyy too warm the last couple years while skiing.

[OakLeaf]

+1... I don't really hike hike, but if I'm going trail walking, jeans are ALWAYS my outer layer. They resist catching on brambles and sticks, give some protection against snakebite, and poison ivy washes off easily. I might have a layer of wool or polypro underneath if it's cold.