WoolWeenies Club

[Crankin]

It was 37.1 when I left my house at 6:45 to meet Hirakukibou. When I arrived at our meeting place, only 3.8 miles from my house, it was closer to 34. First day of wearing my Ibex tights (usually reserved for snow sports!), Woolie Bullie socks, and mid weight wool jersey (an old Performance item. I don't think they make it anymore). Oh, and I have solved my issue of not being able to shift with thicker gloves, like my Am-Fibs. I bought a pair of light weight full finger gloves in a bigger size and I wore my Smart Wool liners underneath. Perfect. Most wool I've worn since February. I also had a wind jacket, a fleece beanie, and a Craft base layer to round out the warmth.
Tomorrow I really need to take a short ride around 5:30 AM (riding super early is my new habit). I think I might add the balaclava and toe covers under my booties. Having to go down 1.5 miles of a hill first thing in these temperatures is not really fun.

[SadieKate]

I know I've been incommunicado of late, but I had to pop in to share this. I just know yawl will be jumping all over yourselves to be the first to own one.

Unfortunately for the purists, it is a blend.

[rubywagon]

That beer cozy is awesome.

I picked up a lovely pair of Ibex glove liners from the REI sale. They are sooooo soft and I can tell they will keep my fingers nice and toasty under my wind barrier gloves, when the temps drop to freezing.

[Biciclista]

I even checked the catalog for REI they have hardly any of the nice Ibex garments I'd like to buy. what's a girl to do?!

[wildeny]

I just joined the club.

Ordered cycling tights, trainer and socks etc from Jones Wares. Ordering and communication with them were very straightforward. Since I'm only 5'2", the women cycling tights in the market usually don't fit me well. In Jones Wares, I could have some minor custom fit on tights and even the trainer. The delivery was very fast. They shipped the order the following day after confirmed my measures.

Note that the cycling tights are quite heavy. Should be good for the winter in NY.

I also order the LS jersey, Flying Nun, from the New Zealand company, Ground Effect. The international shipping is very cheap. It's lightweight and can be wore most of the year (as a base layer for the winter). I looked up the reviews and comments before ordered from them. Unfortunately, the women section has fewer choices in wool products than the men section.

[OakLeaf]

More Teko merino socks for me!

I've been doing my long runs all summer in a couple of pairs of their midweight hikers with the ankles folded down. I figured it was time to treat myself to some real running socks. They're so much nicer than Smartwool (which I've still been wearing for the shorter runs).

Did a little jog in one pair on Tuesday just to be sure. The other pair will get 26.2 on Sunday.

[Biciclista]

anyone know of a good place to get Ibex on sale? (oh come on, quit laughing!)
or better, does anyone else make stuff that looks like the shak? I love how it looks on me, sort of dressy, sort of not...

[SadieKate]

I even checked the catalog for REI they have hardly any of the nice Ibex garments I'd like to buy. what's a girl to do?!

Have you tried other local retailers?

I find nicer clothing from independent local outdoor stores that all have membership programs that give me the "dividend" upfront either through a discount or a gift cert once I've spent a certain amount. I'd far rather support them than REI.

http://www.ibexwear.com/maps/index.php

And Patagonia is making more and more nice wool clothing, but I gotta say I live in my Shaks for cold weather steelhead fishing (and the discontinued Patagonia Merino 4 pants ).

[Biciclista]

redrhodie, already been through their outlet, nothing I want that is in my size.

SadieKate. OOOO thanks thanks!! perfect....

[GLC1968]

Mimi - You can also just do a google search for 'Ibex Shak' and find lots of outlets (where you can then find other items). I have bought Ibex from Zappos, Sierra Trading Post, Altrec, Backcountry, and from a couple of local stores including TE. I've actually never bought Ibex at REI! Though, I do get most of my Ibex directly from Ibex themselves...

Oh, and definitely check SAC - I've gotten a ton of Icebreaker and Smartwool from them.

Oak - I bet you could wear it. I'm only 5'4" and my hips are definitely as wide as my shoulders (even though I do have a waist) and the shak does not ride up at all. It's also not even slightly flowy - so I don't think it could 'tent' on you. I think because it's a beefier material it stays where it should and looks nice. I actually noted that they seem to be making them a tad roomier than they used to as well. The medium I put on this morning (my newest one in the turquoise color) is larger than my older shaks. Oh, and I definitely put mine in the wash, I just don't put them in the dryer.

Speaking of wool, this is my next wool desire: