[jh_on_the_cape]

Search ebay for "extra fine merino wool sweater" and choose a sweater, usually for under $10. Much cheaper than the name brands and quality can be really good. I have one CK merino sweater than is softer than any smartwool I've seen for under $20 inc. shipping.

For baselayers its worth going with the pricey brands because its preshrunk and made for its intended purpose, and can be machine washed and dried. For mid-layers the name brands are a waste of money.

I have gone the thrift store route and it can be hit or miss, mostly on the fit. but for midlayers they do work fine. try a thrift store rather than ebay so you can try it on. I bought about 6 $10 merino sweaters on ebay and maybe 2 are OK for running and riding due to fit issues (too short in torso, rides up when riding).

Otherwise, all brands like ibex are great, I just get what is on sale. Note that the icebreaker stuff is very tight 'bodyfit' or something, so you want something over it unless you want to be muscleman. I run almost everyday, and do not wash my wool but twice a month. But I do let it dry. I just wish it wasnt so damn expensive. I got the ibex stuff at a tent sale they set up at the VT50. wore it for the race.

 

[Jerk_Chicken]

Go with the Ibex :drumroll: :headphones: :rant: :smallviolin: :band: :band: :band: :rockon: ut: :yikes: :cornut: :aureola: :incazzato: :idea: :rant:

 

[AK Chris]

Everything I bought from Ibex was in the closeout section of their website. It was still spendy, but everything was marked down so it made it a *little* easier to swallow. I have to say their stuff looks well made and the fabric is very comfy - I'll be putting it to the test starting Sunday night when I fly out. As far as fit goes, I like the way their L is cut, long enough for a 6'2" person with a chest much larger than his waist and doesn't have the girth to require an XL.

 

[davec113]

New company, prices look good:

http://minus33.com/index.htm

 

[Tidybeard]

Better late than never, but it's only a matter of time before a man sees the appeal of all things wool .

I've been wearing Smartwool medium weight base layers for everything for the last few years. In the autumn/winter I have one on almost every day as they are superbly comfortable and regulate body temperature fantastically. Spendy, but they wear and wash well.

Oh, and when it comes to wool - make love, not war.

Good luck Chris, have a great trip:thumbsup:

 

[Miker J]

Wool junkie here...

Been wearing wool for years. As I sit here, just about to go out skiing, I'm in total wool.

Wether hiking, camping, skiing, biking wool is the way to go. Durable, stinkproof, water resistant, spark-fire resistant, nice looking, cheap to buy if you know where to look.

Aside from biking shorts all the stuff I've got is wool and non-bike specific.

Here's some opinionated advice on buying wool.

Smart wool top midweight baselayers are great but $$$. This is the most important part. It's soft, and thick enough to keep itchy top sweaters away from your skin.

( Non-cycling. Lowers/baselayers. You can usually get away with cheap varieties which tend to be super thin, but very inexpensive. The legs and butt don't seem to be bothered as much as the torso by itchy wool.)

Ebay. Most of my outer layers are ebay wool sweaters and shirts I've bought for $10 or less. All kinds of wool items can be had on ebay for dirt cheap. Old Pendleton brand items are very good.

While looking a bit silly with spandex shorts, button down collared, wool shirts are very practical for riding in cooler whether. (When you think about it, a grown man in the woods with a bike helmet, plus or minus the spandex, looks pretty silly to the rest of the non biking world. There is just no way around that. So I figure I might as well be comfortable and practical.)

The best, most reasonably priced wool pants I've bought are whipcord wool pants from Cabelas. I have 3 pair that have been through it all. I even wear the charcoal colored version to work with a white shirt and tie. Rarely will I wear these for winter riding, with gators of course.

Woolrich. Heavy duty shirts from Woolrich can be had on blow-out all over the place online. They make perfect "shells". Woolrich stuff is imported now and usually a 80-20% wool-nylon blend, but still works great. Especially for the price.

Summer riding. I'm still wearing sleeveless Spot brand pocketless, black tops. I don't think they carry them anymore. Summer cycling socks are Smartwools. Most pair are at least 7 years old. The newer versions don't have the same quality.

For all but winter riding I wear shorts. Old style spandex. Nasty looking I know, but I've yet to find a functional alternative. Wearing a cheap thin pair under regular shorts works OK.

 

[slowrider]

Want wool shorts?

Kucharic makes wool shorts, tights and bibs if you're willing to pay a bit more. I don't care for tights so I haven't tried them but as I recall he makes at least two weights of lowers and offers a few shammy options. Also will build customs.

Been wearing wool for years. As I sit here, just about to go out skiing, I'm in total wool.

Wether hiking, camping, skiing, biking wool is the way to go. Durable, stinkproof, water resistant, spark-fire resistant, nice looking, cheap to buy if you know where to look.

Aside from biking shorts all the stuff I've got is wool and non-bike specific.

Here's some opinionated advice on buying wool.

Smart wool top midweight baselayers are great but $$$. This is the most important part. It's soft, and thick enough to keep itchy top sweaters away from your skin.

( Non-cycling. Lowers/baselayers. You can usually get away with cheap varieties which tend to be super thin, but very inexpensive. The legs and butt don't seem to be bothered as much as the torso by itchy wool.)

Ebay. Most of my outer layers are ebay wool sweaters and shirts I've bought for $10 or less. All kinds of wool items can be had on ebay for dirt cheap. Old Pendleton brand items are very good.

While looking a bit silly with spandex shorts, button down collared, wool shirts are very practical for riding in cooler whether. (When you think about it, a grown man in the woods with a bike helmet, plus or minus the spandex, looks pretty silly to the rest of the non biking world. There is just no way around that. So I figure I might as well be comfortable and practical.)

The best, most reasonably priced wool pants I've bought are whipcord wool pants from Cabelas. I have 3 pair that have been through it all. I even wear the charcoal colored version to work with a white shirt and tie. Rarely will I wear these for winter riding, with gators of course.

Woolrich. Heavy duty shirts from Woolrich can be had on blow-out all over the place online. They make perfect "shells". Woolrich stuff is imported now and usually a 80-20% wool-nylon blend, but still works great. Especially for the price.

Summer riding. I'm still wearing sleeveless Spot brand pocketless, black tops. I don't think they carry them anymore. Summer cycling socks are Smartwools. Most pair are at least 7 years old. The newer versions don't have the same quality.

For all but winter riding I wear shorts. Old style spandex. Nasty looking I know, but I've yet to find a functional alternative. Wearing a cheap thin pair under regular shorts works OK.

 

[Fancy Hat]

I'm a big fan of Smartwool. I did a 3 month coast to coast bike tour last year with just 3 shirts (2 short sleeve light weight and one long sleeve microweight) and then used them all again for a 2 week coast trip from Portland to San Fran. I hand washed mostly and they even withstood being wrung out all the time with minimal stretching. I'm still wearing each of them a few times of a week. Great stuff.

I can wear each wool shirt a few times before washing. With synthetics I would wash them after every ride. I found machine wash cold with mild detergent and vinegar and then hang drying keep them from stretching or shrinking.

I have one Ibex wool shirt, but for me the fit wasn't as good as the Smartwool. The quality seems on par, so go with what fits better. The Ibex looks pretty casual, so I'll often wear it after the ride.

 

[moosehead]

Ibex 50% Sale, much of it bike related

http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Products.php?Campaign=20090109&EA=%%!contact_email%%&Outlet=1&Gender=Mens

 

[Random Drivel]

Ibex 50% Sale, much of it bike related

Just saw that and loaded up the ole cart.

Picked up 3 of the Ibex Shak jerseys a few weeks back from REI, 50% off. Man, what a nice jersey. For once I don't have to worry about the sleeves being too short. :thumbsup:

Sierra Trading had SmartWool socks on sale few weeks back as well.

 

[syadasti]

Good Christchurch company, darn good stuff I do get a bit hot in that though ,never tried MTB in an ice breaker though, snowboard yup, had a couple of IB stuff for over 10years oldschool

Good call MK:thumbsup:

Groundeffect makes some products with Merino. My friend in Wellington likes their stuff but I never tried any myself.

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products-MER.htm