Re: Wool Tights update

[Pam Wright]

Wow, I knew I was asking the right folks!!  Huge thanks for all the great, informative and quick responses.   I'm ordering tights and leg warmers from Ibex and Jones and bet I love one of them.  Or I hope I only love one of them.  It'll be an expensive experiment if I love them both!   When I get my act together, there will be some almost brand new Pearl Izumi tights & maybe leg warmers too on ebay.  They're great products, guess my knees are just too finicky for them.  (LOL...or contact me off-list if you're interested in ladies large tights before they go on ebay!)   Thanks again for all the great feedback!!   Pam Wright --- On Mon, 10/26/09, George Evans <supreme....@combatsent.com> wrote: From: George Evans <supreme....@combatsent.com> Subject: [LSR] Re: Wool Tights To: Cc: "Lone * Star * Randonneurs" <Talk...@googlegroups.com> Date: Monday, October 26, 2009, 5:46 PM I am a big fan of Ibex (ibexwear.com).  I have wool jerseys, bib shorts, leg warmers, and arm warmers from them.  The bib shorts have a bit of synthetic in the right place so they don't stretch and sag after a couple hundred kilometers.  The wool has very fine fibers (no itch).  The arm warmers are my absolute favorite piece of cycling clothes. I don't have any experience with tights, but everything I have gotten from Ibex is first rate.  Not the cheapest wool on the market, but some of the best.  I also have some Kucharik wool.  It's cheaper but not nearly as nice as Ibex. Pam Wright wrote: With my love of wool undershirts and warmers, I think I want a pair of wool tights.  One hope is they will be more forgiving in the knee area, since my PI tights make my knees ache after a while.  Anyone got a recommendation for wool cycling tights?  I figured I'd have plenty of choices, but apparently not!   Swobo (my favorite arm & knee warmers) have a new fabric that's 40% wool, but they're a new thing.   Smartwool (my favorite undershirt) doesn't appear to have an outer tight, just underlayers and I want them for outerwear.   Jones Wares has a 92% wool tight, but I don't know about them.   Anyone got a recommendation for where to look or a favorite pair that can still be bought somewhere?  And if you have a pair, are they fairly forgiving in the knee area?    Thanks! Pam Wright

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[pamela blalock]

Pam,

 

I practically live in my Ibex Alpstar pants in the winter.

 

http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1231/6397/womens-alpstar-pant?Outlet=1

 

These are not tights, but a softshell pant with a merino wool lining. The advantage over tights is they don’t weat out under the sit bones. Every pair of wool tights I have ever used has ended up with holes under the sit bones. Another advantage is they don’t bind around the knee, and they do repel water. Short of full goretex pants for a full day of riding in cold rain, these are my choice.

 

They seem to change the name every year. The link I sent is to the outlet and for a limited color and size. This years model is called something different, but just look for softshell wool pants.  They also look quite nice off the bike.

 

They may be too warm for Texas though. I can also highly recommend their knee warmers and armwarmers.

 

Or once you wear holes in the tights, find someone who can stitch wool, and turn them into legwarmers!

 

The other Pamela

 

pamela blalock                    pgb at blayleys.com
care-free in watertown, ma         http://www.blayleys.com

[Oldairhead]

Here is my take on the wool issue. The best combo for cold/wet riding
is a pair of wool knickers (mine are Swobo 100%) combined with either
wool or polypro leg warmers (mine are Ibex wool blend). These overlap
at the knee, keeping that crucial joint warm in the cold and wet. This
setup stays pretty warm even when saturated and dries quickly even in
humid conditions. Add some "rain legs" for downpours if you must (not
neccessary in my opinion) and booties for spray that the fenders miss
and you have the most versatile system around. You can keep adjusting
without the major inconvenience of removing tights. This is a tested
method on several wet wet wet events and I dont mean wimpy rain like
PBP 07!

Lonnie Wolff
Regional Brevet Administrator
Southern Utah Region
www.subrevet.org

On Oct 26, 6:11 pm, Pam Wright <texaspamri...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Wow, I knew I was asking the right folks!!  Huge thanks for all the great, informative and quick responses.
>  
> I'm ordering tights and leg warmers from Ibex and Jones and bet I love one of them.  Or I hope I only love one of them.  It'll be an expensive experiment if I love them both!
>  
> When I get my act together, there will be some almost brand new Pearl Izumi tights & maybe leg warmers too on ebay.  They're great products, guess my knees are just too finicky for them.  (LOL...or contact me off-list if you're interested in ladies large tights before they go on ebay!)
>  
> Thanks again for all the great feedback!!
>  
> Pam Wright
>

> --- On Mon, 10/26/09, George Evans <supreme.comman...@combatsent.com> wrote:

[rob hawks]

This thread was from about a month ago, and at the time I had
contributed a post saying I was also in the market for
wool tights. Since that time, I have ordered, received and worn some
products from Jones Wares. I ordered the
wool tights (w/o chamois), the arm warmers, and a skull cap. I've used
everything but the skull cap so far. I wanted to
post a follow up to the thread to just say how much I really like the
tights and arm warmers. These are very well
made, and while this is subjective, I find them to be very
comfortable. I'm really pleased with the purchase. The arm warmers
do not slip down at all. I ended up getting size medium for the arm
warmers (while I usually get size large for everything
else) and that was a good decision. The arm warmers I got have the 'hi-
vis' yellow cuffs. Not sure if that really will
make any difference, but I got them anyway and like them.

While I haven't yet used the skull cap, I'm guessing it too will be a
good buy for me. The cap is made with a very thin fabric
of wool, and that is perfect for me. I tend to perspire much more
easily than other riders and a thicker material would
just hasten more perspiration.

No doubt there are other good wool cycling product makers. I'd suggest
to anyone that they consider Jones Wares products.
They are very good.

rob hawks
richmond, ca

BTW, if you subscribe to the RBR newsletter, there is a coupon code in
each issue that you can use to get free shipping on
your order with Jones Wares.

On Oct 26, 4:11 pm, Pam Wright <texaspamri...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Wow, I knew I was asking the right folks!!  Huge thanks for all the great, informative and quick responses.
>  
> I'm ordering tights and leg warmers from Ibex and Jones and bet I love one of them.  Or I hope I only love one of them.  It'll be an expensive experiment if I love them both!
>  
> When I get my act together, there will be some almost brand new Pearl Izumi tights & maybe leg warmers too on ebay.  They're great products, guess my knees are just too finicky for them.  (LOL...or contact me off-list if you're interested in ladies large tights before they go on ebay!)
>  
> Thanks again for all the great feedback!!
>  
> Pam Wright
>

> --- On Mon, 10/26/09, George Evans <supreme.comman...@combatsent.com> wrote:
>
> From: George Evans <supreme.comman...@combatsent.com>

[Wesley Smith]

Rob,

I would definitely agree with your conclusions. I have ordered a SS
jersey, Shorts (w/o chamois), arm warmers, leg warmers, and two pairs
of socks. I'm practically addicted to their stuff. It is bar none
the best I have used.

I have a once used Ibex Indie Jersey (M) if anyone is interested.

Thanks
Wes

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[papa...@comcast.net]

I also just received wool tights from Jones Ware, without the chamois, and couldn't be more pleased.

JV

----- Original Message -----
From: "rob hawks" <rob....@gmail.com>
To: "randon" <ran...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:00:04 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: [Randon] Re: Wool Tights update

[joekr...@comcast.net]

I've been giving strong consideration to ordering the wool tights from Jones Ware, but am worried I'll get the wrong size.  I've found the sizing charts for most clothes manufacturers to be largely innacurate.  I'm 5'10" wiegh 160lbs, 31-32 in waist and take 30" inseam when buying pants.  Is anyone who bought a pair close to that description?  If so, what size worked for you?

 

Thanks.  Any help is appreciated.

 

Joe K

New Jersey

[Pam Wright]

Joe.....dont ask "us"....ask Joneswares!  I did and am thrilled.   I started this thread (whenever that was) and bought leg warmers & tights to try.  After my delivery-palooza, I'm keeping leg warmers from both Ibex and Jones and the Ibex tights.  And I'm going a step farther....Joneswares has really thought out tights for cycling with a nylon panel on the bottom (no wool rubs on your saddle!!), so Deb worked with me AFTER I bought tights/warmers to try and now I'm getting what I bet will be the "love forever" tights.    I told her my sizing and fears (constriction on my knees is a VERY bad thing). Since I ordered multiple sizes/options/brands, I can give constructive feedback on what I like/don't like.  I can tell her the leg warmers feel "right" on my knees, the tights are too tight.  It's a little overkill, but I highly recommend paying the double shipping required to try multiple sizes.  Nobody knows your body better than you and even body details don't guarantee they'll fit right.  Trying em on is the only way and then feedback about what works and didn't work.  We ride TOO MANY MILES to play guessing games!  A little extra time/effort/shipping$ is worth it to be comfy 400k later.   For me, having 2 pr of good leg warmers, tights, etc. is a great thing.  After all, at PBP, I wanted 3 of everything for my drop bags.  I couldn't be happier with what I've gotten and what I'm getting. So happy, I've already sold tights/warmers I don't want to wear any more.   I'd intended to wait til I got my new Joneswares tights to give some feedback, but this prompted me to go ahead and offer my 2cents of feedback.  Heck, I'm 1/2 tempted to buy all the warmers from Joneswares after this experience, but kinda hard to justify! :)   Pam Wright --- On Tue, 11/24/09, joekr...@comcast.net <joekr...@comcast.net> wrote:

[Rob Hawks]

Joe K.,

Some times when you spend a little extra money (or maybe even a lot extra) you end up with a lower cost to value ratio. If you find stock sizes just don't do it for you, is it worth it to wear things that just don't fit? Only you can decide that, but I'm guessing
that since you raise the issue, you are thinking it isn't worth it. Only in my later years have I come round to seeing that
higher priced items often offer much more value, at a return greater than the cost difference. It's my strong feeling that
Jones Wares is the kind of company that is trying to offer a quality product and not trying to fit something into a price
point in the market. I've heard stories from other than Pam about how that company has made an effort to work with a
customer to get the right item.

rob

[joekr...@comcast.net]

I agree.  I have a pair of JonesWare wool shorts, and they are very good quality.  If you read my prior post you will see I am not an odd size.  My problem is when I follow clothing manufacturers size charts I often get something that's too small.  Especially in shorts/tights.  I think they often cater to the racing set where clothes are worn super tight, so the garments are intentionally made smaller.  Although they say my size is a medium, many times it is uncomfotably tight.  Usually, a size large in the same item works.  I am not heavy, quite lean in fact, so I find that odd.

The JonesWare shorts I ordered large with ten inch inseam and no pad.  Oddly, the ten inch inseam actually measures nine inches with the tape.  However when I put them on they are longer than what would be ideal coming down a bit over the knee.  I think what happens is the wool fabric is stretchy and that elongate when pulling them up.  They do ride back up a bit when I start pedaling the bike so I've managed with them.  I'm just at a bit of  a loss as to what inseam to order with the tights.  I think I'll get large so they are not too tight but I am not sure which inseam to select between 28" and 30".  If anyone can guide me based on their experience I'd be appreciative.  Otherwise, I will accept Pam's advise and plan on shipping stuff two ways.

Thanks for the help.

Joe K
New Jersey
  
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Hawks" <rob....@gmail.com>
To: "randon" <ran...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 10:26:50 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [Randon] Re: Wool Tights update