tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post1440603002444101841..comments2024-03-28T11:56:48.304-04:00Comments on The Retrogrouch: Wabi Woolens JerseyBrookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-61287617421826922252017-03-23T12:28:12.197-04:002017-03-23T12:28:12.197-04:00Modern materials are largely made of synthetic pla...Modern materials are largely made of synthetic plastics that tenaciously hold on to body odors even after washing. Durable? Hardly; I've had some shirts come apart after only a year of use. They're no more "breathable" than clothing of natural fibres. Wool clothing, on the other hand, tends to resist odors due to the properties of the wool itself, and is quite durable.<br /><br />I had a collected a number of modern synthetic workout clothes over the years: shorts, loose-fit shirts, and one bike-specific jersey; but I have since donated all of them. I couldn't stand the fact that they would start to stink mere minutes after hitting the gym or cycling. I know that there are special detergents that can remove said odors, but why should I run a special wash just for them? My regular 7th Gen detergent works fine for all of my clothes. I don't see a point in buying special clothing, and then special detergent just to wash them. I'm sticking with natural fibres, thanks.Morlamwebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17799436150549217033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-17489537619575622562017-03-22T22:44:15.413-04:002017-03-22T22:44:15.413-04:00I too am a fan of Wabi Woolens...I have 2 winter w...I too am a fan of Wabi Woolens...I have 2 winter weight jerseys. Harth is a great guy, and the quality is great. In my view, wool is better than synthetics-doesn't get stinky, and has a greater comfort range too. Today's wool isn't your grandma's wool. Kevin Ticehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14181354759123944091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-84526666166202336692017-03-22T19:26:59.225-04:002017-03-22T19:26:59.225-04:00Yes, part of my problem is probably 10% body fat.Yes, part of my problem is probably 10% body fat.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07221537769343338514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-6622933399538470192017-03-22T14:31:50.600-04:002017-03-22T14:31:50.600-04:00Body: old-school looking Schwalbe-branded (no info...Body: old-school looking Schwalbe-branded (no info on who's the actual manufacturer, everything on it says "Schwalbe Reichshof Germany") long sleeve jersey made of elasthan 67% and wool 33% as the base layer and outwordingly expensive (in my book) windstopper/fleece jacket Pearl Izumi Thermal Barrier. This thing is so warm that I was able to stay at one place up to 20 minutes before feeling cold at -9ºC. That said, I was very happy to check out almost half of my monthly salary for it. Totally worth it.<br /><br />In case if you're interested, I'm from Ukraine. We don't have the luxury of being paid $3500 per month here.<br /><br />Legs: fleece Castelli pants.<br /><br />Hands: 2 in 1 Craft transformer gloves/mittens.<br /><br />Also bear in mind that I'm strong and powerful dude, so when on saddle, I rarely put myself inside the comfort zone. In winter this approach is even more important than when it's warm, because on bicycle every person has pretty much determined speed limit, below which he/she will freeze rapidly. Also depends on how many excessive kilograms of fat one has. Skinny ones will freeze much faster. Moving fast is the key to stay warm.tumbleweed_092https://www.blogger.com/profile/03101115616028888885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-31867635749001882632017-03-22T13:05:16.411-04:002017-03-22T13:05:16.411-04:00How serendipitous. I just got my Wabi Woolens wint...How serendipitous. I just got my Wabi Woolens winter weight last week and am loving it. I got a great deal on the last remaining one in orange/navy, which happened to be my size.<br /><br />I think this is now my favorite shirt. Too bad it's too warm, even alone, at much over 45 °F / 7 °C.<br /><br />@tumbleweed_092, if you haven't tried modern wool, it is superior to anything synthetic I've found. I was comfortable at 12 °F / -11 °C with just a thin nylon tee, the Wabi winterweight, and a windshirt. That's plenty thin. A fleece instead of the Wabi would have been warmer, but would also have been thicker than the wool + nylon shirt. Better, I can go at least a week without washing it, with no poly stink.<br /><br />I'm not sure what two layers you got away with at -19 °C / -2 °F, but unless you put out a lot more heat than I do, there must have been a puffy of some kind in there. If not, I'm impressed (really.) Last time I rode at that temperature:<br /><br />Ski helmet<br />Balaclava<br />Light ski goggles<br />Sleeveless compression tee<br />Long sleeve cycling base<br />Long sleeve fleece<br />Houdini<br />Snowboard mittens & liners<br />Roscoe pants<br />Wool baselayer bottoms<br />Super thick socks<br />Shoes<br /><br />I was slightly warm.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07221537769343338514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-44262240828131193942017-03-21T23:56:52.125-04:002017-03-21T23:56:52.125-04:00If you love classic wool jerseys and Portland, che...If you love classic wool jerseys and Portland, check out: <br />http://www.oregoncyclewear.com/woolcyclingjerseys.html<br /><br />Mikierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01403140953256222612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-27627920452848814512017-03-21T17:24:17.003-04:002017-03-21T17:24:17.003-04:00As my deceased Irish mother said: never machine wa...As my deceased Irish mother said: never machine wash woollens. Just soak them in cold water and a little Woolite. Flat dry in towels.reynolds631https://www.blogger.com/profile/13523879899843824142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-90072270524413100282017-03-21T14:08:57.836-04:002017-03-21T14:08:57.836-04:00Different opinion here. Of course, I didn't ha...Different opinion here. Of course, I didn't have a chance to try said apparel, so keep in mind I'm not intending to bash Wabi's product which you enjoy so much. Your opinion weighs alot and I wholeheartedly respect it.<br /><br />However. As much as I love C&V bikes, I absolutely detest clothing of yesteryears. Modern materials are so much better, they allow you to reduce amount of layers in winter to extreme minimum, so you don't feel hampered like an onion. I was comfy at temperatures as low as -19°C in windy conditions wearing just two (TWO!) layers of fabric, buff around my neck and a beanie on top. I was able to cover distances up to 170 km at once in the winter, thanks to modern apparel. Not gonna happen with natural materials.<br /><br />We were taught to love all natural things but sometimes this mindset is utterly wrong. In case of modern bicycles and components it's all true: old is good, new is disposable. But I really admire the giant leap the clothing industry has made in recent years. Durable, breathable, warm even being soaking wet. Will never turn from that point back.tumbleweed_092https://www.blogger.com/profile/03101115616028888885noreply@blogger.com