|
|
Post by Resolve on Sept 17, 2014 16:22:23 GMT -5
Today the house was chilly. Not even bone-chilling wintertime cold that is yet to come but I was already feeling the tension of shoulders hunched against the dropping temps. I HATE WINTER. Decided today that the answer is to find warmer garments. My friend bought some crewneck longsleeved "smartwool" shirts when she climbed Mt. Kili a couple years ago and likes them but only wears them for outdoor activities. I'm thinking about getting some for this winter just for day to day wearing but yowzah...expensive. There are a couple of brands out there besides "Smartwool". Has anyone here worn this material? (and more importantly...did it raise your IQ along with your body core temps?  ) |
|
|
|
Post by Russell Letson on Sept 17, 2014 16:50:44 GMT -5
I have a couple pairs of Smartwool (tm) socks, and they are very nice and keep my tootsies toasty. But they are indeed outrageously overpriced, and I have plenty of other wool and wool-cotton blend socks that are pretty much as effective and don't leave me feeling like my pocket's been picked. (I hate it when that happens.) I got the Smartwools on last-gasp sale, at which point they cost what my other woolies did at full price. Just look for whatever weight and texture you like from TJ Maxx or wherever, though real-wool socks are not always in fashion enough to wind up at the discount stores.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2014 17:05:09 GMT -5
I have Smartwool socks for hiking and rambling. You can buy 'slight seconds' cheap on eBay. I have other warm winter socks too, made with dumbwool and they don't seem any less effective. As the weather get's cooler, I will enjoy donning my down gilet until the spring.
|
|
|
|
Post by millring on Sept 17, 2014 17:21:19 GMT -5
I buy dumbwool and train it. It's harder, but rewarding.
|
|
|
|
Post by Doug on Sept 17, 2014 17:26:34 GMT -5
Go where the weather suits my clothes.  And no Todd you don't wear socks with sandals.  |
|
|
|
Post by Resolve on Sept 17, 2014 17:36:30 GMT -5
Thanks James...didn't think of checking ebay! Good idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by millring on Sept 17, 2014 17:51:53 GMT -5
Thanks James...didn't think of checking ebay! Good idea. Sure. Take the easy way out. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2014 18:15:18 GMT -5
Go where the weather suits my clothes. And no Todd you don't wear socks with sandals. They do in MN. |
|
|
|
Post by Doug on Sept 17, 2014 18:22:18 GMT -5
Go where the weather suits my clothes. And no Todd you don't wear socks with sandals. They do in MN. But it's always winter in MN. |
|
|
|
Post by dradtke on Sept 17, 2014 18:33:55 GMT -5
I have a smartwool shirt that I used to wear winter camping and on those 20 below nights it was worth every cent.
|
|
|
|
Post by Russell Letson on Sept 17, 2014 19:13:22 GMT -5
I have a couple of drawers full of stoopidwool sweaters, and I still avoid winter camping like typhoid or opinion-poll callers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cosmic Wonder on Sept 17, 2014 19:36:38 GMT -5
Resolve, I have a word for you. Pendleton. www.pendleton-usa.comIt's not cheap, but they got what you need. Mike PS. Sheep ain't all that smart, know what I mean, Vern? |
|
|
|
Post by jdd2 on Sept 18, 2014 5:40:49 GMT -5
Good merino will last forever. I have a couple pieces I picked up in NZ in the 90s that hardly show their age. Shoulda bought a couple more. (OTOH, over the years I've returned some sh!tty stuff) There are also some very cheap acrylic blend/underlayers that I also use, sometimes in combo with merino. I think in either case, slightly clingy is better, heat-preservation-wise. Warm feet also help, so big wool socks (not just "wool-like") plus some slippers. And these: www.landsend.com/products/womens-sock-liners/id_3387..magnify the warmth effect of wool socks. Before all the smart stuff came along, silk liners under wool socks is what they climbed Everest in. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 6:02:53 GMT -5
Sure am glad I don't have to think about this kind of stuff! I think I own 3 long sleeve shirts.  |
|
|
|
Post by Resolve on Sept 18, 2014 7:17:19 GMT -5
Excellent tips and resources, guys. Thanks tons. Every winter I just suffer with the cold...it feels like I'm never warm from about November til April and I just hate that.
MrR has much more "heat" than I do so he sees no need to keep the house temp. as high as I'd need it...unfortunately what we'll save in energy costs will this year be spent in the apparel departmentI! LOL I'm thinking if I can get a number of wool "base layer" tops and some wool socks that will definitely help this year and for the next several as well.
I am hoping to break the seal on some xcountry skis as well this winter so I'm sure I'll get double use out of whatever I purchase.
|
|
|
|
Post by Doug on Sept 18, 2014 7:36:00 GMT -5
Excellent tips and resources, guys. Thanks tons. Every winter I just suffer with the cold...it feels like I'm never warm from about November til April and I just hate that. MrR has much more "heat" than I do so he sees no need to keep the house temp. as high as I'd need it...unfortunately what we'll save in energy costs will this year be spent in the apparel departmentI! LOL I'm thinking if I can get a number of wool "base layer" tops and some wool socks that will definitely help this year and for the next several as well. I am hoping to break the seal on some xcountry skis as well this winter so I'm sure I'll get double use out of whatever I purchase. You need less clothes for skiing not more.  |
|
|
|
Post by sekhmet on Sept 18, 2014 11:00:32 GMT -5
I have the same problem Cyndy. I just get my wool from Winners, which is the same as your TJMax thingmabob. Stopped there in Chicago on our last night (after a wonderful dinner with Kari and Erik). Got a couple of dresses. Nice. Remember dresses? Nice thick tights, dress, wool cardigan, wool socks = warm and comfortable.
|
|
|
|
Post by PaulKay on Sept 18, 2014 12:38:20 GMT -5
Smartwool is a great product, but even after you buy it, changing the batteries gets pricey. And the Control, Alt, delete keys are really hard find when it starts to act flakey.
|
|
|
|
Post by patrick on Sept 18, 2014 12:51:36 GMT -5
So why is Smartwool better than fleece?
Dumbpatrick
|
|
|
|
Post by Resolve on Sept 18, 2014 13:20:47 GMT -5
So why is Smartwool better than fleece? Dumbpatrick Assuming by "fleece" you mean the acrylic fabric from which shirts and jackets are sew, I personally don't think it's as warm a fabric as is wool. |
|
)
