Showing posts with label latest styles for women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label latest styles for women. Show all posts
Friday, November 21, 2014
Review of NBA Indiana Pacers Men's Vintage Solid Short Sleeve Crew T-Shirt
I got this as a gift for a pacers fan. He absolutely loves it. It did come VERY vintage if you know what i mean. I understand the style but i am a little worried that in a few washes it will just be a yellow t-shirt and no longer a vintage pacers t-shirt. Fit was good. Sizing is accurate.Is a great shirt, very stylish and comfy. The vintage look makes the shirt look ten times better. He wears the shirt often and is holding up.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Pets First NFL Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey, XL Review
List Price: $26.99
Sale Price: $25.96
Today's Bonus: 4% Off
He looks adorable! It fits great and there were many pictures taken at Christmas; not sure who likes it mor...his owners or him.We love the steelers and this was great collection to our weardobe for our st bernard puppy. he only 12 weeks but I got it now so he would grow into.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Cheap Sea to Summit TravellingLight Shoe Bag
This was my first sea to summit product. I was extremely satisfied with your light weight it was, but of extremely durable and high quality material. I have since bought more of their products, I used to only but eagle creek packing items before.I bought several Travel Light products. It made staying organized on a multidestination trip a cinch, and without adding weight to my suitcase.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Gildan G890 5.6 oz. Ultra Blend 50/50 Jersey Polo with Pocket Review
I bought these shirts for my husband to wear to work based on the reviews. However, we were extremely disappointed with them and the shirts were immediately returned. My husband works in a chemical plant where khakis and polos are the normal attire. He specifically wanted some polos with a pocket which we couldn't find locally. These were extremely thin and just felt cheap nothing like a real polo.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
Shirt fits well and I like the fact it has a pocket! it's the right color for my job, and the price was rightBest Deals for Gildan G890 5.6 oz. Ultra Blend 50/50 Jersey Polo with Pocket
My son still using it. Excellent item, my son use it almost every day for his school. I wish I could use it too, but I it is to small for me.Honest reviews on Gildan G890 5.6 oz. Ultra Blend 50/50 Jersey Polo with Pocket
I didn't like the flimsiness of this shirt but you get what you pay for and I'm using it to wear when I work around the house so no big deal.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Gildan G890 5.6 oz. Ultra Blend 50/50 Jersey Polo with Pocket
The quality and durability is such that I would not hesitate to buy another of the same brand of merchandise.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Reviews of NCAA Duke Blue Devils Cycling Jersey
I bought this jersey for my boyfriend as a gift in a medium. He's a competetive cyclist with an athletic body and it fits perfect at the waist and in the arms. It's a little baggy across the chest. He loves it, but thought it had too much room across the chest to wear it for races and will instead wear it during training rides.
Well made jersey. Go Duke!
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
Order Xlarge if you are anywhere near a 44 chest size.Well made jersey. Go Duke!
Monday, October 13, 2014
Buy Ibex Men's Woolie Zip T-Neck Tee
I do a lot of outdoor activities, winter sports and cold-weather camping, so I purchased this Ibex 150 weight Woolie Zip-T to wear as a base layer, and to compare the comfort and effectiveness of merino wool with that of a silk and of a polypropylene base-layer (both of which I own and have used extensively).
I have found the smooth merino fabric very comfortable to wear next to my skin, and while I initially considered the material a bit thin when worn with just a vest on a cool day, once I added a shirt I was very comfortable (by itself, the light-weight 150 merino material doesn't do much to stop the chilling effects of a breeze so in cool or cold weather you definately need to wear someting over it), and after I reduced my outdoor activity level this merino wool base-layer remained very comfortable throughout the day (unlike polypropylene which can get and remain a bit sticky). Being able to zip this base-layer either open and closed, is also a definite plus for maintaining comfort.
Extended wear: I wore this article on mid-December campout for three days with a sweater as a midlayer and a fleece jacket as an outer layer and was very comfortable throughout that time (temperature in the 30's Fahrenheit during the day)... and although I could have changed into a spare that I had in my pack it wasnt necessary. Since that time, I have also worn this as a base along with a mid-layer vest and light shell top while cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing with the temperature in the mid-20s and have been very pleased with its comfort-performance.
Temperature range: While I was very comfortable wearing this under a sweater and fleece (no coat) during 25-30 degree weather on the recent campout and subsequent winter sport activities, I think that I would have to beef this article up with a second intermediate base-layer for colder weather... or perhaps try the 220 weight ibex base which I have not yet purchased.
I've also worn this article under a shirt for casual wear and it proved very comfortable both inside and out. The zipper top makes it very easy to regulate temperature level.
Laundering: The merino top has been easy to launder (I use Woolite on gentle cycle in the washing machine, and after the spin cycle, dry it flat on a dry towel ... it dries in about 5-6 hours although I expected it would dry a bit quicker). I've washed this item once by hand and three times in the washing machine... both ways work fine.
Would I buy this article again? Yes, I like the woolies 150 weight Zip-T enough that I have recently purchased a second one along with the bottoms. While they definitely provide a very comfortable base layer (and I'm able to remain comfortable even after several days of outdoor wear), what I like most about them is that they stay comfortably warm even when damp with perspiration and after my activity level slows down while still outside in cold weather. I have also subsequently purchased several pairs for members of my family.
Note about size: While the Ibex size XL large is a perfect fit for me (I'm 5'10" and 210 pounds and wear a size 45-Reg jacket or suit coat), I purchased one each in the large-size of these for my son and two nephews as gifts. They are all an inch or two taller than I, and all are 30-35 pounds lighter in weight (my son wears a size 40-42 jacket)... and all liked the relative close-fit of the large-sized Woolie Zip-T as compared to the definite tight-fit of the medium-sized Woolie zip-T.
Not being used to wearing a lot of clothing, I was pleased to find I was able to wear it the whole time comfortably.
(5'10'' 165 lbs.) Bordering on 'scratchy' feel, unlike all other Ibex Merino wool pieces.
I have found the smooth merino fabric very comfortable to wear next to my skin, and while I initially considered the material a bit thin when worn with just a vest on a cool day, once I added a shirt I was very comfortable (by itself, the light-weight 150 merino material doesn't do much to stop the chilling effects of a breeze so in cool or cold weather you definately need to wear someting over it), and after I reduced my outdoor activity level this merino wool base-layer remained very comfortable throughout the day (unlike polypropylene which can get and remain a bit sticky). Being able to zip this base-layer either open and closed, is also a definite plus for maintaining comfort.
Extended wear: I wore this article on mid-December campout for three days with a sweater as a midlayer and a fleece jacket as an outer layer and was very comfortable throughout that time (temperature in the 30's Fahrenheit during the day)... and although I could have changed into a spare that I had in my pack it wasnt necessary. Since that time, I have also worn this as a base along with a mid-layer vest and light shell top while cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing with the temperature in the mid-20s and have been very pleased with its comfort-performance.
Temperature range: While I was very comfortable wearing this under a sweater and fleece (no coat) during 25-30 degree weather on the recent campout and subsequent winter sport activities, I think that I would have to beef this article up with a second intermediate base-layer for colder weather... or perhaps try the 220 weight ibex base which I have not yet purchased.
I've also worn this article under a shirt for casual wear and it proved very comfortable both inside and out. The zipper top makes it very easy to regulate temperature level.
Laundering: The merino top has been easy to launder (I use Woolite on gentle cycle in the washing machine, and after the spin cycle, dry it flat on a dry towel ... it dries in about 5-6 hours although I expected it would dry a bit quicker). I've washed this item once by hand and three times in the washing machine... both ways work fine.
Would I buy this article again? Yes, I like the woolies 150 weight Zip-T enough that I have recently purchased a second one along with the bottoms. While they definitely provide a very comfortable base layer (and I'm able to remain comfortable even after several days of outdoor wear), what I like most about them is that they stay comfortably warm even when damp with perspiration and after my activity level slows down while still outside in cold weather. I have also subsequently purchased several pairs for members of my family.
Note about size: While the Ibex size XL large is a perfect fit for me (I'm 5'10" and 210 pounds and wear a size 45-Reg jacket or suit coat), I purchased one each in the large-size of these for my son and two nephews as gifts. They are all an inch or two taller than I, and all are 30-35 pounds lighter in weight (my son wears a size 40-42 jacket)... and all liked the relative close-fit of the large-sized Woolie Zip-T as compared to the definite tight-fit of the medium-sized Woolie zip-T.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
I bought this jacket and unfortunately there was a torn seam. It was coming apart. I worked with a nice individual on the phone and he was able to exchange my garment with no issues. Super freindly staff that's willing to go the extra mile to ensure customers are happy. I am a supporter of anything they produce!Best Deals for Ibex Men's Woolie Zip T-Neck Tee
good quality, I wore it all week in Alaska, (from Hawaii) and it was quite warm.Not being used to wearing a lot of clothing, I was pleased to find I was able to wear it the whole time comfortably.
Honest reviews on Ibex Men's Woolie Zip T-Neck Tee
I bought this as a gift for my husband's 50th birthday along with the crew top. He wears it routinely both casually and athletically, as an under layer. He has a 50 mile round trip commute by bicycle to and from work each day, and uses this top regularly as a base layer. He prefers wool due to its insulating properties when wet. He loves it! It is thin enough to fit under the other cycling specific layers he uses for cold weather commuting. He wears it as casual apparel too. It washes easily in a gentle cycle or by hand using a mild detergent, dries quickly, and holds its shape.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Ibex Men's Woolie Zip T-Neck Tee
I have a large number of Ibex clothing and love them all. This was a sole exception. Too tight a fit (all other Ibex large fit me fine)(5'10'' 165 lbs.) Bordering on 'scratchy' feel, unlike all other Ibex Merino wool pieces.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
NBA Chicago Bulls Black Springfield Full Zip Hoodie Review
List Price: $79.95
Sale Price: Price Unavailable
Today's Bonus: 30% Off
I love this hoodie. The size is true to fit and very well made with high quality materials. I also love the retro look. I would highly recommend this purchase because this just became my new favorite.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Buy Adidas Denver Nuggets Adult NBA Swingman Basketball Shorts
They don't breathe all that well, but I didn't expect them to considering the construction of them. Waistband is really comfortable, length is just right, and the design can't be beat.Great deal,was a great gift, my son loved them, found them in a sports store and they were $15.00 more
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Reviews of Men's Tactical 5.11 Comfort Water Resistant Covert Vest
I like the vest, but at over $90 it was not really a good value. Others may disagree but for me I couldn't really use the Back Up Belt pockets very well since they were on the chest and just felt bulky and full when loaded.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
Very, very nice vest; Great material with surprising warmth; True to size (particularly in the shoulders) but surprisingly long which will work well for CCW carry. I would rate 5 stars but it's still 90 degrees and I'm a month or two from regular wear.Best Deals for Men's Tactical 5.11 Comfort Water Resistant Covert Vest
Have had the vest for more than 6 months now and it truly met my needs. Looks great, is high quality and allows me to carry concealed without screaming, "Oh my, that man is carrying a gun", like all other cc vests. I am a business owner and I have my name and logo embroidered in the chest and on the back. Looks really classy and gives the professional, yet casual, look I needHonest reviews on Men's Tactical 5.11 Comfort Water Resistant Covert Vest
This is the second one I ordered as I left the first one at a TSA check point in Dallas. Its a great weight and perfect for CPL holders.Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Best Billabong Women's Slowly Cruzin Dress Deals
This is such, such, such a lovely dress. I bought one of the slowly cruzin dress series a few years ago in Hawaii, and was dying to find another type of same dress after it got worn out. The fit is just great and the colors look much better in person. I'm very happy to rock this dress with any chiffon blouses and the combination always look beyond fantastic! Even some of my boy friends said it looked nice :) My only complain is that the straps aren't that strong, but that's alright.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Review of Minus33 Merino Wool Men's Acadian Lightweight Boxer Brief
Because cotton is so bad for holding odor and moisture (which causes chaffing), I had switched to UnderArmor. Wow, that didn't help the odor. Don't believe their no odor claim! UA holds odor that you can't even wash out. When I found out about merino wool, I thought, "that's too good to be true". I looked at the reviews on Amazon and it seemed that everyone agreed.
ODOR CONTROL::
I decided to do a "ugly" test on these merino wool underwear; I wore them for several days. I was amazed when (on the last day) I went to use the restroom and I did not even have an odor on my skin; and no, I would not be use to it. The UA underwear would just about knock me out when I used the restroom. Then recently, I wore them in mid 90's temperature's, making new steps for my walkway. It was an all day job and when I completed, my clothes were soaked. I was wearing my merino wool underwear and a merino wool short sleeve base layer top (and jeans of course or I'd be arrested) and none of my clothes had an odor... NONE. It is obvious that the odor from the underwear is the majority of the odor that transfers to the outer layer worn (jeans, etc). This product is well worth the cost for everyone.
SIZING:
I read the reviews on the sizing and made my choice from there. I'm 6'4" at about 190 pounds. I hike regularly and lift weights occasionally. At 190, I'm not a particularly large man but rather have an athletic build. This is important for your info trust me. One concern I had was constricting around the legs as many people complained about, and too tight elsewhere. One thing we must understand, people like to wear different types of underwear so this is important. I prefer the snug, athletic support, fit. I wear a 30 31 waist and ordered a medium because people said they were sized small. I messed up and threw the boxes away. While the fit was ok for some people, I like mine a bit snugger; thus I had to take up the waist and tighten the legs just a tad to get the fit I like.
I also ordered a small to see how that size fit. The small fit just like I like, except they were a bit tight on the legs. The problems comes in the design. The waist has elastic but the legs do not; therefore while the waist will stretch out for that nice snug fit that some like, the legs do not. I've yet to wear them for any length of time to see if the material itself will stretch; but will update when I do.
UPDATE: It's now Feb 7,13, and the undies are going strong. The legs on the smalls stretched a bit and I can not tell when I put on the small vs the mediums that I ended up tailoring. As far as durability, I've owned these shorts for just over 6 months now. I've got quite a few of these shorts. Depending on rotation (which I don't keep track of) a pair may get warn a couple days a week. I've seen no signs of wear on any of the shorts, even my tailored ones.
TEMPERATURE:
While I have not notices a "cooling" feel in this heat, I have also not noticed any warmer a sensation with this heat either. They seem to make no difference (in hot temperatures) from my cotton or UA synthetic underwear; which is still a plus.
WASHING:
I have a number of wool clothing and know a shop owner who specializes in wool. Typically wool has to be cared for in a more delicate manner when washing. Reviewing claims made by merino wool manufacturers I see the most realistic claim is you can machine wash and dry on low with LITTLE concern or issue. So, here's a piece of advice for wool owner no matter the type of wool you have. DO NOT dry clean your wool. Dry cleaning shortens the life of the wool. NO NOT use woolite detergent; which shortens the life more than dry cleaning. Wash all your wool on the gentile cycle using shampoo. Wool is hair and shampoo is a gentile soap designed for hair. Don't dry the wool. As a hair dryer damages the hair on your head, the dryer will damage the hair of your garment. The light weight wool garments will dry in a couple hours of hanging, and a little longer laying them on a towel. My friend has been doing this and has some old style wool shirts that are more than 20 years old; though I don't expect these light weight fabrics to last nearly that long.
CONCLUSION:
I've discarded my UA undies and wear my merino full time; and now my wife is making the switch also. I'm currently buying more merino wool shirts. The odor control far outweighs the price.
God bless
Not so, Buffalo Bob! Merino wool is soft and itchless. It also breathes so well and wicks so wellit's actually cooler than cotton on hot days. (Of course, it's also warmer than cotton on cold days.) For hiking, merino wool is far superior.
Of course, Merino wool doesn't last as long as synthetics or even cotton. However, its life can be extended by hand washing in Eucalan, even though these are machine washable.
Minus 33 bills the size I got as a "xxxl" but it's more like a "xxl", I suggest you read the sizing guide before buying.
I have now tried all three merino wool men's briefs out thereSmartwool, Icebreaker and now Minus 33. Icebreaker had deceptive sizing, scads of tags, a high price and wore out very quickly. Smartwool has the least tags, fairly good sizing, decent wear and a middling price. Minus 33 has a minor sizing issue (check out the size guide), a couple of tags (why?), and is the least expensive if bought here. I have not owned mine long enough to be able to comment on the wear issue.
So, I'd say give them a try. Trust me guys, merino wool is *THE* way to go for hiking, or any extended outdoor use. No more chafing, etc.
Following some research and trepidation about wool underwear (I've been wearing UnderArmour for the last several years; UA's wicking is nice on the humid East Coast) I decided to try -33 as more price competitive compared to the Smartwool options. Warning: -33 are at least 50% more expensive than UA and double the price of a fruit of the loom 4-pack. Smartwool is even more expensive. Unfortunately I ended up wasting $32 buying what should have been my size (xxl) Umm...wow they were tight.
They did however show promise. I then bought several sets in xxxl. After several days wearing them around town (plus the -33 T-shirts too) I can report that they are remarkably comfortable. The fabric is smooth, almost like a very high quality jersey sheet. No itching at all.
Compared to UA, they do retain heat at the early stages of exertion, but the wicking effect kicks in and equalizes the heat. On the other hand, my office is pretty cold and the -33's do feel warmer compared to the UA, even after hiking from one end of the building to the other and back. I have not tried them during gym workouts or bike rides so that will have to wait for later experimentation. Washing them is easy in cold water, and they dry quickly on the rack. The instructions say they can be tossed in the dryer on low however I am dreading what happens when the KBR laundry in the sandbox gets hold of them.
Four things that I would improve, were I in charge of -33 for a day: 1. get rid of or minimize the tags; 2. make the waistband wider, perhaps up to 1"; 3. put a better and wider elastic in the leg occasionally feels like a tourniquet around my mid-thigh; and 4. make them so they can stand at least medium dryer heat without shrinking.
Overall a decent foray into wool skivvies. Your results may vary
in short, this short is the best of it's kind i have found.
The Arc'Teryx have the best fit and finish of the three. The Smartwool seem to have been the most durable. The Minus 33 brand are the most comfortable, so far. But, of the three, these are the only ones I haven't yet taken out on the trail for days. I'm a bit concerned about the center seam in the back. Could be a chafing point. Will report back soon.
But the hand of the fabric on these is the softest of any merino boxers I've tried. Almost has a brushed texture to it. Makes me wish I telecommuted for my job; I'd just sit around in these.
Best feature of the Minus 33 shorts is that the waist band is covered in the soft merino cloth, unlike the exposed elastic band on the Arc'Teryx and Smartwool models (old Smartwool versions were like this but 2012 changed to exposed elastic). The covered band is much more comfortable and doesn't flip over on itself. Also on these, the leg opening is more comfortable with an actual stretch-fabric band rather than just hemmed material. Keeps them from riding up/bunching up. May be a bit snug on larger guys, but for the slimmer athletic guys this fit is good.
Overall, completely satisfied with the purchase. Will update as to durability and any problems with chafing points.
THESE RUN SMALL. ORDER ONE SIZE UP FROM YOUR NORMAL SIZE! (e.g. If you normally wear small, order medium.)
Side note: If you're worried about the blue "Minus 33" logo on the leg in the picture, they may or may not all have this. Mine did not.
ODOR CONTROL::
I decided to do a "ugly" test on these merino wool underwear; I wore them for several days. I was amazed when (on the last day) I went to use the restroom and I did not even have an odor on my skin; and no, I would not be use to it. The UA underwear would just about knock me out when I used the restroom. Then recently, I wore them in mid 90's temperature's, making new steps for my walkway. It was an all day job and when I completed, my clothes were soaked. I was wearing my merino wool underwear and a merino wool short sleeve base layer top (and jeans of course or I'd be arrested) and none of my clothes had an odor... NONE. It is obvious that the odor from the underwear is the majority of the odor that transfers to the outer layer worn (jeans, etc). This product is well worth the cost for everyone.
SIZING:
I read the reviews on the sizing and made my choice from there. I'm 6'4" at about 190 pounds. I hike regularly and lift weights occasionally. At 190, I'm not a particularly large man but rather have an athletic build. This is important for your info trust me. One concern I had was constricting around the legs as many people complained about, and too tight elsewhere. One thing we must understand, people like to wear different types of underwear so this is important. I prefer the snug, athletic support, fit. I wear a 30 31 waist and ordered a medium because people said they were sized small. I messed up and threw the boxes away. While the fit was ok for some people, I like mine a bit snugger; thus I had to take up the waist and tighten the legs just a tad to get the fit I like.
I also ordered a small to see how that size fit. The small fit just like I like, except they were a bit tight on the legs. The problems comes in the design. The waist has elastic but the legs do not; therefore while the waist will stretch out for that nice snug fit that some like, the legs do not. I've yet to wear them for any length of time to see if the material itself will stretch; but will update when I do.
UPDATE: It's now Feb 7,13, and the undies are going strong. The legs on the smalls stretched a bit and I can not tell when I put on the small vs the mediums that I ended up tailoring. As far as durability, I've owned these shorts for just over 6 months now. I've got quite a few of these shorts. Depending on rotation (which I don't keep track of) a pair may get warn a couple days a week. I've seen no signs of wear on any of the shorts, even my tailored ones.
TEMPERATURE:
While I have not notices a "cooling" feel in this heat, I have also not noticed any warmer a sensation with this heat either. They seem to make no difference (in hot temperatures) from my cotton or UA synthetic underwear; which is still a plus.
WASHING:
I have a number of wool clothing and know a shop owner who specializes in wool. Typically wool has to be cared for in a more delicate manner when washing. Reviewing claims made by merino wool manufacturers I see the most realistic claim is you can machine wash and dry on low with LITTLE concern or issue. So, here's a piece of advice for wool owner no matter the type of wool you have. DO NOT dry clean your wool. Dry cleaning shortens the life of the wool. NO NOT use woolite detergent; which shortens the life more than dry cleaning. Wash all your wool on the gentile cycle using shampoo. Wool is hair and shampoo is a gentile soap designed for hair. Don't dry the wool. As a hair dryer damages the hair on your head, the dryer will damage the hair of your garment. The light weight wool garments will dry in a couple hours of hanging, and a little longer laying them on a towel. My friend has been doing this and has some old style wool shirts that are more than 20 years old; though I don't expect these light weight fabrics to last nearly that long.
CONCLUSION:
I've discarded my UA undies and wear my merino full time; and now my wife is making the switch also. I'm currently buying more merino wool shirts. The odor control far outweighs the price.
God bless
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
I know what you're thinkingwool for men's briefs? "Gonna be hot and itchy, like the old union suits. "Not so, Buffalo Bob! Merino wool is soft and itchless. It also breathes so well and wicks so wellit's actually cooler than cotton on hot days. (Of course, it's also warmer than cotton on cold days.) For hiking, merino wool is far superior.
Of course, Merino wool doesn't last as long as synthetics or even cotton. However, its life can be extended by hand washing in Eucalan, even though these are machine washable.
Minus 33 bills the size I got as a "xxxl" but it's more like a "xxl", I suggest you read the sizing guide before buying.
I have now tried all three merino wool men's briefs out thereSmartwool, Icebreaker and now Minus 33. Icebreaker had deceptive sizing, scads of tags, a high price and wore out very quickly. Smartwool has the least tags, fairly good sizing, decent wear and a middling price. Minus 33 has a minor sizing issue (check out the size guide), a couple of tags (why?), and is the least expensive if bought here. I have not owned mine long enough to be able to comment on the wear issue.
So, I'd say give them a try. Trust me guys, merino wool is *THE* way to go for hiking, or any extended outdoor use. No more chafing, etc.
Best Deals for Minus33 Merino Wool Men's Acadian Lightweight Boxer Brief
After being recently put on the deployment list at my company, I was advised that we shouldn't wear UnderArmour or other poly-based microfiber clothing over to Iraq or Afghanistan due the risk of being shrink-wrapped in case of an IED or other combustion situation.Following some research and trepidation about wool underwear (I've been wearing UnderArmour for the last several years; UA's wicking is nice on the humid East Coast) I decided to try -33 as more price competitive compared to the Smartwool options. Warning: -33 are at least 50% more expensive than UA and double the price of a fruit of the loom 4-pack. Smartwool is even more expensive. Unfortunately I ended up wasting $32 buying what should have been my size (xxl) Umm...wow they were tight.
They did however show promise. I then bought several sets in xxxl. After several days wearing them around town (plus the -33 T-shirts too) I can report that they are remarkably comfortable. The fabric is smooth, almost like a very high quality jersey sheet. No itching at all.
Compared to UA, they do retain heat at the early stages of exertion, but the wicking effect kicks in and equalizes the heat. On the other hand, my office is pretty cold and the -33's do feel warmer compared to the UA, even after hiking from one end of the building to the other and back. I have not tried them during gym workouts or bike rides so that will have to wait for later experimentation. Washing them is easy in cold water, and they dry quickly on the rack. The instructions say they can be tossed in the dryer on low however I am dreading what happens when the KBR laundry in the sandbox gets hold of them.
Four things that I would improve, were I in charge of -33 for a day: 1. get rid of or minimize the tags; 2. make the waistband wider, perhaps up to 1"; 3. put a better and wider elastic in the leg occasionally feels like a tourniquet around my mid-thigh; and 4. make them so they can stand at least medium dryer heat without shrinking.
Overall a decent foray into wool skivvies. Your results may vary
Honest reviews on Minus33 Merino Wool Men's Acadian Lightweight Boxer Brief
i use these while hiking and such in hot and humid FL. i prefer these over many of the other wool briefs i have tried, good fit, wicks moisture away well, no chafing. i do wish the fit would be a bit tighter and shorter, these are pretty long and don't fit too close to the body (which some people might like). i would prefer this short to be closer to a compression short, however i have yet to find a manufacture that produces a short like that.in short, this short is the best of it's kind i have found.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Minus33 Merino Wool Men's Acadian Lightweight Boxer Brief
I've owned the uber-expensive Arc'Teryx Eon SLW merino boxer briefs and the Smartwool Lightweight merino boxer briefs. When the dirty bird ones wore out I needed a replacement and these were the right price. So far, of the three, these are the most comfortable.The Arc'Teryx have the best fit and finish of the three. The Smartwool seem to have been the most durable. The Minus 33 brand are the most comfortable, so far. But, of the three, these are the only ones I haven't yet taken out on the trail for days. I'm a bit concerned about the center seam in the back. Could be a chafing point. Will report back soon.
But the hand of the fabric on these is the softest of any merino boxers I've tried. Almost has a brushed texture to it. Makes me wish I telecommuted for my job; I'd just sit around in these.
Best feature of the Minus 33 shorts is that the waist band is covered in the soft merino cloth, unlike the exposed elastic band on the Arc'Teryx and Smartwool models (old Smartwool versions were like this but 2012 changed to exposed elastic). The covered band is much more comfortable and doesn't flip over on itself. Also on these, the leg opening is more comfortable with an actual stretch-fabric band rather than just hemmed material. Keeps them from riding up/bunching up. May be a bit snug on larger guys, but for the slimmer athletic guys this fit is good.
Overall, completely satisfied with the purchase. Will update as to durability and any problems with chafing points.
THESE RUN SMALL. ORDER ONE SIZE UP FROM YOUR NORMAL SIZE! (e.g. If you normally wear small, order medium.)
Side note: If you're worried about the blue "Minus 33" logo on the leg in the picture, they may or may not all have this. Mine did not.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Discount Endura Hummvee 3/4 Length Shorts - Men's
I've really enjoyed these knickers. I ride them as commuter gear and for gravel-grinder riding. I like the fact that the riding liners pop out. I can go for a ride, pop out the liners, pull the shorts back on and chill without chafing. Nice. The material is bomber no need to worry about tears or pulls. The knee articulation allows for great freedom of movement. Behind the knees the mesh fabric vents the heat wonderfully. My only complaint? The snap at the waist. Not quite burly enough, and even with the elasticized waistband, it unsnaps on the sharp inclines when I dig in and really press the pedals.
These pants rock!
I use these pants to skydive in, they work great!
The only issue I have is the inside seams are kind of rough on the back of your legs.
You will need to get use to them, or use the liner included.
2. Olive looks like khaki in all pictures I see BUT they are green when delivered what gives? Khaki looks way cooler. Green are OK
So far am very happy but am not a big trail rider. I wanted a hard wearing pair of coll looking shorts and these are just what I wanted
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
So i ordered these froma store in the UK.These pants rock!
I use these pants to skydive in, they work great!
The only issue I have is the inside seams are kind of rough on the back of your legs.
You will need to get use to them, or use the liner included.
Best Deals for Endura Hummvee 3/4 Length Shorts - Men's
1. Buy at least one size bigger than you normally wear take a look at the sizing chart at Endura too http://www.endura.co.uk/product-detail.asp?ProductID=109. Not sure if comments mean look at waist and then go up one or look at size and go up. I am 36/38 = L and got XL and they are snug. Problem is mail order and returns just to get size 100% right is a pain2. Olive looks like khaki in all pictures I see BUT they are green when delivered what gives? Khaki looks way cooler. Green are OK
So far am very happy but am not a big trail rider. I wanted a hard wearing pair of coll looking shorts and these are just what I wanted
Honest reviews on Endura Hummvee 3/4 Length Shorts - Men's
They look good and the material was nice but after I tried on the XXL size. I usually wear an XL but I got XXL cause I wanted an really roomy short for touring. Not so, damn my massive manly thighs.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Endura Hummvee 3/4 Length Shorts - Men's
Great shorts for cool weather. Fit is small and had to get a medium where I generally where a small.Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Best Icebreaker Women's Vertex Zip Top Deals
Because some of Amazon's listing descriptions for Icebreaker items have very few details about the products, making it difficult for the customer to make an informed purchasing decision if he/she is unfamiliar with this brand of clothing, below I'll type some information and personal impressions about Icebreaker clothing.
(Some of Amazon's Icebreaker listings do provide a lot of useful detail from the manufacturer -such as the product description on the following listing: "Icebreaker Women's Tech Bodyfit 260 Top".)
Note that my review is quite long and usually only the first half of it is shown on this page. If this happens on your screen and you wish to read the second half, all you have to do is press the "read more" button at the bottom of the review and Amazon will show you the rest of it. :-)
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OVERALL IMPRESSION
Icebreaker's marino wool items are generally made well, last a long time, are easy to care for, feel fantastic on the skin, are "natural", don't get smelly easily like polarfleece does, let the skin breathe, etc.
Many of my Icebreaker items have been worn and washed several hundred times and are still holding up much better than would be expected.
I am a BIG fan of this company's products. For my overall experience of them from around 2000-2010, I would give them a solid "5 stars"!
However, I regret to say that my opinion of the items I have bought from Icebreaker in 2012 is not as high. In the last 2 weeks (late 2012), I have bought 7 items from them and I decided to return all of them because they aren't as well-cut as the very "same" items that I bought in the 2000s (which I still have and wear, so I can make like-for-like comparisons easily).
Based solely on my 2012 experience of Icebreaker products, I would give them 3 stars, "it's ok". For me, this is not good enough to command prices of $50 $100+ for quite simple items, even if the basic wool material itself is outstanding and long-lasting.
For my star-rating on this review, I will average the "5" I give Icebreaker historically and the "3" that I would give Icebreaker in 2012, and give them a "4".
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MY EXPERIENCE WITH ICEBREAKER
I bought my first Icebreaker clothing about 13 years ago when I needed some long underwear for skiing.
Up until about 6 years ago, I had been buying Icebreaker items very sparingly, due to the eye-watering prices at London UK sporting goods shops . Then, I discovered that Sierratradingpost sells various Icebreaker styles (usually discontinued items from years past) on their site for a discount. Fortunately, for a couple of years after I discovered this, they had a large selection of women's Icebreaker stuff, so I bought quite a few things for great prices. (These days, Sierra's Icebreaker selection for women appears to be smaller, and the prices comparatively higher, than before. I expect that there are more discounters they have to compete with now, to get that kind of stock.)
In addition to bricks-and-mortar sports shops and Sierratradingpost, I have also bought Icebreaker items from several sporting goods online retailers, Amazon, and the Icebreaker website.
I still have almost every Icebreaker item I've bought. Even the discounted items have been somewhat pricey, but the quality and longevity were worth the initial investment.
In the last two weeks, I have tried to replace a few of my key Icebreaker items but found the fit and cut of the current versions of the same items to be sub-par. I will keep using my old items for another year, and hope that next year's fit and cut will be better-suited to my body shape.
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CAVEAT
What I have written below is based on my current knowledge about their products, but it is possible that I have misunderstood some aspects of the brand.
If you wish to better understand their product offerings, I would absolutely recommend that you have a look at the Icebreaker official site to view their entire range and gain more clarity about what items are for what purposes, what the wool weights are about, what the quality levels of the different clothing collections are, etc.
(Unfortunately, their website, while snazzy, does not fully explain these things, leaving it up to the customer to piece some of the puzzle together.)
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ICEBREAKER WOOL WEIGHTS:
Icebreaker's marino wool items generally come in four weights of fabric: 150, 200, 260, or 320. This is "grams per square meter".
150 is quite thin.
It provides light warmth.
The material is generally see-through. (I wouldn't wear items of this weight out and about in public without anything over them, but some reviewers have said that they do.)
It's good for a first base layer, for strenuous exercise, or for sleeping in.
Their items of this weight, especially in the ranges intended for athletic use, tend to be really form-fitting in one's typical size.
All Icebreaker material seems VERY resilient and long-lasting to me, but because the 150 wool weight is pretty thin, it is the likeliest to be torn, develop holes, get "runs" (like pantyhose). I don't think this happens too much with it, but I've seen some reviewers mention it (most often talking about how they accidentally poked holes in it with long fingernails), and three of my 150-weight leggings have developed runs in them after several years of heavy use.
200 is slightly thicker, but still on the thin side.
It's pretty warm.
The lighter colors are definitely see-through, such as grey and cream. My older black and brown items made out of 200 weight wool don't seem to be see-through, but some of the newer dark-colored ones might be.
It's good for a base layer or mid-weight layer, for exercise, and sleeping in.
Especially in the ranges intended for athletic situations, their items of this weight tend to be form-fitting in one's typical size.
260 is on the thicker side.
It's definitely warm, a cozy weight.
None of my 260 items are see-through. I can wear tops made out of this weight on their own (without anything over them) and not worry that my underwear or too many lumps&bumps will show through.
It's good for a mid-layer or top-layer, and sleeping in (if you get cold at night, like I do).
Items of this weight tend to fit looser than items of the same size in the 150/200 weights do. This may have something to do with how much naturally-stretchier the thicker fabric is, but it also seems that they cut these 260-weight items bigger because this weight is often worn as a top-layer or middle-layer, instead of as a base-layer.
I like this weight the best. I think that the company says that this is their most popular weight across the board.
320 is thickest, of course.
It is quite warm, very toasty and sturdy.
This weight is generally a top-layer, so items made out of this material are relatively loosely-cut.
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ICEBREAKER LINES / RANGES / "COLLECTIONS" OF CLOTHING:
Icebreaker makes different ranges some intended for wearing as normal underwear (like panties and sports bras and tank tops), some intended for wearing as thermal/long underwear, some intended for wearing as everyday clothing, and some intended for wearing as athletic wear.
Even though at first glance most of their items appear VERY similar to each other, there are different feelings to the fabrics (even in fabrics of the same wool weight), different quality levels, different cuts, and different design details amongst these different lines, so it is good to check their website about the particular Icebreaker item you are thinking of buying to make sure that it is intended for the activity you want it for.
Two of the popular ranges at the lower end of the Icebreaker price scale are:
Bodyfit
The Bodyfit range seems to be for athletic situations, but also casual-wear and sleeping-in. The knit of this range's wool is usually flatter and less stretchy than the knit of the ranges that are for underwear or purely casual wear. Items in this range are usually cut to fit relatively snugly.
Everyday
This range is made of a looser, thicker, stretchier knit than the Bodyfit, and is more for general sleeping-in and casual long-underwear needs, not so much for athletic situations. (However, I'm sure that they would be okay in many athletic situations, and I have worn them skiing and hiking.) Everyday items tend to be made of a stretchier knit and cut to fit more loosely than the Bodyfit items. I wear a size below my ordinary size in this range.
Other ranges
Their other ranges appear to include: Black Sheep Collection, RealFleece Collection, Pure Plus Collection, Journeys Travel Collection, Premium Underwear Collection, GT Technical Sports Collection, GT Bike Collection, Technical Base Layers Collection, and Technical Mid Layers Collection. Please see the Icebreaker site for more information on their ranges.
Frankly, I feel that they've made this aspect of their brand over-complicated and too confusing for the average customer, and I have not been able to locate any overview of the various collections on their site or on their product packaging materials.
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ICEBREAKER COLORS:
Icebreaker tends to make most items in black, as their basic universal color.
Many items are offered in about 2 to 8 other colors, as well. There is often some version of blue, red, grey, and green sometimes a pink, sometimes a brown or purple, etc. Often the colors are skewed towards the cool end of the spectrum (which I notice because my coloring is on the warm end of the spectrum and cool tones look awful on me).
The different weights of wool and/or different ranges (e.g., Bodyfit, Everyday, Journeys Travel Collection, etc.) will tend to have their own mini-set of color options. (For example, the current grey color in the 200 Bodyfit is a medium-grey and is called "blizzard" and the current grey color in the 260 Bodyfit is a dark-grey and called "metro", and they don't offer those particular colors in other weights of wool or other ranges, as far as I know.)
They change their colors every year or so (I think), and some colors tend to sell out mid-way through a season and are not restocked, so if you see an item in a color that you love, or there is a matching set (of long underwear or something) and you want both pieces in the same color, you probably should get it at the time, because it's not guaranteed that it will be available in the future.
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EXTRA DESIGN FLOURISHES:
A couple of their ranges, mainly the more athletic lines, feature "pops" of contrasting color in a certain part of the garment, such as a stripe running down the sleeves or down the sides, or a triangle of bright material at the ankle. Most internet retailers' photographs of the garments do show these features because the areas of differing colors are pretty obvious, but it pays to read the item descriptions (and check out the manufacturer's site for confirmation) if this kind of thing is not what you are looking for.
In a couple of their clothing ranges, mainly the underwear, 150-weight, and casual-wear lines, some of the tops and bottoms have printed patterns (like floral motifs or abstract swirls sometimes in contrasting colors) on the sleeves or in the hip-region. This *can* escape your notice when the only images of the item you have available to you are the tiny product photographs that most internet retailers provide, so do double-check the customer reviews of the item, and maybe the Icebreaker site's own full description of the item, if you want to know for sure if the item comes with a printed pattern on a section of it.
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ICEBREAKER SIZING:
Sizing and fit are so variable from person to person and from brand to brand, but in case it may help, I'll talk about my experiences with Icebreaker clothing.
For reference, generally I am usually a women's size 4 or 6 in US sizing, a women's size 8 or 10 in UK sizing, and a small when it comes to small/medium/large sizing. This goes for both tops and bottoms.
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Sizing of Tops
Almost all of my Icebreaker tops from the last 13 years -crew tops, long-underwear tops, turtlenecks, and zip-up jackets -are women's size small.
The only tops I have in size extra-small are from the Skin range (which they phased out in 2006, but the sizing and type of material used for the Skin range appear to be very similar to those of the current range called Everyday).
Generally, I know that an Icebreaker small top is probably going to fit me.
The main issue that I've had with their tops is sleeve length (too long). This is not uncommon for me, because I do have arms that are on the petite side: most suit jackets I buy have to be shortened a little in the sleeves, and I often have to turn up sweaters one turn at the cuff. And one feature of some Icebreaker tops is a thumb loop which necessitates that the sleeves are meant to be about three inches longer than the wrist I understand this, and just roll those tops up a turn or two. However, I've read quite a few reviewers' comments that mention that Icebreaker sleeves tend to be long, and I do think that their sleeves are longer than normal. ["Normal" being subjective, of course! ...the only women I've met from New Zealand actually did happen to be tall, lithe, and willowy, so maybe that's normal there. :-) ] Last week, I bought a 2012-made Icebreaker "Oasis" top in a size small, and while it was too tight in the chest area (which is normally NOT a problem for me with Icebreaker), the sleeves were a crazy four or five inches past my wrist, even though they didn't have thumb holes and therefore were meant to end at the wrist. I had to return it.
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Sizing of Leggings:
I have run into inconsistency in Icebreaker legging sizes. I have some in extra-small, some in small, and some in medium. (And in one 2012 collection, the extra-smalls are a little too big for me but there isn't a smaller size to go to.)
I have not found Icebreaker's official sizing chart (available on their site) to be terribly accurate for leggings.
For the leggings, it seems to me that one must experiment in each Icebreaker clothing range and wool weight to discover the best size and fit for oneself.
I will spell out below the ones that I have tried. Because the sizing of the "same" leggings sometimes has varied across the years, I will mention what year I got them.
1. BODYFIT range
1a. Bodyfit 150 leggings
2006 or 2007 Bodyfit 150 leggings
Size medium. The label says "slim fit" (possibly back then they had different "fits" within the Bodyfit range, but they don't seem to now).
Fit me snugly, but well.
Waistband comes up to the belly button, feels secure.
2008 Bodyfit 150 leggings
Size small.
Are a bit too small for me this winter they fit me when I'm about 5-to-8 pounds less than I am at the moment.
Waistband hits 1 inch below the belly button, feels okay.
2012 Bodyfit 150 leggings
I decided not to buy new 150-weight leggings in 2012 because after a few years of heavy use, my old Bodyfit 150 leggings developed some un-mendable "runs"/"ladders". I still wear them and love them, but they are slowly self-destructing. It is comparatively easy to snag them on a rough surface or to poke a fingernail through them when pulling them on or off.
Actually, I've just looked on the Icebreaker site (December 2012) and they don't list ANY Bodyfit 150 leggings. The only 150 weight leggings they list are the "Sprite" leggings from the Premium Underwear Collection. Also, I think that the "Nature" leggings (which are a discontinued style) were of 150 weight, and I have seen these still on sale on a few websites.
1b. Bodyfit 200 leggings
Current suggested retail price of around eighty (discounted price of around sixty).
2008 Bodyfit 200 leggings
Size medium.
Fit me, and there is extra room in them I probably could go up 5 to 8 pounds and they would still fit. When I purchased those mediums, I tried on the small size and found it to be way too small, especially along the tight and narrow waistband that these leggings were made with at the time. (I think it was a reaction to the consumer response to that waistband that they made the newer waistbands really wide and soft.)
Waistband comes up to the belly button, feels secure.
2012 Bodyfit 200 leggings
At first, based on the Icebreaker official size chart, I ordered a medium in these. They were too big, so I exchanged them for a size small.
The small fit relatively well snug, but acceptably so.
Waistband came up to 2 or even 3 inches below the belly button. This is a more "modern" position for a waistband, of course, compared to coming up to the true waist, but I prefer "athletic" base layers to cover my entire body neck to ankle, to enable the base layer shirts to be securely tucked inside the base layer pants, and to feel really secure when I'm moving around -but this waistband was so low on me, and so wide and stretchy that it felt like it was about to slide down to my hips at any moment because the elastic wasn't very tight.
Not only from the practical side was this low waistband a problem, but MAN, the whole cut of the upper part of these leggings seemed to be designed to make my tummy area look as flabby and unattractive as possible! I tried my old leggings on when I took these off -just to check that it wasn't bad lighting or post-Thanksgiving excess weight that was to blame for how these made me look, but my older Icebreaker Bodyfit 200 leggings looked a lot better on me than these leggings did.
I had to return them. I have decided to wait until next year's production, to see if they alter the cut of the waist area.
1c. Bodyfit 260 leggings
Current suggested retail price of around ninety (discounted price around seventy-five).
2012 Bodyfit 260 leggings
Size small.
Fit relatively well snug, but acceptably so.
Waistband came up to 2 inches below the belly button. They had the same issues as the 2012 Bodyfit 200 leggings did waistband too low, too loose, too wide, and quite unattractive in the belly region!
I also had to return these. I hope next year's will be cut higher on the waist.
2. EVERYDAY range
2a. Skin 200 leggings (discontinued 2006) the Skin range was probably similar to Everyday.
2005 Skin 200 leggings
Size extra-small, yet are the largest I own I could gain 15 pounds and they would still feel okay. But they fit me nicely when I'm at any weight 10 pounds less or more than my present size they are simply the coziest and softest that I own.
Waistband comes to about 1 inch higher than belly button, feels secure.
2b. Everyday 200 leggings
Current suggested retail price of around sixty (discounted price of around forty-five).
2012 Everyday 200 leggings
Two weeks ago, I bought them in size small which were too big, so I exchanged them for an extra-small. Even the extra-smalls had extra material in places on the legs, which is unusual because my legs are not toothpicks (this kind of legging is not supposed to be baggy, so the cut of these must have been off).
Worse, the upper part of the extra-small leggings was cut strangely the waistband was in a deep V, so that the middle was 3 inches below my belly-button (which is way too low for me), but the sides rose up 3 inches higher than that (it wasn't a curve, it was a visible V). Yet the waistband elastic wasn't tight enough, so the tall sides wanted to sag down and bunch up around my hips -strange. (And that was not the way the smalls I tried on the week before had fit my waist area! In fact, I think the smalls of last week fit me better generally than the extra-smalls of this week.) I don't have the energy to go through the rigamarole of ordering a different pair of extra-smalls, but maybe I just got a bad apple.
I had to return the extra-smalls.
I was very disappointed because they were the 7th Icebreaker product I've tried in the last 2 weeks. This Icebreaker shopping quest has taken up a fair bit of my time lately, but I have nothing new to show for it. I've given up trying to get anything now and will wait a year and see how their 2013 production fits me.
3. OTHER ranges
Their other legging types are more expensive than the Everyday and Bodyfit, and seem to be geared towards high-tech athletic use, or constructed to be worn on their own as pants/trousers. Some have Lycra in them. Check out Icebreaker's site for more info.
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OTHER TIPS
The other main retailers of this kind of product sometimes offer free shipping on their Amazon listings of an item but don't offer free shipping on the exact same item when sold through their own site (even when the price of the item itself is the same on both sites), so it can save you money if you pay attention to that.
The best selection BY FAR is available from the manufacturer's site, but the prices there are generally higher. However, they have discounts from time to time, such as their "Black Friday" sale when they offer 30% all items that are black in color.
Amazon sometimes calls the Icebreaker Bodyfit range "BF" and sometimes "Bodyfit", so if you are searching here for Icebreaker's Bodyfit range, do a separate search under each of the two search terms to get the most accurate results.
In terms of merino wool socks, I prefer Smartwool socks over Icebreaker's. Sierratradingpost is one retailer which often carries a large selection of them at good prices. Those socks last a really long time. I wear them almost year-round because the lightweight ones breathe really well even when it's warm out.
The Smartwool women's small size is the only sock I can find that truly fits my feet (which aren't even that small, all things considered!) without bunching up inside my shoes.
If you have a smaller foot (size 7 or less) and are female, note that the Smartwool unisex socks in the small size are bigger than the smalls made just for women, even though that company's size guide says that they both are meant to fit the same range of women's shoe sizes.
It's made of wool so it has a bit of an itchy touch but it's much better than any other clothing made out of wool and I don't mind it much.
(Some of Amazon's Icebreaker listings do provide a lot of useful detail from the manufacturer -such as the product description on the following listing: "Icebreaker Women's Tech Bodyfit 260 Top".)
Note that my review is quite long and usually only the first half of it is shown on this page. If this happens on your screen and you wish to read the second half, all you have to do is press the "read more" button at the bottom of the review and Amazon will show you the rest of it. :-)
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OVERALL IMPRESSION
Icebreaker's marino wool items are generally made well, last a long time, are easy to care for, feel fantastic on the skin, are "natural", don't get smelly easily like polarfleece does, let the skin breathe, etc.
Many of my Icebreaker items have been worn and washed several hundred times and are still holding up much better than would be expected.
I am a BIG fan of this company's products. For my overall experience of them from around 2000-2010, I would give them a solid "5 stars"!
However, I regret to say that my opinion of the items I have bought from Icebreaker in 2012 is not as high. In the last 2 weeks (late 2012), I have bought 7 items from them and I decided to return all of them because they aren't as well-cut as the very "same" items that I bought in the 2000s (which I still have and wear, so I can make like-for-like comparisons easily).
Based solely on my 2012 experience of Icebreaker products, I would give them 3 stars, "it's ok". For me, this is not good enough to command prices of $50 $100+ for quite simple items, even if the basic wool material itself is outstanding and long-lasting.
For my star-rating on this review, I will average the "5" I give Icebreaker historically and the "3" that I would give Icebreaker in 2012, and give them a "4".
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MY EXPERIENCE WITH ICEBREAKER
I bought my first Icebreaker clothing about 13 years ago when I needed some long underwear for skiing.
Up until about 6 years ago, I had been buying Icebreaker items very sparingly, due to the eye-watering prices at London UK sporting goods shops . Then, I discovered that Sierratradingpost sells various Icebreaker styles (usually discontinued items from years past) on their site for a discount. Fortunately, for a couple of years after I discovered this, they had a large selection of women's Icebreaker stuff, so I bought quite a few things for great prices. (These days, Sierra's Icebreaker selection for women appears to be smaller, and the prices comparatively higher, than before. I expect that there are more discounters they have to compete with now, to get that kind of stock.)
In addition to bricks-and-mortar sports shops and Sierratradingpost, I have also bought Icebreaker items from several sporting goods online retailers, Amazon, and the Icebreaker website.
I still have almost every Icebreaker item I've bought. Even the discounted items have been somewhat pricey, but the quality and longevity were worth the initial investment.
In the last two weeks, I have tried to replace a few of my key Icebreaker items but found the fit and cut of the current versions of the same items to be sub-par. I will keep using my old items for another year, and hope that next year's fit and cut will be better-suited to my body shape.
----------------------
CAVEAT
What I have written below is based on my current knowledge about their products, but it is possible that I have misunderstood some aspects of the brand.
If you wish to better understand their product offerings, I would absolutely recommend that you have a look at the Icebreaker official site to view their entire range and gain more clarity about what items are for what purposes, what the wool weights are about, what the quality levels of the different clothing collections are, etc.
(Unfortunately, their website, while snazzy, does not fully explain these things, leaving it up to the customer to piece some of the puzzle together.)
----------------------
ICEBREAKER WOOL WEIGHTS:
Icebreaker's marino wool items generally come in four weights of fabric: 150, 200, 260, or 320. This is "grams per square meter".
150 is quite thin.
It provides light warmth.
The material is generally see-through. (I wouldn't wear items of this weight out and about in public without anything over them, but some reviewers have said that they do.)
It's good for a first base layer, for strenuous exercise, or for sleeping in.
Their items of this weight, especially in the ranges intended for athletic use, tend to be really form-fitting in one's typical size.
All Icebreaker material seems VERY resilient and long-lasting to me, but because the 150 wool weight is pretty thin, it is the likeliest to be torn, develop holes, get "runs" (like pantyhose). I don't think this happens too much with it, but I've seen some reviewers mention it (most often talking about how they accidentally poked holes in it with long fingernails), and three of my 150-weight leggings have developed runs in them after several years of heavy use.
200 is slightly thicker, but still on the thin side.
It's pretty warm.
The lighter colors are definitely see-through, such as grey and cream. My older black and brown items made out of 200 weight wool don't seem to be see-through, but some of the newer dark-colored ones might be.
It's good for a base layer or mid-weight layer, for exercise, and sleeping in.
Especially in the ranges intended for athletic situations, their items of this weight tend to be form-fitting in one's typical size.
260 is on the thicker side.
It's definitely warm, a cozy weight.
None of my 260 items are see-through. I can wear tops made out of this weight on their own (without anything over them) and not worry that my underwear or too many lumps&bumps will show through.
It's good for a mid-layer or top-layer, and sleeping in (if you get cold at night, like I do).
Items of this weight tend to fit looser than items of the same size in the 150/200 weights do. This may have something to do with how much naturally-stretchier the thicker fabric is, but it also seems that they cut these 260-weight items bigger because this weight is often worn as a top-layer or middle-layer, instead of as a base-layer.
I like this weight the best. I think that the company says that this is their most popular weight across the board.
320 is thickest, of course.
It is quite warm, very toasty and sturdy.
This weight is generally a top-layer, so items made out of this material are relatively loosely-cut.
--------------------------
ICEBREAKER LINES / RANGES / "COLLECTIONS" OF CLOTHING:
Icebreaker makes different ranges some intended for wearing as normal underwear (like panties and sports bras and tank tops), some intended for wearing as thermal/long underwear, some intended for wearing as everyday clothing, and some intended for wearing as athletic wear.
Even though at first glance most of their items appear VERY similar to each other, there are different feelings to the fabrics (even in fabrics of the same wool weight), different quality levels, different cuts, and different design details amongst these different lines, so it is good to check their website about the particular Icebreaker item you are thinking of buying to make sure that it is intended for the activity you want it for.
Two of the popular ranges at the lower end of the Icebreaker price scale are:
Bodyfit
The Bodyfit range seems to be for athletic situations, but also casual-wear and sleeping-in. The knit of this range's wool is usually flatter and less stretchy than the knit of the ranges that are for underwear or purely casual wear. Items in this range are usually cut to fit relatively snugly.
Everyday
This range is made of a looser, thicker, stretchier knit than the Bodyfit, and is more for general sleeping-in and casual long-underwear needs, not so much for athletic situations. (However, I'm sure that they would be okay in many athletic situations, and I have worn them skiing and hiking.) Everyday items tend to be made of a stretchier knit and cut to fit more loosely than the Bodyfit items. I wear a size below my ordinary size in this range.
Other ranges
Their other ranges appear to include: Black Sheep Collection, RealFleece Collection, Pure Plus Collection, Journeys Travel Collection, Premium Underwear Collection, GT Technical Sports Collection, GT Bike Collection, Technical Base Layers Collection, and Technical Mid Layers Collection. Please see the Icebreaker site for more information on their ranges.
Frankly, I feel that they've made this aspect of their brand over-complicated and too confusing for the average customer, and I have not been able to locate any overview of the various collections on their site or on their product packaging materials.
-----------------------
ICEBREAKER COLORS:
Icebreaker tends to make most items in black, as their basic universal color.
Many items are offered in about 2 to 8 other colors, as well. There is often some version of blue, red, grey, and green sometimes a pink, sometimes a brown or purple, etc. Often the colors are skewed towards the cool end of the spectrum (which I notice because my coloring is on the warm end of the spectrum and cool tones look awful on me).
The different weights of wool and/or different ranges (e.g., Bodyfit, Everyday, Journeys Travel Collection, etc.) will tend to have their own mini-set of color options. (For example, the current grey color in the 200 Bodyfit is a medium-grey and is called "blizzard" and the current grey color in the 260 Bodyfit is a dark-grey and called "metro", and they don't offer those particular colors in other weights of wool or other ranges, as far as I know.)
They change their colors every year or so (I think), and some colors tend to sell out mid-way through a season and are not restocked, so if you see an item in a color that you love, or there is a matching set (of long underwear or something) and you want both pieces in the same color, you probably should get it at the time, because it's not guaranteed that it will be available in the future.
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EXTRA DESIGN FLOURISHES:
A couple of their ranges, mainly the more athletic lines, feature "pops" of contrasting color in a certain part of the garment, such as a stripe running down the sleeves or down the sides, or a triangle of bright material at the ankle. Most internet retailers' photographs of the garments do show these features because the areas of differing colors are pretty obvious, but it pays to read the item descriptions (and check out the manufacturer's site for confirmation) if this kind of thing is not what you are looking for.
In a couple of their clothing ranges, mainly the underwear, 150-weight, and casual-wear lines, some of the tops and bottoms have printed patterns (like floral motifs or abstract swirls sometimes in contrasting colors) on the sleeves or in the hip-region. This *can* escape your notice when the only images of the item you have available to you are the tiny product photographs that most internet retailers provide, so do double-check the customer reviews of the item, and maybe the Icebreaker site's own full description of the item, if you want to know for sure if the item comes with a printed pattern on a section of it.
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ICEBREAKER SIZING:
Sizing and fit are so variable from person to person and from brand to brand, but in case it may help, I'll talk about my experiences with Icebreaker clothing.
For reference, generally I am usually a women's size 4 or 6 in US sizing, a women's size 8 or 10 in UK sizing, and a small when it comes to small/medium/large sizing. This goes for both tops and bottoms.
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Sizing of Tops
Almost all of my Icebreaker tops from the last 13 years -crew tops, long-underwear tops, turtlenecks, and zip-up jackets -are women's size small.
The only tops I have in size extra-small are from the Skin range (which they phased out in 2006, but the sizing and type of material used for the Skin range appear to be very similar to those of the current range called Everyday).
Generally, I know that an Icebreaker small top is probably going to fit me.
The main issue that I've had with their tops is sleeve length (too long). This is not uncommon for me, because I do have arms that are on the petite side: most suit jackets I buy have to be shortened a little in the sleeves, and I often have to turn up sweaters one turn at the cuff. And one feature of some Icebreaker tops is a thumb loop which necessitates that the sleeves are meant to be about three inches longer than the wrist I understand this, and just roll those tops up a turn or two. However, I've read quite a few reviewers' comments that mention that Icebreaker sleeves tend to be long, and I do think that their sleeves are longer than normal. ["Normal" being subjective, of course! ...the only women I've met from New Zealand actually did happen to be tall, lithe, and willowy, so maybe that's normal there. :-) ] Last week, I bought a 2012-made Icebreaker "Oasis" top in a size small, and while it was too tight in the chest area (which is normally NOT a problem for me with Icebreaker), the sleeves were a crazy four or five inches past my wrist, even though they didn't have thumb holes and therefore were meant to end at the wrist. I had to return it.
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Sizing of Leggings:
I have run into inconsistency in Icebreaker legging sizes. I have some in extra-small, some in small, and some in medium. (And in one 2012 collection, the extra-smalls are a little too big for me but there isn't a smaller size to go to.)
I have not found Icebreaker's official sizing chart (available on their site) to be terribly accurate for leggings.
For the leggings, it seems to me that one must experiment in each Icebreaker clothing range and wool weight to discover the best size and fit for oneself.
I will spell out below the ones that I have tried. Because the sizing of the "same" leggings sometimes has varied across the years, I will mention what year I got them.
1. BODYFIT range
1a. Bodyfit 150 leggings
2006 or 2007 Bodyfit 150 leggings
Size medium. The label says "slim fit" (possibly back then they had different "fits" within the Bodyfit range, but they don't seem to now).
Fit me snugly, but well.
Waistband comes up to the belly button, feels secure.
2008 Bodyfit 150 leggings
Size small.
Are a bit too small for me this winter they fit me when I'm about 5-to-8 pounds less than I am at the moment.
Waistband hits 1 inch below the belly button, feels okay.
2012 Bodyfit 150 leggings
I decided not to buy new 150-weight leggings in 2012 because after a few years of heavy use, my old Bodyfit 150 leggings developed some un-mendable "runs"/"ladders". I still wear them and love them, but they are slowly self-destructing. It is comparatively easy to snag them on a rough surface or to poke a fingernail through them when pulling them on or off.
Actually, I've just looked on the Icebreaker site (December 2012) and they don't list ANY Bodyfit 150 leggings. The only 150 weight leggings they list are the "Sprite" leggings from the Premium Underwear Collection. Also, I think that the "Nature" leggings (which are a discontinued style) were of 150 weight, and I have seen these still on sale on a few websites.
1b. Bodyfit 200 leggings
Current suggested retail price of around eighty (discounted price of around sixty).
2008 Bodyfit 200 leggings
Size medium.
Fit me, and there is extra room in them I probably could go up 5 to 8 pounds and they would still fit. When I purchased those mediums, I tried on the small size and found it to be way too small, especially along the tight and narrow waistband that these leggings were made with at the time. (I think it was a reaction to the consumer response to that waistband that they made the newer waistbands really wide and soft.)
Waistband comes up to the belly button, feels secure.
2012 Bodyfit 200 leggings
At first, based on the Icebreaker official size chart, I ordered a medium in these. They were too big, so I exchanged them for a size small.
The small fit relatively well snug, but acceptably so.
Waistband came up to 2 or even 3 inches below the belly button. This is a more "modern" position for a waistband, of course, compared to coming up to the true waist, but I prefer "athletic" base layers to cover my entire body neck to ankle, to enable the base layer shirts to be securely tucked inside the base layer pants, and to feel really secure when I'm moving around -but this waistband was so low on me, and so wide and stretchy that it felt like it was about to slide down to my hips at any moment because the elastic wasn't very tight.
Not only from the practical side was this low waistband a problem, but MAN, the whole cut of the upper part of these leggings seemed to be designed to make my tummy area look as flabby and unattractive as possible! I tried my old leggings on when I took these off -just to check that it wasn't bad lighting or post-Thanksgiving excess weight that was to blame for how these made me look, but my older Icebreaker Bodyfit 200 leggings looked a lot better on me than these leggings did.
I had to return them. I have decided to wait until next year's production, to see if they alter the cut of the waist area.
1c. Bodyfit 260 leggings
Current suggested retail price of around ninety (discounted price around seventy-five).
2012 Bodyfit 260 leggings
Size small.
Fit relatively well snug, but acceptably so.
Waistband came up to 2 inches below the belly button. They had the same issues as the 2012 Bodyfit 200 leggings did waistband too low, too loose, too wide, and quite unattractive in the belly region!
I also had to return these. I hope next year's will be cut higher on the waist.
2. EVERYDAY range
2a. Skin 200 leggings (discontinued 2006) the Skin range was probably similar to Everyday.
2005 Skin 200 leggings
Size extra-small, yet are the largest I own I could gain 15 pounds and they would still feel okay. But they fit me nicely when I'm at any weight 10 pounds less or more than my present size they are simply the coziest and softest that I own.
Waistband comes to about 1 inch higher than belly button, feels secure.
2b. Everyday 200 leggings
Current suggested retail price of around sixty (discounted price of around forty-five).
2012 Everyday 200 leggings
Two weeks ago, I bought them in size small which were too big, so I exchanged them for an extra-small. Even the extra-smalls had extra material in places on the legs, which is unusual because my legs are not toothpicks (this kind of legging is not supposed to be baggy, so the cut of these must have been off).
Worse, the upper part of the extra-small leggings was cut strangely the waistband was in a deep V, so that the middle was 3 inches below my belly-button (which is way too low for me), but the sides rose up 3 inches higher than that (it wasn't a curve, it was a visible V). Yet the waistband elastic wasn't tight enough, so the tall sides wanted to sag down and bunch up around my hips -strange. (And that was not the way the smalls I tried on the week before had fit my waist area! In fact, I think the smalls of last week fit me better generally than the extra-smalls of this week.) I don't have the energy to go through the rigamarole of ordering a different pair of extra-smalls, but maybe I just got a bad apple.
I had to return the extra-smalls.
I was very disappointed because they were the 7th Icebreaker product I've tried in the last 2 weeks. This Icebreaker shopping quest has taken up a fair bit of my time lately, but I have nothing new to show for it. I've given up trying to get anything now and will wait a year and see how their 2013 production fits me.
3. OTHER ranges
Their other legging types are more expensive than the Everyday and Bodyfit, and seem to be geared towards high-tech athletic use, or constructed to be worn on their own as pants/trousers. Some have Lycra in them. Check out Icebreaker's site for more info.
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OTHER TIPS
The other main retailers of this kind of product sometimes offer free shipping on their Amazon listings of an item but don't offer free shipping on the exact same item when sold through their own site (even when the price of the item itself is the same on both sites), so it can save you money if you pay attention to that.
The best selection BY FAR is available from the manufacturer's site, but the prices there are generally higher. However, they have discounts from time to time, such as their "Black Friday" sale when they offer 30% all items that are black in color.
Amazon sometimes calls the Icebreaker Bodyfit range "BF" and sometimes "Bodyfit", so if you are searching here for Icebreaker's Bodyfit range, do a separate search under each of the two search terms to get the most accurate results.
In terms of merino wool socks, I prefer Smartwool socks over Icebreaker's. Sierratradingpost is one retailer which often carries a large selection of them at good prices. Those socks last a really long time. I wear them almost year-round because the lightweight ones breathe really well even when it's warm out.
The Smartwool women's small size is the only sock I can find that truly fits my feet (which aren't even that small, all things considered!) without bunching up inside my shoes.
If you have a smaller foot (size 7 or less) and are female, note that the Smartwool unisex socks in the small size are bigger than the smalls made just for women, even though that company's size guide says that they both are meant to fit the same range of women's shoe sizes.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
Great product for the price. Fits great light weight but very warm. great for all activities. Does not smell like other athletic materials after a work out. Only bummer is that I am 5'10 and the sleeves are NOT long enough to use the thumb holes.Best Deals for Icebreaker Women's Vertex Zip Top
It's amazing how a thin layer like this one can make such huge difference. I wear this under my biking jacket and it keeps me warm but not sweaty.It's made of wool so it has a bit of an itchy touch but it's much better than any other clothing made out of wool and I don't mind it much.
Honest reviews on Icebreaker Women's Vertex Zip Top
Fit was nice, color was good not too bulky will work great as a layer look also sleeeves fit tooFind helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Icebreaker Women's Vertex Zip Top
I am a huge icebreaker fan. I have too many 150 and 200 weight items as well as several 320 weight pieces. I needed a white sweater for cold weather soccer and ultimately chose this top. The "white" isn't white at all, it's a very greyish off-white. Come on IB, you can make white! I returned the item due to the color. As for the merino wool qualities, I'll let other reviews do the talking but again, I'm a huge icebreaker fan.Saturday, July 26, 2014
Review of Primos Ninja Mesh 3/4 Mask Face Mask - Mossy Oak New Break-Up
The Ninja mesh face mask is a superior product for the price, with fast shipping. I will use this item in conjunction with my " boony " cap and mosquito net. Recommended !
It was part of a gift and they liked it!
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
been using since they came out with. I use it turkey hunting, duck hunting and even deer hunting when stalking or hunting on the groundBest Deals for Primos Ninja Mesh 3/4 Mask Face Mask - Mossy Oak New Break-Up
The mask was exactly as described and will be useful out in the fiield.It was part of a gift and they liked it!
Honest reviews on Primos Ninja Mesh 3/4 Mask Face Mask - Mossy Oak New Break-Up
Have not used it yet. Looks like just what I needed. Looking forward to using it next turkey season. Thank YouReview of neff Women's Daily Sparkle
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This beanie is just as cute as I expected. The coloring looks different from the picture it is black with silver sparkles running through it. The fit is great beanie style fit. It is a little thin but not really intended for super cold weather. I've gotten lots of compliments and am definitely going to order one in another color!
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