tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post3965774161335614584..comments2023-11-07T15:25:23.112-06:00Comments on commuterDude: Don't get wet, stay cool... especially in the cold.kGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-15673670845033714152009-01-20T11:09:00.000-06:002009-01-20T11:09:00.000-06:00You can get a Helly Hansen hybrid-material half-zi...You can get a Helly Hansen hybrid-material half-zip "Freeze Prowool" top here for $52.<BR/><BR/>http://www.norwaysports.com/helly-hansen-lifa-prowool-freeze-half-zip-turtle-mens/<BR/><BR/>The skin layer is polypro, interwoven with an outer layer of merino wool. The polypro fibers are hollow, like polar bear fur and Quallofill. HH claims that this wicks faster than regular polypro, and the hollow fibers retain warmth better than conventional solid-core fibers.<BR/><BR/>IMO, this makes great sense. Sweat moisture should differentially accumulate in the more hydrophilic outer wool layer, and wool insulates even when wet.<BR/><BR/>HH is a Norwegian co with a long history in skiwear., so they're very knowledgeable about very-cold-weather gear. I see Nordstrom sells the women's version (HH USA and Nordstrom both HQd in Seattle), which indicates that this is a hi-quality product.<BR/><BR/>Here is a review:<BR/><BR/>http://www.backcountry.com/store/HYH0278/Helly-Hansen-Freeze-Half-Zip-Turtle-Neck-Mens.html<BR/><BR/>I've just ordered one.MathDaddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15619559510187044218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-48615011949510333732009-01-09T15:14:00.000-06:002009-01-09T15:14:00.000-06:00You do make some very valid points that, in fairne...You do make some very valid points that, in fairness, I hadn't touched on.<BR/>Wool is indeed a hydrophilic fabric, and tends to get wet and stay wet -- the main issue for me is the fact that I tend to sweat a lot, and sometimes polyesters don't keep up with me. Since wool tends to stay warm even when wet, it works rather well. Although, synthetics have taken on a lot more technology in the past couple of years, and my cycling wardrobe has aged a bit. I'm riding a lot of "old tech", as it were. In that vein, I do need to audition some of the newer PolyPro and advanced fabrics to see if technology has caught up with my notions. I tell ya tho, after 12 hours in the rain it's hard to discount wool as possibly the best fabric for any rider. For shorter rides, like this morning, I was layered in cozy fleece, and it's hard to discount that stuff -- but for longer rides I start running out of places to store extra layers. Good points, and thanks for your comments!kGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14572371287751503718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17397413.post-26380192054077953822009-01-09T09:44:00.000-06:002009-01-09T09:44:00.000-06:00I can't get too excited about wool as a miracle fa...I can't get too excited about wool as a miracle fabric.<BR/><BR/>Don't get me wrong. Wool doesn't get stinky. It's sustainable and organic. In the case of my Rivendell merino long-sleeved T and quarter zip jersey, it's even fair trade (made in Kiwi Land, not by slave laborers in you know what country).<BR/><BR/>Look at these pictures. Which is more appealing? This?<BR/><BR/>http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/gallery/newzealand_merino-sheep.html<BR/><BR/>Or this?<BR/><BR/>http://www.adn.com/evos/pgs/ev_photos.html<BR/><BR/>Your post however wasn't about ecologic concerns, it was about staying reasonably warm. In this, the synthetics have a lot to commend them. Companies like Patagonia, which led the synthetic performance-wear revolution, and are environmentally conscious, are making wool products, but they haven't abandoned polyester, because polyester works. Wool retains heat when wet. It does get wet, because its proteins are hydrophilic.<BR/>The synthetics are hydrophobic. Polypro is the most hydrophobic material, and stays drier than anything, although it lacks the durability of polyester and wool. It is, at the same time recyclable.<BR/><BR/>I tend to ride 3-4 hours a day. I'm not worried about weight, so I carry a dry undershirt and trade it for my damp one to feel instantly warmer. If I wanted to, I could probably drape the damp one over my panniers and clip it to air dry, for longer rides, then re-don it.<BR/><BR/>On very cold days, I carry a down jacket onboard. It takes the chill off faster than anything short of a wetsuit (which is highly effective BTW, I once used one for skiing in temps down to 5 F) or an animal-fur-skin coat. <BR/><BR/>One problem with starting out cold, in order to stay drier, is that the body may react to preserve core heat by triggering arteriole vasoconstriction of the hands, which can be very problematic for oldsters. <BR/><BR/>Starting out with as many as 2 baselayers and 2 fleeces allows much higher rates of sweat transport to the outer layer and evaporation than 1-2 inner layers covered by a jacket. For jackets, models with pit-zips allow the greatest adjustability for balancing sweat dumping and heat retention. <BR/><BR/>Finally, if you want to go all wool, at least on top, check out oiled wool. It's been used by northern European fishermen for centuries.MathDaddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15619559510187044218noreply@blogger.com