It's getting cold, and I'm looking for a natural fiber jacket/sweater for
the winter. I live in upstate NY, it gets down to 0F fairly often in the
winter, sometimes even -10F, although I don't usually go out in that. I
ride my bike around town all winter, but not fast, so I don't get sweaty.

I have a windbreaker jacket shell, so I could wear something that's
wind-permeable but fluffy and insulating under the shell. I have a big
wool sweater, and that's pretty warm with the windbreaker over it, but
I don't think it would be warm enough at 0F.

I wonder what would be really warm? I don't go winter camping, I
just thought people in this newsg. might know.

It's getting cold, and I'm looking for a natural fiber jacket/sweater for
the winter.

When I lived in upstate New York, I wore several all-wool jerseys

two or three pairs of wool tights.

The bread-bag trick really does work, but you need a fresh pair of
bags for every trip, and two pairs if you get off -- it's seldom
possible to put a used bread bag back on again.

When I lived in upstate New York, I wore several all-wool jerseys

two or three pairs of wool tights.

The bread-bag trick really does work, but you need a fresh pair of
bags for every trip, and two pairs if you get off -- it's seldom
possible to put a used bread bag back on again.

When I lived in upstate New York, I wore several all-wool jerseys

two or three pairs of wool tights.

The bread-bag trick really does work, but you need a fresh pair of
bags for every trip, and two pairs if you get off -- it's seldom
possible to put a used bread bag back on again.

When I lived in upstate New York, I wore several all-wool jerseys

two or three pairs of wool tights.

The bread-bag trick really does work, but you need a fresh pair of
bags for every trip, and two pairs if you get off -- it's seldom
possible to put a used bread bag back on again.

Joy Beeson <jbeeson at (no spam) invalid.net.invalid> wrote:

When I lived in upstate New York, I wore several all-wool jerseys

So is a wool jersey good at keeping wind out? Perhaps one could wear a
wool jersey and a big sweater or two underneath?

I already have a (synthetic) jacket shell, so I don't need a shell now -
so that would be for the future.

It seems like the best plan might be to use a shell and wear wool
sweater(s) under it.

It's possible to get a down jacket with waxed cotton exterior. I don't
know what it's lined with. But reviews said the waxed cotton attracts
lint like crazy, and I don't want something high-maintenance.

So the concept of doing it all by layers, having several different
garments doing the job together, may be what works best. Your standard
synthetic-fabric down jacket is trying to incorporate a lot of layers in
one jacket.

So I guess my question is partly, what's the fluffiest kind of wool to
wear under the shell? Perhaps as a second sweater under the big wool
sweater I already have. Another person said merino wool. Is this the
fluffiest and most air-trapping wool option? I don't mind if it's
somewhat pricey.

two or three pairs of wool tights.

Those aren't scratchy next to your skin?

The bread-bag trick really does work, but you need a fresh pair of
bags for every trip, and two pairs if you get off -- it's seldom
possible to put a used bread bag back on again.

Bread-bag trick ... I suppose you are referring to keeping feet warm? I
jsut wear hiking boots with a couple of warm socks. That keeps me warm
biking around town, but I'd be interested in a lighter option. I don't
know where the heat mostly gets out in in my lighter closed shoes, whether
it's through the leather uppers or the soles, but maybe some kind of
natural-fabric bag around them would keep the warmth in well on the bike
(I don't have that size of plastic waste bag). Interesting thought.

Another thing I might try to replace with some natural fiber is my
balaclava. I've used a synthetic balaclava for years, it's very thin and
light under the bike helmet and keeps my head & neck warm fine; but
perhaps some natural version would also be thin enough and stretchy
enough.

Thanks,
Laura

Wool has to be hand-washed or drycleaned,

It's getting cold, and I'm looking for a natural fiber jacket/sweater for
the winter. I live in upstate NY, it gets down to 0F fairly often in the
winter, sometimes even -10F, although I don't usually go out in that. I
ride my bike around town all winter, but not fast, so I don't get sweaty.

I have a windbreaker jacket shell, so I could wear something that's
wind-permeable but fluffy and insulating under the shell. I have a big
wool sweater, and that's pretty warm with the windbreaker over it, but
I don't think it would be warm enough at 0F.

I wonder what would be really warm? I don't go winter camping, I
just thought people in this newsg. might know.

Laura

On Nov 8, 8:06 am, p... at (no spam) grex.org (Graven Water) wrote:

Wool has to be hand-washed or drycleaned,

Maybe the fancy wool designed to make you look in style but certainly
not all wool.  I have wool shirts, socks, pants etc and I just throw
them in the washing machine on cold, then hang them up to dry.  No
problem with shrinkage that way.

Hint: if you do that, I understand that a spoonful of olive oil in the
rinse water will help keep it from getting scratchy.  I wouldn't know,
wool next to my skin doesn't bother me in most cases anyway.

It's not to protect from bumps -- it's the only place I can hang a
rear-view mirror. (I rarely ride where there is no motorized
traffic.)

Handlebars are the obvious place, or you can get ones that mount on
the arm on a pair of glasses. Glasses are handy in cold weather to
stop eyes watering even if you don't need a prescription.

Modern bar-mount mirrors tend not to suffer too much from vibration

and IME work better than helmet or glasses mounted ones.