Between SAC.com and a local bike swap meet I have made some pretty good wool finds lately. I picked up 2 smartwool lt wt zip-t’s for $30 each, 2 smartwool lt wt bottoms (men’s small and med) for $10 each and the biggest score, a smartwool spectrum hoody for $30! All items were brand new.
The zip-t’s are great. I wear can wear them over a wide range of temperatures, they don’t stink, the keep me nice and warm at much cooler temperatures than my standard bike jerseys or a silk weight capiline. I’m contemplating sewing 2 bike jersey style pockets in the back of one to make them perfect for all but the hottest weather. They are slightly itchy but nothing that bothers me. I have not worn any wool items yet that I did not find slightly itchy if I am thinking about it.
The lightweight crew bottoms are so nice! I never owned anything like them before. My wife stole the small pair so I’m left with the men’s mediums. They fit just fine (so does the small) and are pretty much my new after work lounging pants. They don’t fit into my biking clothing well unless it’s much colder but for hiking in colder weather with a light wind pant I think they’ll be perfect. Plus nice and warm at night in the sleeping bag.
The final score was the spectrum hoody. I have wanted a shadow hoody for a while but at $100 each it’s hard to pull the trigger. For $30 I couldn’t say no! The spectrum is a woman’s hoody and is made with the lightweight wool vs the mid weight of the men’s shadow hoody. It has thumb loops and a stand up collar. I wear small men’s items usually and the woman’s medium fits fine. The only area of note is the neck which is just right and the rest is trim. If you are worried about woman’s sizing then going up 2 sizes from your men’s size should work fine but going up just one worked for me. It is very nice just like the zip-t’s and I’m wearing it right now. I’m afraid my wife will steal it on hikes and I regret I couldn’t find another one for $30.
