Sweater sources

[jimisnowhere]

I want a huge wool sweater for winter riding, but I can't seem to find anything but light duty "decorative" sweaters. I'm lookin' for some big thick all wool thing. I'm visuale this covered in ice and smile, it just doesn't seem to exist. Anybody know where to get one?


jim

[Blue Jays]

You mean like a tight-fitting, military-style sweater in olive drab or black with nylon shoulder reinforcements?

[Machka]

I want a huge wool sweater for winter riding, but I can't seem to find anything but light duty "decorative" sweaters. I'm lookin' for some big thick all wool thing. I'm visuale this covered in ice and smile, it just doesn't seem to exist. Anybody know where to get one?


jim

Have you checked your local Value Villages and Salvation Army thrift stores? Mine are full of wool sweaters in great condition and for low prices.

Incidentally, wool is great, but it doesn't do much to block the wind. You might want to add some sort of windbreaker to your visualization.

[jimisnowhere]

I've checked out the military style ones and they're pretty cool, those shoulder pads just don't do it for me. My local Army surplus store has them and I'm gonna use it as a back up. I haven't yet gotten out to the Salvation Army, its on the highway. I think I'm also gonna get a few wind blocking thermals, I think I saw them at REI.

[Blue Jays]

You're looking more for a traditional cableknit Irish fishing sweater with the water-resistant oiled finish? Very nice, but big bucks. Figure $225.00 or more for the real-deal from Ireland.

[Buglady]

I have a giant cable knit sweater that is older than I am :) My grandmother made it for my father when he came to Canada - she was convinced he would immediately freeze to death (not an unreasonable assumption given that Dad's family has been in Barbados for 5 generations or so, heh). Anyway, I swiped it when I was in the tenth grade and it has been my Giant Cozy Sweater ever since :)

But it's not much good in the wind.

[pinkrobe]

Hang out with some hippies, they probably have some they will trade for some weed or some nachos. The giant wool sweater was a fixture in my university days. Everyone had them, they smelled like sheep. When they got wet, they smelled like wet sheep. You could spill any beverage on them, and the sweater would just absorb it. As Machka said, there should be some available in your local thrift store. To be honest, the military surplus ones are more practical for cycling, but definitely not as cool looking.

[StephenH]

Back when I was snowshoeing, I picked up two wool sweaters at Goodwill- paid $7 for the more expensive one, I think. One was patterned, thick, and bulky, other was solid red and thinner, both worked fine.

[StephenH]

Also try www.cabelas.com (http://www.cabelas.com), type "wool sweater" in the search box.

[MichaelW]

I have a veritable smogarsbord of sweaters. The Irish Arran sweaters are far too warm for any riding we get here in the UK. My favourite one was a US-made Pendleton. I have a medium weight Peruvian Alpaca which is great; the Alpaca wool is hollow and works well when damp.
A sleeveless sweater is useful for fine-tuning. You can wear it on its own or on top of another sweater.
Knitting your own is not that cheap an option but can be interesting.

[pinkrobe]

So, would you say that you have a plethora of sweaters?

:lol:

[Peek the Geek]

So, would you say that you have a plethora of sweaters?

:lol:

Oh yeeesss, El Guapo.

http://www.garnersclassics.com/pics/amigos/jefe.jpg

[jimisnowhere]

I know you've all been just dying to find out if I got a sweater. :rolleyes: I got two sweet ones at Salvation Army, I even found wool dress pants. $20 American. And those dollars aren't worth anything anymore!!