polartec socks

Polartec mittens from Nashbar are great at almost all temperatures
(meaning in particular good at high temperatures - and you can add
layers at other temperatures, either silk gloves or outer shells).

It's flexible in a way that leaves you pretty dextrous even though
it's a mitten.

Whether that matters for feet, I don't know.
--
Ron Hardin
[email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

On Sun, 19 Sep 2004 19:38:02 GMT, Claire Petersky was all, like:

Quoted message said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? I've always used wool ones,
but Lands End has a special on the polartec ones.

I have a couple pair of the Lands End polartec socks, which I bought
because someone had given me a gift certificate. I like them, but I
don't know that I like them any better than the wool ones. Dunno if
that's at all helpful.

--
z e l d a b e e @ p a n i x . c o m
soon to be back in the saddle!

Claire Petersky said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? I've always used wool ones,
but Lands End has a special on the polartec ones.

I gotta get some. I love Polartec socks for the winter, and they are hard
to find any more. I use them all the time until they wear out, then I
steal my wife's, but they don't fit so well. They also come in garish
colors perfect for cycling.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig... You
_`\(,_ | soon find out the pig likes it!
(_)/ (_) |

Polartec is superb. Light weight warmth, fast-drying. No moths. Lasts forever.

www.mimiforsyth.com

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:uel3d.4894
[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? I've always used wool ones,
but Lands End has a special on the polartec ones.

Will they fit in your shoes? If you have to buy new shoes, why not just buy
winter shoes (insulated).

Claire Petersky asked -

Quoted message said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? >

a slightly cheaper but still very effective alternative is polypropylene
for socks - lots of camping warehouse places carry them in Oz, not sure
about US - same material as thermal vests and t shirts - great for whole
bunch of other activities like skiing, bush walking and the like. Quick to
wash and dry, last a long time, v warm - just avoid shoes that don't breath
a bit (like heavy leather hiking boots) - like 'em a lot

best, Andrew

"Ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:uel3d.4894
[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? I've always used wool

ones,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

but Lands End has a special on the polartec ones.

Will they fit in your shoes? If you have to buy new shoes, why not just

buy

Quoted message said:

winter shoes (insulated).

My commuter shoes are fairly well sealed, but they also don't have a lot of
extra room. My roadie shoes have the extra room, but too much flow-through
for winter. However, because they're more streamlined, they fit better under
booties.

If the polartec is too thick for my regular commuter shoes, I could see
wearing them with the roadie shoes and booties when it's really cold. But is
a polartec sock that much thicker than a smartwool hiking sock?

Maybe David Johnson could let me know? "David L. Johnson"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I gotta get some. I love Polartec socks for the winter, and they are hard
to find any more. I use them all the time until they wear out, then I
steal my wife's, but they don't fit so well. They also come in garish
colors perfect for cycling.

They only seem to have them in the larger sizes, so they might fit you
better than your wife's. They also have several sets of multi colors, since
garish seems to be your thing.

See: http://tinyurl.com/54vgk for two packs, http://tinyurl.com/4cdwf for
three packs, if you're interested.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
please substitute yahoo for mousepotato to reply
Home of the meditative cyclist:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Claire Petersky said:

"Ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:uel3d.4894
[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? I've always used wool

ones,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

but Lands End has a special on the polartec ones.

Will they fit in your shoes? If you have to buy new shoes, why not just

buy

Quoted message said:

winter shoes (insulated).

My commuter shoes are fairly well sealed, but they also don't have a lot of
extra room. My roadie shoes have the extra room, but too much flow-through
for winter. However, because they're more streamlined, they fit better under
booties.

If the polartec is too thick for my regular commuter shoes, I could see
wearing them with the roadie shoes and booties when it's really cold. But is
a polartec sock that much thicker than a smartwool hiking sock?

Maybe David Johnson could let me know? "David L. Johnson"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I gotta get some. I love Polartec socks for the winter, and they are hard
to find any more. I use them all the time until they wear out, then I
steal my wife's, but they don't fit so well. They also come in garish
colors perfect for cycling.

They only seem to have them in the larger sizes, so they might fit you
better than your wife's. They also have several sets of multi colors, since
garish seems to be your thing.

See: http://tinyurl.com/54vgk for two packs, http://tinyurl.com/4cdwf for
three packs, if you're interested.

Howdy,

I would also suggest the possibility of wearing 'em over the smaller
shoe, but under a bootie...

All the best,

--
Kenneth

If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."

Andrew Price said:

Claire Petersky asked -

Quoted message said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? >

a slightly cheaper but still very effective alternative is polypropylene
for socks - lots of camping warehouse places carry them in Oz, not sure
about US - same material as thermal vests and t shirts - great for whole
bunch of other activities like skiing, bush walking and the like. Quick to
wash and dry, last a long time, v warm - just avoid shoes that don't breath
a bit (like heavy leather hiking boots) - like 'em a lot

best, Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Polypro used to be very popular in the U.S. too, but...

The stuff seems to develop (oh, how to put this delicately...) a
terrible stink.

Other fibers have been developed that don't have the problem.

All the best,

--
Kenneth

If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."

Claire Petersky said:

If the polartec is too thick for my regular commuter shoes, I could see
wearing them with the roadie shoes and booties when it's really cold.
But is a polartec sock that much thicker than a smartwool hiking sock?

Maybe David Johnson could let me know?

Some Polartec socks are thicker than others, but most smartwool socks are
thinner than the Polartec I have. I sometimes use old shoes in the winter
that have stretched out a bit, and which I don't mind getting damaged by
the winter conditions.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored
_`\(,_ | by little statesmen and philosophers and divines." --Ralph Waldo
(_)/ (_) | Emerson

On Sun, 19 Sep 2004 19:38:02 GMT in rec.bicycles.misc, "Claire

Petersky said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? I've always used wool ones,
but Lands End has a special on the polartec ones.

I've got 4 pairs of them (got them on sale last year) and I love
'em for winter riding (and x country skiing, too!).

Better than wool because they wash and dry much faster!

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? I've always used wool

ones,

Quoted message said:

but Lands End has a special on the polartec ones.

I have several pairs of both Polartec fleece and Smartwool merino blend
wool socks. The big advantage of the fleece socks is that they're warmer
when wet and dry faster, both characteristics related to the fact that they
are less absorbent than wool. They also seem to wear a bit better; the
thickest Smartwool socks are a bit warmer when dry, mostly because they
don't seem to compress as much, the Polartec fleece flattens more under the
soles with foot pressure, though the Smartwools get thin from wear fairly
quickly. I prefer fleece socks made from "stretch" fleece, as they conform
to the foot better, but they seem to be much harder to find, and the
material seems only to come in one, rather light, weight. For really wet,
cold rides, I like to use a pair of fleece socks over a pair of thinner
stretch fleece socks. It's not a perfect solution, but better than wool.

Peter Cole said:

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]..

Quoted message said:

Any thoughts on polartec socks for the winter? I've always used wool

ones,

Quoted message said:

but Lands End has a special on the polartec ones.

I have several pairs of both Polartec fleece and Smartwool merino blend
wool socks. The big advantage of the fleece socks is that they're warmer
when wet and dry faster, both characteristics related to the fact that they
are less absorbent than wool. They also seem to wear a bit better; the
thickest Smartwool socks are a bit warmer when dry, mostly because they
don't seem to compress as much, the Polartec fleece flattens more under the
soles with foot pressure, though the Smartwools get thin from wear fairly
quickly. I prefer fleece socks made from "stretch" fleece, as they conform
to the foot better, but they seem to be much harder to find, and the
material seems only to come in one, rather light, weight. For really wet,
cold rides, I like to use a pair of fleece socks over a pair of thinner
stretch fleece socks. It's not a perfect solution, but better than wool.

Nothing beats ~90% or more dumb wool for sock warmth. The Carhartt Arctic Boot Sock
(88% wool) is the best I've had, and about $12 a pair. They last a long time if
you don't have moths. They last anyway but get holes if you do have moths.

So I have toasty feet and frozen hands, mostly.

http://www.carhartt.com/products/index.html search for product (A)111 in the window.

I don't know if they sell online or not. They tend to be in work clothes places,
and I got mine in a big box store (Meijer's).

Won't work with tight fitting shoes of course. Works fine with Kmart running shoes.
--
Ron Hardin
[email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Ron Hardin said:

Nothing beats ~90% or more dumb wool for sock warmth. The
Carhartt Arctic Boot Sock (88% wool) is the best I've had, and
about $12 a pair. They last a long time if you don't have moths.

Carhartt Socks, check.

Quoted message said:

Works fine with Kmart running shoes.

Kmart running shoes? Now I'm convinced. The Huffy bike and the
stylish coutour are all the evidence I need. Ron Hardin must be the
antifabrizio.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

Terry Morse said:

Ron Hardin said:

Nothing beats ~90% or more dumb wool for sock warmth. The
Carhartt Arctic Boot Sock (88% wool) is the best I've had, and
about $12 a pair. They last a long time if you don't have moths.

Carhartt Socks, check.

Quoted message said:

Works fine with Kmart running shoes.

Kmart running shoes? Now I'm convinced. The Huffy bike and the
stylish coutour are all the evidence I need. Ron Hardin must be the
antifabrizio.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

Hey,
Now I am taking offense. My Huffy and I did 80+ miles on Saturday in the
mountains, on paved roads and thank God I did not try that on my 700 x 25
tired Schwinn. I would have flatted at about 35 miles from home due to
some stickers that my 26 x 1.75 with thorn resistant tubes, well, resisted
until I got home. My only real problem was soreness in the sit down area
since I wear Levi jeans and not those Yellow Lycra shorts. Since I went
into a bar in a town called "Rough and Ready" for a cool down...well you
SHOULD get my point.
Bill Baka

--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Bill Baka said:

Terry Morse said:

Kmart running shoes? Now I'm convinced. The Huffy bike and the
stylish coutour are all the evidence I need. Ron Hardin must be the
antifabrizio.

Now I am taking offense. My Huffy and I did 80+ miles on Saturday in the
mountains, on paved roads and thank God I did not try that on my 700 x 25
tired Schwinn. I would have flatted at about 35 miles from home due to
some stickers that my 26 x 1.75 with thorn resistant tubes, well, resisted
until I got home. My only real problem was soreness in the sit down area
since I wear Levi jeans and not those Yellow Lycra shorts. Since I went
into a bar in a town called "Rough and Ready" for a cool down...well you
SHOULD get my point.
Bill Baka

Nice try with the Levis and the thorn-resistant tubes, but you're
simply not the antifabrizio. Ron is. His milk crate sends him over
the top, hands down.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

Terry Morse said:

Bill Baka said:

Terry Morse said:

Kmart running shoes? Now I'm convinced. The Huffy bike and the
stylish coutour are all the evidence I need. Ron Hardin must be the
antifabrizio.

Now I am taking offense. My Huffy and I did 80+ miles on Saturday in the
mountains, on paved roads and thank God I did not try that on my 700 x
25
tired Schwinn. I would have flatted at about 35 miles from home due to
some stickers that my 26 x 1.75 with thorn resistant tubes, well,
resisted
until I got home. My only real problem was soreness in the sit down area
since I wear Levi jeans and not those Yellow Lycra shorts. Since I went
into a bar in a town called "Rough and Ready" for a cool down...well you
SHOULD get my point.
Bill Baka

Nice try with the Levis and the thorn-resistant tubes, but you're
simply not the antifabrizio. Ron is. His milk crate sends him over
the top, hands down.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

Well next week I am getting a third water bottle and clamping it on with
radiator hose clamps rather than drill holes in my frame. The will also be
a little pack thing on the back of the seat where those two holes are
there for mounting something. Then come the back saddles (metal) and maybe
even a front basket. It may come out looking like a Phred bike but I will
be sufficient for 100 mile plus rides. I also carry a school back pack
with a gallon of Orange juice (Calcium fortified), a jar of honey (instant
sugar) and various other concoctions that I can cram into a bag. I will
post a picture when it is done so you can all laugh. I don't care how I do
a Century, just so I do it, and I did do a metric at 80-85 miles on
Saturday.
Laugh all you want but no milk crate for me, yet.
Bill Baka

--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

In article <[email hidden]>,

Terry Morse said:

Nice try with the Levis and the thorn-resistant tubes, but you're
simply not the antifabrizio. Ron is.

Actually, I am.

Well, the Contra-Fabrizio, anyways. For one thing, we're
regional rivals (Fabs hails from Vancouver's well-to-do
west side, I from the blue-collar east side). But I'm not
gonna make a big deal out of it.

It's just about time for me to reinstall my plastic flowerpot
toeclip covers. I'll need bigger ones this time, 'cuz I
wanna protect my new Snap-On[tm] steel-toed boots on my rides
to work and back. I need bigger toeclips, too.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Tom Keats said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Terry Morse said:

Nice try with the Levis and the thorn-resistant tubes, but you're
simply not the antifabrizio. Ron is.

Actually, I am.

Well, the Contra-Fabrizio, anyways. For one thing, we're
regional rivals (Fabs hails from Vancouver's well-to-do
west side, I from the blue-collar east side). But I'm not
gonna make a big deal out of it.

It's just about time for me to reinstall my plastic flowerpot
toeclip covers. I'll need bigger ones this time, 'cuz I
wanna protect my new Snap-On[tm] steel-toed boots on my rides
to work and back. I need bigger toeclips, too.

As the fair weather of summer fades toward a more demanding
season on the bike, I'm thinking of going to a super wide,
(BMX???) style pedal on my ice bike.

My insulated steel-toed boots end up rubbing against the crank
causing accelerated wear to the insides of the boots during
the winter commute.

I thought a nice wide platform type pedal might be just the
ticket for more secure footing with such "stylish" winter
bicycling footwear.

Toe clips are definitely out. Too constraining with such
footwear, plus, I don't like the idea of being "buckled in"
riding ice!

SMH