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#105225 - 10/21/08 04:17 PM Smartwool blaclava - worth 30?
rootball Offline
member

Registered: 06/16/08
Posts: 112
I have always been a wool fan. I was wearing wool when fleece was the thing - they called me old school, and/or cheap. I need to replace a lost balaclava and am considering a Smartwool - any reason not to go ahead with my purchase. This will be site unseen, an online purchase.

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#105226 - 10/21/08 06:46 PM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: rootball]
alanwenker Offline
member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 812
I've had one for several years and love it. Whether it's worth $30, I can't say, I likely bought mine on sale.

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#105227 - 10/21/08 10:31 PM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: rootball]
jasonlivy Offline
member

Registered: 01/02/04
Posts: 654
Loc: Colorado
Quote:
I have always been a wool fan. I was wearing wool when fleece was the thing - they called me old school, and/or cheap. I need to replace a lost balaclava and am considering a Smartwool - any reason not to go ahead with my purchase. This will be site unseen, an online purchase.
Merino wool is the best thing going right now. If I could I would replace all of my synthetic stuff including hats, glove liners, base layers, etc with merino I would (and am almost there).

The question of if its worth it or not is really a matter of how much you'll use it. If it only comes out of the pack once or twice a year, then I would say no. However, if you find yourself in it much of the time your out in the cold, then it is definitely worth the price. The best purchases I've made have been those that I use all the time due to their function, comfort, fit, quality, etc. To be honest, I can't even remember the price or how much I paid on many of my favorite pieces of gear. As far as I'm concerned, they were all bargains <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />...

Having said that, I would make sure the website your buying it from has a good return policy. The only thing I can think of that would not make it a good purchase would be fit. Most refutable outdoor gear websites have excellent return policies (backcountry.com, campsaver.com, etc.)

I like most of what Smartwool is making these days and I think the price is where it should be in regards to other merino wool accessories.
_________________________
Believe, then you will Understand...

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#105228 - 10/21/08 11:36 PM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: jasonlivy]
johndavid Offline
member

Registered: 04/23/08
Posts: 260
Loc: jersey city NJ
I can't survive without a light balaclava.
Having recently lost one, am looking to replace at Campmor for six dollars. Outrageously overpriced.
Wool, I suppose is great stuff -- but thirty dollars????

I also have a windpro balaclava, which is for most conditions, much too warm. Something like it is sold at campmor for $17 currently.

Something called "lava wool" balaclava is sold for $12. I'm not that interested.

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#105229 - 10/22/08 04:53 AM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: rootball]
Paddy_Crow Offline
member

Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 2285
Loc: Michigan
I can't comment on the balaclava, I prefer a neck gaiter and stocking cap combination. I have tried Smartwool neck gaiter and cap, didn't like them. The neck gaiter did not have enough stretch so it wouldn't stay in place when I pulled it over my mouth. I prefer a cap made of Windblocker fleece. The wind blows right through the Smartwool stuff.

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#105230 - 10/22/08 05:43 AM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: rootball]
SloHiker Offline
member

Registered: 09/13/03
Posts: 46
Loc: NC
I like pretty much everything Smartwool makes and this place sells @ 20% off all the time.

http://www.sockcompany.com/smarglovhat.html

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#105231 - 10/22/08 08:35 AM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: rootball]
alanwenker Offline
member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 812
I use my smartwool balaclava mostly to sleep in - it stays on my head during the night. I've never been fond of windblocker fleece, for me it doesn't get the sweat away from my body, I'd much rather use wool.

To date I've liked all the smartwool items I have tried, my loose fitting wool tights are my very favorite thing to wear in cold weather.

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#105232 - 10/22/08 02:35 PM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: alanwenker]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
"my loose fitting wool tights are my very favorite thing to wear in cold weather. "

Are they really tights if they are loose fitting? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
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I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

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#105233 - 10/22/08 05:57 PM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: finallyME]
alanwenker Offline
member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 812
Tights was the product description.

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#105234 - 10/24/08 04:25 AM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: rootball]
deliriousNomad Offline
member

Registered: 04/13/06
Posts: 64
Loc: Matthews, NC
After reading some posts on other clothing here - I am inclined to replace the synthetics I've been using with wool. It ain't old-school anymore!

I use a combo of a buff (http://www.buffwear.com/) with a fleece hat and sometimes a fleece neckwarmer. The buff is pretty versatile...
_________________________
- deliriousNomad

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#105235 - 10/24/08 01:16 PM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: rootball]
alanwenker Offline
member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 812

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#105236 - 10/26/08 06:30 AM Re: Smartwool blaclava - worth 30? [Re: alanwenker]
kbennett Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/03
Posts: 820
Loc: north carolina
I checked out the Icebreaker wool balaclava at my local outfitter the other night. $35. Very nice feel to the fabric, and it fit well. But I still like my Powerstretch fleece balaclava for now.
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--Ken B

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