A lot of you regular readers have probably figured out I have a bit of a retro-grouch streak and have a love of well-made, simple objects that last forever. I’m starting my own weekly update here on BikeCommuters.com that will focus on some products that I think are top-notch either because of their craftsmanship, the company that creates the product has good business practices and because I think they’re cool:)
So if you prefer friction to index, would rather wear wool than a lycra tuxedo or have more shellac on your bike than carbon fiber, this will be for you.
I was planning to do a post a product review today, but I had an assignment yesterday that turned into a 53 mile commute with 60lbs of photo gear that had me whipped. So, as a teaser, here’s a little preview of some product reviews to look forward to in the next few weeks:
Popularity: 4% [?]
“So if you prefer friction to index, would rather wear wool than a lycra tuxedo or have more shellac on your bike than carbon fiber, this will be for you.”
Stop it! You’re turning me on!
My hero!
wool sucks.
http://www.savethesheep.com/
John,
Are you mad at the world or something? This is the second negative comment you’ve said today…
First it was about my new crocs and how hunting sucks.
Now you’re talking about how wool sucks….what is it that will make you happy?
Better yet, why don’t you just ride naked!
I eat lamb and mutton. May as well wear wool.
Seriously, I wore mainly synthetics for years. I grew up in south Louisiana and now live in Florida, so I thought it was a good idea. Then I bought my first wool jersey. It was a Fox Racing “Old School” jersey. It was cheap enough so I gambled. What a difference. I didn’t have to wash it after each wearing, and it was comfortable in temps from the 30s to the 70s, with the right combination of arm warmers/vest/jacket. Once the temps hit the 80s, it’s time for thin synthetics.
Now I own a bunch. Portland Cyclewear is always putting jerseys on eBay. I have PCW, Descente, Fox.
That’s just my stance on life. I think beyond where others may not. We can’t eliminate all the suffering and damage to the environment in the world but we can certainly reduce it. I try to avoid as much hypocrisy in my life as I can. When it some to cycling here’s a group I can really praise….http://www.organicathlete.org/content/view/409/286/
Didn’t mean to offend you about the Crocs.
Should I use a cover for the saddle if I ride naked??
John,
Your stance is fine. I think the same way, we’ve just come to different conclusions. I’ve weighed the options and the intricacies and for me…I feel that wool is a better choice when looking at certain fabrics.
For example, there are synthetic fabrics, which are petroleum based, non-renewable, probably don’t recycled and are often made overseas, are sold by large companies with no corporate responsibility.
There is conventional cotton, which is, by many accounts the worse fabric you can buy in terms of resources and toxic chemicals. It takes an absurd amount of chemical based fertilizers to grow conventional cotton and then highly toxic chemicals (like agent orange, which workers directly interact with) to strip and dye the cotton.
Then there is organic cotton, which is slowly growing market share and is many ways better than conventional. The problem there is where does the “organic” stop and begin? Is it in just the growth or does it proceed to the finishing of the product as well (dyeing, etc.,).
Then there is wool, which is a renewable resource and doesn’t take on the same scale of chemicals as cotton. Granted, as you’ve pointed out, wool isn’t perfect either. There is trauma to the sheep, the sheep produce methane and I am sure wool production must have it’s own host of chemicals in production.
For me, I labored over the decision at length and have thrown my hat in with wool. It is renewable. It does not require barrels of pesticides. It is not made from oil. Up to this point, it’s probably tied with organic cotton.
What tips the scales for me further are the companies that sell these products. Swobo, Earth, Wind, Rider, Rivendell and Portland Cyclewear are all smaller companies that have a an ethos I can get behind. A synthetic or “organic” cotton tee from Walmart does not.
Further, wool over its lifetime due to its properties also wins me over. I find that it requires less washing due to its natural odor repelling properties. It therefore lasts longer. You can also purchase a few bits of wool and cover all your clothing bases.
So that’s my rationale, John.
It depends on your hierarchy of values. If you value animal life or trying to reduce petroleum use or conserving water then it will no doubt dictate your final choice.
But I want you to know that I think beyond as well and don’t have the wool, so to speak, pulled over my eyes.
PS. Funny that you mention organic athlete, a friend’s wife rides from them and I was planning to interview her….
What’s wrong with sheep making methane, again? All plant-eating critters large and small make methane (including ourselves).
The real crime is to vent it into the atmosphere without trying to reuse it somehow…
Truncated discussion on organic cotton vs. wool…
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/02/greener-cotton-or-wool.php
I think one piece I’ll write for Wool Wednesdays is an ethical buying decision chart
I’ve been upping my fiber content lately to aid in weight loss. My methane output is up there with a herd of herbivores right now.
I hate plastic!
I love wool and say support natural fibers responsibly (particularly organics). Make sure you buy from companies who buy wool from ethical producers. Not only will it make you feel good but will feel good on you.
This is much better than supporting the big petrochemical companies who make gobs and gobs of environmentally gross chemicals, plastics, and spandex.