I/O Bio Merino Contact Loose 3/4-Length Tight - Women's - 2009 BCS

I like the 3/4 length - they work really well with ski boots to avoid the bunched up ankle problem. The fabric is very soft and comfortable, but also very thin. I have quite a number of small holes just from ski pants rubbing against them, and just tonight I was pulling them up and put my finger through the fabric right below the waistband.

They are also very low rise, which is kind of a pain, they tend to fall down when skiing and it's hard to keep things tucked in and avoid drafts.

But, if you get 'em on SAC for cheap, they're worth keeping.

I love wool johnnies, and these are my first pair from I/O Bio. I love the comfy fit--great for lounging--and I loved the fabric for the first few weeks--very soft and stretchy. Then, on the first night of a weeklong backpacking trip, I sat down to pull these on for the evening and I put my foot right through the thigh! I marched around with a big three inch gash in one pant leg for quite some time (a couple of months) before I finally got around to sewing them up. I have to say, though I was disappointed in the fabric for tearing so easily, I was impressed with it for not unraveling once it was torn! As I grabbed these off of Steep n Cheap for next to nothing, I'm pretty satisfied with my purchase, but from now on I'll stick to wool knits (ibex, smartwool, icebreaker) that tolerate a little more roughhousing.

The tights were a gift to my 80 year old mother who is limited in mobility. She gets cold easily sitting during the day in the winter months. She needed something easy to pull on, warm and not restrictive. She told me the tights were very soft, easy to care for, comfortable and nice and warm.

Thin but warm and comfy! Adds that little bit extra insulation when you're not sure if you'll be cold or not. SO comfortable. Good quality, good fit. The loose 3/4 is nice to wear around the house or as pjs. I LOVE these and will buy more.