I just got done reading the WOOL article in the new Traditonal Bowhunter mag. That really opend my eyes up to how good this stuff is. I like the part where it said that wool will produce heat when it gets wet, I never knew that. I think I'm asking Santa for some new woolies for christmas.
I haven't read the article but I made a biog investment this year with some help from others around here in wool and fleece and I have never been so warm on stand! Lasts aturday it was 18 degrees int he morning and I was fine in stand!
I have been hunting in kom wool for 8 years it looks new sheds water and very confortable,quiet,go buy it.
I'm new to wool as well. It always made me itch...come to find out it was mostly in my mind.
When I decided to get some of my own...the price made me itch. Then I went to Goodwill and Salvation Army stores and found a good way to scratch that itch.
Even the wool vest I got makes a huge difference.
Staying warm the "old" way, is good!
I'm going to hit some army navy stores and see if I can find at lest some pants and shirt or jacket.
I sure do love my Swanndri bush shirt. Warm, dry and stops the wind very well.
I have gone through the ice in the dead of winter- 30 below- and found out that if your wearing wool; you can take it off... and give it a few minutes. Then smack it against a tree or a rock and the frozen water will fall out for the most part; and then the wool will be able to keep you alive.
I hate to admit it - but its happened to me a couple times...
Wool army sweaters are cheap; and a good investment. If its cold; who knows what color or pattern of wool is under your outer wear? I often wear a red checked wool shirt under my camo wool; and if the wind is ripping; I wear a camo nylon windbreaker over that.
Wool can save your life!!!
That was definitely a good article. I wear wool all the time nowadays. I have some gray wolf that fits the bill for me and i also like woolrich. I still have my dads woolrich pants and coat that he bought in the early fifties. I still use the pants and my wife wears the coat while at her horse in the cold weather. I would like to see if any of todays stuff will stand the test of time.
When I read all these articles about wool, it makes me feel as though I am the only bowhunter who has ever hunted amongst thorns and briers during a steady, cold rain. As a base layer or middle layer of clothes, worn UNDER a true rain-proof outer garment I can appreciate wool's insulating value. On cold, wet mornings in a duck blind or in a tree stand, nothing feels as good against my neck as my Filson woolens. But truth be told, the surest way to commit myself to about 1-2 hours of brier/thorn removal duty after a hunt would be to wear my wool as an outer layer- it's just not practical in my neck of the woods.
IMH experience as a veteran waterfowler (hence, "Labs4me"), the other issues with wool is that it is bulky, slow to dry, and heavy when wet. To go out hunting in a steady, protracted rain wearing a wool shirt or sweater coverred by a wool coat is great if hunting in wet clothes later that afternoon or the next morning is your bag. As a bowhunter/waterfowler who apprecieates the challange of staying comfortable while hunting during miserably cold, wet conditions, IMHO wool is MOST effective when worn under a waterproof, windproof, silent outer garment.
Labs
Labs, what you say is true, but no one says that wool can't be worn under something else. I have had many different kinds of hunting clothes and even with the latest waterproof materials you will eventually get wet under them, be it from the rain or from sweat. When you do you will get cold, but wool will keep you warm under these conditions. By the way i like your avatar in the past i have had a black and yellow lab, best dogs there are.
I agree w/ Labs! As an insulating layer it works great, but as an outer layer...? Even the good stuff nowadays doesn't cut the wind very well - hence the windproof lining. Putting the wind barrier on the inside of the wool negates much of it's insulating value. JMO.
Oh, I do wear wool :)
This is my 34th consecutive hunting season, when i started out i wore wool when it was cold and canvas when the going got tough. I have tried everything in between then and now. Today I wear wool when it gets cold and canvas when the going gets tough, some things just work good and are hard to improve on.
i just got a swanndri off the bay and ordered a new filson cruiser this morning...Love the way merino wool long underwear feels and works. Have lots of other wool clothes. If it gets really windy I can put on a windbreaker layer of another material. If it rains I have hi tech stuff to go over the top.
I like the breathability and temperature range flexibility wool has.
And that it is a natural, renewable resource that has a long history to it. I guess I am a fan. :thumbsup:
I grew up in Michigan, hunting when Wool was king. I assure you, the time I spent pulling seeds and other stick-ems off my wool was not that bad.
I like wool because it is so silent, and of course the way it keeps me warm. Man made stuff just can't cut the wind like some good wool. I just purchased a bunch of shirts and jackets off ****. I didn't spend over 25 dollars including shipping.
I think I will check some more right now......
When I have my wool on it seems that animals don't pick me up as readily as they do as when I am wearing cotton or synthetic blends. I suspect it is the ultimate non reflective fabric
I found a fabric store that sells bulk wool. I just copied the pattern of an old sweat shirt and now have several wool sweaters. With the cold northern winds we can get up here I definately wear a windproof jacket on the outside and a couple layers of wool underneath.
If you get burrs/stick tights etc on your wool take a semi sharp broadhead to it. Yup, just shave them off.
I wear wool all the time. Hunting or not.
Wool saved my life!!!! Had I been wearing Poly Pro when I was caught in a fire in Nunavut, I would not be writing this today!
I wear wool or silk only now in cold weather. Merino wool long johns are unbelievably warm and DO NOT ITCH! I have three sets of the old Swanni wool clothes and recently I had Hidden Wolf Woolens send me some solid gray wool, which I had made into garments the same as the Swanni stuff. In the mid west with the gray trees, this stuff is even better than camo.
Pants, vest, outer shirt, and warming packets, coupled with Wooly Booger hand warmers and you can sit all day in brutal cold. Survival is much more likely in a nasty situation with wool, too. It's QUIET, too.
Too Short
A nice trick for burr removal. I use a curry comb for cats. You know, that thing that resembles a long hacksaw blade that was bent around a can, with a leather handle at one end (hmmm ideas here). It has safely removed all burrs from wool and synthetic materials for me.
I use it every year with great results.
ChuckC
Paul. are Wooly Buggers still available ? Where ?
Chuck
Wool, what those in the know are wearing.
http://www.shrewbows.com/endorsements/PaulWilburn.html
http://www.shrewbows.com/wool_shirts/
Ron, I have GOT to get me one of those shirts! Going to put a bug in any ear that will listen about what I want Santa to bring me. I'll direct them to your site so they can see that I KNOW Santa!!
I'd love to buy the high dollar wool stuff. I've drooled over it in the stores. Just not in my budget right now. My go to wool pants are fancy thick wool dress slacks that I got off eeeebaaay for less than $ 10.00. Super thick, super warm. I've got Ron's Long Hunter shirt and it is allsome! Just got the new sportsmans guide military surplus catalog and it is full of wool that can be had at a song.
maybe some day I'll buy KOM, Swanndry or Sleeping Indian. Until then, I'm going cheap!
I second longbowben's statement about KOM wool. I have never been able to stay on stand the entire day until I switched to wool. I now wear KOM bibs and jacket. Under them, I wear wool long johns over a poly base layer and a wool shirt. On the way to my stand, I carry my jacket in my pack and wear a fleece vest. I usually dig the jacket out after 3 or 4 hours and then I'm set for the rest of the day. I could never do that with fleece.
I hate to be the odd man out, but I prefer modern materials to wool. I own one of those high-dollar wool jackets everyone raves about, and honestly, I freeze my butt off in it. It's supposed to have a wind blocking liner, but the wind still blows right though it.
When I got it, the first thing I noticed was how loud the liner was when I moved. So I contacted the company and asked if it was supposed to be that loud (my insulated Woolrich jacket is dead silent). They told me after the jacket was worn a few times the noise would go away. I froze my tail off in that thing for two seasons, and it's still as loud as the day I got it.
These days it hangs in the closet growing dust bunnies. I've since bought a TecH20 4-in-1 jacket from Gander Mounain for about $150 that keeps me warm and dry down to zero degrees, and it's extremely quiet too. I could but three of those for what one of my high-dollar wool jacket costs.
Filson's great clothing. I'm wearing one of their sweaters right now, and love the warmth and comfort of it! Wool not only can keep you warm, it's not so bad keeping you cool! In my salad days, I used to do a lot of bike racing (on sewups, for those who remember!). our jerseys were wool, and even on a 105 degree day, while I was moving, I was cool. Once I stopped, however, well.....
Ron's shirts are great, own one medium weight and one heavy weight..... but I do use technical fibers as undergarmets to move moisture away from my body.
The grey shirt is magical in the skyline - don't need camo.
Like everything I do, its a combination of "old" and "new".
BobW
I went deer hunting last weekend in a steady rain that lasted all day. My backpack and felt hat were completely soaked through but the wet never penetrated my outer wool garments. Save for the top of my head, I was comfortably warm and dry. When I hung up my coat it seemed a little heavier, but not by a lot - and it dried in less than a day. For day hunts, I won't even bother with noisy rain gear.
I'm opposite of most here and wear silk and wool undergarments and technical outers. If it works for you go with it.
I wear nuthin but wool. The best thing I've found to take burrs off with is....are you ready for this?????........One of those tight wire combs you use to brush a cat. No kiddin. It takes those little buggers right off.
Thanks Paul.
I have tried a lot of hand warmer kinda products but haven't found one that BOTH keeps my hands warm and allows me to remove my hand easily when it is Miller time. My hands are not huge, but they are not small in size.
I will give them a try.
I have been on line looking at the Swannie site and their stuff looks great, but they (apparently) do not offer the outer wear in camo any more. Any info on that ? Why not ? I bet they could sell quite a few.
BTW. I was wearing a camo Swannie jacket last saturday. There was one for sale at ****, and I was interested. Unfortunately, it was pretty worn, like, a bit moth eaten. I think the pattern and everything looked good. I really liked the fact that it was long on me (6'1") and came down nearly to mid thigh.
It was not a very heavy garment though. Kinda seems pretty light to be very warm. Maybe some day I will get to try one out.
ChuckC
Paul,
Thanks for sharing your candid experience with KOM and Sleeping Indian woolens. YEARS ago, I purchased a complete KOM outfit and paid BIG money (at least to me) at the time thinking that I was making an "investment" in the prospect of staying warm and comfortable during Michigan's late bow season. To say I was disappointed with my purchase is an understatement. When there was no wind, my outfit worked o.k., but whenever there was a steady, predictable wind - you know, the kind we bowhunters hope for- I froze my arse off! And when it was windy and rainy, FORGET ABOUT IT. Ultimately, I arrived at the conclusion that my KOM woolens were best used as an insulating layer beneath a windproof/waterproof outer jacket. To this day the only occassions I wear my KOM is when I KNOW it is not going to rain or I'll occassionally wear it beneath my waterproof Browning waterfowl parka when harassing ducks and geese.
About ten years ago I took a gamble and purchased a few wool products made by Filson. What a difference in quality and performance. So I concur with your observation- all woolens are not created equal.
It,s funny , new high tech,high dollar stuff comes and goes but wool has been, and will be around forever. Seems alot of people are on the Sitka gear kick . I think A few years down the road it will be just a faded memory and wool wiill still be here going strong
I JUST CANT BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE NOT SATISFIED,you must not have bought the wind lining,i have hunted in canada,north dakota i dont think thiers a colder or more windy place on earth KOM didnt let me down.
Longbowben,
Perhaps you own a newer, upgraded KOM outfit. I calls it like I sees it...
I'm partial to the German military wool surplus pants and the wool/poly balaclavas. I snatched several pairs of the pants when they were readily available post Berlin Wall collapse-- I always try to buy several when I find something that works for me so I bought 4-5 of the balaclavas back when Cabelas sold them. The desert camo wool commando sweater is good except in thorns or briars. I use the matching German wool jacket if I anticipate hunting in the prickly stuff.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/wapiteee/backpackingessentials015-1.jpg)
Labs4me, you're correct in your observations.
I've been using KOM (and other wool products) since 1990... KOM is good, but it's not the best.
Filson wool is absolutely a tighter weave and a better product...
We have never had the wind blow through our Filson's Double Mackinaw coat and they can gust pretty strong here at the base of the Alaska Range. Same with the bib pants.
If we expect a lot of rain, switch to the oiled finish Tin-cloth with wool under. Little noisy so we move slower to compensate as best we can.
Best Wishes
QuoteOriginally posted by rtherber:
I'm partial to the German military wool surplus pants and the wool/poly balaclavas. I snatched several pairs of the pants when they were readily available post Berlin Wall collapse-- I always try to buy several when I find something that works for me so I bought 4-5 of the balaclavas back when Cabelas sold them. The desert camo wool commando sweater is good except in thorns or briars. I use the matching German wool jacket if I anticipate hunting in the prickly stuff.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/wapiteee/backpackingessentials015-1.jpg)
man, you have no idea how long I have been looking for a balaclava like the one pictured!!!!
You can't find them anywhere! I wish I had your foresight and bought 4 or 5 of them. :bigsmyl:
Anyone PM me with a contact for Teresa Asbell about buying a wool garment from her. I saw her at a shoot selling a few years ago and need a contact. Also I agree I would love to have a wool balaclava, anyone know a source for them?
Jack
Yesterday afternoon I hunted in a steady rain with temperatures hovering around 35 degrees and winds gusting to 20 mph. Under these conditions my hunting attire is always the same. Wool over wool and both worn under my Browning Cordura/Gortex outer layer (coat and bibs). In the wind and driving rain, you could tap dance on stand without making enough noise to alert deer so in this situation the Cordura fabric is a non issue. When being quiet is an issue, I wear a windproof/waterproof outer shell made by Cabelas.
Returned home, hung my cordura/gortex outerwear in our half-bath, turned the heat light on, shut the door and 1 hour later, my bibs and coat were bone dry ready for my next hunt (today). As my wool undergarments were never subjected to the rain, I stored them away BONE DRY in a large tupperware-like container that remains outside during the entire hunting season.
This morning the weather is even uglier than yesterday- driving, freezing rain predicted to turn to snow with winds gusting above 20 mph. The point I'm trying to make to those still contemplating spending $800 on wool to keep you "warm and dry" is, had I not worn my Browning Cordura/Gortex outer shell; had I worn wool exclusively, ALL of my woolens would still be soaking wet from yesterday's hunt. As a PRACTICAL matter, unless you don't mind putting on sopping wet wool from a previous hunt to go out and hunt in a freezing, driving rain on your next hunt, you may want to consider investing in a more practical outer shell.
As a next to your body insulating material, in my view there is nothing better than wool. But IMHO, wool is most useful and effective when kept dry. My intent here is not to down play the value of wool. I love my wool clothes in the same way that I love my favorite bow, quiver, etc. I just don't want to see some kid go out and purchase a high end wool hunting outfit (like I did 17 years ago) thinking that it is the most practical choice. Although it makes for a great romantic read in the likes of TBM, wool has it's limitations.
Wet wool may keep you drier than any other material. But DRY wool will keep you warmer than wet wool. Stongly consider a modern waterproof/windproof outer shell before spending $400-$500 on a wool hunting coat.
Jason,
I'm not sure what brand you bought....but I wear my wool when it gets cold down here, and have nothing but praises for it. I also take it to TX in Dec and Jan for those cold mornings, as it hacks the wind pretty good. I usually wear merino thermals and a wool vest also.
A light water proof outer shell keeps it dry, and don't take up much room and it light weight.
Goose down is very warm also, but too bulky for the hunter....lest you wear it as a vest.
Hope to try some Sitka gear sometime.
Terry,
Some wool is outstanding. Some isn't. Unfortunately, mine fell into the latter instead of the former. I'd just hate to see someone dump a bunch of cash sight unseen and think that just because they bought "wool", they automatically got something great.
I suppose it'd be like wool carpet in that regard. Yours are very good, but I'm sure you've seen others that don't even come close.
Yeah Jason...you are correct....there are some cheap wool carpets out there, and we despise them cause they give wool carpet a bad name. Same regards to clothing I would surely guess. Quality of the wool and the design will determine the performance of either.
My Gray Wolf, at the time Hidden Wolf, has served me well, and came with a silent liner. I'll be wearing it this morning, as its cold, windy and damp.
I have purchased two used articles of gray wolf right off the classifies on Trad Gang. I didn't have to spend a lot and have had good luck with them in cold wet weather. You never know what to expect while your out hunting in western NY state, so with my wool I'm always prepared.
Good discussion on wool. I still have my Woolrich outfit Dad bought me around 1960. Still fits but don't think I can shoot the bow in it!!
Just bought some woolite and baking soda. Am going to make my first attempt at cleaning some odds and ends wool I have. Any suggestions? I think some of them have picked up some undesireable scents that need removing before I seriously use it now that the weather has gotten a bit colder.
LABS 4ME,
WHAT COUNTRY DO YOU LIVE IN? I'LL TAKE ALL THE WOOL YOU HAVE IF YOU WANT TO SELL IT. THE WARMEST ARTICLES OF CLOTHING I'VE EVER WORN. SLEEPING INDIAN HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN IN THE HARSHEST WIND. YOU MUST LIVE IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE OR SOMETHING.
I read that too. Next year, I will be hunting in wool.
How tightly woven is the Grey Wolf stuff, any thing like Filson?
Eric
Westbrook,
Off topic:
How is the deer hunting in Manton? I hunt a large piece of private property in Kingsley and I am lucky to see a deer.
Back to the wool:
Just bought some used Guide Gear bis and jacket. I think it is the same as the Columbia but branded as Guide Gear for the Sportman's Warehouse. Anyway, it was 22* here in Michigan yesterday and I was able to sit in my stand for 3 hours comfortably. I am very pleased with wool and I can only imagine how nice KOM or AutmnWoods and the rest of the high end companies are.
it has a very tight weave ....... it stops a lot of wind without the windproof lining !!!! ............ I love mine !!!!!!
Anybody know anything about Weatherby wool? Quality? Cost new? I am thinking about buying some used stuff but can't find any info on it.
QuoteOriginally posted by huntnut:
I like the part where it said that wool will produce heat when it gets wet, I never knew that.
Guy, NO garment will produce heat unless it's on fire. Good wool, like 100% Virgin, will retain it's insulating properties when wet. Something few man made fibers can do.
That said, I'll take my insulated Mad Dog fleece jacket from Basspro. Best $80 I ever spent.
QuoteOriginally posted by John Nail:
QuoteOriginally posted by huntnut:
I like the part where it said that wool will produce heat when it gets wet, I never knew that.
Guy, NO garment will produce heat unless it's on fire. Good wool, like 100% Virgin, will retain it's insulating properties when wet. Something few man made fibers can do.
That said, I'll take my insulated Mad Dog fleece jacket from Basspro. Best $80 I ever spent. [/b]
I was just going off what the artical said. Wet wool will produce heat at 27calories.
I just came in from an evening hunt/look around and it is raining here in IN. Wore my Gray Wolf wool and stayed nice and dry.....and a bit too warm. To be honest, if I was to pass judgement on wool clothes based only on my previous experience with my previous set, I'd say it is not worth the money. A friend had a set of the Swannie wool and I compared it to the first stuff I had and it was night and day. At the Kalamazoo Expo a few years back, Gray Wolf was set up and their wool was the first I had seen that was comparable to the Swannie as far as weight and tightness of the weave. Bought the pants off of the classifieds here and have since bought the lined vest and pullover shirt and I am nothing but pleased! If you are not in too cold a climate, Gray Wolf's wolfskin is pretty good stuff as well! Mike
James, I didn't mean to sound cranky. It's just that magazine editors should proof read their stuff a little better.
John, I did a search on the web and there are sevral places that say that 1 gram of wool will produce 27 calories of heat when going from wet to dry. So not to be a jerk but maybe you should do a search before you post up.
http://www.tapetesdelana.com/tabid/210/Default.aspx
My wool observations based on what I have owned.
Paul's Swannie stuff and Filson are neck-in-neck along with the Gray Wolf/Hidden Wolf.
Jason's brand...the "King's" brand is good for climbing mountains...the wind blows thru it. Great stuff for active hunters, not so good for a guy trying to sit all day in the cold. He can keep it.
I spent the last week of November in the Alberta Bow Zone a few years ago. 2 of us had Hidden/Gray Wolf. Two others had a full set from his highness...they were cold.
I have no experience with Sleeping Indian.
I have tried various different types of surplus pants and like them well enough for active hunting.
Sir Pendleton Dress Shirts are worth their weight in gold to me. I spent a very cold, rainy, snowy, windy night in the Yukon with one as my only insulation under my raincoat. But then again, I may have still been on fire from taking my ram...
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
My wool observations based on what I have owned.
Paul's Swannie stuff and Filson are neck-in-neck along with the Gray Wolf/Hidden Wolf.
I know a few people who've bought a bunch of the Gray Wolf/Hidden Wolf over the years. They all swear by it. Maybe at some point I'll invest in one of their jackets and see how I like it.
Leatherneck:
Easy there big guy. Go back and READ my posts before you blow a gasget. I'd be happy to sell you my well used Filson wool garments for TWICE what I paid for them.
Again...
Wet wool retains it's insulating properties better than any other fabric, BUT (get ready for my point...again), DRY WOOL WILL KEEP YOU WARMER THAN WET WOOL. Strongly consider an modern, silent waterproof outshell to keep your wool dry.
I ordered a couple pendleton wool shirts off of --bay for a good price, I'll see how they work under my noraml poly coat. I'm going to be buying more wool as time goes on, thismorning a got pretty cool out hunting and that was with a flanel shirt a fleece pullover a windbreaker and a heavy poly fill coat, + my bibs coming up on my torso, and still got chilled. It was 19* and a 5-10mph wind. I think when tax season gets here I see some good woolies getting bought.
Labs4me you said you used kom wool now its filson what gives.You shouldnt talk about kom with liner unless you have used it.KOM ARE WORTH THE MONEY.
.
easy now fellas...let's keep this civil please...it's only clothing you're talking about.....
Longbowben:
I know these threads occassionly weave all over the place, but before you make the effort to embarass or discredit the sincerely offerred experiences of others, you should make an effort to READ AND COMPREHEND these submissions.
Now here's the Cliff's notes version of what I said. Many years ago - '89 or '90 I beleive - I purchased a very expensivev set of KOM woolens and was very dissatisfied with them. Ten years ago, I began to purchase Filson wool products and have been extremely happy with them.
I hope this clears up the misunderstanding on your part. In the future, please attempt to be a little more respectful with your submissions. There are other sites for that kind of diatribe. We don't do that here!
Labs4me i was being respectful you are talking about a product from 17 to 18 years ago,things change.no more coment from me.
Awe...... and I really wanted to hear what Jason Westbrock said before it got locked up. :D
"DRY WOOL WILL KEEP YOU WARMER THAN WET WOOL."
And I'll add a DRY anykindof fabric will keep you warmer than the same fabric wet....
Just dunk your man made fiber coat in the lake and put it back on and see how warn it keeps ya. Staying dry is paramount, no matter the fabric.