I was looking at day ones wool gear and it looked nice but i was wondering if it compared to KOM or SIs wool quality wise.If not what would you recomend .
I have graywolf and day one. Both are excellent and the Day One is about 1/2 the price of the GW.
My thin base layer merino wool, I buy new (undies T-shirt, LJ,s from Mountain Equipment Coop, socks from Wal-mart). All my outer wool (sweaters, pants, jackets/coats), I buy used from the local thrift shop for $4.00 - $8.00 per piece and dye my own camo patterns into them.
Love the KOM,and also use Columbia,Woolrich,and Cabelas.Quality wise,KOM has to be the best IMO.........of what I've tried,although I love my Cabales Outfitters wool vest.
You can save yourself a bunch of money if you start hitting the local GoodWill/Thrift Shop right about now. You can find all kinds of 100% wool pants,shirts,sweaters,and jackets.Almost everything you buy will cost less than $10,and alot will be under $5.
If you hit the store once a week between now and hunting season you will have a good selection of wool clothing accumulated by fall!!!!! :thumbsup:
I love my KOM and SI products. 15 years from now they will look as they do today.
XL-tall..... :biglaugh:
Be carefull dealing with Dayone! Gary makes a good product but he'd climb a tree to tell you a lie when he could stand on the ground and tell the truth. I just went through this. DAVE
second Big'n....bad experience with "lead time" on Day One....
While I don't own any of it, I've seen Terry's Grey Wolf pullover and it's one of the finest pieces of hunting clothing I've looked at. While mostly minor, preferential differences, I like it better than the KOM or SI stuff I've seen. I'll definately own Grey Wolf in the future.
I got one of Ron LaClair's Wool Longhunter Shirts and a Filson Mackinaw vest for Christmas and love them both. They kept me very comfortable this year but I have to second the comments on thrift store wool. My son and I have some great wool sweaters from them for which we paid about $5 each.
Filson's.
I have a small sample of some Grey Wolf wool and it's very nice. I've used Columbia, Woolrich, Filson, Pendleton, etc and the Grew Wolf is right up there with the best of them. No one else seems to offer the same quality of wool/camo they do. Their custom sizing is also a really nice feature!!
I've always like Filson's wool products - especially the Mackinaw coats and vests.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v105/Rooselk/Outdoors/Archery/GW-JackShirt.jpg)
Before they closed them out, I also purchased several camp shirts, a jac shirt, and a vest from Grey Wolf like the one pictured above. I really like both the quality and design and only wish that Grey Wolf still carried them in their product line.
I've got a KOM jacket, a Filson double mackinaw and an NAO which was the original predecessor to the hidden wolf and grey wolf companies.
My opinion is that I prefer the KOM by far for bowhunting for several reasons. One, it's got a good camo pattern in colors that blend with a variety of terrains. Two, the general design or "cut" fits me better and allows greater freedom of movement then either of my other wool coats. Three, it's just about the perfect weight to provide comfort throughout the bow season here in Missouri. It's good anywhere from about 50 degrees down to sub zero temps with a little judicious layering of the thrift store wool sweaters already mentioned. Things like the double layer shoulder cape, double zipper that lets you unzip from the bottom up when hot or when driving in the car are well thought out. The pockets are roomy and well placed without adding bulk. I give it an enthusiastic "two thumbs up". But it's expensive. Luckily I got mine by buying a single $5 raffle ticket at the UBM banquet years ago. :D
Now, if there is snow on the ground, the fall grey pattern of my NAO coat is the better pattern. I'm wearing it in my avatar picture but honestly, I just don't like the design of my NAO coat and I never thought it was quite as warm either. I don't like the collar, the rounded shoulders or the zipper with no overlap flap and the sleeves are pretty restrictive. They are made slimmer to prevent bowstring slap but if I put on a sweater it almost hurts to bend my arms.
My Filson? What can I say? The double mackinaw is an awsome coat! But, it's not the best design for a BOWHUNTING coat. It's a little bulky since it's two layers but for flat out cold protection I don't know how you could beat it. Also, mine is the red and black plaid pattern and I just have a hard time bowhunting without my camo. Yea, I know, plaids are fine for bowhunting but on hard hunted public lands like where I hunt, I prefer to wear camo even if it's just for my own confidence.
:My absolute favorite wool pants are the Swiss wool surplus pants from Sportsmans guide. The ones with the cargo pockets and the ankle straps. About 17 bucks a pair and a nice olive drab. I've got them on in my avatar too I think.
Filson, check out cranes country store they have good prices I saved over 150.00 on a double Mac. cruiser and around 85.00 on a heavy wool sweater during Christmas season.
Bill
Anybody wear Bemidji Woolen Mills, looks like quality wool.
I had a set of the original KOM and I sold it and bought Gray Wolf. From what I understand, the newer KOM is a tighter weave than what I had. My old KOM was well constructed, I just found the Gray Wolf to be a tighter weave and more wind resistant. Both fine products and Gray Wolf is a sponsor here. No expereince with Sleeping Indian..........god luck! Mike
QuoteOriginally posted by Mark Trego:
Anybody wear Bemidji Woolen Mills, looks like quality wool.
The items I mentioned in my earlier post were made for Grey Wolf by Beidji Mills. I believe the Filson wool has a little tighter weave than the Bemidji but it's still excellent stuff. In fact when hunting I wear the Bemidji.
Filson has some of the best outdoor clothing there is no matter if is wool or waxed/oiled cotton.
As their motto says" Might as well wear the best"
I have two of their mackinaw vests love them , some of the most used clothing that I own. Wear the vest daily during cold weather cutting and gathering fire wood , chores around the place and even the roughest work I have ,working in my blacksmith shop and it is up to the task.
Oberon
I recently bought a wool 27oz. predator fall gray camp shirt from Graywolf, Shipping only took three days and I love the shirt. It's vary warm and I like the predator camo, Great product and service I will be a repeat customer.
Filson. Excellent stuff.
If you can find any Swanndri from NZ, you'll not have to get more. My cammo jacket is just over 15 years and it looks new.
To add some more recommendations, if you are looking for wool mid and base layers, I cannot speak highly enough for Ulfrotte. I have a 650gm and 400gm zip top and 400gm long underwear. For me, my ability to endure cold weather took on a whole new meaning when I started with underarmor metal gear top, underarmor boxers, then my Ulfrotte top and long underwear. Simply awesome combination for a guy like me who gets cold very easily.
I've seen the swanndri stuff and wish they would offer camo again...it looks like it would be an incredible outer layer.
While at the Kalamazoo Traditional Expo this year I picked up a couple of G. Fred Asbell's wool pullovers. My wife and I enjoy them so much that I regret not buying ten more and intend to do just that the next time I see them for sale at a traditional event. Being the dummy that I am, when I returned from the K-zoo Expo I tried to win double points with my wife by:
a. Making it known that I did not buy a new bow.
b. Presenting her with a well made, cozy "lounging" pullover.
My current problem is, trying to find a way to take back the pullover which my wife now wears every single night for "lounging" around the house. I just know this is going to end up costing me twenty-fold what I paid for it on a replacement piece of jewelry.
I'm so stupid! :banghead:
In true GFA fashion, these pullovers are made of muted, soft earth-tone plaids and would work well during the entire bow season. During the early to mid bow season when temps are above freezing they most certainly could be used as an effective outer layer. During the late season, these woolens would serve as an awesome middle insulating layer. At our recent Michigan Bunny Stomp, the temps were in the upper teens to low twenties. All I wore that day was a base layer of polypro, the Asbell pullover as a middle layer and a Filson vest as my outer layer- and I was toasty warm while hunting and standing around at the outdoor pavilion afterwards.
Check 'em out. I'm sure most will agree with my assessment.
I wish I could find some around here, I would love to try them. I do have graywolf, Hiddenwolf, a Beidji Mills camp shirt, woolrich, and assorted $2.00 wool sweaters and shirts from the thrift shop. The Graywolf is well made and keeps me warm, but I do like woolrich, there stag shirt is awesome IMHO. I am looking to get a sleeping Indian sheepmountain vest before next season.
http://www.sheepworld.co.nz/originalswanndri.htm
JC, check out this link, it appears they are making the Bush Shirt in camo again!
I ordered a ranger shirt, it only took a couple of weeks...and the exchange rate is favorable
fatman
Why not patronize a sponsor here:
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=58;t=000015
They are great product and the service is awesome.
JC-
Where's the best place to buy the ulfrotte?
Thanks
Thanks Kevin, that's good news!
JD, yep, Greywolf is the best outer wear imho. I'll own some one day!
BD, sadly, their US warehouse burnt down before christmas....along with ALL their inventory. It may be the fall before they have any more over here. Check with DW here on tradgang, he had a few pieces left (that's where I got my 600gr zip up). He's a big believer in them too.
Otherwise, order off the internet from someone who has them in stock is the only way right now. Good luck, but you will not be disappointed in this piece of gear. I will literally not leave home for a hunt without mine in my bag in temps that will go below 70deg. Did I mention I get cold easy ;)
When you take a look at the craftsmanship in the Graywolf products, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Are there any opinions out there on wool clothing made by Weatherby ( the rifle maker ) ?
I have Filson, Columbia, Army 5 button sweaters and a great yard sale wool sweater I bought for 25 cents, all are good. I wear the Columbia pants when I am slogging through rough stuff in the swamp an save the Filson for high and dry hunting. The Army sweaters are the best bargin, bought them off flebay, one for 99 cents.
I need some better wool long jons as my old marino wool Duofold stuff is falling apart.
I bought up a bunch of the wool German military surplus back in 1989 after the Wall came down. I've found it to be my favorite along with the wool gunnery sweaters issued to me in the military. If I was needing any more I would buy the Swanndrii bush coats.
I Use Justin Charles polar weight underwear, and my wool sweaters are gifts from a great Trad gang member. And a longhunter shirt from Bowmac. The rest from the Bargin store. I now have a weatherby wool vest and love it as well. My father uses Weatherby Wool i got for him off the sale site and he uses it when the weather gets real cold. But it is heavy and hot if you move in it. Sizes run small like many others.
Weatherby no longer makes them. . . Day One is good stuff but they did hold me up for a couple of months (a little contrary to what I was told). Been very impressed with Grey Wolf product and service- the best.
new zealand swanies the best there is :thumbsup:
I like the new plaid jackets from Classic Bowman Sporting Woolens.
Wool pants of an unknown origin (20+ years old) and one of Ron's grey wool long hunter shirts. I was out in that this weekend @ 10F with a light wool sweater and I was very comfortable.
I had real good luck with Columbia......
I like Gray Wolf...I like the tight weave of the wool, and the custom fit.
I would like to try the Grey Wolf, just the camo pattern I need to adjust to. I have a bunch of the KOM, some SI and the Cabelas. Cabelas pants are heavy with the liner so suspenders are a must. The SI are really well made but I tend to wear the KOM the most. I wish my dept. would let us wear KOM or SI made for LE. When it is really bad we are in the middle of it. But the Brass are in Phoenix and do not understand what cold is. My brother complained his KOM jacket was too warm except when he was in Kotzebeu,AK. The wool sure is getting used this year.
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l182/highcountry_photos/P2230271.jpg)
wow!! looks real cold there highcountry :campfire:
Hey Jeff, get those kiwis to make some swanni in predator (or any asat for that matter) and they got a new market :readit:
After owning the Swanni Ranger Shirt for about six weeks, and wearing it in the coldest weather of the year, I'm VERY impressed with the ratio of warmth to weight....guess there IS something special about that New Zealand wool....
hmmmm....don't we know someone who's in the "New Zealand Wool" business?....hmmmm.....
Among the jackets and parkas, which ones have action backs or bi-swing arms? These features allow arm movement without any binding by tightness across the back. I'm confident everyone who has worn a sport jacket or suit jacket knows about jacket's binding across the back.
You can't go wrong with Gray Wolf. Great customer service, talk with Jeff and he will customize it so it fits you perfect.
got a blue wool capote i wear now along with wool black pants ive been wearin for two years now. wool is my favorite beside buckskin.lol. good for when the rain hits. aint much into rain gear so i stick with wool.
I've been hitting the local Value Villages & Thrift Shops recently and have picked up a whole pile of 100% Merino wool shirts & sweaters for $ 6 each. Some of them have never been worn and still had the store tags on them becaused they were donated directly by retail stores that closed down. Needless to say, those ones are going to be used for everyday wear rather than for dragging through the bush
I even found a couple of virtually brand new 100% Cashmere shirts at the same price. Cashmere fibers are even finer and softer than merino wool fibers and is up to 8x warmer than an equivalent weight wool garment. Most cashmere shirts retail somewhere between $200 - $300