I've become very interested in wool. I've picked up 2 pullovers from the Asbells and love the wool. After reading about so many people who swear by the wool, searching for answers only breed more questions. I've found Sleeping Indian, King of the Mountain, and Grey Wolf so far, are there more? Which do you like and why? It's all exspensive, which is the best bang for the buck? Right now because of the patterns and material and price, Grey Wolf is looking good. Your suggestions/comments?
Check out DayOne and maybe the best bang for the buck is Silent Predator wool from Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear (a sponsor here). It is very similar to KOM. I have KOM, DayOne and a little Grey Wolf, all good stuff.
I have had a set of Gray Wolf wool for about 10 years now and it is holding up great. I would put it right up with any of the other top wool names. Being a sponsor here and made by some great people right here in Wisconsin made it an easy choice for me.
All of the ones you mentioned are great.....and there are the regulars like Woolrich and Filson. You can also look at Johnson and Beagle wear, all good products!!
KOM, Sleeping Indian, Silent Predator all pretty much the same and GREAT quality--will last close to forever I think. The GWW stuff is also very high quality and a bit heavier, more like Filson. You can't lose with any of them, and you will get what you pay for.
Make sure you invest in a good base layer of merino wool as well. This is the key to getting the true benefits of wool, wearing it next to your skin and wearing it in layers. Ullfrotte', Smartwool, or others make good base layers.
Would not take anything for my Ullfrotte' base layers in 400gr weight and my Gray Wolf woolens vest. Two pieces of gear I cannot do without.
I,too, have a couple of the Asbell pullovers. A great product for a reasonable price. Most of the wool products I have seen are well made, and most get a little pricey. If you want a vest, the best on the market by far (imho), then get a Two Tracks vest. It is made of wool felt, unbelievable thickness and quality. Chris or Chuck would be happy to answer your questions. Peace!
Don't forget Filson and also take a look at Johnson Woolen Mills.
Filson is top notch. the heavyweight stuff is still made in the USA
I've had sleeping indian, and day one......but neither hold a candle to Grey Wolf IMO.
Classic Bowman Sporting Woolens, also a sponsor here, has some fantastic looking wool. They sent me a brochere and I will be ordering soon. I also like Filson wool products.
Check out Autumnwood. Excellent quality, heavier than any of the others, except perhaps 24 oz. Filson. Very good camo pattern. Unfortunately, just as expensive as the others you've mentioned.
I have day one and grey wolf and like the day one better.
For the more technical among us...
Ibexshack and Smartwool are two of my favorites.
What exactly are you looking for? Right now my system is the kuiu lineup. Wool base layers are awesome. There are some good brands out there. Kuiu, Smartwool, icebreaker are some. I also have a light crew by Ivanhoe. I like the kuiu pattern so that's the one I wear.
Beagle from Vermont I believe.
Nothing against any of the vendors mentioned. I am sure they all make good stuff. However I buy my wool at the Goodwill store at about 5% of what it cost new. I just cant afford to buy a $200 coat and I have to believe I am not the only one.
Day One here. But before the price got to high. Missed out on the pants!
Bought two merino wool sweaters for layering at the Goodwill.Soft and warm and less than $5 each. :)
Got some Colombia bibs and coat on sale that go on the outside...
Mil surplus from eastern block. Great deals on thick wool
I have KOM, grey wof, and some military surplus. I am not impressed by the KOM. I would never spend it on them again. I like the Grey wolf better and believe it is made better. The military surplus is pretty good stuff, especially
the price.
Look into merino wool base layers too. Ibex is the best that I have found and most is made in the USA too.
First Lite merino in ASAT.
I've got a jacket and pants from Gray Wolf. Had them about 10 years and they are still in top condition. Love 'em. If you're looking for camo wool, consider calling Jeff at Gray Wolf. Super nice guy to deal with and his stuff is great.
If you want plaid, yeah check the local Goodwill and Salvation Army stores. However, I have been checking our local stores for months and haven't found squat yet. Some guys get lucky and do, but I haven't had any luck yet.
I really like my Woolrich wool shirts and anything wool made by Filson is the best of the best. Keep an eye on the Filson, Woolrich, Pendleton, LL Bean and Orvis websites to see if they have any sales going on. Sometimes you can get a brand new, nice plaid wool shirt for about $50. When you consider a GOOD wool shirt will last you a lifetime if taken care of, the price is worth it.
Also, keep your eye on the TradGang classifieds. If you know what you're looking for, post it in the classifieds to see if anyone has it. You just never know.
Last but not least, don't be afraid to try some military surplus stuff.
As long as you understand dressing in layers and have a good moisture wicking base layer, I think you'll find wool to be the best material out there for hunting clothes.
Oh, and don't forget a good wool hat. I love my Stormy Kromer hats. Don't get the Goretex lined one as it's too warm in my opinion. Just a standard unlined wool Stormy hat works wonders for keeping you warm. A lot of heat is lost through your head and keeping it covered makes a big difference.
Check out First Lite. They have a great line of Merino wool. Very comfortable and a pretty wide selection of camo which is hard to find in wool, especially ASAT.
Grey Wolf is engineered for the hunter and is top notch IMHO. I own a ton of wool but when the weather is bad i go right to my Grey Wolf wool because I know that it will perform in the worst conditions.
are there more?? yep...swandri out of new zealand. check out the bush shirt. expensive stuff, some consider this the best wool in the world. i believe the "swanni" hunting coat offered by screaming eagle back in the early '90's was made by swandri. i like the wool patterns offered by Asbell, have owned 2.
I have some merino (minus33 and icebreaker) base and mid layers, older KOM pants, bowmans jacket and mid-weight shirt and am looking at some more merino outerwear from First Lite.
I also have some sitka 90% outerwear and under armour base layers and don't get much use from these once the weather turns...
The only thing I'm still searching for is a good, light set of rain gear, that will hold up, that doesn't set me back $600.
Check out Two Tracks a sponsor here.... 100% natural wool color that make amazing camo patterns and a quality that you will be hard pressed to find anywhere. I like vest for layers and core temp. They allow my arms more freedom. Chuck also makes wool insoles that are the bomb for these old feet :)
I think he is having a sale?
http://www.twotracksbow.com/store/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=174
http://www.twotracksbow.com/store/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=175
QuoteOriginally posted by ronp:
Classic Bowman Sporting Woolens, also a sponsor here, has some fantastic looking wool. They sent me a brochere and I will be ordering soon. I also like Filson wool products.
Rob's products are definitely top notch and in my opinion are worth the money...you'll never have to buy anything else. Plus it's made 100% in the U.S.A.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/004-2.jpg)
How about this Bud? I also wear Columbia Wool with great success. The Jacket is a Stormy Kromer with a zip in liner
My vote goes to Grey Wolf Woolens. Jeff is great guy and will custom fit your piece to your exact liking. Two thumbs up! All others mentioned are excellent as well. Find a brand with a good fit (cut). This is key for drawing a bow, walking without pulling your pants up every 10 steps, overall movement and comfortability, etc.
Most any wool is good wool, quiet, form fitting, durable, organic, life saving warmth characteristics. Down sides, down walk through burrs with it, can feel heavy at times and the if it's not fine merino wool, it is very uncomfortable next to your skin. You have to have comfortable base layers, which is not a problem under most circumstances.
Kris, Wisconsin
Thanks everyone who offered comments, this has been very helpful thank you.
nice thick wool sweaters from Cabelas...bargain cave...10 bucks each...
US Army M1951 wool pants...20 bucks...
US Army green wool scarf...free from my Uncle...
I do have some surplus foreign wool if anyone is interested...send me a PM....