Over wool? Why? Thanks
Yep...for the most part. I like wool undergarments like the Ulfrotte. But the jackets, pants and facemasks are better in fleece, IMO. More options in the marketplace, varied prices usually fleece is cheaper, easier to care for, layer right and you are just as warm or warmer with less bulk and weight, much quieter most of the time, seems to last for ever, is color fast, easy to "customize", more camo patterns to choose from.
Fleece for me. I'm allergic to wool.
I owned a large amount of KOM and Sleeping Indian wool. I wore it on many hunts, and the truth is that I was very underwhelmed by its performance in wind. The weight , the propensity to hold water and odors...I finally made the shift to quality fleece and other synthetics. I've worn fllece and other synthetics for many years and many wilderness hunts. It packs lighter. It dries faster. It layers nicely. I'm just as warm. My outer layers smell better after several days.
Wool is very traditional and functional. I find fleece and synthetics to work better for me. I now own almost no wool.
I've been looking at some fleece with windstopper all day.I handle the cold pretty good til the wind starts whipping. Going to order some bibs and give it a try.
I've got some KOM wool but it's heavy and I have so many burrs where I hunt I have to pack it to my stand. Might have to pack in the fleece also but I'm sure it's lighter.
bretto
Who makes some of the better fleece garments?
My base layer is wool wherever I hunt, most synthetics hold the stink more than wool. For the most part, wool for treestand hunting. Synthetics where weight is a concern when packing into the mountains and most active hunts, with one major exception, chasing kitties. Most often, a combination of both wool and synthetics will be found on me when hunting.
I have all fleece outer garments. The cabelas fleece with windstopper is amazing and has lasted me close to 13 years so far.
Fleece with a windshear liner is the bomb. Day one and Predator are top notch.
I've been a wool guy for 20 years. And I still am. But I was talked into buying a Sitka Fanatic jacket. I still wear wool as my base layer but like was mentioned, wool is not great at blocking wind for the inactive treestand hunter. This Sitka fanatic is simply the warmest and lightest thing I have ever worn. You still will want your wool insulation under it (I use wool power) but for an outer layer in cold weather this stuff is great. However, I still think these synthetics have their place and are not a "one size fits all" solution. For one thing, there is no way these synthetics will be as durable as wool. So if I'm going to be hiking/scouting or hanging treestands I'm still gonna wear my wool outer layers. Wool is still the best at regulating temperature for active/semi-active periods and it's going to be more durable. But if I'm going to sit in a tree for days with a cold November wind I'm grabbing the Sitka coat for my outer layer to block the wind with my wool underneath for quality insulation and moisture wicking ability. So I have learned that it can pay to mix and match. Synthetics mixed with good old fashioned wool can be a great option for the cold weather treestand hunter.
I like fleece as a 2nd layer over my long johns as long as I know for sure its going to be dry out and I won't be jumping over any creeks. instant warmth,,,, has anyone ever slept between a fleece bed spread and fleece sheet that's what sold me.
I am a wool fan 1st but fleece has its place with my hunting clothes.
Read all the above and then read it again. Wool is great as it keeps you warm when it's wet. Other than that well lets just leave it at that. There is tons of better fabric out there for bowhunters and fleece is just one of them. Wool does not stop wind period. It's got a huge following in the traditional world because it's traditional not because it's the best. INMHO.
Cabelas Legacy fleece with windstopper keeps me warm even in heavy winds. It's light weight and not to bulky. My Legacy fleece is also quiet. I haven't wore much wool but what I have itched me bad.
I prefer Cabelas Berber fleece. Very quiet and great for stopping the wind.
I use Cabelas revolution fleece with dry plus over layers of polypropylene underwear. Silk weight against my skin with the thicker stuff on top.
I use both. Only merino wool for base and mid-layers and have both wool and fleece outer layers. My most used and favorite outer layers are a Cabelas Outfitter fleece jacket and a set of Cabelas Outfitter wool bibs. Both are almost impervious to wind and have held up well for several years.
Predator fleece has TWO layers of their windstop product- AND it is dead quiet! Not sure how they do it, but most other windstop products make noise.
Agree with concerns on wool. I have some nice stuff but it is heavy- and the water concept has been with us for years- but do you know how much wet wool weighs?? Good grief. Besides- fleece really does not hold much water and dries out quickly. I find carrying in a fleece over-pants (I use 3XL for my XL size) are lightwt and perfect for a long stand sit.
Cabelas legacy fleece with windstoper for me .price ,durability ,weight, quiet and most of all no itch!
QuoteOriginally posted by Bill Carlsen:
Yep...for the most part. I like wool undergarments like the Ulfrotte. But the jackets, pants and facemasks are better in fleece, IMO. More options in the marketplace, varied prices usually fleece is cheaper, easier to care for, layer right and you are just as warm or warmer with less bulk and weight, much quieter most of the time, seems to last for ever, is color fast, easy to "customize", more camo patterns to choose from.
This is my option wool is usually the second layer for me. Luckily in Texas I don't have to worry about keeping warm in frigid temps much. :thumbsup: :campfire: :archer2:
QuoteOriginally posted by LC:
Wool does not stop wind period. It's got a huge following in the traditional world because it's traditional not because it's the best. INMHO.
100% correct the wind will eventually find its way through traditional (original) wool garments (woolrich, pendleton, codet, filson). I agree that it has alot to do with the traditional part but I think its also colors where the alternative to these new camos that look like wallpaper or a picture of some tree plaids seem to work pretty well.. fleece in traditional earth tone plaids or vintage camo patterns I'd be all over it!!
I can't imagine limiting myself to one or the other. I have lots of both and wear what makes sense for the scenario.
Wool has its place and is still a good product. However comparing it to the modern fabrics that are available today windproof, waterproof, and silent is like comparing apples and oranges. Wool also has very little if any stretch and can make some shot angles less than comfortable.
QuoteOriginally posted by Izzy:
I can't imagine limiting myself to one or the other. I have lots of both and wear what makes sense for the scenario.
Couldn't agree more. I love wool in most situations but it has limitations just like fleece.
I love both, but my Predator fleece w/windstop is the best for cold windy conditions.
i have learned to really like merino wool underneath (First Lite is what i've been wearing), and Cabelas Outfitter fleece pants and jacket on the outside. hard to beat the quiet of that fleece!
Gamehide has some of the best fleece out there. I've been wearing the same outer layers for 5 years with no wear. The stuff is bulletproof. KOM is not that great in the wind, and the Sleeping Indian with the wind stopper was noisy as heck. I still wear my wool under the fleece. But I wear fleece always.
I like the tradition of wool, but most times I'll be wearing fleece, columbia, nothin fancy. One winter, hunting the snow, crossing a small shallow creek in my wool pants, I developed a heck of an iceberg growing off the cuffs of my pants. As I stood there attempting to knock the darn things off, I sensed I was entertaining someone, 20 feet away stood a doe looking at me inquisitively.
She got a free pass, and I went and got me a better idea in trousers.
"Fleece" is the wool of a sheep with the hide still on. I think you mean "polar fleece" or "poly fleece". The synthetic stuff.
Before: Sheep with wool
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/HPIM2525_zps9fc23fb8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/DSCN0210.jpg)
After: Fleece
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/DSCN1092_zpse89bd51c.jpg)
A "fleece" is the complete piece of wool after it is sheared from a sheep-it comes off in one piece because the wool fibers are intertwined and contains lots of lanolin(sort of an oil).
I own and use both, hard to beat fleece for quiet.
I have a KOM bowman jacket. Just bought a Nat Gear windproof fleece jacket.The Nat Gear with the windstopper is awesome! I will use both but that windproof fleece just might see more time.
Im a fleece man myself. I wear more fleece under my hunting clothes in layers. Keeps me warm.
QuoteOriginally posted by LC:
Read all the above and then read it again. Wool is great as it keeps you warm when it's wet. Other than that well lets just leave it at that. There is tons of better fabric out there for bowhunters and fleece is just one of them. Wool does not stop wind period. It's got a huge following in the traditional world because it's traditional not because it's the best. INMHO.
Fleece keeps you warm when wet for the same reasons that wool does. There is a reason that most outdoor recreation products are made with fleece.
Best bet for warmth, protection, and performance is to insulate with layers and wear a wind/water barrier over that insulation when required. If it is windy/rainy/snowy enough to require a barrier you typically get away with a noisier outer layer.
Keep in mind that there are many quality levels of synthetic fleece. Thickness, density and construction of the garment all play a role in how well it performs.
I find myself thinking less about 'fleece' and more generally about 'synthetics'. A great example is a Polartec fabric called Power Stretch. I have a complete set of long underwear made from Power Stretch and nothing really compares to them. They do stretch...they wear well without abrading...quite wind-resistant...extremely warm...and physically much lighter than equivalent organic fabrics. I have a full set of heavy Ulfrotte wool long underwear and the Power Stretch gets the nod every time. They also dry faster than any of the heavy organics.
I have used fleece for many years and I love it. Two trips to BC and hunting off horse back durning rain - take off the fleece and shake it - put it back on and your still warm and ready to go.
I have two sets of fleece - fall colors and greens (forest). Both are from Day One Camo.
I like and use both.......both have their place.