Looking at some new wool. Very very cold out now.
If you have experience with wool, please let me know. King of the Mountain, Beagle Wear, Hidden Wolf, etc. I have considered some of the new "high tech" stuff but just cannot see myself wearing it. For the first time in 35 years, I got froze out twice this fall. Looking at all options for cold and wind!!
justin
Hey Justin I'm using KUIU and first lite layered. With a decent shell. Gives me mobility. But I'm not in a tree in Dec. Good luck on your search.
For the money cabelas wooltimate is pretty awesome
I've heard that more than once about Wooltimate. I will take another look.
Two Tracks wool felt will do the trick. Wool felt is like wool on steroids. Peace!
I completely agree on the Wooltimate.....hard to beat the warmth for the money. Picks up burrs like crazy though. Actually, Cabelas brand Outfitter wool is pretty darn nice too.
If it gets that cold though...... The Heater body suit is where it's at. Takes a little getting used to but I've never been warmer on stand.
Keep em coming...
When I was younger I could stay warm in darn near anything. MIddle age has me staying closer to home and worried more about what I am wearing.
I have a lot of KOM stuff. Very good, but no wool completely blocks the wind. Hidden wolf is a bit tighter weave. Also good stuff. The heaviest wool I have is Autumnwood. Has a pretty good nylon liner as well to block the wind. I wear it in the coldest temperatures. Any of the aforementioned is good stuff. Haven't owned Beaglewear, but I've read good things about it as well.
Part of it is getting old. In my 30s, 40s, and 50s, I really didn't have very warm clothing, but I could take the cold. Now that I'm in my late 60s, I have better clothes, but my body ain't what it used to be.
Any of the high quality wool you mentioned will go a long way toward keeping you warm. When it gets really cold, minus 10 or colder, you might just have to come out of the woods for a while and warm up. That's what I do now.
well I am hunting within walking distance of my front door so coming inside is not a problem. I am leaning toward Hidden Wolf and/or Beagle Wear. They seem moderately priced compared to KOM and Autumnwood. I know what you are saying that none of them are perfect.
I will add to the Cabela's Wooltimate vote. I have owned KOM, Columbia, Hidden Wolf and other lesser known brands.
Wool under fleece for me. Goodwill brand.
Been a KOM wool guy for years and love it. I will always have some around here, but I recently bought some Sitka gear and it blocks wind better, is way lighter, it's functional and it is very quiet. Not as quiet as wool, and I don't think it breathes as well as wool, but on those dead calm days wool will work fine. If the Sitka gear holds up over time, it's likely going to become my "go-to" clothing when the weather gets really nasty.
The Fanatic Jacket is just simply "made" for hunting whitetails.
The wooltimate is good until about 30 degrees anything under that u need more layers. The one thing I don't like about is the length of coat it needs to be longer. It rides up on your back. If it was a little thicker and longer it would be perfect. The camo is awesome in the fall here in PA. It goes on sale often and is a great buy just not perfect.
Wooltimate for me, as for length of the jacket I agree, could be longer. I solved that by getting an XL vest, usually wear L. Plenty of coverage and warm with fleece and wool layers.
hmmm,,,buncha old guys; sitting inside, chewin the fat, havin some drink, some eats, sharing a pipe....
ya think we are learning the 'Tradition' of ...
'These old bones are wiser, now..!!"
I use a Webfoots body-sock,thin wool sweater, wool vest, heavier sweater (cold) OR
Windshear sweater is outer layer (windy)
My head and neck are where I fight the chills.
Two beanies or A Bomber, fur hat, Neck gaiter is first piece on, though!!
Though, I am trying to adapt an old buffl'r robe to ground hunting..
Stay warm, have smiles, enjoy the laffs...!!
Look into Day One Camo. Really nice stuff.
Getting warm just reading these posts!!!
I am a mix and match person. I love merino wool as my base layer top and bottom (I use either smart wool or Ibex brand). On top goes a second heavier Ibex merino wool top then my LL Bean Guide Wool Shirt. Next I wear a Sika Gear Jacket. If it is really cold I will layer a goose down jacket or vest over the Wool Shirt. I either wear my Sitka gear 90% pants for cold days or a old pair of plaid Woolrich wool pants for those extra cold days. I ralely hunt in dyas that are in the minus degrees but when I do "the goose down comes out. Big thing is to keep the head and neck warm. I wear a wool bacalava and wool or fleece hat.
I would check out Silent Predator. SP is very good wool and is along the lines of KOM and Filson at a lower cost. I just recently bought the Grizzly jacket which is more geared towards bow hunting and have the Dakota vest on the way. You will be very happy with Silent Predator wool.
Ron
I have a set of KOM and a set of Silent Predator. They are the same stuff and the SP is way less expensive. These days all I ever wear is the pants.
I use Asbell wool mainly on top and layer it according to the conditions. I would take a serious look at Asbell's zippered jacket and sherpa vest and figure out your system from there.
You will save a lot of money and stay warm while looking good ;)
Wool is good but here is something I have done recently after listening to my dad preach about it for years. Get yourself a good base layer, then layer with some thinner wool stuff like sweater, or asbell pullover or whatever you have. Then get on the auction site and get a WALLS blizzard proof insulated jacket in your size (probably about 20-25$). My dad has had one for as many years as I can remember and it is one of the warmest jackets I have ever owned. It is kinda puffy and you'll sorta feel like a michelin man, however it is not bulky if that makes sense. They are silent and trap the heat really well. They do a pretty good job of keeping wind out and they are light to carry into your spot. I think wool is good for layering but not very good as an outer layer unless it has some of that windstopper lining in it. Good luck finding your system!
I would go with Silent Predator as well,great stuff and a good price.Bernie Parson is the man you want to deal with you won't be disappointed.
"IF" money wasn't an option, for ultimate warmth I would go with Gray Wolf and opt for the lining. I had KOM but switched to GWW as the weave seemed much tighter. I have the GWW unlined pullover and with proper layering it has not been an issue, but they offer a wind stop lining that should work well.
I believe they have the ASAT now in addition to the Predator patterns.I had the shirt made about 12 years ago and it still looks new. We took the measurements per the GWW instructions and the fit is perfect.
Most of the time I get by with my Asbell wool, but this year has been a bit colder and windier that usual. If you are easy to fit the Cabelas wool may work well for you. I'm built kinda like a gorilla so sometimes I have trouble with sleeve length.
Good luck! Mike
As most of the wools mentioned are made here, I do like them. I have a Gray wolf vest with the wind blocker, I usually wear that over a Swanndri shirt, and of coarse I have base layers on. The Swanndri is truly rain proof ( found this out in Idaho, while hunting elk ), but oddly not wind proof. If it's windy the GWW vest goes on and that takes care of that problem.
I wear smart wool or fleece next to the skin, then wool.
well if sleeping indian hadnt gone out of buisness i would highly reccomend them as i have that and KOM wool, the KOM bibs i have are great for sitting in a stand but pretty bulky for walking very far.. i LOVE my sleeping indian pull over..
Base layers & windblock are a must. My wool does not come out unless it is in the thirty degree range otherwise it is too hot.
I always start with silk then merino wool as base layers with different weights of silk and merino.
I have used heavy silk, heavy merino, plus the wooltimate. I have sat in temps down to -5 for up to three hours.
Getting a real education here. THanks much!!
For really really cold, I have heavy wool pants,(Swedish) two layers of longjohns,(silk and merino), wool longjohns on top, then a Filson shirt, a Filson vest and a camo double mac. Drop to zero with less than 10 mph wind add a Norwegian sweater, colder yet, cover it all with frog tog raingear. My headgear changes a lot I do not have a problem with my head and neck.
I was able to put my wool to test Thanksgiving week hunting in Vermont in -6* and 10-20 mph winds.
I wore Core4 merino wool crew top, 1/4 zip top and long johns, (light layers) a 1/4 zip micro fleece top, with a Cabelas Wooltimate vest, jacket and pants. I also added or substituted an Asbel wool pull over under the wooltimate jacket. I wear a Stormy Cromer wool hat and a Fleece neck gaiter. And of course merino wool and rag wool socks, and wool gloves. This was the first time I actually could say I stayed warm under those conditions.
I have KOM pants and jacket they are warm but without the liner the wind goes through it. Same with my Sleeping Indian wool.
With that being said I bought a used Stand master KOM coat with the lining that zips out and I have hunted in wind below zero and stayed warm. This is on a stand not walking. I also had a KOM shirt under the stand master. I actually consider it more a parka since it covers the hips also. You can not walk any distance with the stand master on or you will overheat.
One thing I like about KOM is you can hunt in drizzling rain and it sheds the water. It has to rain steady before it becomes wet and I haven't had it soak through the liner yet.
I have never owned any of the ultra expensive wool like KOM, SI, etc, just can't afford it. I do have 2 jackets and 1 vest in Filson wool and some Cabelas wooltimate bibs and think they are all excellent. I do have a Columbia wool shirt jac and it is a good early season ,outer garment, just not a tight enough weave for when it gets really cold out.
I have the Gray Wolf with the wind liner, it is a tight weave wool and no air comes through with the liner. I sold my KOM after buying the Gray Wolf. My opinion the Gray Wolf is a lot warmer and better made.
Cost is certainly a factor and I am no longer SOLD on expensive hunting stuff necessarily being better. My old friend John Collins told me marketing is where the money is made. Look at all the scents on the market. Ever wonder what that scent killer stuff is made of?
I hate wasting money.
justin
Lots have weighed in on this. Given where I'm from I have experience with cold from time to time.
My current Layering setup goes like this. Merino next to the skin, Inexpensive wool or fleece as a mid layer and a more wind resistant shell on top like a shoeller (some if this stuff is tolerably quiet and you can find it at some retailers for not too much money. Over that I put on a 14.99 camo long sleeve camo t or a plaid. I can quickly strip down before a big move or walk and it's light. Don't overlook a layer approach to socks, mits, hats, etc. I almost forgot about a merino buff/neck warmer.
The biggest obstacle for me is not the cold but the wind. The differing layers blocks the wind better IMHO. Here a prevailing north wind is a soul stealer and it's downright demoralizing when you feel that cold gust of wind pick up and it blows right through you're $450 woolie. When it gets brutal I'm not against wearing a down vest. Heres my logic. Wear 3 (4)layers that are excellent on their own at $100-150 a pop ($300-450 total) and they will give you more performance and flexibility than ANY single garment will... even the ultra high end stuff. I would love to own a KOM setup or the like but I just cant justify it. Another rule of thumb is spend the money on what goes next to your skin. Im a big icebreaker fan for next to skin.
I will ad that i bought a sweet 100% merino sweater from a menswear store for $20 on a discount rack. The weave is decently tight and comfy. This one slipped past the minister of finance as she believes its for work.
Knotter has some great points. If you start out with merino or some blend long johns and add a quality sweater over them you can worry much, much less about your outer layers.
If you can find a cheap cashmere sweater buy it fast. It melts into your other layers and insulates like you would believe. Lets you wear 2 sweater with the bulk of one.
I had the opportunity to field test my new Silent Predator Grizzly wool coat last evening. I wore a base layer, cotton pull over, Filson vest underneath the coat and was toasty warm. Couldn't believe how warm I was at the end of the hunt last evening. The Silent Predator does have the lining in the Grizzly coat. I would recommend going a size larger if you plan on layering.
Ron
I got a new Stormy Kromer wool vest for Christmas, have worn it twice now chasing rabbits. One of my new favorites.
Went out last evening wore my old issue polypros under an old Woolrich shirt with an Asbell pullover top. Wore my green Codet wool pants with longjohns. Everything was good down to about 10 degrees then I called it quits.
Good deal right here if they fit...
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=204;t=000122
I have the Gray Wolf unlined wool bibs, they are very nice but do have there limits. The lined and insulated would be awesome for the late season.
Eric
All my KOM is over 20 years old, can't believe what happened to the prices! If I had to start over I'd get good Merino wool base layers and Carhartt insulated bibs and jacket. Also very hard to beat anything Stormy Kromer.
Justin..... start with a good base layer of merino wool, ( Ullfrotte', minus 33, etc, etc. ), then use some goodwill merino sweaters or Cabelas 80/20 wool / nylon sweater. You can even cut the arms off the goodwill sweaters since you can get them for $3-5 and it will keep your arms from bulking up. I then top with a Asbell zip up no hood and finish with my Gray Wolf Vest that is windlined and Conformax insulated. Toasty down to 5-10 degrees. I would not take anything for my GWW vest, best piece of gear I own for bone cold. Long tail that covers your tail, forearm deep pockets and collar that is taller in rear than front for flipping up on the back of your neck. A few chemical handwarmers and I am good to go for 4-5 hrs. My next purchase is going to be a pair of GWW bibs or pants. I love WOOL !!!
I'd second Two Tracks wool. Quality, handmade, and chuck will stand behind it.
For my base layer, for the past few years I've been using a skin tight Cannondale turtle neck thin bicycling fleece. Had it since '95. What's nice is it's longer in the back and the sleeves are nice and long. A micro fleece. A layer above that and an Asbell pullover with maybe an outer vest if it gets real cold.