I live in NW Georgia and this is the Year I'm gonna start buying wool hunting products.
I'm looking for something that will be my go to hunting top for Nov - January Ground and stand hunting.
If you've lived in this area, you know that Georgia has a different 'humid' cold.
I have 2 kids in competitive sports so I gotta keep the price reasonable. Currently I'm looking at the Asbell wool products.
What would you recommend as your first (outer layer) top for ground spot and stalk and stand hunting?
I tried calling the Asbell company but all I got was the 'mail box is full and cannot take any messages at this time, goodbye'.. (but I may have called to early and will try back)
Thanks
David
Keep trying the Asbells. Sometimes they are tough to contact, but it is well worth it. Teresa can answer all your questions about what weight wool would be your best choice. They sell a great product at a great price.
I also forgot to mention that the temperature can fluctuate significantly through out the day. i.e. very cold (20-30's), warm up (40-50's) then very cold again.
Yea and I know some of Y'all are chuckelling at 20-30's being "Very Cold" :knothead:
I understand the humid cold in NE AL, its different. Asbell wool work great.
First Lite.
I haven't yet tried Asbell wool...would like to though.
When it comes to wool on the cheap..check out second hand stores and the auction site for nice merino wool...especially vests.
They're normally thin and are great for layering.
Also..get asbells wind blocker vest...it works the way it should.
You spoke off not wanting to spend much $$$ so the BIG names are out....I can't spend $3-400 on a jacket either.
Wool doesn't keep you dry.
If it was me and I wanted wool on the outside on dry days..I'd get cheap wool layers and buy whichever Asbell wool jacket I like the pattern of. Just put the wind blocker layer directly under the outside layer.
If raining I'd get some cheap rain gear that isn't too loud and wear that over the insulating layers.
I happen to have a fleece predator jacket for the outside that I like. But if I wanted wool outside I'd do the rest the same.
QuoteOriginally posted by DDawg:
Yea and I know some of Y'all are chuckelling at 20-30's being "Very Cold" :knothead:
:biglaugh: That made me laugh out loud. What ever you choose make sure you can layer it. Then you can adjust as the day changes. I'm looking to move North east of Atlanta [Buford/Lawrenceville area] in the next year or so.
Can I answer any of your Asbell wool questions?
DDawg, I ain't laughing! For us southern guys 20's & 30's are pretty chilly. After all, we do call this the sunny South! In addition to wool consider this. As your base layer next to your skin, wear the silk underwear like you see in the ski catalogs. It is extremely light and boosts the effectiveness of your outer layers considerably. It is the best single addition to my cold weather wear since I began deer hunting in 1964.
The only issue I have with the wool pullovers is that they are hard to put on and take off when worn over other layers. Consider the zip up styles. One of my favorite wool garments is the wool jacket from Cabels's. It goes on and off as a coat. The only draw back to that is that it does not come in the plaids such as you get with Asbell products. I have both Asbell and LaClair wool products and like them.
Wool is good if it has a wind liner but if it doesn't the wind blows right through you.
I am in the upstate os SC. Been using the Ashbel wool for several years. Layered with Marino wool long johns, a Ashbel vest or if it's really cold a Cabelas Wooltamate vest. Haven't been really cold with this on. I do like the zip up jacket. I can carry it in and put it on on my stand once I cool down without unhooking my harness. I also like the hoods really blocks the wind and I feel it helps hide head movement. Also the hood works well for me with the harness strap coming out the side.
The Asbell products are great, I like the treestand green or brown ( they look almost exactly the same). They are warm, quiet, comfy and have even been improved since I bought mine.
As stated above, wear layers. It works. Also, think vests for some of the layers. Layers of full sleeve gear bulk up your arms.
ChuckC