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
 
 

After: Fleece
 

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.