"How Warm Is The Anorak?"

[Roger Norris]

First of all, thank you to all my Trad Gang pals.....we have shipped a pretty good pile of Anoraks this fall, and the feedback has been awesome.

A question I get very often is "How warm is it?"

That's hard for me to answer....the Anorak is new, even to me. I did have one (the final prototype) last season, but my fall and winter was so flippin' cold I sorta lost all perspective. I went from late October to April in so many wool layers..dang what a winter.

So this morning, our first cool day of bow season here in Michigan, was a pretty good learning curve. When I got out of my truck at 6:00 a.m., my thermometer read 29. No wind at all. The gate to the farm was covered in an icy frost. Chilly, but not brutal.



I wore extremely thin long johns. Very thin wool socks. Moleskin pants. A thin wool stocking cap. I hiked out to my spot dressed just like that....carrying a sweater and an Anorak. From truck to blind is almost exactly 9/10ths of a mile. I went slowly so as not to sweat. When I got to my spot I settled down, and pulled on the sweater I brought along.

A few words about this sweater. First of all, it's barely a sweater. I bought it from The Wool Lady at Compton this year, it was brand new in the package, and priced at the huge sum of $4. The packaging had some kind of Russian or Czek writing on it. I almost didn't buy it, because it was so thin. Truly, it is so thin it is almost see-thru. But as a thin wool layering piece, it has proved to be perfect. No bulk at all.

I then pulled on my Anorak, Olive Drab, blanket weight. And I was as warm as I care to be. I sat there at 29+ degrees....it warmed up fairly quickly....and was completely comfortable. I pulled it off for the hike out.

So right now, my estimation is that ensemble would have kept me comfortable down to about 20 degrees. And although I believe the pullover design is slightly warmer, I think that temperature range would hold true for any of the Blanket Weight Asbell Wool products. Less than 20, either a thicker sweater or add a vest....and use the hood. Also...I was hunting on the ground which always feels warmer to me than a tree. I hope this helps, I will keep messing around with different combinations and keep you informed. Thanks again!!  

[Ron LaClair]

Lookin good Roger. You'd be almost invisible....except for those bright red and yellow feathers. You need a cover for that fletching, I think Teresa makes one.

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by Ron LaClair:
Lookin good Roger. You'd be almost invisible....except for those bright red and yellow feathers. You need a cover for that fletching, I think Teresa makes one.

Funny you should mention that. I was just thinking the same thing this morning. I do need a fletching cover.

[Hud]

Touch more camo on the chin the deer will never know what hit'em.
Keep the tips comming, cause it gonna get a lot colder.

[eidsvolling]

Something to keep in mind is that the voyageurs and mountain men used a simple belt, sash or rope around their waists with garments like these and heavier ones, to alternately retain warmth and regulate heat by tightening, loosening or removing the belt/sash/rope.

  Ceinture Fléchée: Finger Weaving a Voyageur Sash

[pete p]

Nice!! you hunting turkeys or deer?? the color blind deer wont mind your flashy feathers. next pic all the feathers will be red, good pic!

[tzolk]

Its an excellent garment! Sorry about not having pics of my grey one in the field yet. I'll get out there. Absolutely zero regrets on my Anorak purchase. I find the upper hand warmer pockets at the perfect height for tucking in that non gloved string hand.

[Tsalt]

It was 8 degrees on this morning last December.  That's COLD for Oklahoma.   I probably had four layers on under my anorak and I stayed warm.  Thing is awesome!

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by Tsalt:
   

It was 8 degrees on this morning last December.  That's COLD for Oklahoma.   I probably had four layers on under my anorak and I stayed warm.  Thing is awesome!

Wow! Having spent a couple winters at Ft Sill....yeah 8 degrees is cold for Oklahoma. And I bet the wind wasn't helping! Great picture, thank you.

[longrifle]

Are those the only 2 patterns they come in?

[Roger Norris]

The Anorak was designed in Timber Grey and Olive Drab,  although while we were out of OD we made some in Timber Ghost.

[DeCurry]

Would you happen to know if any of the Timber Ghost anoraks are still available? I really like that pattern and an anorak in it would be outstanding.

[Roger Norris]

I don't think so, but I will check.

[Tajue17]

how do you shoot your bow with your quiver up like that?

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by Tajue17:
how do you shoot your bow with your quiver up like that?

I swing it down and around my back. I was messing around with it that day, it was actually pulled up a few inches higher than I normally carry it. Good eye.

[Ron LaClair]

how do you shoot your bow with your quiver up like that?  

It's all about the stance  

   

[Hud]

definitely overbowed