Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Mtn Bound on January 26, 2016, 11:14:00 AM
-
Hello, I've been doing some searching online trying to find the best wool. Both Base layers and outer layers. I have rain shells, puffy jackets and pants. But the longevity and performance of wool suits my needs much better for being quiet and warm. I was thinking of the First Lite brand for the base layers, and Asbell wool for the outer. I have no clue about the pants. Anyone have words on the Asbell Mackinaw or the Anaorak? Ive been looking for a reason to purchase one or both of these. Thanks, Mitch. :notworthy:
-
Gray Wolf Woolens hands down for the really cold windy days. Lots of great stuff out there and some are sponsors here. I own a lot of many of their stuff but Gray Wolf when its for real.
-
Filson breaks the wind the best for me. I use my vest under my regular camo.
-
The Asbell stuff is great for value but not real tight of a weave and durability won't compare to the high end stuff. It's pretty scratchy if you have any sensitivity to wool. Don't get me wrong, I own several garments, including the Mackinaw and wear it all the time.
The best value wool I have is merino sweaters as base layers. I get them from Goodwill for about $4 on the high end.
-
I love all my First Lite stuff. But, I don't live where there are winters like you get up there!!!
Bisch
-
I like Minus 33 merino wool for under garments. High quality, reasonable price. Have a lot of KOM outer wool that I bought years ago. Good stuff, and tough. Like the tighter weave of Gray Wolf woolens better though.
Keep in mind that no wool by itself will stop the wind. Layering helps, particularly if one of those layers/liners is a windproof fabric.
-
Filson
-
Filson here,too. I'm constantly grabbing my vest to throw on regardless of what I might be doing. It doesn't matter if I'm hunting or going shopping. A Filson wool vest is appropriate.
-
I really like my USA made Filson vests. I really really like them under my hooded Asbell wool.
-
I second what ronp said. Works for me, and I like Firstlite base layers.
-
Filson and Classic Sportsman for wool. That said I like the stuff from Asbell too and will be looking for an Anorak at K'zoo.
-
Asbell wool for me.
-
Minus 33 and KOM
-
Filson for outerwear, daily and hunting, Pendleton for everyday and hunting midlayer and Smartwool as a base layer.
-
Never tried Abel's wool, but my favorite wool coat is Cabelas Dry Plus Legacy wool coat (on sale $109.99-$122.49). It's heavy duty, warm and cheap. My favorite wool pants are very heavy weight Columbia wool pants. They're awesome!
-
Gray Wolf and KOM, best wool in real cold. But I have a pair of Weatherby wool pants (have a fleece liner) that are easily the warmest wool pants I've ever owned. They don't make them anymore, but you can sometimes find them on the classifieds or auction sites.
-
I am a wool fan and I own most of the brands.
My prefered for elk hunting is my trusty KOM outfit,20 years old and still as new.
-
Mitch, if you plan on hunting the late season in the northern half of the country, you'd be wise to spend the money on the good stuff. Gray Wolf, KOM, Silent Predator.
-
I love Asbel wool for price point and comfort, and wear the heck out of it during mild/moderate cold and rain. However you must use something like a wind blocker in extreme cold or cold with breeze. I have Filson, KOM, Asbell, Grey Wolf, and Woolrich as well as a couple different cabela's wool blends. The best by a wide margin is Grey Wolf with the wind proof liner. To boot it is custom fitted.
-
I like my Filson double mackinaw, real well. I also enjoy their long underwear. I've had pretty good luck with L.L. Bean for wool pants and jackets, and I'm very happy with a vest made by the same outfit that makes the "Stormy Kromer", (it is a little heavier fabric than the Filson). Good luck to you, in your search; I hope my post is of use.
-
I was Hunting in Ontario about 25 years ago and my feet kept getting cold and my guide took me to a general store trading post, There was a rack of grey wool socks with a red ring around the top . No brand on them but I traded him 2 cans of snuff for them. Warmest I have ever seen and still wear them today.
-
Gray Wolf for me. They will probably be at our WTA banquet next month in Madison and you could feel/try it on first hand.
-
Yes been wanting a filson vest and double mackinaw cruiser for a long time. Figure to spend your money once and never have to replace a cheaply made item. I'll give grey wolf a look. Anyone like silent predator? I heard they have some great products
-
I love my First Lite long handles & my Day One Camo outer layer! I have my Asbell wool for the nicer/cooler weather too! Also, I wear the Asbell wind breaker to if need be, and this makes it very versatile!
Kenny
-
I have a mismatch collection that has kept me warm down into the teens with wet snow and ice as well...
- Swandri hooded jacket from when Paul Brunner was selling them
- Woolrich mackinaw cruiser jackets (two of them)
- Classic Sportsman wool shirt (exceptional and Made in USA)
- WOolrich heavy grey pants
I likely will get another Classic Sportsman SHirt and one of his vest....
Then First Light Merino wool thermal under layers in lightweight and then a shirt in midweight as well.
I top these with a wool or wool/synthetic blend stocking cap...one from Carhartt has the ear protectors built in.
I have thought about an Asbell pull over but not felt one personally to see how tight the weave is on them and the lanolin content for a true outergarment...heard good things though.
-
Filson is my top end wool and I was lucky to get the camouflage pattern on sale. Can only imagine what the top end stuff is like. Not all wool is created equal. It's an interesting read if you do a search. My ibex undergarments are holding up real well.
Really depends on how much rain, wet snow one hunts in.
-
underlayer Ullfrot or whatever the name is now, over the years I've used KOM, pants vest, jacket, some filson pants and vest, most recently DAYONE pants, have asbell vest and pullover, not my first choice on a real cold day, fine into the twenties for layering but when it gets colder I layer in a different manner....
-
best wool layers I have were knitted for me. The patterns add bulk which adds warmth.
-
Swedish military surplus pants.
-
Woolrich has always been my favorite
Deno
-
Johnson Woolens for me...from Benoit green/black plaid to green wool pants,,feet are covered in Darn Tuff socks, I don't leave home without em!
-
I've hunted Northern MI late season with lot's of different wool. I've used Gray Wolf, ASBELL, King of Mountain, Classic Sportsman, Woolrich, Filson, so I've got a broad range of experience with many different products. If you are going to spend time in a tree, with any sort of wind in cold temps (I've sat in ten degrees before in our late season with wind), you MUST use a wind block of some sort if you're going to spend any time on stand. ASBELL makes a wind block and I've got Gray Wolf vest with their wind block and insulation option. I also had a Gray Wolf pullover with wind block that was my favorite to sit in late season with (it had high back collar and wind block liner with front hand warmer pocket that I could put disposable hand warmers in so I could wear thin gloves).
None of the above products without windblock would let me set comfortably beyond 2 hours in the wind in cold temps, even when layered. With windblock and a couple of disposable handwarmers tucked in shirt pockets I could do 4 hours. A windproof hat and face/neck coverage is also a must. Boots should be roomy and feet should have thin wicking liner sock with medium wool sock over that.
Late season cold is tough and fine balance in not wearing too many layers so you don't affect your shooting and staying warm.
-
I have both Gray Wolf and Day One. I prefer the Day One. I don't even use the Gray Wolf anymore.
-
Bemidji Woolen Mills Superior Double Back coat
-
I've been wearing my Day One wool pants for 7-8 years now. Highly recommend.
-
With all due respect, the Asbell-Woolrich-Johnson loose weave wool is great as an under layer or on cool days, but if you want to stay warm, you've got to get into the KOM-Gray Wolf-Sleeping Indian type of tightly woven heavy wools, hopefully with windblocking lining. They are expensive items (and Sleeping Indian is no longer with us as its founder died last year) but can be found "used" in various places-- use your imagination. It's impossible to wear the wool out, so it can be a real bargain to find a "previously owned" garment.
Cabela's "Wooltimate" line is also pretty good and not as pricey, but with this stuff it is the insulation and Windblocker that accounts for the warmth of the garment. This stuff also goes on sale this time of year.
If all else were equal, my choice would be KOM for quality of build and outstanding wool. The Hillbilly Bibs paired with the jacket of your choice and appropriate layers are perfect 90% of the time IMHO.
-
It has to be absolutely brutal out for me to wear my Hudson Bay blanket coat. My go to, other than the HB coat, is my Swanndri Jacket or Shirt with an attached hood ( both being water proof ), third being a Loan Wolf vest, fourth a Filson jacket. For bottoms I also have found the Swiss army wool pants to be a great value.
As stated above, with the exception of the Hudson Bay blanket coat, depending on the temperature one would have to adjust the layering system.
Good luck.
-
Filson. No contest. Their weave is ridicoulously tight and the highest of high quality. The 100% lifetime guarantee is an added bonus. Not that I've ever had to send anything back.
-
Hawkeye, I see you're from Apollo. I too got lucky and walked into Locust Grove when they were running their ridiculous low sale price on all their filson camo wool 4 or 5 years ago!
-
Ibex or Smartwool for my base layer and Silent Predator for my outer layer.
-
Asbel has a great sale going on now...I too also own several different wool items from more than one sponsor.
Asbell's is nice(they have different weights which may not be known by some), as is Two Tracks, Classic Bowman, and my custom fitted Gray Wolf.
I may have to check out the sale myself and I don't need any!!!
-
I love my Filson wool vest!!!!!
-
For my money, it's Asbell wool hands down. I own all of it....KOM, Filson, Gray Wolf....but the product that I wear BOWHUNTING is Asbell wool.
Don't mistake the stiff, board like texture of Filson (for example, not picking on them) as a sign of "better wool". Teresa Asbell has her wool processed so that it has loft, traps air (that's what keeps you warm) and most importantly, has a soft and flexible so that you can still shoot a traditional bow. These garments are design around the activity of traditional bowhunting.
Many garments incorporate a sewn in wind blocker to improve heat retention. It works great. Teresa does not. Why? Cost and flexibility. I often do use a wind stop vest in conjunction with my Anorak or Pathfinder. But it isn't sewn in, so I have more versatility.
Teresa Asbell has spent YEARS creating hunting garments that the regular guy can afford....without missing out on functionality.
With a sweater, a wind block vest, and a Timber Ghost Anorak, I can hunt in any weather, October thru February.
-
Originally posted by Terry Green:
Asbel has a great sale going on now...I too also own several different wool items from more than one sponsor.
Asbell's is nice(they have different weights which may not be known by some), as is Two Tracks, Classic Bowman, and my custom fitted Gray Wolf.
I may have to check out the sale myself and I don't need any!!!
Terry (or maybe Roger?)
What kind of sale are Fred and Teresa running right now? The things I see on the website appear to be offered at the regular pricing. Am I missing something?
Thanks,
Daryl
-
Filson vest. Seems to be made for bowhunting.
-
Having owned or currently own and used most of the wool mentioned above, here are my thoughts:
Columbia is a really loose weave and the wind goes right through it. It picks up and holds every piece of brush, sticker, or thistle and doesn't want to let it go. That means you better figure on spending an hour plus pulling stuff out of it every time you hunt. However, with the loose weave it blends into the surroundings as well as any of the more expensive brands.
Asbel, I didn't like how loose the weave is our the loose fit, it got in the way of shooting my bow. Many people like it.
Filson is good but a little stiff. Other than the vest, it is a little bulky/baggy to use when shooting a bow. I do like and recommend the vest.
The Weatherby coat I had was to bulky to hunt in, haven't tried their pants.
Swandri, love everything of theirs I have managed to find. I have and old shirt in realtree with zippers on the sleeves instead of buttons that is by far my favorite shirt down to about zero. I like and wear it enough the collar is threadbare and I had to have the cuff's lined. Really wish I could still fit into the camo pants or find another pair a little bigger.
King of the Mountain is hard to beat. It is a little bulky but the blowdown pattern is great in treestands and on the ground come November, is quiet, and comes in about every weight and insulation you could want.
Sleeping Indian is interchangeable with the KOM, just as good, maybe a little better..... It's a matter of preference and finding it.
Gray (Hidden) Wolf is comparable to the Swandri in weave and feel and is available in about every combination KOM does.
As mentioned by others, all wool works better with a wind blocker and will keep you warm if you have the right weight and combination. My recommendation is to buy all your coats and vests with it already built in.
In normal November weather, down to zero, I wear 230 weight Marino wool thermals, uninsulated KOM or Gray Wolf pants, a Swandri Shirt, KOM or GW shirt, a KOM or Gray Wolf vest with wind blocker (That I bought here in the classifieds, I think from Ray Lyons), one or two light weight wool neck gaiters (KUIU), a KUIU wool cap with either/and/or, a thick wool cap/Hidden Wolf Bomber. The caps and neck gaiters are key to regulate and maintain the body heat.
Below zero, it's the same thermals, Gray Wolf insulate bibs, KOM shirt, KOM or GW insulated coat, and a same neck gaiters and caps. If it is really cold I use the KOM Bomber instead of the HW because it is warmer.
Most of the above brands work, though Columbia is at the bottom of the list. Some come in different weights, have wind blocker options, and depending on your preferences good camo, plaid, or solid patterns. I recommend the ones that fit you best (Gray Wolf can be custom made at little or no extra cost) with consideration of the type of hunting you plan on doing. As you probably expect, there is a good correlation between price and and quality.
Buy the ones that best fits your needs and budget. It can break the bank trying to buy it new, especially if you do it all at once. I bought my wool over twenty five years, picking up one of two pieces a year. A lot of it was bought here on the classifieds at 50-60% of the new price. The good thing about buying it used is you don't take the initial hit/depreciation and can resell it for what you paid if you don't like it.
Also, remember the purpose of camo is to break up your silhouette, don't hesitate to mix and match the patterns or brands, my pants rarely match my shirt, vest, or caps.
-
Any wool will be 10 degrees warmer and wind proof by simply layering one of those cheap nylon workout suit below it. It is not noisy when layered under wool and blocks wind as well as if not better then most wind blockers. I seldom by wool with a wind blocker anymore as the windbreaker is cheaper, easier and to my ears quieter.
-
Originally posted by Walt Francis:
a KOM or Gray Wolf vest with wind blocker (That I bought here in the classifieds, I think from Ray Lyons),
Also, remember the purpose of camo is to break up your silhouette, don't hesitate to mix and match the patterns or brands, my pants rarely match my shirt, vest, or caps.
Good comment on the mix and match Walt. I do it all the time. Yup, my chubbiness was your gain. I did replace my vest from Gray Wolf with a slightly larger one with wind block and insulation. It's probably my most used hunting clothing.
-
For really cold weather which to me is 0 and below I wear the grey wolf insulated bibs. There is no way you can get cold with these on. Like all cold weather clothing you will have to pack them to your stand. I have an old KOM jacket for the top layer.
-
Not that expensive and I have gotten years of use out Codet (I think that's how you spell it) pants and insulated jacket. The jacket was warm, but not usable for bowhunting- too bulky. The pants were very usable in a forest green color, but not super warm by itself, pretty good as an outer layer.
I had a filson vest that I liked but my cabin got broken into and the vest was taken. Have not replaced it, yet.
I use a cameo vest a lot with a Asbel wool hooded cover. And merino wool base layer. Really like merino wool.
-
For really cold weather, the above inside a heater body suit. I think I could sit on stand all day with that.
-
the best wool is made right here in New Zealand :goldtooth:
-
Originally posted by JEFF B:
the best wool is made right here in New Zealand :goldtooth:
Swanndri? I have a pullover and like it a lot!
-
(http://i.imgur.com/CQUjZEW.jpg)
-
I have the Anaorak and to me it fits great for bow hunting and I wear it a lot. Filson for pants.
-
Filson for me. A little spendy, but extremely durable. Good-looking, too. While I don't use them for bowhunting, I have a double makinaw coat and a vest that are 20 years old. Both still look very,very good. I really like Filson's tight weave.
Tom
-
My base layers are Minus 33, wool power , my wind breaker is an item called gator wear -- I bought it at a hunting show in Stevens Point WI, very lightweight wind proof , breathable, and 4 way stretch, fantastic item I wish I could find it again, I would buy more!
I own 3 Asbell wool items and love them, never owned a more expensive brand I am sure they are awesome. With the gator item Asbell is just fine. For me late season WI stand hunting my item of choice is the IWOM.
To each his own love this sport we have Traditional Archery, great people, thanks Jerry.
-
I have a Swanndri vest and I love it....
any truth that they moved operations to China?
-
Out of all the wool I have & have had KOM,Sleeping Indian & Swanndri AKA Swanni (sold by Paul Brunners "Screaming Eagle Catalog) Swanni is the tightest weaved and windproof I have used and we are just talking WOOL garment here without any type of WINDSTOP type lining.
-
I think you would be pleased with First Lite wool base layers.
-
I was talking OUTER garment,FIRST lite is great looking stuff I only have hat/mask right now.
-
Has anyone tried WeatherWool? Looks like they've put alot of effort into making a quality product.
-
Ullfrotte Woolpower Merino Wool are the best base layer I have ever used. Very comfortable and very warm. Also wicks water away very well.
-
Silent Predator
-
KOM
-
Not very sexy, but a Korean War surplus Army wool shirt is the densest wool shirt/jacket I've got. You can find them online for very reasonable prices. And, they are washable (90% wool, 10% nylon).
-
not sure but i don't think so terry :scared: sure as hell hope not!!!
-
Sorry Jeff, but yes they have moved most the production to China. I heard they were still producing a small amount in NZ but not exporting any of it. Not entirely sure that is true or not. A year ago I bought one of their Chinese coats just to see if they maintained the quality. I want impressed; sold it the next week on the auction site.
-
Sorry, double post
-
Love my Asbell wool as my outer layer. I also have minus 33, Pendleton wool shirts, and Cabelas Legacy Wool, cargo pants.
I just ordered a pair of the Legacy Wool Bibs and hope they are as good as the reviews.
-
Want to stay warm on stand? Add an 850 fill down jacket from Eddie Bauer or LL bean underneath which ever wool you choose. (BTW IMO the "down sweaters" suck.) But that's how my cold bones beat the chill. I wear ALL WOOL most of the time, with the exception of that little weightless wonder of a packable jacket. It weighs nothing and stays dry when layered, and is windproof. I've used and owned KOM, Day 1, Filson, and who knows what else. My favorite is KOM overall. Day 1 is fine, Filson is fine but not really made to shoot a bow with. Virgin wool takes my vote and the "loose" weave makes it breathe, which is nice when you aren't just sitting. In Day 1 I just sweat like crazy if I move around at all. I love my Day 1 vest though.
-
Cabela's Wooltimate series bar none for long time in a blind or stand but too hot to walk in. I use my green Johnson wool (Like the Benoit boys) for normal still hunting and my Woolrich Red plaid when the guns are going off.
-
For base layer I'm a fan of Justin Charles and Woolpower.
-
Good question Mitch. Something I needed to know as well. Time to get a second job for all the stuff I wanna buy. :D :archer:
-
Originally posted by JEFF B:
the best wool is made right here in New Zealand :goldtooth:
I picked up some NZ merino last spring (or fall in NZ), and it is the best, most comfortable wool I have ever had, and I have a lot of wool. Kind of spendy to go to NZ for a couple of sweaters, but it was the best purchase that I made in the land of the kiwi.
I like my Asbell stuff, and with the merino under it, I am toasty to stupid cold temperatures. My Filson vest is another top quality product, and I still have some old Made in USA Woolrich that is very good.