Asbell Wool

[Modad2010]

I just received my order from Teresa today. I purchased a vest for my dad, a pathfinder pullover for my son, and an anorak for myself. The vest and pathfinder were in the timber ghost pattern and my anorak was in the evening stand brown. I was very impressed by the quality of these garments for the price. I was even more impressed by the camouflage properties of the evening stand brown. I live near Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri and we have vast oak forests here. Teresa suggested that ESB would be the best choice for me so I went with it. I had my son look from our deck while walked into the woods behind our house and he was amazed at how it just disappeared into colors of the fallen leaves. He took a pic with his phone and I was shocked at how well it worked for camo. I don't think I'll be buying any more Mossy Oak for deer season.

I do have a question - has anyone ever purchased a size or two larger than they usually wear so they could intentionally shrink it? I would think it would tighten the weave of the fabric some and improve the wind stopping ability of the garment.

I am really pleased with my purchase and I am sure my dad and son will love theirs when they get them for Christmas. I will definitely be getting more for myself.

[katman]

I purchased a pathfinder one size larger for this purpose. Hand washed then blocked it for length and let dry. It did shrink a bit in circumference and am very pleased with the fit.

[Roger Norris]

Modad - I agree with your camo affect observations. I wear lots of Asbell wool, and lots of plaid in general. I usually only wear true commercial camouflage for turkey hunting. ESB, ESG, and Timber Ghost are amazingly adaptable to whatever terrain you are hunting.

With regard to shrinking your wool intentionally....it isn't recommended. Wool being a natural fiber, such a process is hard to control and make consistent. All wool goes through a "fulling" process as you use it. For example, you wear your garment in damp conditions, and continue wearing it all day. Individual fibers are reacting,tightening up, but you are wearing the jacket so it isn't shrinking. It is sorta "forming" around you. In short, wool gets better with wear. Enjoy your garment, you made a great choice!

[Etter]

I love both my vest and pullover but I can tell you for sure that these are tailored for today's average American. If you have an athletic physique, you will have to have them taken in towards the waist.

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by Etter:
I love both my vest and pullover but I can tell you for sure that these are tailored for today's average American. If you have an athletic physique, you will have to have them taken in towards the waist.

Teresa sizes the garments for hunting, not style. That extra room is for layering and range of motion. I had to chuckle at the notion of "tailoring" hunting clothes.    

[Etter]

Well the point of a vest is to hold in heat so it has to sit against the body. These garments that correctly fit me in the shoulders are basically dresses around my waist.  Just my experience.

[RobinHood1389]

Etter...I got the same issues with all my hunting clothes. For it to fit length and chest/shoulders, I gotta buy larger than usual and I swim in the mid section lol

[Stumpkiller]

Originally posted by Etter:
I love both my vest and pullover but I can tell you for sure that these are tailored for today's average American. If you have an athletic physique, you will have to have them taken in towards the waist.

Wow!  I never thought of myself as an athlete.  I'm 6'2", 180lbs and a 44" suit size.  The XL windstopper vest and Mackinaw I have room to spare.  ;-)  The cape is a tad wide, but that is fine because it sheds water and snow like a caped watchcoat.  So I wear a belt on the outside.

   

[John Scifres]

I have lots of the Asbell wool too and agree with the love for the Evening Stand Brown.

I'm not exactly an athletic build but am wider at the shoulders and chest than the waist.  My experience parallels Roger's that the blousing gets better with time.

Not to change the subject too much but Woolrich has a bunch of their wool shirts on sale right now and if you get the modern cut, you will like the fit a lot.

[Etter]

Again, I wasnt bashing it. For the price, it is excellent stuff. I just found it to be more comfortable and a lot warmer once I had them tapered down to fit my profile better. Im sure Im in the minority as far as fits ho though.

[PEARL DRUMS]

The cuff she sews into the bottom will accept shock cord. Add some and a spring clip so you can cinch it around you. No biggy.

[ChuckC]

I had T add 10" to the length of mine years ago.  Yes, it cost more, I knew that going in, but I really like the look.  It hangs more down halfway to my knees.  I did slit the sides and resew them so I had more room to move my legs ( going up a tree with a tight skirt on is not fun).  

I like Asbel wool and use it a lot. A golf shirt underneath it( any color) keeps wind out, as would their customized windstop.

[DeerSpotter]

I just put Asbell Mackinaw with hood and a vest in the classifieds.

 I just haven't used it lately. I stopped hunting about five years ago But now I  just started again. I use my other hunting clothing more. I use the Asbell wool one time hunting, I haven't used it since.  But it's right about the sizing.  She made mine, and then added an extra layer on the inside of the extra heavy wool on the fullback. I worn it in below zero weather and boy kept me warm. Mine is in between XL and XXL.  The hood on it has extra room for a hat.  I like the hood because it draws in the sound louder. Kind a like cupping your ears to hear better.

And as always they were great to work with.

DS

[Biggie Hoffman]

I have several pieces as well, I wear some of it around town. It doesn't look like hunting clothing to the town dwellers. I'm still old school. I don't wear camo unless I'm hunting.

PLUS, it's warm and dry....I just ordered another jacket 8-)

[Dorado]

I have an Asbell zippered jacket in morning mist, a red and black plaid vest and a od green bandana. Love them. They are very warm and comfortable. Can't wait to wear them in the woods. Been too warm until now. Wish I had a place to go...

[Duncan]

Concerning the idea of tailoring Asbell clothing, I consider these garments the same as any fine wool garment. They are made to a general sizing and you can have them taken up or wear them as is. If you bought a nice wool suit chances are you would need to have it altered. The great thing about Asbell wool besides it being great wool, is that the price is such that you can afford to get it fitted if you need to. Roger caught a chuckle off that but I'm like Etter clothes rarely fit me right off the rack. If it fits in the shoulder it will be big in the waist area so I usually get the side seams taken in a little and the sleeves hemmed to my length. Even if I don't get a deer at least I will look good  

[Ray Lyon]

The Shrewhaven gang is not known for athletic physiques.  Tailoring is not necessary.  

[Dorado]

I like that mine's a bit bulky around the middle. I layer up according to the conditions. I have broad shoulders so NOTHING that fits my shoulders fits anywhere else without tailoring. With this I have enough room for a base layer, wool shirt, vest, sweater, then jacket and I'm still able to move. I have been thinking of getting the sleeves taken up a bit, but I kinda like being able to pull my hands up in the sleeves.