Dayone wool or Graywolf wool

[Recurve-4-life]

I have been looking into purchasing a set of several clothing items from eithier Dayone or Graywolf for some time but am having trouble making a decision.  I would like to find out from individuals who have used the products how has the wool held up to cleaning/washing, how the seem stitching has held up, and are the products windproof?  

I have recieved fabric samples from both manufacturers and the Graywolf appears to be a heavier wool and weave, but if the Dayone holds up and performs as well I don't want to spend the extra money$$$$$ for graywolf.  

Thanks ahead of time for any and all input.


John P.

[NoCams]

Where is that cup of coffee..... I am in the same boat, would love to hear more experienced cold weather hunters give us the low down.

Bought my son a used Grey Wolf bomber jacket last year. It has 150gr thinsulate but no wind liner. We rode the ATV about 30mph and NO wind came thru. I think it is because of the tightness of the GWW weave, it is tight.

nocams  

[Dave Bulla]

I've never owned the Day One wool but I have a good bit of their regular camo.  I also have an N.A.O. (North American Outfitters) coat that was the original name of the company I believe.  I think it ran NAO, Hidden Wolf, something else and now I guess Gray Wolf???  Maybe I'm not thinking of the same company.  I think the wolf skins company is NOT the same company line I'm thinking of but I'm not certain. Too many companies with "wolf something or other" in the name for me to keep them straight.... I do remember NAO was owned by a guy named Marc Barger back when I got mine.  I'm pretty sure it's changed hands multiple times so I'm sure there have been changes made to the whole line.

Honestly, I didn't ever care for the DESIGN of the coat.  Pretty much zero flap overlap over the zipper, tight in the arms, poor pocket layout, didn't like the collar style, the detatchable hood was so short that when I had it up, the entire weight of the coat rested on top of my head and oh, I'm sure there were other things.  It's been laying in a plastic tub in the basement for years.  Last I'd looked at it, a mouse had chewed a hole in it by the bottom edge...

Anyway, long story short, I've always been happy with anything I bought from Day One and would shop there again.  The Wolf something or other place, I'd prefer to try before I'd buy.  Might be great stuff nowadays????

[Recurve-4-life]

I've tried testing the samples against a hairdryer for wind resistance, and I recently thought how about water repelency.  True virgin wool is supposed to be somewhat hydrophobic I believe until it sits in moisture for extended... periods then it begins to absorb some moisture.  

I placed dayone wool in water and it immediately absorbed the H20 and sunk.

I placed graywolf wool in water and it floated for 30 minutes, I then tried to weight it down and it still floated.  I finally weighted it down with plyers for an additional 20 minutes and when I took the plyers off it floated again.  Their wool is truely hydrophobic.

I also placed Dayone fleece into the water and it floated for 20 minutes before sinking due to water absorbtion.  

I thought these findings were very insightful as to the nature of the different fabrics and materials.  

Please share your individual experience with these fabrics as posted in intial questions?  Just thought I would include that little non-controlled experiment since I have samples but no clothes yet.

John

[jcar315]

I can only relate my first hand experience in dealing with Day One. I called and ordered a scent lok parka for a trip to WI in what I was told "was plenty of time." Needless to say it was time to go and no parka. It didn't come until some weeks after I came BACK from my trip with absolutely no explaination. When I called the owner told me he was sorry and gave me a $50 gift certificate. Called back next August to use the gift certificate on a vest. Wouldn't you know it....weeks after I was promised the vest it finally came. Good thing I ordered it months before I needed it. I was less than pleased with the parka the vest is a nice piece. Having had the dealings with them twice I will never do business with them again. Regardless of the "quality" of the product the "customer service" part of the equation does come into paly.

[Stone Knife]

Gray wolf is good stuff I own several items made of wool that I bought from them and from other people off this site. They are a sponsor here and are great to deal with, you get what you pay for and they do what they tell you, that in it's self is a bargain now a days.

[tomyhawk]

I have several pcs of gray wolf and have had them for several years.
I like the fall gray it works like a charm.
Great product great quality right on time.
 

[BigJim]

I had gray wolf make custom bibs and pullover coat for me a couple of years ago. Fantastic people and service. I don't get to wear it much here in Georgia since our weather is hot and hotter most of the time (I'm a damn Yankee from Minnesota). But I have worn it for weeks in a row in SK deer hunting(sitting still) and moose hunting (on the go).
Super pleased and would purchase from them again but becuase of the quality, probably won't have too for a very long time.

BigJim

[Bigriver]

Dave,

 Gray Wolf has been in stable hands for quite a few years after Marc Barger. The Co is owned by Jeff Aulik from Antigo WI. They are also a sponsor here which should tell you they are a good company.

 The customer service is top notch. They will deliver the stuff as promised. Jeff & a few employees make the clothes custom to your specs & measurements. There are numerous options on pockets & such. You can call & talk to the owner & the guy who actually makes your hunting gear. That goes a long way when buying high end, expensive stuff imo.

 Jeff is also a hunter, one of the best hunters I know. That helps in the design of hunting clothes.

The stuff is built to last a lifetime. I have put mine thru the wringer & it has come through with flying colors.(end of commercial)

[jcar315]

PS To my above posting. I had forgotten that I had bought several hats from Gray Wolf last season. The entire process from start to end could not have gone smoother. Got hats for my son and myself on the 1st order and they were so nice I called back and got more for gifts for others! Dealt with the owner and he treated me excellent. My experience was top notch and would reccommend Gray Wolf to anyone.

[Winterhawk1960]

Another            for Gray Wolf Woolens. I had Jeff make my wife and I a complete outfit out of the wolfskin with the insulation and wind stop material about 4 or 5 years ago.

It was right in the middle of the company transfer from Marc Barger. He was trying to build back up the company's reputation, and was a real pleasure to work with. Our bibs, coats, mittens and hat's are just as new, after several years of wear.

I wouldn't hesitate one second to order from him again, he is very up-front, and delivers when he promises. The quality is worth paying for.

Winterhawk1960

[jcar315]

Am I detecting a trend here????  The low price joy quickly wears off with poor service and or quality IMO.

[Flatstick]

Recurve,, I was in the same situation last year. I wanted a good wool vest and narrowed the choses down to Day One & Gray Wolf.

I have a friend that has the Gray Wolf vest and liked it so I went to check it out. It was a very well made item and I was giving it serious thought. But it was too expensive for me, I wanted more pockets and an alterration made so I could put my safety harness strap out the back of the vest. The pockets and alterations according to thier website would cost an additional $50 EACH ! I really liked thier vest and the Predator camo but it was just adding up to more then I could send, nothing against the company.

So I looked into the Day One vest. It has a great design for the bowhunter. Four large pockets that don't get in the way of your bowstring and don't cost anything extra! I added the slot to the back for my safety harness for $25 and honestly have not found anything else I would change to the original design of this vest.I ordered the vest long before I needed it to hunt with, It did take awhile,I could go back and see how long it took but the quality and design of it makes up for the wait for me.

I know the old saying "you get what you pay for" and I believe that to a certain point,but that does not always mean the highest price is the best choice. All this is souly based on my opinion and experience with the Day One wool vest. Not trying to argue with anybody or push one product over another, just MY thoughts.

[Tim Finley]

Just this week I recieved a gray wolf vest and it is extremly well made , the first one I ordered was to tight to wear somthing underneath so I sent it back and they made me a new one and had it back in about a week. I couldnt believe the customer service,fast! The vest has a lining of some thin material they call a fleece, two large pockets, a stand up colar and is longer in the back than the front, very well made, Im happy......Tim

[Recurve-4-life]

Sounds like graywolf has no customer complaints when it comes to their wool or customer service.

Does anyone have any experience with Dayone ASAT wool as far as fabric longevity, washability, and it being windproof?

[jcar315]

Recurve 4 Life, That would be me again on the ASAT wool. To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement. Started fraying and fading around the sleeve cuffs in very short order. Believ me I didn't get the parka for free and at the time it was a big investment for me.Ended up selling the parks to a friend at Church for $50. My Day One vest is part of my go to ensemble so not hating on the vest but the customer service and being misled in regards to time-line on ordering IMO is a big strike against Day One. Just my opinion and experience.

[Rick Perry]

+1 for graywolf  .......... great products and great customer service  ......... I recommend them highly !!!!!

[MikeBurns]

Another kudos for Jeff!! I don't have any of his wool garments but have two complete sets of wolfskin. One unlined and another lined with comfortmax. You get what you pay for, it's that simple.

[52 bow]

I have a Day One brn. predator fleece parka with wind lining and wouldn't part with it for anything, light, warm, lots of pockets, and great sleeve lenght[30" dwaw].Never had any trouble with any of Gary's parka's[ I have 5 of diff. weights and materials] or with his shipping time given!!

[Recurve-4-life]

After testing the different companies fabrics, seeing their quality in hand, and hearing the responses from trad gang, I believe Graywolf is a safer and better investment.  I know the garments are expensive but I guess you have to look at wool clothing as a piece of equipment such as a bow that should last a very long time.  That is what I am telling myself to help rationalize the expense of these clothes in my head anyway.  

For those that have gone with Graywolf Wool what weight have most of you chosen to purchase 27oz or 18oz.