Will pass on wool

[flinthead]

After listening to a fellow hunter talk about washing in woolite, blocking to dry, ect. with wool- and the cost of good wool hunting clothes- I will make do with cotton and microfiber clothing. Every man is welcome to his own choice, but this wool thing seems like a step backwards to me.
If you enjoy wool go for it, but this stuff seems to cost more than some of my bows. Just one opinion, Roy

[oldbohntr]

There's a lot of good stuff other than wool out there.  I use some of it, but sure do love my good wool garments.  I'm not with you on the cotton idea however.  Everyone to his own opinion.

[centaur]

It doesn't have to cost a fortune. The Asbell pullovers are inexpensive and durable, and a trip to the Salvation Army store will probably be a good source of inexpensive wool. Military surplus wool pants are dirt cheap and great hunting pants.
It's certainly your choice, but wool doesn't necessarily break the bank.

Well. I hunt in an area where it seldom gets much below 40 degrees. Never have seen much of a need for wool down here so I have never tried any. I do not like being cold very much and if I hunted up north I bet I would own some wool.

Bisch

[flinthead]

Yea, I live in the mountains but do not hunt in the rain much anymore. Got older and wimpy maybe? Seemed like a hard material to live with- but if it your cup of tea-enjoy. Thanks, Roy

[shedhunta]

Anyone have smell issues with wool?  I have witnessed it smelling like a wet dog?   In the market for new cold weather gear and I am leaning towards fleece myself.

[AWPForester]

Roy, I agree with you to a point.  If you don't buy smart you can sink a pile of $ in exactly what you described.  But, if you shop around on your quest, you can buy wool hunting clothes cheaper than the cotton or micro fibers and get the stuff you can wash.  It has a lot of the oils and stuff washed out due to it being preshrunk, but it is so superior, even in that state, to the micro fibers, for keeping you warm and breathability, it is worth it.

I am a tight wad, but I have sold and traded off nearly ever piece of hunting clothes that isn't wool because of this.  And I had a lot of high dollar microfiber hunting clothes.

FYI, I buy Cabelas washable wool pants, got 2 pair now I have bought when they were on sale for $39 a piece.  I have a pair of columbia cao'ed pants and a pair of military surplus, which are great pants bud.  I Buy cabelas washable wool button up's on sale for $39 apiece.  I have 2.  I own 2 of the Asbell pullover which can be hand washed.  I also have 4 pair of wool socks for hunting.  My next project is 2 pairs of wool long handles, and one of Teresa's wool jackets for casual wear.

Sounds like a lot but it has me covered from 60's down to 0 no problems.  It really is the most versatile hunting garment material on the face of the planet.  I wore them last week in the temps of the mid teens, up to 65 today.  Stayed toasty warm and didn't sweat on my hikes in.  But the greatest attribute of it is it does all of this with out getting stinky.

I just spent 8 days in a camp with nothing but towels baths.  I wore my wool outer garmits and they smell greatt right now with no laundring.  I have to change my poly propoleyne long handles and cotton undies daily, but wore the same couple pairs of wool all week.  It really is the greatest.

So, if you buy smart, be patient to get deals, you get all the easy to care for wool clothing you will ever need much cheaper than the touted microfibers.  And have far superior clothing to boot.  Give it a try, you will not be sorry.  God Bless

[Stumpkiller]

I thought it was bad luck to wash hunting clothes or coffee pots.    

[motorhead7963]

I love wool, it can be had for cheap if you shop around. I own 5 pair of the Surplus store military wool pants, the most I have ever paid is 12 bucks a pair. I used to live up in Idaho and believe me it gets cold up there, I cant stand the (NEW)fabrics THEY STINK!! they are permiated with that chemical smell, my own dog just smells them all over I cant imagine what the deer smell? Good OL cotton and wool for me!!

[stalkin4elk]

Merino wool socks and base layers are the best no matter your choice of outer layers. Search Minus 33 brand for top quality affordable merino wool to use against your skin.
I'll stay out of the outer layer debate today.

[Rob W.]

I got through many years without wool even some pretty rough late season duck hunts. I'm not sold on wool as an outer layer 100% of the time but wouldn't trade my wool socks and long johns for anything.  I also like ragg wool sweaters and will own an Asbell vest before next season. Nothing I wear costs more than $50 other than my boots.

[Day Dreamer]

Well said Rob W, I work outside for a living and a wool base layer is the ticket. Got to say, I favor a wool outer layer for 98% of my hunting.

[TxAg]

I love my wool.  I wash mine like normal. Hang to dry.  Easy. Although, I should note that I rarely wash my outer layers and my base layers are the Minus33 brand mentioned above...no special care needed so I wash them often.

I buy it cheap, too. I don't see a downside.

Just my two cents

[ALwoodsman]

I have just started wearing wool in the past couple of years.  Like anything it has it's pros and cons.  The biggest downside to it is weight.  It is heavier than synthetics.  If it gets saturated with water it takes a while to dry.  Other than that I love it.  I especially like wool base layers.  Most of the Under Armour stuff is as expensive as wool base layers and I do not think it performs anywhere near as well.  As far as cotton goes I do not and will not wear it at all for hunting in cold weather.

[Arwin]

I love my ugly "Bill Cosby" wool sweaters to wear under my hunting clothes, LOL!
 I agree, some of the clothing prices are insane. Fleece is about right in the middle for warmth, silence and price.  

[Archie]

I just started wearing wool this season and am completely impressed with it.  It made my hunting much more comfortable.

hello fellow bowman    I did post my info    

I think it might have gotten lost  

Wool is a very complex fabric--  

not many wool producers left in the US      

If you like a product and it is quality  buy it now   because it isn't going to get cheaper

There is an old saying told to be by a wise old jewish business man    " somethimes cheap is expensive "  think about it !    does not matter what is it--  

What will you have 30-40  years from now - it won't be the carbon or wool arrows you paid
X amount for--   Fred Bear wore the same shirt as fr as I know for 40 years  - did he have more than one of trhe same color -- yes - see insince cabin photo of him playing cards  -- there are two plaid shirts hangin on the wall -  
How to layer     wear merino wool under garments
light or medium wool shirt--  vest -- wool jacket   --  iof it rains hard wear a rain jacket--  there are some real light ones out there   even if you are into the light mountain gear  -- bring a wool shirt --  you won't regret it--   coming soon   Top of the Mountain shirt-
Would you really chance being out in fleece  
Why do many outfitters list say bring wool jacket of pants ????
good hunting    RT

[Roadkill]

I have worn a pair of german mil surplus pants for years without washing.  Hang outside in the sun, sometimes inside out.  Store them in the summer in a tight barrel.  Mojo can be washed out, so i never take that chance.  Point is there are inexpensive wool options and getting even blood on them can be easily cleaned by drying thoroughly and thumping them with a stick to push out dirt and stains

[ripforce56]

Lots of good opines on the subjects, I love wool but its not for everyone, it can be picky to the skin, absorbs water, gets heavy, and will smell some when wet! as a base layer, hat or neck gaitor or socks Merino wool cannot be beat its the best! as stated by Classic Bowman good domestic USA wool is hard to find and is a Premium and getting rarer the 100% Virgin Wool is almost a thing of the past! Thats why older Pendleton, Filson, Woolrich & are ofton a coveted commodity.  If you live in a warmer climate I can see where wool would not be the fabric of choice, I wear cotton even up here in Michigan when its warmer like now 40s-50s! With all that being said I love wool as an outerlayer its quiet absorbs light, still warm when wet, and  as a camo the woodsy plaids can't be beat! I use the lighter wool and then layer with Polyfleece or some synthetic under neath its the best of both worlds! there are great fabrics out there however like the Windstoppers, Hydro-fleeces, the Rivers West HP5 etc its all good but for me its wool all the way!

[ron w]

No matter what you may think, and your opinion is important, wool works. It always has and it always will! I have wool shirts that are 35 years old....still good and still one of the best deals out there. See where some you "modern" materials are in 35 years!!