Will pass on wool

[Jim Dahlberg]

You wool afficianados need to check out Ibex wool products.  They have an outlet page on their website that I have purchased from during the offseasons and gotten good prices. (Buy winter clothing in summer etc.)  I own 3 of their vests and several jackets and pullovers.  Sold my Filson I am so impressed with their products.  But like Bona, I always enjoy my "used" finds the best!  Hardly an outdoor day without wool.

[longbowben]

I wish more people hated wool so i could get a better price on them.I where KOM every day i hunt best stuff on earth.

[Mint]

KOM has worked great for me. I've had mine for at least 15 years now and it still looks new. I don't wash it since it stays amazingly clean. I habg it outside for the day and it gets rid of any smell it might have. In a heavy wind i wear my peter storm rainwear over it asa wind blocker and it works great.

[gnihsifnamk]

I think to rule out wool completely is silly
I also think ruling out synthetics is silly. There is rarely a day in the woods hunting that I don't have merino wool, softshell something, primaloft, and gray wolf woolens on.

[Terry Green]

Yep...i wear fleece much more than wool....
.
But when it gets mean....I'm wearing wool.

[Alexander Traditional]

I like wool,but it is expensive. I think you're better off spending the money if you decide to wear wool,because the weave seems to be tighter. If you're hunting in conditions where you may get damp or wet there is no doubt in my mind that wool is the best. I agree with others that sometimes it does seem like some of the man made stuff just keeps you warmer if you're just sitting,but for the most part I wear wool.

[onewhohasfun]

Started buying KOM in 1987. It was a little more reasonable price wise then. Added 1 or 2 pcs a year and now have quite a few. It is not perfect but what is? I even have some autumn brown that is actually brown, not green, love that color.

Other than replacing a button or two most of my stuff still wears as new. Some of the best money I ever spent. By the way Woolite is the worst smelling stuff I can think of.

[chanumpa]

When soaked wet,wool will still keep you warm.Also is quiet.Thre are infinite choices out there these days.Fleece and good layering is good as well.In extreme cold ,wet conditions though,the old mountaineers use to say,"cotton kills"cause once it is soaked you gonna get chilled to the bone.

[Tsalt]

I've been in the process of switching from synthetic materials and commercial patterns to wool.  For me, there is something nostalgic about wool that just fits trad bow hunting.  Growing up, my dad got a Pendleton wool shirt every year for Christmas.  He still wears them daily and he recently passed down some of his old ones to me... pretty special.  
The look and texture just feels good.   It enhances the whole hunting experience for me... but to each his own.   Guess it just comes down to personal preference.

[BAK]

I've asked this question before.  If wool is so darned good, why is it not used as a fabric by those who depend on their clothing to stay alive?  Expidition wear, mountaineering wear, etc.  Not that it doesn't have it's place, but don't get so wrapped up in the "trad hype" that you forget why wool has limited appeal under the worst of conditions.

[Terry Green]

BAK....those are totally different applications...think about it.  Active, sweating, weight conscious etc....

Will any of those fabrics keep you warm if you get wet?  Cold is one thing, but cold and wet is another.  Its not 'hype' if its fact that wool will still keep you warm if it gets wet.  Or the fact that it will absorb up to 18% of its weight without feeling wet.

Is there any man made fiber that will do that as well as wool?   I'd be interested to know.

And, what man made fabrics will last as long?  Wool is only expensive in the initial investment, but is not less expensive over its lifetime.

Wool is what it is and doesn't have to be 'hyped'...much less labeled 'trad hype'.  It has proven itself and stood the test of time for centuries.

[Tall Paul]

Gray Wolf Wool!  I couldn't think of the name earlier.  I have the pants and jacket, and they have a tight weave that blocks the wind. I was in Tennessee two weeks ago, and was really impressed with the Predator camo.  Deer seem to look right through it.

[Tall Paul]

I've gotten rid of anything Polyester.  The stuff makes me sweat like crazy.  It's like wearing a plastic bag.  Since I went to Merino wool long johns, I don't sweat near as much.

[Marc B.]

Polyester also retains odors and STINKS.

[vermonster13]

Next week " paper or plastic?" LOL. We can debate anything here.

[LC]

Well count me as another non wool user. I get a kick out of all the how great wool threads are on the web. Yes it's got it's place just not for me! I've owned a ton of wool garments over the years and own very little now adays. So many better garments out there that work for staying warm and quiet and scent free.

[Tsalt]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
BAK....those are totally different applications...think about it.  Active, sweating, weight conscious etc....
.

Exactly!  If we were on an alpine expedition we would wear down.  But a puffy down jacked walking through briars and shooting a bow doesn't exactly work.

[Beanbag]

Bah Humbug lol

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
BAK....those are totally different applications...think about it.  Active, sweating, weight conscious etc....

Will any of those fabrics keep you warm if you get wet?  Cold is one thing, but cold and wet is another.  Its not 'hype' if its fact that wool will still keep you warm if it gets wet.  Or the fact that it will absorb up to 18% of its weight without feeling wet.

Is there any man made fiber that will do that as well as wool?   I'd be interested to know.

And, what man made fabrics will last as long?  Wool is only expensive in the initial investment, but is not less expensive over its lifetime.

Wool is what it is and doesn't have to be 'hyped'...much less labeled 'trad hype'.  It has proven itself and stood the test of time for centuries.

Well said.

I'm sorta enjoying this thread. I have enough time in cold northern Michigan to know for SURE that nothing keeps one warm like wool. I am fortunate, in that wool doesn't itch me at all. I have some of my old Army issue long johns...wool...and I still wear them. Yep. 30 year old underwear.   :D  

As I type this, my house is at 66 degrees. I have on a wool sweater, and a wool lap blanket. Get someplace cold and try a wool blanket vs a fleece blanket. Not even close.

Smell? Nonsense. Anything stinks if you don't care for it. And contrary to what the modern fabric crowd will preach...if they are down wind, they can smell you. I promise.

[Ben Maher]

Hunting and fishing Sth Island in winter .....

Wool everyday of the week and twice on Sundays
.......

I use all sorts of clothing but every hunting pack I put together has a wool jacket included in case of emergency