Why Does Wool Keep You Warm When Wet?

[Dan Adair]

Brad, I've always had that same dilemna until I bought an IBEX 190 "Woolie"  Turns out EdT knew what he was taking about.  They use ZQue from New Zealand like other brands, but they won't buy it if it has "trim" added in.  By far, the best merino baselayer I've bought yet.


Terry, I through hiked The Bob Marshall last summer, I wore Smartwool PhDs and Point 6 socks.  Both about the loft you'd see in a cotton sock.  I put on less blisters than my buddy who wore synthetics.

The rest of the group, Buy wool.  and it doesn't have to be from last century either.  Look at the new, more technical offerings, from many manufacturers.  It kills me that right now today, even the non-hunting sect of outdoorsman, STILL haven't come up with a better performance fabric than wool.

[Roger Norris]

One of the most handy pieces of gear I own? A simple, Army surplus wool blanket. I have slept under it at Shrewhaven, in Idaho, Wyoming, Newfoundland, and last night in my bed at home. I have a duplicate in my vehicle....best piece of "survival gear" I know of.

[ironmike]

i was a hard hat diver in my younger days,i wore tradition gear mostly and woolens under my suit with a cotton wool blend long john suit under that,i dove the east river in new york  and the atlantic coastal waters in the coldest of winters,always stayed pretty warm and suffered well when the suit cut and i got soaked, i would have froze to death if it was a dupont  product.

[German Dog]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Also...if you ever wear thin wool socks in the summer...

you will throw your clammy cotton socks away.      

SO TRUE!!!

Now if I could just find some wool briefs...

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Biathlonman:
 wool does itch me, even the good high dollar merino.  

What brands have itched you?

I was given a pair of filson thermals and threw them away after I wore them once.  Their 'merino' wasn't 'the bomb' like Smartwool.  Don't know what filson sells now, that was a few years ago....but I was already into smartwool and still am now...

[Biathlonman]

I've tried Smartwool, Icebreaker, Core4, and Ibex.  It bugs me.most on forearms and neck, but like I said I just deal with it as I haven't found anything better.

[Sarah]

It is possible (though rare) to have an allergy to wool or lanolin...

[johnnyk71]

yep, i have a friend who is allergic to lanolin. can't use any kind of skin lotion with it, or he breaks out and itches like crazy. that might be part of the problem.

[Burnsie]

wool is good

[JEFF B]

it has lanolin in it and that keeps the cold out and water proofs it as well

[snakebit40]

Chances of rain early Friday morning and clearing up at sun up. I'm hoping to test my wool out!

[WESTBROOK]

For the record, Poison Ivy kicks my butt, but wool does not bother me at all, I love it! Pendleton's wool is rather coarse though.

Eric

[Steve Jr]

X2, Eric poison ivy loves me but wool don't bother me at all.

[Gen273]

I love wool

[Roger Norris]

Almost time....I sat in my tree tonight until drk, comfortable in a thick flannel shirt and moleskin pants. It got down to 52....a few more degrees and it's wool time  

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Biathlonman:
I've tried Smartwool, Icebreaker, Core4, and Ibex.  It bugs me.most on forearms and neck, but like I said I just deal with it as I haven't found anything better.

Get you a thin lightweight poly and wear it underneath....as a barrier against the wool.  Smartwool never itched me, but your skin might be different. I know I could NOT wear that filson I got as a Christmas present....so I know how you feel....made my skin crawl.

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
 

Originally posted by Biathlonman:
I've tried Smartwool, Icebreaker, Core4, and Ibex.  It bugs me.most on forearms and neck, but like I said I just deal with it as I haven't found anything better.

Get you a thin lightweight poly and wear it underneath....as a barrier against the wool.  Smartwool never itched me, but your skin might be different. I know I could NOT wear that filson I got as a Christmas present....so I know how you feel....made my skin crawl. [/b]

One of my sons wear those long sleeve under Armour things between his skin and the wool. Works for him.

[Overspined]

Increases heat 1 cal when wet.  Fleece...don't think so

The merino fibers are soft and long, so I don't find them itchy at all.  I wear no synthetics, wool and more wool.  Merino against skin, and KOM, amongst others outside of that.   Ok, ok, synthetic underwear     :D

All the synthetics try to compare to....you guessed it, wool. But they melt, stink, clam up, and don't do what wool does.  

Combine it with down and I think we have a combo that can't be beat. When it's really cold, I just add down and I'm able to function!!  It took a long time to find the magic combo. I'm miserably cold all the time compared to those that don't seem to mind the cold.

I think those of us highly affected by the cold can make a true comparison in gear when compared to the grizzly bears able to go almost naked and continue to function as if 70 and sunny!

[Firstlight]

My great uncles wool long-john's, wool vest and wool sweaters up top (different thickness) and a with wool jacket.  Silk boxers ;>)   I do own Gortex outer wear but am increasingly disappointed after a long day of rain in the Pacific NW.

Just today I bought a 100%  wool DRESS pants from the Salvation army for hunting only.

Great for a layer, especially under rain gear.  

Feels kinda funny wearing dress slacks to a hunt, but they are wool!!  I guess I'll need a new, "non camo"  avitar - picture

I have Camo's etc but this year I decided to go old school and practical and am sticking with wool's and plaid.

[thump]

Thin wool socks! That’s news to me I’ll be shopping for a pair tomorrow