Merino wool

[Wmcknight]

Is there any difference in different brands merino wool? I have a Kuiu hooded merino wool shirt that I really like but it’s expensive other brands are cheaper or run more sales than Kuiu. My question is all merino wool products the same (texture / breathable) just different logos on them?

 

[jtivat]

Yes, lots of differences. There are different qualities of the wool itself then there are lots of different blends some add nylon, polyester, elastic or a number of other materials all at different percentages.

 

[Ho5tile1]

For sure there are differences I love kuiu but hate there merino it’s super itchy to me but it has held up well. the first lite merino is super soft and all I use now for merino base layers zero scratch or itchy feeling for me.


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[Dos Perros]

The durability of my Black Ovis and Core4Element merino was not very good. Kuiu and so far SG have been durable. I stay away from cheap merino now.

 

[AnyMinuteNow]

Kuiu sources merino from a brand from new zealand called Nuyarn. Nuyarn is one of the most cutting edge, award winning merino brands in the world. That being said, a lot of the merino brands nowadays have leveled up. it's no longer as itchy. That being said, you will notice a lot of difference when wearing kuiu. Less itchy, it holds it's shape longer. It dries even faster. First lite Kiln series is also unbelievable. Duckworth makes great US based merino.

 

[Wapiti1]

The best that I have are from non-hunting brands and are blends. More durable, and dry faster than 100% wool. Terramar has a merino line that has been great. Rab is another that I have that has been very durable. Several Amazon brands that are blends have also been good. If you're patient they go on sale often, keep checking places like Steep and Cheap.

All of the 100% wool that I've had lasts about 2 years before it gets a few small holes that grow (Kuiu, Black Ovis, Icebreaker, Ibex). Fine for base layers, but I like wool t-shirts for everyday wear and my wife yells at me if it has holes.

Jeremy

 

[Sinistram]

Yep, there are differences, and I hate admitting that!

I, too, was sucked into the cheap merino from various outlets to see if I liked it more than synthetics. Short version, I liked it way more and have found it to be useful in my daily life outside the hunting fields. I ponied up and bought some First Lite shirts and not only is the quality of the merino much better (ain't no itching there, baby), but the actual build quality of the shirt is excellent. The wallet hurt after that one, but I feel it was worth it because of the use they get.

I've also been really impressed with Badlands merino. I bought four of their lightweight t-shirts off Camofire a while back and wear them all the time. Same excellent quality of stitching and merino.

 

[Davyalabama]

I get the cheaper Am$%^& stuff, just layer it. Some days I'm using 150, some I have the 150, 200 and 400 on. I get cold easy even in the South sitting in a tree barely moving for hours with the wind blowing. I just haven't spent the money on the expensive stuff.

 

[Windrunner17]

Is there any difference in different brands merino wool? I have a Kuiu hooded merino wool shirt that I really like but it’s expensive other brands are cheaper or run more sales than Kuiu. My question is all merino wool products the same (texture / breathable) just different logos on them?

They're all different. Different feel, different quality, construction, different blends, durability, etc.

I have had good experiences with the Duck Camp Barnburner Hoodie and Giddy-Up Jogger sweats. Duckworth Powder Hoodie is good, but only 50% wool. Swazi Cairnsman is great for a heavy duty wool hoodie, but it's not merino. As far as baselayers I've liked the Duckworth Comet products and Minus33 has some good ones.

My favorite merino products are my Aclima Woolnet base layers and my woolpower vest and sweater.

 

[Tradchef]

I've been trying a lot of different companies. First Lite was never a top one on my list It lasted about the same as the others so around 2 years for the LLano and barely a season with the Wick for me. Decent quality. I use a lot of Duckworth. I like their stuff but quality issues like bad stitching and holes from the factory are common on some pieces, but they are awesome about sending you a new one or repairing ASAP. I am trying out WURU out of Salt Lake now for a baselayer top. So far its solid We'll see about durability. Kuiu is on point. The Nuyarn they use is awesome and WURU does that as well. Minus 33 is really good. Similar to First Lite. Icebreaker is good. Shit, Costco has a good merino if you can find them. Smartwool is nice but I have had durability issues. REI brand is ok. Cheaper but doesnt fit as well. Those are the ones i have played with and that have been pretty solid. Duckworth is made extremely well and is a good contender and they are made here in Montana. They just dont have inventory like most others since they are small so that could be an issue if you need something ASAP

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Most durable so far has been Sitka armor spun merino. Using the 120 hoody and can’t believe how durable it has been for how thin it is

 

[Erussell01]

Most durable so far has been Sitka armor spun merino. Using the 120 hoody and can’t believe how durable it has been for how thin it is

Ny experience as well. I dont want to raise my Sitka flag any higher but it might be the new king of the lightweight Merino category. So much so that its got me looking at the 120 bottoms and 220 tops and bottoms.

I have the 120 in a hoodie and long sleeve and boy that is a remarkable piece of gear.

 

[twall13]

I've had mixed results so far with the Sitka Armor Spun stuff. I picked up both a hoodie and T-shirt in the armor spun 120 weight. Used the hoodie on a mule deer hunt with good success, but the T-shirt got a couple holes in it on the car ride to the hunt. Not sure how but I was pretty disappointed there. The hoodie seems to be in great shape still and it took more of a beating so I'm a little at a loss as to what's going on. That said, it's a really comfortable lightweight Merino blend.

I do see a big difference in durability with the Merino blends holding up much better than straight Merino fabric of a similar weight. Before giving the Sitka Armor spun stuff a go I've had the best luck with Voormi's lightweight Merino. It's not quite as soft as First Lite, Sitka, and Minus33 but it's super light and remarkably durable for the weight. If the Sitka hoodie holds up I wouldn't hesitate to buy Merino blends from any of those brands again.

I have one Kuiu nuyarn piece and it's been very durable but it's by far the least comfortable of any Merino piece I've ever tried. Very little stretch and much more itchy.

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[Jon_G]

I have not tried the Sitka but I have tried the stone glacier and the Kuiu. As good as kuiu stuff is, stone glacier is above all others in my opinion when it comes to hunting clothes.

I'm not married to any brand. I will wear kuiu pants, a stone glacier jacket and a sitka top if that's what I think will be best for the trip. This last hunting trip I went on, every single piece of gear was stone glacier and I didn't do it on purpose. Everyone's taste is different and you may find one piece of one brand that you like more than another brand. But I don't think stone glacier can be beat. And they truly do have the best customer service of any brand out there.

 

[Erussell01]

I've had mixed results so far with the Sitka Armor Spun stuff. I picked up both a hoodie and T-shirt in the armor spun 120 weight. Used the hoodie on a mule deer hunt with good success, but the T-shirt got a couple holes in it on the car ride to the hunt. Not sure how but I was pretty disappointed there. The hoodie seems to be in great shape still and it took more of a beating so I'm a little at a loss as to what's going on. That said, it's a really comfortable lightweight Merino blend.

I do see a big difference in durability with the Merino blends holding up much better than straight Merino fabric of a similar weight. Before giving the Sitka Armor spun stuff a go I've had the best luck with Voormi's lightweight Merino. It's not quite as soft as First Lite, Sitka, and Minus33 but it's super light and remarkably durable for the weight. If the Sitka hoodie holds up I wouldn't hesitate to buy Merino blends from any of those brands again.

I have one Kuiu nuyarn piece and it's been very durable but it's by far the least comfortable of any Merino piece I've ever tried. Very little stretch and much more itchy.

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My kuiu 125 t and 145 hoodie have been unreal for durability but i totally agree with the itch factor.

Does voormi run decent sales? What's the blend on it?

 

[Erussell01]

I have not tried the Sitka but I have tried the stone glacier and the Kuiu. As good as kuiu stuff is, stone glacier is above all others in my opinion when it comes to hunting clothes.

I'm not married to any brand. I will wear kuiu pants, a stone glacier jacket and a sitka top if that's what I think will be best for the trip. This last hunting trip I went on, every single piece of gear was stone glacier and I didn't do it on purpose. Everyone's taste is different and you may find one piece of one brand that you like more than another brand. But I don't think stone glacier can be beat. And they truly do have the best customer service of any brand out there.

I don't have any SG Merino yet but I really like them as a company and I have other of their gear that I use a ton. My only issue with SG has been that their stuff is very geared towards western hunting and sadly I only get to do that one or two weeks out of the year and the rest of the year I'm chasing deer and birds in the midwest

 

[Jon_G]

I don't have any SG Merino yet but I really like them as a company and I have other of their gear that I use a ton. My only issue with SG has been that their stuff is very geared towards western hunting and sadly I only get to do that one or two weeks out of the year and the rest of the year I'm chasing deer and birds in the midwest

Is it because their stuff isn't warm enough?

 

[twall13]

My kuiu 125 t and 145 hoodie have been unreal for durability but i totally agree with the itch factor.

Does voormi run decent sales? What's the blend on it?

Sales at Voormi only happen rarely and don't typically save a ton over their regular prices, unfortunately.

My River Run hoodie says 52% Merino 48% Polyester. My heavier weight High-E Hoodie is 42% Merino, 31% Polyester, 25% Nylon and 2% Lycra.

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[Erussell01]

Is it because their stuff isn't warm enough?

They don't make gear driven towards waterfowl, or stand hunting. They make amazing products, but for example their pants in my experience have been loud for stand hunting whitetails. Their tops seem to be just fine, and I absolutely lovs my SG chilkoot sleeping bag, but as far as outerwear for whitetails, turkeys and waterfowl thats not their focus. I have wore some of their gear for upland with good success.

 

[squaretac]

There is definitely a difference in wool fabrics from company to company. Unfortunately, from my experience 100% wool clothing is not as durable as clothing with mixed artificial fabrics. Something like 80% wool and 20% nylon or polyester seems to be more durable. I think if you are buying wool clothing, you need to have the mindset that you are going to have to replace it every so often. The better wool seems to be more expensive and longer lasting.