School Me On Wool

[43.6N]

After reading through the current posts on hard use wool clothing, I have many questions.

First, I’m doing an extended January cow hunt on the Wyoming/Idaho border. This has given me an opportunity to reflect on my current cold weather system, and it has been found wanting.

So, for all the true dyed-in-the-wool purists out there, please school me (and others) on wool.

-How do I know if a wool piece is “quality” or not?
-What types of wool should I be considering?
-Would you ever consider buying used wool?
-Are there some reputable brands you would recommend?
-How do I take care of my wool?
-Shrinkage?
-Merino vs Alpaca vs camel?

 

[RADunfee]

My recommendation would surely be Merino and First Lite makes great merino products. However there are a TON of other companies out there. You're going down a deep rabbit hole.

 

[Tmac]

First, one can have an adequate cold weather system without wool. That said, I often wear some wool. I use it less now than 30 years ago. So all my wool, save a couple base layers, is old and I’m no help on brands to consider now.

Couple thoughts. Wool can get heavy, especially if wet. Depending on the tightness of the weave it can suffer in the wind.

Before I redid my clothes, I might look to seeing if I could add warmth or a better outer layer to what I have. You might just be a warmer pair of boots/gloves/face mask and a layer away from being where you need to be.

 

[43.6N]

My recommendation would surely be Merino and First Lite makes great merino products. However there are a TON of other companies out there. You're going down a deep rabbit hole.

Thanks for the recommendation.
My experience with the lighter summer weight wool pieces from first lite and Kuiu has been mixed.

They breathe well, and keep the bugs and sun off. But there seems to be no durability. I have holes that spontaneously pop up under any friction point.

 

[Blurry1]

I’m a big fan of wool base layers and mid layers. Beyond that it can be heavy and bulky. Lots of brands. Remember most of the modern hunting clothing took inspiration from ski and mountaineering clothing. They have decades of development and looking at those companies can widen your search if you are looking for a specific characteristic . I have a pair of Ibex wool bottoms that are 25 years old. The crotch is blown out but still do their job.

 

[PNWGATOR]

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[Maverick1]

The only wool items I would recommend at this point are merino fishnet baselayers.

Wouldn’t use it for an insulating / mid layer since the CLO value is so low.

Wouldn’t use it as an outer layer because while is it quiet it absorbs moisture, is heavy, has a low CLO value, has no wind breaking capability, and is a burr magnet.

 

[beachbunny]

Ive got KOM kit and enough wool to cloth a herd of sheep,cant beat a thrift shop for great wool.4$ for a shetland wool sweater,yeah,ill take that,however when its windy,ill always have a wind shirt to cover or my oilskins but the stuff is heavy

 

[Blowdowner]

The crotch is blown out but still do their job.

Tactical upgrade.

My recommendation is get wool if you like the way it feels and poly makes you stinky or sweaty. Best use in my opinion is a super thin layer against the skin.

 

[43.6N]

Wouldn’t use it for an insulating / mid layer since the CLO value is so low.

Wouldn’t use it as an outer layer because while is it quiet it absorbs moisture, is heavy

The moisture management of wool is my primary concern, and main reason for this post. Im expecting this to be a xc ski and snowshoe type of hunt with significant elevation changes through the day.

I’m fine with damp clothes, but want to minimize the “wet sponge” effect. Can one type of wool better manage moisture compared to a different type?

 

[beachbunny]

The moisture management of wool is my primary concern, and main reason for this post. Im expecting this to be a xc ski and snowshoe type of hunt with significant elevation changes through the day.

I’m fine with damp clothes, but want to minimize the “wet sponge” effect. Can one type of wool better manage moisture compared to a different type?

I vent constantly and yeah,ive got merino wool fishnet,that helps with venting. (Course my kid gets a chuckle when he sees the old man sporti ng those)i learned that in the boyscouts when the boyscouts were boyscouts ahalf ce ntury ago,i believe they are byrne,i got a set from wiggys but they are some synthetic deal,i belive he his having a sale on them now

 

[longrangelead]

I bought two loose knit, but thick wool sweaters at a Goodwill for around $10.

One is big enough I use it as a mid layer, usually between merino and a puffy.
If it's REALLY cold, the other sweater is a size to large so I cut the sleeves off and add it over the top of the other sweater.
The loose knit adds loft between layers and is amazingly warm under a wind layer.

 

[Old3Toe]

Wool base layers top, bottom, and socks are always nonnegotiable. Layer up from there with whatever seems appropriate for the trip. I'm quite fond of a particular wool neck gaiter I use too. Beyond that, wool clothing for the sake of wool is really not the most functional choice.

 

[yeky83]

merino fishnet baselayers

Is Brynje the only option with these? Feels strange paying $100 for a bunch of air holes, but I can’t seem to find any alternatives.

 

[HunterGatherer]

My go to is thin wool base with hoodie, fleece or down mid layer and non wool outer layer ( usually synthetic blend), 95% of the time. I’ve got some of that Heavy Cabelas outfitter wool stuff but only wear it in really cold, dry sitting conditions. Socks merino year round.

 

[North of 60]

Merino wool socks for sure...beyond that there are many choices especially for warmer weather to help reduce the stink.

With the synthetic options we have, I'm not personally convinced it is best for cold weather.

 

[Blurry1]

The moisture management of wool is my primary concern, and main reason for this post. Im expecting this to be a xc ski and snowshoe type of hunt with significant elevation changes through the day.

I’m fine with damp clothes, but want to minimize the “wet sponge” effect. Can one type of wool better manage moisture compared to a different type?

I don’t think I’ve seen a difference in wool that is greater or less than picking an appropriate layer for the job. I do a lot of backcountry skiing which probably pushes base layers far farther than hunting. Heavy cardio followed by changes in outer layer and sudden stops for long periods in cold windy conditions. No matter what in those conditions you have to balance your sweat regardless of your layers. Working hard=vent. Slowing down or stopping dampen your vent or throw on a shell. It’s a system.

 

[DirtyTerp1]

I switched to SG merino shirts for my undershirts at work (Leo) and theyve held up great. Don't stink and even in the summer under a vest they don't wet out to bad. 150gsm and theyve held up great. I have the Sitka 120 merino hoody and its light but not durable, holes in it pop up all the time.

Also have the Sitka 330 baselayers and they are almost a light sweater weight, very warm.

I just purchased code of silence riverwolf merino pants for whitetail in Maryland to bridge the gap when I don't need my fanatic set. Lighter insulation, they weigh just as much as the fanatic bibs, but pack down a little better. Going to wear them Saturday when its 32 degrees out with a baselayer to test.

 

[Ross]

I grew up using wool, as that was the only option for cold weather. These days my base layers are always different thickness according to the temps. There are so many good companies these days, both hunting and non. The one company I would check out and recommend is Duckworth, specifically the powder hoody. It will block the wind very well, is very dense, durable and very warm with not a huge weight penalty. I ended up wearing it this month over my down coat in the high country.

 

[Bump79]

Wool peaks out in my opinion as a light 120-170 gsm merino baselayer. And socks obviously.

Outside of that wool is heavy for the warmth and dries slower than synthetic mid and outer layers