School Me On Wool

[Nine Banger]

Well, if you look at my history I'm entirely against the grain on Duckworth...but I'm also not an influencer, nor have I ever caught charges. However to state my personal, sole, individual, opinion upfront, I believe they're mostly marketing/influencer hype and not legitimate technical wool forward apparel for serious backcountry hunters.

The Duckworth Vapor Hoody is my preferred base layer of what I have here right now, but I was surprised it was only 38% wool. My buddy pointed that out today.

 

[The Ri Guy]

The Duckworth Vapor Hoody is my preferred base layer of what I have here right now, but I was surprised it was only 38% wool. My buddy pointed that out today.

Yeah it’s really a bummer when all of their marketing and advertising is about “American Wool”.

Even the sale email I got last night puts “American Wool” ahead of “American Workers” in the verbiage…

 

[eidsvolling]

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?

You are the single best “use case” for this that I have ever seen:

Brynje Wool Thermo Mesh

Signed,
Guy who used a cotton version decades ago and lusts after the woolen version. Former SAR dog handler in AK, MN, NH and WA and lifetime skier and snowshoer.

 

[madtinker]

I wear wool almost exclusively when hunting. I love it. However; I try to avoid knit outer layers because they catch on branches so much more than felted wool. I get my wool at thrift stores or garage sales. I like old army gear. The wool can be itchy, so a light merino sweater is my favorite base layer.

You have to wash wool in cold water, and some pieces are hand wash only. My wife has shrunk several of my favorite sweaters, which are now my daughter’s favorite sweaters. It you don’t want them shrunk, wash it yourself and hang to dry without delay.

 

[Macintosh]

Guess Im a bit surprised at the wool hatred from some. I have a couple decades of the latest and greatest synthetics along with old school wool. Imo they both have their place. Like anything if used in the right application it works well, if wrong it wont. Everything is a tradeoff, its not perfect, but imo it for sure has a place still.
Merino baselayer and thinner wool shirts and pants are great, and merino doesnt itch. It doesnt do as well as synthetic for super high output moisture transfer, but for most hunting its great. AND it doesnt stink nearly as bad as synthetic. I also still love my old school wool pants.The pants are like an old school softshell to me—a tight weave will stop some breeze, but they breathe ok, they keep you warm even if wet, but biggest for me is they are QUIET. I have multiple pairs of hunting and climbing/skiing soft shell pants (which is what all the popular hunting-brand pants are), and the nylon fabric in all cases Ive ever seen is loud for my use—both the swish of leg-against-leg when walking, and the sound of them against brush. That may not be a big deal to some, but its a deal-breaker trying to sneak up close in the woods. I think being quiet in brush is the biggest reason old school wool is still the go-to choice for northern new england deer hunting. That and it only takes shredding one down layer in moments in brush to save that for when youre not moving at all. If I am climbing or skiing I dont wear wool though, because I dont care about being quiet.
I think fit is one of the biggest reasons people hate old school wool. Some of the patterns clearly havent changed since WWII. I +\- live in a old school plaid wool jac shirt November thru March.

FWIW Im not concerned with the insulating value of the material versus other options, because for the most part Im not using it for insulation. Its the other properties that are more inportant to me.