Wool shirt recommendation

[Jesse Jaymes]

Stanfield wool Henley aka the island tuxedo (Vancouver island BC) every outdoorsman should have one

I never heard of them until I was in Campbell River....had to have one! To hot to run it yet...every logger on Netflix has one

 

[schuy2147]

Llbean’s Maine Guide options are solid for the price.

 

[jtivat]

I never heard of them until I was in Campbell River....had to have one! To hot to run it yet...every logger on Netflix has one

How does the sizing run on these?

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

How does the sizing run on these?

Great question....ran to four stores trying them on. This will be a shitty explanation. But in my short experience trying them on....

The traditional grey 4 button Henley....an XL was ENORMOUS. I was at my all time Fattest last month trying them on. I am generally a SOLID XL. Chest tapes 50" but I'm short AF....think Gimli...

XL in grey was too big in torso and waaaaay long. No Larges in 4 stores to try. Hitting store #4....they had a limited run of same style, but black with white wrist cuff. Tags show same Canada build. But that XL fit way better. I tried on an XL of grey again, same store...was a dress. But black one was money.

So....I think they run kinda huge in traditional grey

 

[Ron.C]

another vote for the o'l Stansfield here. Have a few of them. Wear them duck, deer hunting, elk and bear hunting.

Probably not going to be popular with the ultra light crew, or win any beauty contests but it's one aweome, tough, versatile clothing item.

 

[Spiral Horn]

I’m a big Woolpower fan. Been using this stuff for years and it is very comfortable and temperature regulatory. The looped-wool weave also traps a lot of air and keeps skin dry if used as a base layer. If looking for a traditional wool shirt I‘m a Pendelton fan.

Another very fine winter warmth garment is the venerable old US Army Wool Sweater. I have two, bought many years ago. Every once in a while I see one for sale at a sports show or surplus store and cannot believe folks don’t pounce on them.

 

[Windrunner17]

I would like to get a mid layer shirt or sweater. I have used fleece for years but want to get a wool shirt for my layering system. Looking for suggestions and shared experiences. Thanks

Probably too late but can't get a much better mid layer than the Duck Camp Barnburner Hoodie in solid brown or grey. 95% merino wool, 5% spandex.

Its warm, comfy, stretches with your movement, is anti-microbial, and layers well. Built in thumb loops. It's so comfy you'll want to buy two...one for hunting, one for casual.

 

[Wilderlife]

I know I'm late to this thread but Swazi have a new (within the last 6 months ish) garment that I've been enjoying called the Cairnsman. It's made in NZ with sheep wool on the outside and possum wool on the inside so it feels OK to wear next to your skin. I wore one for a week straight in the Victorian mountains during some pretty cold conditions (probably still warm compared to a lot of North American stuff) and it was fantastic. I had a Swazi wool baselayer (The Hoodoo) underneath it as well. Honestly, one of the best garments I've ever worn. They also have a newer version now with an elastic neck and no hood.

THE CAIRNSMAN

Made in New Zealand the Swazi Cairnsman woolen jersey is a classic return to an era of natural yarns, enduring design and traditional craftmanship. This two-layered hooded jersey has a 100% New Zealand wool outer, while the inner is a mix of New Zealand wool, possum and nylon. The hood is...

swazi.co.nz

 

[Windrunner17]

I know I'm late to this thread but Swazi have a new (within the last 6 months ish) garment that I've been enjoying called the Cairnsman. It's made in NZ with sheep wool on the outside and possum wool on the inside so it feels OK to wear next to your skin. I wore one for a week straight in the Victorian mountains during some pretty cold conditions (probably still warm compared to a lot of North American stuff) and it was fantastic. I had a Swazi wool baselayer (The Hoodoo) underneath it as well. Honestly, one of the best garments I've ever worn. They also have a newer version now with an elastic neck and no hood.

THE CAIRNSMAN

Made in New Zealand the Swazi Cairnsman woolen jersey is a classic return to an era of natural yarns, enduring design and traditional craftmanship. This two-layered hooded jersey has a 100% New Zealand wool outer, while the inner is a mix of New Zealand wool, possum and nylon. The hood is...

swazi.co.nz

Is the MacKenzie the hoodless version?

 

[Wilderlife]

Definitely looks like that's the case, mate.

 

[Windrunner17]

Definitely looks like that's the case, mate.

I'm intrigued. Looks like a good piece of kit.

 

[AttackMode]

First Spear Woobie is another option. They make a 1/4 zip, full zip and full zip w/ hood. It's similar to Duckworth's Powder hoodie and pants.

 

[KM5019]

I would like to get a mid layer shirt or sweater. I have used fleece for years but want to get a wool shirt for my layering system. Looking for suggestions and shared experiences. Thanks

Most wool I buy is from Filson or LLBean. LLBean has a nice guide shirt.

I would like to get a mid layer shirt or sweater. I have used fleece for years but want to get a wool shirt for my layering system. Looking for suggestions and shared experiences. Thanks

I buy most my wool from Filson or LLBean. LLBean has a nice guide shirt and a Maine guide jac shirt that is very versatile and can be use on its own. My wife bought me a wool blend shirt from Cabelas that is nice two. Benefit with that shirt is that it can be washed rather than have to be dry cleaned.

 

[Windrunner17]

Soooo...I have most of the pieces mentioned here in this thread, so I thought I would give a bit of a ranking from my perspective in case anyone is curious how these different options stack up.

1. Woolpower - For me woolpower has to be #1. I wear their vest (400) and full-zip (600) religiously. I basically wear the vest anytime I go hunting and the temperature is sub-60F. The pros are that to me it offers the best combination of comfort (can wear directly on skin if you want), warmth, breathability, wide comfortable temperature range and lack of weight/bulk (relative to other wool pieces). It gives you all the benefits you expect from wool. My only con is that it isn't durable, great midlayer but I'd look elsewhere if you're going to wear it on the outside.
   
   
2. Swazi Cairnsman - The Cairnsman is great, very warm, also very breathable and comfortable, an pretty durable. Definitely more durable than the Woolpower, but with minor downgrades to comfort, breathability, comfortable temperature range, comparatively. Definitely more weight/bulk than the Woolpower. It definitely cuts wind better than the Woolpower though. I love that it has a hood, but to me I have found the hood to be a little smaller/constricting than ideal. I love to use this one as an outer layer when it's in those mid-temperatures and dry/not crazy windy, with the woolpower vest layered underneath.
   
   
3. Stanfield Henley - The Stanfield is great, and definitely the most durable in my opinion, which leads me to use it as an outer layer a lot, especially if I know I'm hunting in an area that's a little thicker. It's still wool, so don't run it through a thicket of thorns, but it definitely wears like iron. That said, it's also the only one I've mentioned so far I cannot wear on my bare skin. It's definitely the least comfy, but it makes up for it, not only in durability, but versatility. It's extremely warm, very breathable, less bulky than the Swazi, better shielding from the elements than the Woolpower, and gives almost as wide of a comfort range as the Woolpower. The best if you need one shirt that could function both as a midlayer in some circumstances or an outer layer in others. The worst if you're trying to win a beauty contest.
   
   
4. L.L Bean Commando Sweater - A good old standby, it's comparable to the Stanfield, but slightly worse in most respects. Warmth is about the same, and comfort is slightly better (though I don't like to wear the commando sweater directly on my skin). The issues for me is that it's not quite as durable, breathable, or versatile and it feels significantly heavier to me. It does look nicer if that matters to you.
   
   
5. Duck Camp Barnburner Hoodie - For my money this one may be the most comfortable, or at the very least tied with Woolpower. It's also on the lighter/less bulky side and I really like the fit and the thumb loops. That said, I think it falls short of the pieces ahead of it when talking about warmth, durability, versatility, breathability, temperature range, and ability to withstand the elements. Probably my favorite to wear around camp, but least favorite to wear into the field.
   
   
6. Icebreaker and Minus 33 base layers - They're good, but I don't really use them anymore since I've moved to the Aclima Woolnets for my base layer. Not as versatile as the other pieces since they're only base layer, but it's kind of an apples to oranges comparison in that way. I have nothing bad to say about them, other than that I prefer the Aclima woolnets because they breathe better and don't feel as damp/cold if I wet them out. Not the most durable (no merino baselayer is), but comfortable and do their jobs.

 

[bozeman]

I have an old Woolrich shirt, snap button, prob 10 years old and it is my 'go to' for chores outside and around town. I have a Filson one as well, which is a close second.

 

[Bucky44]

You can find great wool sweaters at the thrift shops, or if you wanna spend some cash First Lite's Furnace is awesome as a mid-layer or even an outer down to surprisingly low temps if wind isn't howling. Also, ebay has tons of wool button-up shirts for sale. I like old Woolrich buffalo plaids, they're thick and warm.

I was in Goodwill looking for garden stuff, checked out the sweater rack, found 2 Daniel Cremieux, xl,100% Peru alpaca sweaters, for $7.50 ea. like new. These things retail for $150. ea. Wore them this fall for both moose and a later Grizzly hunt. These were the warmest, softest and odor free under layer I have ever worn. I would consider the weight as heavy, did find a few on eBay at $60+- plus shipping.

 

[Windrunner17]

I was in Goodwill looking for garden stuff, checked out the sweater rack, found 2 Daniel Cremieux, xl,100% Peru alpaca sweaters, for $7.50 ea. like new. These things retail for $150. ea. Wore them this fall for both moose and a later Grizzly hunt. These were the warmest, softest and odor free under layer I have ever worn. I would consider the weight as heavy, did find a few on eBay at $60+- plus shipping.

I'm a bit jealous! I love alpaca, huge fan but pricey. You cut out the biggest downside!

 

[mgmicky]

Cutweather/Sleeping Indian. Really nice quality and made in USA. They have some really good sales a couple of times a year

 

[Leatherneck]

LL Bean Maine Guide are ok.

Smartwool Anchorline Shirt-Jac in solid colors feel about as thick as the old Woolrich Alaskan shirts. (Apparently the plaid ones are thinner from what I've read. Could be wrong).

Stanfield's Wool Henley is great as a mid-layer. It's kind of like a thinner, dense wool sweater, so might get snagged as an outer layer.

Swanndri Ranger shirts are nice, but it's kinda like burlap when you hold it up to light....very open weave.

The old US and Canadian Korean era Wool shirts are awesome if you can find one. Great color too. Old Woolrich Alaskan shirts seem thicker than the LL Bean Guide ones I have.

 

[Wolfshead]

I have a couple of Pendleton wool shirts I got off eBay for around $30 made in USA ones 100% wool button ups.
Also a simple rag wool sweater from llbean.
I have a few Jac shirts, one from Stagr, one from Johnson woolen mills, and a Asbell wool hoody.