As far as people being tough in the old days, you ever see what they wore in the summer? It is amazing they were dropping out right and left. Photos of men in wool suits and hats in 100 degree heat.
I'll bet they were all some kind of rank.
One of the great things about wool is that it doesn't get as stinky as synthetics. I guess the bacteria that cause the odor don't live as well on the wool fibers. Another good thing (unless you're trying to block the wind) is that wool breathes. This makes wool clothing comfortable under a wide range of temperatures, even pretty warm temps. Nowdays you can get wool shirts and T-shirts that are pretty thin and appropriate for reasonably warm days. I use those when traveling where I can't get clothes laundered. I hate nylon and polyester.
