Need some ideas for wool hunting clothing. I don’t need it to be hunting specific. Just good cold weather wool for layering. I’ve always used synthetics but want to try some wool layering.
Brand, specific items etc.
Next to skin: Icebreaker, Smartwool. Kuiu makes it but it's too itchy for me.
Next layer up: Icebreaker, Smartwool, Ibex, Kuiu, etc
Outer layers: Woolrich, Filson, Swanndri, Johnson Mills, etc
I used to wear a Filson Double mac for deer hunting, but it’s a heavy sonfagun. If not hiking too far, it does make for some toasty stump-sitting; nothing quite feels the same. Fearsomely expensive these days.
I wear the Heck out of the matching Filson wool vest my wife bought me. Adds significant warmth, some pockets, and doesn’t restrict arm movement.
I also have a Bemidji wool jacket in blaze orange. Single-layer 30oz wool. Very nice for milder hunting weather and very quiet. About $250 IIRC
Costco merino wool socks are all I wear, year-round, except when out in very cold weather. Then I wear Realtree Merino wool boot socks. 80% (at least) Merino, over-the calf, made in USA just like the Costco ones. Amazon has them.
When cold enough for wool pants, I have some “German Wool Pants” that came from the old, good, Cabelas when they briefly sold surplus. Not sure if they’re military or other uniform items, but they have canvas pockets and suspender buttons. Before those, when I was thinner, I wore the WWII pants that match the Ike jackets. Paid like $10 for those long ago. If you can find some, they’re excellent.
Chizel and Pappy that is all helpful. Thanks for taking the time.
I use Duckworth's "vapor" line for next to skin layer and haven't had the itch
And made and sourced in USA
A guide I once read suggested a layer of silk under any wool.
Johnson WoolI've use Johnson wool stuff for almost 50 yrs. Don't wear it all the time, but in some weather conditions good wool is still a great choice.
Had a chance to stop at their store last month when I was in Vermont for a couple of days, and picked up a new pair of their wool whipcord pants.
Evenin, check out Ghost Wear Canada. Same stuff, way cheaper, even better cheaper with USA funds!!! GWP. 🐾👣🐾👣🇨🇦
I grew up in NH and a rite of passing for a young hunter was the day that he/she got his/her first Johnaon Woolen Mills plaid jacket and green wool pants.
L.L. Bean, Codet, Labonville, and Woolrich (among others) all sell wool pants and jackets.
If you can find used clothing from Beagle Wool, they are first class. Beagle went out of business some years ago, but their jackets and pants show up on eBay from time to time.
Asbell wool pullovers have been a staple for me for about 8 years now. They're outstanding.
King of the Mountain and Sleeping Indian make some nice stuff but I would look for used on ebay for it. A KOM Bushman is a great hunting shirt/jacket. The vests are also great for cold weather layering.
I picked up a SI Highline shirt like brand new for a song on ebay last year.
Some of my KOM I've been hunting in for 25 years, take care of it and wash it right and it last forever.
100% merino thermal top and bottom. After that on top is one of my favorite pieces of hunting gear: 100% cashmere sweater. Weighs nothing, never smells, is perfectly quiet, and incredibly warm. A fleece top or rain gear on top of that. Legs get wool hunting pants and rain gear if necessary.
A friend of mine that played for the Green Bay Packers wore a layer or two of ladies pantyhose in cold weather.
I buy surplus Military base layer silk like but are synthetic material and military Wool pants on top of them. I have British officer light weight wool and US Army Korea era medium wool and heavy weight German wool. I also have some super heavy USA commercial wool but it has not been cold enough to wear that in a long time. Going the big north woods next year so maybe there.
On top the same base layer and a British Navy wool sweater. Over that depending on weather which jacket I chose. Normally just something to slow the wind down and my Hunting vest is all I need.
With the same trip in mind, I bought two traditional wool jackets, one large, one extra large, that should be warm enough for anything. Both used in great shape out of the classifieds here.
There is a non-official club of us who use old wool German army pants. The are unbeatable but extremely heavy. There is similar stuff from the Swiss and other countries, but the German ones are the best. There were several companies that made them all to the same specs. Thickness of the wool is key but they also have some plastic woven into a layer from shin, through knees, up to thighs. Good for kneeling in the snow. You can see where that is sewn in on the ones which have it. Look for pockets that have wool flaps covering them and you are getting warm.
There is a non-official club of us who use old wool German army pants. The are unbeatable but extremely heavy. There is similar stuff from the Swiss and other countries, but the German ones are the best. There were several companies that made them all to the same specs. Thickness of the wool is key but they also have some plastic woven into a layer from shin, through knees, up to thighs. Good for kneeling in the snow. You can see where that is sewn in on the ones which have it. Look for pockets that have wool flaps covering them and you are getting warm.
Where do you get those German wool pants nowadays?
Egli's Sheep Farm has high quality wool clothing.
Bemidji Woolen Mills has good wool clothes.
I used to buy Military surplus wool pants and shirts from the Army Navy store. Worked well.
Used to use old army surplus wool pants as an outer layer while still hunting and you can’t really beat em as far as being warm and quiet, they are heavy though. I do swear by merino base layers, I use the mid weight minus 33 and black ovis layers interchangeably. They will keep you warm without adding a bunch of bulk.
Ice Breaker feels better on the skin than SmartWool. Unless sedentary in brutal cold, go with the lighter weights.
SmartWool Mountaineer socks are thick, warm and durable without any itch in roomy boots. Bring a light weight pair or two of mostly wool, too.
Empire Wool and Canvas in Duluth Mn makes excellent wool coats and vests. Kevin, the owner, has a small inventory from time to time but he never carries a large inventory of anything. Worth a look.
https://empirecanvasworks.com/product-category/insulation/
I wear Woolpower next to skin. A midlayer and Columbia Wool blend outer layer on the coldest days here and don't feel a chill unless the wind gets going. The guys I hunt with wear synthetics and freeze UA, Sitka. I have encouraged them to ditch the plastic and enjoy hunting when it is cold. But they won't listen.
Been wearing/hunting with Woolrich for 20 years. Worn it in Canada and the UP of Michigan. Still the warmest clothing I have found. I did get a Kromer wool shirt a year ago that I really like also. Works well when it is in the upper 20's and above.
Vintage wool, Woolrich mostly, and a vintage Timberland Goose Down jacket to stuff in my pack. Wool is found at yard sales, goodwill, flea markets. Oh and if you haven't tried alpaca socks, its the warmth of wool but breathable so feet stay dry. I'm sorry I have friends with the expensive brands out there today that cost $600 for a jacket and they are not as warm as I am.
Wool is as quiet as it gets for outerwear. IMy wool pants and jackets don't get put on until heading into the woods, and rarely get washed. hang them outside or store with fresh pine needles. I usually wear synthetic underlayers because they get washed everytime I use them.
Another plus of wearing wool is animals don't seem to smell you or see it as well. That's my experience.
I have Swedish military surplus pants. They are superb for durability and warmth.
I have tried the Filson suite. Double Mackinaw Cruiser and the matching pants. I am selling them. Size 48 on the coat, 38Wx33L on the pants, if you are interested.
I have WeatherWool anoraks and their All Around Jacket. They are quite dear, but in my opinion, worth it if you are spending protracted amounts of time outside. Putting on Weather Wool is like donning armor against the cold. The material is oriented like shingles on a roof to shed water better. The Rambouillet wool is MUCH more resistant to the wind as well. Oh, and they are SOFT, not scratchy! The sticking point is that Ralph is having a hell of a time making enough of the material. No pants until 2024 : ( There will be fights/knifings/murders over who gets these coats when I am worm food! BTW - the wife loves her All Around Jacket - it is soft and warm - Mic drop for her.
I just scored a pair of Micklagaard pants. These are made with the same Wadmal wool (80% wool, 20% rayon) that the old Swedish surplus pants were made of. Micklagaard bought all of the Army's wartime stores when they switched to camo uniforms. The pants just broke $200 due to $37 FedEx shipping, and having them put a cargo pocket on the left leg. They are very well crafted. I have not gotten to field test them due to suffering through the summer months, but expect performance as good as the old Swedish pants.
For REALLY cold times (stand sitting) I have Wooly Pullys (British commando sweaters), and an Austrian Army pull-over that is even warmer.
Merino wool for extra layers under the outer wool. I have Wiggy fishnets to allow the evaporation of sweat to the wool.
Darn Tough and Cabela's merino wool boot socks are a good start for the feet.
I start off with heavyweight silk layer against skin, it does many things including reducing binding to reduce fatigue. Next is First Light merino wool. Sometimes a Rocky fleece layer Then a Pendelton wool shirt. Smartwool socks in Baffin booots.
Outer layer is usually Filson wool coat for silent hunting, however it can be Rivers West fleece parka or Carhartt.
Wool is low odor and wide temp comfort range or no sweat and freeze cycles.
Some of my wool articles are 2 and 3 decades old while still looking very nice. Wish the prices were the same.
oh and Stormy Kromer rancher wool hat with SKRE merino gaitor.
I have a KOM shirt, exceptional quality. May sell, I have too much stuff!
Tripod3, what type of Baffin boots do you have? Saw several styles in a Vermont store last month.
I had a pair 20 years ago until my son slipped with the knive ice fishing and sliced the rubber. I continued to wear them for many years and avoided the puddles and swamps!
In the market for another pair not sure which ones.
I think these baffins are a Crossfire -40 boot and have worn them to -10 with standard smartwool socks. Did require going up one size.
Also have a heavier pair rated at -60 or more but have not needed them yet even on long sits in miserable wind.
Baffin has solved a lifelong problem for me, no more cold feet.
My hunting crew all wore Woolrich pants and hunting coats. I liked the Malone pants the best, but the early hunting pants with the cuffed bottom were some of the thickest wool pants ever made.
My hunting crew all wore Woolrich pants and hunting coats. I liked the Malone pants the best, but the early hunting pants with the cuffed bottom were some of the thickest wool pants ever made.
Woolrich had some great wool stuff for a good price til closing plant and selling. Now prices are high with much different styles and choices.