Looking for a merino wool bacpacking sweater (or other packable)

mtnfolk mike said:
BLAM.. http://www.gfredasbell.com/gfa_wool_clothing.php

i have one of these with the hood.. i love it.. CBryant has one too... they're made one at a time still, by one woman and the price is right on..:)

CBryant and I...
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I think I'm going to go with one of these, even if I don't use it for hiking.

A few questions:
What is the difference between the Mackinaw and the standard shirt?
Do you know how much they each weigh (approximately) and if they pack down to something reasonable?
On a scale from Merino underwear to your Grandpa's socks: how scratchy are these? Can I wear this over a t-shirt without putting Vaseline on my arms?
 
I would be at a loss to explain what fits here anymore. Looking at todays posts, almost all of them would be questionable. I don't think I will posting here much anymore.:confused:
 
michaelmcgo said:
I think I'm going to go with one of these, even if I don't use it for hiking.

A few questions:
What is the difference between the Mackinaw and the standard shirt?
Do you know how much they each weigh (approximately) and if they pack down to something reasonable?
On a scale from Merino underwear to your Grandpa's socks: how scratchy are these? Can I wear this over a t-shirt without putting Vaseline on my arms?
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the Mackinaw is supposed to be similar to the "Filson Mackinaw" jackets... there is some slight differences in the cut and i believe it's a little longer too..

no, i don't know how much they weigh, i only own the green one... i do know that the green one is thicker than CBryants grey plaid one, it is made from wool blanket material.. it doesn't pack down too small, but you can roll it up pretty tight still...i didn't buy it with the intention of backpacking.. so weight is not an issue..

they're not too scratchy, but not too soft either.. you can easily wear just a t-shirt underneath no problem.. i do it all the time...

hope this helps... the price is definitely right on..
 
Yeah, I too would like to know why the hell this thread got moved?

I've refrained from getting into this discussion on other threads, but this is getting pretty frigging ridiculous.

What else is more wilderness and survival related than backpacking?! Oh, I guess it's because it involves people actually getting out into the wilderness and not sitting in there living room taking pictures of knives, or first aid kits that they added firesteels and whistles too.

This happens to be one of my favorite forums to check for everything wilderness related, including, knives, trip reports and pictures, gear and gear reports, ideas, fishing, hunting, backpacking, camping and survival discussions. But lately this forum is just starting to piss me off.

Bladeforums has too many categories, and I just noticed that they once again changed the title of the parent subforum of this subforum, and added a fishing and hunting subforum. Fishing and Hunting are two of the 4 ways to spend time in the wilderness, and are the most likely to put someone in a survival situation!

I'm am honestly getting to the brink of leaving, at the very least I am seriously reconsidering renewing my membership. This is just getting ridiculous.
 
Sorry for going all off topic there in that last post.

I'll reiterate Mike's comments to make up for it.
I too have been seriously considering picking up one of the shirts mike has, especially after trying his on a couple of times. It is a little scratchy, like Mike said it's made of blanket wool, and feels like it. But, not so scratchy that it would be uncomfortable with just a t-shirt under it.j
It's not likely to pack very small, but I am curious of how much it weighs, as it could always be strapped to the outside of a pack. I might have to stop by Mikes with my gram scale.
Even if you don't wear it for backpacking though, it is a great sweatshirt type outer garment for taking the edge off of a chilly night, and with a layer or two underneath it, I can imagine it would keep you pretty warm. And for 50 some bucks, they're pretty frigging nice.
 
Maybe the gadget's and gear people are jealous that W&SS gets more traffic so they kidnap some of our threads ;)
 
icebreaker is great, and if you keep your eyes open you can find it on sale pretty regularly.
 
Icebreaker and Ibex are the best merino that you can easily buy in my opinion. I order from a place in new zealand called outside sports. They have sales, better prices than my local shops, and if you play your cards right, shipping isnt that much. I recommend them
 
michaelmcgo said:
I think I'm going to go with one of these, even if I don't use it for hiking.

A few questions:
What is the difference between the Mackinaw and the standard shirt?
Do you know how much they each weigh (approximately) and if they pack down to something reasonable?
On a scale from Merino underwear to your Grandpa's socks: how scratchy are these? Can I wear this over a t-shirt without putting Vaseline on my arms?
Click to expand...

Mackinaws are scratchy as hell, cause its virgin wool. Merino is like silk compared to these. I love my Filson, but my icebreakers are so soft on the skin, its almost a crime
 
Well my G Fred Asbell wool pullover san's hood arrived today -thanks to Mike!

http://www.gfredasbell.com/gfa_wool_clothing.php

It exceeded my expectation for the value vs the quality of the garment. The price cannot be beat! I cannot make one for the same price. It is obviously well stitched and assembled. The quality of the wool is very good and the weight is in the medium range. The die/color was consistant throughout.

I put it on over a under armorer tee shirt and wore it for about an hour. It wasn't scratchy or uncomfortable to me. It was a bit warm for 48 degrees but otherwise fine. I have a four day wilderness gig coming up in a week or so - it will be given the royal ruff treatment for it's maiden voyage in the wild.

The sizing is a bit goofy - I wear mediums. I saw that Mike is 5' 8" and 200 pounds. I weigh less than him and am about the same height. The garment is a bit on the tight side with the sleeves requiring a two turn wrap to adjust to length. The stitching actually tore a wee bit when I put it over my head and tried to put my head through the opening. The stitching at the neck opening is what tore. Strange. The girth around is right on the edge for me and it at the tightest I'd allow for a wilderness garment. I'm not sure what is going on.

A large would probably be too much excessive material and the medium is acceptable but a bit tight. I"m so impressed (other than the sizing) that I'll probably order another one in size large only ask that the sleeves and bottom hem be shortened. Hopefully that will dial the garment in for me perfectly.

I'd say be sure of your sizing but otherwise this appears to be a huge winner for a wilderness pull over without the worry of sparks from the fire. It lays well and really does provide good natural camo coverage.
 
go2ndAmend said:
You might also take a look at the line put out by filson. They make some nice products.
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Massive understatement!;):D

Jeff S1 said:
+1 on Filson, if the shirts are of the same quality, as my boots & hats are, you will be very pleased. :thumbup:
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All their stuff is top notch. I have several Filson shirts, and they are absolute favorites. I have one Filson wool sweater, and I have to say it is my MOST versatile piece of clothing I own. It is a midweight model, with a 1/4 button closure neck. I would seriously look into getting one of the heavy weight versions too.

Yes, they are expensive... but will last several generations worth of lifetimes. Can be found at www.filson.com
 
michaelmcgo said:
Hello,
When I backpack I always bring the same light fleece for wearing around the campfire. It's pilled and holy (from the fire) and needs to be retired. I'm looking for a new lightweight long-sleeve shirt that would be good for backpacking with nights in the low 50's. I am very intereted in a merino wool tech sweater, but don't where to start. I like simple designs with a 1/4 zipper. some anti-odor never hurt either. any reccomendations?
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Smartwool -- I have a the Roundabout sweater and will use it 4 seasons
Pendleton shirt?.....check ebay
Tons of stuff at GoodWill...keep checking as new items arrive daily
Polo/Ralph Lauren makes a 1/4 zip lambswool sweater and also a lighter-weight 3-button model. Check ebay for these.
 
I have wool from every manufacturer mentioned in this thread. The softest wool (merino) is from Icebreaker and Smartwool, their merino is soft enough to wear against the skin. Ibex wasn't as soft, although that might have changed. Filson, Swandri, and Woolrich have good merino too, depending on the garment, it's like the Ibex. Any wool not named merino will be somewhat itchy.

One thing you need to know, is the weight of merino, it is light and thin. A merino sweater is (especially for me) a late spring, cold summer and early fall outer garment.

Also, Icebreaker and to some extent Smartwool are designed for thin (or as they say) active lifestyle people. I'm 5' 11'' and 165lbs (thin), a medium fits me perfectly. If I was 15 pounds heavier it would be to tight. Filson and Swandri tend to make their stuff bigger, for girth or layering :D.
 
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