Teach Me About Wool

[Ranger1]

If you decide on wool and are not able to find any at thrift or second hand stores. Consider buying a wool shirt/aorak pullover from either:
They can be had for right around $65.00 which is good considering their quality.

Ron Laclaire at www.shrewbows.com
or
Fred and Teresa Asbell at www.gfredasbell.com

I have the gray 26 oz wool pullover f/ Fred Asbell and it is great, very warm. Was out geocaching w/ my 11 yr in -2 F (no wind) Layered w/ thin moisture wicking t-shirt, eddie bauer fleece, the wool pullover, and thin cavas anorak outer layer...I had to take off wool I got too hot.

Good luck

+10...
Superb and simple, I spent a lot of time on the phone with Mrs. Asbell and you could not find a nicer and more accommodating craftsman. FYI, she makes Ron's items as well to his pattern, great stuff...

 

[traveller]

Wool is great for the Northern Climate. Not sure I would want it for high humid environments due to the moisture retention. It will keep you warm though, even when wet, or frozen with ice caked on the outer layer. If you layer properly you can wear wool from 25 degree Cels to minus 25 degree Cels.
In the photo I have wool bibs from Columbia w a King of the Mountain wool top. Morning started out -12C. By the time I pulled the buck from the woods it was +4C. With just a lite base layer I was fine througout.
Columbia wool can be picked up on ebay if you like the camo pattern.
King of the Mountain and Sleeping Indian are tops (IMHO) for outdoor wool if you are looking for something in a camo pattern. Look online for used deals; they're out there.
Seals and SOPS use both brands apparently.
Knife used for dressing the Buck out was a Cutco dp w orange kraton. Great knife.
Figured I had better throw that in being a knife forum.

 

[Ravaillac]

A major plus for wool is it repels stink. It doesn't get funky the way synthetics do. I wore Under Armor while deployed and it got down right nasty. Switched to wool and no issues with funk.

Completly agree.
I once wore Ullfrotte (now woolpower) shirt, for two weeks in a row -DAY AND NIGHT- and it didn't smell while polyester underwear start to stink in less than a day.
Apart from that wool is not bad but to be honest not much better than the polartech stuff you can get for cheaper.
And I think most people overweight the fireplace issue: synthetics are not that bad if you're a bit careful.

Yes wool is fairly warm when wet, but it easily absorbs moisture and then dries slowly. When it come to important wetness managing I'd rather get synthetics which dry much quicker.

 

[HandofCod]

What weather do you typically encounter with these weights? I'm from Wisconsin and we deal with plenty of cold and snow.

Thanks for all the responses all.

JGON

Well they are dsigned for the NZers which have very extreme weather - both cold and warm. They are meant for core layers so you don't have to wear so much bulk. They aren't wind proof though so you need at least a good jacket when it's nasty out.

I usually wear the lighter top with a thin microfiber zip up and goretex jacket for hiking when it's windy and cold down to 2-5C. But I put something warmer on once I've stopped - like the heavier weight top and a heavier microfiber top with hoodie. I use the long johns for sleeping in which make a huge dufference when it's below freezing (typically a cold night in my neck of the woods will only get down to around -5C.