Virgin or Blended Wool

[RubberJohnny]

looking for fall and winter apparel, I stumbled upon Bemidji Wool mills. They offer their Voyageur Jac coat in both 100% virgin wool, and an 85% wool 15% nylon blend. I am extremley pleased with my Smartwool socks (a blend) but have no experience in larger garments. Does the blend significantly lose insulative capability?

 

[Troop]

Yeah....Smartwool is great stuff. ($$$) But, in general, I'm leery about blends.
As I'm sure you know, the great thing about wool is that it'll still keep you a little warm when it's wet. You start adding non-wool material into the mix, and there goes your heat retention qualities.

 

[storl]

There are many synthetic fabrics that retain heat when wet. Pretty much any of the synthetic stuffings in a decent sleeping bag will retain heat when wet, which is why I use synthetics instead of down in wet climates.

Wool is not the best at wicking, so a combination of synthetic and wool will wick moisture away from your body (synthetic) while still regulating temperature and odors (wool). In a jacket, wicking is obviously not a concern, but a blend should still be fine. I personally prefer 100% synthetics for jackets because of their weight and performance advantages, but a nice wool coat is always good to have on the coat rack. Get one with a wind blocking liner though. Insulation is no fun if the wind will cut right through the coat.