Wool vs fleece jackets

They are 85% wool and they don't have as much complicated stitching for example the way the necklaces up on the burial shirt and the cuffs on the sleeves they are more basic in the design but made of a high-quality material and the stitching is quite good I wore mine all fall and winter and really enjoyed them no problems whatsoever and very warm
 
The four things I think of is that wool doesn't melt or burn like most fleece, some wool itches, some wool is very heavy, especially when wet and some fleece smells after a while.
 
I use it all depending on the conditions and the trip. Everything from my pretty light marmot precip jacket as a shell or rain coat, to my Fjallraven waxed cotton jacket and pants, underarmour, wool, fleece, down, it all just depends on what I'm sort of expecting. Cool damp temps, then its wool all over, but dry, cold and high wind, its all synthetic and down. Sometimes its wide temp swings and there will be limited likelyhood of using a fire, then I'll pack the synthetics, but when I know I'll be having fires, then the cotton and wool are what I look to. There is no one good answer. For me my temps range from right around freezing to 35C with full sun and high wind. So keep that in mind. For my conditions, a light wool shirt and pants is a better insulation layer than a bulky fleece in most cases, but the fleece is the easier layer. I also have more specialized stuff for cold weather paddling, (cold, as 10C)

I would like to have a one-and-done solution, but the reality is that between where I'm conditioned at, what the humidity and activity level will be, (or type of activity) I have to have a few options to meet the conditions. Everything is a compromise. But the synthetic fills like climashield are getting good enough that at least the synthetic vs down question has some easier answers. Often for me its finding a balance between night time insulation and high day-time temps, along with bug and UV protection.
 
I use it all, but lately have been switching more to wool from polyester fleece as it seems to insulate better for its volume/thickness - a big consideration to me when its being used in layers.

Depending on temps and activity level I tend to use some form of vapor barrier close the skin, then wool (if cold enough), and then layers of polyester and/or nylon to seal in the heat and add additional layers of air.
 
I prefer synthetic materials over wool. Performs better for me. Worrying about wet wool or whatever is a non starter. I have rain coats. Fleece does a better job of keeping me warm, and at a substantial lower cost.
 
HeavyHanded said:
I use it all, but lately have been switching more to wool from polyester fleece as it seems to insulate better for its volume/thickness - a big consideration to me when its being used in layers.

Depending on temps and activity level I tend to use some form of vapor barrier close the skin, then wool (if cold enough), and then layers of polyester and/or nylon to seal in the heat and add additional layers of air.
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Pretty much how it has boiled down for me also buddy. I finally found as close to perfect a surplus Canadian military wool shirt, as I wanted. I might grab another. About medium thickness, not quite a jacket and just what I wanted. I don't always get it right for every situation out there, but I seem not to have died of hypothermia yet. My last cool outing was down at a lake at -2 or so and 2am with a light on my forehead and metal detector in hand. I always see Mule deer down there. One time I was aiming my headlight into the shoreline water and saw the shadow of a Burbot cruising the shoreline, likely looking for dead perch in the Eutrophic lake. I ended up taking the shemagh off my neck. It was crisp out with frozen dew and flocks of snow geese were going by overhead in the dark.
 
My wool Pendleton shirts and jackets always keep me warm.


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Codger_64 said:
Plastics have been in use over a hundred years and we are still here. If one eschews plastics, one cannot post on the internet or drive a car or carry much modern camping gear or wear shoes or eat any food which has been processed. The world will not end because people wear fleece jackets.
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One wonders at times were the rational limits are. A woman that I work with put up a wall flyer. She is facilitating a pet loss grieving support group. She paid to have a freakin rat cremated. I wanted to put up a psychic healing group for the support of dead trees used in the lumber industry. Or a vegetable death support group as my soul feels their screams when harvested. But I practiced restrain and diplomacy. I should have known when she cut me off as I was telling a duck hunting story to her.
 
I like both of them. I prefer expedition weight fleece from REI. It slows down the wind and keeps me dry by letting some breeze through. For canoe trips I usually take fleece because of the weight savings. I have been comfortable in 0 degrees with thermals, fleece and parka. Some oversized army surplus wool trousers on bottom.

I swear by expedition weight smartwool socks. Great for wearing in waders.

When I get chilled and absolutely need to get warm I go to wool. A woolrich Alaskan shirt is a nice item throw on over a T-shirt. A heavy wool sweater under a windproof shell is great. I have found that wool dries quick if hung out. I have a bowhunting wool pants and jacket. The jacket has an insulated liner. rain seems to bead off and I stay warm.

And when it gets drafty cold in the old cabin, a heavy Pendleton wool blanket kills the chill almost as good as an electric blanket.
 
I love wool
Worn it for years
Camped in sub zero temperatures with it
Got wonderful kashmir sweaters for the winter

But now for the weight and packability of synthetics, I do not carry wool when I am out
See below

This packs in to a small dry sac


Packed in the dry sac


Which will go in a small stachel or take minimal space in a pack
 
Wool by itself isnt that warm. its a layering thing tho. you layer your wool, something i dont know if it wasnt mentioned or it was a for granted thing not needed to be said (EDIT: missed some posts, it was referenced, nevermind)

maintenance and care are cons of wool (and cost). but while washing it by hand is tedious, its not so bad if you have the time. plus it drys faster than most fabrics.

polyester ill stay away from because it will start to smell really fast once sweat gets on it. not so bad if its a coat or jacket.

layering a wool undershirt then cotton sweater it gets too hot after some activity, removing one or the other layers then helps. i dont think there is anything other than putting on and taking off layers that is just perfect by itself (or layered without removing or adding layers). its dynamic.


I know for a fact the type of weave of the fabric, makes a huge difference between garments for different situations. something not looked at by many, and not mentioned in this thread at all.
 
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