Wool - your opinion?

[pitdog]

There is a real lack of pics here guys ! Wool can be a little itchy 'n' scratchy but I still love it. It's hard wearing,very warm, doesn't melt when sat next to your camp fire and doesn't pong like many of the synthetics after a hike !!!!

 

[Sharp Eye]

Shawn,
A very informative post.
Welcome to Bladeforums and W&SS

 

[Thomas Linton]

I haven't read this thread completely but wool is fairly tough. The fleece stuff I've used shreads pretty easy

Wool has less strength and abrasion resistance than some cotton materials. Not in the same league as nasty ole' polyester, nylon, or acrylic. Ask yourself where all the wool ropes are to be found.

Wool is quiet when you're in heavy brush tryng to sneak up on unsuspecting prey. Branches and the like sound like a concert rubbing on denim, nylon, and cordura type fabrics.

Wool competes with fabrics like polyester fleece - quiet in its own right. And wool is certainly far more quiet than the far more wind-resistant "plastic" fabrics. So you have to trade off lower wind and water resistance for quiet. I respect your choice.

Wool is also a renewable resource, like fur.

Most polyester fleece is made of recycled pop bottles. Still looking for wool bottles.

 

[lambertiana]

I am rather fond of my Pendleton wool shirts. I even use one when backpacking, coupled with a modern Sierra Designs windbreaker/rain jacket for windy or wet conditions. But for simple comfortable warmth, I prefer wool.

 

[rzwieg]

Good points on durability, Thomas. Still my Filson Cruiser is in fair shape after 20+ years. At that time there wasn't much better.

One other down side downside to wool; when it gets wet it weighs a ton or so.

Plastic smell on fleece? I never noticed it.

Not to hijack but I like old stuff. Old guns, old traps, old wooden snowshoes, wood decoys, good hand tools, etc. Why not? Time outdoors is to be enjoyed. If the nostalgia of wool adds to it, so be it.

 

[m. wohlwend]

I wear wool mainly because I seem to always get wet when I am outdoors in the winter, and wool will keep you warm even when wet....

 

[baldtaco-II]

I'm not convinced at all about the odour control of fabrics. Certainly that Scent-Lok stuff demonstrates no perceivable effect when it comes to dogs. I would have thought the key starting point to regulating the amount fragrance you give of is to regulate your temperature. Not only do I find the designs of synthetics way better for that but also wool is not a stable platform – when it gets wet / damp it reacts. I hate that. I've described the feeling of being inside such a jumper as like being trapped inside a fermenting yeast infection.

I did look at some of the KarbonXtreme wool stuff yesterday. Apart from increasing toughness by introducing Kelvar into the mix I don't see the point. Might be great though – could just be propaganda and blarney to sell stuff.

 

[Joezilla]

Sheep know what the heck they are doing. I like how rugged it is.
Wool won't do this:

http://www.backpacker.com/gear-zone-gear-review-empire-canvas-works-wool-blanket-shirt-/gear/15661

 

[NothingCoherent]

When I'm hiking I dress myself from head to toe in wool; wool socks, wool long underwear, wool briefs, wool pants, wool base and mid layers, wool toque, etc. My rain jacket is the only article of clothing I carry that isn't made of wool.

Why do I love wool so much? Well, honestly, there are only two reasons that won me over. Yaya, it's not noisy, it's natural and renewable, it insulates when wet, that's all well and good... but here's what really did it for me:

1. Wool doesn't stink like synthetics. And if it does finally start to stink, it airs out real well overnight -- you wont even realize it's been worn the next morning. I've tried the nylons and polyesters, and they after a long day of hiking and chopping trees up, you STINK. I don't know, call me a pretty boy if you like, but I don't enjoy smelling like a dead animal unless I've actually killed and butchered it. Wearing wool means I get to cuddle up to my woman (under our WOOL blanket... ) at the end of the day without grossing her out, and it means I don't have to pack as much clothing for longer (5+ day) hikes. That's right gentlemen -- through a technicality, wool is in fact ultralight, and in addition to this, wool WILL get you laid on the trail!

2. Wool resists fire. Too many times have my pants melted because I fell asleep near the fire, and too many holes have burned into my fleece sweaters. Enough is enough.

I also like the itchy feeling you get when wearing wool. I'm probably in the minority there, though.

Also! Worth mentioning. When shopping for wool socks, read the labels. The vast majority of "wool" socks on the market are blended with like 30% nylon or more, and it sucks. Stinky nylon feet. Yeck. I managed to find some 96% wool 4% spandex socks the other day and I LOVE them. Still looking for 100%...

 

[caseynz]

theres a lot of wool/opossum fur products coming out over here,and i think they are really going to take off. the blended socks and gloves are by far the warmest items ive owned.you put them on and can actually feel your feet heat up straight away like your wearing big bulky insulated boots.

 

[hollowdweller]

I like wool sweaters and socks.

Wool blankets or coats are too heavy for me for extended hiking though, and they dry a lot slower than the newer nylon stuff if you get rained on.

 

[BITEME]

couldn't figure out the nightmares for a few weeks in a row then I removed our newly acquired heavy duty army wool blanket, zero nightmares since???? also not as warm as I expected

 

[caseynz]

i think with all the modern developments in materials wool still has its place.i like wool as base and secondary layers,with a good wind proof outer layer. the biggest advantage is that wool is still warm when wet. polar fleece is not.also on extended tramps ,i find synthetic socks will give me blisters ,cause nylon or polyester is a more abrasive material.wool dosnt.
last thing is the lack of smell with wool, compared to polyprop.

 

[foxx]

I love wool. I have a Filson Mack, vest, hat, all 10+ years old, and look new. I've used merino wool socks, long underwear, and hats.
I admit the Ibex jackets I have are blended for some stretch, but are absolutly great. I've been in the rain with my wool jackets on, and never got soaked, but the water never soaked through.
I also experienced less stink, compared to synthetic underwear. I've trashed Smart Wool socks and underwear, but only after 5-8 years of use. But, my Filson and Ibex coats, hats, etc. are built so well they just last forever and look great.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Great around the campfire -- it doesn't burn. A rag wool sweater is wonderful warmth on chilly days. But synthetics are lighter, warmer, don't loose insulation when they're wet, don't smell when damp, wash easier... but they will singe or melt when a spark lands on them. Kind of like the difference between a canvas and a nylon tent.

 

[foxx]

Great around the campfire -- it doesn't burn. A rag wool sweater is wonderful warmth on chilly days. But synthetics are lighter, warmer, don't loose insulation when they're wet, don't smell when damp, wash easier... but they will singe or melt when a spark lands on them. Kind of like the difference between a canvas and a nylon tent.

Wool stays warm when wet, and my nice wool is warmer than equal thickness synthetics. Unless we're talking about synthetic fill, my wool clothing is warmer than any of my synthetics, underwear, fleece, etc..

 

[R.Russell]

I also got a TAD gear merino zip up, I think its called the Praetorian. Its made unbelievably well, and regulates heat and moisture better than any synthetic. It also gave me an idea... So if Merino is good, Cashmere is the best. I ordered a used cashmere sweater off Ebay for my BOB for about 15 bucks. Its ultralight and super warm. For a price much less than you'd pay for some North Face item. And who cares how it looks, its a layering item and the best performance you can get IMHO.

 

[redpoint]

Wool IMHO is totally an opinion thing. There are tons of people on these boards who kinda like the old school gear: leather, wool, canvas etc. They're tough materials, but I think people largely like them for their aesthetics, low cost, robustness, and to romanticize about a bygone era [nostalgia]. All these materials have value, but if you're looking for high-performing materials for backcountry travel, these aren't them. The only thing I use wool for is socks - SmartWool socks are awesome. I don't even like the "new" merino base layer wool garments: they're very expensive and they take forever to dry when soaked by perspiration. They are warm, but base layers are about moving moisture, not holding it.

Wool blankets may be cheap, but they aren't warmer than a down sleeping bag. Insulation is about loft, a wool blanket hasn't got any loft. There are plenty of sub 2 lb 20F/-7C down bags out there - try spending a 20F/-7C night under a wool blanket or even four - better have a fire going nearby and a lot of available volume in your pack. Not to mention, a sleeping bag's shape is designed to keep you warm as well.

These old materials certainly have a place. If I was clearing a piece of land, I'd want to be wearing a canvas jacket as opposed to a $500 GoreTex jacket. It totally depends on what you're doing. When I travel in the backcountry, I want the lightest, highest performing gear I can find and none of that involves wool, canvas, or leather [except for climbing/hiking boots]. Last weekend, I did a 30 km backcountry ski trip at or above 6500 ft. [with two nights - one snow cave and one tent] believe me, light is right when you have to ski-it-up a 7000 ft mountain. The heavier my pack, the less fun I have. The only old-school material in my pack or on my person was wool socks - that's it.

 

[baldtaco-II]

Wool IMHO is totally an opinion thing. There are tons of people on these boards who kinda like the old school gear: leather, wool, canvas etc. They're tough materials, but I think people largely like them for their aesthetics, low cost, robustness, and to romanticize about a bygone era [nostalgia]. All these materials have value, but if you're looking for high-performing materials for backcountry travel, these aren't them. The only thing I use wool for is socks - SmartWool socks are awesome. I don't even like the "new" merino base layer wool garments: they're very expensive and they take forever to dry when soaked by perspiration. They are warm, but base layers are about moving moisture, not holding it.

Wool blankets may be cheap, but they aren't warmer than a down sleeping bag. Insulation is about loft, a wool blanket hasn't got any loft. There are plenty of sub 2 lb 20F/-7C down bags out there - try spending a 20F/-7C night under a wool blanket or even four - better have a fire going nearby and a lot of available volume in your pack. Not to mention, a sleeping bag's shape is designed to keep you warm as well.

These old materials certainly have a place. If I was clearing a piece of land, I'd want to be wearing a canvas jacket as opposed to a $500 GoreTex jacket. It totally depends on what you're doing. When I travel in the backcountry, I want the lightest, highest performing gear I can find and none of that involves wool, canvas, or leather [except for climbing/hiking boots]. Last weekend, I did a 30 km backcountry ski trip at or above 6500 ft. [with two nights - one snow cave and one tent] believe me, light is right when you have to ski-it-up a 7000 ft mountain. The heavier my pack, the less fun I have. The only old-school material in my pack or on my person was wool socks - that's it.

I completely agree. I prefer to be in some sort of cotton blend for a day out doing rough stuff in thorns and brambles probably for exactly the same reason as you'd pick canvas over Gore-Tex for clearing land. I'd extend the same thing to paintball or anything like that. You can get caked in crud, don't care if you get damp, and the material is tough. Who cares about how well it works over a few days or for a protracted period of time. None of that matters 'cos you're going home in a bit for a bath. Same thing applies to wool whether you're over a driven shoot in the drizzle or in hunting pink. Fashion and tradition can be the primary consideration. It doesn't matter if you want to dress up like Sherlock Holmes, or scavenge around the scraps bin at the army surplus store to get a pair of WW2 woolly knickerbockers to go with your old Denison smock and toggle rope, or want to makebelieve you're Sears in a birch bark kayak and a Kapote. There may be nothing at all wrong with that but it does depend on your goal state.

If your goal is just as much about the costume you wear as anything you are actually doing then splendid. Same thing applies to kit too, be that retro knives or a potato sack with shoulder straps as a rucksack, antique brass compasses, whatever. To me the differences start to really kick in when that isn't important and your goal state has nothing to do with any of that image stuff, in your example “30 km backcountry ski trip at or above 6500 ft”. Similarly, the pics below. I know they are recycled but they are especially topical:

They are topical because of my reference to Sherlock Holmes above. That's the moor Conan Doyle used as the setting for The Hound of the Baskervilles. That's a place at which he knew a night out in the woolly regalia of the period could make for a very chilling prospect. It's the same now. Go up there in your woolly outfit in foul weather for a few days and you'll not get it dry and it'll weigh a lot. There's a fair chance that mountain rescue is going to be how you get out. It's easy to make claims about wool when you're doing an overnighter in a stand of sticks a few miles from your car. It's a lot harder for you to hold on to those absolutes if you can't stack the deck in your favour. By contrast I think nothing of being up there for a week watching wildlife because I take the gear that allows me to do it. Hell I can be up there access my home network and then browse though the chatter here in the middle of a storm and smile while I'm doing it if I'm minded to. Woolly minded boy will still be groping around for a twig to get warm and dry with. This is where I'm at on the wool thing. Wool is great because it sexier that fleece. Fleece is good but it holds exactly the same stigma as tracksuits do when they aren't being used for a strenuous sporting effort exactly at the moment of their wearing. Only Chavettes shag men in fleece in an urban setting. And yes wool is better than cotton when it is wet. And yes wool doesn't burn as readily as synthetics. Yet by golly are those two attributes overly heavily to make absolute claims. Wool is better than cotton in the same way that the vulcanization of rubber lead to better outdoor footwear than nailed wooden clogs. So what! It doesn't tell us much about how it stacks up against proper modern gear. Then there the overplayed burning thing. True, you can get away with a lot of sloppy practices round a fire if you are wearing wool rather than synthetic jacket but man is that ever thrashed and dragged out of proportion and context to make absolute claims about its superiority. It has niche merits, pukka, identify what they are and move on. That's not usually what happens though. Rather than giving credit where it is due to whatever material this subject really does tend to polarize folk in my experience. And I've got to say from this observers point of view the ones in the wool camp tend to be the ones clearly on the back foot squirming and wriggling under questioning. Ask many of those people why with the exception of a few bits wound in to undergarments do they thing it doesn't make expedition standard now, and you'll usually get the response “well it doesn't burn so easily and is better than cotton”. Do what? Ask them, “given that melt hazard is a prime consideration in the designing of military garments, and that wool can be made quite tough, and that it can be made rather quiet, and that wool serge has historically been used to make battledress – why has the modern military industry moved away from it toward synthetics and it only shows up in Eastern Block countries or India now?” and you'll often get the reply “well it doesn't burn so easily and is better than cotton”. Again, you effin what? Beyond that there's the obfuscation layer, like one of Laing's knots loaded with LSD. Here we find the same kind of bucket of gibberish that goes “a folding knife is already broken”. And I'm sorry to have to say this in front of Joezilla because I usually find him to be quite switched on but great zot “Sheep know what the heck they are doing”. Really, you wanna play that card? A penguin knows what the heck it is doing too, it tells me nothing at all about being a dolphin.

 

[canadiantrailman]

registered user