Speaking of Clothing...

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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Who makes a wool top capable of keeping you warm in frigid temperatures without space age insulation over the top? I expect it will be Merino wool, but are there any wool tops that teamed with a base layer underneath capable of keeping you warm on late season hunts? I've been wearing hunting clothes for so long that use man-made insulation I'm wondering how good old wool stacks up to them. I know it better retains insulation ability when damp, but what about cold and dry?
 
This is the thickest, best merino wool ive ever used in the coldest of conditions. This with my sitka stuff and im toasty! Be careful not to sweat too much while set up other wise you will freeze rest of hunt. Some meh mornings, I will hunt in just this top with my sitka or kuiu vest for some break up and im comfortable. No need for hoodies or anything. Most hunts though, its this, a hoodie, and a vest as my top. I will do bottoms, my grinder pants for meh mornings and gradient pants for real cold mornings.

250 merino top and 350 merino bottom.

rogerssportinggoods.com

Biome 250 Merino Mock Neck Long-Sleeve Baselayer

The Biome 250 Merino Mock Neck Long-Sleeve Baselayer is made with 250g Merino wool that offers comfortable and effective insulation in the harshest conditions.
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rogerssportinggoods.com

Biome 350 Merino Bottom Baselayer

Layering is the key to staying warm when the temperature drops. The Biome 350 Merino Baselayer Bottoms are made with 350g Merino wool that offers comfortable and effective next to skin insulation in the harshest conditions. Buy the Rogers Biome 350 Merino Bottom Baselayer and other great Rogers...
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Jeff Reardon said:
Hard for me to think about hunting in your conditions. Up here, I can be pretty comfortable in all wool with a waterproof top layer down to the mid-20's, but I run pretty warm. Colder than that, and I need a layer of down or synthetic over the top. Multiple layers are the key. For wool layers, I've been really happy with stuff from these guys: https://minus33.com/collections/mens-wool-tops?filter.p.m.custom.fabric_weight=Heavyweight
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Jeff

Temps can be from the sixties to the teens. Humidity is high. Sweating while setting up is always an issue. I typically dress in layers but once it gets in the 30s need something with real insulating properties. Thanks.
 
Eric, I'll echo what Jeff posted. IMHO there is nothing like natural materials for keeping warm. The top 3 are Merino, Down and Fur. My beaver hat works great but is only usable below 15 degrees - it's just too warm above that. Down works fantastic in dry cold but suffers in wet conditions. IMO the king of them all is Merino wool. I've had Merino from Filson, Ice Breaker and Minus33. Minus33 is without a doubt the best value - I have multiple sets - light, medium and heavy and is always my go to for base and mid layers. It tolerates moisture while still keeping you warm. Merino base with a breathable wind proof top layer can't be beat. Merino is like a hand warmer for your body.
 
Eric Patterson said:
Jeff

Temps can be from the sixties to the teens. Humidity is high. Sweating while setting up is always an issue. I typically dress in layers but once it gets in the 30s need something with real insulating properties. Thanks.
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30's? That's still t-shirt and a sweater weather, if you've got a windproof layer over the top. ;) At teens even a northern and well insulated guy like me needs something with down or a quilted synthetic--or so many wool or fleece layers that they restrict movement. If you want to go natural, don't overlook the water repellent treated down jackets and vests--but expect some sticker shock. I dream about one of these,https://www.kuiu.com/products/super...rh0WP7gSUUd1dsbnIG7PVnfvGX2gb7n0aAjC7EALw_wcB but can't bring myself to spend $400 when I have a half dozen synthetic fill and untreated down puffies in the closet. Duck hunting and winter fishing, the untreated down will eventually get wet on snotty days from sweat or condensation or rain and leave you cold. Has to get really cold--below zero, in my experience--before that's not a concern--and even then you will work up a sweat if wearing enough to be warm while sitting. I'm not often on the water in those conditions.
 
My wife and I have raised sheep for their wool for years. As a spinner, weaver and felter , my wife has blessed me and my brother with the most amazing cold weather gear I’ve ever seen. My hand spun, hand knit sweater must weight 5-10 lbs and my knit and felted hats have kept me toasty in temps as cold as -22 degrees below zero while working long days outside in northern New England. It needs no outer layer but coupled with waxed canvas over the top, it’d better be brutal. My hats are about 1/2”-3/4” thick merino. Filson isn't bad for commercially made gear. DSCF0260_Original.jpeg
 
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My brother sat all day in a treestand in -16 degrees below zero to take this buck just before sundown on the final minutes of the last day. Wore a homemade wool sweater with no outer shell. We love natural fibersIMG_2298.jpeg
 
Carl said:
It's the damp that gets you down here, 35 degrees and 90% humidity is bone chilling compared to 20 degrees and 30% humidity!
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33 degrees and fog or drizzle or light snow is my favorite duck hunting weather. Better with some wind to drive the wet a bit! It's also pretty much average for the coast in December, and what we get on cold days in November/warm days in January.
 
Mark Belknap said:
My wife and I have raised sheep for their wool for years. As a spinner, weaver and felter , my wife has blessed me and my brother with the most amazing cold weather gear I’ve ever seen. My hand spun, hand knit sweater must weight 5-10 lbs and my knit and felted hats have kept me toasty in temps as cold as -22 degrees below zero while working long days outside in northern New England. It needs no outer layer but coupled with waxed canvas over the top, it’d better be brutal. My hats are about 1/2”-3/4” thick merino. Filson isn't bad for commercially made gear. View attachment 68068
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Those hats look fantastic.
 
Eric Patterson said:
Who makes a wool top capable of keeping you warm in frigid temperatures without space age insulation over the top? I expect it will be Merino wool, but are there any wool tops that teamed with a base layer underneath capable of keeping you warm on late season hunts? I've been wearing hunting clothes for so long that use man-made insulation I'm wondering how good old wool stacks up to them. I know it better retains insulation ability when damp, but what about cold and dry?
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I really like the old style Cabela's Windstopper wool. They can usually be had on eBay between $100 and $200.

I like them so much I set up an alert and I try to pick them up whenever I can.

I got a barely used mint dark green 100% wool this summer for 40 bucks!

It's a heavy weight wool with a polyester lining.

They went through different build schedules over the years. Make sure the ones you buy Are 100% wool 100% percent poly.

I wear them in most of the nastiest weather here in New Jersey and I'm very happy.
 
Merino wool will definitely do the job, but you may struggle to find something in hunt colors.

I wear Ortovox wool outerwear as my primary midwinter gear. I am comfortable in temps from 50 degrees down to 10 degrees while doing winter SAR training with only a base layer underneath.

I would look at:
Ridge- www.ridgemerino.com
Ortovox- euro styling, incredible gear
Kuiu, especially for their gloves in Nuyarn
 
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