Thread 2844162

Weather is starting to get cold and I wanted to get you guys opinion so I figured I'd get the wool general going
What's an acceptable blend in your guys experience for /out/ings? I'm looking at getting one of those L.L. Bean birdseye sweaters and it's 80 wool 20 Rayon. Will the rayon be detrimental at all? Anyone have experience?

>>2844162 (OP)
100% merino wool

>>2844164
Isn't merino wool not as worm as say lambswool?

>>2844162 (OP)
For /out/ I would say
Acceptable: 60% and up
Good: 75% and up
Great: 80-90%
Good: 100%

Luv me a pure new wool Aran sweater tho.

>>2844162 (OP)
Rayon is a cost saving measure, and not even of the good kind (nylon/polyamide). Imagine if your garment was made of 20% non-durable cotton, that's what it's like. Ok for casual wear (assuming the garment is also 20% cheaper), not what you want for the outdoors.

Roughstuff is back. After the company was bought out by petromax and the old models discontinued, a new investor has bought the brand and now produces slightly modífied versions of the old jacket.
https://roughstuff.eu/en
There's tons of companies producing similar garments these days, but roughstuff was the first (I believe).

>>2844168
Merino will be warmer.

Warmth is determined by garment weight. A 150g fabric (that’s 150 grams per square meter) is considered light weight and for warm weather. Heavier fabric is for cooler weather.

Merino fibers are very fine, usually under 18 microns. Lambs wool (assuming it’s generic lambs wool) is closer to 25. It takes a lot more merino fibers to make a fabric of the same weight.

It’s like comparing 850fp goose down to 650fp duck down. Two quilts with the same weight will have drastically different temp ratings. 10oz of 850fp is a lot more insulation than 10oz of 650fp.

I’ve found a few things at shopgoodwill. It’s kind of a roll of the dice because you don’t know the condition or if it’s been run through the dryer too many times.

Usually you’ll find things like pic related. Not exactly marketed to the outdoors, so there’s no information on garment weight, but it’s 100% merino wool. Size M, so if you bid keep that in mind. Those sweaters are around $100 new, so maybe 80% off after shipping. Ngl they work great for casual wear as well, if they’re not beat to hell already.

Outdoor name brands usually sell for a lot more. There’s a 250g 1/4 zip Smartwool sweater in a bidding war right now for $46. Still a good price, plus you know what you’re getting. But it may reach a price where it’s not worth the gamble or not worth buying used.

>>2844162 (OP)
im going paddling around some islands today in full wool under rain gear. the old timers knew it best. wool works so well in northern latitudes, ive tested capsizing in the stuff and its unreal how well it insulates when youre back in the boat even with the wind trying its best to cool you off again.

Anyone got sources for wool button up shirts in europe? I know some overpriced germans and pike brothers cpo. Varusteleka uses reycled "wool". Can't find sources for swanndri in EU. Bison bushcraft is in the UK too.

Talking about swanndri... this one german compared several wool shirts for wind- and waterproofness and the swanddri actually performed really poorly.
https://bushcraft-germany.com/index.php?thread/2347-wollhemden-vergleich/
A US korean war wool shirt let through a mere 1/5 of the wind compared to a swanndri ranger. Pendletons shirts also better than swanndri, despite being substantially lighter.

Ive recently taken the woolpill, and I aim for all my clohing to be 100% wool of some kind, but what's /wcg/'s opinion on socks - both thick and thin. As I understand it the market meta is that pure wool socks are simply too fragile, thick wool socks usually get away with 80% wool, while thinner socks compensate with a lower percentage of wool, usually around 50-60% wool and the rest synthetic. In my experience the 50-60% socks smell a lot after a day, while the 80% ones smell less and air out the smell easier, however would it be worth it to try 100% wool socks? Ive found some thin socks that are 100% with good reviews. In my experience 80% thick socks hold up fine, but does anyone have any experience with 100% socks?

>>2844426
>on all levels except physical I am a sheep

>>2844433
Born to baa, forced to froth

>>2844426
Yes, workwear stores used to be the best place to get 100% work socks for cheap, but they are always thick and coarse. Good for winter use. still worth checking out but since globalism most of the stuff I can find is synthetic Chinese stuff.
You have to pay for them, but hiking companies have the best wool socks. HiTec, Smartwool, Wigwam, are some brands to look at.

>>2844440
Ill give it a try then, thank you.

>>2844426
from what i've heard usually 100% wool socks are less durable and don't really squeeze your feet much (i dont know if that's really a bad thing)
the only 100% wool ones i've seen are all like hand knitted by people on etsy or something
you probably wanna learn how to darn them too since it's a lot easier and cheaper than buying a new pair

Opinions on blanket pins and wearing a cloak welcome. I’m thinking of going full retard.

>>2844805
I saw a cloaked wierdo down a narrow path, he passed me as it curved slightly but a few moments later when the path straightened out he was gone. It was walled on both sides making this pretty much impossible.

So yeah, cloaks are ominous things now.

>>2844805
blanket pins to make an old school bed roll is based. During the summer months I like camping with just a ground pad and two wool blankets. Using pins to connect the blankets is even better

>>2844162 (OP)
Arctic fag here. Wool is goated with the sauce.

My humble opinion is that no amount of synthetic fiber is acceptable in wool garments. Despite the benefits it may offer to the fit and comfort of the item, it will drastically reduce its lifespan.

>>2844768
This hasn’t been my experience. I have smartwool socks that I’ve heavily used for 5 years that are still in good shape. As long as you are wearing good fitting shoes and aren’t washing/drying them too much, your wool socks should last a long time.

>>2844960
aren't all smartwool socks like at least 30% synthetic? when i was looking at socks that's what i saw at least

>>2844960
>>2844962
Take the darntough pill.

>>2844963
but darn tough are exactly the same, are you implying they are 100% wool or that they are just good?

>>2844962
Dang I’m a big gay retard I guess. I haven’t paid attention to the label on my smartwool socks for years since I get them free from work. I think they used to be 100% wool but you’re right, they no longer are. I guess mine just last so long because I wear them multiple times between washes and never put them in the dryer. I do make sure all my other base and mid layers are 100% wool.

>>2844965
I’m saying they’re good socks and have a lifetime warranty.
You want socks that are snug and you’re never going to get that and keep it with 100 percent wool.
At least that’s where I’m at.
At the very least ditch cotton socks entirely.
Fucking life changing.

>>2844969
Darn Tough socks have been a wool blend for decades because wool blend garments are significantly more durable than 100% wool.

Interesting company too. They started in 1978, but were basically going bankrupt in the early 2000’s because they had just been selling comfy wool socks to soccer moms as a lifestyle brand and were being absolutely slaughtered by Asian imports. So in the early 2000’s they did a rebranding, focused on quality/durability and a niche market (outdoor enthusiasts), and backed everything with their lifetime warranty. A decade later they got a military contract and exploded in popularity.

>>2844426
>>2844979
weird i have worn 100% wool socks for years and they didnt wear out any faster than cotton or whatever other material. im not super keen on wearing plastics on my feet

>>2844960
Nigga, you got it the wrong way around. Merinowool especially is fragile so synthetics are added to increase the durability and lifespan

>>2844805
Anorak is the weirdest I'll go.

>>2844997
It’s true. The softness and heat retention of wool are factors of its individual thread size, but so is durability. Cashmere is softer and warmer than merino garments if the same fabric weight due to having finer fibers, but is less durable because the individual fibers are weaker. Typical retail wool like Shetland and Donegal are scratchier but last forever. Merino took off in popularity because it’s a sweet spot of comfort and durability.

>>2845023
That's what I like living in cold climates like Scandinavia, I could wear anoraks and still be normal, unless it's the city, people in the city are weird.

I appreciate all the knowledge in this thread

Bump for quality

>>2844960
>My humble opinion is that no amount of synthetic fiber is acceptable in wool garments. Despite the benefits it may offer to the fit and comfort of the item, it will drastically reduce its lifespan.
Based and true. Norwegian fag here, I use wool socks year round. Also wet wool still insulates.
>>2844963
You call that a sock?

Bought two pairs of clothing made in Yak wool from Nepal. Feels rough as fuck on the skin (so use base layer) but it's the toughest wool I've ever felt, also a more warm than merino. Not sure about breathability though.

>>2845380
what socks do you buy norwegiananon?

>>2845417
He uses wool knitted from his sisters cunt hair.

>>2845417
Do excuse the bad quality photo, my phone camera sucks. Also I am out visiting my brother and his family ATM.
The 2 in the middle is 100% wool, the one with white and red is my sister's handy work and the blue one is from a grand aunt, they are a bit too nice for proper outing then I use the big one witch is this one. https://www.felleskjopet.no/hjem-og-fritid/fritidsklaer-og-sko/stroemper-og-sokker/raggsokker-graa-50342935-base/
The smal one I usually wear at any time also summer, it is a bit worn tho. I always wear 2 pairs when hiking to never get chafing. They are some kind of Ulvang-socks can't remember. Thay are like 60% wool. The big gray is 80% wool and every farmer, woodsman or outdoor labourer whort his salt have many off these ones.
>>2845470
This. It also depends a lot on the wool and knitting for how durable they are.

>>2845470
how much she sell for?

the only 100% wool socks i see are from random european brands that dont even have an online store

I got a barbour jumper made of 100% lambswool and i'm now wool pilled. Never putting on anything made with synthetic fibers besides socks and shells

whool is extremely itchy I can't wear it!
Why tolerate something that hurts when cotton exists?

>>2844162 (OP)
I'd like to get some wool shirts, but I've always found them to be too itchy. Are there options out there that aren't like that?

>>2845577
You are weak, your bloodline is weak and before the advent of synthetic insulation you wouldn't have made it through the winter.

>>2845580
You could always wear a cotton undershirt next to your skin.

>>2845609
This
>>2845577
Pic related is you

Mohair is best, this one is ridiculous but if you can find a normal sweater it is elite midlayer

>>2844162 (OP)
For me I only go 100% wool if I can I absolutely love Swiss army uniform pieces especially my wool greatcoat

Discovered this wool wash recently. its got lanolin and a bunch of enzymes including lipase (the enzyme that breaks down body oils). I would but it but i still have a bottle of euclan that should last me a couple years at this rate

https://steamery.us/delicate-laundry-detergent

>>2845577
i'm autistic and even i prefer wool. from my experience the itchiness of wool depends on several factors such as:
>type of wool (many types of sheep/etc)
>how well it's processed
>how long you've worn it
try to experiment and use it longer, you never know

>>2845760
How important is using wool wash compared to regular detergent?

I can't find fucking shit used. No thrift store has any natural fiber period let alone wool.
i just want socks. maybe underwear

>>2845799
depending on the detergent it can be bad for the wool. protease enzyme is added to decent detergents to break down protein stains. but wool is made of protein so it will damage the fabric.
Even if it doesnt have protease I think its supposed to be not ideal to use regular detergent. Baby shampoo is supposedly a better alternative.

>>2845801
>He wants used socks that cannot be washed at high temperature

>>2845822
Yeah. I'm poor. Wool is anti bacterial anyway. And there are other ways to get things hot than with water

>>2845824
>Wool is anti bacterial anyway.
Not anti fungal.

>>2845827
Ok. I'm dirty.

>>2845822
>>2845827
>he needs to wash his wool at super high temps because he got it moldy somehow

i bought a bigass norwegian wool sweater and its too itchy
i got owned

>>2845929
filtered by kino

>>2845899
>He doesn't know of foot fungus

>>2845929
Wear a shirt under it ya dingus.

take the vicunia pill picrel

but srsly has anyone here have or used bison or qiviut (think it's musk ox? up in Alaska) wool?

over the last couple years i've slowly been switching completely to merino wool for as much clothing as i can

wearing a pair of wool denim jeans and a wool cpo shirt rn with a merino wool base layer, sure makes laundry a lot easier and they're so comfy and warm

I've worked in a sporting goods store for a year now, and have access to a very generous discount on wool socks and such. I have a few already but want to build a lifetime supply of fairly thick socks for winter. How many is enough?

>>2844253
I'm sure I remember someone saying once that it was some Old Buschraft Trick to buy a size up in a Swanndri bush shirt and boil it to shrink and felt the wool for better weather resistance. I have no idea if that's a good idea or not

>>2846178
I took full advantage of the discount. I'm feeling good.
I am a big fan of First Lite fingerless wool gloves, but they were not marketed last year and no one has any supply this year. I've been told that they are making improvements and will come out with a new iteration in the future, but I'm looking for a backup pair now. I really like fingerless gloves, but I'm open to finger gloves as well.

did you guys know that sock suspenders/garter belts were a thing? even if you got 100% wool socks theyd probably fall down if you didn't have anything like that to keep them up

>>2846984
or you could just get socks with elastic tops and avoid the autistic shit

>>2846986
that's just what people did back then, i dont know why you think it was autistic

I've been slowly using more and more wool items over the past few years.
Always wore wool socks, then start wearing wool tshirts / base layers and found them much more comfortable in both hot humid weather and cold weather even when they got wet.

Last year I realised that what now start hurting on longer hikes wasn't my feet anymore but either between my thighs from wet underwear or the head of my dick would start chaffing from rubbing off my underpants.
Switched to merino wool boxers earlier this year and have walked 30+km in humid conditions with no problems.

Just don't buy light colours, the lower temperature you wash wool at isn't the best at removing skidmarks

>>2846995
>Just don't buy light colours, the lower temperature you wash wool at isn't the best at removing skidmarks
posts like these gives me a sense of superiority for having a clean butt

i wish i had a clean butt

>>2845706
Wool greatcoats are peak aesthetics and you cannot convince me otherwise.

>>2847235
i'd rather not be seen wearing those, my boreal mountain loden anorak is autistic enough

I have a lot of experiencing testing wool
>For tops midlayers, here's my 2c of the best
If you want woven for a good price, go for Great Australian Bushwear (they tend to be oversized) 70/30 woolpoly. About $100 with shipping to US.
Alternatively there's Asbell Wool. It tends to run closer to $150 and I don't like the tighter fitting cuffs because you can't roll them up. I get it they are made for archery therefore the fit but that's my opinion.
>If you want knit, the best 2 are these:
Stanfields 80/20 wool. These run about $80 last I checked. It blends a tougher but loose enough wool to trap heat but breathe. I can't say enough how many wool/other sweaters suck. Either so thick that they don't insulate well or too thin and made for fashion.
Another alternative is Petros wool sweaters. These run about $70 last I checked but come from Ukraine. This individual is actually working with the mill and has a few generations of material he is constantly updating to make the best product he can.
>wool outerwear
If I went more outerwear, i'd go with a woven>knit #1. The empire wool canvas anorak is pretty good but kinda $$. I also really like Wool gloveralls. You can still find vintage duffle coats like this online that are really nice virgin wool.
Swanndri's also good. The fabric is still from NZ last I checked so only the stitching is done in China
>socks
The main thing you want is close to 80% wool or higher. I use Darn Tough for the warranty but I kinda like my costco ones too and find them about as warm because DT's tend to be too tight. Darn Tough has a fatter fit company called wide open socks with same warranty but they don't make a winter variant yet.
>wool long johns
I find the stanfields 80/20 too scratchy for on skin but the superwool long johns work great for me. Yes 'superwool' means a plastic coating so it can be washed.

>>2847265
>my boreal mountain loden anorak
Holy based, Anon. Post pics, plz.
I've got one of their Roughs and love it. Sewed some elbow patches onto it. Their blankets are awesome, too, although the price got jacked up since I bought mine.

>>2847283
>Stanfields sells on EU amazon
>Stanfields doesn't sell heavyweight wool on EU amazon
Unbelievable how they import shit that everyone sells, but not the good stuff that noone else has.

>>2845706
Hey, it looks exactly what I was looking for. A normal looking, long wool coat, without any branding pumping the price.
I see it's around 50£. ~70 £ total with delivery.
Is it warm enough to use it at winter?