Wool Sweaters

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elelbean

Joined
Apr 5, 2005
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I'm a big fan of the wool commando sweaters and the British "wooly pully", but I was wondering if any of you know who makes some of the thickest and warmest wool sweaters, or where I can look for one? I have tried going to surplus stores and buying a size or two bigger than normal and hot washing them. It does fluff them up a little more.
Or, perhaps I should skip on a sweater and look for a jac-shirt. They do look tighter knit, but not as thick as a typical wool sweater. Any suggestions?
 
The current owner should take it to a drycleaner and attempt to remove the stains in good faith before offering it for purchase. He could then say for certain whether it is stained or not.
 
I've had good luck with the Peter Storm oiled fishermans sweater. Also I bought an Irish fishermans sweater from Cabelas in a cardigan style that is as warm as my old Peter Storm.

A heavy duty wool sweater under a medium coat is a very warm piece of gear.

I've also had very good results in the cold with the Woolrich Alasksan shirt under a windproof cotton anorak.
 
Stains!! :eek: What will the neighbors say? :eek: :eek:

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Don't know what works, but I highly recommend AGAINST the USGI surplus wool sweaters. They get fibres all over the place, and I noticed them to be excessively itchy. Also, the sizing is questionable. I couldn't be happier that I was able to get my money back on mine when I resold them.
 
A buddy of mine has a Filson Guide sweater. It looks like a really good piece of gear, VERY tightly woven. Unfortunately, they cost about $200.00, out of my league.
 
I buy alot of used but like new 100% wool sweaters at thrift stores one is an L.L.Bean,one is an Eddie Bauer,one is from Scotland, all are 100% wool,very thick & comfey! I check them out very good before I buy & only choose the best ones ,the most that I have paid is $5.00 ,if they have stains or blimishes,I pass on them ,but here in Georgia there is not alot of chances to wear a sweater ,but I go to the mountains alot in the winter & it is colder there ! I love sweaters!
 
I love good wool sweaters, but polarfleece is warmer, lighter, more tear resistant and dries faster. For serious backpacking I go all-synthetic these days, except for a Tilley hat in clement weather, and the leather on my boots.
 
Correct me if i'm wrong but aren't all the icebreaker tops made of merino and kind of thin more like base layers?Not to say they are not top notch stuff!
Swanndri are expensive but they are almost waterproof they are also made to last forever.Ray Mears and all his crew wear swear by them which has to say something for their quality.
 
Icebreaker make clothing items for all layers; underwear to outerwear.
Polar-fleece is not early as good; it loses it's insulation properties when it gets wet, so it is cold when wet, whereas wool is warm wen wet. Polarfleece catches fire and burns making it dangerous in some situations, wool doesn't burn, and polarfleece stinks when dirty whereas wool doesn't smell nearly as much (important for extended outdoor work).
 
wolfmother said:
Icebreaker make clothing items for all layers; underwear to outerwear.
Polar-fleece is not early as good; it loses it's insulation properties when it gets wet, so it is cold when wet, whereas wool is warm wen wet. Polarfleece catches fire and burns making it dangerous in some situations, wool doesn't burn, and polarfleece stinks when dirty whereas wool doesn't smell nearly as much (important for extended outdoor work).
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Both wool and polyester fleece have their benefits and are proven in cold and cold/wet conditions.

You are incorrect regarding the insulative qualities of polar fleece. It insulates relatively well when damp. This is why it is specified by so many organizations, including the U.S. Antarctic Program, virtually all 1st world militaries, and many national canoing associations. Being hydophobic, it never gets as wet as wool since the water runs off fleece by gravity. It also dries from body heat alone if the source(s) of moisture go away.

Within limits, wool actually does better than merely insulate. At a penalty of gaining weight, wool is exothermic, actually generating heat while absorbing up to 30% water by weight. Past that point, it ceases to generate heat and loses its ability to insulate. It is far more difficult to dry "in the field."

Wool is greatly superior to polyester when flame, sparks, or exteme heat are a risk. Most nylons also do not deal well with flame, sparks, or extreme heat. Because some special nylons are designed to deal with heat, they are the material of choice when exposure to flame is a serious risk. (Ever try to fuse the ends of a Kevlar rope? :D )

Since polyester fleece does not absorb sweat, it may smell worse. It is also machine washable and field washable, making it more likely to get cleaned "in the field" if necessary. It is also far more abrasion resistant, hypoallergenic, softer (Morino wool, alpaca, and lama products not considered), insect proof, far stronger, far lighter, less wind-resistant, and cheaper (except for those cool "boiled" wool garments the Germans, Swedes, and others have put on the surplus market. :thumbup: )

So, like most folks, I enjoy my wool stuff and my fleece (and pile) stuff.
 
If i may ask what process the wool uses to generate HEAT?????????
I have heard that before but sorry to say that its more of a myth then anything else. To make heat we need to use something up. So unless we add something to the wool every time we would use up the wool and a short time later there would be nothing left.

Sasha
 
elelbean said:
I'm a big fan of the wool commando sweaters and the British "wooly pully", but I was wondering if any of you know who makes some of the thickest and warmest wool sweaters, or where I can look for one? I have tried going to surplus stores and buying a size or two bigger than normal and hot washing them. It does fluff them up a little more.
Or, perhaps I should skip on a sweater and look for a jac-shirt. They do look tighter knit, but not as thick as a typical wool sweater. Any suggestions?
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Hey, I just got the L.L. Bean Hunting gear catalogue and there is a wool commando type sweater in there for about 45 dollars. They also have wool shirtjacks that look good, but I don't think they are as warm as a sweater. I've always found the sweaters to be warmer than anything else under a windproof outer layer.
 
sasha said:
If i may ask what process the wool uses to generate HEAT?????????
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You certainly may. "As wool absorbs moisture, the hydrogen bond of water is broken and it reacts with the molocules of wool to create heat."

I have heard that before but sorry to say that its more of a myth then anything else.
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What you call a "myth" is documented in peer-reviewed scientifc journals:

Exothermic systems with diminishing reaction rates, Boddington, Gray, and Walker, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 373, No. 1754 (12/8/80) at 287-310.

Exothermic Mechanisms of Heat of Wetting on Wool Fibers, Matsumoto, Oqawa, Nojiri, and Veyima, Socity for Technology, Japan.

American Journal of Physiology, 223:604-607 (1972)

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol II at557-569.

The effect is also noted by the Alaskan Maratime Safety Educational Association on its website (AMSEA.ORG).

Adding water to other organics, such as sawdust or fishmeal also causes the effect.

Note that the effect is limited and declines as the wool has a higher mositure content. Also, wool may start out with moisture content of 14-18% by weight.

So unless we add something to the wool every time we would use up the wool and a short time later there would be nothing left.
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We posit adding water, and when the water reaches about 30% of the weight of the wool, there is no capacity left for the reaction and it stops.
 
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