Looking for a good wool hunting jacket and pant what do you use and and recommend??
Deer Slayer:
I wasn't sure what to buy, myself. I wanted the "tradition" of wool, but didn't want to spend $500 on a KOM. I'm sure they are good, but I don't have the budget for that.
I asked Santa to bring me a Cabela's Outfitter's wool parka. (camo)
Santa came through, and I got it.
I was surprised that although it seemed well made, it didn't seem "warm", if you know what I mean?
It had a thin liner, and appeared to have little insulation.
I put on my hunting gear, and sat on the deck with a book for about 20 minutes in 20 degree weather.
I could feel the cold seeping in.
With regret, I returned it. The season was pretty much over, so I am looking around for something else.
Maybe someone will have the opposite review, but that was "one man's experience".
Rich's experience is one example of spending the extra money up front, it ends up being cheaper. You'll get a bunch of peoople jumping in with cheap wool, wool blends, the local thrift store, this is as good as that, etc...
I own KOM, SI, Autumnwood, Grey Wolf, Wheatherby, Filson...etc...IMO, Autumnwood is the best wool clothing made. The others are all excellent, but the design and quality of my Autumnwood superior.
That said, KOM or the others don't have to be $500+ dollars...ebay has constant sales of KOM at very good prices...the classifieds here have hits from time to time (I happen to be selling some for a good price ;) as is another member). Hit the outdoor shows these makers go to...always sale stuff.
Think it through...save your money up...buy it one time...you'll be glad you did.
Deer Slayer & Rich,
I have Gray Wolf and love it. I've found that by layering with various weights of wicking long johns with a fleece vest and wader pants as an additional layer I can withstand very cold temps. I wash my jack & pants once a year using the delicate cycle and they are good to go.
Howard
I really like the product and service from Gray Wolf Woolens (see the sponsor list here). I found them the best of the wool products I've used (including woolrich and King of the Mountain, and Filson(pants)).
I've had several pieces for 5 years and there's no sign of wear. In my opinion, unless you gain weight or crawl accross shale in the rain, it's going to be a lifetime purchase.
I agree 100% with what bjk stated about spending your hard earned $$$ one time on what is right for you...If you are gonna be in a tree stand for hours, in a ground blind from before daylight...Whatever conditions you put yourself in...If you stay still, you are going to feel the cold...
In my opinion Autumnwood IS superior to any other wool because of its design...I own a lined pull over hooded jacket...Cost me plenty...Wish I had bibs also!!
I have had good success with a KOM vest over a Pendleton wool shirt, over a good set of wickable underwear. I use Johnson Mills wool pants over wickable long drawers. Wickable liner sock and a good blended outdoor sock is a must. Stay away from cotton. I top this off with a neck gaiter, a wool hat and a pair of lined golf gloves. If I get cold with this on I'll do a little still hunting, head to the vehicle or take it to the house cause its just to cold. Can only remember giving up the hunt once because of cold weather and that was along time ago before I had the proper clothing. Rain will drive me in a lot quicker than cold.
For those of you who have never owned KOM it is my experience that it runs a little small. If you normally wear a large get an XL. Bernie Parsons is a KOM Outfitter who advertises in Traditional Bowhunter Magazine. Give Bernie a call. He will answer all of your questions and occasionally has clothing he has taken back on trade. Good stuff, fairly priced.
Thanks fellas. I have never heard of Autumnwood before, do they have a website or other way to get a hold of them and see their products?? Thank you very much for your input gentlemen!
bjk
I'll offer my opinion on Autumnwood. I own Sleeping Indian Bibs and pullovers and an Autunmwood pullover.
Love the SI. Hate the Autumnwood. Autumnwoods appears to be the cheapest grade of wool and the loosest weave and not nearly as thick as the SI. The nylon lining in the Autumnwoods pullover is the noisiest thing in the world. I did not stay warm in the Autumnwoods. I feel the Sleeping Indian is 10x better in terms of quality, construction, fabric etc.....
Just throwing out my opinion.
I can't comment on all the products here. Orion suggested some Weatherby wool. I purchased the jacket and pants and like em both. They had a clearance as Weatherby no longer makes the stuff. I posted to a wool thread on here where you guys could get the stuff. I'm sure it is all gone now as this was before the Christmas season. I paid under $300 and got a parka and vest. Thank you Orion!
I own too many Filson garments.They are absolutely tight knit,warm and durable.The double mackinaw may be too heavy for trad hunting.ie, the sleeves are very large.I wear a vest almost everyday and it is warm when your on the go.Put a lighter Filson jacket over that and youll be good to go.Their weave is very wind proof and there is camo available as well as a myriad of other patterns.Their long johns are 2nd to none,so soft you cant tell theyre wool.Check their catalog they add new items pretty regularly.And theyre made in the good ol USA.Good luck.
Filson and Woolrich rule in this house.
I have a couple of Johnson's Woolen Mills jackets and a couple pairs of Johnson's wool pants.
For winter still-hunting through the pines,I wear my "Hunter Green" jacket and pants and I just quietly "dissappear" into the pines.....
Steve -- too bad you had that experience...my Autumnwood is really the exact opposite...they did change the windblock liner and I know what you mean by noisy...if you see them at a show, you might want to take a second look at current production.
I agree that SI is top quality stuff...
Filson.
I have had a full set of King of the Mountain for several years and it has always performed great in cold weather conditions and the blowdown pattern is the best for late season hunting in Montana. A word of caution about buying KOM, do not believe their warranty!!!! They have changed it from the time I bought my first pieces in the mid 90's, when it was a life time warranty, and now they will only warranty it for the life of the garment, whatever that means. When you pay the price they are asking, it is reasonable to expect them to honor the warranty. This last year I had items with problems and was told that none of them would be covered, but they would be happy to fix them at an undetermined cost plus shipping. The problems I had were: First, a Mountain High Plains Vest bought in 2004, which had the stitching on one of the pockets come unraveled. Second, stitching on a pair of suspenders came undone, the suspenders fell apart. Third, a one inch hole in the collar of my trapper pullover appeared (the seamstress who repaired it said it was caused by a flaw in the weaving). The cost of having the items fixed was minimal (I had all the items fixed by the seamstress for twenty dollars) but KOM's attitude at the corporate level stinks. However, I have always had good dealings with the KOM distributors.
I had some Hidden Wolf, now Gray Wolf, which was better quality then KOM but I prefer the KOM blowdown pattern over the Gray Wolf Predator pattern. The customer service at Gray Wolf is excellent, but I haven't had to send anything back either (can you say QUALITY). Also, Gray Wolf is now available with wind blocker linings which make a big difference when on a treestand in December.
Regardless of which brand you decide on, buy a quality garment. Over the years I wasted a lot of money on "good enough wool" that didn't work when the temperatures got down to -10 and below and had to be replaced.
Walt Francis
Gotta Filson camo Mackinac Cruiser, was a retirement gift. I love it to death, it's my rifle hunting coat...but kinda bulky for bowhunting. Will probably order a Gray Wolf jacket based on the info I've seen here.
For Pants I have Codet virgin wool, Cabela's Outfitter (just got 'em), Woolrich, and surplus stuff. Always "cheaped out" and never got the Filson pants, probably a mistake.
Wool quality doesn't always equate precisely to price, but good wool (heavy, virgin, tight weave) is the way to go.
Filson outfitters jacket, it can also be used as a liner for their heavy coats. I would be lost without mine. It wont empty your pockets either. I bought mine for around 185.00
Billy
Bought the Filson Wool Hunting Coat. Don't have a lot of miles on it yet. But really like it so far. Very warm with mininum underneath it. And for me it fits like a glove. Absolulety no shooting restrictions with it on. Cut in such a fashion the sleeve don't pull up the arms when drawing. And the handwarmer pockets are easily accessed.
Jeff
I grew up wearing woolrich and just never looked for anything else. They have an online store with a bargain basement that sells some items for up to 60% off.
I like woolrich but i just bought a wool shirt from grey wolf it was the last one on clearance. I haven't had a chance to try it but it looks very well made . I am saving up right now for one of their jackets. The more it snows the more OT i will get. I still wear a pair of woolrich pants my dad bought in the fifties the coats to small now but my wife still wears that.
Who sells Autumnwoods woolens?
I've used Beagle Wear the last two seasons in Kansas and on a hunt in Quebec. I've been very impressed on the quality and ability to keep me dry in rain. It has a dupont coating that really sheds water and a tight weave that blocks the wind.
Been looking at the Sleeping Indian Hunter Jacket. Does anyone know if the hood detaches from the jacket?? Anyone used this particular jacket while bowhunting and how did it perform during the shot?? ie., was there any part of the jacket that got it the way when you took a shot? Would you recommend this model or the Outfitter Jacket?? I personally don't care all that much for jackets that have a fixed hood, I prefer a detachable hood. Cabela's has the SI hunter on sale for $399.
TTT. Anyone??
Grey wolf's jacket can be purchased with a detachable hood.
Johnson Woolens up here.
I use alot of filson products but really love my Camo double mackinaw. I dont find it too bulky for shooting with. And I have slept overnight a few times in very cold conditions with it. It is a lifesaver. It has great pockets too. Am able to carry everything I need without a pack if I want to. The wool underwear is great too. My brother was lost in the Cascades for two days in the rain and credits it with saving his life.
I always worried about tearing up high dollar wool on all the barbwire here in the midwest. So I went high dollar on my long underwear and bought Filsons. The outer layer is Columbia wool, if I tear it I won't feel near as bad.
It sounds like Filson is the preferred brand so far. Today I finally get to give the Weatherby Wool a tough Pennsylvania test run. It is in the 20's today with winds blowing 45 mph. I am going to try for a three hour ladder stand sit tonight. Here is the warmest stuff I could find in my closet: Top: poly pro underwear, then ECWCS top, Woolrich wool shirt, Weatherby Wool Vest, Weatherby Parka. Bottom: insulated hunting pants and a pair of Remington Fleece underwear from Wal-Mart. Plenty of hand and foot warmers to boot. It isn't usually the cold that gets to me but it is the wind. If you don't see me post here again I will be frozen to a tree :eek: Maybe a few gallons of :campfire: tonight when I come in from the darkness.
Hey Mike, was out in my cabela's wool sip up with wind shear. Man that is some great stuff. Hope you enjoy that wind today. Brrrr.
Ok I will throw a differn't name at you.Eddie Bauer,I have had my coat for over 10 years now and it is just starting to wear out.It is lined with thinsulate and keeps me comfy in all kinds of conditions.
Early spring fishing
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/johnwilliamtaylor/fishing006.jpg)
November hunting
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/johnwilliamtaylor/octnov059.jpg)
to winter bird watching
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/johnwilliamtaylor/christmas085.jpg)
As you can see its not camo but in my experience it doesn't matter,and for 200 bucks I got my monies worth,and yes I would buy another.
John
This past season Jake and I used Columbia Gallatin range jackets, very nice, pockets in the right place and very warm. The hood is a great feature.Not the most expensive wool, but I would get another in the future. Great camo pattern too.
I also have a buffalo check jac/shirt from woolrich, love it! and it is 3 years old now; looks like new still.
BD
Big Dog, was thinkin bout one of those as well...the price is definately right! I'm still considering all my options though and doin some research.
I was warm :saywhat:
Mike: Glad it works for you. Would hate to have given a bum steer. Looks like just about every brand has its proponents. And, just about every brand seems to have a problem now and then. I've been wearing KOM for about 15 years, Autumnwood for half that long, and just started adding some Weatherby stuff. Have been wearing Woolrich wool shirts forever. Never had a problem with any of it.
KOM for me. I bought Columbia, and Woolrich first( the old wool camo in advantage). I would have saved alot of money if I bougth the KOM first. I have bought a set of the GreyWolf Wolfskin and a pair of their wool bibs this past year. I like their wool for a little warmer conditions but the KOM is warmer to me. GreyWolf has great service. I bought my KOM from Bernie Parson and he was great to deal with and I always receive my stuff fast.
My favorite wool shirts "happen" when my husband or some other big fella says "Barb can you use this wool shirt that got washed in hot and then dried?". Usually its Woolrich or Pendleton. The resulting fabric is dense, practically windproof and very warm and durable. This kind of thing may have inspired those high end manufacturer's fancy duds!
Now if I could find some roller derby queen to hand me down some PANTS!
bjk has it pretty much right, but I would argue that the older Filson stuff will outlast any out there. I have had a double mackinaw cruiser for 30 years and wore it a ton, it is still like new. Shawn
I've had it all but prefer KOM. That is until today, Ron is sending one of his Longhunter wool shirts :) Doc
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I like Woolrich Camwoolflauge. Have a vest and shirt/jacet. They also have pnats and coats.
My faves are KOM (You don't need a jacket just the shirt)Filson coat I wear in the winter would be great to hunt in too. I also have a military wool shirt jac that is great.All these products are great for me .Good luck
Grey Wolf Woolens.
Terry, do you have the bibs or pants?? Was thinking about getting a pair. Would you recommend the lined or unlined if so?