Asbell wool, can't decide

TooManyHobbies · November 07, 2019, 08:52:19 PM

I've been looking at Asbell wool to replace my old hunting coat. I've decided on Evening Stand Brown, but can't decide on Anarak, Pathfinder, or Jacket. Leaning towards first two.
What I can't find is temperature ranges/weight. I hunt in temps down to maybe 12*, any colder, especially with wind, I stay home. Will a blanket weight item, with under armour, and a heavy sweater or two, keep me warm in below freezing and wind? I've never owned wool, but have wanted to for years.
Also, I am 6'6", 230. Would that be xl or XXL?
Any advice, experiences, recommendations appreciated.

Pmringer · November 07, 2019, 09:00:18 PM

I'm 6'3" and 185 and the large is a little big in the body but I have long arms so they are just long enough. I went with Evening stand as well and it is great. I chose the Anorak for the extra body length and the hand warmer pocket. Glad I did. I wear it with merino base, wool Bemidji flannel, wool vest and I am good to single digits.

rraming · November 07, 2019, 09:52:59 PM

Call her for sizing, they are long with long sleeves

tzolk · November 07, 2019, 10:09:56 PM

I just went on their web site and man their prices have gone up! Understandably though. Real good stuff. I am 6'2" about 210 with long arms and I always get the XL from Teresa. For a normal long sleeve button up shirt from the store, I wear a Large Long. I have every single style of their garments, even the pullovers they don't sell, and in my personal opinion, I'd go with the jacket if you are going to layer underneath. One bone I have with the anorak is that the high pocket interferes with my bow string when I'm at full draw. The Pathfinder is pretty awesome. Out of those two, I'd go Pathfinder however if you plan on putting on a few layers, it's going to be a lot easier if you have the jacket with the zipper. My evening stand Brown is the pull over and it is pretty thick stuff. I usually put a couple of medium layers underneath if it's in the 20s and it's a little difficult to put on pulling it down over the head with all the layers on underneath.
I usually draw the line at hunting when it's below 22 degrees. Personally I don't like to feel like a giant marshmallow trying to stay warm while sitting still for hours on end with multiple layers of clothes. If you're going to hunt down to 12° you're probably going to need something to stop the wind. As warm as those wool garments are, they do not stop air from moving through them. if you could find some silent wind blocking material to layer next to the skin that would be ideal.
And consider their Mackinaw pullover for cold temps.

That profile picture there is me in an extra large evening stand Brown pullover.

tzolk · November 07, 2019, 10:30:59 PM

This is an XL Pathfinder in Montana magic. 6'2" 210lbs.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/S8Cq7xMNvDaGqF3e9

Bill Turner · November 07, 2019, 11:17:10 PM

If you are going to layer go with the 2xl. I wore my blanket weight pathfinder today in 35 degree temp with 15 to 20 mph wind and was very comfortalbe. I layered with a UA vest. Teresa also sells a zippered windbreaker vest which should work well for you in temps below freezing. Check it out.

Roger Norris · November 08, 2019, 06:31:21 AM

Quote from: TooManyHobbies on November 07, 2019, 08:52:19 PM
I've been looking at Asbell wool to replace my old hunting coat. I've decided on Evening Stand Brown, but can't decide on Anarak, Pathfinder, or Jacket. Leaning towards first two.
What I can't find is temperature ranges/weight. I hunt in temps down to maybe 12*, any colder, especially with wind, I stay home. Will a blanket weight item, with under armour, and a heavy sweater or two, keep me warm in below freezing and wind? I've never owned wool, but have wanted to for years.
Also, I am 6'6", 230. Would that be xl or XXL?
Any advice, experiences, recommendations appreciated.

Anorak or Pathfinder style, XXL. Call Teresa and get the heaviest weight she has in stock.

Petrichor · November 08, 2019, 07:23:52 AM

Pathfinder in my opinion. Get blanket ot extra heavy weight.

Car54 · November 08, 2019, 08:23:26 AM

I'm 6'4", 220, I wear the xxl. Fits great!
I would call her to get your correct size fit.
Mine is the zip up jacket.

TooManyHobbies · November 08, 2019, 05:52:53 PM

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll go with the Pathfinder..... maybe.

Wudstix · November 10, 2019, 05:13:01 PM

This is my younger brother in IN, he is about 5'9" and 240#. This is Woodland Magic in XL and he says it is not a problem to layer underneath, it's in the teens to 40* there now. He does say a wind stopper layer is needed.

michaelschwister · November 15, 2019, 09:56:32 AM

I prefer the zip all the way jacket version and the evening stand brown. Best camo pattern I have.

bunyan · November 15, 2019, 11:41:45 AM

I just got some belated birthday money and its going to get me some asbell wool! I'm going with a pathfinder in timberghost, and will be calling to make sure I GE the correct sizing. I noticed the prices have jumped but I think its well worth it, and I'd rather get it now before the prices increase again! I can't wait to use mine for the late season!

MnFn · November 15, 2019, 12:20:40 PM

I use the hooded solid covering (anorak) a lot in Mn, ND, and occasionally Canada. If I am not using my heater body suit, I have long underwear, heavy wool bibs, another shirt, then a down sweater under my Asbell anorak. It works well. Mine is an XL . See avitar, no bibs on but you get the idea.

Wudstix · November 24, 2019, 08:07:14 PM

Brother from IN sent me the Pathfinder Woodland Magic - XL, shown above cause it was not warm enough for him. He prefers the blanket weight. It most certainly is designed for layering and is actually a bit big for me. Normally I wear XL. I had a UA long sleeve shirt, a military sleep shirt, and a badlands vest on under it and there was room. I'll have to tuck the shooting arm sleeve a bit, and perhaps put a stitch to hold it. As well as, come up with an arm guard to eliminate string interference. Now hoping for cold weather in Texas to give it a try.

Tim Finley · November 24, 2019, 08:22:39 PM

I bought an evening stand brown path finder this fall it didn't come in the blanket weight and she said there was no more evening stand brown for now . Wools not real warm below 35 I use my insulated coats much warmer and not all that bulk from layering . You may need a 3x to get the sleeves long enough mine are a little short im 6'3" .

Wudstix · November 24, 2019, 08:25:51 PM

Sleeves are past finger tips so that is not a problem, just might tuck the shooting arm in to shorten sleeve a tad. I'm 5'10" and 205. Plus, I have to wear an orange vest to hunt government land, even archery only!!! This probably will help to cinch it down.

TooManyHobbies · November 24, 2019, 08:41:01 PM

I sent Teresa an email about two weeks ago, no response yet. I understand it sometimes takes a while. I'm in no rush, I'm sure they are busy.
Thanks for the replies.

HOOSIERGRIZZ · November 25, 2019, 11:16:02 AM

Has anyone had any trouble with the Asbell zippers? I was looking at a pathfinder and see that they are 1/2 zip now. I usually try to avoid zippers when I can. It just seems like the zipper usually fails before the jacket. These look to be plastic or nylon and that concerns me too...but maybe I'm wrong...?

I used their contact page to ask if I could get one without a zipper, but no one ever replied.