Home › Forums › Campfire Forum › Merino wool pants
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We had our first snow last night and it’s 25 here this morning and I’m still elk hunting (got an extra cow tag this year). Which is a chilly reminder that I need a new pair of medium- to heavy-weight winter wool hunting pants asap, but have given up on all wool except Merino. And it seems that the top-end makers of Merino wool hunting garb, such as First Lite, have all gone to a layering system with a very light wool pants outer layer. I have a pair of First Lites and they are extremely well designed, made, and quite comfy. Yet I don’t always want to wear multiple layers but rather just slip into a pair of fairly substantial wool pants. I like the idea of one heavy, one light pair in my closet. Must be 5- or 6-pocket, with cargo pockets on both legs. I’ve scoured the military surplus online options and tried a pair of Swedish army whipcord pants … that shrunk 3 sizes when washed warm and line dried. So far as I can see, no military has yet moved to Merino.
I’d love to hear your suggestions for affordable Merino wool pants in medium to heavy weight. Camo, black, dark green, etc. Not interested in anything from Cabelas. Thanks, dave
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Man, when you find THAT golden egg/hen’s tooth/pot o’ gold, be sure to let me know. That sounds EXACTLY like what I have not yet been able to locate, esp within any sort of responsible budgetary constraints. There’s gotta be such a thing around though.
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Now you see why I wear long shorts with Merino wool long underwear! I am always surprised that I stay warm even in wet/snowy early fall weather. I haven’t worn a pair of actual pants in several seasons here in Colorado.
That said, I own a pair of LL Bean wool pants to use when the temps get colder and I have to sit for a bit. They aren’t Merino but they are still real nice. They are well made and not as heavy as advertised. I wore them on the late season Roosevelt hunt two seasons ago in Washington and they performed admirably. Dave, I know you are skinny right now but they might fit you if you want to use them. They only have 4 pockets but I believe there is a 6 pocket version at LL Bean…
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/35307?page=maine-guide-wool-pants-four-pocket -
FREEZE! I dont feel one bit sorry for you!!!:twisted:
😆
I’m sitting here sweat running down my back wishing it would COOL OFF SO I WILL WANT TO HUNT!! 8pm and STILL 72 after peaking at 85. ARGGHHH!
but seriously…..I’ve no clue about wool drawers,David. ( but would eagerly read about affordable ones 😯 )
God Bless
Steve Sr. -
Thanks, Thomas. If I don’t find some soon I may have to borrow yours. But beware: All I have to do is look at wool and it starts shrinking.
The LL Bean 6-pocket Guide pants have precisely the “look” I prefer. But they’re regular wool, so no thanks. When Alex was here hunting he had the Bean “Technical” wool pants, which are advertised to be treated to allow machine washing and drying and to enhance waterproofness. But they too are quite thin, and I don’t like the zippered leg pockets. Cabela’s sells “treated” wool stuff also, but I saw a shirt, Pendleton no less, that shrunk two sizes on first washing according to instructions. And the material was paper thin, not at all like the “good old” Pendleton quality. My fear is that if I do find Merino wool pants in medium or heavy with the pockets I want, they’ cost $300 or more and I won’t even be able to afford one leg. 🙄
Steve Sr. — You must perspire easily. 😀
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David Petersen wrote: We had our first snow last night and it’s 25 here this morning and I’m still elk hunting (got an extra cow tag this year). Which is a chilly reminder that I need a new pair of medium- to heavy-weight winter wool hunting pants asap, but have given up on all wool except Merino. And it seems that the top-end makers of Merino wool hunting garb, such as First Lite, have all gone to a layering system with a very light wool pants outer layer. I have a pair of First Lites and they are extremely well designed, made, and quite comfy. Yet I don’t always want to wear multiple layers but rather just slip into a pair of fairly substantial wool pants. I like the idea of one heavy, one light pair in my closet. Must be 5- or 6-pocket, with cargo pockets on both legs. I’ve scoured the military surplus online options and tried a pair of Swedish army whipcord pants … that shrunk 3 sizes when washed warm and line dried. So far as I can see, no military has yet moved to Merino.
I’d love to hear your suggestions for affordable Merino wool pants in medium to heavy weight. Camo, black, dark green, etc. Not interested in anything from Cabelas. Thanks, dave
Dave,
Check out the Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear web site. They sell an excellent wool line. Probably not what you are looking for, but check it out…
Best wishes,
Ireland
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I have a pair of Columbia Gallatin Range pants that I like a lot, but they are sure not merino. I’m seeing a lot more merino clothing than a few years ago, so maybe something of this sort is in the works. Somebody posted a link to some merino wool cloths recently and it didn’t seem like the prices were outrageous. I don’t remember that link, though. Maybe someone can pull that up. I sent a note to Woolrich, who used to be the king of wool. Maybe they’ll have something to offer. Let us know what you find out. thanks,d
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Ireland — I have already checked that site and their Silent Predator line of preshrunk wool looks top-end, with a top-end price I can’t afford. And it’s not Merino. I have found that even with pre-shrunk wool, it continues to shrink throughout its life. Even Merino shrinks a tiny bit, but only maybe a half-size over its life if laundered according to instructions (wash cool or warm, line dry or machine dry low). You guys may be right that affordable heavy-weight Merino is a pipe dream. Maybe I’ll try finding some military surplus whipcord wool pants and order 2″ too big in the waist and 4″ too long, if they offer such choices. Dave
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Dave –
Can’t say that I’ve come across much Merino that wasn’t intended to be a layering piece, i.e. – that would be considered true ‘outerwear,’ and I can’t imagine that any Merino piece that thick and durable would be inexpensive.
Fwiw, while the First Lite, Kuiu, etc. stuff certainly isn’t inexpensive, I do think that when you consider performance and the quality of construction, you’re getting a good value that will last a lot longer than most cheaper stuff.
Cabela’s has whipcord pants on sale right now and they seem to have very positive reviews. For what you would pay for those on sale, you could throw in a pair of light or mid-weight wool underlayers to wear with them, and have a more versatile system, imo, for about the same price as a pair of Merino wool outerwear pants.
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“Fwiw, while the First Lite, Kuiu, etc. stuff certainly isn’t inexpensive, I do think that when you consider performance and the quality of construction, you’re getting a good value that will last a lot longer than most cheaper stuff.”
That’s subjective, of course…and most times good wool, whether or not “good is expensive”, it will last for decades.
Dave, I didn’t take you for a sissy-pants, ooooooh….I can’t stand wool guy. 🙄 LOL. I do understand some folks have problems, but for the past twenty or more years, there has been wool undies that are lined and not itchy. Overpants, can be insulated against the skin with poly long johns as well. That said, I have a pair of Wool long underwear that was made in England, under the Shepherd name.
Got it from a fellow who lives or did live over there and can’t remember his name/handle…..that’s been fifteen years ago.These Shepherd are comfortable, non scratchy…and have some stretch to them. They are not heavy but are really warming, and I usually get by with a pair of old wool whipcord suit pants over top of them. When it gets really cold, a heavy pair of wool whipcord does the trick for me. And this cold here in the Appalachians is humid cold….enough to freeze the gnads off a brass monkey.
I’ll take a Google and see if Shepherd still makes such stuff. I think thise was military issue at the time.
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Bruce — While the only ultra-light layering wool I’ve tried so far is First Lite, I agree with you that the quality is outstanding and the price, in light of quality, a relative “bargain,” if that word has any validity in these days when everything is top-dollar except our wages. And through this thread I’m coming to realize that even medium-thick Merino, for now at least, would likely be too expensive to produce with too small a market to make it worthwhile. Consequently it doesn’t seem to exist. For hunters, whipcord is the way to go as it’s smooth and doesn’t attract thorns, and also sheds water better. But it shrinks like any other wool.
George — Itching has never been a problem for me since the days of wool “army” blankets. It’s shrinkage, pure and simple, and my refusal to own anything that has to be dry cleaned or hand-washed in cold water. Especially during hunting season when I wash all my outer clothing after two days of use. I require of all my clothing, hunting and otherwise, to be able to toss it into the machine and wash on warm/cold and dry in the machine low heat (when weather won’t allow line drying outside). So it’s my laziness when it comes to clothing that creates the problem with wool, not the itch.
Thanks again to all. Sometimes a bigger view than what we can muster alone is necessary to sort things out.
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George D. Stout wrote:
That’s subjective, of course…and most times good wool, whether or not “good is expensive”, it will last for decades.
Absolutely, but in my experience, wool that is both good and cheap is a rarity. And I usually don’t consider most of the wool found at military surplus-type places these days to be “good” wool, but maybe I’m just picky. Nor the loose weave, recycled wool used by Columbia and others. Though every now and then a true bargain can be found.
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Dave, check this one out….great price, made in USA….and washable.
http://www.prairiegrassoutfitters.com/Woolrich-Washable-Malone-Wool-Pants.html
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George D. Stout wrote: Dave, check this one out….great price, made in USA….and washable.
http://www.prairiegrassoutfitters.com/Woolrich-Washable-Malone-Wool-Pants.html
I’ve been eyeing those as well, George. My local general store carries them, so I’ve been able to check them out in person, and I’d say the wool is definitely more dense and of a higher quality than other, similarly-priced wool pants I’ve seen.
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George and Bruce — thats a good price if it’s indeed “heavyweight” good quality wool. Thanks for the tip. Alas, I must have cargo pockets and big ones. But these may be just the ticket for many. The search goes on …
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Dave, Have you looked at any of the military surplus sites for either German or Swedish army wool pants? Last fall, I picked up a pair for $30. They’re cargos, with waistband buttons to adjust the waist size. They also have snaps on the cuffs for blausing above the boots. The weight is very heavy compared other wool field pants. Needless to say they are almost too warm! The brown collor is also nice for the field…
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Dave,
mabye getting some merino wool fabric and making your own or having a taylor make them….then you can get them the way you want. -
I’ve got a pair of the woolrich pants. Heavy weight, 80% wool/20% nylon. I like them. They’re great in wet snow. They say to dryclean only but I just wash them cold and hang them up to dry. Doesn’t take long with a fire going.
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OK, as the song says, you can’t always get what you want… but you can get what you need. Thanks to all for leads and by way of quick response to several helpful hints: I don’t sew and my wife would never consider making a pair of pants … Those whipcord wool pants on sale at Cabela’s sure have a great price at $70; a friend ordered two pair and I saw them before he returned them–they are paper thin and slick, like dress pants; 14oz wool is summer weight or, like my First Lite Merino wools, requires layering for cold fall use … I’ve been wearing a pair of the Swedish whipcords for a couple of years now but they aren’t heavy and the shrinkage was massive, requiring lots of patch-patch work, and the built-in gaitors are a pain in the hindsight. In the end, I just ordered a pair of Filson Mackinaw 24oz with cargo pockets. I’ve had a Filson vest for years and it’s excellent. Cabelas wants $200 plus shipping for these same Filsons, but I found an online outlet for $150 including shipping, which seemed fair for the quality. I plan to wear these pants to the my grave. Only hitch is that they are “dry clean only.” So I ordered two sizes over in the waist and 3 inchles extra inseam and plan to wash them cold and hang dry. I don’t think wild animals much like the smell of dry cleaning fluid, aka formaldehyde. Thanks again for all your good suggestions and I hope others besides I and I have learned something here — namely that heavy-weight Merino wool pants are not currently available and won’t likely ever be, given the high cost of the material. Now, in my fancy new forthcoming pants, I’ll be even more handsome than usual. 😛 😆
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Hey Dave
Super expensive I know but I’ve had GREAT results with King of the Mountain wools. Heavy, dry etc…had no issues washing and line drying. Gotten me through jet boats to/from areas on Brownie hunt few years ago as well as various Canada outings. Be taking Bowman Jacket/vest/pants on my Adirondack excursion next week as well. They also sell an EXCELLENT long underwear product (Swiss-made I think – Ulfrotte or something like that). Pricy I know but I’ve been using same outfit for 15+ years for hunting as well as snowshoeing/snowmobiling…really incredib;e stuff. As to price, Via Ebay I’ve purchased two pairs Bunwarmer pants, 1 pair Bibs, pair of Mukulux for the price (little less actually) of ONE pair of Bunwarmers. ALL in EXCELLENT/Like New condition….
Interested on yours and others thoughts on KOM stuff…..
Be well…stay warm/dry ❗ 😀
>>>–> John
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Hey Dave
Super expensive I know but I’ve had GREAT results with King of the Mountain wools. Heavy, dry etc…had no issues washing and line drying. Gotten me through jet boats to/from areas on Brownie hunt few years ago as well as various Canada outings. Be taking Bowman Jacket/vest/pants on my Adirondack excursion next week as well. They also sell an EXCELLENT long underwear product (Swiss-made I think – Ulfrotte or something like that). Pricy I know but I’ve been using same outfit for 15+ years for hunting as well as snowshoeing/snowmobiling…really incredib;e stuff. As to price, Via Ebay I’ve purchased two pairs Bunwarmer pants, 1 pair Bibs, pair of Mukulux for the price (little less actually) of ONE pair of Bunwarmers. ALL in EXCELLENT/Like New condition….
Interested on yours and others thoughts on KOM stuff…..
Be well…stay warm/dry ❗ 😀
>>>–> John
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David,
you complain about wool that shrinks. Wool was never designed to be washed warm or to be thrown in the hot dryer. Period. Where is the problem in gently machine wash cold with a scentless wool detergent once or twice a season? This is really all that is needed, if at all. Natural wool cleans itself. If you want soft and warm, I would rather switch to cashmere/ wool blends and use Merino underwear. Merino is too fine and not tough enough as outer wear.
If we use natural fibers, it makes a lot of sense staying within its natural limitations. Especially since those garments cost a good chunk of money.
The overwashing is a thing derived from linen or cotton fabrics, which need to be washed on a regular basis, because they don’t have the ability to clean themselves beeing plant fibers.
Washing wool hot will disolve the lanolin in the wool and leave the fiber defenseless. The more you wash, the worse the self cleaning ability of the fiber will be. Wool detergent can only replace a certain amount of lanolin from the wool fiber, some will always be lost.
Asking “synthetic” abilities from natural fibers does not work in the the long-run. -
John — I have zero personal experience with KOM due to its cost (aside from the final five years before I “retired,” my wife and I have lived at or below official poverty level from the beginning — the starving writer syndrome). But your praise is consistent with everything I’ve heard about it. And it sure looks good. And yes, I have no excuse for not learning to use ebay except a deep distrust of fellow humanity, traditional bowhunters aside.
Tecum-tha — Welcome to our site and thanks for your admonition about treating wool with respect. I don’t think I’m guilty of washing and drying wool hot, ever. But in these days of wool/nylon blends, pre-shrunk wool and anti-shrink “treatments,” with Merino heads above all others, it doesn’t seem too radical to ask that a product that claims to be machine washable with no shrinkage deliver on that claim when laundered according to instructions, which I’ve found none but Merino to do. The usual washing instructions are warm or cold and line or air dry. That’s all I ask, is performance as advertised, yet insidiously over time it all gradually shrinks. Regarding washing too often, I am guilty there because I’m a fanatic on keeping my hunting clothes clean and odorless,esp. pants since they are so prone to coming in contact with vegetation as we walk. Anyone who hunts the same smallish area all season and walks the same trails to and from a stand should be keenly aware of the gradual accumulation of residual scent. Even so I’m sure I could do better than washing wool garments after every second use. Thanks for pointing this out. Your tip that Woolite (I assume that’s what you referred to) is also a good reminder, as I generally use scentless liquid soap on wool. I wasn’t aware that wool soap contains replacement lanolin. Good tip, thanks. Dave
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Dave….
Couldn’t agree more about the absolute distrust of humanity:!::!::twisted: present readers/company excluded of course 😆
I must say that I got completely robbed by some scumbucket on Ebay about 10 years ago (put it this way…north of $2000 😈 )…I learned forgiveness (well…really, I’m broke too and got tip from another Trad forum that you could score KOM cheap on Ebay) I swallowed my reservations and went for it. I learned this much….Trad guys are trust-worthy, 😀 take good care of their equipment :D…and sell KOM (and a whole host of other stuff) on Ebay (please don’t take this as a commercial/endorsement for Ebay – I WAS NOT happy with how they handled my issue above – $$$ was/is gone) 👿
So far so good…
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Dave;
I agree with you about the smell left on wool after coming back from the dry cleaners. I have several hunting wool items that are dry clean only. I have a ten foot overhang running the full length of my barn where I store the tractor implements. When I get the wool clothes back from the cleaners I take the plastic off and hang them for a couple of weeks under the overhang where air can circulate around them. This seems to solve the problem with dry cleaning odors. Just a suggestion that works for me.
Joe -
Dave,
Have you checked out the Cabela’s Wooltimate Fleece seies of cloths. I have just about all of it and truely love it. The ad for it says a blend of Berber fleece and wool. I hunted in temps below “0” and never got cold. Price isn’t that bad either. Pricest piece (pull over) is just over a buck-fifty. Pants are six pocket cargo style and really thick and heavy.
Troy
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Great thread! I have found too that the cargo pockets are a must have. I have some wool pants that were from England, but they’re almost like a felted wool. You can wash them, but I’m also constantly repairing them because they tear quite easily. Napier is the company name. AND the sizing they use is jacked up. You need about two sizes larger than you think. Still, they are a nice, soft, quiet, wool pant. I’d reeeeeeaaaaaaly like to find the kind of pant that Dave is asking about though. Sounds perfect.
I’ve always wondered about buying a set of wool pants something like four sizes too big and then washing and drying like normal to see if they would possibly shrink-to-fit.
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Hey Dave (& all my other comrades here!)
Forgot to mention in our previous eBay discussion that another GREAT place to score KOM as well as all the other high end (a.k.a. EXPENSIVE 😯 ) wool clothing is to just ask our fellow hunters 💡 😀
We hooked up on this site during my “Ashby Acquisition” crusade. I’ve had same truly wonderful experience by inquiring for specific goods on this and another well know TRAD site ( great GANG of folks there as well 😉 😆 ).
I’ve simply put what I’m looking for out there and let the guys contact me. I’ve gotten to know gents that hold same passions I hold dear a bit better via private interaction then just by their regular posts ( including you my friend ❗ ). Over and above that, I’ve purchased some terrific KOM stuff, in like new condition, at a fraction of the new price. Additionally, it’s a win/win as some of our fellow traditionalists get rid of stuff they no longer need/want and raise a few $$$ in the process. As far as the “trustworthiness” -or distinct lack there of – of humanity goes, I find those of our breed are beyond mere trustworthiness. :!::lol: in fact I’ve had nothing but easy, sincere terrific transactions/interactions with every person I’ve dealt with so far on both these sites ❗ can’t say that about eBay
😡 .Be well my friends.
>>>–>. John
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A friend sent this link to me. Wool pants for cheap. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/2-new-e-german-wool-pants-gray.aspx?a=151230
Might be what you’re looking for, but not merino. Certainly looks nice enough to wear into town after a hunt. dwc
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Dave,
I’m not as versed in wool as a lot of folks here but after a wool shirt I had shrank after dry cleaning only 3 times, per the instructions, I began useing a light brisled brush and light steaming in only the dirty spots to clean, then placing in a carbon mat lined box to remove any unwanted stink. I have had a pair of sleepping indian pants and shirt for 6 years doing the cleaning this way and they still fit well. I have only had them dry cleaned once when I slipped on an slippery hill and fell into the gut pile.
Bad thign about slepping indian wool is that for the price they should last a lifetime.
forgive my rough spelling
Troy
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Dave – Having spent a small fortune looking for the perfect wool pants, I have come full circle and decided my first choice was my best….Filson. Thier heavy wool pants aren’t what your specification calls for, but they are the best I have found.
By larger than necesary, don’t be afraid of an annula dry cleaning, air themout afterwards, and store them so the moths can’t attack. You will be happy.
As an aside….moleskin pants are pretty darn great in temps above 20 degrees. I know that “cotton kills” in the wet cold, but moleskin seems different.
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In fact I bought some Filson Mackinaw wool pants a few weeks ago, which I found online for $150 including shipping, while Cabela’s wants $200 plus shipping. I got 2″ extra in the waist and unhemmed legs. So far I’ve blooded them on a late-season cow (second) elk, and worn them for a week of treestand sitting in Arkie, and washed them twice on warm/cold with Woolite. The trick, I’ve learned, is to line dry, as even air drying in a machine causes wool to shed, filling the lint screen. That, drying not washing, is what prematurely thins out wool, as I’ve done so often in the ignorant past. So far, no shrinkage. By washing them less often than I would other materials, I think they’ll last a good long time. And a generous friend sent me a pair of military surplus wool pants he had “outgrown.” They are even heavier than the Filson, fit great, and after my wife sews on a pair of cargo leg pockets I saved from an old pair of woolies, I’m set, I hope,for the duration. Thanks again everyone for all advice and I’d try it all if I could afford to … but I’m saving my SS checks for another Coues hunt this winter. Bet you never expected to hear this from “Elkheart,” but Whitetails rule! At least after elk season ends. 😆
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Hope you have some luck again,Dave, and some stories to share with us again from your Coues’ hunts. I’m sure you can spare us some tidbits without compromising future publishings of yours. Wayne:)
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Dave for pants have you looked at http://autumnwoodoutfitters.com/ all. They look they might work for you but price might be a bit high.
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I photographed some of that company’s first products. That was quite a while ago and everything looked really nice. It was definitely top shelf stuff. I’m glad to see they’re still doing it. dwc
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I’ve had extensive experience with a variey of wool. I sit a lot when hunting and when it is cold wool is my choice.
I do not wash it often depending on weather, level of activity and hours of daily use. I have an unlined Camo wool coat that I wear until the temps get well below freezing. I wore it a few hours a day for about 14 days of the bow season, washed it once at the end of the season. When I come in from the woods I hang my clothes so they can air out and dry in case they may be damp from rain or sweat.
My wool garments, nearly all brands, last for years. I do not wash them often, then with very little soap or use a wool detergent. Always hang them to dry and not near a high heat source, allow them to dry slowly. I always pull on the legs, sleeves, waist, to stretch them and believe that minimizes shrinkage. Woolrich has been very good for the price, Filson is a lifetime investment at my age and I’ve had some very good wool from military surplus. I tend to prefer Swedish or Norwegien surplus, Scandehoovians should know about cold weather.
As far as Merino wool, it is best for underwear and then use “regular” wool over that, at least it works for me.
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Just my 2¢ but agree with msmithy, King of The Mountain Wool gets a firm nod from me. Way way:? too expensive and God knows I wish we could get’em down on their pricing:shock: but a finer Wool garment for Hunting you will not find:D. Closest would be as mentioned…Filson, but no pockets, gota have ’em. It get’s raw cold here in the Northeast and often wet. Not to worry when heading out to sit with these clothes.
p.s. I am NOT a spokesman for the company nor am I on the happy side of the decimal point for income but spend the money up front for the proper gear and cold and miserable you will not be!.
Seldomseen
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Dave,
I was googling around for merino wool fabric and found these…I know you got some pants already but just for future reference…
http://www.sandsarchery.com/First_Lite_Wool_Kanab_Dry_Earth_p/flkanabdryearth.htm
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