View Full Version : Possum Down Clothing
I noticed that some clothing (vest, hats, gloves) are being made using possum down. Anyone using this type of material. Pros/cons on this material
hopefulhiker
11-14-2006, 12:12
Is this the New Zealand possum?
Kerosene
11-14-2006, 13:18
I have a pair of PossumDown socks and gloves. The down is very fine and dense, providing a lot of insulation for the weight. They're also quite expensive. Unfortunately I really haven't had the opportunity to test them out in cooler, moist weather, although the guys at BackpackingLight swear by them.
peter_pan
11-14-2006, 13:41
I have possum down gloves and skull cap.... both are very light and warm...got them at www.backpackinglight.com... pricy but nice....more like a very fine wool than "down".
Pan
Frolicking Dinosaurs
11-14-2006, 14:45
Possums don't think much of the clothing (http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b47/lowcarbscoop/possum.jpg), but it is very warm and light.
I have both gloves and sox from backpackinglight.com. I found the gloves extremely comfortable on cold, rainy spring days. Much more comfortable then wool! Lightweight, too. The sox I kept in reserve as dry sox at the end of the day. I switched them out in the summer months, but recovered them before heading up into the Whites. The gloves do wear quickly if using them with hiking poles. Thanks for the thread. I was planning to buy a new set before it gets really cold and had forgotten until now.
And, yes, it is New Zealand possum. I guess they are in abundance there and they are trying to erradicate as many as possible.
...
And, yes, it is New Zealand possum. I guess they are in abundance there and they are trying to erradicate as many as possible.
I wonder what they taste like, down under. Of course ours taste like chicken:D
Jim Adams
11-14-2006, 19:44
American possum is extremely greasy and tastes so bad that it has no natural enemies in the wild that will eat it. a little known fact: possums have a natural life span of approximately 7 years how ever the average lifespan in the U.S. is 1 1/2 to 2 years because they are too stupid to not get hit by cars. they are also not naturally found in Canada however they are slowly invading Onterio via BRIDGES.
I can't vouch for possum down, but I have a hat I like very much made out of turtle fur.:D
Jim Adams
11-14-2006, 20:04
have you heard about the hormone replacements being injected into the turtles to make them molt the fur quicker. it's just all bad. oh the humanity!
geek
I have both gloves and sox from backpackinglight.com. I found the gloves extremely comfortable on cold, rainy spring days. Much more comfortable then wool! Lightweight, too. The sox I kept in reserve as dry sox at the end of the day. I switched them out in the summer months, but recovered them before heading up into the Whites. The gloves do wear quickly if using them with hiking poles. Thanks for the thread. I was planning to buy a new set before it gets really cold and had forgotten until now.
And, yes, it is New Zealand possum. I guess they are in abundance there and they are trying to erradicate as many as possible.
Tipper, thanks for the info. Do you know if anyone other than BPL sells them. I would like to see some first.
Do the beanie users of this stuff like it?
Is it worth the money for it?
It sure is light clothing, especially if it really works
American possum is extremely greasy and tastes so bad .......
You need to pick up your possum off the side of a gravel road. Asphalt taints the meat, if you know what I mean. Better when served with sweet potatoes and turnip greens.
"Sweet potato pie and shut my mouth" :p
jbchiker
12-10-2006, 10:55
I have the possum fur hat, gloves and socks. The vest or sweater would be nice, but the price is a little much for me. I'm happy with the three that I have - also would not use the gloves with treking poles, but would be happy with them around camp.
So, you would vouch-in your experience-for the little cap (beanie?)-that looks similar to the Navy watch style knitted ones?
I happened to spot this location to get the possum down products from another poster on this forum but I just cannot recall who it was or where it was or I would give the credit to them for it. What it did was to list another source-a cheaper one, too- than BPL, by getting it directly from New Zealand.
http://www.nznature.co.nz/MSHOP:SP:681283890:zo=3,cu=USD,IT=OV
Their possums are not a joke as I originally thought it was, but an ecological disaster introducing an Australian possum to their beautiful islands 150 years ago
I happened to spot this location to get the possum down products from another poster on this forum but I just cannot recall who it was or where it was or I would give the credit to them for it. What it did was to list another source-a cheaper one, too- than BPL, by getting it directly from New Zealand.
http://www.nznature.co.nz/MSHOP:SP:681283890:zo=3,cu=USD,IT=OV
Their possums are not a joke as I originally thought it was, but an ecological disaster introducing an Australian possum to their beautiful islands 150 years ago
I would have ordered the nipple warmers but you gotta buy the G-string along with them as a set. :mad:
http://www.nznature.co.nz/ecofur2.htm :mad:
I thought briefly about getting the whole set for my wife and including the beanie with the order....but .....after 35 years of marriage, well....:D
Tipper, thanks for the info. Do you know if anyone other than BPL sells them. I would like to see some first.
Not that I'm aware of. I've found that the sox and gloves do wear quickly vs wool, that is. But, oh so comfortable and warm!
Joke: 'Why the chicken cross the road?':-?
Reply: 'To show the possum it could be done.':D
snarbles
12-15-2006, 17:58
I'm looking for a new beanie to replace my old and worn out acrylic. So far the Possum down from BPL looks like a good pick. I've also been interested in a polyester fleece or wool blend.
Any suggestions?
The Old Fhart
12-15-2006, 18:18
Highway-"I thought briefly about getting the whole set for my wife...... Was that a Freudian slip?? (and is a Freudian slip a Freudian 'slip'? Did Freud wear a slip?:-? no, that was J. Edgar Hoover!)
Kerosene
12-15-2006, 18:32
I'm looking for a new beanie to replace my old and worn out acrylic. So far the Possum down from BPL looks like a good pick. I've also been interested in a polyester fleece or wool blend.
Any suggestions?You might check out one of the beanies (http://www.orgear.com/search.php?searchFor=beanie&searchType=all) from Outdoor Research (OR), especially if you want to get something that is windproof or waterproof.
How did I miss this one ?
I use the sweater , the gloves and the beanie. They are indeed very fragile but as mentioned by others very warm and comfy. I have no idea about the "wool itch" bit because I don't suffer from it anyway. The wool/possum/nylon combo has a lot of loft and feels completely different to the Superfine Merino wool. The BPL stuff has 50% wool,40% possum and 10% nylon, most others have 55/25/20 , not as lofty.
In Australia the possums are a protected pest, sorry species,so I cannot comment on how it tastes. ( a bit like a wombat/koala mix, but less stringy)
Franco
snarbles
01-23-2007, 12:54
You might check out one of the beanies (http://www.orgear.com/search.php?searchFor=beanie&searchType=all) from Outdoor Research (OR), especially if you want to get something that is windproof or waterproof.
Thanks,
The one I've got my eye on now is the OR Wind Pro:
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/style/home/headware/cold_hats/fleece_hats/83805
4eyedbuzzard
01-23-2007, 15:09
Their possums are not a joke as I originally thought it was, but an ecological disaster introducing an Australian possum to their beautiful islands 150 years ago
All they need to do to ward off this ecological 'possum disaster is to introduce rednecks and pick-up trucks. A few dozen adults with young-uns should give 'em a suitable three generation inbred population in approximately 13 years, capable of runnin' over or pickin' off most of them varmints.
O' course then agin, if them New Zealanders thought the 'possum invasion was a disaster...:D