View Full Version : wool or wool blend? Which to use?
litespeedlujak
09-12-2010, 21:50
I just found a site that sells wool and wool blends.
http://www.trimfabric.com/wool-fabric-1.html
For an AT hike as well as for hiking in general, would you use 100% wool or a wool blend. Why? Thanks for all responses.
I've used both pure wool and wool with either nylon or polyester. I prefer the blends as they don't sag or stretch as much when wet and probably hold up better in the washing machine (I wash all wool garments on gentle cold cycle anyhow - figuring that it won't wash out the natural oils as quickly). The Salvation Army thrift shops are a great place to find wool sweaters, btw.
Hey, thanks for the link. I was just bemoaning the fact that it is hard to find wool fabric.
I would not neccessarily dismiss wool blends. There is alot of crappy 100% wool, and there is good 100% wool, and there are different types of good wool for different purposes. I wouldn't want a blend that blended only for the sake of using crappy wool. As war as trademarks go, for socks, as an example, I think alot of smartwool is crap, but alot of smartwool is good stuff also. I have dress socks I use for hiking that are 78%wool, 20%nylon, 2%spandex. The wool is probably not the best in the world, but for thin wool socks in a blend its great, and cheap at $2/pair. For wool fabric, to make a kilt or a cape or something, I would want to feel it, but I wouldn't neccessarily rule out a wool blend. I would go for as close to 100% as I could though.
Thanks again for the link.
I don't like the recycled wool they use in those heavy wool hunting pants. I think wool pants for hiking should be a virgin british wool, in some sort of a weave like a tweed blazer, not neccessarily a tight weave as you can always throw on a light rain shell. Still, I like wool above the waist and fleece below the aist except for socks. I might try a wool kilt or wool hiking shorts though. For pants I think capri length breeches would be great, with cuffs. I suppose pants could be taken up. You can sometimes find thrift store wool pants that will do to modify into shorts or breeches. I have one such pair. They are fun to wear though I haven't shortened them yet. Usually they have cotton around the pockets, but fortunately these are not.
I think twill was the word I was looking for, not tweed, for pants and such.
I can add that I haven't found wool to be comfortable unless it's Marino wool, and, even then, there are (apparantly, from my experience) differences in Marino wools. It tends to be far less scratchy than stiffer wool fabrics. Since wool holds a LOT more water weight than polyester, I still haven't worn an outer layer of wool, just underwear, socks, hats, and sweaters.
I can wear coarse british wool sweaters next to my skin as well as merino sweaters. I like both. Also, I take any lining out of any twill pants I would wear for hiking. I like coarse hand-knit socks as much as softer smart-wool socks. I think british wools are generally better than merino for applications like mitts, and knit socks, and medium sweaters. Merino is better for light sweaters, and underwear I would imagine. I have one set of long underwear from Stanfields, and they are merino. Traditionally they did something with regular wool also that made it less itchy, which is how they got started years ago. I think that is only done with long underwear. Merino boxers would be nice.
Everyone should try one hand-knit medium weight wool-sweater, of a british type wool. Before that, at least try a pair of hand-knit mitts os a coarse british-type wool. They will knock your socks off, so you can try some hand-knit socks. :)
To help figure out what wool fabric to try from that list you can look up some of the key words like worsted, twill, gabardine. They all mean something specific, or at least used to, although the terms are used somewhat more loosely today. Gabardine used to mean a specific weight as well as tightness of weave, usually for overcoats, but today it might be something lighter in weight, although that may not be a bad thing neccessarily.
litespeedlujak
09-12-2010, 22:59
google "wool by the yard" and you'll find a TON of fabric. You guys are unreal. So knowledgeable. I MAY make a couple of light to medium weight shirts instead of one heavy weight coat. What if I tore one and I really needed the second one to maintain warmth? I can deal with being chilly. But I've been cold (hypothermic cold). No desire to go there again. It was years ago but I still remember the pain in my legs when I got in the warm tub. I'm looking at making one light weight pair of pants as well. My witch in, I mean my mother in law gave us an old machine. I'm anxious to get er' threaded and learn a bit. I'm sure I'll be taking an entry level sewing course at Joans Fabrics. Thanks again.
ZeroLozen
09-13-2010, 12:25
Wool Blend...i can't stand my socks falling down...especially when i have gaitors or pants on
Wool Blend...i can't stand my socks falling down...especially when i have gaitors or pants on
Is it ok that they fall down if you aren't wearing pants? ;):D:o
Wool blend gets my vote. I have a 85%/15% Woolrich shirt that I can't seem to wear out.
Dennis