Nice Christmas gift

[Someday isle]

I have a Wooltimate vest from Cabela’s that I really love. When my wife asked what I wanted for Christmas I told her I’d really like a Wooltimate jacket to go with it. I sent her the link and knew that she ordered it. The surprise was in a second package she had for me. I’ve become a fan of merino wool and really rave about how much I like my merino base layers. I like both Smartwool and Minus33. She gave me a heavyweight 1/4zip from Smartwool. I forget the exact percentages but it’s mostly merino wool with a little polyester and nylon. It’s like a heavy fleece that’s mostly merino wool. I was wearing it around the house yesterday and it was so warm I had to take it off. I put on a fleece vest instead and was noticeably cooler. I live in the St. Louis, MO area and we had low teens and single digits yesterday and it was surprising how warm that simple 1/4 zip kept me. I think it will be a great mid layer for really cold hunts but it’s nice enough that I can wear it as a jacket or outer layer on warm days around the house or even when I’m just out and about. My wife is a teacher and she wanted a warm, long coat to wear on recess duty. I bought her a full length Down coat from Lands End. I guess this was the year of the coat in our house. (Plus Cards/Cubs tickets - we’re a house divided when it comes to baseball)

I know Christmas isn’t about giving and getting but hopefully you got something nice too!

 

[Bill]

Send me a link on that merino. I have two set of base layers 25 years old with holes and no elastic left working in them. But I'm still wearing them because I can't find anything better. Sometimes new technology isn't the best. I hate under amour. Don't get all the hype.

 

[Someday isle]

https://www.smartwool.com/shop/mens-echo-lake-full-zip-fleece-sw0sp638

This is the full zip. The one I have is the half zip. The Smartwool base layers are awesome too. I don’t remember exact numbers but I believe the lightweight ones are 170 count and the mid weight is 230 count or thereabouts. I absolutely love the mid weight base layer. A lot of that hi-tech stuff works great but I like to say it “holds the odor well” when you sweat. Maybe it’s an old age thing but I while I don’t mind compression shorts or even long bottoms I really don’t care for the skin tight hi-Tech tops. I like my shirts a little looser fitting. I also really like the Cabela’s stand hunter base layer top. None of this stuff is cheap but I don’t mind paying for quality and comfort combined.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

My 2 sons and I got ourselves early Christmas "toys" at Cabela's. The wool sweaters they carry with "Wind-shear" fabric in them are really warm. I saw someone on this forum talking about how warm they were, so we each got one. They really work !! We wore them deer hunting and I have to say they DO block the wind. If I can find wool pants with that "Wind-shear" fabric in them - I'll buy them. They'd be the ticket when sitting in a cold tree stand.

 

[Bill]

Thanks for the link. Looks like I can retire the old ones.

 

[buckdeer1]

The woolimate is some good stuff for sure

 

[g squared 23]

Am I the only one who think $170 for a mid-layer little jacket is absolutely bananas? I understand that you generally get what you pay for, but dang.

 

[Turkey Creek]

All camo clothing has become ridiculously expensive, especially since most of it isnt made in the USA.

 

[Bill]

In hear ya. Im looking for merino base layers. Did some searching and they can be had on Amazon in the $30 range. Only 25% merino but I bet my old cabelas ones were not much more. I'll order a set and see.

 

[bueller]

Am I the only one who think $170 for a mid-layer little jacket is absolutely bananas? I understand that you generally get what you pay for, but dang.

No you aren't the only one

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I still wear my Predator camo I bought back when it was made in the U.S.A. for about $50 a set. I switch it out with my Tree Bark camo - also made in the U.S.A. - from some years ago. A lot less money paid and it's all still good to go.

 

[bigmike]

I just bought the wooltimate camo jacket on clearance for $59 from Cabelas. 2XLT.