Lester River, it's bomb proof and has been my go-to ever since. Just have to wear a long sleeve base layer under it as it's quite prickly. Spent a few nights with just this as my sleep system under a pine tree prior to Turkey season a few years ago and was warm enough to sleep with Temps in the 20s. For winter trapping in single digits and below, I usually add the Boreal Mountain White anorak outside my Lester River or an oil skin one I have to serve as a wind and weather break.
@Joshua Shuttlesworth nice. The white canvas would be nice of an add on for sure. Camouflage. :) Prickly for sure and a strong clean smell for sure. Just had got one (LR) last week.
@ironranger1 get the LR in some smoke and then let it air out on a line for a few days. Mine never had a chemical smell but I've found that seems to work best for the LR.
Great comparison of the main options. I realize this is an older video, and the patterns may have since been updated. Nevertheless, I would like to see articulated arms at the elbow, and gussets at the pits. Such bulky items would move better with the wearer if the hem didn't rise up when both arms are raised, and didn't slide up at the cuffs when the elbows were sharply bent. Complicating things further, I would add flare at the hem for better leg room, and raise the drawstring to about the lower waist, with the toggle accessible inside the front pocket. These three 'racks are all VERY nice. Inspiration to make a couple of my own. Thanks for making the video.
I fully agree with the absolute need of the pocket system of the Lester River Anorak. Also the canvas "over" Anorak should have slots that allow access to the kangaroo pockets. The other 2 need that capability absolutely! Currently it's the Lester River for me over the others.
@@joshuashuttlesworth8719 if it lasts two lifetimes then it would of been a cheap waste haha. Cost per wear would be cheap as chips and maybe ill get into some cold weather camping in the future you never know. I'm going for a weatherwool anorak. In full weight. Even more overkill probably. Thanks for the opinion.
great video guys. Don't think any of these would disappoint in most situations out in the woods. personally, I am leaning towards the Lester River. Between the Kangaroo pouch and the ability to snap your cuffs where you want and being 100% wool is worth the extra $$. Again, great informative video..
I'm looking at a DIY Anorak. I'm questioning material choices at this point because it's just not that cold here. I want something that can keep me toasty but not cool me alive. Our winter temps can range from the 70's down to the teens. It seems that wool is going to be a cloth microwave. Can you help me pick a material that would be better suited to chilly temps vs freezing?
Daniel Garner it really depends on your body temperature. Ive only got to wear mine for about 3 weeks total the last 3 years as the temperatures havent been that cold. Fleece seems to be the most common substitute people use. If you want to go light weight go with down. For me it wouldn't be worth the investment in your area as it has to be low teens or single digits before mine will see the light of day.
Daniel Garner I’m in the uk and the winters aren’t as cold as they used to be when i was a youngster but I do a lot of shooting vermin from the back of a 4x4 at night in the winter I’ve had my lester river for for four winters now and haven’t had one issue with it I wear it with just a long sleeve shirt underneath some nights and the itchiness soon wore off worth every penny 👍🏻
Good review, but a little confusing if your looking to buy one. I've had the Lester River for two winters now and it is bomb proof like you say. I've never thought it was uncomfortable, but I always wear underclothes so the wool isn't on my skin. I'm a little surprised that you seem to favor the Boreal Mountain version, I must be missing something. Almost everything you say in this review favors the Lester River, but then you still seem to like the Boreal Mountain more. Forgive me if I'm wrong about that. Also, I looked on the Boreal Mountain web site and I did not see an option for a pocket on that model. Its also $190 US and that's without the pocket and buttons on the sleeve and its not as long in the body or the sleeves. I understand the Boreal Mountain is softer and cheaper by $60 but the organized pocket, buttons on the sleeve along with the more durable wool on the Lester River is worth it and superior in my opinion.
I love my Lester river anorak and will always reach for it when it counts. There was an option for a pocket at the time of filming for boreal mountain and I'm sure if you email him there still is. now which would I choose... Lester river is warmer longer, boreal mountain is more wind proof. lr has a great deal more extras that are essential bma looks better and costs a good bit less (at time of filming). lr does itch a good bit if against skin or against a base layer that is thin and moisture wicking (which I wear alot) and bma can bee worn against the skin easily. I love them both for different reasons, but will grab my lr when going out for the most part due to its fit, finish (extras-pocket and bottom drawstring are a must) and it has always got me through some long cold nights. now if you're looking for that outerlayer for your lr anorak I 100% recommend the bma canvas anorak, great outer layer!
Cool. I just love my Lester River. The best piece of clothing/garment I've ever owned. One other thing I noticed. If you wear a belt through the pocket you can have your knife on the outside. It'll also keep you warmer because it seals off the torso. Thanks for the vid. I didn't mean to sound like an a-hole. I was just defending the Lester River. :-)
I don't want to make your gentlemen mad, but I just priced the Boreal Mtn wool and canvas raks... and they are running $249.00 as of 11/11/16. I would love to get a canvas and a wool, but that's pretty dear !!
Correct me if I am wrong, but these wool anoraks are not shrunk/ felted wool (in Austria referred to as Dachstein Wool). Of course, quality blanket wool is a great material but in my opinion its performance would be far superior if it was shrunk and felted as the weave becomes very tight and much more impervious to wind and snow. I have worn Dachstein mitts when winter mountaineering and they are truly excellent, very warm, even when wet, windproof and very durable. I made my own 'woodsman/bushcraft' anorak from a military canvas anorak liberally coating it in my own concoction of wax, it repels water very well and is still quite breathable and very tough.
I was also looking at getting the Boreal Mountain version, as the review was positive, and it was cheaper. I still think $240cad is a bit much to spend on a wool blanket, made into a bush shirt, but the review sold me on it. Until that is, you read the fine print on Boreal Mountains website. It took searching, but all prices are now in USD..... But they did not change the price to reflect the difference. So now, the shirt costs $66 dollars more Canadian, than it did and does not ship free anymore, that's another $25 usd. I wouldn't have known, as its at the very bottom of the home page in fine print. Seems like a pretty sneaky way to jack up the price. I'd love to have one, but I'll stick with Asbell wool. Given this price hike, I'd like to see which the reviewer suggests now. Thanks for the excellent review, maybe it's time to do a long term wear review now?
I found a heavy felted army blanket for$25 cdn at a surplus store, but this week purchased at the local St Vincent de Paul thrift store, upholstery weight- heavy- wool so tightly woven, it is windproof. $7/meter. A few years ago they sold the wool for $1.50 a meter. At a Vancouver army surplus store bought Swiss army woolen pants, high waisted, so windproof and even spending the day rolling downhill in the mountains remained completely dry and warm. Pays to call around to find out what's available. Good luck.
I made up my mind. My hero Thomas More used to wear a hair shirt. The Lester River is a hair shirt that is wonderfully made and will help me get into heaven.
If you want more discomfort, vigorously brush the fabric to raise the wool. Goat hair was woven for cloth used as garments of penance. Fine farm twine can be crocheted into a vest guaranteed to crucify your passions. Hope to meet you in heaven.
@@uncatila Thomas Patrick More:" et pulices, vos inquam esse hospitium meum" . Rosemary: "sicut pro me, pulices, sic fugere me" " to the fleas you say, be my guest" " as for me, fleas, flee my house"
I don't understand the sizing, we have a standard of measurement and yet every one says" example; a 2xl fits more like a large, why don't they just make them to the correct sizing....a 2xl fits like a 2xl for Pete's sake!
Gonna call bullshit. At 16 Fahreheit with just a tshirt and getting too warm? You must've been active; no way canvas is providing that amount of insulative loft to keep you warm at that temp being sedentary.
Adam Boston canvas Annorak has only every been used as an outer layer during winter on top of a wool Annorak. Since this video ive slept under a pine tree a few times with the a base layer + the lester river Annorak and the canvas Annorak when it was well below 0 and was never cold by any means. The Canvas Annorak makes up for the wind breaking properties that the Lester River lacks which make the two a perfect pair for very cold winter days.
Adam Boston also at 16F I'm just starting to transition from shorts and a fishing shirt to pants and a non cooling base layer under the fishing shirt so I'm generally warm all the time.
I definitely understand the qualities of a wind breaking shell, and an isulative layer, but to be sedentary at those temps with roughly a half inch of loft and remain warm, well I've gotta be skeptical. Perhaps film an overnight with a canvas anorak, and a wool ano insulative and layer, and report how you feel in the morning. I'm presuming a bag isn't being used when out sleeping in the anorak...
I may have one. I know I did a few blog articles about it on a three day turkey hunting trip where it was in the high teens. Trip was to test out edc, specifically a couple survival bracelet. So all I took was a bottle of water, 12ga., belt knife and other edc items no shelter elemets or food. Also, I have never really used a fire to sleep at night. Generally when I camp on the ground I have a thermarest on the ground the clothes in wearing and a queen sized wool blanket over me and that has been enough to -17. My kit didn't expand beyong a haversack for a 3-5 day trip until I discovered how comfortable a hammock was. I have several pictures of me in iceland and alaska with just a t-shirt on facebook along with a few shoveling snow in shorts and a t-shirt. I honestly wear Duluth Armachillo t-shirts and boxers year round (minus winter woods trips) so I can handle cool temperatures better than most.
Leaving myself exposed , pun extended . I've figured the way I want my kangaroo pouch applied to my Boreal Mountain Anoraks , and hoping to avoid custom service charges by passing it's design to you . Thanks All , Thanks be
These things are cool but they cost so much for the same price roughly you can get a super durable fjallraven down jacket with canvass outer material so it is not like all the other fragile down jackets. They will be warmer, lighter, and much easier to move in. Still love an good anorak for the not super cold days but once you get to -10 Celsius (5 months of the year in Canada) just get a solid down jacket. These are more for fall hunting and bushcrafting in my opinion because by the time you layer heavy enough wool to be as warm as a down jacket you cannot barely bend your elbows. Still awesome though
Cotton is terrible for winter as it does not wake moisture, gets wet, takes forever to dry, is not warm etc.. The only time you would want to wear something made of cotton would be if it’s waxed cotton.
I agree. These are all wool and retain warmth even went wet (unless it's a heavy rain most will roll off the Lester River atleast). The winter anorak is canvas, and I've only worn it in heavy snow, and it hasn't soaked through once. I haven't waxed it as I want to keep it breathable for winter applications. If I were using it as a rain coat for fall/spring I would wax it, but I carry a poncho for heavy rain.
Hello from Auckland, New Zealand …just brought a 'Lester River Annorak' yesterday via internet !!!
Early 2023.... 320-360 BM vs 335 LR
Wonder what the choice would be now?
Lester River, it's bomb proof and has been my go-to ever since. Just have to wear a long sleeve base layer under it as it's quite prickly. Spent a few nights with just this as my sleep system under a pine tree prior to Turkey season a few years ago and was warm enough to sleep with Temps in the 20s.
For winter trapping in single digits and below, I usually add the Boreal Mountain White anorak outside my Lester River or an oil skin one I have to serve as a wind and weather break.
@Joshua Shuttlesworth nice. The white canvas would be nice of an add on for sure. Camouflage. :)
Prickly for sure and a strong clean smell for sure. Just had got one (LR) last week.
@ironranger1 get the LR in some smoke and then let it air out on a line for a few days. Mine never had a chemical smell but I've found that seems to work best for the LR.
Great comparison of the main options. I realize this is an older video, and the patterns may have since been updated. Nevertheless, I would like to see articulated arms at the elbow, and gussets at the pits. Such bulky items would move better with the wearer if the hem didn't rise up when both arms are raised, and didn't slide up at the cuffs when the elbows were sharply bent. Complicating things further, I would add flare at the hem for better leg room, and raise the drawstring to about the lower waist, with the toggle accessible inside the front pocket.
These three 'racks are all VERY nice. Inspiration to make a couple of my own.
Thanks for making the video.
You convinced me of one thing. Weather wool is far superior. I can see why they charge so much more than the compatition. Thanks for the video. ❤❇🏕🔥🥓
They are almost $700 now it’s getting absurd.
Prices are way off now. Boreal Mtn is 3-4 hundred US now
I fully agree with the absolute need of the pocket system of the Lester River Anorak. Also the canvas "over" Anorak should have slots that allow access to the kangaroo pockets. The other 2 need that capability absolutely! Currently it's the Lester River for me over the others.
With no outdoor woods use.
Purely winter city wear.
Would you see one of these leicster river anoraks outlasting a down jacket
Yes it will last a lifetime and probably your children's lifetime. But without heavy outdoor use it would probably be a waste for you.
@@joshuashuttlesworth8719 if it lasts two lifetimes then it would of been a cheap waste haha. Cost per wear would be cheap as chips and maybe ill get into some cold weather camping in the future you never know.
I'm going for a weatherwool anorak.
In full weight. Even more overkill probably.
Thanks for the opinion.
great video guys. Don't think any of these would disappoint in most situations out in the woods. personally, I am leaning towards the Lester River. Between the Kangaroo pouch and the ability to snap your cuffs where you want and being 100% wool is worth the extra $$. Again, great informative video..
I'm looking at a DIY Anorak. I'm questioning material choices at this point because it's just not that cold here. I want something that can keep me toasty but not cool me alive. Our winter temps can range from the 70's down to the teens. It seems that wool is going to be a cloth microwave. Can you help me pick a material that would be better suited to chilly temps vs freezing?
Daniel Garner it really depends on your body temperature. Ive only got to wear mine for about 3 weeks total the last 3 years as the temperatures havent been that cold.
Fleece seems to be the most common substitute people use. If you want to go light weight go with down.
For me it wouldn't be worth the investment in your area as it has to be low teens or single digits before mine will see the light of day.
Daniel Garner I’m in the uk and the winters aren’t as cold as they used to be when i was a youngster but I do a lot of shooting vermin from the back of a 4x4 at night in the winter I’ve had my lester river for for four winters now and haven’t had one issue with it I wear it with just a long sleeve shirt underneath some nights and the itchiness soon wore off worth every penny 👍🏻
Now that you've had some more miles on the boreal mountain wool rak, how's it compare to the lester river?
Can you be clearify So with hoody are thicker and how much for each one ?? thanks !
I'm interested in purchasing a couple o these for me and the Mrs!
Good review, but a little confusing if your looking to buy one. I've had the Lester River for two winters now and it is bomb proof like you say. I've never thought it was uncomfortable, but I always wear underclothes so the wool isn't on my skin. I'm a little surprised that you seem to favor the Boreal Mountain version, I must be missing something. Almost everything you say in this review favors the Lester River, but then you still seem to like the Boreal Mountain more. Forgive me if I'm wrong about that. Also, I looked on the Boreal Mountain web site and I did not see an option for a pocket on that model. Its also $190 US and that's without the pocket and buttons on the sleeve and its not as long in the body or the sleeves. I understand the Boreal Mountain is softer and cheaper by $60 but the organized pocket, buttons on the sleeve along with the more durable wool on the Lester River is worth it and superior in my opinion.
I love my Lester river anorak and will always reach for it when it counts. There was an option for a pocket at the time of filming for boreal mountain and I'm sure if you email him there still is.
now which would I choose... Lester river is warmer longer, boreal mountain is more wind proof. lr has a great deal more extras that are essential bma looks better and costs a good bit less (at time of filming). lr does itch a good bit if against skin or against a base layer that is thin and moisture wicking (which I wear alot) and bma can bee worn against the skin easily.
I love them both for different reasons, but will grab my lr when going out for the most part due to its fit, finish (extras-pocket and bottom drawstring are a must) and it has always got me through some long cold nights.
now if you're looking for that outerlayer for your lr anorak I 100% recommend the bma canvas anorak, great outer layer!
Cool. I just love my Lester River. The best piece of clothing/garment I've ever owned. One other thing I noticed. If you wear a belt through the pocket you can have your knife on the outside. It'll also keep you warmer because it seals off the torso. Thanks for the vid. I didn't mean to sound like an a-hole. I was just defending the Lester River. :-)
The sole issue I've seen with canvas as mentioned by empirecanvasworks.com is that it is breathable, windproof but not water proof.
G. Fred Asbell is the way to go if you don't want to spend a lot of money - For the money, they are a real bargain and very warm.
I don't want to make your gentlemen mad, but I just priced the Boreal Mtn wool and canvas raks... and they are running $249.00 as of 11/11/16. I would love to get a canvas and a wool, but that's pretty dear !!
they have gone up a little bit, but also remember the exchange rate is more positive for people in the US buying from Canada.
Nice video. Good job! How tall is Jim, Im trying to figure what size to get in LR.
Barry Conley Jeremy is 6'2.5" and 320lbs and I'm 6'1" and 280lbs. Both fit with plenty of room.
Lester river can also make custom sizes.
Joshua Shuttlesworth
thanks, I think I’m in between, 5’10” 280. Think I’ll go for the XL.
Haven’t decided. Good video, keep it up.
Correct me if I am wrong, but these wool anoraks are not shrunk/ felted wool (in Austria referred to as Dachstein Wool). Of course, quality blanket wool is a great material but in my opinion its performance would be far superior if it was shrunk and felted as the weave becomes very tight and much more impervious to wind and snow.
I have worn Dachstein mitts when winter mountaineering and they are truly excellent, very warm, even when wet, windproof and very durable. I made my own 'woodsman/bushcraft' anorak from a military canvas anorak liberally coating it in my own concoction of wax, it repels water very well and is still quite breathable and very tough.
I was also looking at getting the Boreal Mountain version, as the review was positive, and it was cheaper. I still think $240cad is a bit much to spend on a wool blanket, made into a bush shirt, but the review sold me on it. Until that is, you read the fine print on Boreal Mountains website. It took searching, but all prices are now in USD..... But they did not change the price to reflect the difference. So now, the shirt costs $66 dollars more Canadian, than it did and does not ship free anymore, that's another $25 usd. I wouldn't have known, as its at the very bottom of the home page in fine print. Seems like a pretty sneaky way to jack up the price. I'd love to have one, but I'll stick with Asbell wool. Given this price hike, I'd like to see which the reviewer suggests now. Thanks for the excellent review, maybe it's time to do a long term wear review now?
I found a heavy felted army blanket for$25 cdn at a surplus store, but this week purchased at the local St Vincent de Paul thrift store, upholstery weight- heavy- wool so tightly woven, it is windproof. $7/meter. A few years ago they sold the wool for $1.50 a meter. At a Vancouver army surplus store bought Swiss army woolen pants, high waisted, so windproof and even spending the day rolling downhill in the mountains remained completely dry and warm. Pays to call around to find out what's available. Good luck.
I made up my mind. My hero Thomas More used to wear a hair shirt. The Lester River is a hair shirt that is wonderfully made and will help me get into heaven.
If you want more discomfort, vigorously brush the fabric to raise the wool. Goat hair was woven for cloth used as garments of penance. Fine farm twine can be crocheted into a vest guaranteed to crucify your passions. Hope to meet you in heaven.
@@karmelicanke and the flees need a home to.
@@uncatila Thomas Patrick More:" et pulices, vos inquam esse hospitium meum" . Rosemary: "sicut pro me, pulices, sic fugere me"
" to the fleas you say, be my guest" " as for me, fleas, flee my house"
@@karmelicanke great. Keep latin alive.
I don't understand the sizing, we have a standard of measurement and yet every one says" example; a 2xl fits more like a large, why don't they just make them to the correct sizing....a 2xl fits like a 2xl for Pete's sake!
well i cant were wool so that leaves me lemitied
Just an FYI its pronounced bor-e-al not bo-re-el :) Nice vid, thanks for the comparison.
160!?! Boreal. The price is double Damn near now. 300? That's a pass for me
Said like BOAR-E-AL. No one's heard of that word before?
great channel i subbed nice job on the wool anorak
thank you appreciate it
i got claustrophobic just watching him with all 3 layers on
I felt sorry for your "model" once he put all 3 anoraks on, hehe
Gonna call bullshit. At 16 Fahreheit with just a tshirt and getting too warm? You must've been active; no way canvas is providing that amount of insulative loft to keep you warm at that temp being sedentary.
Adam Boston canvas Annorak has only every been used as an outer layer during winter on top of a wool Annorak. Since this video ive slept under a pine tree a few times with the a base layer + the lester river Annorak and the canvas Annorak when it was well below 0 and was never cold by any means.
The Canvas Annorak makes up for the wind breaking properties that the Lester River lacks which make the two a perfect pair for very cold winter days.
Adam Boston also at 16F I'm just starting to transition from shorts and a fishing shirt to pants and a non cooling base layer under the fishing shirt so I'm generally warm all the time.
I definitely understand the qualities of a wind breaking shell, and an isulative layer, but to be sedentary at those temps with roughly a half inch of loft and remain warm, well I've gotta be skeptical. Perhaps film an overnight with a canvas anorak, and a wool ano insulative and layer, and report how you feel in the morning. I'm presuming a bag isn't being used when out sleeping in the anorak...
I may have one. I know I did a few blog articles about it on a three day turkey hunting trip where it was in the high teens. Trip was to test out edc, specifically a couple survival bracelet. So all I took was a bottle of water, 12ga., belt knife and other edc items no shelter elemets or food.
Also, I have never really used a fire to sleep at night. Generally when I camp on the ground I have a thermarest on the ground the clothes in wearing and a queen sized wool blanket over me and that has been enough to -17. My kit didn't expand beyong a haversack for a 3-5 day trip until I discovered how comfortable a hammock was.
I have several pictures of me in iceland and alaska with just a t-shirt on facebook along with a few shoveling snow in shorts and a t-shirt. I honestly wear Duluth Armachillo t-shirts and boxers year round (minus winter woods trips) so I can handle cool temperatures better than most.
Leaving myself exposed , pun extended . I've figured the way I want my kangaroo pouch applied to my Boreal Mountain Anoraks , and hoping to avoid custom service charges by passing it's design to you . Thanks All , Thanks be
Take into account the BMA is only 95% wool compared to 100 percent on the LR if I remember correctly
But don't buy from jacket-hub because you'll get burnt
d
ont want to hear about the beads
These things are cool but they cost so much for the same price roughly you can get a super durable fjallraven down jacket with canvass outer material so it is not like all the other fragile down jackets. They will be warmer, lighter, and much easier to move in. Still love an good anorak for the not super cold days but once you get to -10 Celsius (5 months of the year in Canada) just get a solid down jacket. These are more for fall hunting and bushcrafting in my opinion because by the time you layer heavy enough wool to be as warm as a down jacket you cannot barely bend your elbows. Still awesome though
Cotton is terrible for winter as it does not wake moisture, gets wet, takes forever to dry, is not warm etc.. The only time you would want to wear something made of cotton would be if it’s waxed cotton.
I agree. These are all wool and retain warmth even went wet (unless it's a heavy rain most will roll off the Lester River atleast). The winter anorak is canvas, and I've only worn it in heavy snow, and it hasn't soaked through once. I haven't waxed it as I want to keep it breathable for winter applications. If I were using it as a rain coat for fall/spring I would wax it, but I carry a poncho for heavy rain.
I wouldn’t think boreal mountain would use one of those cheap Italian military blankets
if something is 'tight' , NOT 'nature of the beast' , more like you didnt take into account layering ; ie bought WRONG SIZE
Leave fibers other than wool out of the discussion.
Damn it Jim, he's having a stroke. Get 'em out of those clothes.