Hey folks, just a heads up, FirstLite is running their annual fall sale August 19-22. You can save up to 40% on a bunch of their gear. As mentioned in the vid, I've been wearing their merino base layers since 2010. I believe they were the first to do merino in camo but what initially drew me to FL was their commitment to public lands conservation, something I was deeply involved in at the time. Since then I've come to know many of the folks that work there. Good folks, good ethos, good gear. About two years ago they came on as a sponsor, helping to support the channel and the quality (hopefully 🤪) content I strive to make. If you're in the market for some excellent outdoor clothing, hit'em up. www.firstlite.com/
A light balaclava hood and neck covering, weighing an ounce or two, is life support gear. That, plus a beanie, helps you survive when the weather does something really unexpected. And really light weight.
I wore the Merino wool base layers for four (4) straight weeks; comfortable, warm, & itch free. On winter deployments in Germany for US Army wargames "wool" was the only way to go, but that wool worked just as well & was uncomfortable because it was itchy. I learned early on when I was a Boy Scout that cotton was worthless & smelly. Why oh why Merino wool was not around in my Army days makes me wanna cry...!!!
You have to put in a plug for them to bring the Cipher camo back. I loved that pattern for the fall time. I hope FL keeps innovating with their merino products.
I been telling everyone I know about your grape vine water purification set up, they are just blown away by it, especially to see inside the vine and it's purification system, I have learned so much from you, I'm so grateful, thank you clay!
I love Merino, but the history of wool is far more interesting all together. We used to use more coarse wools that were woven and felted and treated to soften the wools. Labour intensive, but that's what medieval nobility wore. Merino wool is less scratchy but a little lower on the strength scale, not a bad idea to mix with other fabrics. Important to remember is that all wool/hair is a closed fiber unlike plant fibers, allowing no moisture in just on, naturally wicking moisture and odor. Not odor destroying, but it releases it easily unlike plant fibers. Don't throw it in the dryer though.
Love merino although finding holes on them from moths or silverfish sucks. That's the main reason why I don't buy a lot. Does anyone experience the same? Really frustrating.
I finally started using wool socks year -round about ten years ago. Deep South Louisiana and I’m in the heat all day. My feet stay dry and don’t stink. Completely counterintuitive, but it’s true, I’ll never go back. I’ve added 100% merino wool tank tops under my work BRAND shirts that I have to wear. Slowly budgeting into more and more wool. Appreciate
Here in Montana where the some of the uninitiated wear jeans, we call it “death cloth” when worn into the backcountry, especially in winter. The go-to for outerwear is wool or a good synthetic that retains its insulating quality when wet. The odds of getting caught out in a snowstorm or rainstorm can be high in hunting season. The downside of wool is that it tends to be heavier.
Synthetic fabrics are so incredibly uncomfortable that I can’t stand them ever. I’m always cold and hot at the same time no matter what level of activity or temperature I am. Just a horrible feeling. A few years ago, I tried wool socks for the first time and fell in love with them! I never looked back! Wool is amazing! So comfortable! Any time of year!
Don't forget a roomy backpack for extra gloves, scarves, facemasks, hoodies, etc. etc. When your exhalations ice up your facemask, you may need a new one every hour or two. Wind can compress down multilayers of pants in front of the thigh bone and freeze it bad, e.g. wind chills down to -50 Fahrenheit. Good insurance is a piece of thick foam rubber in front of the thigh bone. If you step into cold snow, underneath may be meltwater from several days ago insulated warm by overlying cold snow. This water will find every crevice in your boots. So, don't step into low areas that can have hidden water across a field, and rubber boots are good insurance as long as they don't develop pinholes and cracks. Eddy currents at the edge of any body of water (streams and lakes both) can keep ice from freezing above even if it is minus 90 F, and snow can accumulate igloo-style higher above so the snow domes over and you can't see the underlying hole in the ice. Be careful where you step so your foot doesn't go into icy water. This happens because as eddy currents swirl they can give off heat upwards to keep ice from freezing, but higher up it can be cold enough for snow cover to survive frozen. If you are walking into severe wind, it flattens multilayers against the front of the thigh so there is no airspace left for insulation unless you use foam rubber or similar to force residual air insulation to survive the air pressure. Under these condition a very thick face mask with only tiny eye holes is a must. For more information, read Jack London "To Build a Fire" and other stories based on his experience in Alaska.
As a kid I stomped on one of these ice domes on the lake, not knowing what it was. Fell right into the freezing water but was able to catch myself on the edges of the ice. An adult then pulled me back out. Could have ended much worse. Lesson learned, don't mess around with ice and only step where you know you can step.
The reason Merino wool doesn't get so ripe smelling after weeks... It's naturally coated in Lanolin oil, which is quite antimicrobial so "funk" can't get a start. You can even just use plain water in the field to wash the wool and have it come out "clean". A few trips through a hot laundry though and the Lanolin oil gets thin, so it's a good idea to give Merino a fresh coat of oil every few years. Obviously helps shed water too. A little spray bottle will work, just have to thin the Lanolin out with some rubbing alcohol or else it's like trying to spray maple syrup!
I don’t have your experience, but I have plenty. I live in canada, and have spent a ton of time outdoors. From ice fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, working in construction, where I’m indoors and outdoors a lot, I even cycled for two years all year around. I love wool. Like you said it smells less, and also has a way bigger range of comfort. Poly stuff seems to be too hot, or not hot enough in a small temp range, but wool is comfy in a way bigger range. The only thing I like poly stuff for is that it does dry wayyy faster than wool once it gets wet. It’s also very light. Wool, if you’re careful to not let cloth eating moths get to them, needs to be treated with lanolin to keep it healthy, and a little water resistant, but those moths actually are after the oil, and not the wool. And Yessss! Wool socks in my work boots, even in warm weather are so much better than cotton. Cotton is great for hot weather shirts.
I will never wear anything but Marino for my base layers iv gone whole ski seasons using the same base layer and not washing them, all I ever did was hang them up in a tree in the sun ( I was camping in the woods in the mountains because I couldn’t afford accommodation where I was skiing and had no access to to a washing machine)
21:00 For getting started Costco brings in Merino Wool Base Layers (top and bottom) Every year. Good quality, low price. Great way to have several merino pieces, get used to wearing them everywhere in winter, fall, and spring, And really helps to identify what you would spend to Upgrade in an extreme cold Weather kit. Ie medium or heavy duty merino long John's for cold winter weather.
I don't know why more people don't talk about vests for an outer layer. I love wearing a mid-layer jacket and a wool vest outer layer less restriction of the arms. But they seem hard to find it's been my experience keeping the core warm is way more important than extremities. Except hands and feet of course
I have problems with my feet/toenails/walking and you just explained that your feet slide in cotton socks and they get flattened out, worn itchy scratchy almost from the dryer so I’m going to get some wool socks 🧦 and I can’t wait to wear them. Thanks again Clay 🙏🏼
Best thing I’ve ever done was invest in wool layers. Wool socks, wool base layers, wool flannel, wool Adirondack. Something to black the wind which is normally a thin down puffer. I’m not in the mountains but because I’m hunting high pressure public land I am hiking into areas that most people are not so it’s easy to over do it and get hot. Here in in Northern IL we might have a random 70 degree day in October or even December but it will normally be sun freezing with lows getting well below 0 late season around January.
This video is truly exceptional and packed with valuable insights! I wholeheartedly support the information presented, particularly regarding the superiority of natural wool fibers over synthetic materials. My experiences range from mountaineering and guiding ice climbing to living off the land, relying solely on these natural resources for protection. As for "out on a limb" regarding time spent in the wilderness (06:04) I may possibly challenge that Clay, thought that certainly is a small group I would agree. I have typically had the upper hand in this regard to most I meet, even professional, due to my teachers being born between 1877 and 1898 and how I was raised. I embarked on my first traditional retreat, often referred to as a "vision quest" by some, in the early 1970s at the age of 13, spending 67 days in the same outfit, and totally alone until an Elder retrieved me. Following that, I dedicated many months, and then nearly a year, to solo retreat before enlisting in the Marines. I still possess woolen garments from that era, which highlights another advantage of crafting your own gear and the wonders of natural wool and related fibers including buckskin: they can last a lifetime, even with rigorous use if taken care of. Thanks again Brother for another marvelous video...!!!
Love to see that old dodge being taking care of and used. Those old trucks and engines are the secret to simplicity and longevity. We used to install vegy kits back in high school, my brother and I took a trip from the Canadian boarder to Florida on straight vegy down and back. Many people didn’t believe it, but many embraced the idea. Good work clay keep going
This was interesting. Have you ever tried linen before? I got into medieval recreation and I am absolutely amazed at what linen can do. It wicks moisture like nobody's business, keeps you cool in the heat and warm in the cold, it breathes beautifully, it dries fairly fast,.. I wore a linen tunic under a thick wool tunic during the summer in about 28C and I barely sweat at all because of the linen.
The Confederate soldiers wore linen pants during the War of Northern Aggression, but only in the summer (from what I can tell) Wool still rules the field
Great advise! Back in "the day", all we had was wool or cotton. There are times when cotton is better but not very often. We really have great options these days. My prefered base layer now is silk. It is superior to merino for moisture wicking, anti-microbial and lighter. But it can be a bit fragile and is definitely expensive. I generally choose merino as my mid layer, melton wool for pants or bibs. If the weather is sub-freezing, I might choose to have a down 2nd mid layer, if I'm going to be inactive. My outer layer is only worn when it's wet, so that is usually something like Gortex, or the like. For socks...silk in the summer, silk base and merino in the winter. I have 1 pair of alpaca/merino socks for extreme cold weather. I won't wear those until the temps are -10F or less. They don't make my feet sweat but it feels like they are on fire if the ambient temps are too high. If you plan to be more than a mile from your truck, get the best gear you can afford. 😊😊😊
@@clayhayeshunter You might try Australian brushtail possum "wool" for gloves sometime. They can be a but fragile, like merino, but are extremely warm and light.
I’ve seen so many people put on all their layers to walk to their stand. Needless to say, they’re sweating & breathing heavy halfway there. Try to carry what you can. Deal with the cold. You’ll warm up while you walk. Layer up when you get set up & cool down.
This is familiar to me. I did my 20. When I retired, they only wanted the expensive gear back. Anything that's hygiene related, mostly clothing items, they let me keep. I've got a bunch of great PCU cold weather layers that I still wear all the time. I prefer to workout outside, no matter the temperature. Hot AF, cold AF, it's all good because I was taught how to dress to perform in bad weather. Wool socks? All day. We swam in full kit and boots. I was taught how to be comfortable while being uncomfortable. Jungle ✅️ Desert ✅️ Mountains ✅️ Ocean ✅️ Foul weather ✅️ ✅️
Thanks Clay, you confirmed some things I already have been doing for several years and added some new things. I've been able to find most of my wool gear on Ebay and some from Marino tech. I wear this stuff hunting or not in the winter plus wool socks year round.
Past years I’ve been tracking with the stratus pants and fanatic hoodie with the stratus jacket packed if I sit here and there. If I’m tree stand sitting it’s full fanatic it’s the only set I can sit all day with in single digits which is common in the northeast. I’ve retired most of my Johnson wool.
Ik not an outdoorsman but eas looking into this a year ago. Ended up buying an aclima wool net longsleeve and it really helps me with not catching colds when skating. While skating you move a lot obky to sit down a bit later tslking eith friends and then get back at skating. All this cotton gets wet and just saps all of your body heat. The woolnet alone helps my skin stay dry and the sweat to evaporate or transfer into the next layer. But the woolnet studf is very delicate. I tore it a bit when it got stuck on a branch one time. So probably not to be used as a standalone layer outdoor.
I've tried all kinds of wool and alpaca wool is best. It's as warm or warmer than marina wool and dries faster. Also alpacca wool doesn't stink as bad.
Everyone has their own opinion based on personal experience. I personally choose synthetics for mountaineering, it is lighter, dries faster, does not require fine maintenance like wool, is extremely resistant to all conditions, I have clothes made of synthetics that are years old and are as good as new. And I have some examples of wool clothing from renowned outdoor manufacturers, barely a year old, showing major signs of wear and tear, and considering the high price, this should not happen, plus they have been maintained as best as possible. From wool, I only use socks, hats and sometimes active clothes, although I use a mesh base layer more and more because it performed the best. It is best when wool and synthetics are combined into one, then you get a garment with all the advantages of both wool and synthetic materials. In my area, people have been raising sheep for centuries and making various clothing items. The best quality sheep's wool comes from sheep that live in the harshest natural conditions of snow and ice. The advantages of wool would be that it is naturally anti-odour, naturally provides protection from UVA radiation and is not easily flammable, it does not contain heavy chemicals. Cotton clothing should be avoided for the most part during any outdoor activities.
MARINO WOOL does NOT require _"fine maintenance."_ They're not an L.A. blonde chic in an Aspen lodge. I RARELY WASH my Marino Wool socks and they _DON'T EVEN STINK._ And they Do Not Wear Out like your synthetics. I'd LOVE to challenge you to put your synthetics through the Same Torture as my Marinos and see how they "survive," 'cuz they won't.
REGARDING CLOTHING.... I live in AMISH country where ALL clothing is hand made from Wool 'cuz they don't have Cotton Fields. Amish clothes _Don't Wear Out For Years !_ These "renowned" wool textile mills *Cut Corners* to make money since wool isn't _"all the rage"_ at a Paris fashion show. Research More.
Wholly agreed on merino wool as an 'active base layer'. While I don't hunt, I almost wear the same clothes during hiking (1-2 week hikes), preferably in Scotland, living out of my backpack. Merino T-shirt/longsleeve and long johns (if cold), one set for hiking and one for night time. A synthetic/fleece vest with hood (because cheaper to replace than merino), Decathlon down jacket for chilly weather. Nothing in camo but otherwise very similar. (And of course, full rain clothing, because Scotland). (I love my Swedish Fjallraven pants, from 65% polyester and 35% waxed cotton; very durable, comfortable, windproof, somewhat water resistant depending on amount of wax but they dry very fast after a shower. Way too expensive at usual retail prices imo but very interesting when discounted).
This is why I want to build a dry hot sauna on my homestead. I'd do one before heading out for the day. That'll warm your core up real good for at least a few hours.
I'm new to your channel. Absolutely spot on advice. I'm a huge fan of wool, almost any variety. I really like it as an outer layer. It's absolutely silent when going through brush. You spend forever picking out prickers and briars, but that's a fair trade off. Totally different point, I'd love to know more about your Longrifle. A flintlock is all I ever hunt with.
Great channel. Not sure if you have tried bamboo socks. I was in disbelief. Not much expereince, but for my money. Better or equal to thin wool. Highly durable, soft, and body odour resistant too. Good quality bamboo lasts years in the machine, and days in the field. I just threw away a few pairs that were almost a decade old. Given, they were thin on the heels, but that is amazing.
I live and hunt in Tn we have a small 67acre farm and never really gets cold enough and if it is cold enough I don't have very much land to roam. But I've been fortunate to take six bucks in the 150" class. But I'd really love to bow hunt the big country. Bow hunting small tn farms we have down to a science
Merino wool is good and all but worth mentioning something alot of people don't know or think about. If its at camp or anywhere not being worn it will get chewed up and used for nesting material. It dries significantly slower than anything else. My dumbass had a few hundred dollars worth drying on a log at camp and came back to find it absolutely destroyed. I'm pretty sure it was chip munks, mice, maybe prarie dogs or squirrels but whatever it was im sure will have a good winter.
When you find something you like, buy TWO MORE of them and put them in a sealed protective bag/bin. You’ll love yourself even more when you need replacements five or ten years down the road. If you can’t afford it, add them to your gift list ideas for family to graciously get for you.
Interesting video and overall good info. - However... Cotton is Not the big bad evil its made out to be. Cotton makes an excellent base/mid/outer layer when used correctly and intelligently. - Get any material wet with no way to dry it out and you'll have issues... especially in winter weather. Thanks for the video...
@@Nyeupe-Nguvu For your info... - Every army in the World also used lots of Cotton! - Sounds like you need better winter boots. - Cotton will dry out just fine like any other material when given air space.
I heard from Matti & Stina on TH-cam that birchbark and wool insoles are amazing as they are odor resistant and increase warmth - they are unfortunately hard to find
I’ve run both but lately I prefer synthetic. If I was going out for days and days I might grab merino but the synthetic just dries so fast. I’ve done week long trips and river rinse every few nights and from soaked they’re dry within an hour.
Want to not smell with your base layers (wool or polypro treated with Makspec or Polygiene)? Keep your arm pit hair trimmed, and after a shower wet your pits and finger tips. Dip your fingers in baking soda and apply them under your pits. I can go days without showering (I don't, but I've tested it) and there is no smell. You can wear the same shirt for weeks, even after sweating. If you don't want your junk to smell, keep things trimmed below and apply a dab of baking soda. Your underwear will be neutral smelling 10x longer than otherwise. I like used icebreaker marino wool off ebay, used Sitka shirts off ebay with Polygiene, and used Kuiu shirts off ebay with Makspec. I also like new Mondetta Outdoor Project shirts, sized down 1 size, off ebay or Amazon because they're cheap but they have the same Polygiene stuff as Sitka and work just as good. Sitka and Icebreaker are sized normally. If you want Kuiu, you must size up at least 1 size. If you've never used baking soda, it is a micro abrasive and will irritate your skin for about 2 weeks. After that, you're good to go. I've been doing this now for 3 years, haven't bought deodorant since, and I'm so confident now in public because I don't stink and I'm more successful in the field as well.
Great advice. Take the old adage "cotton kills" seriously. Rookies learn the hard way. Want proof? Wear a wet, light t shirt on a very warm breezy day. You will be shocked at the chills you will get.....
Is first light made in the USA ? Great info on the different types of materials. Looking forward to upgrading my layering system. Thanks for the great information like always.
I'm starting to discover that the solution for me, may be Alpaca... now we all know that normal wool is great (even as someone who has a minor wool allergy - thus I have always had to run silks or synthetics under 'skin contact' wool) and that merino seems to fix most of the issue - but it has to be higher quality merino for someone like me! However of late I've started to experiment with alpaca wool and found it (so far) to be as good as merino... and maybe even a little better in some areas; skin-contact is better than high quality merino. I'm not sure the Alpaca socks I've been playing with will last as long as the Merino (they just don't feel as strong?), but what has been really good this last winter was Alpaca boot inserts - I'm pretty confident in saying I felt those WERE superior my merino inserts. The big issue I'm finding is both Cost and Availability - alpaca is more expensive (though I'm lucky in that I live not far away from a small firm that make Alpaca garments and inserts and scarves and etc - and my current upper base layer... And they're quite reasonable on price), but its a lot easier to find Merino like those awesome merino base layer hoodies - have yet to find anything like that in Alpaca. But its an ongoing little experiment for me. Anyone else trialing Alpaca? Anyone know of any sort of Alpaca base that has a LONG torso, turtle neck, etc?
A super video thank you. But one thing I wish you had commented on was how do you care for your base layers after you have been forced to wear them for several weeks. Can you Machine wash wash then. Can they lose there antimicrobial properties from incorrect care.
Attention that you pay for your clothing shows that you are really an active hunter, who trully deserve his food, his life style. Totally different story in the flatulent Europe. Yeah, I live there..
@ronhanish Praise Jesus! Sing songs of worship to him everyday! He just wants us to love him, and when we do, he fills us with unspeakable joy and heals us and comes to live inside of us, the Holy Spirit is real and will show you the truth of all things, like Clay, he is here for us and teaches us things we never knew and are awe inspiring!, thank you Jesus and thank you Clay!.
Hey Clay, how tall are you and whats your size for the Kiln Hoody? Does it fit very tight or is there some space between you and the shirt? Greetings from Germany!
I have a traditional mackinaw jacket, it’s made almost completely of traditional wool and a bit of polyester (I think), I’ve always used it to deer hunt in the cold and it’s worked fine as an outer layer. But it’s extremely large and clunky, and it takes up a horrendous amount of space in my rucksack on long hunting trips, not to mention the weight. I love the jacket, and it’s great for long sits, but it’s hard to carry and keep, any suggestions?
That's the downside to heavy wool outer layers. I love them but if I'm going on a long backpacking trip, I almost never take them. For light weight, synthetic outers is really the only way to go.
Hey folks, just a heads up, FirstLite is running their annual fall sale August 19-22. You can save up to 40% on a bunch of their gear. As mentioned in the vid, I've been wearing their merino base layers since 2010. I believe they were the first to do merino in camo but what initially drew me to FL was their commitment to public lands conservation, something I was deeply involved in at the time. Since then I've come to know many of the folks that work there. Good folks, good ethos, good gear. About two years ago they came on as a sponsor, helping to support the channel and the quality (hopefully 🤪) content I strive to make. If you're in the market for some excellent outdoor clothing, hit'em up. www.firstlite.com/
A light balaclava hood and neck covering, weighing an ounce or two, is life support gear. That, plus a beanie, helps you survive when the weather does something really unexpected. And really light weight.
I wore the Merino wool base layers for four (4) straight weeks; comfortable, warm, & itch free. On winter deployments in Germany for US Army wargames "wool" was the only way to go, but that wool worked just as well & was uncomfortable because it was itchy. I learned early on when I was a Boy Scout that cotton was worthless & smelly. Why oh why Merino wool was not around in my Army days makes me wanna cry...!!!
You have to put in a plug for them to bring the Cipher camo back. I loved that pattern for the fall time. I hope FL keeps innovating with their merino products.
I been telling everyone I know about your grape vine water purification set up, they are just blown away by it, especially to see inside the vine and it's purification system, I have learned so much from you, I'm so grateful, thank you clay!
Wow, thank you!
@@clayhayeshunter I've been sending everyone that video too 😂 That's gotta be the most bushcraft skill I've ever seen. Absolutely love your channel.
@@TheUnhousedWanderer preach it brother that is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time. I am totally going home and gonna try this out.
Purchase a purification from Switerland and we love it.
@@rogerdvorak6045what you recommend ine Ed something reallybad
best advice i ever got. Be bold start cold. It has never done me wrong
Love my wool socks even in the thick of summer
Amen
I prefer thick winter wool socks in the summer over synthetics of any kind. 100% wool 100% of the time.
I wear wool socks with Earth Runners 😋
Alpaca socks are superior!
As a merino wool farmer, please purchase. It is a superior natural fibre.
Agreed!
Are merinos difficult to grow?
It's a sheep! Feed it grass and it does the rest.
I love Merino, but the history of wool is far more interesting all together.
We used to use more coarse wools that were woven and felted and treated to soften the wools.
Labour intensive, but that's what medieval nobility wore.
Merino wool is less scratchy but a little lower on the strength scale, not a bad idea to mix with other fabrics.
Important to remember is that all wool/hair is a closed fiber unlike plant fibers, allowing no moisture in just on, naturally wicking moisture and odor.
Not odor destroying, but it releases it easily unlike plant fibers.
Don't throw it in the dryer though.
Love merino although finding holes on them from moths or silverfish sucks. That's the main reason why I don't buy a lot. Does anyone experience the same? Really frustrating.
I finally started using wool socks year -round about ten years ago. Deep South Louisiana and I’m in the heat all day. My feet stay dry and don’t stink. Completely counterintuitive, but it’s true, I’ll never go back.
I’ve added 100% merino wool tank tops under my work BRAND shirts that I have to wear.
Slowly budgeting into more and more wool.
Appreciate
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the power of wool
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Thank you for supporting sheep and wool! (From a grateful Idaho sheep shearing worker 😊).
Merino wool is amazing for rub spots in boots. Keep up the shearing! 😊
The tranquility in this video is extraordinary! The serene nature scenes are so calming. Anyone else feel the same?
I have SO much respect for folks like you. Yall go outdoors, come back and share your knowledge and experiences. We can learn so much from you!
Here in Montana where the some of the uninitiated wear jeans, we call it “death cloth” when worn into the backcountry, especially in winter. The go-to for outerwear is wool or a good synthetic that retains its insulating quality when wet. The odds of getting caught out in a snowstorm or rainstorm can be high in hunting season. The downside of wool is that it tends to be heavier.
Synthetic fabrics are so incredibly uncomfortable that I can’t stand them ever. I’m always cold and hot at the same time no matter what level of activity or temperature I am. Just a horrible feeling. A few years ago, I tried wool socks for the first time and fell in love with them! I never looked back! Wool is amazing! So comfortable! Any time of year!
Don't forget a roomy backpack for extra gloves, scarves, facemasks, hoodies, etc. etc. When your exhalations ice up your facemask, you may need a new one every hour or two. Wind can compress down multilayers of pants in front of the thigh bone and freeze it bad, e.g. wind chills down to -50 Fahrenheit. Good insurance is a piece of thick foam rubber in front of the thigh bone. If you step into cold snow, underneath may be meltwater from several days ago insulated warm by overlying cold snow. This water will find every crevice in your boots. So, don't step into low areas that can have hidden water across a field, and rubber boots are good insurance as long as they don't develop pinholes and cracks. Eddy currents at the edge of any body of water (streams and lakes both) can keep ice from freezing above even if it is minus 90 F, and snow can accumulate igloo-style higher above so the snow domes over and you can't see the underlying hole in the ice. Be careful where you step so your foot doesn't go into icy water. This happens because as eddy currents swirl they can give off heat upwards to keep ice from freezing, but higher up it can be cold enough for snow cover to survive frozen. If you are walking into severe wind, it flattens multilayers against the front of the thigh so there is no airspace left for insulation unless you use foam rubber or similar to force residual air insulation to survive the air pressure. Under these condition a very thick face mask with only tiny eye holes is a must. For more information, read Jack London "To Build a Fire" and other stories based on his experience in Alaska.
As a kid I stomped on one of these ice domes on the lake, not knowing what it was. Fell right into the freezing water but was able to catch myself on the edges of the ice. An adult then pulled me back out. Could have ended much worse. Lesson learned, don't mess around with ice and only step where you know you can step.
@@raven_glass
And a good poking stick, is priceless And invaluable.
Poke before you step.
Ty for sharing
The reason Merino wool doesn't get so ripe smelling after weeks... It's naturally coated in Lanolin oil, which is quite antimicrobial so "funk" can't get a start. You can even just use plain water in the field to wash the wool and have it come out "clean". A few trips through a hot laundry though and the Lanolin oil gets thin, so it's a good idea to give Merino a fresh coat of oil every few years. Obviously helps shed water too. A little spray bottle will work, just have to thin the Lanolin out with some rubbing alcohol or else it's like trying to spray maple syrup!
Do you reckon putting some lanolin oil on synthetics around the pit\groin\foot area would help prevent stink?
@@Callum38 I wouldn't see why not? Forgot to mention it does wonders for dry skin and rashes too.
I agree with you on the socks ! I have been wearing wool socks year round for over 20 years now.
I don’t have your experience, but I have plenty. I live in canada, and have spent a ton of time outdoors. From ice fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, working in construction, where I’m indoors and outdoors a lot, I even cycled for two years all year around.
I love wool. Like you said it smells less, and also has a way bigger range of comfort. Poly stuff seems to be too hot, or not hot enough in a small temp range, but wool is comfy in a way bigger range.
The only thing I like poly stuff for is that it does dry wayyy faster than wool once it gets wet. It’s also very light.
Wool, if you’re careful to not let cloth eating moths get to them, needs to be treated with lanolin to keep it healthy, and a little water resistant, but those moths actually are after the oil, and not the wool.
And Yessss! Wool socks in my work boots, even in warm weather are so much better than cotton. Cotton is great for hot weather shirts.
I will never wear anything but Marino for my base layers iv gone whole ski seasons using the same base layer and not washing them, all I ever did was hang them up in a tree in the sun ( I was camping in the woods in the mountains because I couldn’t afford accommodation where I was skiing and had no access to to a washing machine)
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the power of wool
I've done the same with stellar results
Amazing teacher, always to the point. Good luck this season Clay!
21:00
For getting started
Costco brings in Merino Wool Base Layers (top and bottom)
Every year.
Good quality, low price.
Great way to have several merino pieces, get used to wearing them everywhere in winter, fall, and spring,
And really helps to identify what you would spend to Upgrade in an extreme cold Weather kit.
Ie medium or heavy duty merino long John's for cold winter weather.
Good advice. Thanks
Been running First Lite a few years now. Absolutely love it and the merino wool. Build from the inside out and keep building the kit. Thanks Clay!
Right on
I don't know why more people don't talk about vests for an outer layer. I love wearing a mid-layer jacket and a wool vest outer layer less restriction of the arms. But they seem hard to find it's been my experience keeping the core warm is way more important than extremities. Except hands and feet of course
I have problems with my feet/toenails/walking and you just explained that your feet slide in cotton socks and they get flattened out, worn itchy scratchy almost from the dryer so I’m going to get some wool socks 🧦 and I can’t wait to wear them. Thanks again Clay 🙏🏼
Best thing I’ve ever done was invest in wool layers. Wool socks, wool base layers, wool flannel, wool Adirondack. Something to black the wind which is normally a thin down puffer.
I’m not in the mountains but because I’m hunting high pressure public land I am hiking into areas that most people are not so it’s easy to over do it and get hot. Here in in Northern IL we might have a random 70 degree day in October or even December but it will normally be sun freezing with lows getting well below 0 late season around January.
Merino wool socks are amazing.
This video is truly exceptional and packed with valuable insights! I wholeheartedly support the information presented, particularly regarding the superiority of natural wool fibers over synthetic materials. My experiences range from mountaineering and guiding ice climbing to living off the land, relying solely on these natural resources for protection. As for "out on a limb" regarding time spent in the wilderness (06:04) I may possibly challenge that Clay, thought that certainly is a small group I would agree. I have typically had the upper hand in this regard to most I meet, even professional, due to my teachers being born between 1877 and 1898 and how I was raised. I embarked on my first traditional retreat, often referred to as a "vision quest" by some, in the early 1970s at the age of 13, spending 67 days in the same outfit, and totally alone until an Elder retrieved me. Following that, I dedicated many months, and then nearly a year, to solo retreat before enlisting in the Marines. I still possess woolen garments from that era, which highlights another advantage of crafting your own gear and the wonders of natural wool and related fibers including buckskin: they can last a lifetime, even with rigorous use if taken care of. Thanks again Brother for another marvelous video...!!!
Love to see that old dodge being taking care of and used. Those old trucks and engines are the secret to simplicity and longevity. We used to install vegy kits back in high school, my brother and I took a trip from the Canadian boarder to Florida on straight vegy down and back. Many people didn’t believe it, but many embraced the idea.
Good work clay keep going
She’s still going strong 💪
This was interesting. Have you ever tried linen before? I got into medieval recreation and I am absolutely amazed at what linen can do. It wicks moisture like nobody's business, keeps you cool in the heat and warm in the cold, it breathes beautifully, it dries fairly fast,.. I wore a linen tunic under a thick wool tunic during the summer in about 28C and I barely sweat at all because of the linen.
The Confederate soldiers wore linen pants during the War of Northern Aggression, but only in the summer (from what I can tell)
Wool still rules the field
Great advise!
Back in "the day", all we had was wool or cotton. There are times when cotton is better but not very often.
We really have great options these days.
My prefered base layer now is silk. It is superior to merino for moisture wicking, anti-microbial and lighter. But it can be a bit fragile and is definitely expensive.
I generally choose merino as my mid layer, melton wool for pants or bibs. If the weather is sub-freezing, I might choose to have a down 2nd mid layer, if I'm going to be inactive.
My outer layer is only worn when it's wet, so that is usually something like Gortex, or the like.
For socks...silk in the summer, silk base and merino in the winter.
I have 1 pair of alpaca/merino socks for extreme cold weather. I won't wear those until the temps are -10F or less. They don't make my feet sweat but it feels like they are on fire if the ambient temps are too high.
If you plan to be more than a mile from your truck, get the best gear you can afford.
😊😊😊
I haven't tried silk yet!
@@clayhayeshunter
You might try Australian brushtail possum "wool" for gloves sometime. They can be a but fragile, like merino, but are extremely warm and light.
I’ve seen so many people put on all their layers to walk to their stand. Needless to say, they’re sweating & breathing heavy halfway there. Try to carry what you can. Deal with the cold. You’ll warm up while you walk. Layer up when you get set up & cool down.
We need more of these videos about clothing.
This is familiar to me.
I did my 20. When I retired, they only wanted the expensive gear back. Anything that's hygiene related, mostly clothing items, they let me keep. I've got a bunch of great PCU cold weather layers that I still wear all the time.
I prefer to workout outside, no matter the temperature. Hot AF, cold AF, it's all good because I was taught how to dress to perform in bad weather.
Wool socks? All day. We swam in full kit and boots.
I was taught how to be comfortable while being uncomfortable.
Jungle ✅️
Desert ✅️
Mountains ✅️
Ocean ✅️
Foul weather ✅️ ✅️
Thanks Clay, you confirmed some things I already have been doing for several years and added some new things. I've been able to find most of my wool gear on Ebay and some from Marino tech. I wear this stuff hunting or not in the winter plus wool socks year round.
Past years I’ve been tracking with the stratus pants and fanatic hoodie with the stratus jacket packed if I sit here and there. If I’m tree stand sitting it’s full fanatic it’s the only set I can sit all day with in single digits which is common in the northeast. I’ve retired most of my Johnson wool.
My favourite base layer is the lululemon metal vent long sleeves they don’t stink and they dry in 5 mins
Ik not an outdoorsman but eas looking into this a year ago. Ended up buying an aclima wool net longsleeve and it really helps me with not catching colds when skating. While skating you move a lot obky to sit down a bit later tslking eith friends and then get back at skating. All this cotton gets wet and just saps all of your body heat. The woolnet alone helps my skin stay dry and the sweat to evaporate or transfer into the next layer. But the woolnet studf is very delicate. I tore it a bit when it got stuck on a branch one time. So probably not to be used as a standalone layer outdoor.
That wool shirt your wife made for you is a fine piece of clothing!
I've tried all kinds of wool and alpaca wool is best. It's as warm or warmer than marina wool and dries faster. Also alpacca wool doesn't stink as bad.
Everyone has their own opinion based on personal experience. I personally choose synthetics for mountaineering, it is lighter, dries faster, does not require fine maintenance like wool, is extremely resistant to all conditions, I have clothes made of synthetics that are years old and are as good as new. And I have some examples of wool clothing from renowned outdoor manufacturers, barely a year old, showing major signs of wear and tear, and considering the high price, this should not happen, plus they have been maintained as best as possible. From wool, I only use socks, hats and sometimes active clothes, although I use a mesh base layer more and more because it performed the best. It is best when wool and synthetics are combined into one, then you get a garment with all the advantages of both wool and synthetic materials. In my area, people have been raising sheep for centuries and making various clothing items. The best quality sheep's wool comes from sheep that live in the harshest natural conditions of snow and ice. The advantages of wool would be that it is naturally anti-odour, naturally provides protection from UVA radiation and is not easily flammable, it does not contain heavy chemicals. Cotton clothing should be avoided for the most part during any outdoor activities.
MARINO WOOL does NOT require _"fine maintenance."_ They're not an L.A. blonde chic in an Aspen lodge.
I RARELY WASH my Marino Wool socks and they _DON'T EVEN STINK._ And they Do Not Wear Out like your synthetics.
I'd LOVE to challenge you to put your synthetics through the Same Torture as my Marinos and see how they "survive," 'cuz they won't.
REGARDING CLOTHING....
I live in AMISH country where ALL clothing is hand made from Wool 'cuz they don't have Cotton Fields.
Amish clothes _Don't Wear Out For Years !_
These "renowned" wool textile mills *Cut Corners* to make money since wool isn't _"all the rage"_ at a Paris fashion show.
Research More.
I run very cold while sitting in a stand. I wear your December kit in early November.
Great advice, love your work, thanks for sharing with us!
My pleasure!
Wholly agreed on merino wool as an 'active base layer'.
While I don't hunt, I almost wear the same clothes during hiking (1-2 week hikes), preferably in Scotland, living out of my backpack.
Merino T-shirt/longsleeve and long johns (if cold), one set for hiking and one for night time. A synthetic/fleece vest with hood (because cheaper to replace than merino), Decathlon down jacket for chilly weather. Nothing in camo but otherwise very similar. (And of course, full rain clothing, because Scotland).
(I love my Swedish Fjallraven pants, from 65% polyester and 35% waxed cotton; very durable, comfortable, windproof, somewhat water resistant depending on amount of wax but they dry very fast after a shower. Way too expensive at usual retail prices imo but very interesting when discounted).
This is why I want to build a dry hot sauna on my homestead. I'd do one before heading out for the day. That'll warm your core up real good for at least a few hours.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!
I'm new to your channel. Absolutely spot on advice. I'm a huge fan of wool, almost any variety. I really like it as an outer layer. It's absolutely silent when going through brush. You spend forever picking out prickers and briars, but that's a fair trade off. Totally different point, I'd love to know more about your Longrifle. A flintlock is all I ever hunt with.
Wool warms, cotton kills. Easy to remember for cold weather.
Started wearing merino wool t-shirts around the house. Can wear them around for a week, no nasty stink.
And yes thank you for FirstLite, I'm definitely getting the merino wool clothing, I'm in Ohio
Fantastic!
Good stuff as always!!!
Such great advice! Thank you so much and God bless!
Great channel. Not sure if you have tried bamboo socks. I was in disbelief. Not much expereince, but for my money. Better or equal to thin wool. Highly durable, soft, and body odour resistant too. Good quality bamboo lasts years in the machine, and days in the field. I just threw away a few pairs that were almost a decade old. Given, they were thin on the heels, but that is amazing.
Keep the lanolin on the wool. But D an 80 % holds warmth when wet. Lanolin coats the strands making them water proof.
Thank you for all the info.
You bet!
Ein unfassbares Meisterwerk ich bin begeistert!💙💙
I live and hunt in Tn we have a small 67acre farm and never really gets cold enough and if it is cold enough I don't have very much land to roam. But I've been fortunate to take six bucks in the 150" class. But I'd really love to bow hunt the big country. Bow hunting small tn farms we have down to a science
Merino wool is good and all but worth mentioning something alot of people don't know or think about. If its at camp or anywhere not being worn it will get chewed up and used for nesting material. It dries significantly slower than anything else. My dumbass had a few hundred dollars worth drying on a log at camp and came back to find it absolutely destroyed. I'm pretty sure it was chip munks, mice, maybe prarie dogs or squirrels but whatever it was im sure will have a good winter.
Ah, yes. Mice definitely love the stuff. I’ve had a few pair of underwear chewed up.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT HOUSE CATS!!
Once dear lil' "whiskers" gets a taste of wool ... anything left out will be destroyed.
I've Worn Marino Wool Socks for WEEKS at a time without removing them and experienced NO NEGATIVE EFFECTS
Who makes the bibs you wear in December whitetail? Thanks Clay for all the great content you make!!
My man is living the dream, damn
Clay talk about hot climate cloting, too please. Cotton?
I talk a little about that in this video as well. I stick with merino mostly. It's great in hot weather too.
Breathability is the real reason merino is the best.
Thanks Clay, once again you're draining my wallet.
Loved that jacket your wife made.
Merino wool is soft and comfoetable, and you don't have synthetic plastic fibers wearing onto your body
top shelf cuzzy bro
Darn Tough socks are awesome!
When you find something you like, buy TWO MORE of them and put them in a sealed protective bag/bin.
You’ll love yourself even more when you need replacements five or ten years down the road. If you can’t afford it, add them to your gift list ideas for family to graciously get for you.
Interesting video and overall good info.
- However... Cotton is Not the big bad evil its made out to be. Cotton makes an excellent base/mid/outer layer when used correctly and intelligently.
- Get any material wet with no way to dry it out and you'll have issues... especially in winter weather.
Thanks for the video...
For Your Info....
Every Army in the WORLD used to make uniforms from Wool 'cuz they
DRY ON THE MARCH.
In Winter...
I soaked my boots while crossing a creek.
My Wool Socks DRIED FULLY as I continued the hike.
Cotton Never Dries
@@Nyeupe-Nguvu
For your info...
- Every army in the World also used lots of Cotton!
- Sounds like you need better winter boots.
- Cotton will dry out just fine like any other material when given air space.
Once the temp drops well below zero, cotton works great in a cold dry Arctic environment . Because it breathes.
Great info! Thank you!
🦋🇺🇸👍Thks my friend from Central Pa
Western Pa. The same.
@@17thpirate19 🦋🇺🇸👍👍
I heard from Matti & Stina on TH-cam that birchbark and wool insoles are amazing as they are odor resistant and increase warmth - they are unfortunately hard to find
Love this channel
Sounds like me at 20 till 65 blue jeans flannel shirt army jacket. But that's Louisiana. Feet are hard to stay warm in hipboots
Good points sir.
Thank you kindly
Good stuff!
Infantry know this well, no snivel gear period, till you hit the patrol base.
Brynje is the best first layer
I’ve run both but lately I prefer synthetic. If I was going out for days and days I might grab merino but the synthetic just dries so fast. I’ve done week long trips and river rinse every few nights and from soaked they’re dry within an hour.
Want to not smell with your base layers (wool or polypro treated with Makspec or Polygiene)? Keep your arm pit hair trimmed, and after a shower wet your pits and finger tips. Dip your fingers in baking soda and apply them under your pits. I can go days without showering (I don't, but I've tested it) and there is no smell. You can wear the same shirt for weeks, even after sweating. If you don't want your junk to smell, keep things trimmed below and apply a dab of baking soda. Your underwear will be neutral smelling 10x longer than otherwise.
I like used icebreaker marino wool off ebay, used Sitka shirts off ebay with Polygiene, and used Kuiu shirts off ebay with Makspec. I also like new Mondetta Outdoor Project shirts, sized down 1 size, off ebay or Amazon because they're cheap but they have the same Polygiene stuff as Sitka and work just as good. Sitka and Icebreaker are sized normally. If you want Kuiu, you must size up at least 1 size.
If you've never used baking soda, it is a micro abrasive and will irritate your skin for about 2 weeks. After that, you're good to go. I've been doing this now for 3 years, haven't bought deodorant since, and I'm so confident now in public because I don't stink and I'm more successful in the field as well.
Great advice. Take the old adage "cotton kills" seriously. Rookies learn the hard way. Want proof? Wear a wet, light t shirt on a very warm breezy day. You will be shocked at the chills you will get.....
That's why _"Wet Tshirt Contests"_
are so Very popular
Perkele, very good
Sound wisdom sir!
I appreciate that
Darn Tough Sox’s the only way to go.
Great advice ❤
My biggest beef with companies that make Marino base layers is the lack of tall sizes for tops. I have an oddly long torso.
I have long arms and the FL tops fit me great. They may fit you as well.
@clayhayeshunter Thanks, Clay. I'll give them a try.
Check out Minus 33, they have tall sizes!
Awesome!!! 👍🗻
First lite fan boy commercial. I like most of your videos, but this one is sad!
Another great vid by the GOAT.
Oh, and go Canes 😂
This dude hunting with a fuckin musket lol, i love it
Is first light made in the USA ? Great info on the different types of materials. Looking forward to upgrading my layering system. Thanks for the great information like always.
I'm starting to discover that the solution for me, may be Alpaca... now we all know that normal wool is great (even as someone who has a minor wool allergy - thus I have always had to run silks or synthetics under 'skin contact' wool) and that merino seems to fix most of the issue - but it has to be higher quality merino for someone like me!
However of late I've started to experiment with alpaca wool and found it (so far) to be as good as merino... and maybe even a little better in some areas; skin-contact is better than high quality merino. I'm not sure the Alpaca socks I've been playing with will last as long as the Merino (they just don't feel as strong?), but what has been really good this last winter was Alpaca boot inserts - I'm pretty confident in saying I felt those WERE superior my merino inserts.
The big issue I'm finding is both Cost and Availability - alpaca is more expensive (though I'm lucky in that I live not far away from a small firm that make Alpaca garments and inserts and scarves and etc - and my current upper base layer... And they're quite reasonable on price), but its a lot easier to find Merino like those awesome merino base layer hoodies - have yet to find anything like that in Alpaca.
But its an ongoing little experiment for me.
Anyone else trialing Alpaca? Anyone know of any sort of Alpaca base that has a LONG torso, turtle neck, etc?
That's interesting. I haven't tried it!
@@clayhayeshunter
Alpaca fiber has None of the wool barbs found in "regular" sheep.
Sheep wool fiber has "barbs." THAT'S why people say, _"wool is itchy."_ Alpaca Wool has None of that. It's equal to Marino with even LESS itch.
Unfortunately...
Alpaca just ain't popular in the states
THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent! Thankee! Out of curiosity, is the heavy wool hoodie from Asbell wool?
Yes, it is!
A super video thank you. But one thing I wish you had commented on was how do you care for your base layers after you have been forced to wear them for several weeks. Can you Machine wash wash then. Can they lose there antimicrobial properties from incorrect care.
Ive been able to find a lot of merino wool shirts at thrift stores for cheap.
Great video! Is that an Asbell wool pathfinder or anorak? What is the pattern?
Woooooooooo!!!!!!!!
Спасибо!
Attention that you pay for your clothing shows that you are really an active hunter, who trully deserve his food, his life style.
Totally different story in the flatulent Europe. Yeah, I live there..
Hire a guided hunting tour in Alaska where you can _Still_ get eaten by a _Bear._
You'll never be the same.
Layer with God too🙏🏻Acts 2:38❤
@ronhanish Praise Jesus! Sing songs of worship to him everyday! He just wants us to love him, and when we do, he fills us with unspeakable joy and heals us and comes to live inside of us, the Holy Spirit is real and will show you the truth of all things, like Clay, he is here for us and teaches us things we never knew and are awe inspiring!, thank you Jesus and thank you Clay!.
Eeeeh no. :D
0 credible/tangible objective evidence of a god
Great video, thank you. Is the pullover which goes over your wool shirt wool or synthetic?
The one I showed is wool.
Hey Clay, how tall are you and whats your size for the Kiln Hoody? Does it fit very tight or is there some space between you and the shirt? Greetings from Germany!
I have a traditional mackinaw jacket, it’s made almost completely of traditional wool and a bit of polyester (I think), I’ve always used it to deer hunt in the cold and it’s worked fine as an outer layer. But it’s extremely large and clunky, and it takes up a horrendous amount of space in my rucksack on long hunting trips, not to mention the weight. I love the jacket, and it’s great for long sits, but it’s hard to carry and keep, any suggestions?
That's the downside to heavy wool outer layers. I love them but if I'm going on a long backpacking trip, I almost never take them. For light weight, synthetic outers is really the only way to go.