Leather can definitely have it's place, most often for gloves when it's well treated with an oil/beeswax mix it is excellent at stopping the wind, moisture, and fire resistant. Heavy though so perhaps leans more on the bushcraft side of things. I enjoy it here or there nonetheless
Great video! I fully agree on the value of natural materials. Thanks for adding the info on the importance of reducing plastics into the environment. Natural fibers work exceptionally and are sustainable.
I used to love merino wool before I developed an allergy. I have mostly replaced it with synthetics, but have slowly started phasing a lot of my synthetic stuff for alpaca.
17:37 Muskox is really warm! Cashmere is warm, I've a chest deep freezer and store the animal product warm stuff in zip lock bags in the freezer- ontop of the other stuff, helps insulate and kills moth eggs!
Jeremy - much thanks for the Brynje suggestion, that has become a new go to for me & helps relieve some bulkiness in regards to layering as well. Duckworth is probably my wool gear go to, but I also have some stuff from other companies like Woolly. The opossum wool socks are pretty good for sitting around the campfire. I think Z Packs carries those, but they are a bit bulky for hiking IMHO. I do like the intra knit (& other names) that companies like Smartwool and Ortovox use which tends to be more breathable in those areas that need it.
Alpaca is amazing! Be careful around burr balls & velcro (both can/will cause holes, or worse, in AGC Alpaca Fleece Hoodies) & store [most] wool products in sealed plastic to prevent moth damage! For more protection, I wear a $15 or less, 4.5oz, windbreaker over anything expensive I don't want holes from campfire, thorns, velcro & other "clingy things", etc in; the windbreaker also provides wind protection so I'm overall warmer because of it. I do something similar in cold temps for my legs with the same hole & wind protection benefits by wearing lightweight nylon Columbia Siverridge convertible hiking pants over whatever I'm wearing on my legs for warmth -- oftentimes the Columbia hiking pants are protecting my puffy pants from campfire sparks, the wind, & sharp/pokey things! I've got a whole relatively extensive modular glove layering system that's too much to put here but warm hands is really nice!
FYI - somehow tore a hole in my AppGearCo hoody and they sent me some free patches to use. Fortunately, I have a neighbor who does sewing work and she was able to repair it for like $7.
@@safromnc8616 yes, I got a patch too! In fact, I've had several repair jobs needed, albeit some of them relatively minor, and I generally baby my clothing whether expensive or not. 80% (blended with tencel, etc) to 100% Alpaca clothing needs some extra TLC sometimes, it seems.
Thanks for sharing your gear favorites. It is my opinion that the cost of good gear that lasts will be equal in the long run to buying cheap gear and replacing it frequently as it wears out or fails. I tend to get by with what I have while I save up and watch for sales on the big ticket natural fiber items. When my journey comes to an end, my outdoor gear can be handed down to my kids and grandkids. Love your videos!
@@MidwestBackpacker Capilene works fine and is marginally more durable, but a layer of silk under wool is just soooo comfortable for strenuous work in the cold.
Depends on the weave; the “open weave” of the REI silk long underwear is very breathable and only wets out if it’s high humidity/temp. For Midwest (Michigan here) winters, I’ve never felt an issue with moisture.
Ugh. Amazon. Support your local outdoor supplier or Garage Grown Gear or REI instead if you can. Amazon is ruthless. I buy from them, but only if I can't find what I'm looking for anywhere else. I like merino wool, but I've been disappointed with Smartwool quality. 121 miles on a trail and I've got snag holes in a Smartwool shirt and wear holes in my Smartwool boxers. A Smartwool neck gaiter was way too snug to be used to cover my nose and mouth comfortably for a 26° overnight and the logo has started peeling off. Lame. But I'm in Arkansas, so I don't need the warmest gear. I may have to look into some of the alternatives. My wool Injinjis got a hole in them. I wish they had the same kind of guarantee as Darn Tough socks.
I have gone to mostly just straight mid-weight Injinji, mini-crew. I like Darn Tough alot but I like the toe freedom more. Putting DTs over Injinji liners just scrunch my toes too much and negate the reason I wear toe socks in the first place. Not as durable but my feet are happy.
Wool is wool. All mammals including humans have wool. We can call it hair, fur or fiber or whatever but it is all the same thing. What most people call wool is sheep wool. Alpaca fur is also wool. There are several types of wool depending on where the critters live. Alpaca live at high elevation where the temperature overnight is below freezing and in the afternoon in the 70-80F. They have what is called a hollow fiber but is more like a straw with pockets of hollow spaces. The musk ox and the polar bear also have hollow spaces in their fur. Which makes the fur twice as warm per weight at the Wool on sheep. Alpaca wool has surface that is water resistant. Sheep wool will absorb water. Nature has provided sheep a way for the fur on the sheep from getting waterlogged. They have an oil sometimes called fat or lanolin on the skin that coats the fibers keeping the sheep dry in the rain. There are two ways to make sheep wool into yarn. One way is to leave the lanolin on the fur. The other way to make yarn is to remove the lanolin. If your garment had the lanolin removed, you can waterproof the garment by adding lanolin. The garment will be more comfortable to wear, water resistant and the itch will be gone. Goggle How to add lanolin to a garment, simple easy, and cheap. There are many ways to weave fibers of any kind into a fabric. Buy the type of weave for the type of use. A dress wool shirt will have a nice fitted look, A Polo shirt of wool will be a knit that holds it shape and move with you. A weave called a weft weave moves and stretches with you such as in a hooded sweatshirt design. A comfortable combination that is mentioned in the Old Testament is a combination of linen and wool and still available today. Today wool fabrics will have a blend of poly pro instead of linen. (cost) A good tight weave mid weight sheep wool outer layer that covers the butt our one halfway down the thighs makes the Moulder clothing system work properly. the fish net base layer, wicks moisture off the skin, the Alpaca mid layer which retain 80% of its insolation value before passing the vapor to the wind resistant outer shell which allows the vapor (steam) to exit out the bottom of the shell The hot air rises and stays within the shell. keeping the body in the Tropical zone of 70 to 85F range. To save cost you can make your own wool garments. My outer shell garment I made in 1975. The pattern was for a 1800 fur trader shirt with hood. The shirt I'm wearing indoors on this winter evening is a summer weight wool dress shirt (1985) with capoline undershirt.
Thanks for sharing your gear favorites. It is my opinion that the cost of good gear that lasts will be equal in the long run to buying cheap gear and replacing it frequently as it wears out or fails. I tend to get by with what I have while I save up and watch for sales on the big ticket natural fiber items. When my journey comes to an end, my outdoor gear can be handed down to my kids and grandkids. Love your videos!
Anyone complaining about the cost of these natural fabrics hasn't priced high end synthetic clothing. Especially waterproof breathable outerwear.
Leather can definitely have it's place, most often for gloves when it's well treated with an oil/beeswax mix it is excellent at stopping the wind, moisture, and fire resistant. Heavy though so perhaps leans more on the bushcraft side of things. I enjoy it here or there nonetheless
Great video! I fully agree on the value of natural materials. Thanks for adding the info on the importance of reducing plastics into the environment. Natural fibers work exceptionally and are sustainable.
I used to love merino wool before I developed an allergy. I have mostly replaced it with synthetics, but have slowly started phasing a lot of my synthetic stuff for alpaca.
I got a pair of heavy possum socks and literally have not found conditions where they are not too hot. Incredible.
17:37 Muskox is really warm!
Cashmere is warm, I've a chest deep freezer and store the animal product warm stuff in zip lock bags in the freezer- ontop of the other stuff, helps insulate and kills moth eggs!
Jeremy - much thanks for the Brynje suggestion, that has become a new go to for me & helps relieve some bulkiness in regards to layering as well. Duckworth is probably my wool gear go to, but I also have some stuff from other companies like Woolly. The opossum wool socks are pretty good for sitting around the campfire. I think Z Packs carries those, but they are a bit bulky for hiking IMHO.
I do like the intra knit (& other names) that companies like Smartwool and Ortovox use which tends to be more breathable in those areas that need it.
Alpaca is amazing! Be careful around burr balls & velcro (both can/will cause holes, or worse, in AGC Alpaca Fleece Hoodies) & store [most] wool products in sealed plastic to prevent moth damage! For more protection, I wear a $15 or less, 4.5oz, windbreaker over anything expensive I don't want holes from campfire, thorns, velcro & other "clingy things", etc in; the windbreaker also provides wind protection so I'm overall warmer because of it. I do something similar in cold temps for my legs with the same hole & wind protection benefits by wearing lightweight nylon Columbia Siverridge convertible hiking pants over whatever I'm wearing on my legs for warmth -- oftentimes the Columbia hiking pants are protecting my puffy pants from campfire sparks, the wind, & sharp/pokey things!
I've got a whole relatively extensive modular glove layering system that's too much to put here but warm hands is really nice!
FYI - somehow tore a hole in my AppGearCo hoody and they sent me some free patches to use. Fortunately, I have a neighbor who does sewing work and she was able to repair it for like $7.
@@safromnc8616 yes, I got a patch too! In fact, I've had several repair jobs needed, albeit some of them relatively minor, and I generally baby my clothing whether expensive or not. 80% (blended with tencel, etc) to 100% Alpaca clothing needs some extra TLC sometimes, it seems.
Thanks for all your videos, and here's to another 10k subs next year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thank you for supporting the channel. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for sharing your gear favorites. It is my opinion that the cost of good gear that lasts will be equal in the long run to buying cheap gear and replacing it frequently as it wears out or fails. I tend to get by with what I have while I save up and watch for sales on the big ticket natural fiber items. When my journey comes to an end, my outdoor gear can be handed down to my kids and grandkids. Love your videos!
What are the wool pants you had
It's actually a military thing to wear a pair of dress socks under your boots socks to prevent blisters.
Great video! Love natural materials. ESP that app gear hoody. Now I want a anorak
I was curious about where you got your wool bibs?
Used on Facebook marketplace.
Is the Appalachian Gear Company is out of business? The website does not work. Thank you.
If wool and silk were good enough for Shackleton, they’re good enough for me. Natural fibers all the way!
I was waiting for the first silk comment. I still need to give it a try.
@@MidwestBackpacker Capilene works fine and is marginally more durable, but a layer of silk under wool is just soooo comfortable for strenuous work in the cold.
@@matthewpulliam7473 how does silk wick sweat?
Depends on the weave; the “open weave” of the REI silk long underwear is very breathable and only wets out if it’s high humidity/temp. For Midwest (Michigan here) winters, I’ve never felt an issue with moisture.
That said, you wouldn’t wear silks in the summer, at all. :)
Opossum wool, well thats a new one for me. Lol i would give it a go though.
Opossum isn’t the same a possum. 2 different animals. Possum is native to Australia. I didn’t know that until I did this video.
@@MidwestBackpacker what? Lol learn something new everyday!
Have you ever heard of Unbound Merino Wool?
@@danakolpin1289 no. I will check it out.
@@MidwestBackpacker I wanted to get their products but no plus sizes for women-our chest may be a little larger than a man.
Ugh. Amazon. Support your local outdoor supplier or Garage Grown Gear or REI instead if you can. Amazon is ruthless. I buy from them, but only if I can't find what I'm looking for anywhere else.
I like merino wool, but I've been disappointed with Smartwool quality. 121 miles on a trail and I've got snag holes in a Smartwool shirt and wear holes in my Smartwool boxers. A Smartwool neck gaiter was way too snug to be used to cover my nose and mouth comfortably for a 26° overnight and the logo has started peeling off. Lame. But I'm in Arkansas, so I don't need the warmest gear. I may have to look into some of the alternatives. My wool Injinjis got a hole in them. I wish they had the same kind of guarantee as Darn Tough socks.
My smartwool shirts have been durable. The Injinji are not very durable.
I have gone to mostly just straight mid-weight Injinji, mini-crew. I like Darn Tough alot but I like the toe freedom more. Putting DTs over Injinji liners just scrunch my toes too much and negate the reason I wear toe socks in the first place. Not as durable but my feet are happy.
Wool is wool. All mammals including humans have wool. We can call it hair, fur or fiber or whatever but it is all the same thing. What most people call wool is sheep wool. Alpaca fur is also wool. There are several types of wool depending on where the critters live. Alpaca live at high elevation where the temperature overnight is below freezing and in the afternoon in the 70-80F. They have what is called a hollow fiber but is more like a straw with pockets of hollow spaces. The musk ox and the polar bear also have hollow spaces in their fur. Which makes the fur twice as warm per weight at the Wool on sheep. Alpaca wool has surface that is water resistant. Sheep wool will absorb water. Nature has provided sheep a way for the fur on the sheep from getting waterlogged. They have an oil sometimes called fat or lanolin on the skin that coats the fibers keeping the sheep dry in the rain. There are two ways to make sheep wool into yarn. One way is to leave the lanolin on the fur. The other way to make yarn is to remove the lanolin. If your garment had the lanolin removed, you can waterproof the garment by adding lanolin. The garment will be more comfortable to wear, water resistant and the itch will be gone. Goggle How to add lanolin to a garment, simple easy, and cheap. There are many ways to weave fibers of any kind into a fabric. Buy the type of weave for the type of use. A dress wool shirt will have a nice fitted look, A Polo shirt of wool will be a knit that holds it shape and move with you. A weave called a weft weave moves and stretches with you such as in a hooded sweatshirt design. A comfortable combination that is mentioned in the Old Testament is a combination of linen and wool and still available today. Today wool fabrics will have a blend of poly pro instead of linen. (cost) A good tight weave mid weight sheep wool outer layer that covers the butt our one halfway down the thighs makes the Moulder clothing system work properly. the fish net base layer, wicks moisture off the skin, the Alpaca mid layer which retain 80% of its insolation value before passing the vapor to the wind resistant outer shell which allows the vapor (steam) to exit out the bottom of the shell The hot air rises and stays within the shell. keeping the body in the Tropical zone of 70 to 85F range. To save cost you can make your own wool garments. My outer shell garment I made in 1975. The pattern was for a 1800 fur trader shirt with hood. The shirt I'm wearing indoors on this winter evening is a summer weight wool dress shirt (1985) with capoline undershirt.
Great info! Don’t be a dick!🤣🤣
Thanks for sharing your gear favorites. It is my opinion that the cost of good gear that lasts will be equal in the long run to buying cheap gear and replacing it frequently as it wears out or fails. I tend to get by with what I have while I save up and watch for sales on the big ticket natural fiber items. When my journey comes to an end, my outdoor gear can be handed down to my kids and grandkids. Love your videos!