Woolly thinking

[Hathor]

I was digging around in the back of the wardrobe and came across a pashmina scarf / shawl I bought for Mrs H when we were on holiday in Egypt a few years ago.

As I had no idea what pashmina is, I looked it up on the internet. That lead to researching cashmere, alpaca and various other wools.

I then got curious about why the fashion industry leans towards cashmere / alpaca more than merino but bushcrafters primarily get itchy merino. If alpaca wool is lighter and much warmer (but more fragile) then why isn't there a range of base or mid-layer garments aimed at bushcrafters? I know it is expensive stuff but some of the merino wool garments availale are not on the cheap side anyway.

Can someoen shed some light ont his please? Or does anyone wear alpaca gear already?

Where's the sheep icon?

[BJ]

You can get hiking socks here http://perilla.co.uk/collections/men/products/mens-climbing-socks They are no more expensive than a lot of well known hiking socks.
The company that makes them imports a couple of tonnes of alpaca wool a year. http://yoursmiles.org/tsmile/home/t6020.gif (http://yoursmiles.org/t-home.php)

[jus_young]

I use the Smartwool merino mid weight base layer and love them. No itchy feeling, just cosy warmth

[sam_acw]

I use nylon. It's warm and I don't overnight anywhere in winter.
The differences between synthetics and wool are not so big in daily use and the warm/wet thing is exaggerated http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-best-material-for-winter-clothing.html This guy has some real experimental science.

[Silverback]

I use wool sock and merino bases - I spend an inordinate amount of time out at night in bad weather - and on this weekends trip i evaluated a 60/40 synthetic/wool vs 100% wool blanket - noticably warmer.

Also wool is fire retardent, nylon is horrible when it burns

[OakAshandThorn]

Also wool is fire retardent, nylon is horrible when it burns
Yeah, it 'freakin melts onto your skin...

[FishyFolk]

When I go out this time of year, you won't find anything but wool socks on my feet and hands. My mittens are felted wool. And if its windy or snowy some wind gloves over that. Cant get a warmer system. The army tried for years to find a better system, and never succeeded.

Also get a pair my mom knitted for me and felted. They are extremely warm. We call them "sjyvotter" = sea mittens. The old fishermen used them and and they dipped them in sea water, then beat them dry and stuck their hands in to warm themselves. And that is what makes wool so fantastic. it still keeps you warm while wet.

[Silverback]

I have a pair of dachstein wool mittens that go into my SAR pack at the first sign of winter

[Ehecatl]

I have a pair of dachstein wool mittens that go into my SAR pack at the first sign of winter

At first glance I thought that read "dachshund" - well harsh, poor Daisy! On second read I was much relieved. ;)

6973

[FishyFolk]

Get som very over sized ones, throw them in the washing machine at 60 degrees celcius and fill it with denim trousers, and they will be felted and een warmer. That is provided they are knitted from 100% wool and not super wash grade, but traditional wool. I also have a felted hat that is simply too warm to use!

[OMark]

I prefer merino as it seems to be a tighter weave and is comfortable enough. From experience, at least with the alpaca blankets I have, they are always shedding. Can anyone else comment whether alpaca seems to always loose fibers?