Quick Pick: Wool Blanket

     A good quality wool blanket can have a ton of useful applications in the home and bush.  Wool blankets have earned a place in history for keeping troops and pioneers warm for generations.  It was, and still is, a staple for cowboys and ranchers the world over as well.  Its main purpose was as a lightweight, compact sleeping system, but it could also have many other functions if you check out some the videos from YouTube I link below. 

     

     Wool itself has amazing properties that I explain in a past post linked here.  If you read this blog often, it is apparent that I am a big fan of wool as it is a “wonder fabric”.  I use, and suggest it for most of my cold weather gear, and especially for things like socks, hats, and as the fabric of your mid-layer in the three-layer system.

     If you’re a minimalist, camping with a wool blanket as your sleep system is the way to go.  Though not comfortable, it is warm and has been proven reliable time and time again.  You can also use it as an alternative sleeping system in your B.O.B.  It would lessen the overall weight and size of the bag considerably as you could ditch your sleeping bag, tent, or both.

     At home, having an extra warm blanket will really come in handy, especially during a winter like the current one we are having in New York.  I suggest leaving one folded up on your couch to be pulled over yourself to keep you warm and cozy while watching TV.

     New York apartments, especially the older pre-war buildings, don't have thermostats in the apartment.  So we are reliant upon our landlords to keep our humble abodes a reasonable temperature.  Most apartments in the city that I have lived in or visited are either way to hot during the winter, or way to drafty and cold.  Having a way keep warm can be extremely important for those of us that have the latter problem.   

     The following is a few videos that explain even more uses for wool blankets.  As well as a few blankets that Amazon offers;

Wool Tarp Video

Wool Blanket Shirt 

Wool Shirt

Wool Blanket Cape 

Wool Blanket Winter Camp 

I grew up with a similar blanket to the "Army issue" olive drab wool blanket above as my father served in the Marines in Vietnam.  As uncomfortable the blanket is, it is very warm and holds a special place in my heart.

Quick Pick: Wool Pants

     Since the temperature gauge has been dropping significantly around these parts as we approach winter, I am going to suggest something to you today that might make your morning commute a bit easier to deal with; wool pants.  Wool pants are standard military issue to troops in many of the colder countries of the world for good reason.  Places like Sweden and Switzerland commonly see temperatures far below the freezing point, and can make even our coldest days in the city seem mild.

     Wool makes an excellent mid-layer for use in the three-layer system as it is one of the best insulating materials available.  It is also wonderful at allowing the body’s natural moisture (sweat) to escape, helping you stay dry and much warmer.  You can combine a good polyester base layer with your wool mid-layer to help the wool 'wick' your bodies sweat even more efficiently.

     Because the three-layer system is not always convenient for our city lifestyle, you can invest in either wool dress slacks or even a wool suit.  These items could be useful for some of the colder days in the winter and can even be proper dress attire for your job.  If there's snow in the forecast, a nylon or Gore-Tex outer shell would leave you feeling warm, and dry no matter what conditions were thrown at you.

     If you are a backpacker or hiker, and don’t mind going into the bush during the colder winter months, like myself, then I would suggest a good pair of military surplus wool pants.  These can be a bit difficult to find, but a search like this one can get you going in the right direction.  A pair like these Swedish wool pants is ideal for outdoor use.  I personally find that I prefer to wear a pair of comfy wool pants while lounging around the apartment and for running local errands in the winter as they’re durable and warm.

     
     I really am a big proponent of wool products as they are, and have been, one of the best fabrics available to us for generations.  Do yourself a favor this winter and get a few articles of clothing that are made of wool as it's cheap, and very functional.  The littlest bit of effort, and proper planning can keep you much warmer and comfortable this winter.  

     The first pair of pants below is from Cabela's, look up their website here, as they have great deals on products like these pants.  I'm putting the suit link from Amazon below as a frame of reference.  If you are to buy a wool suit, I would suggest going to one of the cities many department stores like Syms to get a better deal, and a more tailored look.   

Fabrics: Wool

Nicholas Tarling-freedigitalphotos.net

      When people think of wool, they think of big, bulky, scratchy sweaters, too hot and uncomfortable to be worn.  This misconception has confused many a consumer when buying warm clothes.  Wool is one of the original wonder fabrics, and with modern science involved, some super-light Merino Wools can make a wonderful fabric for most layers, in any climate.  Even when wet, it can retain the body’s heat by trapping the air in its fibers because of its 'hydrophilic' interior, and a protective 'hydrophobic' exterior.  I recommend wearing it in cold, wet climates because it does not lose any of its warming properties when the wool fibers get wet.  Wool does however get heavy as it absorbs the water, and should be rung out whenever the item gets too heavy (i.e. socks).  It can also be worn in hot climates, but some of the synthetic fabrics (like polyester) wick and dry a bit faster than wool, if you don’t mind the chemicals used in the production of synthetics.  Two things you should consider about wool; are expense, and care.  Read the care instructions on the garment, but as a rule of thumb I air dry it because wool has a tendency to shrink if machine dried.  Here is a quick list of just some of the benefits of wool:

· Keeps its insulating properties even when wet.

· Water-resistant with a lanolin film, similar to wax

· Odor resistant, because it is naturally antibacterial, which means less washing

· Stain-resistant.

· Durable, so it will last much longer than other articles of clothing.

· Wool does not melt like some synthetics do.

· It is a natural fabric since it comes from the Bovidae family which includes sheep, and there are typically no chemicals used in its production.

     I can’t say enough about this excellent fabric, and I’m sure you get the gist.  I suggest wool base layers (such as underwear, long-underwear, and socks) in the very cold climates, or if you prefer natural materials as opposed to synthetic.   I highly recommend it as a mid-layer jacket, sweater or fourth layer for added warmth.  Hats and gloves made of wool can also be an excellent addition to your wardrobe as well.  Wool's tend to be a bit expensive as I mentioned, especially some of the finer Merino Wools, but I find that they are worth the price due to function, and the years of use they provide.

     From a survivalist stand point, I would rather be caught in a disaster wearing wool layers, than cotton.  Cotton in a cold climate can be a death sentence, and some outdoor survivalists call it “death fabric”.  Cotton can be useful in the summer due to the same reasons it sucks in the winter, but I find I prefer synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon over it because of their excellent wicking abilities.  Try out some different fabrics, each person is different when deciding which they prefer.

     Here are some links that either have some great wool products, or explain the "wonders of wool":

• SmartWool's Website
• Icebreaker's Website
• Article on Wool Clothing from REI
• Article on Wool from MEC

     A few links to Amazon of wool items that are very useful:

Essential Clothing: Wool Hat

     Turns out, our mothers were right!  You should never leave the house on a cold day without a hat.  This single, often overlooked, item can be a literal life saver.  Carrying a head cover around with you year-round can make a world of difference.  Cheap, and light, they can easily be stuffed in a pocket and forgotten until needed.  It is one of the best piece of outdoor clothing to have on hand.  By keeping the head warm during cold weather, you are saving upwards of thirty percent of your body’s heat.  The human body holds about fifteen percent of its blood's volume in the head at any given time, by keeping the head warm and covered, you can reduce the amount of heat lost through your head.  If stuck outside for an unforeseen long period of time (i.e. bus taking forever), or worst yet, if you have to sleep outside due to a disaster, having this one item can save your life.  During the hot months, you can keep sun exposure on your head to a minimum, which can shoot up your core body temperature and lead to sunburn.

     In New York City, the common city dweller can be outside for more than ten minutes just about everyday of the year.  New Yorkers are a part of the elements.  We don't go from home, to car, to office.  We go outside and walk to where we've got to go.  It's one of the things that I personally love about this city; we get to live an active lifestyle if we so choose, by walking to and from places (time permitting...)  It is something that a lot of New Yorkers don't seem to realize though: dressing properly, and functionally for all the changing temperatures we have in The Apple should be a top priority when choosing what to wear when leaving the apartment.

     My first post explaining essential clothing for New Yorkers, is about one of the easiest, lightest, functional pieces of clothing you can carry around.  The hat is such a basic addition to your wardrobe, and its size/weight makes it so easy to have on you.  As I mentioned earlier, this one piece of clothing can keep you much warmer, and is by far the best piece, pound for pound, of clothing to own.  I suggest the fabric wool for its amazing warming abilities, and added benefits.  I recommend looking for a wool hat that has a liner like fleece, or polyester to help 'wick' away moisture from your scalp.  You can also try a hat liner or beanie made of a wicking material such as polyester, as a base layer, similar to the three-layer system.  The head, like the feet often sweat, and get wet easily, so you definitely want to remove the hat if you start getting too hot.  Always remember to stay dry!   

     A hat is vital to being comfortable in any climate whether hot, or cold.  You should always have on you at least one form of head protection.  Here are some hats that I suggest:

     This hat by Patagonia is 100% wool on the outside, with a fleece lining on the inside.  I own one and suggest it.  It is by far one of the warmest hats I have ever owned, and has stood up to some very cold temperatures like a champ.  The fact that it is all wool, and that the whole inside is lined with fleece was the biggest selling point to me.  *Unfortunately they are sold out right now, but I'm going to leave the link hoping it comes back next season.*


      
     This is the military version of the wool cap, that has been used for years.  It is cheap, well made, and makes a great all around beat on hat.  The one problem is that they are uncomfortable against the skin, but that can be easily fixed by wearing a hat liner below the hat.


     I have done a post on these before, and can't say enough about their usefulness.  They can be used in many configurations, but one of the more useful ones is as a head liner.  I carry these year-round, as they make great liners or neck warmers in the winter, and they are amazing at sopping up sweat in the summer.  The post gives a bit more detail if your interested.