[pct-l] Wool/Synthetics

[Stephen]

I'm retiring my old nylon Mighty Ducks watchcap beenie and replacing it with 
a morino wool watchcap   Very nice, and a little lighter I think. Have to 
weigh it.  I got a thin wool base top to try out and it is really warm and 
comfortable compared to my old pilly poly T-necks that have mucho years. 
I've used military wool glove liners in wet weather and they were a lot 
warmer than my thin poly ones that are really trashed after so many seasons 
and photo outings, so I'm looking for a thin pair of morino liners.  As for 
socks, i've been using wool liners in my mountain boots for many years with 
a lot less odor than poly, and never liked silk for anything but my 
girlfriend.  For light hiking shoes I still use Smartwool hikers, medium 
weight.  They just seem to fit my foot well, and don't smell very much.  The 
only thing I don't like about the wool socks is they take a long time to dry 
after washing.
I have been using Patagonia's light weight capilene zip top and pants set 
for a few years now also and while they are light they aren't as warm and 
snug as this new thin wool stuff, and yeah, it gets really ripe after a four 
days.  So since I like to hike in shorts and ussually only cary the light 
long john set I'm  looking at getting wool long john pants for night time 
and early morning since I get up long before sunrise.  Haven't decided yet. 
Skeets bite right through the capilene so I am contemplating convertible 
shorts/pants and ditch the long johns altogether.  OTOH I've been in some 
cold rain sittuations where having something to keep the knees warm is nice, 
and wet pants get uncomfortable.  Just thinking outloud...

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jason moores" <jmmoores at hotmail.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 4:59 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Wool/Synthetics



Episode 20 of the Practical Backpacking podcasts is a talk with Buck Tilton 
(founder of NOLS Medicine). Two minutes into the podcast Buck goes into some 
of the pluses and minuses of down/wool/synthetics. A lot of the advice on 
these podcasts might seem basic, hiking 101, but I find these conversations 
help to stimulate my thinking. They provide another perspective. Much like 
this list. Buck's been around hiking for a while and has sound advice.

I don't agree with his take on wool (only recommended for socks) but the 
conversation is still a good jumping off point. There is also some good 
advice on insulation and layering 8+ minutes in.

I purchased a Arc'teryx Rhino wool base layer (on sale) as a luxury item for 
my '09 walk. I find that my wool top regulates my temps, hot or cold, better 
than any of my synthetic tops. I can also wear the wool top for many more 
days before becoming skunked out. I'll carry an extra oz or three to 
minimize the synthetic stink. Though after a week without a shower or 
laundry does it really matter? I use the shirt primarily for my end of day, 
dry, sleeping shirt but also as part of the layering system if weather turns 
bad.

While I've added a wool item, I'm also removing some wool for this trip. 
I've hiked in Bridgedale wool trekker socks for the past 6 years and have 
nothing but love for these socks. In the hopes of reducing moisture and 
blisters I'll be giving Wigwam ironman socks a try. A lighter soc for my 
lighter footwear. I bought a good supply for wicked cheap on REI's big sale.

Also, I found Ron Moak's (founder of Six Moon Designs) podcast an excellent 
discussion on his early UL experience plus some good advice on UL equipment 
use, such as tarptents and poncho.

jason

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