Ahhhh, you're talking the Empire Boreal Shirt? You should be in excellent hands! I've debated that one, but decided on a feathered Friends hooded jacket when they went on sale a few days ago.
With abandon, Patrick On Wednesday, November 27, 2013 10:06:05 PM UTC-7, Montclair BobbyB wrote: > > Patrick: > > My requirements may not be quite as demanding ... slightly milder climate > and (admittedly) I'm more foul-weather averse... I'm OK with cold, but > prefer to not venture too much in rainy and windy conditions... We get > enough "nice, cold, calm days" in between. If I had to choose only one > garment I'd choose a tough wool jacket any day. > > The wool jackets for $60-$90 from Fred Asbell look nice in the photos, but > I gotta believe they're not quite built the same as the Boreal Shirt. > Three separate testimonies from seasoned field users of the Boreal Shirt > rave about it as one of the best pieces of equipment they have ever owned, > and from sleeping in it outside in cold weather to wearing it all season in > the woods, it's built for warmth and durability. > > The Duluth Pack jacket looks nice, but add a pocket and the price (at > $240) is at parity with the Boreal. The Boreal looks more rugged, and is > hand-stitched. But I guess I'll have to wait to see if I made a good > choice! > > And yes, the Hilltrek jackets ARE really nice... I may have to liquidate > assets (gee, that's a measure I typically reserve only for when I'm saving > for a bike)... > > Peace, BB > > On Wednesday, November 27, 2013 10:49:39 PM UTC-5, Deacon Patrick wrote: >> >> BobbyB, on the links you shared, I 'm seeing the wool jackets for >> $60-$90, so I'm wondering what you're getting for $250. There's this too: >> http://duluthpack.com/home-cabin/clothing-accessories/mens/mens-jackets/wool-blanket-shirt.html<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fduluthpack.com%2Fhome-cabin%2Fclothing-accessories%2Fmens%2Fmens-jackets%2Fwool-blanket-shirt.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHjhOexkBVH_afCxPmz718FB4-gMg>(they >> also have canvas anaroks, mitts, etc). >> >> I'm all for hearty wool and layering, that's what I do. It's the time of >> year when I'm always wearing my long john wool shirt and wool sweater. It's >> easy to go outside and be moving around in the sun, then come in (we keep >> our house cooler, upper 50's-low 60's) without putting anything else on, >> though I'll toss on my Filson's mackinaw if breezy or colder than 35 out or >> I won't be moving much. >> >> Ventile is well worth saving up for. Delighted with my Hilltrek (Cotton >> Analogy), and some of their jackets come in very reasonably and have that >> anarok design. >> http://www.hilltrek.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Foinaven_Cotton_Analogy__Smock.html(I >> got the Liathach Extreme and love the better hood, waist cinch and other >> upgrades). >> >> Personally, rather than spending more on a heavies wool option, I'd >> suggest layering with more wool and getting the cotton analogy sooner >> rather than later. The outer garnet is perfect year round for all kinds of >> conditions, and then you layer as needed underneath, making those layers >> less critical (unless you're going lightweight down) to spend more coin on. >> >> I look forward to hearing what you find and decide and how it works for >> you. >> >> With abandon, >> Patrick >> >> On Wednesday, November 27, 2013 7:39:40 PM UTC-7, Montclair BobbyB wrote: >>> >>> With Winter fast approaching, I've been looking to invest in some >>> long-term durable apparel (made from natural materials like wool or cotton) >>> to make my outdoor experiences in the cold more enjoyable. I have been >>> formulating a layering strategy that will hopefully carry me from late Fall >>> through early Spring. One interesting piece of apparel I recently stumbled >>> upon (and subsequently ordered) was the handmade Wool Boreal "Shirt" from >>> Lester River Bushcraft, although it's more like an anorak than a shirt. >>> Founder Jason Gustafson specializes in custom handmade knives and bushcraft >>> gear. "Bushcraft", to those unfamiliar with it is a general term with >>> Australian roots referring to wilderness skills. From my internet searches, >>> I'm seeing bushcraft gear showing up on hunting and survivalist websites >>> (not surprisingly). But like Ventile cotton, there seems to be a >>> resurgence in the use of natural (vs man-made) materials for outdoor gear. >>> The Boreal Shirt is made from recycled wool blankets, and is warm, tough >>> and versatile. There are several YouTube video reviews of this that really >>> convinced me I need to be sporting a Boreal Shirt of my own. I'm in the >>> queue for the next batch that Jason is making, and I'm very excited. I'm >>> wondering if anyone else on the forum owns one of these (or something >>> similar... there are other hand-crafted wool shirts/jackets/Mackinaws from >>> bowhunters Fred Asbell >>> (http://gfredasbell.com/<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fgfredasbell.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHxEuPpc0nuIx1zNPVGZpntiN3dMg>) >>> >>> and Ron LaClair (http://www.shrewbows.com/index.html). I'm ready to >>> ditch my stinky UnderArmour in favor of wool underlayers. >>> >>> Now I need a good windproof shell. I wish I had another few hundred >>> bucks to drop on a Ventile jacket, but I may instead opt for a waxed cotton >>> anorak (Orvis makes a nice one). Any ideas/recommendations that are not >>> too costly? >>> >>> BTW, the Boreal Shirt IS rather pricey, but considering how durable and >>> warm it is, and that it's handmade in Duluth, MN, I say it's well worth the >>> $250 price tag. >>> >>> Peace, >>> BB >>> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
