Natural wool fibers can protect you just as well, if not better, than modern synthetic fabrics. Traditional wool hunting clothes have long helped hunters endure extreme weather conditions and intense pursuits. But wool is often itchy, and you can’t afford to be uncomfortable while stalking your prey. That’s why Merino wool is the ideal fabric for hunting clothes—it provides the same benefits as traditional wool and then some—and it’s much more wearable.
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Benefits of Wool Hunting Clothes
Hunters have been wearing wool clothing since just before the dawn of the 20th century, and the many benefits of wool are why hunters and adventurers are still wearing it today.
Warm & Breathable Insulation
Sheep can withstand all weather conditions—heat, cold, wind, and more. Naturally, wool helps you do the same.
When it’s warm, wool allows airflow, keeping you ventilated. It wicks away sweat by releasing moisture into the air.
When it’s cool, the air pockets in wool trap your body heat close to your skin, preventing it from dissipating into the outside air.
Wool has a high warmth-to-weight ratio, meaning that a wool base layer will be warmer than a synthetic base layer of the same weight.
Naturally Odor-Resistant
Masking your human scent is essential to prevent prey from detecting you and fleeing. Merino wool has natural antimicrobial properties, meaning bacteria cannot grow on its fibers. This bacteria is what causes body odor, so wearing wool hunting clothes will reduce your scent as much as possible.
Wool garments also require less washing and different care than most other garments, so keep that in mind when washing your hunting clothes.
Moisture Wicking
Wool absorbs sweat and moisture so that it evaporates into the air. It can absorb 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet.
Wool also repels moisture like rain and snow because the outside of its fibers are hydrophobic, helping wool feel dryer for longer.
Low Flammability
Wool naturally extinguishes itself and is very difficult to catch on fire because each wool fiber contains moisture. It won’t melt or stick to your skin if you’re exposed to fire, which makes it a particularly protective option during forest fire and bushfire season.
Quiet & Shine-Free
Unlike many technical synthetic materials, wool doesn’t crinkle or flap in the wind, and it absorbs light rather than reflects it. This makes wool your top choice when you need to stay undetectable to prey.
Durable & Sustainable
Wool is strong, flexible, and tear-resistant. It can stretch and return to its natural shape, and it can bend back on itself over 20,000 times without breaking. Cotton, on the other hand, can only bend back on itself 3,200 times before breaking.
In addition to being long-lasting, wool is natural, renewable, and recyclable. It grows back on sheep every year, and it can break down in soil, unlike many synthetic fabrics. It’s also energy efficient because wool textiles require far less oil and energy than other common fabrics like nylon, polyester, and acrylic.
Does Merino Wool Make a Difference for Hunting?
When you’re out on the hunt, you need to stay warm, dry, and comfortable. Wool is one of the warmest natural materials and theoretically the best fabric for hunting clothes, but it can often be itchy. This is where Merino wool clothing comes in.
Merino wool comes from Merino sheep and is naturally flexible, light, and durable. Compared to traditional wool, it’s milder and less irritating to the skin.
Hunting clothes that make direct contact with your skin need to be both warm and comfortable, which is why Merino wool is a great fabric for socks, gloves, and base layers.
Benefits of Merino Wool
- Breathability: Wool wicks away moisture, keeping you dry from sweat and also from outside elements like rain and snow. It’s insulating, you’ll be warm during cold weather and cool during warm weather.
- Warmth: Merino wool generates the same amount of heat as traditional wool but weighs less.
- Comfort: Merino wool is softer, lighter, and more flexible than regular wool, making it easier to wear for long periods of time, like over a days-long hunt.
- Lightweight: When trekking through rough terrain, you don’t want to be weighed down by heavy clothing. Merino wool is lighter than traditional wool but provides the same amount of warmth.
Updating Traditional Wool Hunting Clothes
The right hunting clothes can take your hunt to the next level. Aside from keeping you warm, dry, and comfortable, your clothes should last you countless stalks and seasons.
FORLOH’s new Merino Wool Hi-Loft Reversible Jacket and Vest bring the ultimate outerwear for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. These products combine hi-loft wool insulation and a Merino wool liner for an insulating, sweat-wicking, odor-resistant piece with unbeatable durability.
The Merino wool fibers regulate your body temperature, disperse moisture away from your body, and mask your human scent without relying on chemical treatments. The outer layer of military-grade ripstop nylon will withstand the harshest elements and help you do the same.
Every fiber of the Merino Hi-Loft Reversible Vest and Jacket is 100% sourced and made in the USA.
The Best Wool Hunting Clothes
Merino wool is ideal for layering hunting clothes. Start with insulating base layers and wool socks, and finish with a weatherproof wool hunting coat and wool hunting pants for maximum warmth and comfort.
FORLOH’s cold weather hunting gear has you covered for all your late-season hunts. Stay warm, quiet, camouflaged, and undetectable with our layerable wool hunting clothes:
- Men's Reversible Hi-Loft Merino Wool Jacket
- Men's Reversible Hi-Loft Merino Wool Vest
- Merino Wool Boot Socks