Itchy Swanndri

[stephendedwards]

Can anyone tell me whether it is a case of toughening up to the inevitable itch of the woolshirt? Otherwise it seems to me that they will never be a goer except as an over shirt. ideas, comments?

Stephen

 

[Ogri the trog]

Thats it in a nutshell Stephen,
It is the irritation/itching that brings your blood to the skin surface and keeps you feeling warm, and the insulating properties that stop the colder outside air from leeching heat from your skin surface - I'm sure that given the wrong combination, or in the wrong environment, these would soon lead to hypothermia.
The shirt should become less itchy with use but it'll never be cotton smooth - even if you wear it as an overshirt, you'll still benefit from its insulative, fire resistant and shower resistant properties.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[andyn]

....and then wear a good merino wool baselayer under it.

 

[stephendedwards]

Thats it in a nutshell Stephen,
It is the irritation/itching that brings your blood to the skin surface and keeps you feeling warm, and the insulating properties that stop the colder outside air from leeching heat from your skin surface - I'm sure that given the wrong combination, or in the wrong environment, these would soon lead to hypothermia.
Ogri the trog

Indeed! That was my first thought, like drinking vodka, feels warm but...I have two and I love them, I usually wear them over a nordic army shirt (perfect) but am trying them over a T shirt just to see if the itch goes and it is still too warm for the full combo.

Ta

Stephen
West Wales

 

[Dunelm]

I've had one for about 2 years and only worn it once due to the itch factor. A bit of a waste of money really.

 

[sionhughes]

Get the windproof one, it is lined.

 

[spamel]

Toughen up you big Jessies! If you can't cope with wool against the skin, how the hell are you gonna cope with bushcraft issue undies made from plaited bramble branches with the thorns still on, lined with fresh nettle leaves for comfort?

 

[Wayland]

It's much nicer than a "Shirt KF"...

Seriously though, I go with the merino base layer under my bush shirt.

 

[EdS]

wash it a couple of times and each time add 3x the normal anount of fabric softener - also help to to keep it water repellent

 

[benp1]

didn't know they were itchy, hadn't really thought of that. don't have one and wasn't particularly planning on getting one but if i saw one cheap i would have considered it, now i know!

 

[sharp88]

Mines been god knows where. All the wear and wet weather its been though + a couple of washes its softened up. They do come very itchy. My dad used to call it my 'badgers ar** coat. Had it for about a year now and I can wear it with a t-shirt.