We love wool - any good?

[Tiley]

Does anyone have any experience of the clothing made by this bunch of New Zealanders? Anyone know anything about them? I quite like the look of the shorter, unhooded model as a full-zip alternative to a Swanni. Usefully, Tamarack have them in stock.

Any help gratefully received - thanks in anticipation!

Richard

 

[RonW]

It looks very promissing!!

 

[vizsla]

not tried one myself i have swanni instead but we love wool are suppose to be itchy and the wool isnt as good quality, this is only wot iv heard though.
you cant go wrong with swanndri though
ash

 

[Tiley]

I've got a Swanni that I bought in N.Z. and, while I quite like it, I'm not so keen on the stumpy zip closure which creeps undone when worn, neither do the two flapped chest pockets appeal much. I just reckoned that a full zipped woolly top would tick boxes about ventilation, and therefore versatility, and I liked the look of the hand warmer pockets on the We Love Wool top.

If anyone knows any more/has any experience of them, I'd love to hear! Thanks.

 

[yomperalex]

Damn, I thought it was a thread about knitting

Alex

 

[Caetera-desunt]

Swanni now make their gear in China and there's a cartload of quality problems as a result. I'd give the WeLoveWool guys a try. If their stuff is genuinely made in NZ it should be much better quality. Yes, the wool will be "itchy" - why would you want superfine stuff? You wont be wearing this next to your skin. It needs to be a coarder grade to be hardwearing enough for an outer.

 

[hedgedruid]

Bought one recently and haven't had any probs in our wonderful wet and cool late spring . Doesn't seem quite as thick as son's swanni but swanni shirt i bought a couple of years ago seems very poor quality ( still expensive ) was told swanni production moved to china . I'm happy with my Bushmate . ( got it 1/2 price in Tamarrac sale - even better )

Pete

 

[Lurch]

The chap reviewing the McCoy Bush Shirt in the Bushcraft & Survival mag seemed to think it was more itchy than a very itchy thing - the most uncomfortable thing he has ever ever worn he said.

 

[Toddy]

Fill something that you can leave full of water overnight with just warm water. Then add two or three capfuls of fabric conditioner. It'll take a bit of work to soak a wool shirt thoroughly, but with gentle, and I do mean gentle, you don't want to felt it, sappeling you can get it thorougly wetted and soaking. Leave it overnight, drain and then let it drain somewhere like the bath. Don't wring it out but gently squeeze and when the worst of the water is out wrap it up between a couple of the biggest towels you have and then twist. Lay out flat, straightening pocket flaps and collar, etc., and let it dry.

Greatly increases the showerproofness, eases the itchiness.....and leaves you smelling lovely

cheers,
M