Wool Jackets

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

This mid-to-heavyweight two-layer yak wool/synthetic hybrid jacket is a stylish garment that is very comfortable and is equally functional. The Stratam Hooded Jacket successfully transports moisture away from the body, and is quite water resistant to light rain/precipitation. Ideal as a piece of active-wear, this jacket is ideal for people wanting a double-duty midlayer that is constructed in an environmentally-friendly way.

Born at Altitude: Kora Outdoor’s mantra tells a story, linking their garments to the core of the product—yak wool. This 350gsm (grams per square meter) weight mid-layer is not only incredibly warm, but the comfort of natural yak wool terry interior is truly splendid.  Kora is Tibetan for movement around a sacred place or mountain Total jacket weight: 21oz, 580g Fit & Comfort A quick look at the Stratam Hooded Jacket may seem like a straightforward mid layer, but this fitted garment (a women's model also available) has a specifically unique trick up its sleeve.

Read more: Kora Stratam Hooded jacket review (1)

Reviewed by LoneStranger

The Smartwool Smartloft-X 60 Hoodie is a lightweight jacket designed for active use in moderate conditions. Smartwool uses its blend of recycled wool and polyester as the primary insulation in a low profile application that works well with other layers above or below. Folks who snowshoe, ski uphill, or climb winter peaks will appreciate the balance between insulation and ventilation this very breathable jacket has found.

   Up on Table Rock in Grafton Notch (Maine) facing a sub-zero wind before my winter beard grew in. Smartwool is a name associated with socks, but they have a lot of other ways to put wool to good use. The Smartloft-X 60 Hoodie is made for active use with flexible materials and a low profile wool blend insulation layer. I've been testing this jacket extensively over the past three months and wanted to get this review out based on my cold weather experiences. In a few months I'll update with what I learn about this interesting jacket as the temperatures warm up.

Read more: Smartwool Smartloft-X 60 Hoodie review (1)

Reviewed by Jim51111

The SmartWool PhD SmartLoft Divide Hoody Sport has been within arm’s reach of me all winter. It's one of the best insulating layers I have used for resort skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing, and around town. I highly recommend this jacket for anyone looking for a well-rounded insulating layer that is different from the traditional down or synthetic options.

I have had this jacket with me for every activity I participated in all winter. Whether it was backcountry skiing, resort skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or just walking around town. This jacket fits in anywhere. Fit: At 5’ 10” and 170 pounds I fit perfectly in the men’s medium. I was able to wear a base layer underneath and a hard shell on top without feeling stuffed or uncomfortable. The torso length was perfect and the jacket fell just below my pack line preventing it from riding up while moving.

Read more: Smartwool PhD SmartLoft Divide Hoody Sport review (1)

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

The Black Diamond Aspect Wool Hoody uses natural wool wadding as an insulative layer as opposed to goose down, or a synthetic fiber quilted into an insulated garment. This jacket has a surprising warmth-to-weight ratio (approximately the same as 800 fill down), while still providing wind and moisture resistance. This jacket excels in venting heat, while still providing warmth. Ideal for everyday use in both low and high-output outdoor activities, the Aspect Wool Hoody is an innovative alternative to down as well as synthetic-fill outerwear. This jacket is well suited for mixed use, like belaying and active climbing, without the need for additional layers in most conditions.

Black Diamond has proven their value in innovation since 1957, and the company continues to manufacture cutting-edge products today. The Aspect Hoody uses wool as its insulator—a natural fiber that is a more sustainable to harvest than down.      Specifications: Gender: Men’s and Women’s Sizing: M-XL Men’s, XS-XL Women’s Material: 100% Nylon shell; 100% Lavalan wool insulation; 100% polyester woven lining Weight: 15oz/425g Pockets: 2 Hand Warmer, 1 exterior chest  Hood: Helmet compatible with elastic cinch Although it appears that the puffy jacket is here to stay, the Aspect Wool Hoody claims its stake thanks to the development of Nuyarn— an 85 percent Merino wool wadding that works incredibly well as a state-of-the-art insulation.

Read more: Black Diamond Aspect Wool Hoody review (1)

Reviewed by Bob Withrow

The one that rules them all!

Not long ago I reviewed the MKM Tasman 36.6 pull over and because of my experience with that decided to go for the Wilderness Jacket from MKM. MKM is the Manawatu Knitting Mills in New Zealand. They are the kind of company it makes one feel good when buying their products. You can read more about the company here: https://www.mkm.co.nz/about-us The Wilderness Jacket is another dual layer garment having a wool outer shell and a possum/merino liner. This combination has proven to be very effective at keeping one warm when it's cold and also breathing so you don't get too warm.

Read more: MKM Wilderness Jacket review (1)

Reviewed by Colleen Welch

The Ibex Wool-Aire Sweater is a lightweight jacket made of lofted wool encased in water resistant nylon fabric. I wear this jacket year round. I like it best as a camp jacket after a day on a bicycle tour, but I can also wear it while riding when the temps drop. Best of all, if it rains, because it is wool, it still keeps me nice and toasty warm even if it gets wet.

The Ibex Wool-Aire Sweater is one of my favorite pieces of clothing. Because the nylon shell is filled with lofted wool, it keeps me warm when it's cold. I also don't overheat when it is warmer. It seems to breathe well when I'm working up a sweat. I wore it under a rain jacket while snowshoeing. As I was working hard, I was sweating. The jacket wicked the moisture away from the inside. I felt warm and dry even though the outside of the jacket was damp under the rain jacket. The Wool-Aire is warm without being bulky.

Read more: Ibex Wool Aire Sweater review (1)

Featured review by Andrew F.

A warm and low-profile insulating layer for active pursuits. It has the benefits of the warmth, versatility, and odor resistance of merino wool, for those looking for an all-natural mid-insulating layer that can deal with moisture. (It does not wick moisture as well as synthetics, though). The hood and other features are welcome in this jacket. Fit might be an issue for some. This runs narrow and can be at risk of shrinkage after laundering.

You can thank Ibex for this 100% merino full-zip hoody.  It feels great and functions well. I wear this a lot when the weather cools off.   Fit/Comfort: I wear size XL in most fuzzy insulating layers, 46 men's suit size.  I'm pretty fit, but by no means thin. While this jacket fits, it's on the slender side of the spectrum. I can wear a t-shirt or very thin base layer underneath it, but that's it. Sleeves are average length and have thumb loops, so your sleeves won't ride up if you layer over it.

Read more: Ibex Nomad Full Zip Hoody reviews (2)

Reviewed by Henry Marshall

Great three-season outer layer. Warm, durable, water resistant.

The Woolrich Mountain Parka has been a very important outer layer for me for four decades of hiking/backpacking here in northern New England where I have grown up. I have worn this parka on Mts. Washington and Katahdin during winter ascents of both. It has a water resistant outer shell of what Woolrich calls Ramar Cloth that in reality is pretty waterproof. A few weeks ago I tried out my third parka in 40 years during an all-day bushwhack on a 3,000 acre forest preserve in southern Maine, in a soaking rain.

Read more: Woolrich Wool-Lined Mountain Parka review (1)

Featured review by Anonymous

I think I love this jacket. I usually wear a large, but Ibex's large is more like an X-large. Therefore, it doesn't exactly fit my slim torso as it should. I guess it would be more insulative against my body, so buy a size smaller than usual, the sleeves are really long, and it stretches. They say it sheds rain. I've only been in light rain, the fabric looked soaked, but I never felt moisture on the inside. Most of the rain just beaded off, as well as most wind. If a strong cold wind is blowing, you will feel it, but it's better than nothing.

Read more: Ibex Icefall Jacket reviews (4)

Featured review by GearSlave

Yum, Yum, Yum. Wool, check, monkey paws, check, balaclava hood, check, full zip, check. This piece has it all. It's warm, light, fits great and moves with me in every direction. Uber-technical in every way it is the piece I would design. I use it for most everything. After I put it on it stays on, usually for the rest of the day. I like the hood and monkey paws especially. If it is just that little bit cooler then my comfort range I put them to use and they do their part to block wind and give me a few extra degrees.

Read more: Icebreaker Exp 320 Conquest Hood reviews (2)