Wool Vs Synthetics For Cold Weather Survival & Camping

[@SurvivalRussia]

This Is The Video In Which I Fell Asleep In -20c Without any Cover kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGekeX2co96MpbM

[@cameraprepper7938]

It is not about if it is wool or synthetics, it is what is best for you in different situations. Personally I do not use wool any more, it is too heavy, too big and it wears too fast. I have a fleece in very good quality which are almost 40 years old now and it is nearly as when it was new despite I have been using it a LOT, that you cannot do with wool !!! About camping, I have been sleeping naked in my sleeping bag in minus 15 degrees Celsius, I was warn and dry and I slept very good, it is all about having the right gear and being prepared what can come ahead of you !

[@SurvivalRussia]

@Dennis Andrich OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PLUS That's horrible Dennis. I sorry to hear that.

[@General_Confusion]

This must be why sheep don't wear PrimaLoft when they go camping. Only wool for them.

[@dickburns9200]

LMFAO!

[@richardsolomon8076]

2 fkn right bro 🍻👍

[@peterlehmannl5972]

Being in Australia and not having to deal with minus degrees,I have also discovered the value of wool. I’ve found it has a much wider comfort zone as far as temperature goes. If I wear synthetic I’m constantly taking off and putting on layers but with wool it seems to even out. I’m wearing this at work on the farm and I’ve also noticed wool is a lot harder wearing. Thumbs up for wool from me 👍

[@Lex-Hawthorn]

which part of oz you from mate? We do have minus temps in places in Oz. Even in the supposed desert areas in winter..

[@rodgeorge7244]

@@Lex-Hawthorn We sure do I lived in central western NSW and we would get minus 7 or more in winter and even colder in the Alpine Country and plenty of snow

[@NogrimStoneson]

one of my first camping purchases was an oversized heavy wool blanket. i grew up with the scouts in Canada doing winter camping in cabins and around lakes. the heavy wool blanket was always worth having, and an absolute life saver if any one went through the ice in to the water.

[@Wild-Siberia]

I must say that after watching this video I will get a wool ROLL like the one you've got. I learned a lot during out night out in Camp mexico I really rather have the mat+the blanket personally. But yes I have no complains my mat was also working well, I will say also the fire worked wonders.

[@SurvivalRussia]

I will help get you one. I'm good friends with the guy making them. Anna is in Moscow. I will ask her if she can get to him. We need to get you equipped brother :)

[@Wild-Siberia]

@@SurvivalRussia I’m going to work this year to get geared up for sure.

[@emmarowley1096]

I prefer wool, it’s natural, durable and ecologically friendly etc. The way I look at it, it has been keeping sheep warm for centuries. I look out over the hills and see the sheep in a dreich day knowing that they are fine.

[@SurvivalRussia]

You're absolutely right.

[@dagmarratatosk5997]

I prefer wool too. I got a wool roll like yours from my father. The year is woven at the edge: 1957. I got some swiss army wool blankets, but the one of my father is double in thickness. And it never failed. My coldest night was -3 celsius. A no-name-mat and swiss blanket on the ground, dad's blanket as cover. Nothing compares to the warmth of a real wool blanket. If you are near the fire, sparks dont harm wool. A mix with synthetic fibers is o.k. for socks, makes it durable. Blankets dont need synthetics. And if wool has a little smell of sheep, it's the best: not treated with chemicals and the characteristics of pure wool (insulation, moisture balance) are still there. Only take care of moths, they love it too. Hugs from germany.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Hello from Detroit Michigan USA brother thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise and for taking us on your adventure through the woods

[@314299]

It makes perfect sense to use wool as an insulator when the insulation is being compressed. Perfect example are wool insoles in winter boots. I have an ancient pair of Kamik winter boots (so old they were made in Canada), they of course have wool felt liners, there is no sensation of cold from below when wearing them. I recently purchased a new paid of Kamik boots, they have a liner made of synthetics, first time wearing them I could feel cold from the ground. I then added a set of wool insoles, that cured the issue and made the boots quite warm and comfortable.

[@pursuitforadventure]

We added a wool blanket to put winter overnight gear and it made a big difference! Great video

[@TimR1335]

I used wool in Alaska and worked outside all winter it is the best. Even when it is wet, it will keep you warm.

[@wildinthewild3704]

Hi Lars! I gained some first experiences with wool in a Ranger Roll, too! My ranger roll consisted from the inside to the outside of Layer 1 - The Swagman Roll, Layer 2 - Polish wool blanket, Layer 3 - Survival Blanket with shiny side in direction of the body and Layer 4 - a rain poncho. As mat I also used the Bundeswehr one 😄 I did not sleep at -20 degrees Celsius as you do. But I did do -1 dregree Celsius. I was warm. Only the feet started to get cold. But I had a problem with the setup. The foot end of the ranger roll would open sometimes. But the body part was always very warm. As trousers during sleep I kept the Swedish wool trousers on. And as jacket I simply had a double fleece jacket. Under that a pullover of wool and a T - Shirt. It's great to be able to use all four parts of the ranger roll one by one. But after getting up it's a pain to dry them also one by one and to pack them away after an overnighter. My friend had only his Carinthia defence 4 sleeping bag and it looked so easy how he just put it away while I had to take care of each piece. But I guess that's just how it is 😄

[@majcrash]

When I was in the Marine Corps, I would put the foot end of my sleeping bag in the waterproof bag they issued us. My feet always stayed warm and dry that way.

[@wildinthewild3704]

@@majcrash That's a great tip, thanks a lot!!! 😃

[@feldgraufox4927]

@@wildinthewild3704 yeah you'd be better just getting a good sleeping bag and a good sleep mat tbh 🤣

[@vitaligent]

Greetings from the mountains outside Los Angeles. Glad to see you are living your best life.

[@sandyrinaldi7614]

will preserve forever the story of the strength of wool to preserve our body heat radiation. Since we are electromagnetic creatures, suspect the wool as another electromagnetic creature's defense against temperature fluctuations, is superior to any man made tech. It is the first person's account that drives the lesson home. Not a sales man but a survivor. Sandy Rinaldi, Arkansas, US Army veteran 1971 to 1974, 26 NOV 23

[@user-ur2sc7wn7i]

Same thing in hammocks Lars, you can use a wool blanket inside a hammock no problem but primaloft wont work that way, down even worse. Primaloft still relies on loft so when you lie on it it doesnt work. Heavy wool is already squashed. Thats why we use felt innersoles.

[@nostromokg]

Watching your videos from Serbia. Bratski pozdrav.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Слава Сербии!

[@nostromokg]

@@SurvivalRussia Работайте, братья!

[@martinlatvian5538]

I love the old Swedish military wool field shirts M39. If You wear that as the first under layer You really don't care what temperature is outside.

[@michaelguerin56]

Good video. I also like wool garments and blankets. The problem, sometimes, is getting the garment makers to do a proper job. I have been using Swannies (the heavy duty Swanndri bush shirts) for about 40 years. The classic NZ woollen singlet is an excellent garment, now also available in merino wool instead of the traditional heavy wool. Young women who wear them as winter dresses, prefer the original heavy wool version, partly I suspect, because it is black. The maker, Manawatu Knitting Mills (MKM) also produces a t-shirt version of the original but without a gusset in the sleeve, so the underside of the sleeve comes apart. MKM has been very good at introducing merino versions of all their classic garments, merino and possum fur versions and even a merino balaclava that can be worn under a safety helmet, instead of those horrible synthetic balaclavas you can buy in the safety shops BUT they seem to have a blind spot with those heavy duty woollen t-shirts🧐. Nothing is ever perfect when it comes to kit. Cheers from NZ.

[@Wojtek7060]

Randall from Grunt Proof has very interesting video on synthetics vs wool in outdoor use. I recommend it IMHO there is no perfect option. Synthetics will melt on you, old school wool is very bulky while modern is expensive, cotton may be dangerous when wet

[@SurvivalRussia]

When the snow clears, I will do the video for you buddy :) you which one lol

[@Wojtek7060]

@@SurvivalRussia Interesting. Any hints of what it will be?

[@zenstrata]

I personally prefer wool. Down feathers are very nice as well, not so great for ground cover because down feathers compress like crazy and become very flat after a night of sleeping on it. Down is great for coats, but for a ground pad, wool is best. And it is also very good for coats too.

[@Tyrant597]

That has also been my experience when laying on wool by the fire. It does a great job of insulating you from the cold ground!

[@tonyg25]

Finding out how much wool cuts body odor down after a few days in the bush was a revelation for me. I also melted a pair of synthetic pants to my leg falling asleep by a fire, so now it's all wool for me.

[@TheJohn8765]

For real. Two days wearing a synthetic underlayer and I stink like a wet dog. Wool? Very little 'stale ripeness'.

[@kevola5739]

I think the advantage of modern clothing is the fit and design which can trap heat and shield from the wind. The older military style clothing seems to be be a very loose or oversize fit to accommodate more people with fewer sizes. If we could blend the close weave wool with modern sizing and design the results would soon prove for themselves. Stay off the ground and out of the wind and you are half way there. Soup is the greatest comfort around the fire.🍜

[@wilco3588]

As a kid when we camped out we would take a noisy old plastic tarp and lay it down and then sleep on a folded over Hudson's Bay trading blanket. We would sleep in a hand-me-down sleeping bag and we always stayed warm although we never were out in anything below 0 Celsius. When we did Boy Scout cold-weather camping at Klondike Derbys we were always in a tent or in the cabin.

[@Andre-kd1tk]

👍evening ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@neil_castell]

i have been using a felted wool blanket as a sleep mat for the last few years, depending on the weather, sometimes i use it as a ground sheet with it open flat, other times its fold double if really cold i fold it in three and its very comfy. The reason i started using it is because my camping buddy is a large hound and he has inch long claws, inflatable mats dont last more than one or two trips. Years ago my late grandfather mentioned camping when he was young, they carried two wool blankets ... one to sleep on the other to sleep under, ... oldschool but it works providing you are not in the wind, (he did also say sometimes they used an old boat sail as a rain cover)

[@VIPER410]

A good video you definitely informative. Thanks Lars

[@mr.stotruppen8724]

I prefer wool clothing to a point. Base and midlayers, socks etc. Anything heavier than a turtleneck or maybe a sweater etc I prefer synthetics.

[@Joe-rd1nb]

I have a pair of dachstein mittens which are the same kind of wool - made far too big and then shrunk down to size in boiling water. And while the modern mitts may 'technically' give better warmth to weight, the dachsteins seem to have this amazing active drying/breathability effect where even in terrible conditions and if you're exerting yourself enough to sweat a lot, they keep my hands completely comfortable and BONE dry (drier than they are typing this I mean). It really is quite incredible when compared with the modern softshell stuff like pertex or equivalents, which are inevitably clammy. (and 3x the price)

[@SonnyCrocket-p6h]

as long as you're set up to dry out wool, and dont have to carry the weight (ie, use a sled, etc) wool is ok. especially for really deep cold temps. I dont like it, due to the weight and the fact that a wool blanket (or a sleeping bag) can soak up 40 lbs of water! My area almost never see's sub 0F, and only rarely sub 20F and then only at night. So I use netting, reflective tyvek, stuff that is unaffected by its getting wet That's what's REALLY dangerous, being wet in cold, windy conditions, not quite cold enough to freeze. Once clothing, etc, freezes, you can beat most of the ice/wetness off of it and then it wont be soaked when you warm it up with a fire or hot rocks.

[@wrxs1781]

Good video Lars, and also a northern resident in Canada, winter camping is not an activity we embrace, but from a survival aspect your adventures have merit. We have a cabin with a wood stove that gets the occasional visit though.

[@SonnyCrocket-p6h]

I toss and turn too much in my sleep for it to be practical for me to sleep on a sleeping pad. I wind up with my knee off of it, cold and wet. So I prefer a net hammock, If it's cold, I set the hammock just 6" off of the ground, with me in it, of course. Then I kick debris (or snow) under it and then a bit of debris atop the snow, to stop the air from moving under me.

[@grisseldog]

Lars Great information I’m a firm believer in wool also Hammer Down

[@jeffmurdock2713]

If I was to go camping, I will definitely get me one of those blankets

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Camp Mexico, Russia !! HA! As always, good video Lars! I like wool better than synthetic. Both have their down sides and good points though.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks 👍

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Lars . 🐺

[@SurvivalRussia]

You are very welcome. Thank you too LC :)

[@RT-fb6ty]

In addition to being a renewable natural fiber, wool does not melt into your skin like synthetics do. If you fall asleep to close to flames. Although wool is slightly heavier and bulkier, harder to clean without shrinkage. . Cotton kills.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Right on!

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍👍👍 Actually a no-brainer. As I see it, more 'loft' means more dead air space and thus better insulation. As you said Lars, when a fabric is completely compressed then there is no more loft in it and the 'insulation goes out the window'. Under normal use, wool will only compress so much and not nearly as much as synthetics. I believe that this includes when wet. Wool will retain it's integrity whilst down, to use the extreme, will 'clump' together and become useless. My thin 100% Lambs Wool Woolworths Pullover does a better job in keeping me warm than a synthetic fleece equivalent. Unfortunately, after 15+ years, it is starting to fall apart. Synthetics (and cotton 😳) do have their place in the scheme of things. However, one must 'choose their battles' with care when using them 😏. A useful share .. thanks. Take care .. stay warm ..

[@rickratcliff6231]

Wool is the best, I live in New Zealand the home of superfine Merino wool. I’ve tried all sorts of polar fleece, polypropylene etc and I always go back to wool.

[@MichaelR58]

Good video Lars , have a great day , always good to visit again , thanks for sharing , God bless brother !

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks 👍 Mike!

[@jimf1964]

I use a wool blanket instead of a a quilt for my hammock. I put it directly under me, instead of outside. Slept like a baby in around 0c. Wool also has a way bigger range of comfort. It’s so easy to overheat when wearing artificial fabrics, and much less so with wool. As for having better content for paid viewers, as a viewer of several years, I’m just hanging on lately because the content has gone way down hill, so good luck

[@leenvisser4649]

Just joined the Channel Membership 🙂 I actually use the old USGI wool sleeping bag as a sort of bivvy with the Dutch summer or US Patrol bag underneath. Definitely helps both with the fire and cold from the ground.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@leslieandrews6324]

Some where there is a fire wood shortage. Wool will keep you warm even if it is wet

[@richardsumner4214]

Thanks Lars !!!

[@JohnSmith-vg5gz]

Great video ! I've often wondered how one keep worm while camping in Siberia ? I now know the answer wool felt !!

[@aojschatchuewtchuew2563]

День добрый, может и вечер! Ларс, видео испытания снаряжения для зимовки и отдыха в мороз на улице, природе в лесу..... На заднем плане берёзовые дрова..... Дома в Дании это дефицит и очень дорогой, как газ, тепло, вода горячая и цены на всё заоблачные..... Ларс, войлок всегда лучше.... А как валенки вам, их сейчас множество вариантов для зимы....... Сейчас очень много вещей для зимовки как от нижнего термобелье, костюмы для зимовки, и российского и западного производства и фирмы как 🇺🇸 США и Европы конкуренция большая в этом.....

[@bryanepp5340]

Good video. I agree with wool. Working the South Dakota blizzards on the farm, wool was the best for hard work and sitting on an open tractor pushing snow. For really cold January days we had wool inserts for the boots. Synthetics didn't like the dirt and manure. I really enjoy your videos.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Good stuff!

[@rodrigocappato4207]

Wool is the king in the woods!!! Nice parka/jacket, where can we get it from?

[@offroadinfidel1916]

Can you get the little ninja's to stack the firewood? It will be good exercise for them.... Burn up some energy.

[@richardsolomon8076]

Amen brother 🙏 wool for the win ,,,, or a big animal skin 😅 but here in New Zealand, Wool is in my mind the King of warmth even though it holds a % of water and becomes heavy, my heavy swandry is very similar to the Russian Great Coat. And if I crouch down with the hood on ... I am in a wool tent ,,, no poles or guide ropes required. Sorry its only 5a month all I can afford Bro 🍻

[@HydraBox777]

On a few of my winter trips, I wore surplus Canadian snowpants, which are wool lined. They are very warm and great for sitting around ice fishing, but they are so stiff to hike in; my hips hurt so bad, the next day, on the hike back. Now I bought primaloft snowpants which I'm excited to try out: they're lighter, and have a better range of motion, and are easier to put on, but might lack durability.

[@SurvivalRussia]

These pants a very soft and silent too.

[@treadheadpete4770]

Love wool!

[@Василий-п1и9й]

Привет!На канале было видео про спасательное одеяло?Я купил 5 дней назад одеяло grabber,мне оно кажется не очень надёжным,собираюсь наклеить его зелёной стороной на брезент,или ткань рип стоп, думаю это добавит прочности на разрыв.Тебе могу посоветовать пользоваться каталитической грелкой (kovea,zippo,СССР),заливать можно российский бензин галоша,бензин zippo дорогой.

[@TheRogueRockhound]

I get the 85% wool blankets from the surplus store and they are great. Finding 100% wool blankets seems a bit tougher Ive been a huge fan of wool gear my whole life b/c it keeps you warm when wet.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Wool is best if mixed with some other fiber. Puro wool is not very durable.

[@1111dolittle]

Thank you for all the great information 👍👍

[@SurvivalRussia]

No problem 👍

[@JimRodgers]

Great video, thanks for sharing some of your experiences in extreme cold conditions. Like a lot of your viewers I prefer wool for just about everything. My only complaint about wool is that it's not terribly durable, especially the lightweight base layer shirts and pants.

[@Catonius]

cheers Lars!

[@SonnyCrocket-p6h]

The Innuit dont use wool, at very low temps. They use sealskin and caribou hides. So there ARE things that are better than wool, but they are very expensive.

[@Arockersfantasy]

Wool rocks!

[@michaelt3128]

Could you please give us a link to that blanket? Thanks.

[@aethulwulfvonstopphen8013]

Any recommendations on where to buy queen size 100% Russian felted wool blanket?

[@boag46]

What's that olive green jacket you're wearing?

[@cameraprepper7938]

It is not about if it is wool or synthetics, it is what is best for you in different situations. Personally I do not use wool any more, it is too heavy, too big and it wears too fast. I have a fleece in very good quality which are almost 40 years old now and it is nearly as when it was new despite I have been using it a LOT, that you cannot do with wool !!! About camping, I have been sleeping naked in my sleeping bag in minus 15 degrees Celsius, I was warn and dry and I slept very good, it is all about having the right gear and being prepared what can come ahead of you !

[@neilleggatt7729]

Great comparison wool and gloft/ work for me I don't think one can work without the other at least in a winter environment

[@timothygourley5690]

Can you show us how to set the wool blanket up for sleeping??? And the wool jacket???

[@SurvivalRussia]

I can.

[@leonardopoli319]

Hello, good evening 👍👋

[@SurvivalRussia]

Hello 👋

[@RAYANDERS-w4t]

thanks

[@tzenzhongguo]

What jacket are you wearing in this video? It looks like a M65 jacket in mustard brown.

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Great information!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks 👍

[@1111dolittle]

Is there a website where I could buy wool jacket and blanket ? Or where can I find them I live in North Dakota USA 🇺🇸 and it gets to 50 to 60 below here alot during winter here. Sure would appreciate it if you can let me know thanks 👍deb

[@HydraBox777]

That's what sucks, here in North America it's hard to find/afford wool. Oh, and always check the description of products to see how much wool is in the product: lots of products are sold as "wool" but are only a wool blend of 30 percent wool 70 percent "other"

[@W_H_K]

Synthetics can be very useful when combined with wool but alone I’d prefer wool every time. Synthetics alone make me sweat far too much. Austrian army gear is almost entirely synthetic and for this reason I don’t use much of it.

[@BSWThunder6]

So from what I heard the US Army surplussed Primaloft gear because of internal seperation under hard use. I have some, haven't had a problem. I extensively use wool. Have used wool blankets on a Savotta pad or a CF pad. Obviously a folding cot to get you off the ground is my first choice, but that comes with weight and mobility problems.

[@SurvivalRussia]

They are most like phasing out Primaloft because some other company has to make money on insulated gear for the US army lol Primaloft was specifically developed for the US military.

[@relic422]

Lars, what is the jacket your wearing in the video? (brown military type)

[@SurvivalRussia]

It's a Russian made jacket and it is not commercially available.

[@davidpiney]

Thanks!

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you Dave!

[@petef9]

wool is the only way to go , had a soy-boy a month or so ago that i need a great northern bran jacket , 20 degree temp . he was all bundled -up tightened and i was standing with my great coat unbuttoned. i was warm and he was chilled ,shaking

[@TheIndyspace]

Awesome..!

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks ✌️

[@nathanielmilam75]

Wool coat where do we get those?

[@fearthehoneybadger]

Long way from the world's problems.

[@JesusSaves86AB]

As the good Lord intended.

[@huntarama9375]

Im wondering how wool would go as an under blanket in a hammock. I have never carried a blanket into the forest but have fallen asleep next to the fire lying on my wool Anorak

[@SurvivalRussia]

I think it will do rather well, as compression does not seem to affect it's performance very much.

[@dominikguzman]

Wool is pretty amazing, but have you ever tried and tested also real fur things in cold?

[@SurvivalRussia]

I certainly have. I have a pair of fur boots, native to my region, which I use during winter. These are the warmest and lightest cold weather boots I have ever tried. It does not matter if it is below -30c, I can't feel any cold on my feet. Fur absolutely rules.

[@SonnyCrocket-p6h]

is there some reason why you dont use a Siberian log fire on both sides of you, so that you dont get cold on the side away from the fire?

[@SurvivalRussia]

It's too much work, as I will have to clean a large area and I will need double the firewood. I never felt the need for a double fire really.

[@PUTDEVICE]

woolen blanket insulates even if it is a little wet

[@westbsa7424]

[@TheJohn8765]

We shouldn't be surprised wool is great. Evolution has selected for a very durable insulation over millions of years of changing environments and random genetic changes. The ones that didn't work well died off.

[@dago4076]

How about cold wet still wool ?

[@DinoNucci]

RoaR

[@RSLtreecare]

Hi, I have been watching your videos of a while. Very good, I used the German ground pads, these work very well. On top of that,I put an inflatable mattress then a sleeping bag. I am looking for A Jerven, but the UK price is higher. As for wool, I am going back to using it more these days. Take care. Wool is used for a lot of work fields, not affected by fire.

[@rexochroy2]

We are just waiting for this stupidity to end, would love to visit and meet all of you and trade like the vikings did , we might not agree on everything but we need your knowledge.

[@dennislindenpellinge]

😀👍

[@flyovercounty1427]

Hi

[@SurvivalRussia]

Hi!

[@mikebon8352]

How about... on the beach of Jamaica... ??!!!!

[@SurvivalRussia]

Works every time bro ))

[@aleksandersever3039]

Synthetics are more durable than wool, wool on the other hand doesn't stink from sweat like synthetics...actually the best material for clothing is mixture of synthetics and wool

[@SurvivalRussia]

Indeed. This is a 70/30% mix. Pure wool is not that durable.

[@yellowboot6629]

Wool❣️🤣🤣🤣...wool ❣️

[@REAPERMILITIAOUTDOORS]

Wool is definitely the shite.

[@kforest2745]

Silk. You have to keep to what dries. Lol

[@mikebon8352]

How about ur new russian dirtbike.../pitbike..

[@SurvivalRussia]

We will get to that :)

[@certaindeaf8315]

I thought the "RRR" was taught to help russians to roll away from grenades dropped from Ukrainian drones.

[@johnnorth9355]

If wool was so great sheep would use it - oh wait !

[@shadowcastre]

Synthetics have their place, but wool rules..!

[@maniagokm3186]

It does make one wonder why all animals (and humans too) dont have hollow core hair in the first place.....seems like a major genetic design mistake not to have that everywhere.....