From what I understand pure wool has some benefits in other areas versus blends- but what it never has an edge in is durability. Wool just isn't as resilient a textile choice on its lonesome compared to the alternatives.

I'm seeing a lot of support for the Ridge underwear, going to try and pick up one of those in my next shipment- I see the Wander shirt looks to be equivalent to the Journey, how are you finding the shirt holds up as far as wear?

Asking because I see there's been some mention, within this post even, of the material wearing a bit faster than alternatives.

Damn that's impressive, definitely will give it a looksee then.

Cheers

Happy (and comfy) trails!

Woo, over a half decade dang. What's the blend %, or is she pure?

Cotton will, at least in the case of the cotton underwear I've tried v. the Buck Naked's that I've tried- feel more "soft" to the touch at first. Think fluffy bunny. I find with extended use and repeated washing this may in time turn into a texture akin to a washrag, or a cheaper towel. Sort of a rougher feel, not rough in of itself but now closer to a gritty/sandpaper feel especially when dry, than the former fluffy bunny feel they had new.

Very well could be the cotton blends I've used though.

Nylon isn't fluffy bunny, but it also isn't abrasive. It's tricky to explain but in keeping with its sister synthetics like polyester, which you may have some experience with from exercise shirts or the like- it's just sort of smooth.

I think part of the fluffy feeling for clothing comes from loose fibers that are sort of frazzled or sticking out of the main weave. Maybe similar to how the hair on your head is a bunch of individual strands sticking out which normally are a soft and fuzzy/slightly springy mass if you press on them . But if you take those hairs tie them together into a tight braid or what not- it's not the braid becomes suddenly uncomfortable... Just more dense with less give/bounce than a loose head of hair, but still smooth to the touch. That's how nylon feels, smooth but dense. Cotton starts off with that fuzzy feel, but over time drops off to a much less appealing state.

In my experience a basic cotton garment can feel rougher than synthetics especially over time, in most cases.

Fantastic writeup, thank you thank you, and thank you again!

It's good hearing about your experience with the Journey shirt, I'd noticed that their material density was notably lower than W&P. Perhaps nothing in and of itself but, if all other things were equal then that could be a culprit for faster wear. Sounds like that ends up being the case.

Excellent news about the underwear, I'm definitely loving the feel so far of the W&P, they're keepers for sure. I'm hesitant to even try the Ridge offerings, I'm a tall but thicco lad and fairly certain less nylon in the thunder thigh chafe area is absolutely not going to end well.

I'm definitely a little more outdoor focused I think, not always intentionally but days have a funny way of having me out and about bushwacking or clomping through questionable conditions rather suddenly-

What is your opinion on wool/nylon blends vs. pure Merino?

I notice brands like Outlier offer premium pure wool offerings, but I've a hesitant notion that for my usecase I really ought to look at blends. Is that well founded, or would you say the performance wool offerings from Outlier and such compete on a similiar durability level to the nylon blends?

Excellent, thank you for the advice- I'd wondered precisely as much!

Nylon blends have treated me well so far, there's certainly an odor and durability edge with them over other synthetics like polyester.

I've seen Duluth's Buck Naked recommended and I'd second that for a 100% Nylon experience. Purchased 2 weeks worth stock from them a while back during a flash sale: 15 bucks a pop is a far cry from what these wool offerings ask.

That said, initial impressions wearing the W&P wool/nylon underwear have been fantastic, it reminds me of soft new cotton underwear before they get broken in and become more abrasive. I'll definitely be looking to switch to wool/nylon blends moving forward.

I was beginning to wonder that myself lol, the price for some of this kit was getting painful haha.

I'll take Duckworth into consideration- have you had a chance to experience Ridge Merino as yet?