Woolrich walking shelter: great field gear from a company that has supplied the American sportsman for generations

Guns Magazine, Nov, 2002 by Sam Fadala

The first line of defense in the outdoors is the insulated barrier surrounding the human body. We call it clothing. Man, compared with beasts of the field, is a fragile creature. Naked, we shiver at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Clothing by itself cannot create heat. But it does form an envelope to retain warmth that our bodies generate.

How refreshing it is that in the midst of a throwaway society there remain products designed and constructed to function as advertised, season after season. Woolrich is a name your great-grandfather would have known. Garments from this outfit constitute an investment--not buy this season, replace the next.

Woolrich has been around for over 170 years, opening its doors in 1830. The company is heralded as: "The nation's oldest continuously operating apparel marketer and manufacturer." Reputation and value have kept Woolrich in business--clothing designed by outdoors people for outdoors people.

Professional Grade Gear

My first impression of Woolrich came not from hunters, but woodcutters atop pine tree forested mountains when I was a young U.S. Forest Service firefighter. The familiar wool plaid jackets kept these men warm in early morning before the rays of the sun penetrated the canopy to reach the forest floor. The jackets went on again when the fiery orb sank on the western horizon.

Today, men, women and children are accommodated with both traditional garments and innovative new designs. As a hunter, I especially appreciate the Camo and Sporting end of the company. Woolrich's CamWoolfiage is a good example, with vests, shirts, pants, and jackets featuring Bill Jordan's Realtree[TM] patterns.

Design rivals fabric for importance. Any company can make a warm garment. I once bought a Russian Army Coat at a local military surplus outlet. That coat proved warm, all right. But wearing it felt like a gorilla climbed on my back. I called it my anti-hunting coat, because by the time rifle or shotgun reached the shoulder in that bulky abomination no self-respecting bird or animal would be in the same county.

Designed For Active People

In contrast, my Woolrich New Barrier Parka is warm but non-binding. It's comfortable with 100 percent Polyester and Hyrdomax 2100[R], Woolrich's waterproof, breathable fabric. Brushed Tricot mesh lining, two-way front zipper, storm flap, lined pockets, adjustable cuffs--plus other features--mark this as a modem outdoor garment. A Barrier Pant matches.

Another typical Woolrich product is the company's Chamois Cloth Shooter's Shirt, 100 percent cotton chamois cloth, 6-ounce, with reinforced abrasion-resistant shoulder and elbow patches. This shirt is good at the bench for sighting in and practice, the shoulder patch helping to absorb some recoil. Just as importantly, the elbow patch prevents abrasion from sliding on the bench top. Makes a good hunting shirt as well, especially coupled with a Cam Woolflage Fleece-Lined Vest.

I tried a different whitetail hunting method in northern Wyoming this past season. Deer were strongly represented along a creek bottom with three tags allowed to keep the population in check--one buck, two antlerless. No big bucks in that area; however, great venison. Although the time was November, the weather was moderate.

A lightweight undergarment, top only, plus Chamois Shooting Shirt and vest allowed quick motion with comfort, the plan being to walk right in the stream itself so deer could not hear the approach. Keeping the wind right promised close shots.

An Old Staple

Another classic from Woolrich is the Stag Shirt. It's 85 percent virgin wool, 15 percent nylon blend with front and back yoke. This is a good one for fall hunting, not too warm, yet warm enough, and designed for motion. The only difficulty in choosing Woolrich hunting clothes is which ones to go for. I mentioned the newer CamWoolflage Fleece-Lined Vest, but another vest that I like as much is the Original Utility style, especially over a chamois shirt.

It's not all up top, either. A promising hunting pant for fall is the Beech Creek Cargo model. This one is new with the company this year and it looks like another winner in 80/20 wool and nylon blend with two front pockets, two back pockets and side cargo pockets--enough space for all kinds of important stuff from hunting licenses to pocket knives.

The Malone Bib is as traditional as it gets. Tough construction of 85 percent virgin wool, 15 percent nylon blend, with adjustable shoulder straps help it to wear like sheet-iron. One large chest pocket with snap closure has a pencil/pen holder; useful when tag or permit has to be signed.

The Woolrich Field Coat is another product designed by those who know the outdoors. It's 100 percent cotton twill with cotton lining, 8 Wale corduroy collar, and dual entry pockets. There's a quilted recoil patch, covered front button closure, drawstring waist to keep body heat in, wind out, plus pivot sleeves. This coat is aimed at sporting clays and similar shooting, but will work great in the field, especially on a cool day in pursuit of upland game.