Big Bill wool - seeking reviews, thoughts??

[KFhunter]

does anyone have or use Big Bill wool?

I got my hands on some at the General Store in Spokane, WA.   It was the green stuff, I didn't buy it though as the size selection was very limited. 

18oz pants:
https://www.gostwear.com/bill-merino-wool-cargo-hunting-outdoor-pants-p-878.html?osCsid=516510c78238f8cbeccfe39b3cea2bd5

really cool archery jacket!  Didn't know they made this
https://www.gostwear.com/bill-merino-wool-archery-jacket-p-795.html?osCsid=516510c78238f8cbeccfe39b3cea2bd5

the regular jacket I seen at General Store
https://www.gostwear.com/bill-merino-wool-hunting-outdoor-jacket-p-810.html?osCsid=516510c78238f8cbeccfe39b3cea2bd5

24oz wool pants
https://www.gostwear.com/bill-wool-hunting-outdoor-cargo-pants-p-881.html

[KFhunter]

@boneaddict

I think I would like this better than my Cabela's wool, it seems to be a tighter knap. 

What I'm doing now is I use a first lite merino base layer next to skin, then wool socks, then something similar to underarmor stretch high tech wicking stuff.   The stretch locks the mareno base layer and won't let it get baggy and locks my socks on top of the wool base.   I get like no sweat staying even though its plenty warm,  and keeps muscles warm and cramp free.

Then I put the wool on over top, it "floats" over my doubled up base layer.   I skip the mid layer. 


on top I use meriwool top from amazon, if its cold I use a MID layer, then the wool jacket.   


I did 6 mile hike in knee deep snow and made like 10 call sets and loved it,  it was a wet snow day and had that misty rain all day and I didn't notice it. 

[KFhunter]

I wonder if you can apply DWR to wool?   would it mess up the wools natural properties?

[bearpaw]

I almost tried the Big Bill pants but ended up getting Under Armor, I liked the Under armor so well I bought a second pair after the first season, I still like them well into the second season now. They are best on cooler days, if temps are in the 50's they are too hot, I had no trouble this winter on a couple sub zero days. When riding sleds in cold weather I wear a snowmobile suit over them, but I peel that off if we go after a cat.

https://www.amazon.com/Under-Armor-Stealth-Reaper-Season/dp/B01MEHGDP1/

[bearpaw]

It's getting harder and harder to find quality wool clothing. I recently scored a discontinued but in new condition LL Bean wool shirt off ebay. This LL Bean shirt seems nicer than the Pendleton shirts I have, I'll put it to use later in January.

[KFhunter]

I'm thinking this stuff with a light waterproof shell would be great,  slip of the shell on a stalk and you'd be quiet!

[Buckhunter24]

Just baxk up the road on the westside of division is an army surplus store that has a wide variety of wool. Including Big Bill if I remember right. The prices are pretty good too

[bearpaw]

I'm thinking this stuff with a light waterproof shell would be great,  slip of the shell on a stalk and you'd be quiet!

Yes, nothing quieter than wool.

Snowmobiling and cat hunting on rainy days I wear rain gear over the under armor pants instead of the snowmobile suit. If it's raining hard I might leave the rain gear on when chasing a cat, but I don't have to worry about noise.

Just baxk up the road on the westside of division is an army surplus store that has a wide variety of wool. Including Big Bill if I remember right. The prices are pretty good too

About where on Division?

[boneaddict]

I have old school wool and is what I use now when I am actively hunting in the winter or bad conditions.   I'd like to upgrade as I know its getting long in the fiber....

The stuff I have seen in Sitka or Kuiu dont seem to fit the bill for what I am after.

[Buckhunter24]

Intersection of n foothills and divion

[bearpaw]

Intersection of n foothills and divion

Thanks, I'll check it out sometime, do you remember the name of the place?

[Buckhunter24]

Looks like its just army surplus 

[bearpaw]

   simple enough

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I have been wearing Big Bill pants for almost a year now.
Bought them for a good deal at a local store.
Holding up real well for almost daily wear, even machine washed (cold) with no issues.
Not quite as heavy as my Filson, but definitely worth what I paid for them.
I plan on keeping an eye on the store to see if/when they get a new shipment in.
Seems they get them in once a year until they're gone.
.

[TVHunts]

I have a pair of the straight pants with 2 front pockets and one back pocket. Super comfortable and warm in cold conditions.  To warm for anything over 40ish outside.  They are my go to in the cold with a pair of silk LJ’s

[LDennis24]

Bill ain't very big if his inseam only goes to 33"... 
I would need 36" long...

[BigGoonTuna]

i don't have any of their merino stuff, but 18oz seems a little on the light side compared to the stuff i own.  my filson coat is something like 26oz.

i do have a pair of their heavy wool pants that i picked up on clearance 6 or 7 years ago.  they're almost a copy of the ones woolrich used to make, gray with the "adirondack" checkering.  they've been very good to me, but i've gained a few inches around the middle in the time i've owned them and need to get them taken out a bit

[300rum]

This year I retired my first pair of Big Bill wool pants after about 10 seasons, I have another pair that are about 5 years old.  Just after this season, I ordered a pair of Filsons and a new pair of BB's, I sent the Filson's back.  The Filson's were better constructed, I think, but the BB's have done everything I need them to do.

I wear the 24oz pants, I would stick with that.  They shed water for the most part when fresh washed but if you hunt in them for 3-4 days they won't shed as much water.  I wear a pair of UA long bottoms and I never get cold in them, ever.  This year in Montana it was 24 below when I left the truck, I was just fine.  They work well in the early season too, they don't get too hot, that's what wool does. 

They have bigger side pockets that I really like over the Filson's, I can put both gloves in one pocket and a range finder in the other with plenty of room to spare.  They will pretty much dry overnight in a hotel room.  The only reason I retired my last pair is that the crotch is so thin after all the miles on them.  I have always washed mine on a gentle setting and dried them outside when it's warm or inside near the stove when it isn't.  Their green color will moderate and turn more of a forest green after a few washings.  Even on week long backpack trips I don't carry a spare pair, I go with what I have on and that saves a lot of weight/space.   

The downside is how heavy they are when really wet and water logged, I never notice, though, until I take them off at the end of the day.  Of course with wool they still stay warm when wet.  Burrs love them.

The main thing... I know that I can spend the night outside literally in anything I have been in.   
       

[Mossy]

I have a pair of the straight pants with 2 front pockets and one back pocket. Super comfortable and warm in cold conditions.  To warm for anything over 40ish outside.  They are my go to in the cold with a pair of silk LJ’s

Same here. Made in Canada with suspender buttons and going strong after 5 seasons

[birddogdad]

i like my big bills pants. Used to use Codet before companies shifted... don't run thru your drier! Get larger sizes and suspend them