wool coat question

[Spencer]

I have been reading up on the great qualities of wool and how it wicks moisture and can keep you warm even when damp.  I have also been reading of the dangers of cotton and how it can cause you to stay damp and get dangerously cold and hypothermic.  My question, in shopping for a wool coat, is why do some wool coats have cotton liners inside them?  Isn't that defeating the purpose of wool??  If they are going to put a liner in it, why don't they use fleece, or nylon or some other wicking style material??

[379 Peterbilt]

I suspect they line them with cotton for comfort - lack of itch.

As you say, it doesnt make much sense - unless you were going to wear cotton in the first place anyway. Fleece is some nice stuff btw

[Buckfever]

They think it makes them look better.  If you are buying one for mostly outdoor use I would recomend on that does not have a liner.  You can wear fleece or a heavy shirt under it if needed.  Keep the cotton out for winter wear.  By the way Spencer have you ever thought about who usually designs these cloths.  I bet it isn't many outdoors people!  Buckfever

[willysjeep134]

A lot of wool coats are made on traditional patterns. The companies have just not updated their designs. If they had, they would be making the big marshmallow parkas everybody has today and you couldn't find a wool coat. Bemidji makes some unlined models, or with only a lined game pocket.

"Cotton Kills" is an overused axiom anyways. I'm not saying that a pair of wet jeans is good for a -10 blizzard, but it won't instantly kill you either. A wet cotton layer with wool over it; the wool will trap any heat the cotton looses, so I don't think it would be as bad as just a wet cotton layer.

[The Sodbuster]

The cotton liner's for looks or comfort.  Since you won't be wearing the coat next to your bare skin, it's unnecessary.  In shopping around you'll find wool/nylon blends, usually 15-20% nylon.  This means they've used cheaper wool with shorter fiber lengths and need to add longer, nylon filaments to the thread to strengthen it.  100% wool garments will be more expensive and generally made from a better quality wool.  Whether or not it's worth it or not is up to the individual.  

I live and hunt in the midwest and have spent a lot of time outdoors in the winter in cotton.  I'm still alive, but I'm never more than 2-3 miles from my vehicle.  If you're camping in the mountains then I reckon cotton could be a mistake.  Generally I don't worry about it; but, anymore, I usually wear a polyrazmatazz base layer under my shirt and coat.

[bobelk99]

Filson is the 'cadillac' in my opinion, and you can't find any cotton in any of their products!!

[EsoxLucius]

Filson products that contain cotton.  But you are correct that their wool coats are unlined.