Is Tweed Warmer Than Other Wool Products?

[Philalethes]

Is tweed warmer than other wool products? Specifically, would a tweed overcoat be warmer than a "regular" (non-cashmere) wool overcoat? A tweed sportscoat, at least, seems heavier to me than an average wool sportscoat. Or maybe it is just rougher...

 

[Seb Lucas]

Usually. But tweeds vary in quality as does any other type of woolen jacket. If you're talking Harris, it will be warmer than most. But weight is no guarantee of warmth. It's also about the weave and the fit. The warmest woollen garment is probably the Army greatcoat.

 

[TrenchGuy]

I once got ready to go out and I dressed up in a tweed suit. I noticed that I had some extra time so I started reading and then I started feeling really hot, though my apartment is actually pretty cool. I had to remove my jacket.

This has never happened to me with any other material.

 

[carldelo]

I once got ready to go out and I dressed up in a tweed suit. I noticed that I had some extra time so I started reading and then I started feeling really hot, though my apartment is actually pretty cool. I had to remove my jacket.

This has never happened to me with any other material.

I have a flannel suit that is warm like this - it's really only wearable while walking or shopping outside, or if I know I'll be in a poorly-heated environment. Looking at old photos or movies of mountain climbers, or walkers in Scotland or the English Lake District (e.g. the 39 Steps), those blokes are always in tweed.

 

[Undertow]

...But weight is no guarantee of warmth. It's also about the weave and the fit...

I would have to agree with this as a general statement. Wool flannels and tweeds would be quite a bit warmer than just any old wool.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

No. It is more hardwearing. But it tends to be quite loosely woven.

bk

 

[carldelo]

No. It is more hardwearing. But it tends to be quite loosely woven.

bk

This makes sense for rugged outdoors use - a loose weave would enhance breathability during physical exertion.

 

[Seb Lucas]

This makes sense for rugged outdoors use - a loose weave would enhance breathability during physical exertion.

Yes, but that wasn't the plan - they are like that because they are a hand made garment and the wooden looms used in the Hebridies produces a fabric with an open weave. A very tight woven Tweed would be more desirable because it is less likely to get snagged on undergrowth and trees. That's where corduroy comes in - it's even more resilient to nature's challenges.

As it happens, Harris also produce extra cold weather Tweeds which have padding underneath the lining to keep out wind and trap warmth; it's old school, clumsy but effective.

 

[HAT PEOPLE]

Wool tweeds are/were the original camo--wearing those blended colors makes the wearer blend in with the natural background...by the way, I am in search of brown herringbone wool, yards of it...any leads?

 

[Tomasso]

by the way, I am in search of brown herringbone wool, yards of it...any leads?

Here are a few:

http://www.wbill.co.uk/


http://www.hollandandsherry.com/


http://www.tweed-jacket.com/CLOTH PAGE/CLOTH GALLERY/index.htm



http://www.harristweedshop.com/tweed-index.html