GMMAT

This isn't mutually exclusive to Quik, either ....even in this thread.

Germ

I don't think anyone has slammed it
They have just ask is it worth it?

quiksilver

Yeah Jeff - I'm coming at this more from the angle of "does the performance justify the price?"

Because, unlike a Rolex, this stuff doesn't "look" all that great. So if it's a "pride of ownership"or a "looks" thing - it's just a little bit lost on me. Let's face it, if Elite came out with a bow tomorrow thatwas MSRP'ed at$5,000.00 - our first reaction would be to look at the speed/specs and try to figure out why on earth this particular bow is 8x the cost of a normal bow.

Lend the King your ears for a minute:

Just doing a little digging - Gray Wolf describes his "Wolfskin" fabric as "a tightly woven fabric. 100% polyester. Technical name for it is a warp knit. Because if it's tightness of weave, it is also very wind resistant." ** Remember the words "warp knit" **


A year ago, I bought this jacket on clearance from Predator's website for around $50. Nice jacket, nothing great. Worth the price, I guess.



Interestingly enough - here's the productdescription: "Featuring our exclusive Warp Knit® fabric. This revolutionary new fabric is breathable and colorfast. It does not shrink, and is extremely soft, quiet, and feather light."

As it turns out - Warp Knit - is EVERYWHERE!
[ul][*]It's in the Cabela's Revolution Dry Fleece.[*]It's in the ASAT[*]Whitewater has it http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-WHT1292S[*]Predator has it[/ul]
So, if nothing else, this whole discussion has been an eye-opener. I guess I had a "wolfskin" (aka warp-knit)jacket and didn't even know it. As the quest for the holy grail of hunting clothes continues...

Germ

Fran I jump on the wolfskin bandwagon, I have two wolfskin suits. 1 of them ripped in the pants and jacket and I wore it less than 4 times

I can fully admit I was 100% wrong about wolfskin, it is a nice fabric. But I have had 2 scentlok suits with suede like material that lasted over 7 years. You can ask Mauser who has one, I bet it still looks great.

WolfSkin itself is not water resistant at all, it is treated with DWR. After you wear it awhile or wash it a few times it needs to be treated again.

It's funny my two most expensive suits have needed to be sent back for repair. Enigma 2 ripped and Sitka suit the threads started to come out.

I am going with Fleece from here on out. I am hoping UC is ready by fall, and am getting a ASAT and Predator fleece suit. I have a rain suit already.

I may order a fleece suit from Greywolf, he makes great stuff. IMO wolfskin is not worth the price, I was wrong.

Double Creek

I will interject that Wolfskin and Warp Knit are not entirely the same garment. I have the warp knit stuff from predator and a wolfskin shirt from GWW..... They are close, butnot exactly the same.

Germ

Me too I have that suit and wolfskin. IMO the wolfskin is nicer, but not by that much.WS tends to hold it's color more, warp knit fades a bit.

HuntingBry

This is what I've noticed about the WolfSkin stuff over the other warp knit. My jacket is faded more than my pants and I've washed the pants more.

WKP Todd

I've been an avid skiier and backpacker for many years now. I think part of the reason I don't think Jeff is out-of-line on pricing is because I've been exposed to the costs of some expensive gear for a long time. The North Face, Patagonia, Mountain Hardware, etc.... Their stuff is made overseas and it is nothing to pay $200-400.00 for a killer jacket or pack or something. They all have superior quality stuff that lasts forever. My Patagonia long underwear blow the doors off any Underarmer or Scentlok stuff - and I've owned some of my stuff for12 years. I'm 30 years old and still own the long-underwear I bought to go on a backpacking trip the year after I graduated high school. Still wear them now, everyday in many cases. Heck, I was just looking in my Outside Magazine at a Helly Hanson shell that is selling for $550.00.

Granted, the hunting industry is not the outdoor industry. The big thing that none of you realize is the costs associated with what Jeff does at Gray Wolf. Some of you have this misconception that Jeff is making tons of money on this stuff. If you only knew. He only raised his prices recently because he was simply not making any money. I encouraged Jeff to price his equipment appropriately based on the quality and service he provides. I've been friends with other companies that are HUGE in this industry and have seen the lack of attention and quality their customers get. It's all marketing and advertising BS with big name stars and people who are business minded only - they aren't hunters first and foremost. Jeff is.

I've had my unlined Wolfskin Predator Spring Green set for at least 4 seasons. Maybe more. Still waterproof in a downpoor, sit in the rain all the time. My original Wolfskin lined coat is 9 years old and is still waterproof, wear it every day - it does rain often throughout our season.

You can buy what you want, wear what you want. If Jeff didn't use Predator or Intrusion, I wouldn't even be having this conversation. To me, it's all about the hunt. I wear what works the best for breaking up my and my cameramans outline. Yall can wear whatever you want - doesn't make one difference to me or my hunting season.

Good luck - and be nice!

Whitehorn

I would take this comment further and say compare GWW stuff to comparable China made (factory production) items in Cabelas that also have 'technical' fabrics that are quick drying, not cotton and tough.. His prices for items that are unlined are indeed inline with pants, shirtsand jackets you can buy from Cabelas.. Evenlined wolfskin pants and jackets are in the same prices range as well... The wool is indeed more expensive but quality wool is generally out of my price range anyways unless it is military surplus.

The problem I think Quicksilver has is that GWW lacks the 'flash' and marketing that an Under Armor or Rolexwould have.. I personally love and respect the fact that few dollars are spent on marketing. GWW is all about good quality garments not a brand or logo.


I agree 100%, in the winter when I am not hunting I am a volunteer ski patroller at Lake Louise and anybody who's done any work in the high alpine in the winter can appreciate the above quote.. Good quality garments are on par with any othergear, be it your skis or bow.. After walking around in rain and snow in the mountains looking for elk, I would spent moreon mygarments since it can save your life. And I would first look foorquality garments on sale (read Ebay) You can go cheap but why risk it???Cotton Kills!! And besides, thisone GWW wolfskin suit will be the only thing I have and I will wear it every hunting day for a long time.. I won't be spending hundreds or thousands on a camo wardrobe so I can be in another shade of Predator, ASAT, Engima or the next revolutionary camo.

I learned a lesson a long time ago that you get what you pay for.. 11 years ago I bought a pair of Viberg boots for hunting http://www.viberg.com/hunt45.htm hiking and general everyday wear and I still have them.. They are in greatshape and I amgoing to have my rubber Vibram sole replaced for the 4th time after this hunting season ends.. The leather, midsole and insole are still fine.. They are expensive bootsbut over 11-15 years or morethey turn out to be quite economical.. In my group of hunting buddies since I got the Vibergs a few pairsof Danners have come and gone and now 3/4 of us are inViberg boots.. And these arebargain bin boys..

Whitehorn

I am surprised that all of the wolfskin fans are so quiet on this thread.. All of the GWW promoters and Enigma promoters are all much quieter than usual.