>>1425857>Wool is fine. Synthetics are fine. Cotton is fine.If you disregard price, this statement is generally true.
However, wool is fucking expensive compared to the other two. If it were either cheaper or more durable it would be a better option than synthetics, but it's not. On top of being bulkier, heavier, drying slower, and not as warm when wet.
>base layerI can get a GOOD grid-fleece base layer set (top and bottom) for $40, 24/7/365 from amazon. A single merino base layer shirt, if I shop around and buy last year's model off some place like campmor or steep n cheap, is $50-60, bottoms are $40-50.
>socksEverybody and their dead dog makes a competent pair of synthetic hiking socks for $2-3 a pair. The cheapest decent pair of wool blend is $9, the cheapest decent pair of 100% wool is $12-13
>hatsI can get a fleece beanie for $1. A wool-blend beanie is $15+, a 100% wool beanie is $30+. I can get windproof, waterproof synthetic boonie hat for $25 or a knit acrylic jeep cap for $9, the cheapest brimmed wool hat is $30+ (jeep cap/radar cap) and the good ones are $80+ and still not even remotely waterproof.
>glovesI can get a pair of fleece gloves from walmart that will keep me warm to below freezing for $6. Even the cheapest wool-blend raglan gloves are $15+, 100% wool gloves are double that.
The ONLY piece of gear that could even REMOTELY be considered superior when made of wool would be outerwear. It can be treated to be mostly waterproof, it's durable, it's quiet, and self-insulating. In order to get the durability with synthetic it either needs to be lined cordura (which is loud) or lined cotton (which takes forever to dry and is about as heavy as wool).
