Alpine Climber's Sweater ?

[Doug C]

Anyone have any idea where to get a sweater that's similar to this one but that does not cost $300 ?

http://www.bradleyalpinist.com/cart/...btefnfmol37u50

Credit to "nobodyspecial" for posting a link to this company in paddy's thread regarding wool bobble hats.

[andy richards]

You may have a chance on the German or Swiss ebay (www.ebay.de or www.ebay.ch). I once had a Swiss military pullover, which is gone by now, but these look almost the same. However, this sweater came with a neck zipper it sure had a classic look. Also the Austrian mountair troops had a similar sweater.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Schweizer-Armee-P...item564237da03

http://cgi.ebay.de/OBH-Woll-Pullover...item3a611e434c

Good luck,
Andy

[nobodyspecial]

I started typing this and accidentally typed delete, so here goes round two. Dachstein sweaters have not been imported into the US since the mid 1980's. The original manufacturer was Lachner Wolle and they are now gone and Bradley Alpinist found the firm which is making the sweaters once again. Given they are so rare, you are not likely to find anything new for much less than $300. I have a hard time finding anybody else selling them on the web, even in Europe.

If you are ok with a military surplus version these are available. It's the same sweater, but with shoulder and elbow patches and possible a velcro strip on the right chest. Several years ago these sweaters showed up frequently on surplus shops, the Sportsman's Guide sold them quite cheap, under $50. Sometimes the sweaters are called "Austrian Commando Sweaters." I bought mine here.
http://www.northdoorway.com/Catalog....ategoryid=7813
Note, he also sells a full zip version which I do not have but really want but don't need but don't want to spend $90 but really want.

The sweaters are quite amazing. They weigh a ton, but I have yet to see another sweater so dense and warm. Several years ago I found a cardigan version at a thrift shop which I love. When imported the sweaters came in a crew neck, the button up neck and a cardigan. The button up neck was the most popular and used by lots of mountain climbers in the day.

The sweaters rarely show up on ebay, maybe two a year. If you really want one and are ok with military surplus I'd get one now at North Doorway above. You may find one cheaper if you wait, but I have no idea how many surplus sweaters will be floating around.

I just took a look at the second ebay auction in the post above and that's the same sweater.

[Doug C]

Thanks for those suggestions and info guys. Not sure if I could get past those patches on the military one... do you think a stitch ripper would remove them cleanly? I'm pretty good with one, but it depends if everything is top stitched or whether some stitching is hidden. Otherwise the military issue looks great.

[cbrunt]

Doug,

Hey Look on eBay and search for German WW2 turtleneck sweater. I can't access eBay while at work otherwise I'd find it for you. The seller is in New Zealand. I have one and its thick and warm very much along the lines you're looking for. Of course its a turtleneck without buttons so the neck is warm but if the button-up function is what really gets you, you could perhaps have it altered or wear as is.

Just one more affordable and quality option. Good luck!

Clint

[nobodyspecial]

My surplus sweater does not have the army patch on the sleeve and I don't think it has the strip of velcro on the chest. I am a disaster with a seam ripper so I have no advice on that front; "a man has to know his limitations."

[PADDY]

You'll kick me for this! I had a 'clear out' a few months ago of items that just weren't getting any use by me and taking up too much room. British Army woolie pullies (the green jumpers) from the 70's; Canvas rucsacs from the 50's and 60's; Helly Hansen mountaineering gear and ventile outdoor clothing..etc.

I gave them all away. Some to friends who'd use them and some stuff to the local charity.

Anyway, one of the items was a wool pullover top in dark red wool (that was popular with climbers..etc up until the 80's when other fibres and new-tech fabrics were coming in), with the semi-button up, as you've shown. Immaculate condition. Went to charity, just because it wasn't getting any wear time anymore. Wish I'd known earlier, as you could have had it for free.
(*NOTE - must use TFL Classifieds more).

[nobodyspecial]

A pullover in red would be the bomb. Some guy got really lucky in a thrift store.

[hardline_42]

I have the military version of the Dachstein sweater that I purchased on eBay for $32. It is, without a doubt, the heaviest wool sweater I've ever worn. I wear it as an outer layer for duck hunting and I've been comfortable in single digit temps sitting in a boat on the Delaware river at 5am. I can only imagine what it would feel like with another layer over it. Mine has the polyester patches and epaulets on it. I kept the epaulets to run the straps from my waterfowl chestpack and waders through them, but the patches are just stitched overtop of the sweater and can be removed with careful use of a seam ripper or razor blade.
If you go this route, they run small so size up. Here's one available now on eBay.

[Doug C]

cbrunt - are you seeing that seller on the US ebay or some other?

paddy - go back to that charity and retrieve my sweater !!

hardline_42 - thanks for the link, I'd probably get that one if it was a large but it's Med... though apparently he'll be getting others. I'll probably write him for a large one.