Being an outdoorsy guy who likes to hunt, fish, camp, and hike, I really appreciate high-quality performance clothing. Though I have a good collection already, I can’t help but want to try the next best base layer out or compare a new material. So when I got the chance to review the Kora yak wool clothing, I couldn’t wait. I had never tried yak wool clothing before (or even heard of it), so I was eager to see how it worked. I have been testing the items out now for a few years, over a very wide range of temperatures, weather conditions, and specific situations. Here are my observations.
Kora Yak Wool Clothing
Natural yak wool clothing is warm, breathable, odor-resistant, and comfortable. It can help you stay warm on chilly days or cool on hot days, due to the lightweight wool construction.
Price: $72.50
• Lightweight (250 g)
• Hima-Layer Shola material
• Athletic fit
Kora Yak Wool Clothing Materials and Design
First, let’s tackle the reason I was so excited to try these products: yak wool. While I utilize clothing layers made of synthetic materials, merino wool, or silk, yak wool was a new one for me. For some reason, I was unsure how soft they could possibly make yak wool feel and I did expect it to be a bit scratchy. The Hima-Layer™ Original 230 fabric (which is what the items I chose are constructed with) was touted on the website to be soft like cashmere, yet warmer and more breathable than merino wool. They have two other fabrics on the website as well. Kora buys the yak wool directly from Tibetan communities, which I really appreciate. The fabrics are also subjected to lots of lab testing and long-term trials in the field.
As I scanned the Kora website for men’s clothing options, I was both nervous and excited. I wanted to make sure I’d pick something that was practical for me and something that I would use often. Being a performance fabric, most of the clothing options are obviously base layers, sweaters, or accessories, but they also have some great-looking shirts and polos. Most of the options come in a shale black color, but some are offered in light gray or green as well. The simple color scheme and design are perfect for a base layer. I decided I would get the most use out of the Shola 230 leggings and the Shola 230 tarn neck gaiter. Since I ordered these right before fall hunting and winter ice fishing seasons, these just seemed to be slam dunk options.
Kora Yak Wool Clothing Sizing and Fit
Since I would be using the leggings as a base layer, I wanted to get the fit right the first time. Too tight, and they’re uncomfortable to wear. Too loose, and they lose their ability to wick moisture well. Luckily, the website has a very handy size guide page to help you decide on the right fit for your body. When I received the leggings, they were a perfect fit. The neck gaiter only came in one size, which is just about right too. It’s snug enough to fully cover my neck and lower jaw if needed, but not so tight that I feel like I’m choking. The material is unbelievably soft and stretchy, alleviating my concerns about itchiness or discomfort. They both arrived in well-made reusable packages, further speaking to the company’s commitment to the environment.
Importantly, Kora is very confident in their products and their materials. While my items fit perfectly the first time, they do offer a 30-day trial period where you can try an item out – if you’re unsatisfied for any reason, you can return it for a full refund.
Kora Yak Wool Clothing Testing
When I received these clothing items, it was the very beginning of fall in Minnesota, which allowed me to try them out in some different conditions. Since they were thin and lightweight, I wore the leggings the first few times we stayed at our hunting shack and through several upland hunts. These generally occurred in warmer weather (50 degrees Fahrenheit) than I had anticipated using them. But overall, I think they did a great job. They wicked sweat well and dried quickly, which kept me more comfortable throughout the day. One of the other benefits of this fabric, per the website, is that it is naturally odor-resistant. After several days of use, sweating, and shack life, the leggings were very fresh-smelling. That’s obviously an even bigger benefit if I were out on a trail for several days.
As the fall marched on, I was able to test them during our firearm deer hunting season. The temperatures really dropped (right around the zero mark for a few days), and I was excited to see how they would work. Again, they impressed me. With other fabrics, I have previously gotten too sweaty during my walk into my tree stand site, which then left me shivering two hours later. With these, I didn’t experience that. I attribute that to the moisture-wicking properties and breathability of the leggings. I also used the gaiter on my neck when the wind picked up because my usual hunting face mask kept letting drafts down my spine. With the soft gaiter against my skin, it stopped the drafts and provided some much-needed protection. I will say that these leggings are on the lighter side if you’ll be sitting still for long periods of time, and you’ll likely get cold if this is your only insulation.
Since then, I’ve worn these items while shoveling the driveway, hiking through knee-deep snow, hunting for grouse and snowshoe hare, and even ice fishing. It may sound like a broken record, but it bears repeating – they have amazed me for much they breathe. When I stop a given strenuous activity, I notice I’m not sweating and that keeps any chills from setting in. They’ve been my go-to base layer for active pursuits in cold weather.
All of that being said, I received these products in 2019 and have used them (in some capacity) each fall and winter since. After that repeated use, they have taken a beating. The groin area of the pants has several holes and it has worn quite thin in the knees. The fabric still performs well, but it is falling apart after three seasons of use. The gaiter is still in great condition, and I will continue to use it when the weather gets bitterly cold.
Kora Yak Wool Clothing Review Summary
I was eager to see how the Kora yak wool clothing would perform and I was not disappointed. It is perfect for several days of camping, hiking, or hunting because you can pack less clothes and get the same great experience and performance in different conditions. But it’s also comfortable and breathable enough to wear under my normal street clothes when I have to go to the store on a chilly winter day. The gaiter has become my favorite hiking accessory in cold weather too. All in all, I really enjoy the products I got. I think they would be a great addition to your collection if you like to spend time outdoors.
PROS:
CONS:
Ready to buy? Kora sells direct to consumers! You can find all their yak wool gear on the Kora website.
Thanks to Ryan Lisson for writing this unpaid review. and to Kora for providing the yak wool clothing for evaluation. Hunting Gear Deals is funded by affiliate commissions. We may receive a small commission when you buy from our partners using the links provided. There is no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting us by using our links when making your purchases.
AUTHOR BIO
Ryan Lisson is a biologist, outdoors author, and hunter/angler from Minnesota. He’s a regular content contributor to several outdoor brands and magazines and focuses heavily on recruiting and mentoring new hunters through his website Zero to Hunt. If he’s not hunting or writing, you’ll often find him hiking with his wife and two children.
Instagram- @zero_to_hunt Facebook- @zerotohunt
