Best deep freeze winter cardigan ever?

I have this one in navy, and it is superb:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68281?feat=781-GN1&page=whaler-rib-cardigan&attrValue_0=Dark Navy

I use this one:

http://www.barbourbymail.co.uk/Mens-Barbour-Clifton-Chunky-Shawl-Lambswool-Cardigan.html

Good reviews on this; may be more your style:

http://www.filson.com/products/lightweight-zip-cardigan-sweater.11009.html

^ Sigh. Why did I even bother replying?

The warmest home-with-the heat off sweater you can buy is the Woolpower (Ullfrotte) 600 gram ski zip sweater. They are also available in 400 gram and sleeveless versions. You can even get flame resistant versions.

I assume Reevolving won't be convinced by any of my suggestions, but here's giving it a shot, just in case some other wanderby happens to find this useful.

The best "deep freeze winter cardigans," as you put it, are the chunky lambswool, camelhair, or cashmere kind that Grammaton Cleric posted. LL Bean Signature probably has the cheapest one I've seen, though I've never worn or handled it. I think Club Monaco comes out with something similar every year as well, though their new design director, Aaron Levine, may have killed it (I don't know).

Better ones can be had through a number of Scottish makers, such as Hawick and William Lockie. Some traditional American clothiers, such as Ben Silver and O'Connells, will stock these. So does Kabbaz-Kelly. I assume the one at Peter Johnstons is also made by one of these manufacturers. I think Johnstons of Elgin and Pringle used to make chunky cardigans, but I don't know if they still do. Drake's sells a superlative one, but it's very expensive.

Oh, and Ovadia and Sons sells one. Unlike their other clothing, it's not as skinny in fit, but slim enough for a man under a 38R to wear. I have one and it's very warm. Chunky, made in Scotland, and constructed from lambswool.

The problem with the ones Reevolving posted is that they're not "deep freeze winter cardigans" - they're just cardigans. Some of those are made from a cotton blend as well, which of course means they're not warm. On the upside, you can layer plain cardigans under heavy outerwear, but they alone are not something you can wear outside.

Arguably, you should never wear just a cardigan in "deep freeze" weather, but if you had to, I would go with a chunky multi-ply cardigan made from cashmere, lambswool, or camelhair. FWIW, I only wear mine at home and use it to save on the heating bill.

Really, the person to answer this question is RJ, but he's unlikely to pop up here unless it becomes a true clusterf*ck of a thread. I hope my mistakes in this post have contributed to that possibility.
Edited by dieworkwear - 9/16/12 at 9:47pm

This 4-ply cashmere cardigan is a very good value. It's very similar to Drake's ($1125) and Ben Silver's ($685) and is approx. $750. I own two camel hair sweaters from Berk, and the quality is excellent.

I've been thinking of buying this one or this one from Esemplare. Both are chunky and each also has a down vest which is removable. Perhaps not for "deep freeze", but ought to be suitable for 'freeze".
Edited by curzon - 9/16/12 at 9:57pm

The O'Connells recommendation from DieWorkWear is certainly worth your look. 8-ply lambswool... awesome. I like navy, but a pity it's only in navy.

Edit: Crickey! Bunch of sweaters at Ben Silver's are reduced 50%.

If you truly want a "deepfreeze" cardigan, I would suggest Dachstein wool. Heavy and warm. Nothing like it. May be more casual than you are looking for though. Sweaters International sells one. I guess it all depends on your definition of "deepfreeze". A crew neck or a button neck would be better than a cardigan for layering in cold weather outdoors.

http://www.sweatersintl.com/product66.html

A deep freeze cardigan is an oxymoron. If you don't understand that then just drop the oxy.

I love shawl neck cardigans. I have two from RRL - a lighter brown and a heavy-ass navy that for a sweater weighs a ton and is warm as hell. I only like them if they have the throat clasp button since I use it a lot. I also prefer the ones with the staight front pockets and simple vertical ribbing.

Those look cool, I really like the removable vest.

Does anyone here have the Drake's? I'd like to know how thck they are.