I need some better clothing for hunting colder weather.
When I hunting in colder temps where carrying in extra clothes is necessary, I need something better than what I have. What typically happens now is I walk in with bare minimum. Literally walk in in shorts, t- shirt, and rubber boots no matter what the temps are.
I typically get to the base of my stand, stand there for close to 20 mins allowing my body temp to drop, get dressed, start my ascend, then i'm sweating by the time I get to the top.
I am really looking for 2 things:
1. A base layer that will draw the moisture away from my body and not make me cold due to the moisture.
2. Upper body layers that aren't bulky and allow movement.
I would like it to be the least amount of bulk as possible.
Any help is appreciated.
Side note: I am not someone who is able to drop $600 on clothing. Would like to stay as cost conscience as possible
When I start sweating, I know I am moving too fast. That said,
Get a decent base layer. You don't need to spend a ton of money. I like Duofold. It seems to be a good value. I've worn the same stuff for many years. It's not outrageously priced like some of the higher tech stuff you will be recommended.
One or two layers on your arms and a vest are great to reduce bulk. I use a poly base layer, usually Duofold and then a wool shirt or jacket. I like the Asbell stuff. I use wool sweaters (usually from Goodwill) if it's in the 30's or below. My leg's don't get super cold so I don't like to bulk up there. I will also use wool pants when it's really cold. I have a pair of Cabela's I got on clearance for like $70. They last forever.
A Milwaukee electric coat is sure nice when it gets really cold up here. But they are expensive and require some battery attention. You might not need this extreme down there.
Rain gear is super important. Don't skimp there IMO.
I wear a Terramar long-undie top and bottom. ($50)
Columbia Gallatin wool blend bibs ($120)
(also a pair of poly blend quilted bibs I "inherited" from Adkmountainken - Thanks Ken!) The quilted bibs are nice because you can unzip the legs from the top down to "air out" after moving and regulate the heat. The wool if it is colder than 40°F when I head out.
Then I go for a polarfleece anorak or a wool flannel shirt - depending. It won't show so this is just from "street clothes". Great place to pick up Woolrich shirts is the local "re-purposed clothing" store or church rummage sales. ($5)
Then I have a L.L. Bean "Waterfowl" sweater vest of thick and tight polarfleece. This is a great layer. This year I hardly needed it. ($100)
Top it all off with a Browning 4X Microfleece jacket ($100) Good in light rain or wind as well.
This gear gets me through NY's bow season - 70°F to 30°F.
As far as bang for the buck for Whitetail hunting I would recommend the Cabela's or bass pro fleece with a good layer underneath. I've been comfortable in the single digits with it. A quality wool base layer makes a big difference!
You'll get the full gamut of recs here -some of it costing 1000's for a set. Personally, I hunt for 2 weeks back home in WV in Nov. The best thing I do is wear a sacrificial base layer to hike up the mountains...I carry an industrial zip loc bag and strip down and put on dry synthetic base layers when I get to my spot and put the sweaty stuff in the bag. I personally like fleece for my outer layers - light, breathable, and dries fast.
Just get ASAT cotton hunting clothes, and move slower. Suckiest part of hunting in heat/humidity, you can only stay so cool. Why I love winter, easier to add layers. Like they said, duofold, or thin polypro, or even bamboo, wicks away and stays cool
I did a 3/4 mile mostly up hill last night. I started getting hot on the steep part. The thing about good wool is that it is warm when wet. There was a good breeze up top and I dried out in good time. That is the other thing about good wool it breaths enough to dry out. Me standing on the edge of a cron field with my jacket open did not seem to matter to the big blond fox 150 yards away, I believe they call that color phase a Samson, he was mousing. Towards sunset a freshening breeze picked up and I zipped up, then realizing that i had no light with me. At ten minutes of hunting time left, I stood up to head out with some light, coughed a little and busted a buck on the trail where I was predicting a deer would becoming from. I have had a number of times that my wrong choice of clothing had disrupted a good hunting opportunity, it is important to get it right. This is the first time that I can blame myself for screwing up because I had no light source for the downhill hike back to my car.
Rookies! Geezzz!! :rolleyes:
Lol.. I love my merino wool. I watch for sales and buy on discount
I found an Eddie Bauer goose down jacket (650 rating) at Sam's for $28. I know it's not quiet, but I've worn it under a loose fitting coat. Temps have been in the upper 30's to low 40's. Kept me comfy.
"walking slower" sounds good, but, the distances I walk, slower isn't an option. I seriously don't know anyone who sweats like me. It's crazy. I walked in last year with next to nothing on with the temp being sub 20(that's crazy cold for here). Got to the base of my try close to 40 mins before first light. I stood there in nothing but my undies for about 10 mins until I was comnpletely chilled then started putting my clothing on. When I was completely dressed I was still chilled. I began my ascend on a summit climber with the bar all the way around. Even with me sitting on the bar, not stretching it out and going very slow, I was pouring sweat when I got to the top.
I am trying to find a way to get completely dressed in my stand, but that can be a little more risky than I like to be.
It could be a glandular issue. Everyone's thyroid runs at a different speed. When people come into my house on hot summer days, they have to stop and get their breath. I find that 67 degrees is a good indoor temp in the summer. Then the other night I took the dog out, that was the coldest 43 degrees ever.
I'm not big on (well I HATE) the majority of new "tech" clothing for one reason or another. However I've been really pleased with the "omniwool" long john tops/bottoms they have at Sam's Club. Like $17 bucks each. Buy them a size big unless you like them tight. Its merino/polyester mix, wick nicely and don't seem to reek like the polyester only stuff (like UA). These aren't heavy enough for a single layer, but an nice first layer. In freezing temps lately one of these with a sweater and a light/medium wool jacket has worked well for me.
R
There are two really nice sets of clothing g in the classifieds right now...
Eat more. It's added warm layers to my frame for years. ;)
Listen to Scifres, he's truly the cheapes....er, most frugal person I've ever known.
Maybe switch to a light weight Lone Wolf/XOP hang-on with their sticks and set it up in your reduced clothing, then when cooled down & dressed climb up and hunt... I totally walk in Light, set stand, then final dress... Makes a big difference. My layers as necessary start with Under Armour & Merino Wool OR individual of either, pending temps. Then an outer layer... Just a thought.
I've found a good rain coat to be one of the biggest aides in keeping warm. It blocks the wind from piecing through your insulation layers and allows you to KEEP the warmth that your body creates. I'm pretty trim (read no built in insulation) and tend to run low grade fevers on and off throughout the day from my Crohns disease. I can hunt into the single digits in wind with:
- cotton thermals or occasionally cotton T-shirt - I get cheap stuff from big box stores when on sale
- decent pants/shirts - think midweight microfleece, flannel, fleece, etc
- +/- a fleece jacket or vest depending on conditions - my jacket is a $20 WalMart one in camo, my vest is a $15 Columbia in brownish grey I got on sale
- Rain suit to block out winds - Mine is by Herters and wasn't too pricey at $50 on sale for the pant and jacket
- Fleece beanie hat or my crushable wool Scala outback style hat
- midweight gloves from walmart to keep bulk down and tuck them in pockets as needed
- cheap wool socks
- good boots that keep your feet dry
With the above clothing it'll put you in the woods in most conditions, rain or shine, wind or not, from 80* thru just below freezing.
Merino wool undies are really nice, but they are expensive. I really like wool vests. IF you are not walking around wool doesn't weight that much and it keeps me comfy. As I said, vests. They give bulk around the core but leave your arms unbulked... you generally need far less on your arms if your core is kept warm. If you can't afford wool, go with sweaters, but remove the arms.
Wear not much on your walk in to your stand. Carry your gear in on your back. If you sweat walking in you might be in a bit of a bind in a short while. In cold weather, I generally just wear my longjohn tops and pants and carry the rest.
For your outer layer take a look at the G2 Whitetail series products from Predator Camo
Keep in mind Pants run small
https://stjoeriverbows.com/t/predator-camo
Merino wool is what you want. There are several dealers that sell it in different price ranges, from Cabela's & Bass Pro to First Lite, Duluth trading Co, etc.
Merino wool next to skin is very good but you will still sweat. Leave all the clothes off you can until done climbing.
The best under layers I have found is the silk underwear from the ski catalog covered by merino wool underwear. Up top I wear a wool shirt, a wool sweater, and a fleece vest under my hunting jacket. A wooly-pully cap is very warm. Down here in Georgia, it is very seldom that all this much warmth is required, but since it is layered, it can be adjusted to any changes in temperature.
A lot of guys sweat very easily, which is a problem walking in. Carrying in some of the clothes helps. I once read of a guy who carried a towel into the stand and dried down thoroughly before putting on the needed layers. For outer layers, when rain is not an issue, it is very simple. I either use militay surplus BDU's or Carhartt field pants. Being diabetic, my biggest issue is cold feet so I use more insulation in my boots than most.
Warming layers can often be bought very cheaply at thrift shops, particularly wool sweaters. For most of us, it is not necessary to spend the money that some of the leading brands command, while still being decked out effectively. Maybe the deep wilderness expeditions into bitter winter weather may require the super expensive stuff. However, a morning in the lower 40 wood lot does not need to cost as much as an African safari.
I'd just keep doing what your doing. When you get to your stand tho, don't put on everything you've got. Just put on your long sleeve shirt and camo pants/bibs. Put your heavy stuff in a back pack or tie it to your stand. Then once you get to hunting height , with your harness on and around the tree of course, put on your outer layer. I use bibs and a jacket cause it gives me lots of freedom of movement versus coveralls. Slide the bibs on and wait a bit. Then when your ready slip your jacket on. Just reverse the process when your coming down. As far as staying warm on really cold days, hard to beat arctic shield. Also thermal underwear is great but if you walk a lot your gonna get drenched.
For base layers, merino wool would be the way to go. I personally have first lite merino and its fantastic. That said, Black ovis makes pretty good merino for a third of the cost. Isnt offered in any camo pattern but would be perfect for a good base layer in the late season. They often run sales on their flash sale website called camofire.com
Silk, you want the high grade silk undies, then one of pure merino wool undies, then Filsen wool shirt, then Filsen wool vest, then the Swandri wool jacket. I have this picture in my head of some guy walking around in the twilight with rubber boots, boxer undies and a strap top 'T' shirt. I have never understood those T shirts with the bra straps instead of sleeves. On a good looking college girl, I suppose it may have an intent and purpose, but for a man's under garment, it makes no sense. Keeps your belly warm and lets some air get to the pits I guess.
I'm not trying to be a a smart a$$, is there some science showing that wool is warm when wet? Or warmer that say Kuiu synthetics? I'd really like to know because it rains away too often when I go. I'm do for a sunny day please!!! I was weaned on woolwich from head to toe back in the day. The coldest I have ever been in my life was after hiking then trying to sit using all wool. The wind blows right through. Wet or dry. I had those super thick heavy wool pants that would just about bust your suspenders when wet. After 30 years I finally got tired of it. I think the only wool I have now are my first light socks and a merino neck gator. You can throw all your synthetics in the washer too. I just got home from the hills. Sat in an on and off rain Thursday and all day rain Friday. Dried my stuff quickly each evening then sat for 5 hours in 31 degrees and windy this morning. Didn't kill anything but I was ok for temp most of the time. Hike out on a muddy road and got all hogged up. Just threw the pile of Kuiu in the washer and dryer. I always felt like the wool was like a human scent wick. Especially after a week of north woods deer camp.
My Swandri wool jacket and merino wool longhorns are warmer when wet than the synthetics that I have used. I have been soaked on many Canadian canoe trips, I hate wearing ran gear. With the coats they have natural lanolin treatment, not the Scotch Guard crap, from the dry cleaner, they smell like sheep. When they get wet the wind does not penetrate and thus are warmer to me. Not all wool or synthetics are equal, there may well be synthetics that are just as good. Problem is that high quality wool lasts a life time and I cannot justify spending money on something that i don't know about. I have a closet full of just Filson stuff and the old Bruner jackets. You want stink, you should should smell me when I go on canoe trips with nothing but poly long johns those nylon fast dry pants and shirts, and that oiled/now waxed Filson packer hat. It's like being downwind of a circus. I take buckets showers, but it takes a good washing machine to get the smell out of the poly and the synthetics. Last time I wore them, my wife through them in the garbage at the outfitter. she declared that we were not having any of that in the car for the long ride home.
Well if you're fairly sedentary I'd choose layers of fleece and wool, if it's even the slightest bit breezy add a windproof layer, I use my rain jacket.
I wouldnt use the technical gear, Sitka etc. Good stuff but definitely made for the active hunter. I know Sitka makes heavier gear for stand hunting but haven't tried it yet.
I bought a traverse t, mountain pants and a Kelvin jacket. Returned them within a week after freezing within 30 minutes on stand in 32-35* temps.
bought Cabela's Merino wool jacket n pants. Much happier, I layer them with Cabela's wooltimate pants if its below 32*, decent base layer of what ever you like, add a vest and a nice black/green filson jacket add a togue and I'm all set.
Layering is really the trick.
Another consideration if you are sitting would be to try a one piece insulted suit again Cabela's has a nice Merino wool synthetic blend , I find one piece suits to be very warm.
You could look into the heater body suit. I've never owned one, they are pricey but I've heard good things.
If you are using a climber, consider using a ladder stand or strap on stand with climbing sticks, already in place. When climbing using a climber you use several large muscle groups. Reduce the large muscle group use and you will reduce your sweat output.