Ok, I'm an old school guy, but I'm going to be involved in some trips over the next several yrs where weight will matter. Specifically looking at pants options for Alaska so I don't need to fly in 7-8 lbs of wt for 2 prs of wool pants.
I hesitate to ask, as brand loyalty might lead to "Yeti fan cooler-like" discussions... :biglaugh:.... But here goes....with the techie high dollar hunting clothes brands marketing their stuff like mountain hiking gear, even in some cases directly...what is the real difference? I doubt anyone reinvented the wheel, and I don't pay for "brand".
Non camo stuff definitely preferred...any real insight on differences between this stuff and hiking gear? Looking for real info, not what I could read in advertising hype by doing a Google search.
I'm testing a pair of lined softshell hiking pants now and pretty impressed so far, and at 20% the cost of high tech camo.
Educate me :campfire:
Thanks!
Ryan
Hmmmm. I don't have a lot of high tech outerwear. However, I can recommend something to put under it, regardless of whether you go high tech or wool. And that would be mid-and or heavy weight merino wool long johns and tops. The three brands I have are Minus 33, First lite and Ufrotte. Feels good, doesn't retain odor or stink and won't melt like most of the synthetics if you get too close to the campfire.
I recommend you invest in good rain gear. It's quite possible you could end up living in it. Doesn't make much difference what you wear under it. A set of merino wool and perhaps a wool shirt under a good set of rain gear is all you need in most situations.
I've only done a few trips to Alaska and weight was a concern, but I didn't forsake my wool pants or jacket for lighter gear. If I ever get to go back, I'd still use wool and cut weight somewhere else. Good luck.
P.S. To at least address your high tech question, check out Sitka rain gear. I also have some very good River's West rain gear, but I don't know if they're still in business.
I love KUIU guide pants and First lite gear. I used both in Idaho on a high mountain mule deer hunt and was impressed. All of KUIU and First Lites gear is made for weight conscious hunters, all high quality also. I love wool as much as the next guy and wear it exclusively hunting whitetails in Michigan but you cannot go wrong with the light weight modern materials. The 4 way-stretch pants are perfect for climbing around and they breathe too. The gear is actually pretty affordable also, my mountain boots cost me as much as my KUIU pants, shirt and First Lite pants and a hat combined.
If you don't like camo pants, I would look into the First Lite corrugate Guide pants. They are a dark shade of tan and as I said, the 4 way stretch is awesome. Not sure if KUIU attack pants are all camo or if they make a plain earth tone color. I like the KUIU VIAS pattern for the mountains so I bought those in camo. I wore the First Lite as many days as the KUIU and saw little if any noticeable difference.
I've had a couple of the popular tech brands and can honestly say you're better off with 1 pair of wool pants than 2 or 3 of those. That said, they're nice in the warm weather but leave you begging for your wool if it gets cold. They're also louder than the wool. Good luck finding what you need
KUIU shop in the bargain or sale section. You might get lucky, this is amazing gear. Even their packs are super light weight.
I have tried quite a bit of the tech stuff and like some of it a lot. There is quite a bit that I wouldn't give a nickel for though. One of the biggest faults is durability. The lightweight stuff just doesn't take a beating very well. I don't care for the feel of plastic pants and shirts. I would stick with wool or fleece. You really need to see it in person to find what you like. Merino wool is hard to beat for a base layer and there are a lot of good merino base layers out there.
Ryan,
Im not a fanboy of any gear. I own Grey wolf wool, KOM wool, first light, sitka gear, and Kuiu,Helly hansen, with some other wool, Cabelas fleece sprinkled in. They all have features I like, for different purposes.
I think in your situation I would be mostly be using Kuiu outer ware, they have lots of options in non camo. I love the attack pants, they have a really non reflective finish, dry real quick, relatively quiet, and my favorite part is the fact that the material has stretch to it. I simply love their material. I have had really good luck with it, and I put stuff through the paces. Im also pretty damn particular, and brutally honest about my purchases.
All their gear,along with Sitka, is full of great features for hunting. I think therein lies the difference with them and just hiking apparel.
Padded knees, zipper placement and features, things like that with hunters in mind.
Couple that with merino wool undergarments, things like ultra lightweight super down vests, you can have a modular setup, brave some pretty extreme elements, and keep your weight to a minimum.
The thing you will like least is the weight that will be lifted out of your bank account. :biglaugh:
Thanks for the replies so far. I should clarify a bit, this will be my 4th trip to AK and have hunted wilderness situations elsewhere too. All AK trips including this one were beaver or 206 type fly ins and 2 week hunts. We (me + buddy) are looking towards 3 week minimum, likely 1 month in the bush, several years in a row, and may be on a supercub down the road.
Have top line raingear and good thermals etc. Won't leave the wool jacket behind, but wondering about the hype for some of the tech stuff as I'm looking at pant options. To put it bluntly, are they just using the same manufacturers in China as all the hiking companies use, but adding camo and good marketing to drive brand pricing to access the niche hunting market?
Just came in from working livestock for an hour or so in AK type weather (36 degrees rain blowing sideways) really impressed with the softshell pants... marked 96% ploy 4% spandex, polyfleece lining. What do the tags on the kuiu and Sitka say? I'm interested in the comparison. Amazingly windproof, and 95% of the water shook off with no wet spots at all inside. Warm. Not mature whitetail hunting quiet but good for caribou for sure, maybe moose. Ive seen lots of talk on here that Sitka\kuiu can be noisy too.... is that true?
The world has changed since I shopped for AK gear, 25-30 lb "bombproof" type 2-4 man tents were the norm, and wood stoves a fantasy....kifaru type stuff didn't exist... got my eyes opened on modern camping gear.
R
Bigriver - I crossed posts with you, what is the material of construction? It makes sense they would add pockets etc. too, along with camo.
Trying to guard my wallet a bit....nothing's cheap up north.
:biglaugh:
Costco and Walmart both sell stretch hiking/soft shell pants that are as good as anything else hi-tech I've tried, and are around $20!
I haven't found anything the luxury brands make that is any better than the hiking clothes except for noise. Some of the backpacking brands are very noisy and won't work.
I have kuiu clothing, and many other brands of mountain or adventure gear. I find the biggest differences are in the pants and outerwear and their flexability and ability to limit fatigue of muscles. gussets, brushed linings, articulation, stretch fabric all really assist in this. I see stone glacier have pant with a new waist system... other features over others are more thought to being in and dealing with unique situation with weather and situations that only hunter would recognize (Kuiu, stone glacier etc.) are made and designed by people that have experienced these condition. I will grab these garments 1st all the time over my other brands for these reasons plus they just feel and fit better.
Attack pants are made from Toray Primaflex, I believe it`s made for them, I concur with Hummer, there is less fatigue on your body wearing the high tech stuff. Very light and flexible, and as far as I have beat the stuff, pretty damn tough.
Some guys who I know and respect, and put this stuff through extreme use, use it. Knowing these guys, they dont use it because their reps or fanboys, they use it because the stuff really is all that. I am glad to know this ole poboy has some luxury duds though, who knew :laughing:
I have no axe to grind, Im not in the business of swaying someone to use what I use, just relaying my experiences. It isnt for everyone Im sure.
I'm a Kuiu fan also. I currently own the Guide DCS set and love it. It is better suited for bucking the wind and light rain than others. However, I would most likely just go with the Yukon rain system and not have to carry another outfit, just wearing it daily. Especially in AK. I would still have to bring my favorite Woolrich merino shirt though. Never leave home without it.
Kuiu. The best and lightest clothing I have worn. I own a lot of it except the down. Just the weight and bulk reduction in your duffle bag are enough to use it. One tupperware bin holds my entire wardrobe for 100 degrees to below -0, hike in tree stand hunts. You can wash it as often as you want. It took a year or two to get the right combination of pcs. I have never been as warm and comfortable as I have with Kuiu.
My favorite pcs - Peleton 200 top https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/peloton-200-zip-t/20024.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_20024_color=Verde2.0
This thing is thin but warm - Peleton 240 jacket https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/peloton-240-full-zip/20022.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_20022_color=Verde2.0
Insulated snap shirt - I don't know what the heck is in it but it is incredibly warm for it's thin-ness! https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/insulated-snap-shirt/14007.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_14007_color=Slate
I also like the attack pants and own 3 pair. And the guide pants too. I would like the down pants for tree stand sits.
I was no lager able to carry enough wool clothing to stay warm in a windy tree stand in the mountains of Pennsylvania.
Tedd
Quote from: Tedd on February 07, 2019, 07:51:06 PM
Kuiu. The best and lightest clothing I have worn. I own a lot of it except the down. Just the weight and bulk reduction in your duffle bag are enough to use it. One tupperware bin holds my entire wardrobe for 100 degrees to below -0, hike in tree stand hunts. You can wash it as often as you want. It took a year or two to get the right combination of pcs. I have never been as warm and comfortable as I have with Kuiu.
My favorite pcs - Peleton 200 top https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/peloton-200-zip-t/20024.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_20024_color=Verde2.0
This thing is thin but warm - Peleton 240 jacket https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/peloton-240-full-zip/20022.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_20022_color=Verde2.0
Insulated snap shirt - I don't know what the heck is in it but it is incredibly warm for it's thin-ness! https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/insulated-snap-shirt/14007.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_14007_color=Slate
I also like the attack pants and own 3 pair. And the guide pants too. I would like the down pants for tree stand sits.
Their soft-shell jacket is too noise for bow hunting but it's great for everything else.
I prefer Firstlite socks over Kuiu.
I was no lager able to carry enough wool clothing to stay warm in a windy tree stand in the mountains of Pennsylvania.
Tedd
Not sure what happened there, I tried to edit my post but copied it instead.
Anyhow - The Kuiu soft-shell jacket is too loud for bow hunting but great for everything else and the Firstlite socks are better than Kuiu.
Tedd
Ryan, I am an old school wool guy as well but at the beginning of this season I had a friend offer me 65% off any Sitka gear I wanted. So I got a bunch of it and want to pass along my findings. The cold in the past few years has seemed to affect me more and the wind is what you want to stop getting into your layers. In the past I would have to wear so much wool but the wind would go through most of it rendering it worthless bulkyness. A outer shell with goretex or some other type of wind stopper is key. As the season progresses I would get thicker underneath with heavier weight Merino wool long handles. The new clothes are thinner/lighter weight and when you stop the wind from getting in they really work to keep you warmer.
They also wick the sweat away and I found this year I didn't get that cold chill 30 minutes after I would get settled into my stand from the sweat. That was the beginning of keeping me comfortable longer. As always keeping your neck and head covered is essential as well. Good luck and hope your trips are safe and successful.
FutureLight is a new waterproof fabric that has gone through rigorous testing, and will be out sometime this fall. Other articles I have read, say the big difference is you do not sweat inside regardless of the energy expended and you stay dry. It is from NorthFace, I would try to get it regardless of the color, maybe.
https://www.adventure-journal.com/2019/01/the-north-face-says-new-futurelight-fabric-is-waterproof-gamechanger/
I have finally shifted to some of the newer hunting clothes. I have sitka fanatic line. I Really like Kuiu Atack pants and the merino base layers. The Kuiu line is extremely packable and dries almost instantly.
I'd like to just add that clothing made for the REI-type folks may not be constructed with the ideals of hunting in mind...and especially not bowhunting. All of the high-quality hunting apparel makers are designing and building gear specifically for hunting purposes. Think about pants with articulated leg design, built-in or removable knee pads, waterproof seat areas, extra pockets with zippers instead of button flaps, etc. Jackets tend to fit close and lend themselves to flexibility and shooting needs. Hoods (if incorporated) are typically designed for better peripheral vision and warmth.
Maybe part of the decision comes down to whether a guy needs to go pretty light or extremely light on gear. When Super Cubs come into play it's always an ounce-counting thing unless you get an extra gear flight at extra cost. When weight of gear gets critical, it's good to have a system which gives maximum versatility with the fewest pieces. Think about you, your gear and all necessary food for 10-14 days on one little plane. I like wool but I can't afford the heavier weight on a Cub flight. My personal everyday hunting clothing for Alaska is KUIU with the only exception being base layers and my down jacket. I won't disparage any company, but I have proven to myself that KUIU's designs and quality excel on those tough hunts.
Kevin is one of those guys I was talking about....
Kuiu and First Lite make great stuff. their stretch weatherproof fabrics will keep you warm and dry, as long as you're on the move. If your hunting requires standing or sitting motionless in cold weather, you will get cold, unless you wear wool or down material under that fabric. Both are very well made. Personally, I prefer my First Lite soft shell pants, but I prefer my Kuiu DCS Guide soft shell jacket. Both are also super quiet, which is not the case with most backpacking brands like Mountain Hardware, North Face, etc...
Commented on this before here on TG. Old school long time wool guy here from the north country. BUT research, talking to others (who have hunted AK, NZ, and other remotes places), and one fly-in AK hunt really changed my mind on these things. Light- weight, ability to fast-dry, bomb-proof (you can not afford them to fail), and features really are in a new world. You still use ltwt. wool for base and mid layers (though even some of the truly latest tech stuff is getting better than merino). Sitka is amazing stuff. Expensive- Yes. But they do not try to figure a marketing price point- RATHER they design a piece of equipment to truly cover all the detailed bases. The pocket configurations, locations, materials all are there for a good reason. These clothes really are a good investment if you are doing more than typical eastern whitetail hunting. I hear KUIU gear is excellent, but my Sitka Timberline pants would be my choice for AK or any hunt like that. They are bomb proof. And frankly, I bought mine slightly used- and I would guess with 1-2 weeks of wear per year they will be around a LONG time (truly a long-term/wear investment).
Dan in KS
My last hunt in Kodiak AK. I wore Sitka pants and will use them again. Very light and comfortable and held up very well. My son has a pair of KUIU pants and really likes them as well. I don't think you can go wrong with either brand.
I switched to Firstlite a couple years back for the same reason. Saved almost 50% on my clothing weight for the super cub.
Allows for more food. LOL
Mike
I've tried a lot of different clothes from the brands mentioned, and have pretty much settled on what I like.
Never tried any of the hunting pants mentioned though.
For a non-camo pair of pants that will last, stretch, dry quick, and are very tough, you can't go wrong with a pair of Champion C9 golf pants in railroad gray. Don't think they make them anymore, so I get them off the auction site for $15-$30 delivered. I also wear them for work, play, Sundays, etc.
Have finally found a set of rain gear that I absolutely love, the First Lite SEAK (South East Alaska). Jacket is just the right weight, fits well, lots of zippered pockets. Pants are very tough and a real weathershield. Some noise with both of course, especially the pants, they practically could stand up on their own when new. But not too bad for noise for solid rain gear.
The SEAK coat is nice enough and breathable enough that I just wear that, rain or shine.
The SEAK pants I wear alone if I'm not climbing too much or if the weather is likely to be nasty. Can save weight that way.
Colder weather I sometimes take the wolfskin pants from Gray Wolf woolens.
Another set of pants that I sometimes bring are Patagonia primaloft pants, think they were made for Special Forces. In olive green. Full-length zippers so you don't have to take your boots off. Extremely light weight, great for putting on if your're gong to be glassing for hours on end in cooler or cold weather. They don't take up much space in the pack.
A great siwash parka is a Patagonia DAS (dead air space) parka, filled with primaloft. Mine is olive green, maybe weighs 1 1/2 lbs and goes into a tiny stuff sack. Weather goes south and I just pull that out and all is good again. Warmest coat I've ever owned.
im learning from this thread, do yall have pictures of these garments? the inside , and in use ? :readit: :thumbsup:
Gortex melts. To the skin. We found that out in the military. I do not know how these plastic clothes react to flame-fires happen in the best camps. best to know how this does with heat and flame. I am a wool advocate, have it in a variety of weights. It does not 'shine' like synthetics, quiet and a wind stopper can be added under the outer wool layer
I've been using firstlite for a couple years and love their clothing. The wool baselayers are very comfortable to wear and warm. They have good sales once and awhile.
Old school guy here as well. It's been wool my entire life, until a pack in elk hunt when I was introduced to Kuiu. I'm changing everything over to Kuiu. I wore some late season here in MI and the amount of weight you can shed and still stay warm is amazing. Movement and range of motion was a lot better in my old frame as well. I'm a convert.
A couple of additional thoughts on the garments designed and built by the companies like Sitka, First Lite, KUIU, Kryptek and others:
Most (not all) of the outer garments have DWR treatments which make them very water repellent and able to remain dry in all but steady rains. Aside from merino base layers and certain outer pieces which contain merino wool, most of the fabrics are 100% synthetic. They can get wet but they hold far less water (and weight) than most organic fabrics, plus they dry faster. My merino 185 (KUIU) base layer takes about twice as much time to dry as my synthetic Sitka layer when I wash them during an extended hunt.
I find the soft shells and tighter face on the fabrics makes them less prone to absorb mud, dirt and blood. I recall Bryan and I coming off a 10 day hunt back in 2008 when we had Sitka clothing. Our pilot commented our clothing looked like we hadn't even worn it, but it was basically all we wore during a tough hunt. I really appreciate the wash-and-wear characteristics of this type clothing.
As for clothing made by major outdoor names like Patagonia, Marmot, LL Bean, Kuhl, Columbia and many others, I'm certain they have plenty of things which would be well suited to hunting in a variety of settings. Some of their offerings would probably cross over to casual wear or other pursuits as well, making them multipurpose and a good value.
Backcountry hunts in the Mountains backpacking or flyin's is where the high tech clothing shines.
Its a better balance of Weight to performance. Just compare a good puffy to wool jacket.....its a 3 or 4 day difference in the food you can bring/carry.
The Critical pieces IMO;
Puffy jacket in either waterproof down or synthetic insulation
Merino wool base layers- In early archery I use a LS merino T as my outer too. This base layer provides days of wear with less stink- its amazing.
The pants that have some stretch to them- different weights depending on climate. I wear the Kuiu Attack/Sitka Assault weight pant for early season, the heavier Mtn pants for something like Sept in AK.
A good Light Gaiter unless its Rubber boot/Hipper terrain.
We bought some Kuiu jackets a couple of years ago and no way are they quite enough for drawing your bow on a whitetail very noisy and the models we bought were supposed to be the quietest they had . I sent mine back, my boy kept his for coyote hunting wearing it underneath his snow camo .
With wood stoves and tight quarters in tents, does this stuff melt or burn? It only takes a nano second to brush against a wood stove. If you have a hole burned in a rain jacket, no matter how light, are you protected?
Quote from: Roadkill on February 10, 2019, 11:46:58 AM
With wood stoves and tight quarters in tents, does this stuff melt or burn? It only takes a nano second to brush against a wood stove. If you have a hole burned in a rain jacket, no matter how light, are you protected?
I presume these fabrics would be damaged if they came into contact with a very hot stove or flue pipe. I don't believe there is risk of an instant 'catch fire' occurrence with the fabrics I'm wearing inside the tent. In the 11 consecutive years I've been wearing them in a heated tent I've not damaged them even once. I can also speak for myself and say I don't ever recall having a fire going in the stove and wearing my rain gear inside the tent at the same time. But almost any rain gear would certainly be damaged if it somehow contacted a hot stove.
I always carry some form of a kit to patch or repair my clothing. Tenacious Tape, AquaSeal, needles and thread, etc. In 11 years of this type clothing I recall stitching a sleeve seam which came apart (Sitka) and repairing a gouge-hole in the the thigh of my KUIU pants caused by a sharp spruce stub. That's it.
I didn't want to give into the newer tech materials for what they cost but going in on pack in hunts convinced me to buy some a few years back. I just had to cut the weight. I have never tried Sitka but I prefer first light wool base layers compared to Kuiu. I really like the light base wool layers Llano and mid layer Chama. It may be called something different now. I have a lot of Kuiu. I do not like the guide jacket at all. It doesn't block much wind and isn't very warm. I much prefer the Columbia Ascender soft-shell that you can get for $69 online. It blocks more wind and is cut similar in design to Kuiu items. I like the Kuiu Kenai jacket as it is not as warm as down but is designed to breath well. Great for layering or when it is cold enough you need a jacket while walking but want something that breathes. I think Kuiu has two different down jackets now. The original down jacket is not very warm. They have a new one my friend has called the super down pro. Twice the down as the original and a much better material that breaks the wind. Im going to sell mine and get that one. I really like their peloton zip off fleece bottoms and the zip off down bottoms. Really nice not to have to take your boots off. I have found I really like carrying more lighter items for layering compared to how I dressed before with heavier layering items and a a heavy wool jacket. I cut a ton of weight and stay really warm.
Forgot to mention the Kuiu Attack pant is my favorite pant. Most comfortable pant I have worn and I love the pit zips on the side to release heat when walking. Very flexible material and great pockets.
Ryan,
If you are worried about quiet, look at the Sitka Apex pants. They were specifically designed with "quiet" in mind. You would like the Apex Hoody as well.
I will never wear another pair of wool pants. They fight you on every step.
Sitka Timberlines have a waterproof seat and knees and are my favorites. I can't tell you their exact construction but they work well from +60F to -23F so far in my experience.
I run Prana Zion pants (stretchy tough quiet hiking pant) mostly because it's one of the few that are perfect for hunting and every day use.
Any good base layer.
Fleece or wool mid layer up top only.
Puffy pants and jackets have literally changed my life, in the back country. Being able to hike hard, and zip on some pants and a jacket and glass all day and be comfy is amazing. Warmth to weight is second to NONE!
Good rain gear, I've ran just about all of it on the market and none last more than a few years of actually backcountry use. I'm talking hiking with it and busting brush, not putting it on and weathering a storm.
I use this same setup from mid August until November about 40-50 hunting days (remote hunts, not in the back 40) a year, and equally as many scouting, backpacking and it can't be beat.
I went shopping for new hunting clothes at a big outdoor store. None of that stuff comes in my size. i bought Carhart pants with cargo pockets at my local Bomgaars instead.
I love my wool hunting clothes, esp. from KOM, and there will always be a time and place where wool is the best option. That said, getting older has made me less tolerant of cold and I have to say the "techie" stuff solves this with TRULY windproof barriers which allow me to stay out longer and with more comfort. Also, modern lighter weight and better rain gear is a winner. For me, these things are worth the prices they charge (on sale or auction of course). So, my nominations for best of the best new stuff are as follows:
Sitka Fanatic hands down for quiet and ultra warmth. Traverse line for best midlayer fleece. Gradient hoodie for most versatile garment ever made.
Kuiu Raingear, any model. You stay dry in the worst weather, and it's stretchy.
First Lite Corrugate for most comfortable lightweight pants EVER and First Lite also for best merino layers, accessories.
I don't know if the "techie" stuff will hold up like wool does, but while I am waiting to find out I will be dry and warm and OUT THERE, which is the point!
IMHO.............................
I have always been the type to just use whatever I had, but I snagged some scent lok this year before the season began to try some of the newer stuff. One thing that blew me away was the weight. I have bibs now that weigh less than a a mid layer I wore last year and they're as warm as anything I have worn.
When you're mobile it pays to be lighter. Especially when you carry everything in and out each time you go to hunt. Any weight saved is less weight you carry.
I still use wool base layers but I switched to Sitka stuff for the outer layers. Last year on Kodiak Island I wore a set of timberline pants I believe they are called and that is what I would take again for that hunt. For whitetails I've been wearing the fanatic setup (the old one) and I love it. Blocks the wind. I don't think any of it is as quiet as wool but I haven't had an animal bust me while drawing yet.
Kuiu x many. Tried a bunch, kuiu is want I've gone too. Fit is really is important your climbing . None of the standard stuff fits me well. I've used on many goat and sheep hunts in all kinds of weather and I love it
I still prefer my wool for whitetail hunting (gray wolf, KOM, first light), silent and non shiny. I also like the patterns better. The Sitka fanatic bibs for really cold stand hunting. I have a great silent windproof layer for my wool stuff, used in a layering system like my kuiu. I like the kuiu and sitka stuff for early season mobile hunts like elk, spot and stalk mulies, even the real light stuff for antelope and turkeys. They all have their place in my arsenal.
I was not a big fan of the "teche" hunting gear when it first came out. The price horrified me. However, really harsh weather and no immediate way to escape it can change your mind quickly. I am a fan of First Lite. I like Kuiu as well but it is much more athletic cut. Kuiu sizing runs very small to me. I also use some Sitka gear. IE: moose raft hunting in AK. When you fly in, weight is CRITICAL. I love wool but have to go with a lighter weight garment than most of my traditional wool clothing. I wear First Lite merino wool pants. I wear First Lite Allegheny bottoms and the Chama quarter zip tops. Over the Chama, I wear a wool commando type sweater. For the real warmth, I have a Sitka Kelvin Jacket as well as a Kelvin Vest. I top it all off with First Lite rain gear when needed. This set up just works for me. I believe I could endure some very harsh weather with his rig and it is all exceptionally light weight. It is not the most quiet material but I find the tradeoff very acceptable.
Sometimes I will wear the rain jacket to help when really windy. I have never had to wear my Kelvin vest underneath my Kelvin jacket and stay very warm with the sole exception of my hands. This year I bought the First Lite Grizzly gloves with the wool liner. I have not used them in really cold weather as of yet. They were actually too much during our hunting season this year in TX. Good wool socks, silk sock liners, wool watch cap and neck gaiter finish it all off.
As a side note, I use the Kelvin Primaloft insulation as opposed to the newer water resistant down. The Primaloft will retain insulation properties, as will wool, when it gets damp or wet. They say the new water resistant down garments will not flatten out if wet, but I have not yet had that demonstrated to me so I will stay with the Primaloft for now.
I'll have to say that looking at the websites for these techie clothes is sometimes overwhelming. 8-12 choices of jackets, just as many pants. Another 6-10 shirt choices. At the price point they are at I hate to order something and then not like it (too warm or not warm enough, let alone sizing). Would like to see some before I purchase but I've never been anywhere that had much of a selection of it.
I did a lot of asking questions on different web sites and am buying slightly used. Some guys need the newest model every year and you can score some good deals. If you get it and find it's too warm, not warm enough etc you can always re sell it.
Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
Prana Zion's should do well for pants. Maybe a Kifaru or First Lite puffy to cut some weight vs the wool jacket. A Kifaru or Seek Outside shelter with stove would also be nice up there.