How do you guys shoot your bows with enough clothes on to keep you warm in let's say 20 or 30 degrees.
I usually try to layer in thin wool/fleece/wool to stay warm and it's not too bulky. Really cold I just make sure I wear an armguard to compress my bow arm sleeve.
First start with polypropeline longjons, then polartech fleece(cabelas 200wgt)top and bottom, and then rerular military BDU and then a longhunter shirt(blanket wool shirt that comes down to below your butt) from Ron La Clair.That has worked for me and the combination doesnt restrict movement or cause bulky arms. Just practice with what you wear and you will be more accurate.Tim
I wear a poly 1st layer sized to fit snugly, then top that with Duo-fold thermal underwear, temps in the 20s I go with a Duo-fold union suit. On top of this a turtleneck top to seal the heat that always escapes around my neck. So far for an outer layer just a plain old long sleeve cotten camo T. If it gets too cold for that I have my Asbell pullover but have only needed that once this season. Camo Jeans or Fleece pants depending on how cold, poly socks topped by a pair of merino wool socks and ruber boots for my feet. For my head, a camo net, topped with a beanie and my favorite wool fedora. I have had a few mornings in the 20s and several mornings in the low 30s and I usually stay in the stand for around 4 hours. Absolutley no problems being able to draw and shoot. I did practice a bit in my backyard with the pullover on and did notice some change with the loose pullover. However on cold mornings I have a handwarmer muff that has a waist belt and as luck would have it, this keeps the pullover tight against me so no interference when shooting.
I dont normaly use an armguard in warmer weather. When I start to put more layers on I have one with 4 straps that goes above my elbow. Keeps all those layers down. I also keep my shooting glove hand in a muff with a heat pack.
I don't like anything on my face or a hood so I wear some sort of insulated beanie and a fleece face, neck thing that I can pull down easily.
Rob
Longhandle top,wool shirt,then hooded wool shirt with an armguard
I don't have it as cold as I did when I lived in the northeast, thankfully. When it does get cold, the moat important thing for me is a warm pair of bibs. I don't like too much bulk on my arms so i use a good down vest and other lighter sleeved layers. If it is windy, I use windproof layer qith fleece above and below to cut down on the noise. I wear a binocular harness and 2 armguards if necessary. As Tim said, it helps to practice.
On bottom it is a heavy polypropolene and cabelas wool with windsheer. Feel no wind and stay toasty. Top is LW poly and heavy poly and cotton turtle neck then asbels green wind shirt and grey makinaw.
If only Asbel could put that windshear in their hoodies I would be very happy for I could then shed 2 shirts. Hint Hint. LOL.
Under Armor long johns under UA shirts and sweatshirt, wool pants, and a Two Tracks longhunter wool vest. That vest is the final piece of the puzzle. It's amazing. TRW
A nice mid layer to have in the pack is a Mont Bell Thermawrap jacket. Packs down very small.
Very thin but very warm and allows good movement.
This is NOT an outer layer but a middle or insulating layer.
Wool & an arm guard. I also wear wool or poly. bib overalls and then a vest underneath - so my torso is well layered but my arms are still relatively free. If you keep moving you keep warm. ;-)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/HPIM2064.jpg)
20-30 is not that cold yet for me as long as my hands are warm. I have a fleece headcover. I stick hand warmers in my gloves and pockets and I wear wool. My long johns are a marino wool blend as well. Thick merino wool socks. So, basically...wool.
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/31005f0d.jpg)
It was about 15 degrees when I took this pic; I'm wearing Arctic Muck boots that are great when it is cold and snowy, long john bottoms, Woolrich wool pants, a t shirt, flannel shirt, and Asbell wool pullover. My hat is a Filson. I was very toasty on this no wind day. I wear gloves made of some kind of fleecy looking stuff, and use the chemical hand warmers, and keep my hands in my pockets a lot.
If it was really cold, I would exchange the flannel shirt for a sweater.
20-30 degrees is short sleeve weather!! I myself use a lot of clothes that have no sleeves. I add a down vest, my unionsuit is one from cabelas that is sleeveless as well and even a couple of heavyweight sweatshirts with the sleeves removed. It is about keeping my feet, my head and my body core warm. My arms rarely get cold. Shawn
i like wool or down vests, beanie and neck gaiter. Usually wool pants and smartwool socks and 1000g Irish Setter knee boots
All of the above...but also lots of hand warmers. I sometimes have 10 or 12 in pant/shirt pockets and boots.
Bret
Thanks for your input guys. I hate the cold.
This is what works for me:
Like Shawn, I like vests. Down to about ten I wear a Kuiu merino wool top, KOM wool shirt, and a Hidden wolf insulated wool vest. More important, are the Kuiu merino wool beanie, neck scarf, and Hidden Wolf bomber hat. If the wind is above ten mph I add either a field jacket liner or the Kuiu Spindrift. For the lower half I use merino wool (1 or 2 depending on the wind) under a pair of KOM Bunwarmers. Anything works for boots in this temperature range with a toe warmer (on top of the toes) if there is a lot of room in the boots. When it gets down to around zero the insulated bibs and coat come out. Oh ya, the arm guard is a great idea, just do not cinch it too tight or you will have a cold bow hand. Try using an old wool sock that has lost is elasticity instead of the arm guard, it warmer and works. If you get high winds like Mark does in Livingston, you will need something that will block the wind.