I was wondering what success you guys have had keeping warm while long hours on stand and the best quality for the money ...I appreciate the feedback I am all ears
I've never been able to keep truly warm in really cold weather when sitting, but some form of insulated coverall has come the closest for me, with lots of layers under it, preferably wool layers. Windblocker on the outer layer is priceless.
I like layered wool, starting with Merino long johns in your desired thickness,then a mid layer, either fleece or more wool, then one of Asbells Anoraks with zipper finishing with a windstopper layer.
A very first layer of lightweight silk isn't a bad idea, then add the above.
I found some Wooltimate on sale at Cabelas....love it.
Use it for my outermost layer.
It has windstopper liner
Some will tell you it is noisy....it isn't.
So for me in cold, cold, cold it is silk, Minus 33 merino, fleece body suit, Wooltimate,and maybe the HBS.
Keep in mind this is for sitting still only.
Way too much clothes if you are walking.
In brutal conditions, like late season WI., you will find me in all of that plus my Heater Body Suit.
For the money, I stay very warm in with the Columbia wool camo. I think that it's only 75% wool, but it keeps me plenty warm.
for really cold- cabelas stand hunter bibs and jacket, don't try to walk in them though, way to warm for that
Very good suggestions guys I appreciate it...time to update my clothes I will be buying something soon as late season is right around the bend
Filson, period!!!
Insulated bibs a must for me. Have a micro fleece turtle neck that I moved the pocket to the center and keep a large hand warmer burning all day. Got to keep the core warm. See some wool in my future though.
If you get cold, well, it's your own fault.
Some of you that know me will tell you I am cold natured. I hate being cold. I also hate being over dressed and not being able to shoot with comfort. Depending on the weather, I will wear different types of clothing. I will start with what I wore tonight for an evening hunt. It was cold on the mountain with the wind blowing slightly. It was about 25 degrees with the wind chill about 15. I wore sitka bottoms and and old transverse shirt. Not really insulated but it feels good on my skin. I wear regular white socks, no wool, just white socks. The key is not letting your feet sweat. I wore bunny boots. I have an old set of cabelas whitetail pants I wear. Next I wore a puffy sitka gear jacket. I put a KOM wool shirt and my hunter safety vest in my pack with my heater body suit. I put a face mask and hat in my pockets and wear simple fleece gloves. I walked up the mountain to the base of my tree and put on the KOM shirt and safety vest on. I tie my bow and pack onto small lines then climb the tree. I pull up my bow then my pack. While on stand, I put my heater body suit and hang my bow in front of on a long bow holder. I was comfortable and fell asleep for a while. I watched deer under my stand and almost had a shot opputunity on a Long nose doe but a small buck walked by me at 8 yards and started to chase her in circles. Good night on stand and enjoyable because I was warm. I have other things I do if the temps get down in the single digits and I stay warm.
Izzy,
Have you tried the Filson merino base layer? I've wanted to try them for a while.
I agree with all of the above. Avoid cotton, especially close to the skin. I actually haven't tried wool yet as a base, mostly because it is so dern expensive. I have used a lot of the higher end synthetics, Patagonia capilene (sp) being my favorite. A lot of people whose opinion I value tout wool as the best base layer.
Jake
John, when it gets really cold. I have a cheap polarfleece jacket that has three sewed pockets. One over each kidney and one in the center of the back. With the large body warmers in the the pockets, the sitka puffy and the heater body suit, I can stay warm when it gets brutally cold like it did last weekend.
I like to layer with my second most outer layer being a wind stopper fleece. Then I have camo full body bibs over top so no air can move up under a coat or anything. Hands always in pocket glove on bow hand only shooting glove on other. I've found first sock layer being a moisture wicking sock then wool. But still don't know how to keep my feet truly warm. Always wear a baclova and a fleece neck warmer.
QuoteOriginally posted by Jake Scott:
Izzy,
Have you tried the Filson merino base layer? I've wanted to try them for a while.
I agree with all of the above. Avoid cotton, especially close to the skin. I actually haven't tried wool yet as a base, mostly because it is so dern expensive. I have used a lot of the higher end synthetics, Patagonia capilene (sp) being my favorite. A lot of people whose opinion I value tout wool as the best base layer.
Jake
No Sir, I wear a vest and a cruiser. Single Mack for milder weather (above freezing) double mack with cape when its freezing. I have Smart Wool and LL Bean wool base layers and am looking to buy some Kuiu. From my research the Kuiu wool appears to be the best bang for your buck when it comes to wool base layers but again, Ive yet to get my hands on it. Ibex is great but expensive although worth it when you'd otherwise be shivering running to your truck to warm up.
layered wool is where it's at. if you stand hunt, try wearing in as little as you can stand and dressing when you are in place - sweating is not your buddy.
Darron, my feet never get cold. I use regular socks and bunny boots ( Mickey mouse boots). You can find them cheap sometimes at military surplus. If your feet sweat, try this
http://www.amazon.com/Lavilin-Foot-Deodorant-Cream/dp/B0001T1LLM
Do not over due it, it can try out your skin. It also helps with foot odors. I put my boots in a Peet dryer after each hunt.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but buuny boots are the white boots and, mickey boots are black. Yeah, you could wear cotton socks with those boots but I wouldn't wear cotton socks with any other boot.
I wear fleece next to the skin, then wool, and though I like Filsons,I wear Swanndri wool garments, they're from NNew Zealand, and they are naturally waterproof !
Wool for sure KOM, SI, etc...but now that I'm in SC for the winters what to do :) tippit
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I just bought for this year a Firstlite merino wool shirt to replace my smartwool and the firstlite has longer cuffs with a thumbhole and boy is that the best thing ever!
Start with merino wool base layers. Two layers if its in the 20's and lower.
Upper body gets.. woolrich wool shirt, then filson wool vest and A wool coat. I wear a Graywolf woolens uninsulated wool coat.
Lower body... fislon wool pants.
Feet .... Boots are Schnees and I like those little disposable foot warmers. I also wear Darn Tough normal thickness socks.
Head.... Firstlite balacalava, then smartwool beanie.
Hands.... wool army gloves over the thumbhole cuffs of my firstlite thermal shirt.
You got it Ken. The white boots type || are bunny boots, -65 degree. The Mickey mouse are black to - 20
I have always wore the black Mickey mouse boots with my heater body suit and have been fine.
good quality long underwear, Wool pants, wool socks, wool shirt, after getting to stand I add wool timate bibs, than after cooling down some on the stand either a wooltimate vest or jacket, depending how cold. I wear the bear minimum walking to the stand to keep from sweating. Get damp from sweat and you will get cold.
lots of layering and a nice quite fleece wind blocker outer layer.
I use merino bases, and Berber fleece outers.
Wool with a good baselayer and socks. Filson,Woolrich,Johnson,and LL.Bean all make some good stuff.
I have experimented through the years as many others here have. You cann't beat wool in my opinion. I have been there like many others when money was tight. but if you can Wool from Dayone, Grey Wolf Woolens or Filson is awesome. Base layer for me nothing beats wool power or smart wool. don't get sticker shock, these garments carry a lifetime Guarentee and they stand behind it. boots, the key here is 1200 gram of thinsulation with "wiggle" room. If you boots fit too tight, your feet will always be cold. When it gets below zero, nothing beats the military "micky mouse" boots.
Cabela's extreme (has to be the extreme version) berber fleece bibs and jacket. I jsut got back from an Ohio trip where we had temps in the teens with 15 mph winds - I was able to stay on stand all day.
Merion wool base layer
scent lok base layer
merino wool mid weight vest
Cabelas berber fleece
Hand warmer, fleece facemask and wool hat
I also use artic shiled boot blankets over 1500gm rubber boots
I also folded and used a fleece blanket on stand platform to insulate from cold steel
My hidden Wolf Woolens also work in extreme cold but I prefer the fleece
Layered wool on the body and Mukluks on the feet
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small34805797.JPG)
Get a Patagonia or North Face Primaloft jacket. They are a bit pricey but you can wear them as a sweater, a layer with a fleece jacket or pullover. They allow you to stay warm in cool weather without overheating and, as I learned yesterday, I can wear minimal base layers in much colder weather. I got mine, a Patagonia Air Nano jacket because it is a bit quieter than the North Face, as an early Christmas gift from Laura's dad. Both the North Face and Patagonia are machine washable, are supposed to be warm when wet (haven't been THERE yet), are very quiet under fleece, very light and packable. Don't know about the North Face but my Patagonia is water resistant to the point it can be worn casually in a normal rainstorm and keep you dry. IMO, both are worth every penny especially if you want warmth without bulk. Now I am going to be searching for the bottoms.
QuoteOriginally posted by DaveT1963:
[QB] Cabela's extreme (has to be the extreme version) berber fleece bibs and jacket. I jsut got back from an Ohio trip where we had temps in the teens with 15 mph winds - I was able to stay on stand all day.
Merion wool base layer
scent lok base layer
merino wool mid weight vest
Cabelas berber fleece
Dave- I have the extreme burber bibs and they are awesome. I've been considering the coat but was concerned it would be to bulky for bow hunting. Your experience?
I agree with Bill. It is amazing how much difference a compressible insulating jacket makes. I was using a blue Columbia omnitherm this week when the temps started out at 15 degrees, and I was able to get rid of two other layers that I would have needed otherwise. Sure makes clearance for the bowstring better. Just ordered a camo superdown jacket to fill the same function, since I don't need a hood and want to have the option of using it as an outer layer. My omnitherm is blue.
Depends how I'm hunting.
It all starts with First Lite baselayers. Their boxers are top notch and really control how much you sweat.
I have the FL puffy jacket for stalking out West. Super light, breathable and very warm.
Stand hunting i use my FL layers (2 tops and a vest) then my natural gear fleece w/windblocker jacket and pants. Fair warning they dont breathe whatsoever so I just keep them in my pack until I'm at my stand sight. They are incredibly warm however and their windblocker technology is no joke-does its job incredibly well.
Balaclava for my face/neck, my favorite stocking hat, a mid weight pair of gloves and my hand muff with possibly a chemical hand warmer if it's really cold.
Depends how I'm hunting.
It all starts with First Lite baselayers. Their boxers are top notch and really control how much you sweat.
I have the FL puffy jacket for stalking out West. Super light, breathable and very warm.
Stand hunting i use my FL layers (2 tops and a vest) then my natural gear fleece w/windblocker jacket and pants. Fair warning they dont breathe whatsoever so I just keep them in my pack until I'm at my stand sight. They are incredibly warm however and their windblocker technology is no joke-does its job incredibly well.
Balaclava for my face/neck, my favorite stocking hat, a mid weight pair of gloves and my hand muff with possibly a chemical hand warmer if it's really cold.
All wool, no argument there.
Can't say enough about the luxury of chemical hand warmers in a hand muff. Just having something warm to hold onto gets me through the coldest all day hunts.
Been trying to fill a Iowa doe tag and the last week has been bitter cold with -minus temps and wind. Been sitting for eight hours a day in a blind or in the open. The best cold weather hunting clothing i have ever found in forty years that works for me is my Dayone Parka. Wool, insulated/windproof, in ASAT camo. I just wear a light shirt under it. And for me sitting in cold crappy weather, I found Bass Pro Shops Drake 2.0 insulated bibs, Merino wool long johns keeps me warm and dry. Add 1000 gram waterproof boots a size bigger,wool socks, a heavy fleece stocking hat, don't like wool on my bald head. Add wool gloves,and i'm good to -20 below. I always hated the layer game when it gets super cold.
I have merino wool, and Cabela's parka and bib outfit which is 93% wool and windproof But I think the comment above is right if you stay out very long you're going to get cold. If you can eat something and keep your digestive going about every two hours you'll do better.
Carl
A mix of blanket weight wool and polar fleece...but being "toasty" just ain't gonna happen....
A muff with hand warmers and split mittens (wool) is nice and I pack in a pair of Icebreaker boot blankets....
For me nothing beats the Heater Body Suit.
Wool Power base, Wool shirt, KOM bibs and topped with a Silent Predator Grizzly coat. This combo gets me by in single digit temps.
As a general rule, I like vests to add that additional insulation over the tors. Always seems to help. Also, since @ 70% of body heat is lost from the head/neck layers there also.
3 things that make a HUGE difference.
1)A nice warm face mask, I like first light wool, and It covers my neck too. Although there are warmer ones out there.
2)A down jacket layer. Yup, I tuck the collar inside so it doesn't make noise. 850 premium fill!!!! Awesome.
3)arctic shield boot covers, attach a toe warmer to the inside top over toes.
These 3 things have made, sits much more enjoyable, a 4th is a muff with a hand warmer too!
cheap layers of wool..fleabay, good will, yard sales, sometimes here in the classy's.
Windstop layer from asbell..use just under your outer layer
good Wool hat.
merino wool long underwear
smartwool extraheavyweight socks
"mickey" boots that fit loose
For a couple years I used some cheap knock-off underarmor like layers. They worked very well and were much less bulky.
problem was they began to stink. I just couldn't get the smell outta the pits. tried about everything.
Mike Mitten and Steve Osminski turned me on to this system and it is the best I have found. I get cold very easily for a guy. My layering system for treestand hunting is as follows: Base layer-Sitka merino wool. Mid-layer-Sitka Traverse top (no Mid-layer for my legs), Outer Layer-Sitka Fanatic bibs and coat. This works great for me. I also have a Sitka Kelvin vest to be used as another layer but I haven't needed to wear it yet. The previously mentioned system keeps me very warm, it is lightweight, blocks all wind, and not too bulky. Try it out guys. You will be glad you did.
I just got the Sanctuary coat from First Lite, as an early Christmas present (and wouldn't you know, it's in the mid 70s here!)
first, it's spendy. but wow! I have never seen a better designed hunting jacket, and it is DEAD quiet. I rubbed the sleeve against the chest, and you literally hear nothing at all. tapered, cuffed sleeves do not get in the way of the bow string. high performance moisture wicking, and very warm. great design of inner and outer pockets, elastic cord pull tighteners everywhere, and baffled mesh pockets everywhere inside for warmers.
i'll probably never spend that much on a piece of clothing again, but it sure is nice. oh, and I got it in ASAT camo. perfect.
one more thing not mentioned is a buff...you can buy wool buffs and you can buy a polar buff which is polar fleece with another material...for your neck area...also works great to camo your face by simply pulling it up....I also get layering wool clothes from value village ..a second hand clothes store...usually has wool available for dirt cheap....
http://www.buffusa.com/sports/
you have to look hard but I have buffs in snow camo and fall camo
Layering is the key for me. Synthetic, blend, or wool (base layer). Next layer depends on weather, wool (pants and shirt). Outer layer camo, or insulated vest, and jacket. Many retailers have recommendations for cold weather layering from light, medium, to heavy and extreme. Check out Cabelas catalog, or others that take that approach.
QuoteOriginally posted by Sean B:
For the money, I stay very warm in with the Columbia wool camo. I think that it's only 75% wool, but it keeps me plenty warm.
same here I was out in 14 degree temps last week all day in a set I bought here used and I was plenty warm and plenty impressed,, not sure if I fall into a stream if I'd be just as happy while climbing out but for local urban type hunting
The coldest I've had to deal with so far this year was a week ago when it was 11deg. when I climbed into my stand. I was wearing a wool shirt topped by my Filson vest under an old 850 fill down coat I've had for many moons.This was all topped by my Predator camo jacket. I remained very comfortable for several hours. Down is hard to beat and about as natural an insulation that you'll ever find.
Just got out of mine, poly long johns wool bibs from cabelas,wool sweater with wind stopper,fils on wool vest,swannie long coat,wool hat and 800 gram thin sulfate boots.
I suggest merino wool. Particularly for your base layer.