I'm looking to by my cold natured son some insulated camo but don't want to break the bank. I'm concerned that if a go really cheap and get some "poly filled" bibs for $55 then they won't be warm. On the other hand, if I get the $350 bibs with "super" insulation he'll out grow them. Any suggestions?
Much appreciated,
Kyle
I have the Cabelas Outfitter wool and it works for me when the temp hits 10 degrees and less. I've also heard great things about their Wooltimate Fleece.
Went thru the same thing when my boys were growing up. Buy what you can afford and buy it big and layer under it. might get by for a couple of years that way. Worked for me.
Fleece!!
Military wool from surplus stores. Dress in layers, no cotton.
Include an inexpensive golf wind-shear layer/jacket
Buy some cheap, uninsulated, and OVERSIZED cotton camo... Then layer underneath with his normal "Winter" clothing!!!
Hey! What kid doesn't play in the snow...???
What awbowman said. Buy a good set of long johns also
When I was 15 - my Dad bought me a pair of Walls "Blizzard Proof" coveralls. I got them big enough to grow into. I wore them until I was in my late 20's when I finally grew out of them due to lifting and "mid-section expansion."
They were under $100 and to this day, I've never worn warmer camo. I could sit in single digit temps in the WV mountains with those and only a single layer of long johns under them. They were great!!!!!
Columbia wool is very cost effective .... just add some poly prop's underneath and your good to go ... what size is he, I might have something in my mountain of cloths in plastic tubs and what temps will he be hunting, just PM me Most of my gear is lg or xlg
:clapper: nice gesture ellken!
I'm not sure if this is the Columbia wool ellken is speaking of, but I've heard it's pretty good stuff, especially for the price.
MEN'S GALLATIN RANGE™ WOOL BIB
Polartec
Turn a camo sleeping bag into a heater body suit!
The warmest I have is Wooltimate with wind shear. I only break it out when the temps are below 20 degrees. To 20 or a little below, I have a pair of Cabela's poly camo bibs that I wear a lot. Get them big so you can layer wool underneath. Stay far, far away from cotton underneath, thermals or otherwise. If you sweat in cotton you will be wet and cold until you take it off. Wool, silk, or some of the poly stuff works great. I get cheap wool stuff off of the auction site or goodwill type stores.
I have some of the columbia wool stuff as well. It is warm, but it doesn't stop wind worth a hoot, so you need something to do that to go with it. On calm days, it works fine though.
A long sleeve camo T shirt 2 sizes too big can go over whatever color warm stuff you already have. Heavy on the sweaters and vests, especially the vests, to keep arm bulk down.
ChuckC
Layers layers layers, nylon long johns with fleece long johns over them, regular clothes them insulated overalls. Only way though to get him over being cold natured is let him get a little cold once in a while!
What a Ryan said.
Try this. Silk ski clothes against your skin topped with medium weight merino underwear. Wool trousers over this. Same under layer up top with a medium weight wool shirt. If it is really cold I will add a fleece vest. Then a wool sweater. I seldom wear a heavy coat over this, preferring a lighter jacket. I have several camo patterns that I use, and sometimes use a wool plaid. I don't think it really matters as long as your outlined is broken up.
The layering effect does the job. This handles the coldest of our southern weather, which may get into the teens. Do be careful that the layers are not so bulky you can't move.
I generally wear a single pair of wool socks and loose fitting boots. I use sub zero pacs in lower temps, because being diabetic, it is hard to keep my feet warm.
The key is effective layering. Each person, especially northern and western hunter, will need to adjust the layering to his specific needs, but most will find it more effective than depending on a single layer.
Don't forget that you may need to carry some of your stuff in and put it on as you are ready to get in the stand. Don't let yourself work up a sweat, or all the warm clothes in the world will still freeze you out.
I know it sounds odd for a southern guy to be so talkative about handling the cold, but as a diabetic, even moderate cold affects me very severely. Besides, I learned all I know from northern guys.
Guys,
Thanks for all of your ideas. I now have a plan!
Kyle
Natural Gear windproof fleece bibs and coat are fairly inexpensive.. They work really well..
I really like my columbian wool too, but it has zero wind blocker..
I use the Cabelas Wooltimate and love it. I bought some camo bibs and a coat last fall on closeout from Cabelas that fit my 13 year old but my 8 year old can use too (very big on her, but room to bundle). I was in the same boat with them growing..
Columbia and Walls, with a good base layer. When my daughters tried hunting, I got some wool grey military blantes and made them into poncho's and kept them warm.
We pretty quickly learn here where we sometimes hunt when it is minus 40 that it is not the outer layer than really counts...the fact is it is the layer next to the skin that I believe is key to staying warm...nothing beats merino wool if you can find some at a reasonable price
DDave
I love my Asbell wool, great for layering....
I have some Natural Gear Windstopper Fleece- ery warm and it was inexpensive,absolutely cuts the wind great!
My dad bought me a Browning blaze orange coat when i was 14. Got it at a yard sale. He bought it so big I still wear it 14 years later. It came down to my knees back in the day and I looked like a big orange but I was warm.
Layering is always a good option. Check out Cabxxas catalog, or one of the others that addresses layering for different temperatures.