Layering for cold weather

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swampdog112

Member
Nov 18, 2014
68
1
Oklahoma
I'll be going on my first western hunt this year in Wyoming for elk and you mule deer. I have been hunting in the Midwest all of my life but most of the places I go, I can drive a truck or four wheeler fairly close to where I'm hunting so clothing weight/mobility isnt an issue. I have lots of warm hunting gear but most of it is heavy so I will likely be buying a lot of new gear.

I've got a Kuiu guide jacket ordered but that's about as far as I've made it.

I was hoping to pick up some pointers on how you guys layer up/what you layer with for a weeklong backpack hunt.

Thanks!
 
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swampdog112

Member
Nov 18, 2014
68
1
Oklahoma
For example do you guys just do a base layer, mid layer, and a jacket? I was thinking about the Kuiu merino base layer for top and bottom, some type of mid layer, and a Kuiu guide jacket. Along with some type of rain gear in my pack if we get bad weather. Just wasn't sure if there was something else I should consider or if that would have me covered.

When I duck hunt I layer super heavy bc I'm sitting still for long periods of time but that is all really heavy stuff. Wasn't sure if the base, mid, and the jacket would be enough if we're sitting still glassing for hours
 
Retterath

Retterath

Veteran member
Dec 24, 2013
1,440
1
South Dakota
Im a huge fan of first lite base layers. I wear a First light t-shirt with a llano 1/4 zip and a thicker wool over that if cold or a fleece and then aways wear a vest all the time and bring a puffy with if needed and then have my kryptek rain gear for my other layer if it rains snows or is really windy. Im going to buy my wife the first lite north branch pants this year along with the base layers.
 
tdcour

tdcour

Veteran member
Feb 28, 2013
1,100
26
Central Kansas
Well, I don't do backpack hunts... yet... but here is what I do when I'm hunting late season spot and stalk. I have hunted South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas from late October through December and things don't change much as far as layering goes for me. That being said, snow will make a difference and I'll throw gaiters on then.

I don't get cold too easily, so take this for what it's worth. So far, I haven't bought into the expensive hunting clothes, but will get some good pants one day. What I typically wear when temps are anywhere from 0-40 is below. If it is windy or just extremely cold I just typically add another base layer or two.

Upper
Russel "soft shell" jacket (similar to Kuiu guide)
Russel "soft shell" vest (again, similar to Kuiu guide)
Under Armor cold gear next to skin
Fleece camo base layer

Lower
Under Armor cold gear or other base layer (had them so long I don't know the brands or makeup)
Smartwool or FirstLite wool socks
Regular old six pocket cotton pants
Uninsulated Lowa Tibet or Danner Pronghorn 400s

Definitely nothing fancy here by any means, but I have hunted in some nasty weather with this setup. Again, I'll just add another base layer if it is really cold or if I'll be sitting for a while. I bought my Russel stuff on extreme sale and most of my other stuff is left over from college baseball, so I don't have a lot of money tied up in gear. If I were to change things it would first be Merino base layers, then maybe some Kuiu attack pants or something along those lines.
 
tttoadman

tttoadman

Very Active Member
Nov 16, 2012
629
1
Oregon
The typical is a 4 pc system.
- Merino base layers(undies, tops, bottoms) I take one spare undies no matter how long the trip.
- Mid weight. This is usually a microfleece type layer or a second layer of heavier merino.
- Insulation. Choose between primaloft or down depending on budget, conditions, preference.
- Outer shell. This is where the rubber meets the road. Your rain gear can make or break the hunt.

I have a nice E-vent shell jacket, but I also have a quieter camo rain jacket. It just depends on the conditions you think you will see. I will usually hunt with just the merino and the shell on, or the merino and my primaloft vest. The midweight fleece will only go on if I plan to wear it all day. The vest and the shell jacket are super light and quick on and off.

There are may ways to skin a cat. This is just mine.
 
ScottR

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
Staff member
Feb 3, 2014
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www.eastmans.com
swampdog112 said:
Do you think the Kuiu Chugach rain coat would be heavy enough for that? My buddy has one and it's pretty freakin light. Or will all of the bottom layering be enough?
Click to expand...
Check out the rain gear review we just did in the last EBJ. More info there than I could ever type.


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7stwluver

7stwluver

Member
Mar 27, 2014
95
0
Piedmont america
swampdog112 said:
Do you think the Kuiu Chugach rain coat would be heavy enough for that? My buddy has one and it's pretty freakin light. Or will all of the bottom layering be enough?
Click to expand...
I get cold fairly easily even when mobile. I typically wear an under armor mock turtleneck and either patigonia or Kuiu merino top and bottoms. I also wear a soft shell vest (Kuiu guide) then either my chughach or Kuiu guide jacket. I recently received my kifaru lost park parka though and may ditch the vest and wear that with my rain coat as a shell if needed. It may be a bit overkill though. Have to wait for cooler temps to test it out. So far though super impressed. https://store.kifaru.net/mobile/lost-park-parka-p187.aspx#CustomerCartImageUploadedByTapatalk1430762819.393909.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1430762831.636686.jpg


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Fink

Fink

Veteran member
Apr 7, 2011
1,961
204
West Side, MoMo
What elevation will you be at, and what time of year are you going?

For September elk hunts at 9-10k, for base layers, I've been using Core 4 merino boxer briefs, I love these things. I take 1 extra pair for a week long trip. Also wear a Stoic or Icebreaker merino t-shirt. I wear the same shirt all week, in fact, I'm not sure I ever even take it off! I take a light weight set of core4 merino long underwear, just in case it gets cold, but they seem to stay in the pack the entire time. I think my favorite piece currently is a Patagonia nano puff, for insulation. it weighs next to nothing, and would fit in a nalgene bottle, wadded up. Top all that off with Sitka 90% pants and jacket.
I currently pack rain gear, but have seriously been considering giving it up, and just taking a plastic poncho or something.. I hate packing 2 pounds of rain gear that never leaves my pack. The thought if sitting in a 4 hour (or worse) rainstorm keeps me from leaving it in the truck.
 
S

swampdog112

Member
Nov 18, 2014
68
1
Oklahoma
Fink said:
What elevation will you be at, and what time of year are you going?

For September elk hunts at 9-10k, for base layers, I've been using Core 4 merino boxer briefs, I love these things. I take 1 extra pair for a week long trip. Also wear a Stoic or Icebreaker merino t-shirt. I wear the same shirt all week, in fact, I'm not sure I ever even take it off! I take a light weight set of core4 merino long underwear, just in case it gets cold, but they seem to stay in the pack the entire time. I think my favorite piece currently is a Patagonia nano puff, for insulation. it weighs next to nothing, and would fit in a nalgene bottle, wadded up. Top all that off with Sitka 90% pants and jacket.
I currently pack rain gear, but have seriously been considering giving it up, and just taking a plastic poncho or something.. I hate packing 2 pounds of rain gear that never leaves my pack. The thought if sitting in a 4 hour (or worse) rainstorm keeps me from leaving it in the truck.
Click to expand...
Late October. We will be doing antelope for a couple days and then going after elk and mule deer. Elevations will probably be around 8000 or so.
 
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