I'm interested to know what you guys wear on mid-season and late season hunts. What do you layer with and what brand of outer shell do you find most effective.
What do you wear on a mid to late season hunt?
- Thread starter jvidrine
- Start date
Here are a few layers that you could potentially use depending on the system.
[video]https://youtu.be/qnfGk1j5Mvs[/video]
Here is another one that we have for the late season hunts, the ones where you will need all the layers to stay put and glass.
[video]https://youtu.be/5Tzt-KgyOl8[/video]
[video]https://youtu.be/qnfGk1j5Mvs[/video]
Here is another one that we have for the late season hunts, the ones where you will need all the layers to stay put and glass.
[video]https://youtu.be/5Tzt-KgyOl8[/video]
It’s all about the layers. Under armour cold gear infrared compression layer, polyester or light wool quarter zip top (browning hells canyon), polyester or nylon light to mid weight pants (I am wearing eddie bauer pants this year), Kuiu chugach technical shell, and a gore tex type pant if expecting precipitation or very cold weather. Heat factory polyester glomitts. Polyester/nylon ear flap hat. Wool or wool/polyester blend socks. Under armour hood if its real cold. If it is really cold, I pack a down or primaloft, packable jacket. If you plan your layers and materials appropriately, you can stay warm with lightweight materials and minimal amount of bulk.
hoshour
Veteran member
I wear Sitka Mountain pants, First Lite base layer top and bottom (I vary the weight depending on what I expect), the First Lite Springer vest, which is 400 weight merino a discontinued KUIU fleece layer, a Kryptek guide or Russell Primaloft vest and an outer shell that is windproof and water resistant. Either Sitka or First Lite works well.
I like using the vests because everyone these days is cutting the jacket sleeves so tight as soon as you layer, your elbows get bound.
If I know it's going to be cold, I'll leave out a couple of those layers and bring my MontBell 900 goose down light jacket that weighs 0.75 lb. It's a furnace though, I can't hike with it on.
It's all quiet, odor resistant, and since I always wear the shell, windproof and water resistant.
I like using the vests because everyone these days is cutting the jacket sleeves so tight as soon as you layer, your elbows get bound.
If I know it's going to be cold, I'll leave out a couple of those layers and bring my MontBell 900 goose down light jacket that weighs 0.75 lb. It's a furnace though, I can't hike with it on.
It's all quiet, odor resistant, and since I always wear the shell, windproof and water resistant.
missjordan
Veteran member
I recently bought the kuiu guide series and their down jacket and I absolutely love it. The pants and jacket keep you dry no matter how wet the conditions are.
For the pants I wear a Under Armour base layer and maybe a pair of sweats under the guide pants if it's cold. Then for the upper layer I have a UA 4.0 baselayer, then the down jacket, and the guide on top. I'm thinking next year I'll buy Kuiu's merino wool base layers. I duck hunted in the swamp a few days ago with my guide series in muck boots and accidentally stepped in thigh deep water. I didn't get wet once! I was suprised the guide pants didn't penatrate any water when I went too far as most of my old gear would of been soaked.
For the pants I wear a Under Armour base layer and maybe a pair of sweats under the guide pants if it's cold. Then for the upper layer I have a UA 4.0 baselayer, then the down jacket, and the guide on top. I'm thinking next year I'll buy Kuiu's merino wool base layers. I duck hunted in the swamp a few days ago with my guide series in muck boots and accidentally stepped in thigh deep water. I didn't get wet once! I was suprised the guide pants didn't penatrate any water when I went too far as most of my old gear would of been soaked.
Elkoholic307
Banned
I've used a lot of different pieces from several different companies but this is what I find myself using (in order) more than anything else for mid to late season hunts.
Top:
First Lite Chama (The Llano will also work but I skip it when the weather turns cold.)
First Lite Chama EXP or Labrador (I'm liking the EXP better all the time. It only comes in black but it doesn't bother me personally.)
First Lite Uncompahgre Puffy (The ultimate insulation layer. Never leave home without it.)
KUIU Guide Jacket (Extremely versatile piece. Does a good job blocking wind to a point but also breathes very well.)
Bottom:
First Lite Allegheny (Consider using the EXP bottoms for extremely cold weather.)
KUIU Attack Pant (Also a very versatile outer layer. I might prefer the Guide Pant but it's not offered in solid colors.)
This is all I've been wearing lately when hiking hard (minus the insulation layer) in 20-30 degree weather with a lot of wind. When I reach a glassing point or stop to eat, I put on the puffy jacket. I might look like a walking billboard for KUIU and First Lite, but in my opinion these pieces give you a lot more bang for your buck especially when compared to Sitka.
Top:
First Lite Chama (The Llano will also work but I skip it when the weather turns cold.)
First Lite Chama EXP or Labrador (I'm liking the EXP better all the time. It only comes in black but it doesn't bother me personally.)
First Lite Uncompahgre Puffy (The ultimate insulation layer. Never leave home without it.)
KUIU Guide Jacket (Extremely versatile piece. Does a good job blocking wind to a point but also breathes very well.)
Bottom:
First Lite Allegheny (Consider using the EXP bottoms for extremely cold weather.)
KUIU Attack Pant (Also a very versatile outer layer. I might prefer the Guide Pant but it's not offered in solid colors.)
This is all I've been wearing lately when hiking hard (minus the insulation layer) in 20-30 degree weather with a lot of wind. When I reach a glassing point or stop to eat, I put on the puffy jacket. I might look like a walking billboard for KUIU and First Lite, but in my opinion these pieces give you a lot more bang for your buck especially when compared to Sitka.
Last edited:
Bottom:
merino bottoms
C4E Highline pants(I have Element pants, but it needs to be really cold before those come out)
gaiters
OR Foray rain pants
Top: present setup
Merino base layer
midweight micro fleece
Sitka Kelvin Light vest or down jacket
Columbia rain jacket
Top: next year
merino base layer
Sitka Jetstream light jacket
Sitka kelvin light vest or Arcterex Thorium jacket
Columbia rain jacket
I am looking at losing the microfleece in trade for the Jetstream Light jacket. I can put my down jacket under the Jetstream and have better protection from getting my down jacket wet, and increased wind protection. To do this, I also swapped out a heavier less quality down jacket for the thinner and more compressible thorium jacket.
merino bottoms
C4E Highline pants(I have Element pants, but it needs to be really cold before those come out)
gaiters
OR Foray rain pants
Top: present setup
Merino base layer
midweight micro fleece
Sitka Kelvin Light vest or down jacket
Columbia rain jacket
Top: next year
merino base layer
Sitka Jetstream light jacket
Sitka kelvin light vest or Arcterex Thorium jacket
Columbia rain jacket
I am looking at losing the microfleece in trade for the Jetstream Light jacket. I can put my down jacket under the Jetstream and have better protection from getting my down jacket wet, and increased wind protection. To do this, I also swapped out a heavier less quality down jacket for the thinner and more compressible thorium jacket.
Roboz
Active Member
- Mar 10, 2011
- 196
- 0
Sitka
Top:
Core Long Sleeve
Traverse
Kelvin jacket
Jetstream light vest
Jetstream light jacket
Bottom:
Traverse
Mountain pant
Gloves:
Traverse
Jetstream
Hat:
Jetstream beanie
Ball cap
Balaclava heavy
Would like to add a hoody and some kelvin pants for more warmth if needed but haven't really found a need so far. This setup gets me through early archery to January coyote hunting without getting cold so i'm pretty happy with it.
Top:
Core Long Sleeve
Traverse
Kelvin jacket
Jetstream light vest
Jetstream light jacket
Bottom:
Traverse
Mountain pant
Gloves:
Traverse
Jetstream
Hat:
Jetstream beanie
Ball cap
Balaclava heavy
Would like to add a hoody and some kelvin pants for more warmth if needed but haven't really found a need so far. This setup gets me through early archery to January coyote hunting without getting cold so i'm pretty happy with it.
I believe they are these guide pro pants, but probably over a year old. I got them off a discount rack for $30. They got a couple barb wire rips, but otherwise have performed very well. They repel water and dry quickly, and were warm down 25 degree temps (with under armour leggings).
http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/men--39-s-guide-pro-pants/12951063/_/A-ebSku_0290635707009542__12951063_catalog10002_en__US?showProducts=&backToCat=Pants&previousPage=LNAV&tab=men&color=707
Montana
Veteran member
My late season hunts are quite chilly... my base and outer layers come from the climbing/mountaineering industry.
Base layers Patagonia and Mammut
Mid layers Kuiu and Sitka
Outer bottoms Mountain Hardware - Compressor pants I believe. And the jacket is Patagonia Fitz Roy.
Base layers Patagonia and Mammut
Mid layers Kuiu and Sitka
Outer bottoms Mountain Hardware - Compressor pants I believe. And the jacket is Patagonia Fitz Roy.
tim
Veteran member
If you are not worried about the latest hunting fashion and just need stuff that works.
any synthetic base layer, followed by fleece pants or top, get an old wool shirt from the thrift store, use fleece and wool together and any breathable rain gear. Coated taffeta nylon works pretty good and breathes well. I ran this system for many years in Alaska and Idaho and no problem. things might get a little bulky, you might not have pockets where you want them, but you will be adequately prepared and not spend and arm and leg on gear.
any synthetic base layer, followed by fleece pants or top, get an old wool shirt from the thrift store, use fleece and wool together and any breathable rain gear. Coated taffeta nylon works pretty good and breathes well. I ran this system for many years in Alaska and Idaho and no problem. things might get a little bulky, you might not have pockets where you want them, but you will be adequately prepared and not spend and arm and leg on gear.
Travisitguy
Member
I ran cabelas Merino Icebreaker bottoms and Cabela's Thermal zone merino wool 1/2 zip top for my base layer this season. not sure how right/wrong this is but it worked well. I then used a basic fleece pullover and heavy insulated vest with my cabelas microtex 6 pocket pants.
I did a lot of walking so i found this to work pretty good, temps were in the 20's with varying wind at times. This was my first year running this setup so have nothing more to really base my experience from other than the older cheaper gear i had run in the past that frankly was either super heavy or just didnt insulate me well.
I did a lot of walking so i found this to work pretty good, temps were in the 20's with varying wind at times. This was my first year running this setup so have nothing more to really base my experience from other than the older cheaper gear i had run in the past that frankly was either super heavy or just didnt insulate me well.