Hunting clothing / layers recommendations. What works for you?

[bowhunthard88]

I am a big fan of the Badlands Packs gear and clothing for the money! I also have some First Lite, Outdoor Research, Browning, Minus33, and of course assorted pieces of Under Armor, Nike, Russell Athletic, Onyx, etc. I've been in search of the holy grail of layering systems, combination of brands (whatever), for about a year now and I keep trying different stuff and researching constantly.

Typically Minus33 (400g merino), Browning (Hell's Canyon Speed 200/250g Merino combo), Russell, or Badlands (Algus) base layer(s); Nike, Under Armor, Onyx, Outdoor Research, or Badlands mid-layer(s), and Badlands or First Lite (Sanctuary set) outer-layer depending on temperatures.

I'm familiar with Sitka, Kuiu, and Nomad, also...

Just curious as to what you choose and why? Looking to expand my brand knowledge and possibly my hunting wardrobe!

I do primarily hike-in day hunts in the north-east where temperature can be in the 80s when the season starts and negative 10 minus wind chill at the end of the season. I HAVE started packing my outer layers in and donning them prior to full setup, but hey, I'd like to hear from you guys.

 

[kiwikid]

Badlands and Tenzing are my choice of packs. My hunting clothes are primarily Sitka and a Kuiu down sleeveless vest for when it gets really cold. Sitka gear is a Merino base layer, Heavy Weight Hoody and Jetstream Jacket with wind stopper plus Mountain Pants. I have been thinking of getting a Mid Weight half zip tee as well. I also want to look at the First Light gear sometime soon. In the past Len and Andy have looked after me very well with the Sitka gear and sent to me in NZ.

 

[dfanonymous]

I have stuff here and there from all the companies. I have the op-x bino harness from horn hunter. It's probably one of the top 3 piece of gear I use, and is used in bow and rifle season.
Camo, I either use my cryo precision that I have left over from the military days, under armor early season, and some 5.11 is all I use for clothes. I don't like being an EASY contrast in the bush, more so from people not so much for animals. I feel scent control after a 15 mile hike is unrealistic and the Camo pattern doesn't help against deer or the like that much compared to movement and reflections that generally put them on a spook.

 

[bowhunthard88]

I have stuff here and there from all the companies. I have the op-x bino harness from horn hunter. It's probably one of the top 3 piece of gear I use, and is used in bow and rifle season.
Camo, I either use my cryo precision that I have left over from the military days, under armor early season, and some 5.11 is all I use for clothes. I don't like being an EASY contrast in the bush, more so from people not so much for animals. I feel scent control after a 15 mile hike is unrealistic and the Camo pattern doesn't help against deer or the like that much compared to movement and reflections that generally put them on a spook.

Camo pattern is not my primary concern here, as I strongly agree with you on your points. I am more concerned with clothing performance and longevity. Anything else is a strong bonus. For example, the First Lite Sanctuary set is amazingly warm (possibly the warmest set that I've ever seen) but it is designed primarily for sitting, and I believe the material would not hold up well if subjected to brush, etc. However, the Badlands gear that I have, while not as warm, seems to hold up really well!

 

[Litehiker]

"None of the above"
REI, LL Bean, Duluth Trading (fleece lined nylon cargo pants), Eddie Bauer, Cabela's, OR, The North Face, Dachstein (boiled wool mittens) US Divers (neoprene diver sox for a VBL), Merrill, Sorel.

Eric B.

 

[greengiant]

ADVICE PLEASE: I am getting on in years and have contracted diabetes and in turn Diabetic Nephropathy in my feet which aside from the nerve sensitivity, it slows down the circulation. For seventy years the cold never bothered me, I simply wore layered socks and a good pair of boots or chest waders. Now, what I was doing still works here in SC/NC, but, on our out of state waterfowl hunts into the colder regions of this country and Canada, my feet simply freeze. Any of you guys from real cold weather country have any suggestions/recommendations for footwear that is warm and waterproof. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[bowhunthard88]

ADVICE PLEASE: I am getting on in years and have contracted diabetes and in turn Diabetic Nephropathy in my feet which aside from the nerve sensitivity, it slows down the circulation. For seventy years the cold never bothered me, I simply wore layered socks and a good pair of boots or chest waders. Now, what I was doing still works here in SC/NC, but, on our out of state waterfowl hunts into the colder regions of this country and Canada, my feet simply freeze. Any of you guys from real cold weather country have any suggestions/recommendations for footwear that is warm and waterproof. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I would highly recommend considering a pair of the Thermacell insoles in a pair of good waterproof boots! As long as you're not trekking for miles, that is...

 

[Hatrick]

I learned with myself that if you keep your core temperature warmer you hands and feet will stay warmer. Your problem would be to keep your feet moving. While in a blind it might be feasible,in a tree is to much movement.

 

[Litehiker]

Keep your head and neck warm. They are the body's "radiator" and those veins don't constrict in the cold like the rest of your body. "Warm head warm hands."

Eric B.

 

[mcseal2]

I use a mix of brands and have items I like from each of them.

Darn Tough merino full cushion socks treat my feet better than anything else I've tried.

First Lite Aerowool is my favorite base layer. It doesn't hold scent like synthetic but dries much faster than straight merino.

I don't like a fleece mid layer with a hood that zips past my chin like most of the new ones do. Mainly due to that my picks are the Sitka Core LW for warmer temps and the Kuiu Peloton 240 for colder ones.

For puffy jackets I like the Kuiu Kenai in warmer weather and the Kifaru Lost Park in colder weather. I prefer a synthetic puffy to down due to performance when exposed to moisture and breathability. Later season hunts I pack the Kuiu Kenai zip off pants too, love those things.

Rain gear I haven't used the stuff I got enough to have an opinion. I bought some heavy duty stuff for Alaska this fall, a FL SEAK jacket and Kuiu Yukon pants. They fit well and have kept me dry around home in a few light rains. I bought Kuiu NX pants on clearance to go with my Marmot Precip jacket for lighter rain gear. The Precip works well but isn't real durable. I wanted something lighter than the AK stuff for most western hunts.

For outerwear I really haven't had any issues with Kryptek, Sitka, Kuiu, or First Lite. I have a few items of each and all have performed well. I buy my stuff on closeout, camofire, ebay, forum classifieds. I like quality gear but my budget doesn't allow me to just buy whatever I want. Last years models work fine and are often 25-40% cheaper around black Friday. The only real favorites I can think of on outerwear are the Sitka Mountain Jacket and vest. Those are thin, light, quiet enough for rifle hunting, and stop darn near all the wind while being breathable enough to work for me. The vest over a fleece mid layer is enough for me a lot of the time and lets me not have to take my puffy on and off when glassing and moving.

For packs I bought a Kifaru Duplex with a Grab It and Nomad 2 for Alaska this fall. Most hunts I like my Exo 3500. Predator hunting I like an Eberlestock with a scabbard for my AR or bolt gun, I don't like a sling on a calling rifle. I spent some money on my packs but feel like packs, boots, and glass are places I don't want to go cheap.

Camo patterns aren't a huge deal to me except for predator calling. I like to blend in when directing an animals attention to me. My favorite around home is ASAT followed by Kryptek Highlander. Sitka subalpine, FL Cipher, all work fine. I just try to go with something that isn't to dark but that has a lot of lighter color mixed in. Movement is more important than camo on calling, but I'll take any advantage I can get. I've shot multiple dogs on stands more often with good camo than without.

 

[woodsmanlw]

ADVICE PLEASE: I am getting on in years and have contracted diabetes and in turn Diabetic Nephropathy in my feet which aside from the nerve sensitivity, it slows down the circulation. For seventy years the cold never bothered me, I simply wore layered socks and a good pair of boots or chest waders. Now, what I was doing still works here in SC/NC, but, on our out of state waterfowl hunts into the colder regions of this country and Canada, my feet simply freeze. Any of you guys from real cold weather country have any suggestions/recommendations for footwear that is warm and waterproof. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I highly recommend a pair of wiggys socks. Your feet will never be warmer. They are a little odd looking but results are what matters.