Camo

[Bigeclipse]

I know this is the shooting thread area but I kind of need an answer quick and most posts come up in here. I was wondering what your opinions are for size of cold weather camo. What I mean by this....Right now I have a pair of hunting coveralls, cheaper ones that are size large. They worked ok...but I had to wear like 5 top layers(under armour base long shirt, quality mid layer I forget the brand, under armour fleese, sweatshirt and finally the cover-alls) and 3 bottom layers (pair of long johns and a pair of quality Ski mid-layers and then the cover-alls) in order to stay warm for anything below freezing or say 30 degrees fahrenheit and less. This is for sitting all day. I do not staulk much. Needless to say I am investing in some new camo quality camo such as arcticshield pro series (H7), cabelas MT050, or maybe sitka but that stuff is crazy expensive and was wondering your opinions on do you guys buy camo to fit almost exact or do you buy the next size up for layering? Do the camo manufacturers take sizes and layering in account? What I mean by that is...take your average large winter jacket and then take your average large camo hunting jacket...will they be approximately the same size or do the camos/hunting cloths tend to run a little larger knowing people may layer under them? My coveralls are a large, and everything I listed up above that I wear under them fits...snug...but they do fit. I ask because I do not have a great hunting store near buy, except dicks which I did not like their stuff and I actually found a great deal on the Arcticshield H7 pro jacket and bibs but unfortunately they only have a damaged item return policy...I am not made of money so I am really looking to save as much as I can. The Arctic shield H7 I can buy for 325 for both bibs and jacket when at full price they should be 500. The MT050 will cost almost 500 so if I can save that money...that would be great. I am pretty sure I cant afford the Sitka stuff so might as well forget that I guess. Also, I am 5'9 190 pounds...I do have a bit of a beer belly but its not huge. I wear size 36 pants at the moment but fluctuate between 34 and 38 haha and that is what scares me as most X-large sizes are 38-42 and large is 32-36. I will be bow and rifle hunting. I know for bow, you can always put things around your arm to tighten up the jacket so it doesnt get in the way of shooting. I was leaning towards buying the larges but I dont know.

 

[porkchop401]

Always buy larger in hunting clothes to accommodate layers . check out blackovis.com and its sister site camofire.com for some good deals on hunting clothes like. sitk, core4 and such.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Always buy larger in hunting clothes to accommodate layers . check out blackovis.com and its sister site camofire.com for some good deals on hunting clothes like. sitk, core4 and such.

is the core4 stuff any good for quiet hunting and COLD...below 30F? Looks like simply lightweight hunting stuff not really for cold. Not to worried about waterproof as I rarely go out when its raining. The sitka stuff is really too much for me I shouldnt have even mentioned it. Only reason I mentioned arcticshield H7 jacket and bibs is they got decent reviews and I found them for 340ish total. 400 is really my max for both jacket and bibs so even the MT050 stuff is out of reach unless I buy used.

 

[porkchop401]

I am not sure about your hunting situation but mountain hunting requires versatility and layering is a better option than the heavey bibs and parka . This year I will be using the core4element jacket one sias too large and layering to adjust to suit conditions .

 

[Bigeclipse]

I am not sure about your hunting situation but mountain hunting requires versatility and layering is a better option than the heavey bibs and parka . This year I will be using the core4element jacket one sias too large and layering to adjust to suit conditions .

I don't mind layering either just want to make sure this stuff will work in cold weather if you layer as well. I've had some jackets that even with good layering just let out to much heat.

 

[porkchop401]

Well I have some really cold gear that will keep you warm if you can put it on after you are cooled down and dried off but packing it is like having a quarter on your back. Sweat management is key and that is where the layers become effective as apposed to the heavy jacket scenario at least for me in teens and up.

 

[westcliffe01]

Heater body suit ???? Walk in with relatively light stuff and then get into the "body bag".

Heater Body Suit | Home

 

[Bigeclipse]

Heater body suit ???? Walk in with relatively light stuff and then get into the "body bag".

Heater Body Suit | Home

I've thought about the heater suit but there have been a few times deer have snuck up on me leaving little time for a shot let alone trying to unzip and then grab gun or bow for the shot...I'd rather try the layering route...any thoughts on which outside layer for jacket and pants? I'd want quiet, water resistant...doesn't have to be water proof as I am rarely out in rain...and allow for multiple layers underneath....

 

[cohunter14]

Personally, I would look at some better layering gear if I were you. Get some of the Under Armour 4.0 Base Layers, then throw on another solid layer like a tighter fitting 1/4 zip. If you have wind resistent outerwear coupled with this, you should stay plenty warm. With all the technology in the layering gear, I don't see any reason to be buying a size larger in your outerwear.

Here is the UA 4.0 at Cabelas: Under Armour® Base 4.0 Crew : Cabela's

That stuff is WARM!!!

 

[Bigeclipse]

Personally, I would look at some better layering gear if I were you. Get some of the Under Armour 4.0 Base Layers, then throw on another solid layer like a tighter fitting 1/4 zip. If you have wind resistent outerwear coupled with this, you should stay plenty warm. With all the technology in the layering gear, I don't see any reason to be buying a size larger in your outerwear.

Here is the UA 4.0 at Cabelas: Under Armour® Base 4.0 Crew : Cabela's

That stuff is WARM!!!

After all my research layering is the way I want to go now. I already have really good base and mid layers from underarmour but I still need good outer jacket and bibs/pants. Any suggestions? I want them to not be noisy and to be wind proof as you suggested. I am not really concerned about being waterproof as I dont hunt in the rain, or at least very rarely and I already have rain gear but it is somewhat noisy.

 

[porkchop401]

A trick I do is place the large 10hr adhesive body warmers in the small of my back it does wonders.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Thanks for the advice but I am still looking for a good jacket shell and bibs that i can layer underneith...open to all opinions. The jacket and bibs should be good in 40 degree weather but also, with layers, good down to below freezing temps. Suggestions?

 

[porkchop401]

Thanks for the advice but I am still looking for a good jacket shell and bibs that i can layer underneith...open to all opinions. The jacket and bibs should be good in 40 degree weather but also, with layers, good down to below freezing temps. Suggestions?

40 degree and down to freezing with layers.... hmm I was under the impression you were battling single didgits up to freezing temps (rifle elk hunting). You probably can find a jacket such as fleece to fit the bill .

 

[Bigeclipse]

Hmm, well I guess what I am looking for is a good outside layer...jacket/Bib shell that by itself maybe with like a tshirt...I could wear in 40-50 degree weather, but with some good base and mid layers(not cheap stuff) I will be warm down to say 15F. Maybe a jacket and bibs dont exist for what I want haha. I guess ultimately warmth is key as I do have some warmer weather camo(not great stuff) but I thought there might be a good jacket/bib shell out that can there that can handle warmer weather but would still be good in cold weather with really good layers....maybe not.