Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Outerwear and Layers

Thanks for the advice, smokepole.

One of the areas I sweat that can get clammy later is on my back, under my pack. Hate that.

If you like Smartwool (and I do too) socks, try similar-weight UltiMax sometime. I like them better. And the UltiMax liners are the BOMB.

I haven't hunted elk for a few years, but when I did I really liked the Filson lightweight wool pants with different layers underneath depending on the conditions. I also liked the Filson wool hunting shirts under a vest or a jacket.

All that's been mentioned is good. I learned hunting caribou in canada the boat ride was cold and hiking was hot that was in 2000 and i'm still glad i took no cotton.

Stay with wool for the base layer. Merino wool is the first choice. It will keep you warm but very importantly it will not stink like the artificial base layers.

Merino wool is a wonderful baselayer, but I also like to take along a synthetic top (like Underarmour) in case of warmer weather.

I have a couple of different weights of Sitka Gear that I use for an outer shell, depending on the temperature.

donsm70

I use merino wool for base layers in almost every kind of weather. I wear the tops as my shirt. Pants are either microtex or lightweight wool. If it's warm enough to rain or wet snow I carry a set of marmot precip. For layering I use a puffy type jacket from cabelas. I also used a cabelas guide coat with dry plus this year and really liked it.

Layering is key, but also remember that if its cold and you aren't moving much there is nothing like putting on a giant puffy or down coat.

I always have a balaclava around too. And a sleeping Indian hat with flaps that Velcro under my chin. Combined with the balaclava it is pretty serious cold head gear.

It will take you a few years to figure out what really works for you and your style of hunting.

For socks try a pair of Dahlgren alpaca wool you won't be disappointed!

Yep, I'm outside almost everyday and still experiment with something new. Just bought a fancy new outer layer that is supposedly windproof and water resistant.
That combined with one or two merino long sleeve shirts and a fleece mid layer should cover any temps/activity that I encounter.


Work is easy, hunting(when your a few miles from the pickup) is the tricky part. It is no fun freezing your ass off!


Work clothes equal heavy and tough, hunting is all about lighter weight and less bulky.

Yes and I think they'd be better. I too have been on the lookout for a shell that can work as an every day jacket as well. Haven't found one yet. Would love to try one made of Neoshell as I think that it may be close.

I wear a soft/quiet jacket and take a very packable rain jacket with me. It's noisier, but dry.

I like wool best. Lightweight base layer and light orange windbreaker for hike in - usually uphill a couple of miles, dump the sweaty windbreaker for wool shirt then go fleece jacket opened or closed. Wool pants with waterproof spray on knees and seat, different weights wool and base layers gaiters if in snow. I carry 2 gloves and always wear light leather driving or shooting gloves, bring neck or face cover and heavier waterproof hat. My MT 050 system shell never got used this year 3rd season CO. Heavy wool socks good waterproof leather boots.

Almost everything eBay thrift store bargain cave available.

I think Ralphie actually hit the nail on the head first. You'll have to pick from all this advice and find what works for YOU.

There's a lot of good advice here. Much has to do with how you hunt and it changes as you age, as you hunt with kids, or older people. Wool isn't a bad investment, if you can wear it. Moreno wool is the least itchy. I personally am not a big fan of fleece, though lots of people recommend it.

I wear high quality undergarments when conditions warrant, then wool and more wool. I also carry all season a windproof set of "lightweight" military camo rain gear, for wind and wet weather. I also a sweat and usually hike in uphill in my underwear top then start layering when I stop moving. Also don't forget headgear a cap as well as a hat should be part of your everyday ger.

JJHack, one of the most qualified and experienced guides who posts here, recommended that one should seriously consider what the mountaineering crowd uses for clothiing.
I followed his advice some 15 yrs. ago and haven't been sorry yet.
Other than Dalgren socks and Cabela's heavy wool pants, I use Patagonia gear for almost all of the rest. That included lots of elk hunting in sometimes sub zero temperatures.
First of all, one needs a good, fairly large day pack to carry extra clothing. I never go into the mountains w/o at least a few extra clothing items I may or may not need.
I use Patagonia's Capliene as a base layer. When it's not too cold, I like the Silk Weight. Colder, I go to the Medium Weight. If it's really cold, then I use both a Silk Wt. and a Medium Wt. under my wool pants.
Insulation layer can be any combination of their Regulator Fleece. What makes it so good is it passes moisture easily. I usually use an R2 top, but have used both R1 and an R2, or even two R2's.
My wind/moisture layers are either a Houdini top for just wind and light snow or a Rain Shadow Parka with it's long pit zips. For warmth when glassing, I use a one of their insulated parkas.
I like Cabela's Gore-Tex Gaiters. In cold weather, they are always worn.
A fleece cap, and, if it's really cold, Cabela's Fleece Baclava for my head.
For gloves, it's one or two pair, with extra dry liners as a backup. Very important to keep the hands warm so they will work right when needed.
Yes, Patagonia's stuff is expensive. However, it's guaranteed for life. If it breaks down, simply send it in and they will repair or replace it w/o charge. E

There's lots of good mountaineering gear out there besides Patagonia. Outdoor Research and Black Diamond come immediately to mind. I have a bunch of capilene but Merino wool is better for some applications.

Personally, I'd look at what hunting guides who operate in the mountains use, especially places like AK, rather than "mountaineers."

I'd skip right over the "hunting" clothing lines and go straight to the market with the most demanding costumers, most experienced people, and biggest budget. REI would be a good place to start.








Why? On the surface I get it, but just like with other aspects- most aren't "gear" guys. Some are I'm sure, but not nearly to the extent that mountaineers, climbers, etc. are.


Pretty much everything worthwhile I've learned about clothing has come from alpinists/climbers.

Right....seasoned elk hunters don't know jack schit about what to wear.....

That's not what was said, but... as a whole they do not have nearly the knowledge of current clothing as mountaineers.


The reverse is saying that because mountaineers see elk, they know how to hunt them.


Learn from all, but lean towards the specialists.

Guides, especially in AK are by necessity "gear guys." The good ones have already evaluated mountaineering gear and kept what works for hunting. Mountaineering and hunting are two different pursuits, with different requirements.

This August, I saw it first-hand. My guide used plastic mountaineering boots and OR gaiters. He also had a really nice wind-resistant fleece jacket (Natural Gear) with a camo pattern that blended in with a lot of different backgrounds including the mountains we were hunting. I was wearing an insulated Black Diamond "belay jacket" and I liked his better for our purposes. As soon as I got home I got one, very versatile for hunting. I doubt you'd find one in a mountaineering camp.

Edited to add: The price tag was $79. I doubt you'd find one of those in a mountaineering camp either.

What are you guys wearing for an outer layer(shell) during cold, windy and possibly wet weather?



I recently ordered an UA Ridge Reaper(it pained me to even type that....) shell. It was expensive but appears to be water proof and should cut the wind chill down quite a bit.

Of course I will layer underneath depending on temps.

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/ua-ridgereaper-es-fz-jkt/pid1247863-951

First camo that I have ever bought in my life, should be uber stealthy in the open country....