|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
Nothing like a cool, windy say in the stand to get you thinking. What is the most effective insulation for clothing?
Not really a backpack hunting specific question, but related. IMO the greatest test of insulation from purely a warmth perspective is the treestand. I am interested in creating a combination of clothes to stay warm in a stand, but not have too much bulk that makes shooting a bow problematic. I also have to hike in a mile or so to some stands.
Right now, I have a bottom layer of First Lite merino wool, then a warm wool sweater, a Cabela's primaloft jacket, Kuiu DCS guide jacket and then I can top it off with a Cabela's Predator® Camo Performance Fleece Jacket with wind block. This works pretty well, but what other options are out there? If the temps are around freezing and the wind is not strong I don't need the fleece. The DCS jacket is compressing the primaloft, I wonder if a looser fit would help retain heat?
What are those of you up north doing to stay warm?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,085
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,085 |
I would definitely try another coat that isn't compressing your insulation layer.
I don't have any revolutionary ideas, but things that have worked for me are going to a hooded down jacket (Kuiu) for my insulation layer. I have been very impressed with the added warmth the down hood provides. I always use a waterproof/windproof outer layer to cut out the wind. If it's brutally cold out I usually go with a down vest to insulate the core as well.
Last edited by KCBighorn; 11/22/16.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,422 Likes: 4
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,422 Likes: 4 |
I wear a down sweater jacket over a couple of insulated long sleeve shirts. Then I cover the down with a thin rain shell. The shell is windproof, and the down is comfy warm and the whole setup is less bulky than most "hunting jackets". Top it off with a hat and gloves and I am good to go down to about 10 degrees. Any colder than that and I swap the down puffer for a warmer down jacket underneath. My legs rarely get cold so I wear midweight long underwear and my regular hunting pants. 600 gram thinsulate boots with regular socks are plenty warm for me as well. My feet get cold if I wear bulky socks.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
3-7-77
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 410
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 410 |
I would definitely try another coat that isn't compressing your insulation layer. ^This. The DCS jacket is pretty slim fit. Sounds like you got some nice gear, maybe add a full weight hooded down coat to your arsenal if you're looking to pick something up?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,287
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,287 |
I'm of the opinion, on a stand, nothing beats a heavy wool coat. LL Bean may still sell the ones with a thinsulate liner.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,661
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,661 |
I'm of the opinion, on a stand, nothing beats a heavy wool coat. LL Bean may still sell the ones with a thinsulate liner. IMO only if they are windproof.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,078
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,078 |
If I'm going out on a really cold day, I'll put on a merino blend base layer (the cheap Costco stuff), military polypro layer over that, then an insulated bib/parka that is windproof/thinsulate. Keep zip vents open and move slow enough to not sweat, when moving. Wool knit hat, thick neck gaiter, and heavy OP gloves for sitting around in. I've popped a Hot-Hands or two and put them inside my parka as well, if sitting around. Most of the me, if it's that cold, I'm not going out too far or long.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,078
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,078 |
Now there's also this option on a cold windy day.....grin,
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,736
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,736 |
Nothing like a cool, windy say in the stand to get you thinking. What is the most effective insulation for clothing?
Not really a backpack hunting specific question, but related. IMO the greatest test of insulation from purely a warmth perspective is the treestand. I am interested in creating a combination of clothes to stay warm in a stand, but not have too much bulk that makes shooting a bow problematic. I also have to hike in a mile or so to some stands.
Right now, I have a bottom layer of First Lite merino wool, then a warm wool sweater, a Cabela's primaloft jacket, Kuiu DCS guide jacket and then I can top it off with a Cabela's Predator® Camo Performance Fleece Jacket with wind block. This works pretty well, but what other options are out there? If the temps are around freezing and the wind is not strong I don't need the fleece. The DCS jacket is compressing the primaloft, I wonder if a looser fit would help retain heat?
What are those of you up north doing to stay warm? Below zero with a wind on stand can be a challenge of willpower. Thin and thick layer of Merino wool, wool sweater, maybe a goose down vest over that, depends on the thickness of the two. Wool pants and wool jacket of maximum thickness - yes they have some weight. Fleece balaclava, and a wool trooper hat. My wool is Sleeping Indian (now defunct) or King of the Mountain. Wool or down gloves. A pair of silk or Thinsulate socks with a thick wool pair over that. If your feet tend to sweat or the walk to the stand is at least a half mile, I'll wear some cotton socks out to the stand and switch them out. Don't put all this stuff on at the camp or cabin. I carry the wool jacket and keep the cap loose. You don't want to get steamed up and them sit for hours. Also, I have quite a bit of Kuiu stuff but I wouldn't wear a DCS Guide Jacket in this application. By the way, we have had to do this very thing in New Mexico in Jan. on our elk hunts. Temps have dropped to -20* and lower in the morning. We actually start hiking quite chilled with extra clothing in the packs. If we get to a spot and believe to be there for some time, we will switch out a sweaty base layer top and put on new wool socks. Waiting and glassing in clammy clothing is not enjoyable.
Last edited by bigwhoop; 11/23/16.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,852
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,852 |
I've run into the same issue before. I've been hunting in NW and central PA for 40 years (painful to say that....).
I've worn alot of wool but find it way to heavy and when wet is heavier. Last year I bought a set of First Lite Sanctuary bibs and coat. It is fairly lightweight. I'll try it this upcoming week and see how it does.
If it's cold, I plan is to wear Merino wool base layer (icebreaker 260 top, FL Allegheny bottom), FL Labrador sweater, FL Uncompagrhe puffy, FL Sanctuary, Cabelas Whitetail boots (1200 gr). Sounds like alot of clothes but sitting from before daylight till dark in 25-30 temps with high humidity can be challenging, especially if wind is thrown in.
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,532
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,532 |
A neck gaiter or buff helps a lot in staying warm w/o adding much weight or bulk.
Just down the road from The City of Lost Souls in the Land of the Blind. Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
Now there's also this option on a cold windy day.....grin, I have that option for elk hunting!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,097
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,097 |
Right now, I have a bottom layer of First Lite merino wool, then a warm wool sweater, a Cabela's primaloft jacket, Kuiu DCS guide jacket and then I can top it off with a Cabela's Predator® Camo Performance Fleece Jacket with wind block.
How come you don't have a down mid- layer? You could reduce your complex layering and less effective synthetics by employing down. - No man-made or natural fibre beats the thermal efficiency of premium high-loft goose down. http://rab.equipment/us/mens/insulation/positron-jacket-301- A skin/base layer mid-weight (260gm) merino 'body fit' Ice Breaker, 2- down jacket (hydrophobic down and 100% wind-proof outer) , 3- full protective shell layer.....what more do you really need?
-Bulletproof and Waterproof don't mean Idiotproof.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
Down is a consideration. The primaloft is warm, but the one I have is relatively light. Eyeing a Kuiu super down jacket and some cabelas wooltimate pants with a wind blocker layer.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,525 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,525 Likes: 2 |
For backpacking I use a silk base layer, merino SS shirt, merino LS shirt, Sporthill 3SP jacket, Costco down jacket mid-layer, and Kuiu Guide jacket outer layer. I ordered the Guide jacket a size large so I could fit a few layers under it. Then I wear a merino toque with a Guide beanie, and a wool neck gaiter.
When I'm not walking too far, Canadian military standard issue wool is about as good as I've found.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
I ordered the pants and a larger jacket that should work better with a down layer. I'll have a first lite merino wool base, cabelas wooltimate pants, a Kuhl wool sweater top, Kuiu super down jacket and an outer layer
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,130
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,130 |
I've found the fancy technical gear (Kuiu, FL, Sitka) to be less effective for inactive hunting like treestands except for maybe a down layer.
Something I have found useful is a wool cycling jersey as a mid layer with chemical handwarmers in the pockets which are conveniently located over your kidneys where there is a lot of blood flow.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8,643
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8,643 |
Merino wool base top and bottoms Wool blend socks Down vest Wind proof synthetic jacket and pants Beanie and neck gator
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
Down or similar synthetic.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453 |
A neck gaiter or buff helps a lot in staying warm w/o adding much weight or bulk. Truth. A merino balaclava is a damned good thing to have. Down or puffy mid-layer is a must-have as well.
America needs to understand that our troops are not 'disposable'. Each represents a family; Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts... Our Citizens are our most valuable treasure; we waste far too many.
|
|
|
|
688 members (01Foreman400, 160user, 16gage, 12344mag, 10ring1, 16penny, 64 invisible),
3,024
guests, and
1,357
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,618
Posts18,492,662
Members73,972
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|