Over the years, I've grown quite attached to mid-layers in my hunting. For the last couple years, have run a FL Aerowool next to skin, FL Sawtooth over that and something else when its cold. A Sitka Kelvin Lite hoody and Jetstream round out my standard above waist outfit.

I break down my needs as: hike in, still hunt, sits (glassing or meadow watching)

The FL Aerowool/Sawtooth combo works well 90% of the time for the hike in and still hunting. The Sitka Kelvin Lite/Jetstream works 90% of the time for sits. The past couple years have seen colder weather (0 to single digits) and wind. Wind and single digits don't work well for my mid-layer scheme on the hike in. I tried a Jetstream vest to cut wind and wasn't overly satisfied with that. I've worn the Jetstream jkt in the cold/wind situations and find I sweat too much. For this coming year, I'm leaning to a base layer/2 mid-layer scheme - FL Aerorwool next to skin, a 350-400 wt merino wool shirt, FL Sawtooth. This should still breathe, and hopefully with 3 smaller layers, mitigate heat loss from the wind.

I've used various weights of fleece but find they offer next to zero wind resistance - unless they have some type of wind blocking mechanism. I have every weight fleece from really thin to stupid thick and have moved away from them but might try midweights between the Aerowool and Sawtooth.

Which got me to thinking - how do you all do mid-layers when you hike 1-3 miles in, climb 1-2000 feet, then expect to sit or still hunt?

I also wish someone would make a jacket with wind block, DWR finish to shed light rain/snow, quiet material, with ~ 100 gr Primaloft built into the jkt. That way I wouldn't need to stuff the Kelvin Lite and Jetstream into my pack. If you know anything fitting that bill, I'm all ears, or eyeballs in this case.

Teen temps or below (sitting) I'll wear my Montbell Alpine down vest over a mid-layer Patagonia R2 or R3 fleece jacket or a single Montbell Alpine down jacket (own both their down vest and jacket). Also have 2 Patagonia climashield vests for milder temps. All mentioned are light and highly packable.

I usually wear some combo of 2 baselayers, a light and med/heavy. Own various weights of baselayers: capilene, Smartwool, 32 Degrees (Costco), Orvis, and Pacific Trail etc. Quarter zips much preferred for the second baselayer.

For waterproof shells I have several hooded ones: highly packable E-Vent and a cheapo Frogg Toggs. And for closer hunts a Cabelas Whitetail Gore Tex shell and Columbia Big Game shell. Hoods are much preferred.

I’m a first lite and kuiu fan

I get tired of people telling me what they "run".

I feel the same way. Didn't even finish reading the post after I read "run". Might as well throw in platform too, just as bad for me. The clothes I run on my 200lb platform...

You have the right to remain silent.

I have started replacing my merino base layers with Alpaca when I can find it. It is 3-4 times warmer than wool and seems to have a broader temperature range due to the hollow fibers. Great for socks too. The other I like is the Patagonia which is the best of wool and synthetic combined.

The Natural gear fleece is very wind repellent with out a membrane. The membrane I think defeats the purpose of the fleece as a mid layer.

I always carry rain gear and if wind is a problem I wear that over all but most of my jackets do fine without it.

I've heard/read good things about Alpaca. Might just have to try it next round.

I wear whatever the heck I can find at a reasonable price at the local army/navy surplus....works just fine.

I don't, that's just how I roll. Seriously though, I tend to focus more on who's doing the running.

BW's a good dude, IMO he can run, use, or wear whatever he wants.

Merino + Berber fleece + down puffy. Add or remove as needed.

I don't own any Sitka or First Lite clothing so I found BWs experiences with it informative. 👍

Thanks guys. Sorry for the delayed response I was running. Literally.

After re-reading my post I was a bit surprised I used that word for the reason elaborated by several. I'm not a fan of the word used in conjunction with wearing clothes or about anything else.

I also find it interesting that people can't get past it either. I have a tendency to get past semantics and evaluate the content. My pet peeve is people struggling to make a point because they haven't figured out grammar or sentence structure. I still try to find whatever value there is...........

I enjoy the knowledge base here and use it often. Some of the guys offering substantive input are also the guys I'm most interested in hearing from.

As to base layers, I 'discovered' a Patagonia R1 shirt yesterday I forgot I bought in WY last summer on closeout. I like hoods but this shirt is going to see some hiking time this winter as a double mid-layer. I'll probably run it all winter

A few things to look at here. Thanks for the thoughts, I'll have a look.

Bw-in 10-35 degrees I typically wear merino t-shirt, FL Chama hoody and then a 350 WT wool zip up. If I need to dump heat, I can zip open that heavy weight. Keep a puffy in the bag for sitting.

I have limited knowledge of alpaca, but several years ago got a pair of alpaca socks as a gift. They are too warm. I couldn't imagine hiking in those. Now, they are thick, heavy socks....a lighter weight version maybe better?

Pretty much exactly what I “run”. The Chama hoody is my absolute favorite piece of clothing. The FL Merino pants are great too.

I've always run wool as a first layer, most often Filson heavy weight depending on temps. Next is usually a berber fleece vest with a windproof liner or a Filson 24 oz wool vest. When really cold a wind proof hoodie goes over the base layer. Last is an outer layer that is wind and or water proof, and insulated.

TR I've been working at various 350-400 weight merino. I love merino but it takes a while to dry when I sweat. I've not heard of alpaca socks. I have issues with cold feet, I doubt theyll be too warm for me <G>

In mid to late season 90% of the time my outerwear is gore-tex lined to provide some wind and rain/snow protection. I also carry a down vest, a neck gaiter and some heavier gloves in my pack. When I'm sitting I'll put the vest and neck gaiter on once I start to cool down.

Speaking of gaiters......I picked up a “Buff” brand Merino gaiter this year.

It’s like the damn multi-tool of clothing. Worth every penny.

16 - can you elaborate a bit more - what the heck brand is that? My Kennetreks are getting a bit worn........

This one here: BUFF Merino Gaiter

You can configure it 6 ways to Sunday. Headband, hat, neck warmer...just depends on how cold your are.

I just looked, I have a heavyweight FL layer called Labrador. I don't think they make it anymore. It's full zip and heavy duty. You are right, it doesn't deal well with getting wet.

I also bought 2 sizes too small and it fits me fine. Kinda strange sizing.

I was thinking you meant boot gaiter

I had a Labrador and loved it. I lost it when all my stuff was stolen in 2018. Replaced it with the FL Sawtooth - same concept except has 40-60 gr of primaloft on the front. I really like it.

Polypro long johns with sock liners and smartwool socks... good warm boots. Any kind of camo pants work... then use 35 year old Columbia Camo Insulated bibs. Light T shirt under a light fleece with maybe another fleece over it. Then a Columbia Wigeon (3 in 1) jacket.... sat out in 6 degree weather and never got cold at all. Balacava and gloves make you warm.

It's all about layering, and regulating heat and moisture loss. Have an old Browning Hydrofleece (3 in 1) that gets used all the time too.

No doubt you can go out and buy better stuff now a days... the old stuff I have works so why buy again. buy once, cry once...

i am a recent convert to vests. I swore them off in the apst due to my concerns that my arms would get cold, but after using one this year over just a base layer and wool shirt im sold. i will probably invest in one of the Sitka fleece vests. and add a Sitka heavyweight hoody. while keeping my puffy jacket and raincoat in my pack as an outer layer for sitting.

I bout a pair of puffy pants as well and wear them over a heavyweight waffle fleece baselayer and fleece pants the search for good boots continues

Get the kuiu gaiters

wool under shirt, grid fleece with a hood like Patagonia R 1, kuiu or sitka , soft shell vest vest and a shell if cold/rain with pit zips if cold. Lite merino hat. soft shell gloves

bring a puffy, foam cushion,

There is not much I cannot get through comfortably with a merino 150 plus base, Patagonia R1 other similar grid fleece like a Klamath, mid weight fleece vest, micro Puffy, and a rain shell. I like a packable puffy and shell. On colder windy days I may replace the RI with a peleton 240 or just wear my shell. These layers are pretty versatile for me. If it is real cold or I am sitting mainly, I will wear a windproof fleece hoody over it all. Cozy.

For pants I have too many options to list but I usually pack superdown when it is cold and a rain pant. I may or may not have on a base depending on the temp. Sometimes I wear jeans, breathable stretchy pants, wool outers, sometimes I were fancier stuff.

The top set stays the same. I always have a gator and gloves too.

Though a bit dated, technology wise, but a full Patagonia R1 shirt/pants has worked for me as a mid layer for about 15yrs. The shirt gets worn alot more than the pants, but for me it works very well. If I'm being somewhat active, silkweight base layer with the R1 as midlayer, and microtex Pants/Shirt/Jacket has taken me through some cold hunts.

My only concern for those factors are wind stopping material while riding my Honda Pioneer to the stand.

Hike 1-3 miles in, climb 2000’....? I save that for exercise time at home.

So, I am of no help. Although, my recent purchase of the Sitka Elevation 2 hooded jacket surprised me with both wind resistance & DWR abilities. I wore it all day in Utah at 16° in wet snowfall & stayed quite dry inside.

An update of sorts. I hiked last weekend in the Smokys. Temps were in the low 30s, wind gusts up to 25 mph or so. I wore a FL Aeorwool next to skin, a Patagonia R1 no hood, and a Kuiu Peloton 240. The hike wasnt anything strenuous, about 10 total miles with a 700 foot climb at one point. I only had a 10 lb or so daypack. I started cool but was warm within 1 mile and starting to sweat by mid point of the hike, even with the wind. I suspect it also warmed up into the high 30s, low 40s as well. All told, I think this layer strategy will work well in elk season with temps in the teens, 25 lb pack, and more elevation gain.

I also ordered a Sitka Traverse Zip T earlier this week. Found them on sale and decided to give one a try. They should be warmer than the Patagonia R1 and/or Sitka Core HW hoody. I'll try hiking in the FL Aerowool and Traverse to see how that combo works. I'd bet layering the Kuiu P240 over that will be too warm. The thing that attracted me to the Traverse is is tougher exterior and a bit of wind resistance.

I could do hunting/hiking clothing R&D for a living

I’m a huge fan of the 240 Peleton. I just adjust the base layer under it for temps. Range from a Patagonia silk weight base, Aerowool, or a heavier Kuiu Merino wool. The wind blocking of the 240 just makes every other layer work better. That’s worked for me on many CO elk hunts in Oct and Nov. The next layer up is an Arc’teryx Atom. Though this year I have a Kuiu Hybrid to try.
Edit:
Base layer: Patagonia silk weight long sleeve
Mid: 240 Peleton
Light Insulation: Arc’teryx Atom
Heavy Insulation: Kifaru LPP
Rain: light rain jacket

The only shortcoming of that for my hunts is the synthetic base layer gets stinky faster. I typically take the Aerowool and the synthetic (it wads up to the size of a fist) so I can rinse the synthetic in a creek if necessary and then let dry.
I do put my money where my mouth is with the 240. I just received a hooded in Valo camo. Also have one in Vais, green, black, and a grey vest. Yes I am a fan!

Interesting, I have most of the same clothing, except the LPP. I did start using the Peloton 240 at your suggestion. Its works well, especially at blocking wind. I also really like ArcTeryx clothing.

I received the Sitka Traverse Zip T. First, no matter how hard I try, I'm not a Sitka medium except for their Expedition fitted clothing lines. A standard fit medium is simply too tight. Second, I was more than underwhelmed with the shirt. It is a lightly "insulated" shirt with a tougher exterior than many shirts of the same fabric weight. I think a Patagonia R2 would be warmer than the Traverse Zip T.

The other thing I bought is a new puffy from Thlete, their Tailwind Puffy. 133 grams of Polartech Gold in the body, 100 gr in the sleeves, $199. I always wish I had a bit more insulation than my Sitka Kelvin Lite hoody (80 gr). I noticed since I turned 50, I get cold easier than when I was younger. Sitting in a meadow for the last 2-3 hours of light in late October/early November and/or glassing spots is mo' better if I'm not shivering.

Late to this party but the Kuiu Super Down Ultra has been an awesome mid layer for me. It weighs nothing (8 oz), packs up into minimal space, and is very warm and cuts wind very well. I’ve never experienced an article of clothing that provides that much good warmth in that small of a package. Fits well as a mid layer and it looks nice (solid color), I wear it over a t-shirt as an outer layer in the winter here

It’s markedly warmer that the Peleton 240. Together they really provide a lot of warmth

I debated over the superdown. A friend has one and loves it. I found an archery cerium on sale and ended up buying that instead. Big fan of the 240 peleton too.

I have a Kuiu Super Down and like it. Though it just doesn’t seem to fit in my system right now. It is very warm for weight. Really not comparable to the 240 Peleton in my view. If anything it could replace my Arc’teryx Atom with the Super down. The Kuiu Super down is a little warmer, but does not move moisture as well as the Atom. Both good. I’d prefer the Super Down as a layer under a shell or heavy insulation and prefer the Atom as an outer layer. I rarely add the LPP so the Atom is often my outer layer. FYI, the Arc’teryx LEAF Atom has a heavier outer layer.