Hunting Forum

I'm wondering what everyone else wears when layering up for cold weather hunting.  I am a stand hunter, and prefer to sit all day if I can (sometime I have to switch stands mid day) but otherwise I sit in my stand as long as I can.  temps here can get into the single digits some days during late season.  I have good outer shell/jackets for both bow and firearm seasons.  The problem I have is I have always just layered up with as many cotton sweatshirts and shirts and other warmth clothing I can find to keep me warm.  I know there has to be a better way, and am wondering what everyone else wears for a layering system.  Here is what I was thinking to get:

I use a base layer, a union suit from sportsman's guide (ECW},sweats on the bottom, wool sweater on top and then either insulated coveralls or fleece/windproof pants and insulated jacket. But it only gets in the single digits here with the windchill. I have a jacket that I got at a military surplus store, I believe is called a Buffalo jacket that is the warmest thing I have ever put on.Wish they made pants to match!! i usually skip everything but the baselayer on top when I wear it under the coveralls on our coldest days cause it is really warm. it's solid brown in color is why I wear it under the coveralls. I think wool is a little warmer but I wouldn't take anything for my fleece/windproof pants and vest.

I use a wicking t-shirt, underarmor cold gear compression fit under heavy weight pants and a flannel lined shiirt; a thermal sweat shirt and some quilted coveralls. On my feet, I wear some wicking socks under some wool ones. If I have to walk a ways, I wear some BPS boots with 1000 grams of thinsulate. If I don't have to walk a ways or there is snow, I have some Army issue, "Mickey Mouse" boots. If you are going to just sit a stand and don't have to walk miles to get there, go with the "mouse" boots. I have sat ankle deep in snow for hours in those boots and my feet never got cold. They are heavy, ugly, and warm. I think you can get them through Sportsman's Guide. On the other end, I have a fleece balaclava that came from Walmart and works pretty well in keeping your face warm.

I used expedition thermals, then usually a flannel shirt, fleece jacket and then my hunting suit. Full bib lowers and jacket upper. The legs unzip for ventilation. As for feet, I too use a thin wicking sock covered by different weight socks depending on the temps and my planned activity.

I had an original pair of Mouse boots that my Dad brought back. I can't speak for the new ones but the old ones were black and probably the warmest boots I ever had on. Heavy and bulky but warm. I currently have a pair of Sorel Expedition Pac boots that I use when it gets cold. Again, heavy and bulky but my feet don't get cold. And my feet typically freeze.

One other key; if you have a hike to get to your stand, don't wear everything walking in. Put it in a back pack and go in with just enough to keep you warm but you do NOT want to break a sweat. When you get to your stand and are starting to cool, then put on the duds.

Oh, and the chemical hand warmers are a good addition as well. Never tried the foot warmers, the Sorels do it for me.

Steve,
The new ones are still black, heavy and ugly, and VERY warm. A friend of mine was on an equipment test at Ft. Greely, Alaska. Because he was government, he was issued mickey mouse boots. The contractors all had expensive, commercial, boots. By mid morning on the first day, my friend had to go back and take off several pairs of socks as his feet were too hot. The contractors were looking around hoping to find some mickey mouses.

Thanks Goose, for some reason I had it in my little pea brain that they changed them to white in the Korean timeframe. Yeah, they definitely are the warmest things I've ever had on my feet, but my Sorels are a REAL close second.  And I have problem feet - BIG time.

Thanks guys, I was looking at some Mickey boots, and noticed that some of valves and some don't. What is the purpose of the valve and would you get one with the valve. Do you think the valve will cause them to be less durable? For boots they are pretty cheap too. only 35 bucks on Sportsmen guide!  

I have no experience with them and the valves. I only had the old originals. suspect the theory is to pump air in around your feet. No nothing about 'em - sorry.

The best thing would be if you can go somewhere and try them on but if not, I'd go 12s at a MINIMUM. One pair of heavyweight socks with liners underneath with eat up one size all by themselves.

Steve You have problem feet! Want to trade? The biggest boot I could find in the stores was a 14. Before my accident I wore a size 9 after size 13. So on the cold days so far this season I sit and suffer you learn to do that when you're in constant pain. Acutually for me cold feet aren't all that bad keeps me from swelling up. But if it ever got down single digits I'll have to stay home don't want to freeze my feet solid which is a real possibility for me. Be up you know who's creek without feet.

I think I'll have to pass on that one... ;-)

These are what I wear an my feet stay warm. Wore 'em up in Maine and it was freekin' cold and was ok.

http://www.amazon.com/Sorel-Mens-Gl...B000W8WV5C

http://www.cabelas.com/mens-winter-...ts-1.shtml

The amazon site goes to size 15 and cabelas goes to 16. Sorel makes them up to a 17

I did get a spare set of liners for them 'cause they are VERY good at wicking moisture away from your feet so they have to be taken out every night an dried.  I put them and the boots on Peet boot dryers over night.

http://www.amazon.com/PEET-M97-FSB-...B001J4HQ76

I may have to get me a pair of those? My 200 dollar Lacrosse SST's w/2000 grams suck! I wear a heavy wool sock in them and my feet freeze at 35 degrees? I like a high rubber boot that's quiet and water proof for bowhunting, but dang!

The chemical toe warmers work for me for a short sit of no longer than 4 hours.
Never wear any cotton close to the skin as it will hold moisture rather than wick it away from the body.
Have a old set of battery operated socks. They run on D batteries and work well also.
There seem to be some new electric socks on the market. might be worth a try.
Supposley you lose most of your heat through your head.
I wear several hoods and hats.
Also have a pouch for my hands. The one I have does not have elastic bands on the ends. It makes it easier to put hands inside with gloves on. I also throw two hand warmers in the pouch. Also wear Scent reducing glove liners under my Gloves.
I Have slept very comfortable in my Tree Lounge 25' up a pine tree swinging in the breeze at 19 degrees. Must be doing something right. On nobody can fall out of a Tree Lounge.
Joe Termite

I've never used the toe warmers but use the ones for the hands in my fleece pouch all the time. I've never been able to shoot with gloves so I don't even carry 'em.   Tried a pair of the old bat. operated socks a long time ago, stopped working really quickly so that was that.

NFW I'm getting up in a tree.  I don't poop through feathers and sleep on treelimbs so I figure the power that be wants me on the ground!   ('cept for planes and 'copters of course )

expedition type base layers are very warm and could be worn with a flannel shirt and I have a quad coat that is water and wind proof which makes it very comfortable. I wear Irish Setter 1000 gram boots with wool socks and my feet stay warm. There is no doubt that mickey mouse boots will keep your feet warm while on a stand. In extermely cold weather I wear my bibs over the base layers and I am more than comfortable. Good tip on wearing wicking under wear too.

Polar Tec

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/sear...&x=11&y=10

Then pick a good insulated Jacket and bibb combo.

Pac boots with wool socks and you are good to go !

I am looking at picking up a wicker brand set of expedition weight base layer. It has no cotton, and is part of a series that has everything from light weight to this which is listed for limited movement and low energy activity and says temps from 20 to -10 F. So that was the warmest listed product I could find everything else was listed for moderate activity and I will be sitting all day which is basically no activity.

My question is while looking at sizes what should I be looking for. I am averaged size (5,11" and 175lbs) but should I trust the listed sizing on the package? When you pick out these layers, to you want them to be tight like spandex, or a little looser. I was thinking of trying to get something between body form tight and t-shirt loose? I don't think there is much spandex in the material, but mostly wool and pro.. something i believe.

Thanks everyone you all are a huge help.

personally, I prefer mine loose. What's the "right" thing for a base? Dunno