I’m good on base and mid layers for matches. Anyone have some recommendations for cold weather outer layers. I’m in North Texas so nothing crazy around freezing or a little below is the lowest it will get.
Prs Cold Weather Outer Layers
- Thread starter hairy_pineapple588
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I've settled on a GoreTex shell as my outer layer, works good for either cold or rain or both. Add additional insulating layers underneath as temperature requires, I usually run a puffy down under the shell and that's quite warm, plus a thermal or two. Also allows me to shed layers if it warms up through the day.
I've got a Mountain Hardwear shell, Arc'teryx is good too.
I've got a Mountain Hardwear shell, Arc'teryx is good too.
I'm with @Sheldon N on this, GoreTex and specifically GoreTex Pro is the gold standard. I've done a bit of mountaineering and backpacking in addition to shooting, and I've found for myself that Arc'teryx really is worth the premium. Their shells are the most durable I've used, which really makes that investment last, and their warranty (along with many other top outdoor gear brands) will take care of you. Other quality brands are Marmot, Mountain Hardware, Mammut, Rab, and Outdoor Research, but again, I personally find that Arc'teryx is noticeably more reliable. The Beta AR jacket is a pretty excellent balance between "around town" usability and stout weather protection.
Definitely check out mountaineering gear recommendations for shells; those folks require more from their weather protection than a round of gun golf calls for. One other thought is that you don't want an insulated shell; again like Sheldon, I find that just the shell works best as part of a layer system, where most of your warmth is coming from midlayers (like thin sweaters) and puffy jackets as needed.
Here's a site that discusses a lot of key features and considerations; I've not tried all of their recommendations, but they do a great job of explaining the things that are most important for these clothing systems: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/clothing-mens/best-hardshell-jacket
ETA: You can absolutely go the other way, and run a thinner and much more budget-friendly shell. I'd expect runner's rain jackets to be a little too thin to stand up to multiple seasons of prone positions in the mud, but backpacking rain jackets can work great at a friendly cost. Just expect them to be less durable and "impressive" as a user experience. Buy slightly oversized so you can fit a puffy under there.
Definitely check out mountaineering gear recommendations for shells; those folks require more from their weather protection than a round of gun golf calls for. One other thought is that you don't want an insulated shell; again like Sheldon, I find that just the shell works best as part of a layer system, where most of your warmth is coming from midlayers (like thin sweaters) and puffy jackets as needed.
Here's a site that discusses a lot of key features and considerations; I've not tried all of their recommendations, but they do a great job of explaining the things that are most important for these clothing systems: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/clothing-mens/best-hardshell-jacket
ETA: You can absolutely go the other way, and run a thinner and much more budget-friendly shell. I'd expect runner's rain jackets to be a little too thin to stand up to multiple seasons of prone positions in the mud, but backpacking rain jackets can work great at a friendly cost. Just expect them to be less durable and "impressive" as a user experience. Buy slightly oversized so you can fit a puffy under there.
When shooting in the cold too, you have to consider the layers
@Enough Said coming from Alaska recommends the shooter using heavy layers open the coat and insert the buttstock against the inner layers not the outer
In the AK classes he demonstrated how the rifle can not only slip on the material, but also it can change the rifle set up so be sure to set it up with the extra layers
But a simple unzip and butt against the inner layers vs outer can make a difference deleting the situation
@Enough Said coming from Alaska recommends the shooter using heavy layers open the coat and insert the buttstock against the inner layers not the outer
In the AK classes he demonstrated how the rifle can not only slip on the material, but also it can change the rifle set up so be sure to set it up with the extra layers
But a simple unzip and butt against the inner layers vs outer can make a difference deleting the situation
Third vote for a gore-tex uninsulated shell layer- especially when you need to block the wind. I have both an arcteryx LEAF set and a no name surplus set (pants and jackets)- they both stop the wind, but one I don't feel bad about rolling in the mud in and washing it off with a hose. The arcteryx stuff is way lighter, quieter, and more packable which is why the high end mounaineering stuff ends up so expensive.
My problem was always trying to find a good solution for my hands. Gloves I can shoot in don't keep me warm enough for the 90% of the time you're not shooting. I ended up with big puffy gloves while waiting/glassing, and keeping mechanix gloves warm/dry inside my waistband for the 2minutes of shooting.
My problem was always trying to find a good solution for my hands. Gloves I can shoot in don't keep me warm enough for the 90% of the time you're not shooting. I ended up with big puffy gloves while waiting/glassing, and keeping mechanix gloves warm/dry inside my waistband for the 2minutes of shooting.
For the hands I keep a carton of Hot Hands in my car. I put 2 in each pocket to start the match and make sure to keep my hands in my pockets as much as possible prior to my turn to shoot.
The common denominator is the T-shirt. We always have a T-shirt layer on, cold or warm, so always place the butt of the rifle against the t-shirt in the shoulder pocket to get a consistent outcome.
