Cold weather gear

[tna9001]

Hey guys,

I’m looking for some help putting together a cold weather set up. For now just the clothing but other than what the google has to offer I really don’t know where to start beyond the basics. I live in the SE so the temperatures aren’t crazy but I’d like to be able to spend the night in the woods if necessary.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[_Windrider_]

Hey guys,

I’m looking for some help putting together a cold weather set up. For now just the clothing but other than what the google has to offer I really don’t know where to start beyond the basics. I live in the SE so the temperatures aren’t crazy but I’d like to be able to spend the night in the woods if necessary.

Thanks for the advice!

Start piecing together a ECWCS type kit. Lots of surplus items available. Beyond clothing has a great system builder and there is a lot of info on ECWCS out there to put together your own kit

eBay is a great source

 

[zeroz]

Hunting/ hiding from things or just cruising around? You want to survive a cold night out or be comfy?

Im running a lot of merino these days. Used to be just the base layers but now Im going merino mid and even some outer layers too. Obviously have rain shells to throw over in the event.

 

[tna9001]

Hunting/ hiding from things or just cruising around? You want to survive a cold night out or be comfy?

Im running a lot of merino these days. Used to be just the base layers but now Im going merino mid and even some outer layers too. Obviously have rain shells to throw over in the event.

Just cruising around. There are a few different hikes I like to do in the winter and they are a good distance from the parking area. I’ve gotten caught after dark during the summer but I need to have a plan for winter.

 

[ECK]

Are you overnighting or just day trips?

 

[tna9001]

Are you overnighting or just day trips?

Day trips but I want to have the ability to be comfortable down to 15 deg or so if I had to be out for the night.

 

[zeroz]

For that sort of deal I'd probably just have a lightweight 0* bag/bivy in my pack. It's likely to weigh as much or less than a heavy coat and bibs which you wont really want to wear being active during the day and it'll be warmer at night.

 

[tna9001]

For that sort of deal I'd probably just have a lightweight 0* bag/bivy in my pack. It's likely to weigh as much or less than a heavy coat and bibs which you wont really want to wear being active during the day and it'll be warmer at night.

Right on. I hadn't thought about that, probably cheaper too. Thanks!

 

[ECK]

Day trips but I want to have the ability to be comfortable down to 15 deg or so if I had to be out for the night.

I’m assuming you’re going to be moving around with periods of being static. So layers are going to be key that you can put on or take off depending on your activity level.

Baselayer, mid-layer, puffy, and hardshell is usually what I plan on for fall backpacking. However I won’t necessarily be wearing all of that all the time. Start off with a baselayer, add a mid-layer for hiking/being active. I may put a hardshell on top if wet or windy. I found that unless it’s really cold I usually don’t wear a puffy while I’m hiking but I want it when I stop for a while or when I stop in the evenings. Wearing too much while hiking means I sweat, then the sweat makes me cold.

Baselayer: I like merino wool for my baselayers: long johns, long sleeve top, socks, buff, and beanie. 100 weight for early fall, 250 for late season.

Mid-layer: I like to have my mid-layer with a hood. Mid-layer can be a fleece or a light insulated layer but I want it to be breathable. I currently go back and forth between a Kuiu Peloton 1/4 zip hoodie or Outside Vitals Ventus hoodie.

Pants: Some sort of soft shell material with zip vents to dump heat when it warms up or I warm up from activity. I also like it to be DWR treated to repel water but still breathe. Kuiu Attack or Guide pants kind of fit this bill for me, but I’m always looking for something better.

Puffy: Currently I use a down puffy with hood. Since it’s gonna be in my pack I want it to be lightweight (<10 oz) and very compressible, that means down fill. I usually stuff the puffy into a dry bag to keep it dry while hiking and to save space in my pack. Outdoors Vital NovaUL is what I’ve been using.

Hardshell: I’ve been on the hunt for a good hardshell which is waterproof but doesn’t wet out from the inside from sweat. Up until now I’ve been using a hardshell from REI but just got an Outdoors Vital Tushar rainshell to try out.

Neck and head: If you’re like me, I lose a ton of heat from my neck and head, so I usually wear at least a buff around my neck and a wool beanie. Having a hoodie in the various layers also helps to retain heat when I stop moving.

As far as over-night stuff, for me a biggie is going to be an insulated air mattress, something like the Nemo Tensor All-season that has a 5 R-value or even the Tensor Extreme which is designed for winter camping with a R-value upwards of 8. I suppose if you don’t want to carry an air mattress (they weigh 17-24 oz) at least bring a 3-4’ section of closed-cell foam pad that you can sit on to keep your butt off the cold ground. And short of bringing a sleeping bag or top quilt, at least a space blanket or one of those mylar emergency blankets/sleeping bag combos and wear everything you’ve got.

Small stove and pot for heating water. A hot meal and hot drink can really warm you up from the inside.

Hope this helps.

 

[_Windrider_]

https://beyondclothing.com/pages/kit-builder

 

[Longshot85]

I use a lot of what is mentioned above. The ECWS base silky then next layer (waffle) are great. If static hunting in a stand I would have old school woodland gortex jacket and pants.....if it's truly cold.....I'll have the Michelin Man gray ECWS (Level 7?) Pants on......extremely light weight.....can unzip all the way from the bottom to your hip and Second zipper to access pockets of needed.....the level 7 pants also have a REALLY awesome setup on the bottom with an elastic band that zips, then velcrow covers zipper/adds tension.....all that does a great job of keeping snow out of your boots when there's 12+ inches on the ground.....also great for sleeping in

 

[mrtoyz]

I’d look at all the hunting brands. Kuiu, Sitka, Stone Glacier etc. They all have fantastic layering systems. Personally I’m a merino wool fan but synthetics definitely have their place.
OR Pro (tactical) gear is great, especially on sale. Beware their Allies Colossus gear is literally arctic gear.
Layering is the key. Be sure to include a wind blocking mid layer. Just my opinion.

 

[Sogan]

Spiritus systems has an awesome cold weather layer video series which covers every layer in detail:

 

[brianf]

After you buy and research yourself to death..get a few of the large hand/body warmers and your done. Nothing keeps you warmer than free heat on your core or quads..another huge muscle with lots of blood warming up.

The body’s thermometer is your upper chest..that’s why scarves work so well

The warmer that location stays the more willing your body is to give heat from your core to extremities. If your “chest” is cold..your hands will never be warm no matter how many gloves you wear.

Navy did lots of studies with SEALS and warming gloves / boots vs a much lower wattage vest. The glove and boot guys functional - dexterity tests were crushed by the vest guys.

You’ll hear the same from Iditarod competitors.

 

[Longshot85]

After you buy and research yourself to death..get a few of the large hand/body warmers and your done. Nothing keeps you warmer than free heat on your core or quads..another huge muscle with lots of blood warming up.

The body’s thermometer is your upper chest..that’s why scarves work so well

The warmer that location stays the more willing your body is to give heat from your core to extremities. If your “chest” is cold..your hands will never be warm no matter how many gloves you wear.

Navy did lots of studies with SEALS and warming gloves / boots vs a much lower wattage vest. The glove and boot guys functional - dexterity tests were crushed by the vest guys.

You’ll hear the same from Iditarod competitors.

This is definitely true, I've learned these lessons in very cold weather while out hunting

 

[tna9001]

After you buy and research yourself to death..get a few of the large hand/body warmers and your done. Nothing keeps you warmer than free heat on your core or quads..another huge muscle with lots of blood warming up.

The body’s thermometer is your upper chest..that’s why scarves work so well

The warmer that location stays the more willing your body is to give heat from your core to extremities. If your “chest” is cold..your hands will never be warm no matter how many gloves you wear.

Navy did lots of studies with SEALS and warming gloves / boots vs a much lower wattage vest. The glove and boot guys functional - dexterity tests were crushed by the vest guys.

You’ll hear the same from Iditarod competitors.

Are you referring to electric heater or the disposable chemical heaters?

 

[brianf]

Are you referring to electric heater or the disposable chemical heaters?

Disposable

They are cheap and last 12 hours now. Put them on when you get dressed and they last all day.

A few guys at work have the electric vests and love them as well

 

[fedupflyer]

Alpaca vs wool sock?
Read somewehere that alpaca socks are "supposed" to be warmer than wool.
Anyone have first hand experience?
I have quite a few darntough and smartwool socks and looking for something better.

 

[Longshot85]

Disposable

They are cheap and last 12 hours now. Put them on when you get dressed and they last all day.

A few guys at work have the electric vests and love them as well

Yep, when it's bitterly cold and I'm static hunting....I keep one in each glove (small squares), one of the boot warmers in each boost (these are shaped like the sole of a shoe and have an adhesive pad that keeps in place) and one big square sticky on my chest

I usually leave them outside on a concrete pad outside when I take them off and avoid any contact with water (heard they can cause a chemical burn......not verified though)

 

[brianf]

Yep, when it's bitterly cold and I'm static hunting....I keep one in each glove (small squares), one of the boot warmers in each boost (these are shaped like the sole of a shoe and have an adhesive pad that keeps in place) and one big square sticky on my chest

I usually leave them outside on a concrete pad outside when I take them off and avoid any contact with water (heard they can cause a chemical burn......not verified though)

They work by creating “rust”, it’s not some crazy chemical like chlorine..that’s why they get crunchy when they run out.

I’ve had the foot and hand ones in skiing, could just about pour water out of my boot (back when I had knees)..don’t worry about sweat. Just have a layer between the warmers and skin and your fine.

 

[_Windrider_]

They work by creating “rust”, it’s not some crazy chemical like chlorine..that’s why they get crunchy when they run out.

I’ve had the foot and hand ones in skiing, could just about pour water out of my boot (back when I had knees)..don’t worry about sweat. Just have a layer between the warmers and skin and your fine.

i use them on my feet when working. gets cold AF by the rudder pedals. Some planes have feet warmers, but most dont.

 

[Longshot85]

They work by creating “rust”, it’s not some crazy chemical like chlorine..that’s why they get crunchy when they run out.

I’ve had the foot and hand ones in skiing, could just about pour water out of my boot (back when I had knees)..don’t worry about sweat. Just have a layer between the warmers and skin and your fine.

Yeah I've never had an issue with sweat with the few occasions I've miscalculated my overall plan for staying warm and I've had too much on (however this is 99% always a better option than not having enough and I don't overshoot anymore).

Thanks for the feedback on yhe amount of moisture or even water and not having issues

Additionally there's been multiple times I've put them on at 6am, hunted 6 hours.....came back to cabin for lunch and maybe a nap for 2 hours ....then gear back up and head for stand. The warmers aren't 100% but if if you either leave them on or take the base layer hey are stuck to/ put boots they are in in room with fireplace during lunch hour or two while wrapped in a jacket/stuck in boots.. .they are still warm enough to finish out the day with about 70% of the time.

When you spend enough time hunting you learn the morning requires more planing for staying warm vs the evening....especially on any day where the sun is out all day. You're facing the cold that's accumulated over night / waiting for sun to come up and warm things up vs sun being out all day ........sinking heat into everything........when sun goes down it definitely gets cold but it's not those 5am lowes until....5am

Zippo also makes an electric harm warmer that doubled as a power bank.....works pretty well and adds an option to the kit that may not otherwise already exist in a deer stand 29ft off the ground etc...

In ground blinds I've also learned some things in life are literal luxury items.....and Mr Heater Buddy and Big Buddy are definitely amazing. I've also had deer 2 ft away from my blind in both a completely walled up shooting blind minus front open window and also a pop up ground blind.......BLUF....Propane heaters have not impacted hunting white tail for me ....this was in KY. You can put on barely any layers and be BEYOND toasty. I would highly recommend propane heaters for taking kids/girlfriends/wives out for the first time if you plan on hunting extended hours in single digit temps or below (with or without factoring in wind chill.......,single.digits or below for 6 hours.....) to make the experience much more likely for them to enjoy and want to continue if that's your goal. It could also keep someone who has never truly dealt with real cold to be willing to stay in stand and not mess up a hunt by leaving stand early.


Also plan accordingly for changes for that day...these days its aimply too easy to not have a fairly good idea of what the next days whether most likely will look like.

This day was an evening that started as an evening returning to the stand with initially only fog that turned to rain, then freezing rain, then slept and finally snow. My backup plan is the rainfly that's built into a zip pouch in the bottom of my hunting back back that's permanently attached via elastic cord .....but has enough stretch to cover my option and action on rifle of needed. Knowing how/when to store optics inside the cabin or not during lunch because they warm up vs leaving them outside nonstop to keep them cold ....learned with time as well as if it's ever needed to leave covers on optic closed/zipped to allow optic to cool fown so you don't frost an optic.... another one of those "I know a thing or two...cause I seen a thing or two"