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Adding insulation under bibs

B

Bowtechassassin

New Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2019
Messages
30
I've got a set first lite solitude set that I love. I've got my top figured out for down to 0° and I'm comfortable. Where I have a problem is the lower part when it gets below 20° with base layer, some running pants, and the Bibs I can do it but it's not comfortable. With first lite dropping the new origin pants. Kuiu has a new strongfleece 290 pants and the sitka midi pants. I was wondering if anybody has found any other pants that works for a mid layer pants. To add to list to consider.
 
For real cold here I wear a base layer and a pair of fleece lined jeans under my Natural Gear wintercepter fleece pants. I have worn that down into the mid teens with wind chill at zero and been fine, not toasty but fine.
 
Bowtechassassin said:
I've got a set first lite solitude set that I love. I've got my top figured out for down to 0° and I'm comfortable. Where I have a problem is the lower part when it gets below 20° with base layer, some running pants, and the Bibs I can do it but it's not comfortable. With first lite dropping the new origin pants. Kuiu has a new strongfleece 290 pants and the sitka midi pants. I was wondering if anybody has found any other pants that works for a mid layer pants. To add to list to consider.
Click to expand...

Not mid layer (but can be), I put these over my bibs and saddle once I'm hanging in the tree.

www.kuiu.com

Super Down PRO Pant | Gunmetal

The Super Down PRO Pants are purpose built for low-level activity when temperatures plunge. Sized to fit over your mid-layers and insulated with 3.2 oz of 850+FP Quixdown, they are our warmest down pants. Our down is treated with TORAY's DWR, so each individual down cluster is impervious to...
www.kuiu.com

They pack down small in a stuff sack.

If you want to keep as a midlayer, then color and how noisy/durable the exterior is doesn't matter as much. There's several places that make down pants with full side zips (for camping or hunting). High loft down I think is still the king when only considering warmth to weight.

Regardless, I'd consider packing most of your midlayers in if your walk/climb in are strenuous at all.

You can also stick Hot Hands Adhesive Body Warmers on your thighs on your base layer and the heat will circulate.
 
I thought about going the down route but I don't want to pack them in. I like wearing my lower half clothes in and opening the bibs all the way open so I can just zip them up when I get to where I'm going. I tried the pack them in and wasn't a fan of it.
 
I like a modular system so I have options to pack in, or take off easy if needed. Don't wanna have to drop trow and take off boots if unnecessary.. So for me I need full zips. I use full zip base layers and both of these below are full zip options.
For real cold I pack these in:
https://www.blackovis.com/blackovis-anchor-point-800-fill-welded-down-pant
Recently got these real cheap on their gearage sale and eager to try them. Primaloft gold, nice and light, not baggy.
https://www.badlandsgear.com/products/shift-pants
 
NimbleTimbo said:
I like a modular system so I have options to pack in, or take off easy if needed. Don't wanna have to drop trow and take off boots if unnecessary.. So for me I need full zips. I use full zip base layers and both of these below are full zip options.
For real cold I pack these in:
https://www.blackovis.com/blackovis-anchor-point-800-fill-welded-down-pant
Recently got these real cheap on their gearage sale and eager to try them. Primaloft gold, nice and light, not baggy.
https://www.badlandsgear.com/products/shift-pants
Click to expand...

I'm leery of the sonic welds instead of sewing on those down pants. Any issues?

PS I agree that a modular system is awesome. For my top, I pack in my down and my windproof layer and walk in with just a jacket. It feels great to not sweat and then get super toasty in the tree once settled. That's why I've never gotten into the expensive jackets/parkas that combine insulation and windproofness all in one garment. I have a few things like that, but they only get worn when it is extremely cold (for around here...which is single digits to negative F).
 
I worried too but haven't had any issue yet. I have only worn them when it's 20 and below, and even then it's light use since I pack them in and mostly wear them in the tree.
 
I used to run Scentlok reactor pants. IIRC they’re 80gm thinsulate. Worked well for layering.
www.scentlok.com

BE:1 Reactor Pant | Insulated Hunting Pants for Cold Weather | ScentLok

The BE:1 Reactor Pants are the bowhunter's solution to on-demand insulation without the noise of traditional puff jackets. Order your insulated hunting pants from ScentLok!
www.scentlok.com www.scentlok.com
Another option is if you already wear a baselayer order another thicker baselayer and size that one a size larger.
 
Fleece pajama pants are quiet, warm, cheap, and pack down small. If you get a big size that is stretchy, you can pull them on right over your boots, bibs, and saddle.
 
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Two seasons ago i tried the First Lite zip off layers and they worked great for me. I usually change socks at the base of the tree, so dropping trou to zip them on isn’t a problem. Also, when the temps climb mid morning, i can zip them off to still hunt on the way out.
 
I forgot about the surplus pants. I've got a sitka celcius midi jacket and was kinda the material I was wanting. Those are very close to the same style fabric so I'll definitely be looking at them now.

Like I said this is 20° or colder when I'll be wearing these pants and don't want to do the pack in route.
 
Bowtechassassin said:
I've got a set first lite solitude set that I love. I've got my top figured out for down to 0° and I'm comfortable. Where I have a problem is the lower part when it gets below 20° with base layer, some running pants, and the Bibs I can do it but it's not comfortable. With first lite dropping the new origin pants. Kuiu has a new strongfleece 290 pants and the sitka midi pants. I was wondering if anybody has found any other pants that works for a mid layer pants. To add to list to consider.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you need a good insulating layer. Do some research on CLO values. (BTW: Fleece is not a particularly good insulating layer.)
 
This past season - including the end of rifle season in Northern MN, when it got properly cold - I wore Field & Forest wool bibs, with quality thermal base layer - I think Under Armor and XGO? I'd have to look. I packed insulated bibs and put them on if I got cold. I didn't wind up wearing them in m saddle, but did in a folding chair.
 
Maverick1 said:
Sounds like you need a good insulating layer. Do some research on CLO values. (BTW: Fleece is not a particularly good insulating layer.)
Click to expand...
See the problem is most company don't advertise what's it made with (exactly what is used for insulation) and how much. So do and others don't. I've never heard of that and will be looking into it more now.
 
Bowtechassassin said:
See the problem is most company don't advertise what's it made with (exactly what is used for insulation) and how much. So do and others don't. I've never heard of that and will be looking into it more now.
Click to expand...
And, yes, that is correct - some manufacturers do not list their insulation materials or amount of insulation in those materials. Some do!
 
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