Staying warm in cold weather... TIPS?

[Mag1]

Nothing to add here, lots of good info listed above. 2out of the last 3 years, I’ve sat in -5 to about 5 above with 20-50mph wind gusts. That gets cold after awhile. Layers, stay dry walking in, something wind proof makes a huge difference. Also having a bigger tree to break the wind helps. Lol

 

[slydog]

When you get it figured out make sure you can pull your bow and be able to pull it without making a sound. Otherwise you have invested a lot of time and money just to watch the largest buck in the woods spook.

 

[swampdonkey]

Lightweight merino layer followed by a heavier weight merino layer.

Medium weight shell over the merino for the walk in.

Heavy weight insulated Bibs/jacket to put on over it all once you’re at your spot if it’s really cold. Packed in of course.

I like mid weight vests too as it’s really easy to put them on or take off when you’re moving based on need.

But the most important is staying cool actually going in as weird as that sounds. If you dress too warm and sweat you’re most definitely getting chilled when you’re in your tree.

 

[swampdonkey]

I’ll add, i actually hunt out of trees far less in Jan. No matter what i do it’s just far more comfortable to be on the ground when it’s -20 in WI with the wind howling.

Might think about ditching the saddle on the coldest days tbh.

 

[LtMoe66]

I recently got a Milwaukee heated sweatshirt as a layering option. Allows you to take less in but able to keep you warm by turning on the heating element. Works awesome. Most of the other suggestions are where I would start also! Good luck!

 

[Still Kicking]

I’ll add, i actually hunt out of trees far less in Jan. No matter what i do it’s just far more comfortable to be on the ground when it’s -20 in WI with the wind howling.

Might think about ditching the saddle on the coldest days tbh.

I go to the ground blinds when it gets into the mid 20's because I wear too much clothing or my IWOM and just don't feel safe up a tree then.

 

[weekender21]

I’m gonna go against the grain and recommend a high quality synthetic base. Merino is great but if you have to hike a long way to your tree and you sweat, you’ll stay wet. I’ve hunted a lot with both and for late season I won’t wear a merino base. If you’re driving an ATV to your tree or have a short hike then you have more options.

And....you get what you pay for. Save money on your early and mid season camo if needed and splurge on late season. If you’re not comfortable you’re likely not as focused as you need to be. This is especially important if you’re still carrying a bow. It’s hard to draw a bow with 5 layers on unless those layers were purpose built.


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[swampdonkey]

I’m gonna go against the grain and recommend a high quality synthetic base. Merino is great but if you have to hike a long way to your tree and you sweat, you’ll stay wet.

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That’s false brother. Merino is hydrophobic, it repels water and moisture so vapor passes right through and evaporates off quickly.

Not to mention even if you do get wet in say a rain storm it will still keep you just as warm. It doesn’t lose its insulating properties.

There isn’t a synthetic available that will keep you warm when wet.

 

[weekender21]

That’s false brother. Merino is hydrophobic, it repels water and moisture so vapor passes right through and evaporates off quickly.

Not to mention even if you do get wet in say a rain storm it will still keep you just as warm. It doesn’t lose its insulating properties.

There isn’t a synthetic available that will keep you warm when wet.

Sorry but that’s misleading. Merino pulls moisture off your skin directly into the fabric where it stays. Merino is extremely slow to dry. I love merino but it’s not the best option for cold weather hunting. This video explains the difference between merino and synthetics well.

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[ricky racer]

There isn’t a synthetic available that will keep you warm when wet.

That's not true. Lamalite insulation from Wiggy's will keep you warm when wet. That's why the Coast Guard and Marines choose it.
A 1/16" of Merino wool won't do much to keep you warm when it's wet. A 1/2" of wool will keep you relatively warm if it's wet but a thin base layer won't help you much.
I don't worry about it much, I choose to wear fishnets under my base layers.

 

[raisins]

That’s false brother. Merino is hydrophobic, it repels water and moisture so vapor passes right through and evaporates off quickly.

Not to mention even if you do get wet in say a rain storm it will still keep you just as warm. It doesn’t lose its insulating properties.

There isn’t a synthetic available that will keep you warm when wet.

I thought that wet wool still insulated less than dry wool, but better than wet everything else.

One down side to synthetics is that if you are washing them on cold with hunting soap, they build up a funk really quick. I mean put'em on clean and you out of the shower and walk 1,000 yards and you smell like a pirate (first drop of sweat and heat wakes those bacteria up).

 

[DMTJAGER]

There isn’t a synthetic available that will keep you warm when wet.

Sorry my good man but you are indeed wrong as non-hydrophobic treated polypropylene (regular polypropylene) will not absorb moisture and will keep you warm when it gets wet as will other non-hydrophobic synthetics.

 

[DMTJAGER]

One down side to synthetics is that if you are washing them on cold with hunting soap, they build up a funk really quick. I mean put'em on clean and you out of the shower and walk 1,000 yards and you smell like a pirate (first drop of sweat and heat wakes those bacteria up).

That is why some synthetic INS/LJ's are treated with silver or copper as a anti-micro bacterial preventative measure.
I have seven sets of (This is how old they are) made in USA copper treated Cabela's 100% synthetic anti-micro bacterial base layers and bought them for a three week WY elk hunt were personal hygiene was heating water and wiping down at best as we were camping on BLM land 23 miles from the nearest town. And no BS my friends were body odor was far more noticeable than mine and the treated base layers remained fresh smelling vs my non-treated cloths, so I can say with confidence the anti-bacterial properties of the copper treatment did work. I will add I did air out what ever clothes I could every day especially my base layers.

 

[weekender21]

The Sitka synthetic base layers are actually pretty affordable and don’t smell at all. Some of the earlier synthetics stunk like crazy. Some still do.

Cabelas had a good synthetic base layer product years ago with silver but I’m not sure if they still make it.

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[swampdonkey]

That's not true. Lamalite insulation from Wiggy's will keep you warm when wet. That's why the Coast Guard and Marines choose it.
A 1/16" of Merino wool won't do much to keep you warm when it's wet. A 1/2" of wool will keep you relatively warm if it's wet but a thin base layer won't help you much.
I don't worry about it much, I choose to wear fishnets under my base layers.

Fishnets? Can’t imagine those do much when it’s -30 in WI? Maybe in climates where 30 is cold?

 

[swampdonkey]

Sorry but that’s misleading. Merino pulls moisture off your skin directly into the fabric where it stays. Merino is extremely slow to dry. I love merino but it’s not the best option for cold weather hunting. This video explains the difference between merino and synthetics well.

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I don’t know who any of these guys are other than Jason Hairston (RIP), he’s a salesman and a good one at that.

So much so i spent $2000 on Kuiu gear one year and used his layering system, synthetics included. It’s great if you’re running up and down the mountain but for late season treestand or even late season low activity hunts you’ll die of hypothermia in Kuiu, just saying.

 

[swampdonkey]

I go to the ground blinds when it gets into the mid 20's because I wear too much clothing or my IWOM and just don't feel safe up a tree then.

It honestly sucks setting up in trees when it’s like -10 and the wind is howling. I like to move around more too and hit spots i normally wouldn’t.

 

[weekender21]

I don’t know who any of these guys are other than Jason Hairston (RIP), he’s a salesman and a good one at that.

So much so i spent $2000 on Kuiu gear one year and used his layering system, synthetics included. It’s great if you’re running up and down the mountain but for late season treestand or even late season low activity hunts you’ll die of hypothermia in Kuiu, just saying.

Kuiu and Sitka sell merino and no one has done more research on clothing for hard core pursuits than Jason Hairston. If it wasn’t for him most hunters would still be wearing cotton coveralls in December. Truly ahead of his time.

I’ve spent weeks at a time in Alaska (and out west) in merino wool and most of the time it remained wet. However I do think it’s superior for those type of hunts.

Cold weather late season hunting is another story and that’s where the benefits of quality synthetics shine. But that’s just my opinion as wearing merino late season is your opinion. Definitely first world problems and we’re all extremely lucky we have so many options.

Merry Christmas


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[swampdonkey]

Kuiu and Sitka sell merino and no one has done more research on clothing for hard core pursuits than Jason Hairston. If it wasn’t for him most hunters would still be wearing cotton coveralls in December. Truly ahead of his time.

I’ve spent weeks at a time in Alaska (and out west) in merino wool and most of the time it remained wet. However I do think it’s superior for those type of hunts.

Cold weather late season hunting is another story and that’s where the benefits of quality synthetics shine. But that’s just my opinion as wearing merino late season is your opinion. Definitely first world problems and we’re all extremely lucky we have so many options.

Merry Christmas


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Yeah Hairston was most definitely an innovator no doubt. Tragic he took his life.

In the end you go with what works for ya.

Merry Christmas to you as well man.

 

[raisins]

Just read some good reviews on Nikwax Basewash on Amazon. Gets the stink out. I'll probably stick/stink with my synthetics for a while longer.