Ok. I gotta get in on this question too. Are you putting them over your saddle then? I mean cramming upper layers into your saddle is one thing but bibs? How the...You put bibs on after you have climbed? Do I have that right?
Ok. I gotta get in on this question too. Are you putting them over your saddle then? I mean cramming upper layers into your saddle is one thing but bibs? How the...You put bibs on after you have climbed? Do I have that right?
Yup. All the time. Undo leg straps, unzip bibs almost all the way up to the hip, put feet in one at a time, zip up, loosen waist belt on saddle, pull front of bibs up, stand up to remove pressure from rear of saddle, pull back up, buckle bib suspenders, tighten waist belt, hook up leg straps. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is...You put bibs on after you have climbed? Do I have that right?
Ok. I gotta get in on this question too. Are you putting them over your saddle then? I mean cramming upper layers into your saddle is one thing but bibs? How the...
Thanks, lol. I may end up returning the Gnargali that arrives Wed for the 44 mag. The 44mag is close to what I want, but ideally I'd trade out a side pocket for an oversized water bottle pocket and I'd add a flap in the back like the Gnargali has for bow/rifle carry without having to add a Sherman pocket. The 44 is a better sized main pack than the Gnargali, but heavier. It definitely has better access to the main bag and Multicam, 2 thumbs up.
Are you still platform climbing with the Mission? And it fits in the pack?
I know this has been discussed at length but are you putting antiperspirant on your feet?… for me that works great, night and day difference.Likes:
REI 650 down jacket (folds into its pocket, easy to pack)
new-to-me LL Bean ragg wool sweater (found on ebay for stupid cheap)
merino wool neck gaiter (meriwool)
I am looking forward to trying out my Orvis "foul weather" jacket that is a wool quarter zip lined with a wind breaker. I have high hopes; it could be the ultimate mid-layer for those windier days. I will report back when I actually get some use out of it.
I don't want to say that I dislike my muck boots, but I have had to come to terms with their limits this year. In my experience, they have been cold due to moisture build-up (as others have noted) when used over any distance over a couple hundred yards (even when changing to dry socks), and they are noisier to walk in when the leaves are dry because they are not snug on my feet/calfs and move around more than laced footwear (I'm a skinny guy, so that might be why). Great boots, just not meant to hunt in any sort of steep terrain or over appreciable distance (especially when it is cold).
It’s hard to shake a stick at the HYS Strap or some good old fashioned screw in hooks.Dislike:
- Genesis 3D gear hanger. Just a PITA to get setup. I really wanted to like this. Also on drawback is your pack/bow have to be hung at the same level using this.
I made my gear rope with some left over oplux and put a happy hands hitch on there to hang my pack. The hitch self tends so I can drop the pack down low and if I need to get in it, just pull up on the tag end of the rope to raise the pack. Bow hanger will be however high you set the rope obviously. I just use rubber gear tie to make a hook to hang my longbow. Works great. Hero clip would work well for a compound or rifle.Liked:
Dislike:
- Iron will wide 150s. Fly great and incredibly lethal. Just devastating. Did my own testing and they'll smash through scaps. My go to whitetail broadhead from here on out
- Fanatic jacket. Tried and was disappointed by FL Solitude. Wish I would have bought this from the start
- FL catalyst bibs & Black Ovis Anchor Point Down pants - as mentioned above i had the FL Solitude and was disappointed in that set. Never could achieve the warmth levels they claim and I would consider myself warm natured. I also don't like the bulk of packing bibs in and overheat if I wear them in - even with the leg zips open. With the catalyst/down pants combo i will walk in wearing the catalyst bibs and can still vent, but don't overheat due to the lack of insulation. Once in setup I'll add the down pants underneath. Took a minute to figure out a good way to do this that didn't involve removing the bibs, but have it figured out now. And man are they warm. I can just alternate my baselayer and this will cover me from 40 degrees to the teens. I would think lower, but I haven't faced single digit temps yet.
- Genesis 3D gear hanger. Just a PITA to get setup. I really wanted to like this. Also on drawback is your pack/bow have to be hung at the same level using this.
Yup. All the time. Undo leg straps, unzip bibs almost all the way up to the hip, put feet in one at a time, zip up, loosen waist belt on saddle, pull front of bibs up, stand up to remove pressure from rear of saddle, pull back up, buckle bib suspenders, tighten waist belt, hook up leg straps. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is...
Yeah I'm going back to screw insIt’s hard to shake a stick at the HYS Strap or some good old fashioned screw in hooks.
I’ve started adding two or three to my cart almost at almost every Walmart trip.Yeah I'm going back to screw ins
After years of holding off temptation I finally bought Sitka pieces this year. 30% sale helped. Fanatic hoody and the bibs/coat. They are incredible. I know that given the price one is likely to develop a stance that justifies it, but they really are nice. I've never been that not cold when hunting snowy late season Vermont. The design details are so well thought out. These will not be resold, and I hope they give me years of the same joy I've had so far. They better at that price!
I agree on both counts. I’ll still buy new crap though cuz what else is there to do in western Ohio? I am always impressed by the clarity at dawn and dusk with my Diamondback HDs. I can only imagine what a truly great set of nockers looks like down the pipes in a western scenario. Maybe one day. At a couple Benny Franks per pair the Diamondbacks are hard to beat in the whitetail woods though.It has been mostly likes this year. I may not even need to buy a thing next year .
Vortex Diamond Back 10×42 HD Binos:
Great clarity at all magnifications, good low light transmission and they replaced them after they fell out of my pack a broke.
The 44 access and layout are about perfect for me. I thought about the 357 but I wasn't sure if my platform would fit inside. Kifaru has the 44 listed at about 11" wide, 357 says 12" but the amount of pals webbing shows the 44 is wider. I still platform climb and it does fit in the 44 but it's close. Everything is very streamlined and I don't have to worry about snags going through the thick stuff with the exception of anything overhead. But I usually stay out of that stuff unless I'm shed hunting. Multicam is also a big plus. Adding xpac pouches and sherman will give me plenty of waterproof storage for camera gear and other items. I'll upload some pics of the 44 stuffed with clothes and platform later today.
Yup. All the time. Undo leg straps, unzip bibs almost all the way up to the hip, put feet in one at a time, zip up, loosen waist belt on saddle, pull front of bibs up, stand up to remove pressure from rear of saddle, pull back up, buckle bib suspenders, tighten waist belt, hook up leg straps. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is...
Nope, under the saddle. I've done it with my Aerohunter and my friend's Method 2.
Things I hated:
2) Extinguisher deer call. Froze up on me.
3) Quaker boy Brawler call...also froze up on me and made a weird high pitch hum.