Adding layers while in saddle

[Dietter700]

Any good tips or trick on this. I am the kind of guy that packs in more layers and adds them once I cool off from the hike after an hour in the stand or so. I'm new to the game and only had one sit in the saddle so far but when it came to adding my top layer it was cumbersome so sneak my saddle back on top of it.

I am sure I will get more learned with it in the future. Also I have been know to pack in and add pants as well in the stand. Guess you can't really do that in the saddle right ?

Any saddle tricks to stay warm ?

 

[DanielB89]

yes! I had my first successful cold weather hunt this past weekend. IT was 30* here in LA which is pretty chili. The main thing was I found a system I can tailor whenever needed. When I got to the base of my tree I put on my bibs, which is typically a red flag for me, but, I have prefected hanging my sticks, so I don't have much effort in hanging them, therefore I don't sweat much on the way up. Anywho, I put on fresh socks and my bibs leaving the zippers unzipped all the way up the thigh and climb.

When I was at height I could easily stand on the LWCG (the only reason I could do this method) platform and then add additional layers to my top as needed. Basically I put on all my lower body stuff and then add the top layers as needed. One key thing for me is to be sure I tuck everything into the bibs. That'll keep it all in place!

 

[Dietter700]

yes! I had my first successful cold weather hunt this past weekend. IT was 30* here in LA which is pretty chili. The main thing was I found a system I can tailor whenever needed. When I got to the base of my tree I put on my bibs, which is typically a red flag for me, but, I have prefected hanging my sticks, so I don't have much effort in hanging them, therefore I don't sweat much on the way up. Anywho, I put on fresh socks and my bibs leaving the zippers unzipped all the way up the thigh and climb.

When I was at height I could easily stand on the LWCG (the only reason I could do this method) platform and then add additional layers to my top as needed. Basically I put on all my lower body stuff and then add the top layers as needed. One key thing for me is to be sure I tuck everything into the bibs. That'll keep it all in place!

Nice that makes sense, thank you!

 

[NikoTheBowHunter]

I usually wear all my bottom layers in. I keep the legs fully unzipped to allow as much air flow as possible during the walk in and the climb up the tree. Once I’m at height and all settled in/cooled off, I then put on all my additional top layers at once. I know I’m going to use them all anyways so better to do it all at one time vs multiple times throughout the day. I just unbuckle the saddles main waist belt to allow tucking of garments then reconnect it once everything is on. I would imagine if you have a platform, might be able to get away with putting on lower layers once at height but that to me seems like more work than is needed.

 

[kyler1945]

Wear pair of pants and light shirt walking in regardless temperature down to 15 degrees. If you start sweating in your walk in, slow down. Don’t sweat. If you can’t help it, then don’t do your best to not sweat - do my best haha. If you still can’t avoid sweating, no matter what, then buy quality wicking layers that will pull the sweat from your skin, and spend money on quality gear that will pull the sweat from your base layers and transfer it through to the outside, or hold it in while still keeping you warm. Warning - they’re not cheap.

Get to your set, or a couple hundred yards downwind of your set, and get your body temperature down to cold. Not cool, not stop sweating, get cold. Then put all layers on lower body, and as much as you don’t want to carry up for upper body.

Then go slow, and confidently on your approach and climb. Don’t sweat. Don’t get anxious because you suck with your climbing method - this will make you sweat or go fast and sweat. When you think you’re going slow, go slower.

The key to all of this is knowing How much insulation and layers your body needs in 10* increments. Whatever the temp is, bring that. The other key is not sweating, and getting body temp down before you climb. Last key is either getting all sweat off of you before you layer up if you’re broke, or have layers that will pull it away from your body during hunt if you can afford it.

Mostly, go slow. It’s simple. If you want to hunt sub freezing temps for long periods of time, sitting still, you have to be dry.

I am not a fan at all of putting on clothes in a tree. I will add upper layers with no issue. But if I can dress completely, I do.

For what it’s worth I’m a hairy sweaty guy. But I can layer up with all layers, and drill/bolt my way up a tree, or one stick, and not sweat. Regardless of how much clothes I have on. It’s being efficient with my gear, and going very slow.

 

[kyler1945]

Another note - I personally don’t realize a significant advantage from a saddle when I’m packing 30-40lbs of clothes. At that point, a hang on, or sitting on the ground begins to make sense. For me that cut off is middle teens with no wind or 20* or so with a stiff wind. If it’s those conditions, I just kill em from the ground. They don’t mind.

 

[DanielB89]

My biggest problem is my feet sweating from the walk in. I am trying to find a good solution to it. My feet just plain sweat is all I can say. They sweat in everything I wear. Tennis shoes, boots, socks, etc. My feet produce a ton of heat and if it can't release, i'll sweat and it wont be good.

 

[kyler1945]

My biggest problem is my feet sweating from the walk in. I am trying to find a good solution to it. My feet just plain sweat is all I can say. They sweat in everything I wear. Tennis shoes, boots, socks, etc. My feet produce a ton of heat and if it can't release, i'll sweat and it wont be good.

Uninsulated boots with goretex liner.

I like the vasque inhalers.

I can hunt with an ultralight sock, those boots down to freezing.

Below that I have some boot covers that get me down to 20. Toss in hand warmers to get to teens.

But none of it works if I don’t have circulation(loosen strings all the way to promote circulation), and the sweat can’t get out.

 

[CamoNinja27]

I like to wear my base layers in and pack the rest of my layers and outer layers along with my sticks and platform/bow etc. When I get to the tree I take my pack off and climb and hang my platform and prep the tree for my sit still in my base layers. I then climb back down the tree and add all my layers and outer layers- I leave the bibs unzipped all the way up the tree. I zip my jacket to avoid it hanging up on the climb. Once tethered in I'll unzip my jacket now that it is snugged up under my saddle the way I like it. I leave the bibs and jacket unzipped for as long as I can during the sit- probably just a head game I play with myself but when I do zip them up it's like adding layers but without the hassle of messing with the saddle.

It is an extra trip up and down the tree but I actually feel it makes the whole operation go a lot smoother and with minimal to no sweat involved.

 

[Blackmamba]

My biggest problem is my feet sweating from the walk in. I am trying to find a good solution to it. My feet just plain sweat is all I can say. They sweat in everything I wear. Tennis shoes, boots, socks, etc. My feet produce a ton of heat and if it can't release, i'll sweat and it wont be good.

Same here. Take extra socks and ziplock bags to put sweaty ones in. I almost. Almost wore the crocs in the other day lol. I’ll usually wear some type of athletic sock that claims to wick moisture and a good wool sock on top. Take toe warmers that stick to the bottoms of the sock or put hand warmers between socks (never against the skin) on your inner ankles. This usually keeps my toes warm enough. If you like you can spray deodorant on your feet the night before you go.

 

[Dietter700]

My biggest problem is my feet sweating from the walk in. I am trying to find a good solution to it. My feet just plain sweat is all I can say. They sweat in everything I wear. Tennis shoes, boots, socks, etc. My feet produce a ton of heat and if it can't release, i'll sweat and it wont be good.

So I got suckered into buying these Chinese heated insoles off the Instagram . They took 3 weeks to get here and looked like garbage quality. I also realize after the fact they they have cords hanging off them that need to plug into a USB port in order for the insoles to heat. I was pissed.. what a joke I thought.
Never the less I have used them on every hunt since I got them. I have a fairly large battery pack to charge cell phones and batteries when I’m out in the wilderness on longer trips (I neve use it hunting whitetail at home). I found out that in can get 3 hours of heat out of a full charge on that. The pack is about 1/2”x2”x5” and has some significant weight to it . But I where the insoles in obviously (that way I don’t have to take my boots off in the stand) I wait an hour until my feet are cold and simply plug in my insoles (wire ran out of boots up my thigh and hour the top of my pants) to the usb charging station and I get instant pretty even heat for 3 hours. It feels heavenly....

Now, I can’t imagine they will hold up for long since the quality is poor but I’m happy that I got my money worth out of them so far. I asked for a pair of heated socks for Christmas that hopefully are a little better. But I’m not gonna lie I kinda like these insoles ....


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[Peterk1234]

Many of my hunts start off with temps in the mid to high 20s. Legs, are not usually an issue; I just wear in what I will need for the sit. As for the upper body, I start off cold, wearing only my base layers. Sweater, parka, and camo shell are strapped to to the pack. I climb up in my base layer and put everything on once I am hanging. I use a a homemade sitdrag. Not sure it makes a difference but I am able to unweight my sitdrag and pull my layers down and around me all the way. The back of my jacket(s) gets pull down over the sitdrag. Pete

 

[Kurt]

I had an extra old jacket laying around, so i put my saddle on and cut up the side of the jacket behind the pockets a cut of about 6 inches. Now The jacket can be zipped and it allows the linesman loops to be exposed and the bridge to be connected to the tether without having to be tucked in. I'm going to be looking for a sewing shop and I'll start by having them cut and reinforce a less expensive mid layer to experiment with before I commit to cutting my heavy outer jacket. It seems to be a pretty straight forward mod. I didn't put closures on the prototype but I'm looking at them for the final project. When its really cold I have a small insulated camo blanket I made for another project and I wrap and tie it to my waist like a kilt, it gives me two layers of insulation on the tops of my legs. It keeps my lower body insulated and warm without the hassle of putting on pants.

 

[Recurveaholic]

I sweat terribly no matter the temperature!! So I have invested in merino wool base layers and I will never not have them!! They are the best thing since sliced bread!! They actually keep me warm even when wet, which I didn't believe until I tried it, but it does work! And for sweaty feet use antiperspirant deodorant on your feet the night before and reapply in the morning and it helps!! Good hunting to all and to all big bucks!!!

 

[Aaronpaul14]

Many of my hunts start off with temps in the mid to high 20s. Legs, are not usually an issue; I just wear in what I will need for the sit. As for the upper body, I start off cold, wearing only my base layers. Sweater, parka, and camo shell are strapped to to the pack. I climb up in my base layer and put everything on once I am hanging. I use a a homemade sitdrag. Not sure it makes a difference but I am able to unweight my sitdrag and pull my layers down and around me all the way. The back of my jacket(s) gets pull down over the sitdrag. Pete

I do the exact same thing. I’ve only used a sit drag to this point so I’ve always wondered why others have had so many problems. Usually seems pretty easy adding a hoodie and outer layer when needed at the top.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

Many of my hunts start off with temps in the mid to high 20s. Legs, are not usually an issue; I just wear in what I will need for the sit. As for the upper body, I start off cold, wearing only my base layers. Sweater, parka, and camo shell are strapped to to the pack. I climb up in my base layer and put everything on once I am hanging. I use a a homemade sitdrag. Not sure it makes a difference but I am able to unweight my sitdrag and pull my layers down and around me all the way. The back of my jacket(s) gets pull down over the sitdrag. Pete

I do exactly the same thing hunting from my Mantis (and my Kestrel before that). I can pull the outer layers down under the bridge loops while hanging and they tuck in there.

 

[tntrker]

I was wondering this myself. thanks for asking..

 

[Blackmamba]

So I got suckered into buying these Chinese heated insoles off the Instagram . They took 3 weeks to get here and looked like garbage quality. I also realize after the fact they they have cords hanging off them that need to plug into a USB port in order for the insoles to heat. I was pissed.. what a joke I thought.
Never the less I have used them on every hunt since I got them. I have a fairly large battery pack to charge cell phones and batteries when I’m out in the wilderness on longer trips (I neve use it hunting whitetail at home). I found out that in can get 3 hours of heat out of a full charge on that. The pack is about 1/2”x2”x5” and has some significant weight to it . But I where the insoles in obviously (that way I don’t have to take my boots off in the stand) I wait an hour until my feet are cold and simply plug in my insoles (wire ran out of boots up my thigh and hour the top of my pants) to the usb charging station and I get instant pretty even heat for 3 hours. It feels heavenly....

Now, I can’t imagine they will hold up for long since the quality is poor but I’m happy that I got my money worth out of them so far. I asked for a pair of heated socks for Christmas that hopefully are a little better. But I’m not gonna lie I kinda like these insoles ....


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I can’t remember where but I saw some insoles that actually had batteries. If I find I’ll post.

 

[woodsdog2]

I agree with Kyler1945 his explanation is perfect. You cannot get wet ahead of time or you're screwed. I've never had expensive clothes for hunting so I cannot relate to those systems like Sitka that keep you warm even if you sweated in, but I just try to keep from sweating. I can tell you that I'm not sure I would even like that strategy as I hate that clammy feeling between my skin and so I dress light going in and add layers as I'm up the tree. My bibs will go on at the base and usually I'm fine by just adding the top layers. I like my saddle over my bibs. I will take the extra time to take my upper layers right off down to my base layer or even that I like to get cold and have all the claminess gone before I re-dress. Believe me, it doesn't take long to "cool out" and we always have wind blowing here . My base layer synthetics dry out quick and then I dress back up cold but dry... I last a lot longer by doing that then sitting there heated up and clammy. This year I purchased the fleece bibs the military issues for cold weather climates. You wear them under your hunting clothes. They do a decent job at keeping you warm like insulated bibs as long as its not super cold out. I like to wear saddlecloth clothes over these fleece bibs to buck the wind. These bibs prevent any exposed areas between your pants and shirt/tops.

 

[Exhumis]

Many of my hunts start off with temps in the mid to high 20s. Legs, are not usually an issue; I just wear in what I will need for the sit. As for the upper body, I start off cold, wearing only my base layers. Sweater, parka, and camo shell are strapped to to the pack. I climb up in my base layer and put everything on once I am hanging. I use a a homemade sitdrag. Not sure it makes a difference but I am able to unweight my sitdrag and pull my layers down and around me all the

This is similar to what I do. Except I don't add upper layers back on until I've cooled off. To do so I clip back into the tree with my linemans belts and loosen the middle belt a bit, just enough so I can shove my jacket past my waist. Then it get cinched back tight. Linemans gets stowed. It's worth mentioning I use a platform so it's easier.