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Need suggestions for WARM but thin/light clothing

FIrst lite is great but I agree their outter layers are a bit pricey. If you can find them on a decent sale, which they just were, it's very much worth it. Get some good merino base layers and a good fleece mid layer or two and then a good reasonably priced, windproof outter layer. 54 and windy I'd probably wear like a 200 weight merino, the klamath or origin hoody, then cap it with a Nat Gear Windproof hoodie YOu really need a whole system to be totally comfortable but the windproof is the maybe the most important and can also be pretty economical. For 50+ degrees I use the nat gear windproof hoodie, 30ish to 50 i use a Nomad Break hoodie and sub 30 I use the King's Anorak. On sale you can get all 3 for around $300. The King's anorak is the warmest thing I've ever been inside of.
 
DelaWhere_Arrow said:
You’re in DE, right? Thing about those Falls and Winters, especially on public land, is the WET. All the damn time. And sometimes the sun rising over a cold day makes it even colder, even wetter for a brief period. And when it’s not wet because the temps are pushing/below 0 (infrequently), anything wet on you will freeze, including your nose hairs and eyeball juices. Then your body will decide any moisture in the air is enough to keep you sheathed in a layer of frost all day.
OR…
You spend the morning layered for a hunt and it’s 70 degrees in December.
There’s really no middle ground. I was always either on the verge of frostbite, or so sweaty I thought it must surely be May already.
Then I discovered the GameHide stuff. Holy crap did I warm up quickly for a price that fit my wallet. BUT you can do it for even cheaper if you’re a thrifty shopper and you know how to spot quality materials on bargain racks, Wally World, the Classifieds and such. Layering is great but for me it’s all about the tight warm base layer and the outer layer has to be windproof and lined with down or some kind of fleece. Wind proof is the key because windproof keeps the moisture at bay whether it’s the wet air or the wet snow or the wet freezing rain or the wet swamps or the windy muddy cornfield or the tree that’s a-swangin’ to and fro while your wet cold fingers hang onto your tether or bow. Now in OH where it’s actually truly cold and highly windy all the time but the air is much dryer in colder seasons, it’s still appropriate because that damn wind is the equalizer. I just put on more thin fleece or polyester layers in between.
Oh, and SOCKS. Get you some warm freaking socks. I’d spend top dollar on a great pair of socks.
Click to expand...

I'm in east TN. Definitely agree about the socks. The one thing that has done me in on past hunts was cold feet. This was in single digits though when I used to hunt northern PA in 3 feet of snow. I had a good system then, but it was bulky as all get out and I was rifle hunting from the ground. Think the little brother from Christmas Story bulky. Thermal base layer, jeans, fleece sweatshirt/Hoodie, then thick insulated goretex coveralls. My feet got wet on the way in, in what I thought were waterproof boots, and I was DONE after about an hour. Couldn't feel my feet anymore. The rest of me was toasty.

BT
 
If there’s any wind it’ll suck the heat right outta you. Any piece I buy now wind blocking is a must unless it’s for warm weather.
I really like Scentloks wind brace line. I bought it 4 years ago and stopped looking. It is absolutely windproof and if layered properly is very warm. With my heated vest as a mid layer and the top and bottom as outer layer I can be comfortable down into the mid 40s. They now have an insulated top that I wore the other day - at 40 degrees I was unzipping it. For a bottom layer for cooler than that I’d recommend the hydrotherm bib v2, it’s water and windproof and insulated. With that and my heated vest with the wind brace top I’m warm down into the 20s.
 
raisins said:
I am glad I created my own layering system.

The warmest thing right now is high loft goose down (by weight and packability)

Yes, putting it under another garment does compress it and hurt the insulation, but this is also true of any "puffy" style insulation and even when compressed slightly, high loft goose down is still the standard.

I would buy 4 items:

1. stuff sack to carry this stuff in
2. high loft goose down thin puffy vest (750 fill power or more....with bonus points for the down being coated with a water repellent)
3. high loft goose down thin puffy jacket
4. a thin, wind-repelling layer (wind shirt)

Pack the sack with wind shirt in bottom then jacket then vest (in order of putting it on)

Walk to the tree an outer layer and base layer (I walk in slightly cold so I don't sweat).

Once at height, I put these on my base layer


And then the vest, then jacket, then wind shirt, then exterior jacket.

The thickest jacket I usually wear in WV is a medium weight one (fleece one from Midwayusa that isn't fuzzy on the outside but has substance).

I have low body fat and am somewhat tall and get cold easy. I am never cold in this layering system that evolved over several years.


Links in case it helps:

here's a good jacket i wear....they go on massive sale in the spring...sorry it's bad timing


I also have the same thing but a vest, I do not see any down vests there now at Eddie's

Then this goes over the down but under the jacket

Charles River Apparel mens Legend Windshirt (Regular & Big-tall Sizes) at Amazon Men’s Clothing store

Buy Charles River Apparel mens Legend Windshirt (Regular & Big-tall Sizes) and other Windbreakers at Amazon.com. Our wide selection is elegible for free shipping and free returns.
www.amazon.com

I never walk in with a windproof sweat box on me unless it is raining and I have to wear a waterproof jacket.

This is like a Tyvek vapor barrier over your down and turbo charges it.

With these things and something like this jacket over it all (and just a medium base layer)

www.midwayusa.com

MidwayUSA Men's Prairie Creek Softshell Jacket Realtree EDGE Camo

The workhorse of the hunting lineup, the MidwayUSA Prairie Creek Softshell Jacket will soon become your favorite. This extremely comfortable, windproof...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com

I can easily sit all long in freezing temperatures.

All this stuffs down to the size of a football in my pack and only weighs a pound or two.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the links. When you mentioned puffy down jacket my mind instantly goes to those big puffy things that were popular back in the late 90s early 2000s and im scratching my head thinking "how is that going to work in a saddle? Is he serious or jerking my chain?" LOL. The links though help. So that stuff actually gets warm being so thin?

Are these wind breaker layers breathable? I don't want to risk getting TOO warm and start sweating. Then I'll just get cold again.

My local Walmart lists the adhesive hot hands in stock. I was planning to go there today anyways to grab some regular hot hands and some snacks. I'm hunting the next 6 days so will pick up some supplies.

What do you do about your legs once you're in the tree? Or do you just layer up before climbing? I can't see any feasible way of layering the bottom half once in the Saddle.

BT
 
Black Titan said:
I'm in east TN. Definitely agree about the socks. The one thing that has done me in on past hunts was cold feet. This was in single digits though when I used to hunt northern PA in 3 feet of snow. I had a good system then, but it was bulky as all get out and I was rifle hunting from the ground. Think the little brother from Christmas Story bulky. Thermal base layer, jeans, fleece sweatshirt/Hoodie, then thick insulated goretex coveralls. My feet got wet on the way in, in what I thought were waterproof boots, and I was DONE after about an hour. Couldn't feel my feet anymore. The rest of me was toasty.

BT
Click to expand...
Damn howd I screw that one up. Got you mixed up with another SH user. My bad. What a geographical rant for no reason hahaha…
Still probably applies to TN though. Y’all got swamps, valleys, wet wind and weather, right?
 
DelaWhere_Arrow said:
Damn howd I screw that one up. Got you mixed up with another SH user. My bad. What a geographical rant for no reason hahaha…
Still probably applies to TN though. Y’all got swamps, valleys, wet wind and weather, right?
Click to expand...

Lol not so many swamps in the part of the state, at least not where I hunt. I'm mostly in the mountains and ridge tops in higher elevations where the wind just plain won't give up. We went down lower yesterday into one of the valleys between our morning and evening sits and it was calm and windless. But wind howling where we were hunting.

BT
 
Black Titan said:
Thank you for the links. When you mentioned puffy down jacket my mind instantly goes to those big puffy things that were popular back in the late 90s early 2000s and im scratching my head thinking "how is that going to work in a saddle? Is he serious or jerking my chain?" LOL. The links though help. So that stuff actually gets warm being so thin?

Are these wind breaker layers breathable? I don't want to risk getting TOO warm and start sweating. Then I'll just get cold again.

My local Walmart lists the adhesive hot hands in stock. I was planning to go there today anyways to grab some regular hot hands and some snacks. I'm hunting the next 6 days so will pick up some supplies.

What do you do about your legs once you're in the tree? Or do you just layer up before climbing? I can't see any feasible way of layering the bottom half once in the Saddle.

BT
Click to expand...

Hey BT,

They are puffier than you might think and they puff up nice if you put them on low/no heat in the dryer with tennis balls (I do that a few times per season). It is also the layering aspect that helps this. But yes, a thin-ish goose down vest and jacket combo is super warm......warmer than you'll think it should be for the bulk.

I only put the wind breaker on once I'm sitting still. And I would take it off (and any of the other layers off) if it warmed up or I realized I had too many clothes on. That's the beauty of having a several piece system. Also, I can put all this on under any jacket I'd like. All my layers combined are probably about the same price as a single, heavy jacket from Sitka etc....and work better. Sitka and others sometimes act like they have it figured out to where you can wear the heavy coat in, not sweat, and then be warm in it....but that technology does not exist outside of climate control suits (astronauts) or maybe kinda sorta a heated vest/jacket (battery powered....which I've avoided so far in favor of the hot hands adhesive warmers).

By the way, those hot hands go great under each arm pit a little low above kidney (can push down to turbo charge heat).....and I'll also put one center of chest and center of back if really cold.

For my bottoms, I typically walk in with just a base layer (thin or medium) and then medium or light bibs.

If it is very cold, then once in the tree, I whip out these

www.kuiu.com

Super Down PRO Pant | Valo

The Super Down PRO Pants are for the coldest hunts. They're sized to fit over your boots, base and mid-layers. Shop cold weather hunting pants at KUIU.
www.kuiu.com


and put them on over bibs AND saddle. When fully loaded up, you only see my bridge sticking out between layers and can't see my saddle at all. Those pants are pricey but any goose down pants that have generous side zips will work (so you can put them on without removing boots).

REI and other places have goose down puffy pants from several makers.

Another option that isn't as warm but cheap/easy.....fleece pajama pants that are bit and stretchy.....I have camo fleece pajamas that I can pull on right over my boots. They got over the saddle also and have a draw string.

The goose down pants aren't the quietest thing to have on on the outside (the top layer stuff benefits from being under a quiet jacket).....but I don't find it too bad because you don't do as much movement with your legs before a shot compared to your upper body.
 
raisins said:
Hey BT,

They are puffier than you might think and they puff up nice if you put them on low/no heat in the dryer with tennis balls (I do that a few times per season). It is also the layering aspect that helps this. But yes, a thin-ish goose down vest and jacket combo is super warm......warmer than you'll think it should be for the bulk.

I only put the wind breaker on once I'm sitting still. And I would take it off (and any of the other layers off) if it warmed up or I realized I had too many clothes on. That's the beauty of having a several piece system. Also, I can put all this on under any jacket I'd like. All my layers combined are probably about the same price as a single, heavy jacket from Sitka etc....and work better. Sitka and others sometimes act like they have it figured out to where you can wear the heavy coat in, not sweat, and then be warm in it....but that technology does not exist outside of climate control suits (astronauts) or maybe kinda sorta a heated vest/jacket (battery powered....which I've avoided so far in favor of the hot hands adhesive warmers).

By the way, those hot hands go great under each arm pit a little low above kidney (can push down to turbo charge heat).....and I'll also put one center of chest and center of back if really cold.

For my bottoms, I typically walk in with just a base layer (thin or medium) and then medium or light bibs.

If it is very cold, then once in the tree, I whip out these

www.kuiu.com

Super Down PRO Pant | Valo

The Super Down PRO Pants are for the coldest hunts. They're sized to fit over your boots, base and mid-layers. Shop cold weather hunting pants at KUIU.
www.kuiu.com


and put them on over bibs AND saddle. When fully loaded up, you only see my bridge sticking out between layers and can't see my saddle at all. Those pants are pricey but any goose down pants that have generous side zips will work (so you can put them on without removing boots).

REI and other places have goose down puffy pants from several makers.

Another option that isn't as warm but cheap/easy.....fleece pajama pants that are bit and stretchy.....I have camo fleece pajamas that I can pull on right over my boots. They got over the saddle also and have a draw string.

The goose down pants aren't the quietest thing to have on on the outside (the top layer stuff benefits from being under a quiet jacket).....but I don't find it too bad because you don't do as much movement with your legs before a shot compared to your upper body.
Click to expand...

PS....black ovis also makes some more budget friendly goose down pants

once you add the pants, it is a good idea to get a decent compression sack that has the webbing and buckles on the sides to really pull it down tight and hold it down....like what is commonly used for sleeping bags

 
raisins said:
PS....black ovis also makes some more budget friendly goose down pants

once you add the pants, it is a good idea to get a decent compression sack that has the webbing and buckles on the sides to really pull it down tight and hold it down....like what is commonly used for sleeping bags

Click to expand...

This is on my list to look for tonight at the store. If I can't find anything I'll snatch the one my sleeping bag is in for temporary use. It compresses down to about the size of a football.

BT
 
Shouldn't have too much of an issue the next few days. This is the outlook for the week. I probably won't hunt Friday.

BT
 

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Black Titan said:
This is on my list to look for tonight at the store. If I can't find anything I'll snatch the one my sleeping bag is in for temporary use. It compresses down to about the size of a football.

BT
Click to expand...

cool...also, black ovis also makes a puffy jacket....i've wanted to get one as a backup but the compartments are welded and not stitched....folks here and elsewhere say it is fine but I like that stitching
 
Visit Wiggy's, very good clothing and sleeping bags.
 
Merino Wool baselayers are an excellent investment, but not much help if you are looking to add layers after the hunt starts.

I'm a huge fan of Rivers West gear. Top notch quality at reasonable prices. This lightweight Pioneer jacket is a great multipurpose jacket because it is 100% waterproof (which makes it windproof), quiet and easily packable. This paired with the pant makes a great quality outer layer that can keep you dry or warm. 10/10 would recommend.

proshop.riverswest.com

Pioneer Jacket

proshop.riverswest.com

If you hunt somewhere that the weather can decline rapidly, I'd throw some adhesive bodywarmers in my bag as well. (Note: don't stick the hand/foot warmers against your skin. They will burn you).

 
Last edited:
I love my first lite gear, But it's the system that works. I bought mine over time and upgraded piece by piece until I was decked out and have just the right setup. I started with a merino base layer. This made a night and day difference for me, I sweat a lot and I never feel moist, if i do it dries in minutes. then went with a midweight hoody and pants over top. this combo gets me down into the upper 40s pretty easy. I then added the FL source jacket, A packable whitetail puffy (this can be replaced by a heavier midweight jacket, i went for the lighted weight to warmth ratio). This should get you into the 30s comfortably. I have the huntworth rain gear as my wind and rain stopper if needed to go over it all. I then Got a heavy set of bibs and jacket (the bibs unzip from waist to foot for cooling on the walk in) and pack my jacket with appropriate upper body layers for walking in. You can mix and match whatever brands you want (I went with all FL), but I really like this layering setup. Huntworth seems to make good budget friendly clothes. I recommend watching all the FB buy and sell groups and pages and get pieces a little at a time and get high end.
 
raisins said:
I am glad I created my own layering system.

The warmest thing right now is high loft goose down (by weight and packability)

Yes, putting it under another garment does compress it and hurt the insulation, but this is also true of any "puffy" style insulation and even when compressed slightly, high loft goose down is still the standard.

I would buy 4 items:

1. stuff sack to carry this stuff in
2. high loft goose down thin puffy vest (750 fill power or more....with bonus points for the down being coated with a water repellent)
3. high loft goose down thin puffy jacket
4. a thin, wind-repelling layer (wind shirt)

Pack the sack with wind shirt in bottom then jacket then vest (in order of putting it on)

Walk to the tree an outer layer and base layer (I walk in slightly cold so I don't sweat).

Once at height, I put these on my base layer


And then the vest, then jacket, then wind shirt, then exterior jacket.

The thickest jacket I usually wear in WV is a medium weight one (fleece one from Midwayusa that isn't fuzzy on the outside but has substance).

I have low body fat and am somewhat tall and get cold easy. I am never cold in this layering system that evolved over several years.


Links in case it helps:

here's a good jacket i wear....they go on massive sale in the spring...sorry it's bad timing


I also have the same thing but a vest, I do not see any down vests there now at Eddie's

Then this goes over the down but under the jacket

Charles River Apparel mens Legend Windshirt (Regular & Big-tall Sizes) at Amazon Men’s Clothing store

Buy Charles River Apparel mens Legend Windshirt (Regular & Big-tall Sizes) and other Windbreakers at Amazon.com. Our wide selection is elegible for free shipping and free returns.
www.amazon.com

I never walk in with a windproof sweat box on me unless it is raining and I have to wear a waterproof jacket.

This is like a Tyvek vapor barrier over your down and turbo charges it.

With these things and something like this jacket over it all (and just a medium base layer)

www.midwayusa.com

MidwayUSA Men's Prairie Creek Softshell Jacket Realtree EDGE Camo

The workhorse of the hunting lineup, the MidwayUSA Prairie Creek Softshell Jacket will soon become your favorite. This extremely comfortable, windproof...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com

I can easily sit all long in freezing temperatures.

All this stuffs down to the size of a football in my pack and only weighs a pound or two.
Click to expand...
This is basically what I was going to say as well. Good write up @raisins. It’s all about how you layer, and controlling moisture. Don’t put all these layers on and then hike to your stand. Even when it gets cold I only walk in with my base layers and a fleece on top and some hiking pants on bottom no more. Give your body time to vent off any moisture you build up. Sometimes that even means climbing without top layers on. Once you vent off that moisture, put your insulation on (Goose down) followed by a wind stopping layer. I like a microfleece on top of my baselayer and then insulation layer because I can walk in with that and it’ll breathe and then I just put the insulation puffer on top. What’s nice is that if you go with a windstopper layer you can cover everything with a cheap fleece just for camo and for quietness. If you want to spend the extra money you can find an outer layer that doubles as windstopper and outer layer. Obviously some type of waterproof rain jacket is a necessity in any semi cool environment because once you’re wet it’s going to be next to impossible to stay warm. Learning to layer and control moisture was an actual game changer for me. Good luck and stay warm!
 
Last edited:
gcr0003 said:
You don’t need $1000 worth of first lite or Sitka gear to stay warm. You need to learn how regulate your body heat and moisture.

Base layer - merino or synth
Mid layer - fleece
Mid layer cold insulation - down puffer jacket
You should have a

This is basically what I was going to say as well. Good write up @raisins. It’s all about how you layer, and controlling moisture. Don’t put all these layers on and then hike to your stand. Even when it gets cold I only walk in with my base layers and a fleece on top and some hiking pants on bottom no more. Give your body time to vent off any moisture you build up. Sometimes that even means climbing without top layers on. Once you vent off that moisture, put your insulation on (Goose down) followed by a wind stopping layer. I like a microfleece on top of my baselayer and then insulation layer because I can walk in with that and it’ll breathe and then I just put the insulation puffer on top. What’s nice is that if you go with a windstopper layer you can cover everything with a cheap fleece just for camo and for quietness. If you want to spend the extra money you can find an outer layer that doubles as windstopper and outer layer. Obviously some type of waterproof rain jacket is a necessity in any semi cool environment because once you’re wet it’s going to be next to impossible to stay warm. Learning to layer and control moisture was an actual game changer for me. Good luck and stay warm!
Click to expand...
+1 for arriving that the tree cold and adding layers on the stand. In the cold, if I'm drenched with sweat when I get there, it's going to be a miserable sit.
 
Moreno wool leggings and mid weight 1/4 zip hoodie of moreno wool from Campfire (Black Orvis) is the ticket along with the self adhesive hot hands. Place one on your lower back stick it to your t-shirt and stick one on you chest in your diaphragm area too. Use the toe warmers in my boots along with the foot beds that stick to your sock if it's going to be below 40 for most of the day. As to wind a couple of seasons ago I bought the Cabelas jacket and pants that are wind sheer. Before I climb I put them on at the base of my tree. They are fleece lined, thin, light weight and extremely warm. The Moreno wool base layers under your normal plants with the wind sheer pants on top with the same layers for your upper body are very efficient and not bulky at all. Now take into consideration I hunt North Georgia which does get somewhat cold but like your area appears to be it stays windy on the ridges. I also take blood pressure meds which constricts the small vessels in my toes causing my feet to get cold but the system I mentioned works very well with little bulk. The Cabelas jacket and pants are normally between $90 and $125 each and worth every penny. Keeping the top of your head warm and your torso/chest cavity and kidneys warm make a significant difference in your entire body staying warm.
One more thinkgI use a hand muff with hot hands in it which makes a big difference as well. The moreno hoodie pulled over your hat keeps head and ears warm with out interfering with your hearing. Good luck.
 
Old Man Hunter said:
Moreno wool leggings and mid weight 1/4 zip hoodie of moreno wool from Campfire (Black Orvis) is the ticket along with the self adhesive hot hands. Place one on your lower back stick it to your t-shirt and stick one on you chest in your diaphragm area too. Use the toe warmers in my boots along with the foot beds that stick to your sock if it's going to be below 40 for most of the day. As to wind a couple of seasons ago I bought the Cabelas jacket and pants that are wind sheer. Before I climb I put them on at the base of my tree. They are fleece lined, thin, light weight and extremely warm. The Moreno wool base layers under your normal plants with the wind sheer pants on top with the same layers for your upper body are very efficient and not bulky at all. Now take into consideration I hunt North Georgia which does get somewhat cold but like your area appears to be it stays windy on the ridges. I also take blood pressure meds which constricts the small vessels in my toes causing my feet to get cold but the system I mentioned works very well with little bulk. The Cabelas jacket and pants are normally between $90 and $125 each and worth every penny. Keeping the top of your head warm and your torso/chest cavity and kidneys warm make a significant difference in your entire body staying warm.
One more thinkgI use a hand muff with hot hands in it which makes a big difference as well. The moreno hoodie pulled over your hat keeps head and ears warm with out interfering with your hearing. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Now that you mention BP meds I wonder if that's why all of a sudden I couldn't stand the cold. Been on micardis for years but 2 weeks ago just started hydralizine in addition to the micardis.

When I lived in PA I would shovel snow in flip flops, shorts, and a t-shirt. Never bothered me whatsoever. I loved the cold. I easily get hot and overheated but my body temp is seldom over 97.6 degrees, which seems to be my normal running temp. Sitting in a house with the thermostat set at 72 if no air is moving via ceiling fan, central ac, etc I will sweat. I keep it at 67 at night to sleep in just basketball shorts.

Yesterday was definitely a shocker for me.

I have a muff and have set it out to be packed in my bag. Plan to get the CGM saddle muff eventually but the fleece lined one I have should work well. It has a pouch for hot hands built in.

BT
 
Black Titan said:
What do you do about your legs once you're in the tree? Or do you just layer up before climbing? I can't see any feasible way of layering the bottom half once in the Saddle.

BT
Click to expand...
It's actually really simple:

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...
 
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