But I have to have my lucky ball cap . . . .
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I hunt in the northern 1/3 of Michigan's lower peninsula. I do hike in (typically 1/2 to 3/4 mile) with all my lower half layers on, typically wool bibs, camo bibs and my saddle.
On my upper body though I typically only wear a long sleeve T over my wicking midweight thermal shirt (if its really cold I'll add a light sweatshirt). No insulated hat, no gloves. In fact if I start to warm up I'll push up my sleeves and take the ball cap off too. I let my natural radiators help keep me cool and I make a concentrated effort to move slow enough not to overheat (at my age that's naturally becoming easier
I climb dressed the same way and add my upper layers once I'm up in the tree. If I do get a bit sweaty on the walk in I will simply remove my cotton long sleeve T before putting my upper layers on. Since it absorbs most of the moisture through the wicking layer I'm removing 90% of that sweaty moisture simply by taking off the t-shirt. It adds almost no insulation value anyway so I don't miss it.
Haha, I guess I was trying to speed-read this morning, which is never a good thing to do right before responding to a post.But I have to have my lucky ball cap . . . .
Seriously though, I am typically hunting remote from home. It is days between showers. Hair gets greasy and dirty and I wear a cap to help keep the bugs, sticks, bark flakes, . . whatever off my head. If I feel myself overheating I did say I take the cap off. However, it is with me and it is definitely not scent free.
Your feedback is, as always, spot on and appreciated Tom.
I sweat easily when I exercise. So I can't speak for others, but only what I have so far found works for me. Disclaimer, I don't care what brand you buy, I only mention what I use so that you know in detail what I use. I bought mine at full price and have no affiliation with any of these companies. I don't wear anything with a wind or water membrane in it, they don't work for me, they don't breath well enough. I wear very little in and dress at the tree and in my saddle. I don't have thick bulky clothing. I bought Kuiu gear. If it is 15deg to 20deg when I am going on stand (I live in NW WI.), going in, I wear heavy weight long underwear poly top and bottom (cabela's ECWS). I wear Kuiu attack pants (a soft shell pant), Strong fleece 280 full zip hoodie (highly wind resistant). A Kuiu soft shell Kuiu Axis Benie. Wool glove liners with thin Kuiu 210 gloves (a light thin poly glove) over the top. That's it for going in. Not much. At the tree I add down pants before climbing. Once up in my saddle I add a softshell vest, a softshell jacket, a Kuiu Kutana Gale force hooded jacket (synthetic insulated jacket), and a Kuiu Super Pro down coat. I add a softshell face mask and a dog eared rabbit fur lined hat. I carry my extra clothing in my pack The down stuff packs down to about a softball size. I bring a hand muff with one large hand warmer. The insulated jacket to about the size of a football, when packed. With all these layers on I can comfortably move and shoot as they layer well. I don't get the Michelin man effect. I stay warm even in the wind. All Kuiu cool/cold weather layers are great in the wind. I use to wear Bibs, they are too hot to climb in and way to hard to put on when up at height. The down pants and jacket work way better for me. I don't wear merino wool (except on my feet), I have tried it but it holds too much moisture for me, poly only for me in cold weather. Merino is nice for desert hunting when it can be cool and get warm later, the moisture holding is becomes an asset. My top layers just tuck in my saddle like tucking a shirt into pants once I am up. I like wearing my saddle waist belt loose and pushing my saddle low like a lot of young guys wear their pants. It's more comfortable for me. I hope that helps.
) and attach it to the outside of my pack as well as my equinox hoody(if really cold I’ll wear this in)are you putting on the fanatic once up the tree? Yes that built in muff is awesome for sure!I run the same as you with gear but I have 12 steps
I put on
Sitka heavyweight base layers (if real cold 2 pair)
That’s pant and long sleeve shirt
Underarmour sweat pants and sweatshirt
Then my bibs
I put my saddle on walking in
I fold my jacket up (as best I can) and attach it to the outside of my pack as well as my equinox hoody(if really cold I’ll wear this in)
Then put my pack on
Sling my 12 step back over my neck and shoulder on left side and walk in
If I start to get warm I’ll take my beanie hat off
Stop for 2-3 mins and let your body cool
Then continue on with no hat
Once at the tree I hook my platform to the back of my saddle
And my bow on my Doyle’s huntin hoist
Sometimes I’ll put a pull rope on my pack
Sometimes I just wear it while climbing
I use all 12 steps
Set platform
Set tether
Remove lineman’s
Get bow hung
Camera setup
Then just sit there 10 mins
Let some of the heat radiate out
Fanatic set doesn’t do that well but you can undo leg zippers if needed.....just don’t let it all out
When i start to feel comfy but not cold I put on equinox hoody and fanatic jacket and fanatic beanie/gaiter combo
You’ll have to play with what feels best but I usually just position the pouch of my jacket just above the bridge so I can get my hands in and out
I sat in 16 degrees the other day with a 12 mph wind
Never been able to do that in any other gear
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Yep that's what I do with my camo longsleeve t's as well.For me, I wear the cotton T over my synthetic wicking layer especially because it does absorb the moisture making it easy to shed the wet layer if I need to. I'm not hunting in mountainous terrain, miles back in where I may have to spend a night. The only reason I have some up to 1 mile walks is because I choose not to drive closer (the truck being at camp can be a deterrent to some would be troublemakers). I agree, for true wilderness hunts the saying cotton kills definitely applies. Not so for much in my twice a day excursions into the "wilds" of northern Michigan
If scent is the issue all I would really need is a large zip lock bag in my pack. I don't bother though since I figure my sweaty ball cap rim is not much different. I just tuck both down in the bottom of my pack and rely on my tree selection based on my assessment of wind/thermal direction to bail me out. Also, I have a large selection of these camo long sleeve tees so I just throw it in the laundry bag back at camp and break out a fresh one if II need to.
Not sure how you guys are going about putting on the upper layers in the tree, especially the fanatic jacket, are you unclipping the saddle for a min to and then clipping it over The jacket once on?
No dude. I don't know what the fanatic jacket is, but if you put on a pair of pants with a belt, then put a jacket on, and your doing it man. The tether is kinda in the way and it might cause your jacket to bunch up a bit but it won't stop you from throwing on a hoodie and a winter coat.
I just pull the tail of the jacket forward and down inside my bridge loops before zipping it up. You can work it in there without too much trouble.
Instead of the fanatic jacket use the celsius midi jacket coupled with the stratus jacket. Pack way better and equal warmth. Only downfall is not having that sweet sweet kangaroo pocket.
the kangaroo pocket is important!
Is the Kutana line quiet enough for saddle hunting?
