Staying warm in cold weather... TIPS?

[raisins]

Key word, treated. Treatments never last the life of the product and for silver to work the bacteria have to touch it. I have merino shirts that are 20 years old now and in as good a shape as the day i bough them.

You want to use synthetic by all means but it’s uncomfortable, it stinks, and it’s inferior imo to good synthetic wool. Id never spend 9 days out west living out of my pack in synthetic bit to each their own.

What brand is giving you that longevity? I was under the impression that merino was more fragile than synthetics.

 

[swampdonkey]

What brand is giving you that longevity? I was under the impression that merino was more fragile than synthetics.

My oldest is from like around 2000, maybe late 90s? Icebreaker stuff but i don’t buy their stuff anymore as they went sorta anti hunter.

I have several Cabelas ones that are now a decade old and they look new. I wear them all the time and rarely need to wash them.

Hunting brands i have some Kryptek Merino and a lot of First Lite. I’ve never had to throw a First Lite piece away yet. I have their Minaret shirt (8 years old?) that is in great shape, a Llano, and a Chama that are still used heavily all fall long into late season. I think i’ve had those maybe 5-6 years?

I haven’t noted any of them to be fragile.

 

[swampdonkey]

What brand is giving you that longevity? I was under the impression that merino was more fragile than synthetics.

I even throw the First Lite stuff in the drier.

 

[swampdonkey]

The difference fishnets add is instead of your wet Merino wool or synthetic base layers laying against your skin drawing heat from your body, you have an air space between your skin and your base layer increasing the insulation value of everything worn on top of it. My guess is Michigan and Wisconsin probably share the same weather and I've been hunting in the late season for about 45 years so in that amount of time, I think I've learned a thing or two. I've been using fishnet base layers for most of those years. I haven't hunted in -30 temps but have out hunting in -20 on occasion. I doubt you've been out in -30's. That doesn't happen too often.
Two years ago however, I did spend about 3 hours out plowing snow with wind chill temps down in the -60's. Michigan issued a State of Emergency forcing all non-essential businesses to close due to the extreme weather so I stayed home and plowed snow with my tractor (no cab or heat houser) cleaning out my neighbor's and my driveways. I had no problem staying warm.

Most definitely have hunted in -30 and lower. I wouldn’t have said it if i hadn’t. WI gets that weather pretty much every single year and with Late season archery going until Jan 31 in my area youre pretty likely to see some of that. I think it was like 3-4 years ago we had -30 or so for like 7-8 days straight. I actually enjoyed hunting it as crazy as that might sound. Woods just seemed strangely desolate which was intriguing to me. My family is from Houghton MI and they have a Cabin at Misery Bay right on Lake Superior. I think it -30 there every day! Lol

BTW, i was legitimately asking about the fishnets. I’m not getting them as my system works for me, has been for decades now. The idea of fishnets seemed pretty curious to me was all.

 

[ricky racer]

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

The difference fishnets add is instead of your wet Merino wool or synthetic base layers laying against your skin drawing heat from your body, you have an air space between your skin and your base layer increasing the insulation value of everything worn on top of it. My guess is Michigan and Wisconsin probably share the same weather and I've been hunting in the late season for about 45 years so in that amount of time, I think I've learned a thing or two. I've been using fishnet base layers for most of those years. I haven't hunted in -30 temps but have out hunting in -20 on occasion. I doubt you've been out in -30's. That doesn't happen too often.
Two years ago however, I did spend about 3 hours out plowing snow with wind chill temps down in the -60's. Michigan issued a State of Emergency forcing all non-essential businesses to close due to the extreme weather so I stayed home and plowed snow with my tractor (no cab or heat houser) cleaning out my neighbor's and my driveways. I had no problem staying warm.

 

[raisins]

The difference fishnets add is instead of your wet Merino wool or synthetic base layers laying against your skin drawing heat from your body, you have an air space between your skin and your base layer increasing the insulation value of everything worn on top of it. My guess is Michigan and Wisconsin probably share the same weather and I've been hunting in the late season for about 45 years so in that amount of time, I think I've learned a thing or two. I've been using fishnet base layers for most of those years. I haven't hunted in -30 temps but have out hunting in -20 on occasion. I doubt you've been out in -30's. That doesn't happen too often.
Two years ago however, I did spend about 3 hours out plowing snow with wind chill temps down in the -60's. Michigan issued a State of Emergency forcing all non-essential businesses to close due to the extreme weather so I stayed home and plowed snow with my tractor (no cab or heat houser) cleaning out my neighbor's and my driveways. I had no problem staying warm.

Interesting. I've almost bought those a few times. How's the skin feel of the fishnet? I just picture plastic edges racking me. Is it chaffing?

 

[ricky racer]

Interesting. I've almost bought those a few times. How's the skin feel of the fishnet? I just picture plastic edges racking me. Is it chaffing?

Then you have a totally different side of things. I saw for the first time last week socks and base layers that are totally non-breathable on purpose (reminded me of those workout plastic sweat suits you used to see at stores) and made of sil-nylon or something. You sweat but it doesn't evaporate, so there is no evaporative cooling and your other layers stay bone dry and it is totally windproof. The sweat next to your skin stays at body temperature and so it doesn't cool you down. Some folks were swearing by it, but it sounds totally miserable to me, even if it worked. It might work to put on (have to strip down totally?) once you are in the tree and sitting motionless. You could do it cheaply by wearing garbage bags as a base layer.

The Wiggy's fishnets I wear takes a little getting used to. Some have said they don't like them but a few washings they will soften up some. I don't even notice them when I wear them. I wear them on every hunt, from the upper 70's on. I think they keep the skeeters from biting through my outer layers. I don't think their stingers are long enough to reach my skin. In colder temps they let my sweat evaporate like its supposed to instead of holding it next to my skin.
If you choose to order some from Wiggy's, order a larger size than you normally would.

 

[mtsrunner]

Interesting. I've almost bought those a few times. How's the skin feel of the fishnet? I just picture plastic edges racking me. Is it chaffing?

I just got the Brynje wool fishnet shirt last week. I washed it and let it air dry. I have worn it for the last 5 days without washing it. It doesn’t stink and has performed well. It has not been super cold (mid 20s to mid 40s), but seems to work.
I have been on a few semi strenuous hikes, split wood and walked my dog.
As far as the feel against my skin, I would rate it even more soft and comfortable than my Smartwool and Icebreaker merino tops.
Fit is normal sizing.
Hope that helps


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[sureshot]

Only thing I can add is I can't keep from sweating on my walk in. Some of the hills I have to climb make it impossible without spending 2 hours to get to my spot. I've resorted to wearing minimal clothes in and then changing when I get to my spot. I bring a ziploc bag in with baking soda to store the sweaty stuff in. I've stripped buck necked in subzero temps before where my hair was frozen when I was pulling my shirt on, yet I stayed warm and dry all day.

Cabelas mt50 is great stuff, but I think it's discontinued. I can't wear it if it's going to be over 30 degrees.

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[Robert]

In my experience, the key to keeping warm in the cold(Louisiana "cold" isn't really that cold) is to limit sweating and then change into fresh clothes before getting on stand.

I have a very high octane body. IF i'm moving, i'm sweating. I sweat so much my doctor prescribed me prescription deodorant for my pits and they sweat all day no matter how hot or cold. They define it as " Hyperhidrosis", and it's tough to manage when it's very cold. My pits and feet sweat ALL DAY!

With all that said, I want in on cold days (30* or less) in shorts, rubber boots and short sleeve t-shirt. This allows me to hoof it to my "staging area" where I try to allow myself 20 or so minutes to cool off before I made my final approach to stand. At this point I strip down to my undies and let me core temp drop to where i'm borderline shivering. When I get to that point I put fresh socks on, put on my bibs(leave everything fully unzipped) then put my t shirt back on and walk to stand. My feet are still going to sweat just from being in rubber boots so when I get on stand and everything is as unzipped as can be, I am still having to manage sweat. While my feet are still warm from walking I put on artic booties with hand warmers in them(they've been in every since I got to the staging area) and slowly zip up the bibs and add layers on top as needed. I have found it's much easier to add layers on my upper body than my lower body while in a saddle so i plan accordingly there.

I have to do similar. Im a sweaty pig. No matter the boots I wear, if my feet get sweaty, they will get cold. I have found liner socks under my puffy warm socks will keep my feet much drier, and thus warmer. I have tried changing my socks in my staging area, but its kind of a pain in the butt. I try to walk to my spot almost shivering, starting out from the truck with some layers on, then rapidly stowing extra layers on my pack as I heat up.

I second the Darn Tough brand socks. They have a lifetime unconditional warranty - they replace anything except lost socks.

Im a big fan of chemical heating packs- Hothands- the adhesive ones, toes, insoles, hand warmers. Make sure if you use them on your feet, put them on once you get to the tree. Otherwise, your feet will sweat like crazy wearing them while walking.

 

[Robert]

There is a lot of talk on here in many different treads about merino wool base layers. I have a set and love them. I do have one question on the matter though. Hopefully I won't catch too much flack on it but is there a need to wear underwear when wearing a merino wool base layer? Would wearing regular cotton underwear defeat the purpose of the moisture wicking merino wool?

12'' compression underwear is the way to go. Keeps everything in place. They never ride up or need to be adjusted, and do not hold heat since they are poly/spandex.

 

[swampdonkey]

There is a lot of talk on here in many different treads about merino wool base layers. I have a set and love them. I do have one question on the matter though. Hopefully I won't catch too much flack on it but is there a need to wear underwear when wearing a merino wool base layer? Would wearing regular cotton underwear defeat the purpose of the moisture wicking merino wool?

First Lite actually makes merino underwear and they’re awesome.