UA Cold Gear base layers have always worked well for me. I have never sat in the coldest settings (NJ-AL), so maybe that is relevant. Always some cheap deals online to pick up UA for 25-50% msrp.

 

Layers and wool for me. I would love some Sitka gear but awfully expensive. Maybe someday if I can get the bride on board

 

I saw in another thread Sitka had a 25% off sale going on. Checked it out. Their cold weather bibs and jacket were a combined $700+ …on sale.

gulp

I guess if you hunt a lot and cold ruins your hunt, there’s a value to sitting there warm and dry.

 

Sitka fanatic series is worth its weight in gold

 

I will also give Sitka my vote. It is absolutely an investment, but the quality of this gear is second to none and I see it easily lasting 10 years if it’s taken care of properly. Understanding how to layer and use the system properly will go a long way.

If you can’t purchase a whole system at once I would suggest starting with base layers and outer layers. You can find some great deals in the classifieds here if you are patient.

 

define "cold weather"


15 to 20F with a brisk North wind
wool top,($15 at farm store) then cotton shirt , fleece flannel shirt, get to stand and put on Drake Parka
Pants, polypro, then Drake bibs.

talking to guy yesterday, he had a Sitka jacket on, I asked if that was the fanatic, he said no, he does not bring that out until it gets below 10F ?????

 

I have the most expensive to cheap brands. No matter what brand or price point, it is absolutely essential your outer layer is wind proof. Essential.
You can layer what ever you want under that. If you have the money you can go with a nice midlayer. If not your favorite work hoodie works too long as it doesn't get soaked with sweat.

 

Finally got Sitka prior to last year. I think it was definitely worth it for me for here in Wisconsin. I ended up getting the Sitka Stratus set, which is a little lighter than the Fanatic. This means on the really cold days I still have to bundle up pretty good, usually which includes a merino wool base layer. It does really really well battling the wind, but still think I will eventually get the Fanatic too for later season. Believe that Sitka has a big sale right now if you're interested.

 

Sitka Incinerator has been keeping me toasty on single digit temps.

 

I am not a fan of UA Cold Gear in ultra cold temps. Thats about all I wear in Florida however is UA,love it. UA Heat Gear is the BOMB in South Florida.

For when it's teens, I like to layer with synthetics,polyester to me is the best bet. Merino is great,but she gets me a bit itchy. I hate their politics,but love Patagonia Capilene for a base layer,mid weight fleece, and an outer layer must be windproof. I own several. From expensive (Raven Wear) to a couple jackets with hoods I bought from Sportmansguide for peanuts that I wore in Illinois on the stand of 13 degrees with zero issue.

My only ever issue since I can remember has always been feet. I never have found the combination to warm feet. From wearing bigger boots and all sorts of wool socks,my feet get cold. I assume it's because I sweat in my feet ? Not sure, but i've spent a fortune trying everything, and nothing really works except maybe PAC Boots.

 

Plenty of reading on AT…opinions vary, but you’ll notice certain pieces have a positive trend. For me it is Sitka Fanatic.

Welcome to AT!

 

I agree that defining "cold" is the starting point of the discussion. Right now in west MI, it is 28* and fairly calm, but we are under a winter weather advisory with 6-12" of snow predicted over the next 48 hours. 28 and calm feels warmer than 35 with a stiff breeze due to the windchill factor. So as Bigmike noted above, having outer layers that cut the wind is crucial......which wool does NOT do for me. Plus I am alergic to ANY form of wool against my skin....including merino, so I have to go the synthetic route for base layers. Mid-layers are not nearly as vital in my experience, fleece is comfortable and quiet plus quite warm.

A second consideration is the mode, approach and distance of travel to your desired hunting spot. If you ride a side-by-side or ebike or have a very short walk to a treestand, what you wear from the vehicle is much less crucial than if you have a fairly long walk. Also if you have a pre-set blind or stand, compared to the efforts of using a saddle or climber or mobile setup. If you have some work to do before settling in, you obviously have to go in light with your other layers in some type of pack or duffle to put on once settled in and cooled down. Hunting on the ground out of the wind in either a ground blind or popup is considerably warmer than sitting out in the open on a metal treestand. Many times in the intense cold of late season, I've hunkered down in some pines and it was significantly warmer than an aerial location.

For feet.....this is a topic that has a host of previous discussions here on AT......look 'em up. I wear mid-insulated lace up boots and boot blankets when it is really cold and that keeps my feet a LOT warmer than heavily insulated rubber boots. Very like the sweating factor, plus rubber seems to lose heat rapidly in penetrating cold. Some guys are dropping a packaged hand warmer on top of their boot before putting on the boot cover to get extra comfort while sitting. Same for hands.....hand warmers are a God-send for the cold weather hunter.....especially the release hand.

 

Very subjective topic, one person is cold in the 60's and another will be in summer clothes, so what works for one may not work for the other.

I an a preset lock-on hunter with temps from the lower 60's to lower 30's and a high humidity, this is what works for me.
A base of merino or silk, mid layer to temp with wool or fleece, and top it off with a wind BLOCKING outer layer.
For me the type sock and fit of the boot are the more important factors, I like a sock that has a wool blend and my boot fits loose.
Don't overlook a vest, when your core temp drops your body responds by restricting blood flow to your extremities so your hands and feet get cold, a vest adds core warmth without bulk in the arms.

 

Thanks for all the comments. I agree several factors do go into planning what to wear. I always tell my boys when you are hunting from a stand it’s not if you get cold but how long you can stand it. It’s hard being elevated and stationary and not get cold. That being said, I have added to our hunting clothes every year and have stayed warmer. I like the artic shield boot blankets. And we have invested in better base layers as well. I have found if you have a good base and a good outer shell that is wind proof then the mid layer is not as important. We almost always pack our outer layer and put it on after getting to the stand.


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Thanks for all the comments. I agree several factors do go into planning what to wear. I always tell my boys when you are hunting from a stand it’s not if you get cold but how long you can stand it. It’s hard being elevated and stationary and not get cold. That being said, I have added to our hunting clothes every year and have stayed warmer. I like the artic shield boot blankets. And we have invested in better base layers as well. I have found if you have a good base and a good outer shell that is wind proof then the mid layer is not as important. We almost always pack our outer layer and put it on after getting to the stand.


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Ever think about an IWOM. I've got one for myself and my son, used to do the layer and sit till your to cold thing but not anymore. Now go out in your sweatpants and sweatshirt, climb up and slip down the iwom. Sit as long as you like, worst part is having to get out of it because it's cold outside of it. It's a cold weather game changer and would actually save people money...

 

I just ordered sitka fanatic bibs, hoping it solves my cold issues lol.

Was 25-26 last Sunday in the stand and I froze.

 

It's all about layering... Good base layers and socks, warm but not bulky mid-layer and then a windproof outer shell. I've been using Asio Gear for the past 3 years. Admittedly, it doesn't get cold enough here in SC for me to use their late season bib and jacket. For SC late season, I wear a medium base layer (top and bottom), Asio's mid-season pants, mid-season hoodie, Asio's Core-Warmth Vest, Asio's windproof Sherpa-lined pants and jacket, wool socks and boots with 400gr of Thinsulate. I've worn this setup in temps as low as the upper teens and have been perfectly comfortable.

While hunting in MD, I still use my Asio Gear layering system as described above but instead of the Sherpa series pants and jacket, I wear the Asio Gear late-season bibs and jacket, which are also windproof. I'll also bump up to a 1000gr Thinsulate boots. I've used this setup in single digit temps and again, have been completely comfortable.

 

Sitka Fanatic is awesome, so is a Heater Body Suit. Haven't used my HBS since getting the Fanatic stuff. Chilliest I've pulled an all-dayer in was -13F. Had the HBS that day and I was fine.

 

I used my Dr. Warm electric socks the other day and they were nice. It was 28 but the high was 46 and cloudy. Also I used my light boots that are probably 400 grams????? They are insulated but MUCH smaller than my 1000's and way smaller than my 800's as well. They are mucks but I'm not sure what model.....but they aren't too insulated. So far the socks are my goto...........but I have only used them once.

 

Was out this morning to try my Sitka gear for the first freezing temps I've hunted here in Bama. We have a humid cold so a bit different than some others. I was wearing First Lite Kiln bottoms with Sitka Stratus bibs. up top Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody, Fanatic Hoody, and Stratus Jacket. No gloves just used some Hot Hands in my build in mittens on the fanatic hoody. Still trying to figure out a solution for my feet so I wont even leave what im using there, but think im leaning toward boot blankets and hot hands when colder. My temps were 28 deg this morning with little to no wind and I did fine. If it got any colder I could prob up my base layer top and bottom but I was fairly cozy.. Was fairly impressed and no BULK!

 

I’m old school. I use cabelas wooltimate with wind shear. That stuff is toasty in crazy cold temps but fairly heavy

 

Heated base layer vest, merino mid weight, merino 400 extreme weight, quality hoody and wind proof Scentlok jacket/ pants works for me. Fleece face mask really helps.

 

We saddle hunt and the body suit doesn’t really work with a saddle. I have used the Artic Shield body and I do agree they work excellent


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I paid a lot of money for some UA cold gear a few years back. I was very underwhelmed. I have done much better with regular old polyester base layers and berber wool outerlayers from Cabelas. You can keep that UA stuff.

I have added an electric vest recently though.....game changer.

 

I'm wearing Arctic Shield Jacket and Drake Nontypical Pants. Habit base layer, Rocky Poly mid layers, smart wool OTC socks, and 800 gr. Danner Boots. I've hunted out of a climber all week this week and morning temps were 21-24 degrees and 5-10 mph winds. I did layer a Drake Nontypical Sherpa Vest under the Jacket though. Comfy and warm. High today was 35 with a morning low of 24. No problem at all. Any colder and I'd have worn the Arctic Shield Berber windproof bibs.

 

I am a big believer of a lightweight down jacket (mountain hardwear/patagonia) as a mid layer. I have an older Mtn Hardwear that isn't made anymore. No hood and stuffs down stupid small. When hunting Michigan's UP, I keep it in the pack until I get in the stand and I cool down a bit. Keeps me out there for all day sits.