Ideally you want your wind stopping layer as your outer layer. If it’s a mid layer, any heat that you have built up under the outer, insulating layer will just get blown away when the wind blows.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

That’s a good point and I agree with you.

Both my outwear jackets do say they are wind resistant. The icebreaker has some sort of liner in it for wind and rain and the cabelas jacket MT305 or whatever it’s called is Gortex, however I still feel the wind.

Before I look at upgraded those (as outerwear is more expensive) I am wondering if getting a more wind resistant mid layer would help me.

This year rather than buying new gadgets and equipment I’m focusing on clothing since I pretty much freeze to death every year. Only way I stay warm is by acting like a pack mule and carrying out a heaping bundle of cheap clothes with me. Would like nicer, lighter warmer stuff, but I want to be smart where my money goes and develop a system that works well.

Ideally you want your wind stopping layer as your outer layer. If it’s a mid layer, any heat that you have built up under the outer, insulating layer will just get blown away when the wind blows.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I like the Klamath but it’s not going to stop wind. I prefer Fusion camo but other than early season or if it’s just not that windy I’m wearing Sitka outerwear.

 

Thanks for the info this is useful

 

The klamath will not stop wind ever. I am also changing mine up this year. I back pack hunt so my suggestion may be irrelevant. I have bought a jetstream vest and I’ve ordered a drake windproof fleece. My jackets are puffy jackets and pants. I carry a good rain suit to go over them just in case

 

I am in the same boat as you. I think i am going with Pnuma. I was able to actually put my hand on the Selkirk and Waypoint and realy like them and they are waterproof and windproof.

 

Kuiu peloton 240 is similar to the klamath but blocks wind much better.

 

If it is going to be windy I wear the windbreaker jacket and pants from BP,under whatever camo outter wear I plan on wearing that day. I just have light weight camo that is quiet, outter wear for that reason.
I have not found quiet wind breaker or water proof outter wear, period.

 

Gray wolf woolens has the quietest wind proof layer on the market. Its much quieter than the firstlite sanctuary I tried out and more durable too.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

I like a puffy jacket. I use a North Face Thermoball.

 

I really like my Kings Camo XKG Windstorm jacket. Lightweight and packable, but a softer finish so it’s quiet. Keeps the wind and rain off well.

 

For me, wind isn't a huge deal until it's under 40. I mean, yeah, something like the Stratus with a tee shirt under works just fine at say, 50 degrees. But it's not exactly bulky to layer with no windstopper and beat the 50 degree temperatures. I guess what I'm saying is, the windstopper helps clothing punch above it's weight class, so to speak, but I don't find that important until it's down closer to the 30s. For that reason, I have the Fanatic for when it's below 40 but opt for other, quieter layers than the Stratus set for 40+ degrees. Everyone is different, but I'm not getting froze out of the tree on a 45 degree windy day without windstopper. That very well could happen if it's 30 degrees and windy, however.

Edit to addd -- I didn't answer your question. I think you want the fanatic for cold and windy. The best quiet windblocker layer if you just want a windproof mid, would be to throw a stratus vest on under or over your outer jacket and just size it accordingly.

 

My go to is the furnace base layer with the klamath on top of that, if it's cold enough I'll wear a vest on top. It's a great combo but if the wind blows you'll get cold. The klamath on it's own even with a base layer isn't going to block wind so if it's windy enough you need an outer layer made for that.

 

Nothing FL makes is going to “break” the wind. It’s a major weakness with FL. Frankly the same is true of KUIU as well. I love some stuff from both of them but wind breaking is not something either do well. The comment about the Peleton 240 is a stretch too. I own one and have worn it a lot. It may be a little more resistant than a Klamath or typical pullover but it doesn’t even come close to breaking the wind.

As mentioned, wind breaking is usually most effective as an outer layer but it can work ok as a mid layer. For cold weather whitetail hunting Stratus is my go to but assuming we are talking western or earlier season layering the best piece IMO is the Jetstream vest which can be worn as an outer or mid layer. Of course it doesn’t cover your arms but it’s an incredible piece. If you want a lightweight windbreaker with no insulation the Mountain jacket is a good option. At the end of the day, as you can see, you need to go with Sitka gear to get wind breaking gear.

 

Two things. First if you are wearing pants and not bibs switch. I am the biggest cold baby and it will eliminate a lot of the drafts that you get though the last seam between jackets and pants. Second if you have two wind resistant layers then chances are you aren’t “feeling” the wind. Most likely you don’t have enough insulation under the outer layers and you are feeling the chilled layers transmitting cold to your body. Between the mental side of how cold wind makes you feel and that transmission it eats me up quick. If it’s going to be windy I make sure I have plenty of insulation underneath to keep the cold away from my body and hold the heat in. Usually I will add a puffy, for me a TNF thermo ball hooded jacket I got year back.

 

Thanks for the info. Always good to get fresh ideas and perspectives.

Maybe it would be better for me to put my money to high quality baselayers for warmth rather than paying a premium in fleece mid layers.

For example I am thinking a big upgrade for me would be getting the first lite Furance base layers. They are the heaviest base layer I can find. From there I can keep my outwear as is and then just get average mid layers.

Only advantage I see of investing in better mid layers is reducing bulk. I normally have to haul in a ton of clothes to stay warm.

I wonder if the higher end clothes are really as warm as they advertise. Hard to believe that the thin jackets and sweaters can withstand the cold and wind.

Example Oct Wear (10C)
-light baselayer
-merino wool jacket
-lightly insulated pants

Example Nov Wear (-7 to 8C)
-heavy base layer
-fleece sweater
-heavy cabelas jacket
-heavy cabelas insulated pants

Example Dec Wear (-15 to 0C)
-light base layer
-heavy base layer
-fleece sweater
-merino jacket
-heavy cabelas jacket
-light insulated pants
-heavy cabelas insulated pants

 

Merino is best as a base layer but not incredbly warm in my experience so I'd scrap the line "merino jacket." For what you'll pay for a merino jacket, you'd by 10x better off with a Celsius Midi. Honestly, I made this very complicated myself but my recommendation is super simple:

Top:
Light/Midweight Merino base layer
Cheap Fleece (Condor or other surplus -- you can save money here)
Celsius Midi
Outer layer Jacket

Bottom:
Light/Midweight Merino
Level 2 Gen III ECWS surplus fleece
Outer layer bibs

Depending on what "outer layer" jacket you pick, you can get that down crazy cold with minimal pieces (THOUGH WHAT FUN IS THAT).

 

Good tip.

The merino jacket is just one I have. Picked it up on sale for $75. It was at an icebreaker store marked down from $380. They said they couldn’t sell it because it was the camo pattern! It has been my go to this year when walking around but it’s not the best for sitting.

 

Nothing wrong with that. Its comfortable and nice to wear for a lot of reasons, I just found sitting still the heavy merino stuff can get more bulky relative to the warmth it provides when I'm trying not to be dressed too heavy and lose range of motion.