Clothing Question

golfcat · Post by **golfcat** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:22 pm

Having just frozen for the millionth time this season I obviously need some advice on ways to stay warm on stand. I'm one of those people who don't handle cold very well and it's to the point where I'm almost ready to give up hunting totally once the colder weather gets here. By cold it's only got to be below 40 or so and I'm in a bind. I have tried layering, etc., and all the hi-tech clothing out there and I either sweat like a pig walking in and then am wet and cold or I don't have enough clothes on walking in and freeze and can't ever warm up.

I hunt on public land and have to pack in my stand, etc, so I'm somewhat limited on what I can carry or pack as I can't leave anything out there for fear of theft.

Do you guys walk in extra slow already heavily dressed or go in with extra clothes in a backpack or what? If you use a backpack, how big do you need to get bibs and a parka along with all the other miscellaneous junk to fit?

If you do use a pack how do you manage it with a treestand and step sticks or even just a fairly large stool/chair? I'm 6'6" tall and a lot of the folding tripod stools just aren't big enough.

Help,

Roger

Cossack · Post by **Cossack** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:14 pm

I used to walk into a stand some 1/2 mile off the road on public land. Stripped down to my T shirt, carried everything else in pack. When I got thee, toweled of with T shirt and dressed in stuff I carried in. Kept wet T in a plastic bag that I hauled up into stand.
Lately I'm finding that the new base layer garments like Under Armor wick moisture through and don't stay wet next to skin. I used a set of similar undies while X county skiing yesterday. Didn't feel a bit wet upon finishing.

warningshot · Post by **warningshot** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:55 pm

i carry my heavy coat in a pack sack.....if i have to i will carry an extra shirt in my pack to change into before i get to my hunting stand .....tried the the underarmour skiing and snowshoeing and it performed very well....gonna pick up some more for next years hunt ...

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:06 pm

Used to wear wool for cold weather, but gradually switching to polarfleece.
Either one works well. I use the layering method, and if it's really cold I'll pack a pair of insulated coveralls to put on at the stand/blind.

diesel · Post by **diesel** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:58 pm

I'm with you golfcat. I HATE cold weather I hunt in Oct, and Nov. Maybe Dec. only if the freezer is not full. I always pack clothes in and put on at the stand. I have even taken a sleeping bag to the stand with me and still get cold. dose not seem to matter what I use it starts at my toes and works its way up.
I just HATE cold weather.

Boo · Post by **Boo** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:07 am

I use layers of polypropylene and fleece and Arctic Shield outer wear. The hand muffs and the booties over my boots finish it off. I don't do well in the cold either. Don't forget your head, it is where you loose a lot of heat. All this is when I am still hunting or in a blind/stand. Walking in I am dressed pretty light, usually with just my jacket off. The secret that most are saying is to stay dry on the way in by walking in as lightly dressed as possible. Then add layers as you cool down. Without question synthetics are the best thing against you skin to wick away any moisture. Sounds like you are a sweat hog like me. I am constantly adding and taking away layers when I hunt on the ground and on the move.
I carry most everything I need in my padded Excal padded cross bow case and walk at a moderately slow speed.

Partikle · Post by **Partikle** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:54 pm

Wicking layers against the skin, polar fleece or wool and then a good warm jacket on top of it all; same as listed above. The other thing I do when it is really cold, I put a "hot pack" in each glove. You can buy them at Walmart for about $1.19 for 2. Put one in each glove and your hands stay toasty for up to 10 hours.

I have a super warm jacket and bib snow pants and I also wear booties over my boots to keep my feet warm. I can sit all day no problem.

kendo kid · Post by **kendo kid** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:02 pm

I use two layers of 100% poly as underwear. The first layer is light weight summer type with a polar expedition weight over it. The next layer is wool as it can get wet and still keep you warm. I wear 4 laters including camo bib on the bottoms and 5 layers on the torso. Super warm boots with mohair socks and a great 100 poly head,face and neck covering. When I hunted in northern SK at the end of the season -15 to -20 C I used heater packs and additonal head covering. I fell in love with the face mask that recycled the heat from my breath. So it warmed the air I was breathing in. Do what you have to keep your core warm. Thermos of hot soup, heater packs and hand warmers if the wind on the stand set up is right. We were on stand all day with no break. In northern SK you have to be dressed

Do not carry a stand. Set up using the natural cover and wind direction. It is warmer on the ground or in snow than it is sitting 20 feet in the air on a metal tree stand that gets the wind.

Do not use a back pack as it will allow sweat to build up on your back and that will cool your kidneys quicker when you finally sit down. Work out a system carrying as much of your clothing as you can.

Each one us sweats differently and you need to experiment. But don't be cheap on your boots or face or head gear.

Partikle · Post by **Partikle** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:18 pm

Hey kendo kid,

Where did you get your head cover? Do you have a brand name I can search on? I don't have that piece of gear. I use a poly beleclava with another hat on top of it.

Partikle

Boo · Post by **Boo** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:34 pm

It is all about learning what to do, what to wear, what not to do etc. One thing to learn is when to take a layer off and that would be before you get too warm not when you are too warm. Same goes with adding layers. I've hunted in Northern Alberta the past 15 years. I have hunted in temperatures as low as minus twenty and believe it or not it is just great hunting at those temperatures. We constantly move, set up and wait over and over all day. Clothing and when to wear it is a big learning experience that takes time to learn. Another tip, keep hydrated, you need enough water in your body to produce heat.

kendo kid · Post by **kendo kid** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:21 pm

Partikle, Sure I am happy to help. It is Wind Tech and the fabric is made by Dupont. I think I got it from Cabela's.

bbbwb · Post by **bbbwb** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:22 am

golfcat:
You have the best array of information provided in all the suggestions. I can relate to many of the suggestions and give my stamp of approval. I used the little hand and foot hot- packs for the first time this year with great results. For long hikes in, I carry a complete change of inner clothing and change upon arriving at stand. I have seen the steam lift off when I hang clothes on a limb and freeze solid in the cold morning air. Puttting on the dry clothing, I am snug as a bug in a rug. The new synthetic t-shirts are great for wicking the moisture away from body. I used them now for 2 years. I use a small steel triangle frame pack to carry all my clothing and gear. It has all the necessities for the hunt, including a folded 8x10 tarp for overnnight shelter if required. It is amazing how and what you can SUITABLY pack without being excessive.
If you can not leave your tree stand situated for concern of theft, locate yourself on the ground . Ground stands are very productive. Their only big big big drawback is the loss of your bolt and the story it will confirm. I acknowledge all of the benefits, visibility -- for what's close at hand and that big buck is behind the doe coming in , scent dispersal etc. which are very,very valid points but the ground set is still productive and you are quite mobile for change if needed.
Good Luck.
bbbwb

groundpounder · Post by **groundpounder** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:33 pm

I was going to say what I do but who would believe a guy from Georgia on hunting in cold weather when it's January and supposed to hit 70 degrees this week! But anyway I do get to hunt in the cold occasionaly and this is what I do: I liked using the underarmour as a base layer this year and anything cotton is always a no no. I then usually wear a heavy wool sweater and a lined pair of gore-tex pants. If I'm walking any distance and I usually do, this is what I normally start with and lash everything else to my pack. Once I'm wear I need to be I then add my insulated coveralls. If it's really cold sometimes I will also put on a gore-tex jacket with zip in fleece liner before I add the coveralls. For the feet I wear a liner sock, a heavy merino wool sock, then 1000 gram thinsulate knee boots.

groundpounder · Post by **groundpounder** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:40 pm

[img][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o32/ ... r/cold.jpg[/img][/img]

Heres a pic of all my layers
underarmour
wool sweater
Northface gore-tex jacket with fleece liner
insulated coveralls

chris4570 · Post by **chris4570** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 5:14 pm

A couple things you can do to prevent heating up while walking in, even with your hunting clothes on. Don't wear a hat until you are on stand, or gloves. Unzip what you are wearing. Move slow. Stop once in a while to allow some excess heat/moisture to escape.

While on stand a toque, or better yet a balaclava. A neck gaitor or even a scarf. Hot packs in your gloves(mitts are better). Good warm footwear, essential to staying warm. Windproof outer-gear or any heat you have will be easily lost. Flex your muscles, hold and release.