The art of layering, I need input

[bowhunter1023]

I'm already happy with the Sitka gear combined with the FL Furnance layers and it's not even daylight yet! I'm very comfortable in just two layers and it's 39 degrees down in the bottom. I also have my new alpaca wool socks on and can tell they were a smart purchase too. I'll even add the Fanatic vest or Stratus layers, but I'm friggin' sold on Sitka right out of the gate. Look forward to a few crispy morning sits to really test it out.

 

[Hedgelj]

I'm already happy with the Sitka gear combined with the FL Furnance layers and it's not even daylight yet! I'm very comfortable in just two layers and it's 39 degrees down in the bottom. I also have my new alpaca wool socks on and can tell they were a smart purchase too. I'll even add the Fanatic vest or Stratus layers, but I'm friggin' sold on Sitka right out of the gate. Look forward to a few crispy morning sits to really test it out.

Well what's your new system(s)?

 

[Big_Holla]

What jacket did you end up getting for your outer layer Jesse? Is it 'made' for bowhunting and being quiet??

 

[Mickey Merrie]

Lot of good solid info. in this thread for sure. A couple things I would add is:

When walking in a ways, wear a sacrificial pair of cotton socks inside a plastic bread bag. Once in, pull your boots off and take the wet socks off leaving them in the bread bag. Your feet will quickly dry as you put on your sitting socks of wool and a thin liner first.

Spray your feet with anti antiperspirant so your feet don't sweat which adds to the cold feet. Works on the hands too, but tends to dry them out if done for several days in a row.

I layer a thin silk against my skin, then Merino wool next then a thicker silk or Merino wool depending on the cold. If I need more I go with wool or fleece next. But I like my outer layer to be unlined and water/wind proof. A wool hat is always a part of my head layer as well. Thin wool gloves get covered by thin camo gloves once the cold sets in to the wool. A muff is nice as it can hold the hand warmers. I buy the bigger ones not them little ones. If I re seal them in a baggie after use I can get a couple days out of the 12 hour ones.

Wool and silk actually work by absorbing liquid and will still keep you warm. The less liquid you sweat into them the longer they keep you warm.

I find great deals on old wool clothes on eBay and other market places. If I am moving all day nothing beats the wool. Virgin wool like Merino or Alpaca isn't scratchy. It's the recycled wool that is scratchy. My silk layer prevents recycled wool from being itchy against my skin.

Hope these help you from a guy who lives up north and spends time ice fishing in Canada as well.

 

[giles]

Review on higher end products thoughts and layering. I don't own any First Lite.

Personally I am not impressed with Sitka. In this price range I would 100% push you towards base layers made by Patagonia or Arc'tryx. I would even suggest them for outer layers for every day use or hunting if you dont care about camo patterns. I also own a bunch of Wild Things Tactical and I was a big supporter of them until recently. They used to have a lifetime warranty but have changed that. I have had some product failure this year after 16 years of hard use. For what they charge (most expensive of things listed) they should fix them for life.

If you would like to get your hands on some high quality, light weight gear (to touch) stop into an REI. If you would like something that feels manly, go for wool. If you want something with a camo pattern, I guess you are stuck with Sitka or First Lite. I'm guessing I will try out for FL next year and add them to my thoughts. We will see as I need to drop a phone call to a contact I have at Wild Things first.

I've brought up REI before and got bashed for being a tree hugging hippie, but they really do have some high quality gear. I'm not telling you to spend your money with them, just saying it's worth the stop. In this quality and price range I think you have more options. No need to be a fan boy or have to wear your "hunting" gear to work.

I am pretty scatterbrained today and can't keep my focus, but I started this conversation in a parking lot with @Hedgelj a month ago and have been meaning to bring it up.

 

[giles]

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