Another cold weather clothing question...

[hartman886]

This year I'm determined not to get cold. I've gathered a lot of tips from this this site, but I wanted to see what everyone wore as a base layer and how many layers they wore.

I'd like to limit myself to three layers, a good base wicking layer, something for warmth and then my outer layer.

I searched and saw one person say Under Armour Cold Gear is awesome. Anyone else have any comments? I just worry it will be like wearing pantyhose (they're constrictive) and if I want to wear pantyhose I would go to work! :D for my warm layer I'm thinking some sort of fleece, probably a polar weight or a wool vest. My outer layer is a 150g thinsulate jacket or windsheer fleece pullover and insulated bib's. I wear silk liner socks and wool socks with 1000g thinsulate boots. This year I'm going to try the antiperspirant on the feet trick to see if my feet don't sweat and don't get cold. oh and I have a mad bomber hat for my head.

For warmer days I'm hoping I can go without the fleece/wool layer.

My questions are:

If I go with a wool vest, would my arms get cold with just the under armour and the jacket? or if my core is warm will I be fine?

how about pants? would I need a fleece layer along with my under armour and insulated bibs? think the warmth layer (fleece or wool) needs to be wind resistant?

Like I said I'm trying to get as few layers as possible (and no cotton!). I'm short and when bundled up too much I can barely move! :) Hard to keep up with my taller counterparts. or if anyone has a better idea, please post!

thanks!
Shorty

[Bwana]

I use the cabelas E.C.W.C.S. (Extended Cold Weather Clothing System) that was designed for the Military. It is awesome! I haven't had a cold day since changing to this system. I too am considering some Under Armour Clothes as an addition to my layering system for the coldest mornings during the coldest years. I can go all day now withour getting cold. Infact, during the last two years I have hardly used my outer layer!

First layer: Cabelas Polar Weight E.C.W.C.S. Long Johns.
Second Layer: Cabelas Polartec Fleece (again part of E.C.W.C.S.) top and bottom.
Third Layer: Something that is relatively wind proof that remains quiet! I am not there yet. For this layer I purchased some Silent Seude that isn't very silent:lol: . I am considering trying some Berber Fleece for the outer layer.

[rzdrmh]

2 important factors:

- loss of heat due to conduction
- loss of heat due to insulation

that means you must insulate, with a wind-stopping material over top.

here's my setup:

base layer - polypro - long underwear and sock liners. you have to have a sock liner. if you have the money, get merino wool long underwear. wool naturally eliminates odors, and wicks well. but those will be pricey. under armor is great stuff. you can also check out clothing made with "cool max", which tends to go for less $$ than UA.

next - wool - pants and shirt.

next - windbreak - i use a microweave windbreaker material. its not quite as effective as something like columbia's "windshear", or browning's "windstopper". those materials are great, but most are lined with a material that also is a moisture barrier. the microweave is a good compromise for me, it stops most of the wind, and still breathes.

next - wool jacket, wool mittens, under armor hood (if you don't have one, get one.) and a wool hat. i have weatherby performance cold weather wool pants and parka. very well built. there is some wind protection built in, and unless its really frigid, i don't need the underlayer of wind protection.

if you wear a windstopping layer under your outer most layer, it keeps it pretty quiet, and microweave is pretty quiet on its own.. i understand that the wind stopping layer is most effective as the outer most layer, but unfortunately, most wind stopping layers are either moisture barrier type, or nylon, etc. that is extremely noisy.

this keeps me very warm, with the added advantage being that, even in a downpour, i'll stay dry. last year, during firearms season, i sat in 35 degree weather, in a 3-4 hour steady downpour, with no other rain gear than my wool, and when i came in, the top of my wool shirt was just starting to get damp. i was toasty and dry in my under layer.

HAVE TO HAVE WIND STOPPER, with insulation underneath. without it, you'll get cold.

[rzdrmh]

as a side note, i must point out that with a polypro base, wool shirt, microweave wind breaker, and wool jacket, i'm not wearing bulking clothing - in fact, my first time out in the entire setup i thought - i'm not wearing enough. but its enough. not bulky - a little heavier, but very free to move around. those used to wearing big cotton parkas will be surprised at how quiet and non-restricting a good wool coat can be.

can't say enough about it. in this setup last year, i went out coyote hunting on a full moon, about 11:00 pm. set up on a ditchbank, laying directly in the snow for about 2 hours. it was windy, and about 7-8 degrees out. i was extremely comfortable, and could have gone much longer.

[150 Class]

Check out Raven Wear or Northern Outfitters for the final layer, both are thick and relatively silent, for boots, go with northern outfitters,

[mantonhunter]

You mentioned wearing a wool vest. On very cold days, I add a wool vest to my setup under my jacket and I notice a huge difference is staying warm. I would recommend that to anyone.

[deputy]

Again one system only Raven wear! raven wear is the one all other try to catch. no need for a ton of layers.

Ioften wear either the underarmor under mine and a set of polar tech as a mid layer so i can get out of the raven wear and store in scent bag and go ! never cold ever or sur ethe best of the best

[Thunderhead]

Another vote for Raven Wear. You will not get cold.

[rzdrmh]

Again one system only Raven wear! raven wear is the one all other try to catch. no need for a ton of layers.

Ioften wear either the underarmor under mine and a set of polar tech as a mid layer so i can get out of the raven wear and store in scent bag and go ! never cold ever or sur ethe best of the best


i don't think 3-4 layers is excessive, i think it might even be preferable, as long as they are not bulky, and wool is not bulky.

raven wear must be good - you can get a weatherby parka and pants for less than the cost of the jacket!

[deputy]

yes a lot less iam sure and quality? i have been using raven wear, for years and it is by the far the best i have ever used, i use to do the 3-layers of all the good stuff, and camo choices are more open with raven wear! lots of options. and it is cutom fit to you. and it is a one time buy i have used filson, i have used outfitter camo and several other but by far the best and warmest and best wicking system i have used has been raven wear. not saying it is for eveybody yeap it cost! but then again how much do most spend in 2 years on gear and camo etc...... in the long run it is worth the money

[rzdrmh]

deputy - you're not suggesting that good wool clothing is not durable or quality made are you? from 0-40 degrees, in all weathers, i wouldn't want to be warmer than i am in my wool. as far as one time buy, everyone i know that uses wool has at least one garment handed down by "grandpa" that is 30 years old or more. good wool is certainly a one time buy.

best wicking system? polypro is the most water-phobic synthetic out there. anyone can use that. how does raven wear get more wicking than that?

what about the fact that wool is naturally de-odorizing?

i'm not arguing that raven wear isn't warm and effective. i doubt that it is "by far" better than God's own natural defense against the cold (ie: wool).. ;)

surely you can see the need for providing warm clothing options other than a coat and pants that will cost you well over $600 to get.

i hope to get many, many years of service from my wool - that's a reasonable expectation.

i do agree that the raven wear seems to have exceptional camo patterns. and i'm sure it is warm.

fwiw - i would not pay retail prices for filson wool. its quality stuff, but its not worth that much.

[deputy]

true filson is expensive! and they dont come in my size anylonger!


trust me try the raven were once and you will be hooked for life

[magnumhntr]

One thing nobody has mentioned is making sure you have a good, quality insulated boot, and keeping your head warm. In my opinion, these two things are the most vulnerable areas for heat loss, and one of the easiest to minimize. For your feet, a base layer of poly or other wicking fiber. Then a layer of light duty wool, and finally an outer layer of heavy wool. I also wear cabelas 2000 gram thinsulate rubber boot. For years I'd get cold feet, even in early to mid october. With the above combination, I only got cold feet one day last season, and that was a late december hunt, and the thermometer was below freezing.

As for your head, a dickie is one of the simplest and cheapest means to help keep your head warm. A good quality wool stocking cap, or full head cover fiinishes off the setup.

I couldn't believe how much warmer I stayed all around by better insulating my head and feet.

[bullcan]

One thing NOT to try is the battery operated stuff. I bought the vest and tried it. It kind of keeps you warmer, but not a lot and the battery is very heavy and bulky to tote around.

[Murphy]

Wow.. you guys are hilarious...

I saw the prices at Cabellas... They are very expensive..

The wife and I go every season and my cold weather clothing is the simplest most warm thing you can get..

Put on a pair of pajamas and then put on a full Carhartt overalls over that... Yes...The same Carhartts you see the the outdoor workers wear.. Carhartts are the warmest clothing there is!!!

Throw on a pair of 3d's ontop of the Carhartts and your ready to rock and roll!!

You can stay outside for hours and hours in sub-zero weather and still be warm.
Dont forget a good pair of boots and a good pair of gloves.. Also, the next most important thing is to keep your head warm.. I hear 40% of your body heat can be lost by way of your head.. (gotta keep that brain warm)..

[deputy]

full Carhartt overalls

yeap warm, not breathable, a pain to walk any distance in, trap mositure and there not waterproof. other than that there ok, i wear them to blow snow. they trap all kinds of bad scents too. b ut other than that there warm!


Ok the new ones are waterproof.


Me Ill stick to Raven Wear.