Cold Weather Gear & Rain Gear
Connecticut
Contributors to this thread:
I have put many hours in stand since I started hunting 6 years ago. Some days comfortable, some days miserable! lol
I'm looking to upgrade to better rain gear, and am considering better cold weather gear so I can hunt Jan, and possibly be more comfortable and less "puffy" & confined in my cold weather layers. Currently I'm only a CT woods hunter (Sept - End of Dec, occasionally Jan, then Turkey Spring), but will eventually be doing trips.
As I hunt more, I have learned that with most gear, it is "buy once, cry once" - ie: many times you get what you pay for. I'm learning I'd rather pay a bit more for a known name at times, than buy a bargain thing that will need replacing after 2-3 seasons. Or rain gear that doesn't breathe, so you end up wet anyway! I have seen a huge difference in my optics when I pay a bit more. So - along those lines, trying to make the long days in stand more comfortable - I want better wet weather and cold weather clothes.
So - I've been doing a lot of research, and see that KUIU and Sitka seem to be the leaders by far, and some people like the Cableas Gear guide series. I'm looking for good quaility as well as functionality. The single piece of Sitka gear I have bought (windblocker gloves) only lasted one year. They came apart at the seams. My cheaper bow gloves are going into year 6. I have also had a separation of an ASAT ghillie top after less than a full season.
Did I get a lemon pair of each, or are there typically issues with their gear?
I don't want a pissing contest or bashing thread - I'm looking for honest reviews that will help me extend the hours on stand in less than ideal conditions. Any real experiences are welome.
Thanks in advance guys!
In my opinion one of the best for warmth and rain and wind proof is the Cabela's MT050 insulated with Gortex. I have the bib's and parka and use polypropylene long underwear and fleece layered underneath and don't even feel the cold and wind!
I have always been cold when it dropped into the 20's, until I got the MT050!
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Most of what I own is sitka and kuiu. Kuiu is far superior rain wear. I bought the Yukon pants, as I like a full length zipper. They are the best there ever was.
I like my MTO50 rain gear ,but seem to only get about 5 years out of it before it starts to leak.
Cabelas Berber fleece has been my best friend for single digit hunts. Granted I pack it in with a decoy bag. But I can sit all day like I'm next to my woodstove. Best investment I have ever made to be able to stick it out in the nasty wind and cold.. While we are on topic, the lacrosse ice kings are fantastic too.
I just picked up a one piece coverall cabelas silent suede suit with the rain guard and thinsulate. Seemes to be exactly like the MT050 my brother has but $200 less. No complaints so far. I'm really liking the handwarmer pockets.
Nothing beats the heater body suit for cold (real cold) snowy conditions. Not only is it crazy warm but it allows you to shoot a bow without restriction. I use thin cabelas rain gear over my coveralls or better yet hunt from a ground blind when it's raining.
All I can say is I get cold easy sitting in a tree got me some under Armour and I love it
X2 andy, unreal warmth. I sat in freezing rain the other day and it didnt bother me at all. 3 years so far and it still in great condition.
Speaking generally I have seen that some of the high tech hiking/mountaineering gear is far superior to the camo hunting gear sold by Cabelas, etc. Their market is bigger and that's where the latest technology seems to enter first. They aren't available in camo but they sure are far lighter. A lot of the camo cold weather gear weighs a ton and that hurts if you cover a lot of ground still hunting, etc.
Ill agree heater body suit. I have been in 5 degree temps with wind and I had on a wool base layer and standard fall hunting gear. Never got cold. When I got it I figured there was no way I would be able to get up and out to shoot a deer but I shot a number of them no problem.. never spooked with slow movement. I never would be able hunt in cold I have bad circulation. I start shivering with a base layer and no heater suit at about 48 degrees
wreddy
I usually buy a light pair of camo pants for example and then put the non-camo warm gear on under the oversized pants, so I agree with your approach.
For me the only areas that get cold are my fingers and toes, and when I use the toe and hand warmers I'm fine. To packets in each pocket and one toe warmer in my sorel pac boots and I'm comfortable. REALLY cold days I have a thermos of hot soup of chocolate.
Rain gear - I have a very light, packable pullover top and pant set since I only hunt in a light rain or snow. The treestand umbrella also helps a ton as long as it's not real windy. Most rainy days in stay in bed, so fannel sheets work best there :)
Johnson Wool and Beaglewear works for me on trips...
Andy & spike x2. I got the pullover, pants & bibs on clearance at half price with free shipping earlier this month. What a score. Haven't used the bibs yet but the pullover & pants are exactly what is needed to sit in stand on single digit/teens mornings. I use Artic Shield boot covers and can't say enough good things about them. Not to mention a fellow Bowsiter (Al) gave them to me. Great addition to cold weather treestand hunting.
MTO50 - I have the uninsulated. Great stuff for wind and rain protection.
For CW gear I highly recommend the ECWCS stuff from cabelas. I have bibs and pull over and they are a great 2nd base layer over a thin base layer. For outer layers I use stealth fleece jacket and pants with windshear liner. Picked up Day One camo lined pants - the heater holding pockets over the kidneys are great! I discovered last year putting a toe warmer with adhesive back on the inside of my ECWCS over the tricpes is excellent for cold arms and heats blood on its way back to the heart (don't use the hand warmers this way unless you want a hot spot in your chest.. and this may not be healthy). For Jan really cold days Cabelas Outfitter wooltimate with windshear works very well (heaters on the kidneys also). Finally, for cold feet, Arctic shield boot covers with a hand warmer tossed in or two toe warmers attached above the toes works great. I also boil water in a kettle at home and put it in a small thermos. It stays hot/warm all day and puts a nice little warm spot in your belly. What about gloves? I use liners on my hands (hate bulky gloves) and hand warmers in my pockets.
ecwcs first layer, cabbalas berber second layer, then mto5o bibs and parka. never been cold. heater body suit in the extreme cold works great. i find that a good pair of socks and a good hat are just as important
Never tried the body heater suit (bag) but I for sure would if hunting really cold, like Saskatchewan.
Layers, layers, layers.......I also invested in some Under Armour cold weather "long johns", spent a little over $300 for it, but it's the best money I've spent in a while. Like you, I bought the cheap stuff when I first got into hunting, but after having that wind cut thru me like a hot knife thru butter and only being able to be on stand for a couple of hours until felt like a popsicle in a winter wonderland, I knew I had to invest in better gear.
Also get yourself a neck "gaither", they keep the wind from getting into your chest area from the openings in your shirt. Put it around your neck and tuck it into the top of your shirt and it keeps your body heat trapped inside. This was one of the biggest helps to me, keeping that cold wind from penetrating those little cracks and crevices.
I also invested in a heavier "skull cap" from Dick's, it was around $8.00, but it's thick and it keeps my head pretty damn toasty, I usually have to remove it before I reach the stand, my head starts to sweat.
My feet are my only issue, can't afford to invest in a good pair of cold weather boots until after Christmas.........
For cold weather hands down....heater body suit. I've had one for over 1p years and it's my go to piece of clothing ....ask arou.d everyone that has em loves them. They seem expensive but when u start pricing heavy bibs parkas a doe experience sive under layers it's a deal....and it's warmer than the best pair of bibs/jacket
fleece; multiple layers underneath your suit, and Baffin boots will do the trick.