WARMEST winter hunting clothes?

[DelSnavely]

I live in NW ND and we regularly get - temps as a high in December and sometimes in late November. Most days with at least some wind, and many days with winds of 20-30mph or more. It get's rough out there...lol This was my first year that I really got a chance to bow hunt here since we moved back, and I need much better clothing. I wore 4 layers of clothing. One was insulated coveralls, and I wore two pairs of socks. None however were wool based.

I would like to know what your thoughts are on reasonably priced winter hunting clothes, from boots to hat. What works for you, or what would you buy?

Let's hear it.

Thanks!
Del S.

[NoCams]

Del,
Better get you some good wool baselayers right away. I know they are costly, but Ullfrotte' Smartwool seems to be the best out there. King of the Mountain sells it on their site. If you are going to stay warm in ND you gotta build your system from the inside out. If not, you will not be able to evaporate properly and once you get wet underneath all those layers you are done !

nocams

[fireball31]

None however were wool based.
 

There's your answer.  I was in the same boat this year.  I have been spending a lot of time at goodwill and other consignment stores scanning for cheap wool clothes.  I got lucky this summer and picked up a scentlok top and bottom for $25 at a garage sale.  I use that as an outer layer and I wear poly pro long underwear with various cheap wool clothing layers over the top.  without the camo over the top I tend to look like a demented Mr. Rogers but those old sweaters I have been picking up for 5.00 or less are certainly keeping me warm enough.

[tradtusker]

merino wool thermals, merino wool socks. work up the layers as mentioned above. a good hat is a must keep your head ward will help keep your body warm.
i recently got a Filson mackinaw cruiser jacket it is buy far the best jacket iv ever worn for cold weather.

[Bill Bouman]

Go to Sportsman's Guide they have some wool hunting clothing on sale right know at a good price.

[seanc]

Bill beat me to the Guide.  Make sure you check out their mil-surp.  My E. German pants and Brit sweater from last year kept me plenty warm with my new Polish baclava.  I also have this'n that from Goodwill.

[pacopperhead]

Originally posted by NoCams:
Del,
Better get you some good wool baselayers right away. I know they are costly, but Ullfrotte' Smartwool seems to be the best out there. King of the Mountain sells it on their site. If you are going to stay warm in ND you gotta build your system from the inside out. If not, you will not be able to evaporate properly and once you get wet underneath all those layers you are done !

nocams

ulfrottee stuff is very very nice.its not cheap but its very warm.send for the catalog or brochure book and read about the wools many different kinds.but this is the foundation i would recommend anybody to build off of its just not cheap

[Builder]

Del,
I have lived in MN and hunted MN and WI for the past 40 years. It is almost always in single digits or below 0 in December so I have purchased multiple pieces of King of the Mountain, Sleeping Indian and Filson. I still froze. What I do like is a heavy sweater with windstop under my KOM jacket, wool bibs/pants and the best underwear money can buy. I also wear a rabbit bomber cap and -100 Sorrels.

[pacopperhead]

one nice thing about the ulfrotte wool is it is so soft u can wear it next to the skin and they recommend that you do,plus you can wash in hot water and put in dryer or hang dry and no shrinkage.

i own a couple 200 gram sets 400 sets,acouple 600 pieces too along w/ a bunch of socks.

it has a terry cloth knit to it

i wasted alot of money till i found this stuff that works

[longbowben]

I lived out thier and i have a secret.Wear rain gear under your coat and pants.wind cant get through.And KOM WOOL.

[Larry247]

The Browning Hydro Fleece is awsome stuff.

Windproof, waterproof, and warm. It also has the sent sorb stuff inside.

[longbowben]

Its -6 and -22 wind chill in grand forks right know. Regular hunting gear dosent work in those condtions.

[chinook907]

Its been like this here lately...

 

Anyway, when its really cold and I'm sitting: liner socks, wool socks, and bunny boots on my feet.  Long undies of some sort top & bottom, warm fleece or wool pants and coat.  And over all that a pair of Wall's BlizzardPruf coveralls; mine are dark blue.  A large pullover over the coveralls of a quiet material eliminates the sound of nylon on nylon.  Good luck finding a piece of clothing that does all that, without paying a lot.

[DelSnavely]

Thanks a lot guys. I know now that it's going to take wool and some sort of fleece to do the job. You can bet I won't freeze my butt of again next year.

Thanks again!

Del S.

[flatlander37]

Guys, What type of liner socks are you using?  I have very cold feet and some merino wool socks that help, but use cotton tube socks as liners.  What's best?  Mark

[DelSnavely]

I hear ya flatlander, and what kind of boots? I need new boots too.

[LKH]

Get an outer layer of windbloc material.  It can be thin.  Doesn't provide the best in warmth, but since it truly kills the wind it helps a lot in your efforts to keep warm.  Its also quiet which can't be said for cotton, nylon, etc.

[Dave Bulla]

Can't say what socks are best but I can pretty much guarantee that cotton is the worst!

[chinook907]

I use capilene or polypro liner socks, its another layer and staves off blisters.

[sharps4590]

what chinook said.  When we lived in NW Wyoming a friend of mine often said "cotton kills" in the winter.  I'd have to agree with him.

Vic