Help in choosing the right clothing please!

[1screagle]

I'm an avid whitetail hunter in Wi. that hunts a large variety of terrain from cedar swamps to hardwoods, ag fields etc... I'm going to do my first elk hunt in northwest colorado in 2012. I'm looking for help in purchasing a clothing system that will work best for all I do in one type of camo and one type clothing. Temps are from -10 to +70. I'm not wealthy so price is of concern. Any ideas?

[KentuckyTJ]

I suggest buying a light weight leafy jacket and pants. You can throw them on over anything and you have instant camo.

 

[ChrisM]

What Kentucky said and then you won't have to buy alot.

[tradshooter]

I live and elk hunt in Idaho every year and Colorado is probably quite similar. Make sure you have good lightweight, waterproof boots and that they are broke in, with you carrying the weight you will be packing on your back. An extra trade out pair of boots for cold weather is advisable. I always have some wool clothing top and bottom and poly-prop undergarmets. The weather can really change so layering is your best bet and bring lightweight gortex rain gear for inclimate weather. Camo patterns for timber and sagebrush mix should be considered and I mix them up. I agree with some lightweight clothing, otherwise you will heat up on the warm days, just be prepared for those Fall storms that can hit and hit hard. Bring several types of headgear for warm days and in-climate, cold and stormy weather. A lot depends on how you are going to access your area and have the ability to pack in the amount of gear you bring. I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it, but pack in conditions, may limit what you can bring. Best of luck to you.

[Daz]

Another route is to research some of the backpacking forums out there, read the reviews, and look for good used technical gear (the stuff that Sitka and Kuiu is based on) that is non camo. There are some great manufacturers out there like Arc'teryx, Marmot, TNF and others.

Gear made out of Schoeller and M3, as well as some of the other quality mountaineering fabrics are excellent, and with a set of leafy's over the top you are good to go.

Tradshooter is right though, boots, boots BOOTS!

[NBK]

Howdy Ken,
Planning on going to Co. myself this fall and I'm saving up for the Kuiu gear.  Spendy, but the way I figure it, I've worn the same old predator cotton pants for 12 years now so these should last me awhile!  Also, if I can drop several hundred dollars on a bow I can certainly spend some on quality clothes.  Camo is overrated but their camo pattern looks like it would work well in our Wisconsin trees also.  I don't believe there is a one set of clothing to do it all but this stuff looks hard to beat for chasing elk.  Good luck in your decision and hope to see you at some shoots this summer.  P.s. "you can't have the Legolas bow back!"

[PAPA BEAR]

wow tj....cool idea,thanks for the idea.makes perfect sense to me.wonder why i never thought of that.hmm..i'm slippin..      

[1screagle]

With what I'm hearing, some guys are buying and using under garments that wick the moisture away from the body that doesn't have to be hunting clothing, then using an outer layer of camo. I understand this for warmth and comfort, what about scent. The scent-lok clothing more hype than reality or not? The thing I worry about at least as much as anything is it has to be quiet. I freaked out when I bought a Rancho Safari ghili suit, I drew back and all I could hear was stuff moving. Some people swear by them. I pulled back a day with no wind and said,"NO WAY". I sold it. Kept the shield as it is portable and easy to use if your on the ground.

[Daz]

If you are REALLY elk hunting and not sweating, you aren't hunting hard enough.

If you sweat, YOU SMELL. Especially after five or six days in the back-country.

Wind in face, be aware of the AM/PM thermals, and hunt hard.

[Tutanka]

Really no need for any fancy camo clothing, look more for functional clothing.  By this I mean clothing that is light weight and will dry fast, that is quite.  Light weight wool is hard to beat not only for it's weight and warmth, but for it's ability to stay somewhat stink free.  Elk hunting in Colorado is somewhat physically demanding, and you will probably sweat.  Play the wind, and try to keep movement to a minimum when around elk, and you will find out that solid colors will work as well as fancy camo patterns.  Keep in mind that temps in the day can reach as high as 80 degrees in some areas of the state; stay lightweight and layer.

[head_hunter]

1screagle, I hunted for Elk in Colorado in 2007 and am headed back this year if all goes well. We camped out on the mountains at 10,000 feet so it was a little chilly first thing in the morning but warmed up to 60 in the afternoon. I wore some light weight polypropolyne long underwear and Scent Lok Savanna EXT in mossy oak breakup over that. I carried a small backpack with some light rain gear and a sweatshirt and a wool camo vest in case I got cold. Also carry some good scent eliminator spray like Scent Away Fresh Earth scent. I had several small bulls within ten yards and shot a P&Y 6X6 at 30 yards. Hope that helps you out. Enjoy yourself it is a blast!

[John Scifres]

I have hunted elk 5 times in good weather and bad.  I use the same clothes as I do for hunting here at home.  Base layer of polyprops, mid layer of poly/wool duofold, cotton tees, fleece vest, wool parka, wool pants.  You don't need anything special.  Save your money for the tags and gas.  You ain't climbin' Everest here.  September elk hunting temps will not get much below 20 even at 10,000 feet.  If they do, hunker down until it warms up.  Take a PVC poncho for when it rains.  Never leave camp without it.

[Nate Fikkert]

For the budget minded hunter I think cabelas microtex in outfitter camo is about as good as it gets.  Not necessarily as cheap as a cotton set but great in all weather, good all around pattern, and wear like iron, yet comfortable.  
Nathan

[Bjorn]

Boy I second the Microtex-have not found anything better! If it gets cold an underlayer of polyprop uwear works great.

[Wary Buck]

I'll add this about your question.  You said money is a concern, as it is for most of us.  I would just say this:  I've found that IF you hunt a lot, money spent on better equipment that will LAST a long time, will in the end be cheaper than buying bargain stuff.  My .02.

[East Coast archer]

I've been elk hunting in CO every other year atleast for the last 12 years.  When I first went I wore what I did in the northeast during whitetail early season.  I never sweated as much and then froze as much as i did back then.  When Sitka first came out I bought a set of the first years gear and was never so comfortable busting my a$$ chasing the mighty Wapiti.  Have bought a few more pair of pants and shirts since then.  Gonna get some Kuiu this year to add to the arsenal and maybe if it works as good replace the Sitka.  You can go cheap and still kill something or you can get the best gear and enjoy it more.  Just my opinion.  I would suggest a pair of pants and a couple shirts to try this year if you can afford it.  Whatever you choose have a blast and get in shape.  Nothing makes you feel old and out of shape as elk and sheep!

[Zbearclaw]

Cotton kills in the mountains.

Camofire has great deals on camo, lots of Sitka too.

Layers are key.  But really, mountain hunting comes down to boots, beanie, and gloves and making the best of whatever opportunities present themselves.  Solid boots, a warm wicking beanie, and solid waterproof warm gloves can make a humongous difference.

I too will be looking to test kiui...

[sloaf]

If i were to spend any money, First buy some merino wool for a base layer.  Nothing has been invented yet that matches mother nature for regulating body temp, keeping you dry and controlling scent. You'll be more comfortable with whatever you wear.
 All the dry fits shirts can't match it for moisture wicking.   I've been a runner for years and swore cotton off long ago but merino is so much better than technical fabrics its crazy. INVEST IN A WOOL BASE LAYER FIRST!  Let me make the mistakes for you and take my advise.

[John Scifres]

Cotton has its place for me.  It is the most comfortable during warm, dry weather.  I can't stand wool or synthetics in those conditions.  I have not been in the mountains when I didn't have at least a few days when these conditions were present.  A T shirt and light cotton pants or shorts save the day for me.  In 2008 in Idaho, it was warm and dry the entire week.  I wore my wool only on the pack out when it finally rained and turned cooler  

[steadman]

I'm with John here. I hunti n the mountains every year, for the past thirty some-ot years. I am by no means an expert, but I layer and use cotton (gasp) with a fleece outer shell. I only wear cotton pants, they may be layered. I've not died or been that uncomfortable. Layer, layer, layer! You will be moving a lot and storms appear out of nowhere. I always carry a poncho for when it really rains. You never know about the weather out here, and you can have all the different clothes in the world, but I don't think you can wear them all, all the time. Eventually you will get caught in weather. Be smart and use your head  
As far a scent goes, keep the wind in your face, and try to stay clean.
Oh and have FUN!!!