Help me: too many camo choices

[Justin Falon]

I have not bought any camo/hunting clothes since the 1980s. I have aged. My camo shrunk.  It looks like the companies are selling a lot of similar stuff now days. Living in the Midwest has its disadvantages. Cold and wind. Daily.

Could someone help me/guide me to selecting some new duds that will keep me warm?  I don't really care about being hidden. I know that camo isn't necessary. I can no longer pretend that I don't need some new hunting clothes. Thanks.

justin

[Whip]

More and more I find myself wearing wool jackets from Teresa Asbell.  Lots of great plaids to choose from that will blend in well in the midwest.  

If you are looking for a more conventional camo pattern I really like Predator. St. Joe River Bows is a dealer and can fix you up.  Check them out from the sponsor list.

[Jerry Jeffer]

What ever you wear, go for natural fibers like wool. They blend in the best. You are correct in saying you don't need camo. Lots of good sponsors here, also army surplus..... many choices. I just use what is comfy for me.

[joe skipp]

When the temps dropped here in the teens with a decent wind, I was very comfortable with my Bomber Jacket with Holofil.

Lightweight, a tad bulky but I didn't have to layer as much and was very warm. The Holofil acted as a wind breaker also. Pants....wool. My hat was also insulated with Holofil. As a ground hunter who sits in natural blinds, it's important I stay warm to cut down on movement.

[Iowabowhunter]

I like First Lite merino wool and also Natural Gear Fleece w/windblocker if you arent stalking.

[Rustic]

You cant go wrong with wool...  

[attack]

If you can find it... Columbia Gallatin range wool. By far the least expensive wool you will find and the stuff is amazing.

[Holm-Made]

For your outer layer, find something with a wind stop in it.  I can handle cold temps but the wind is the real killer...

[Skipmaster1]

I love my cabelas wooltimate with wind shear. The stuff really keeps you warm

[sweet old bill]

when I started it was WW II camo and or nothing, now I think they have about 50 brands...

[Justin Falon]

Thanks for the replies. Decisions decisions decisions. What surprises me is the PRICES have gone way up since the 80's

I had swanndri and gray wolf. They were pretty good. I am not opposed to newer materials.

[Jasper2]

Greg is spot on about the wooltimate from Cabelas. The outfitter camo pattern is one of may favorites as well. It goes on sale often and the value is hard to beat. It really shines when the wind picks up.

[KSdan]

While I have been an old school 4th generation north woods wool believing guy- I also have shifted to newer material simply because it is lighter and dries far easier. For high country adventure the new high tech stuff like Sitka, former Russell, First Lite can not be beat.  My midwest is the likes of Predator Camo brand or DayOne Fleece.  Thick polar fleece (with windstop for sure) is dead quiet, deadly break up, and much lighter than wool.  I still use wool as lighter base (merino) and mid layers for sure.  Outer stuff is rarely wool anymore.

Predator Camo brand
Day One has a variety of materials
First Lite Merino wool stuff

Dan in KS

[overbo]

What ever layer touches the skin is the most important, IMO. A good wicking material that's comfortable to the touch. For me, some of the new fleece blends are my favorite. Couple that w/ some unobtrusive color cover layer of desire weight, and enjoy hours of comfort afield.

[Ron Vought]

Silent Predator wool is what I wear. Great quality and priced right. I also like First Lite merino wool base layers and also their Kanab pants.

Ron

[Justin Falon]

and more possibilities....

thanks guys!

[PaPaFrank]

Hey Justin, you can't go wrong with First Lite merino wool as base. A little pricey but well worth it.

[Justin Falon]

I sent them an email last night. Looks like they are pretty much sold out of my sizes. I really like the Labrador full zip sweater. Priced right and would make a darn good xmas present to myself.

Thanks Frank.

justin

[German Dog]

I've had Filson pants and vest for about the last 18 - 20 years and a Grey Wolf jacket for at least 12 years. The stuff still looks new.

The biggest game changer for me was switching to the Firstlite merino baselayers this past year.Previously I had a mix of smartwool and thermastat thermals.
For the firtlite I started with the longsleeve Llano and then also picked up a 1/4 zip Chama. Those two tops with a filson vest and Grey Wolf jacket really is a great combo and will cover a wide temp range.

For the head I also picked up the Firstlite blacalava and it too made a huge difference in comfort. I wore that balacalava for spring turkey hunt and early fall deer and it was not hot. Then again in the cold spell we had in november i wore it with a smartwool beanie under my ghillie hat and was fine down to 15 degrees.
In fact I liked that firstlite merino wool so much I bought  a balacalava to wear under my hard hat for powerlineman work and also another llano longsleeve.

If Firstlite doesnt have the stuff do a search on amazon cause thats where I got all my firstlite stuff. some was shipped right from firstlite and others were from other dealers.

[Fastltz]

I love my first lite...very light and warm and seems to be quite durable. I layer merino wool sweaters I got online cheap and I also hit the goodwill for wool sweaters.