3-layer or 4-layer system for early high country hunt

[rhendrix]

Just curious if you guys are running a three layer system (base, insulation, hard shell) or four layer system (base, mid, insulation, hard shell) in the back country during early September. Trying to decide if I want to drop my fleece mid layer (sitka traverse) or not. I can't honestly see a situation in which I'd wear it unless I'm glassing, and even then, I've got a puffy to wear, which is lighter and a lot warmer. What say you fellow Roksliders?

 

[scarboy11]

One thing I have learned is this subject is VERY individual based. For instant, last weeks scouting trip camp was at 11,300. As evening rolled around my buddy threw on a jacket on top of his long sleeve and t shirt. I was suprised cause I only had on a 145 from kuiu and felt great. For me my head is my weak spot, when my head is cold I am cold. So early season pack in hunt I typically bring kuiu attack pant, 145 long sleeve, puffy jacket and Guide jacket. I don't like counting my chucach rain gear as a layer but I have left my guide jacket behind and ran the puffy and rain jacket on cold clear mornings and been just fine. Best advice find your weak spots address them so they are no longer weak spots and you'll find our setup. I pack a heavy waterfowl fleece ski mask i feel like I could walk around Antarctica when I have this on.

 

[fillthefreezer]

i always run 4 but have been wanting to try the 3. just havent been able to do it. always seem to grab that midlayer as i head out the door. fear of being cold i guess?

 

[dotman]

I use 4 layers as well.

 

[Nick Muche]

Two merino tops (Llano and Chama Hoody), rain shell and puffy. I've been using the Halstead fleece the past month or so and I really like it, so I will add that to the mix this year as well. I can't see the need for a softshell anymore, though some love them. Use what works for you.

 

[KMD]

I wear a camo merino base layer & Kryptek Valhalla 'wind shirt' early season. Could use a 2nd merino, but I like how the Valhalla shirt fits & cuts the wind. Nice, zippy arm pockets for lip balm and diaphragm calls, and it offers enough warmth when heading out in the early morning chill.
Puffy jacket and rain shell in the pack, makes four layers...and always a good beanie hat!

 

[Rizzy]

For that time of year, 3 layer. Base, puffy, Rain shell. The rain shell works good for wind too.

 

[Rucker61]

For me it's merino base layer, shirt, puffy, rainshell. Most just base layer and shirt. May toss a windproof vest in for kicks.

 

[jherald]

Top- base layer t/ zip t type t shirt/puffy/ soft shell or hard shell depending.
Bottom- Base Layer long john/ cargo pant/ puffy pant/ hard shell. not all worn at once.

I'll have all in my pack at all times on extended trips. Possible to see snow in June, July and August here on some of the mountain tops and hard rain.

 

[muleman]

For the last few years; I have run with a light weight merino top and bottom base, a light-middle weight merino top, 10 or 13oz puffy and rain shell from mid September through mid October. The merino base or mid is my outer upper layer unless needing the puffy or rain shell.

 

[5MilesBack]

First off.........I'm not even sure what a "hard shell" and "soft shell" layer is. I hear it all the time, just don't know what classifies those. Second.......I get by with lightweight merino base layers, microfleece mock t, and my Microtex or Mictrotex Lite shirt and pants for 90% of the CO archery season. I have a down puffy to throw on if I need it........haven't used it at all the last two seasons. And I have a rain jacket if need be. Only used that sparingly the past two years. I also have a few fleece jackets that I don't pack, but have them at home or base camp if I think I might need them. I love fleece.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Soft shell, a dwr coated jacket like the guide jacket from kuiu or dalibor jacket from kryptek, typically quieter and only water resistant. Hard shell your typical rain layer, is waterproof. Think chugach rain jacket from kuiu or koldo from kryptek. These are louder and usually wind/waterproof.

 

[Cactus kid]

does anyone run a light weight soft shell as a mid layer?

i just received the Kuiu Guide jacket and it weighs about as much as a regular hoodie. In fact its lighter than my UnderArmor hoody that i normally wear as a second layer, and the guide is much more wind resistant and the DWR is ridiculously good. With a base layer merino set on, the jacket fits very well. My FL Puffy fits OVER that perfectly. So i think I'm going to use this "soft shell" as a mid layer, does anyone else do this?

 

[rhendrix]

Cactus, whatever works for you buddy!

 

[fulldraw1972]

I used 3 layers last year. Merino base, soft shell and a hard shell for rain. I was thinking earlier this year about going 4 layer but lately I have been thinking 3 layer.

 

[fillthefreezer]

i really liked my guide jacket. would have been great if id bought solid, to double around town. but i just never could give it the nod for backpacking.
western wa rain, dwr was good for i belive 1.5-2hr. i put a thread on here about it and some other items like 2 years ago. fwiw.

 

[luke moffat]

Early season with temps down to say freezing and not much colder I take 3 (Base layer merino, puffy, hard shell rain jacket). Temps that can get into the teens I throw in base layers for the bottom and a puffy vest on top.

 

[bowinhand]

Light weight merino short sleeve crew, Lt. Wt. Merino long sleeve 1/4 zip, hard shell, puffy jacket , wind proof fleece beanie,and a pair of soft shell gloves. Later season I might add a fleece pull over as a mid layer. This is what works for me in Colorado at 11-11,500ft during September.

 

[5MilesBack]

Early season with temps down to say freezing and not much colder I take 3 (Base layer merino, puffy, hard shell rain jacket).

Hey Luke, what do you wear when you don't need the puffy or the rain jacket.......just your merino top?

 

[Cactus kid]

Cactus, whatever works for you buddy!

Not sure if it will work, lol, looking for input.