I would say you couldn’t ask for a better time in life for companies producing the best clothing and gear available and frankly I would say if you are average build you can buy anything in your size. If that is the case, this thread probably isn’t for you but we all love talking gear especially if you are going to Alaska for your once in a lifetime trip!
My dreams came true and in 2025 went on a DIY moose hunt and was in the bush for 12 days. We lived in a tent and experienced rain and wind for most the days and a stretch of 7 days of rain straight.
I am 6’7” and 285 pounds and a football player build with wide shoulders which makes it more complicated than if I was a tall skinny basketball player build. In addition to that, I have a very long torso so most tops aren’t long enough. Because of this, bottoms are less of a problem and can fit into most inseams at 34”.
This being a once in a lifetime trip and weight is a factor I tried putting together a layering system that would work. I had to send clothes back from many manufacturers they were just too small or not long enough. This is what worked for me.
-LLBean merino wool base layers 150 hoodie and 250 crew both these come in 2xlt and bottoms. Merino base layers a must have imo. I ran wool briefs as well must have.
-Columbia soft shell jacket ( the thought of Columbia you would think not good enough quality) this was a great light outer shell fleece lined and wind and water resistant. Super quiet. My fav jacket actually. With 2 base layers and this can easily be in 30’s or colder. This has lots of 2xlt-5xlt sizes and reasonably priced.
-Columbia packable puffy jacket. Light and warm puffy that I packed everywhere.
-Skre packable puffy bottoms very nice quality.
-Rain jacket, most recommended to bring 2.
Columbia breathable out dry extreme again in xlt sizes this jacket is packable and wore it most days and is quality. HH imperfect guide coat. (Never used it)
-Chest Waders, I lived in g3 Simms chest waders for 12 days and can’t tell you how invaluable they were with Simms feestone size 16 boots. Try finding size 16 wading boots lol. They worked great. I custom ordered my waders for my size and they weren’t cheap but I would have paid double after being dry for 12 days in them. They definitely come in handy spending 6 hours butchering a moose in the water!
-Darn tough medium and heavyweight wool socks.
-Western Mountaineering 7’ 0 degree Kodiak gortex sleeping bag. An expensive bag but can’t brag enough about the quality that will last me my lifetime.
-Exped mega mat extra long 30”x78 air mattress on top of the cot. Great mattress and good r rating.
Columbia was a sleeper that had reasonably priced clothing in lots of xlt sizes and they actually run big!
Please let me know if you have any questions I can help with in the bigger and taller dept. Chase your dreams!
My dreams came true and in 2025 went on a DIY moose hunt and was in the bush for 12 days. We lived in a tent and experienced rain and wind for most the days and a stretch of 7 days of rain straight.
I am 6’7” and 285 pounds and a football player build with wide shoulders which makes it more complicated than if I was a tall skinny basketball player build. In addition to that, I have a very long torso so most tops aren’t long enough. Because of this, bottoms are less of a problem and can fit into most inseams at 34”.
This being a once in a lifetime trip and weight is a factor I tried putting together a layering system that would work. I had to send clothes back from many manufacturers they were just too small or not long enough. This is what worked for me.
-LLBean merino wool base layers 150 hoodie and 250 crew both these come in 2xlt and bottoms. Merino base layers a must have imo. I ran wool briefs as well must have.
-Columbia soft shell jacket ( the thought of Columbia you would think not good enough quality) this was a great light outer shell fleece lined and wind and water resistant. Super quiet. My fav jacket actually. With 2 base layers and this can easily be in 30’s or colder. This has lots of 2xlt-5xlt sizes and reasonably priced.
-Columbia packable puffy jacket. Light and warm puffy that I packed everywhere.
-Skre packable puffy bottoms very nice quality.
-Rain jacket, most recommended to bring 2.
Columbia breathable out dry extreme again in xlt sizes this jacket is packable and wore it most days and is quality. HH imperfect guide coat. (Never used it)
-Chest Waders, I lived in g3 Simms chest waders for 12 days and can’t tell you how invaluable they were with Simms feestone size 16 boots. Try finding size 16 wading boots lol. They worked great. I custom ordered my waders for my size and they weren’t cheap but I would have paid double after being dry for 12 days in them. They definitely come in handy spending 6 hours butchering a moose in the water!
-Darn tough medium and heavyweight wool socks.
-Western Mountaineering 7’ 0 degree Kodiak gortex sleeping bag. An expensive bag but can’t brag enough about the quality that will last me my lifetime.
-Exped mega mat extra long 30”x78 air mattress on top of the cot. Great mattress and good r rating.
Columbia was a sleeper that had reasonably priced clothing in lots of xlt sizes and they actually run big!
Please let me know if you have any questions I can help with in the bigger and taller dept. Chase your dreams!
