All Season Whitetail Clothing System

[dh.hamilton1]

After getting to hunt a good bit more this season and hopefully continuing the trend, I need to upgrade my whitetail clothing system. Currently it’s a mixture of cheaper stuff.

I realize multiple weight base layers and socks are a must. Hats, beanies, gloves, accessories are subjective and easily obtained.

However, I would like some input on building a system that takes me from early season (60-70 degrees) into late season (20 degrees) without having to have 3 pairs of bibs, jackets, pants, hoodies, etc.


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[Yooper]

Sitka Stratus to me is the best if you're going to have one set to get through all seasons. Windblocker is where it's at with that set. Light base layer if it's warm. Midweight base layers if it's cool. Heavyweight base layers if it's cold. Add in a cheap down puffy if it's really cold. I'd opt for the bibs over the pants in the stratus line, too. You can usually find them used for a great price and your base layers can easily be picked up here used as well.

 

[dh.hamilton1]

Sitka Stratus to me is the best if you're going to have one set to get through all seasons. Windblocker is where it's at with that set. Light base layer if it's warm. Midweight base layers if it's cool. Heavyweight base layers if it's cold. Add in a cheap down puffy if it's really cold. I'd opt for the bibs over the pants in the stratus line, too. You can usually find them used for a great price and your base layers can easily be picked up here used as well.

Why bibs over pants?

For context, I saddle hunt when bow hunting and will ground hunt when using a rifle. May try out the rifle in the saddle next year though.

All hunting done on public for now so hiking as little and as much as needed.


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[Skerhunter]

I hate wearing bibs, but to get into the colder temps they make the biggest difference. I have tried to avoid them, but then just end up wearing more layers up top.

Saddle hunting might be an issue, not sure if you can wear a saddle underneath the bibs like I do my rock climbing harness or not.

I use a light base layer, heavy base layer, any nylon hunting pant, heavy grid fleece or wool sweater, outer layer Sitka fanatic (or similar). Fingerless merino gloves, neck gaitor, light and heavy hat. This covers 90% of temps I hunt upper 20s-50s. I supplement heat with hot hands as needed.

Being light/fast and warm in late season temps isn’t a thing, unless you hunt a heated blind. I’ve killed some deer in sub zero windchills from the stand and I look like the Michelin man.

 

[ddd-shooter]

Why bibs over pants?

For context, I saddle hunt when bow hunting and will ground hunt when using a rifle. May try out the rifle in the saddle next year though.

All hunting done on public for now so hiking as little and as much as needed.


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I like bibs because I can vent heat through the leg zips.
Also, they’re just warmer due to the better coverage between shirt and pant transition (the usual plumbers crack situation)
I have the stratus pants and bibs, never wear the pants. Regularly wear the bibs

 

[Lawnboi]

You can wear whatever during early season. It dosnt have to be a Sitka system. Crazy watching people spend thousands on what could realistically be done is a hooded sweat shirt.

Late season is where I spend the big bucks on good clothing.

 

[01lowbird]

Im definitely intrigued by this post. I struggle with this myself. I recently picked up some used bibs

 

[Yooper]

If you wanted one system that take you from warm to cold, then to me, bibs are where it's at. They take the place of at least a partial layer up top.

And to be fair he asked about a system that would take him through all seasons. A used Sitka Stratus system can be had for under $300.....not thousands! If you want to wear jeans and a tshirt go for it.....thousands have done it and have been successful. But jeans and a tshirt aren't getting you much when it comes to December hunting unless you're way down south. And something like a Fanatic system would only be useful when things become frigid unless you enjoy sweating profusely.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

My system isn't ideal (ie I wouldn't buy all these exact pieces for stationary whitetail hunting), but it does work and much give you some ideas. Note that anytime in moving I wear just pants and a souffle layer up top, everything else is in my pack and I still frequently get sweaty going in.

Early archery season, same as elk hunting.
Quiet sitka pants, lightest weight merino hoodie

Gets a little cooler, add another, heavier merino hoodie

Still getting colder, add first light soft shell bibs and jacket

Still cold, add my puffy down jacket, maybe wool long johns.

Still cold, scrap the outer layers, add wool leg base layers, put on sitka fanatic bibs and coat. That set is basically confined to elevated hunting though, way too fuzzy to be on the ground with the burrs and thorns where I live.