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.

 

[nosajnh]

If you want one set of outer layer gear get a quality, silent set of rain gear that is one size larger than you would normally wear and layer underneath accordingly. I ran this system for years and it worked well until I decided I wanted to carry less layers and had some available funds to invest in my hunting clothing. I started by adding a bib/jacket set for 20-30 deg., then the next year a 30-40 set and so on until after 4 years I have 4 different sets to get me from 75-teens.

I have been hunting out of a saddle during bow and rifle exclusively for the last 5 seasons and wear my saddle walking in. Once the temps reach the 50's I start wearing bibs and mix and match my bibs/mid layers and outer layers depending on temp/wind and expected duration. A 2 hr sit is going to require less layers than a dark to dark. I like bibs in the saddle because they span the gap between tops and bottoms. I usually walk in with my bibs unzipped and a light top layer. I keep my mid and outer top layers in my backpack. I put my top layers on once I am at height.

 

[Burney Mac]

I'll second what's already been said about the Stratus system. IMO it's very versatile covering a wide range of temps and conditions. I have the bibs, jacket and vest in this line. Along with the fanatic jacket. My legs typically are the last to get cold on my body, so I've never splurged on the fanatic bibs because with proper layering I can use the stratus bibs down to the single digits. But that's just me. The fanatic jacket is nice and it has it's place. But it's gotta be pretty dang cold and it's going to have to be a long sit, if not all day, for me to break it out.

I've can take the stratus with good layers down into the teens. I prefer the bibs mainly because they have full length leg zippers and the pants do not. There's multiple ways to skin this cat and each scenario is situation dependent according to how far of a walk or hike you'll have. If it's a relatives short walk I'll put the bibs on end leave the legs mostly unzipped. Once I'm settled and start to cool down I'll zip them back up.

I don't see a issue using a saddle. Even though I don't hunt out of a saddle I've never had a issue using my modified "rock" climbing harness or a full body harness. I generally will just walk in with a midweight merino base layer and lightweight pants for most applications. If I think I'll need a little more I may add another base layer or incorporate a pair of puffy pants in conjunction.

Between your base layers and puffy pants you can pretty much accomplish what the fanatic bibs will while having a more versatile system to cover a more wide range of temps and conditions as opposed to only have one set of bibs designed for extreme cold.


For your upper body it's pretty much the same concept and you'll have to figure out and tailor your personal needs depending on the weather conditions. If I'll give one piece of advice whether you have long or short hikes, as far as base layers are concerned. The more zip off pieces you have the better. It's much easier adding or subtracting layers quickly, whether at the base of your tree or up in the tree.

The fanatic line has it's place and it is nice, but it's not as versatile as the stratus, IMO.

 

[Pilarczyk85]

I think you have to have just two sets. One warm weather (early season) and one winter setup. Like someone said early season you can get away with just about anything. But i really like the finatic i believe it is from sitka. Warm and quite.

 

[Drenalin]

I use a typical layering system up to when it's either windy or cold as shit, then I throw on the heavy Cabela's Wooltimate stuff.

 

[Yoder]

I use a typical layering system up to when it's either windy or cold as shit, then I throw on the heavy Cabela's Wooltimate stuff.

This is exactly what I do. Wooltimate is awesome. My Wooltimate half zip hoodie is my favorite piece of gear.

 

[Beagle1]

If I had to compromise it would be the Stratus bibs and Fanatic jacket with the understanding the Fanatic jacket would need to be carried to the stand in warmer temps.

 

[Wolfshead]

This is my thoughts on this very personal subject.
I hunt in the Northeast and it can be 70 degrees early season, to below zero late season. Time in the close woods, or on the edge of a field.
In a stand or on the ground.
I only rifle hunt now as I’m unable to draw a bow. (Old now and my athletic experiences have caught up with me.)
I’ve really tried to dial in on my “kit” and this is what I’ve found to be the best (for me).
I have two pair of merino wool pants from Big Bill. 18 oz. I believe. One a pair of cargo style and the other just straight leg.
I have a pair of merino wool long John’s, a merino t shirt, a merino long sleeve shirt, and a heavier weight merino long sleeve shirt.
One pair of heavy weight synthetic long John’s.
A couple pair of synthetic boxer briefs.
A wool Pendleton button up shirt off of eBay.
A Kuiu Strongfleece Hybrid 280 Full Zip Hoodie.
A Kuiu merino neck gaiter.
A polyester fleece vest.
Johnson wool shirt jac.
I’ve tried to get as much wool as I can and I’ve found that I’m very warm when I want to be warm and cool enough when I don’t.
A Huntsworth parka.
A pair of Huntsworth bibs.
The Huntsworth is good but the camo is terrible. Had I to do it over again I would get something in realtree or Mossy Oak or something similar.
Go with the Sitka or what ever you prefer, but I think a parka and bibs have their purpose and the number of times I used mine this year, the Huntsworth served its purpose very well. Again the camo is the only thing I dislike about it.

Most of my time is spent on the ground on the move, and most of my hunting is done in the close woods on public land. So take this for what it’s worth.
Wool has served me well, it’s quiet, and it is comfortable.

 

[PBBananaHammock]

If you’re looking for maximum versatility with minimal redundancies, get one premium set of baselayers, one premium set of static insulation, and augment them with cheaper mid layers. It will look something like this:

1) the lightest weight base layer of your choice: poly or merino. A long or short sleeve top, whatever you prefer. Short and long bottoms. Wear this all season, even in winter. This is the most versatile option. In the cold, the light weight fabric means it will retain less sweat walking in as well as dry faster, thus keeping you warmer in the stand. Moisture is the prime enemy. I know you mentioned a set of heavy baselayers but they are very niche. It has got to be very cold to wear something like that through the full range of temps during the day and move around. You can’t shed them, they hold more moisture due to more fabric mass, and no matter what anyone says, even the heaviest base layers do not have a high R value. Don’t think of them as insulation.

If you’re dead set on a heavy baselayer in the rotation too, get a top and bottom set of ECWCS level 2 surplus gridded fleece off eBay and wear it next to skin. Cheap, fantastic moisture management, and they can double as midlayers. I personally can’t wear these next to skin in temps above 20. Just too warm.

2) midlayer tops. This is where you will get your versatility. Fleece is fleece and it’s the cheapest layer by far. Get a few different weights that will fit your expected temps and activity. There’s very little reason to buy expensive fleece. You could buy 3 tops for the price of one merino baselayer top, so use this to your advantage. You can find generic classic 100, 200, or 300 weights at any thrift store. Also with a little knowledge of what to look for in fabric design, you can even find some premium polartec (or a copy thereof) power grid, high loft, or power stretch at great prices. Again, ECWCS military surplus level 2 grid fleece make great midlayers, as well as the level 3 high loft jacket. Both can be found on eBay. Basically lower QC Patagonia (and some early runs were made by Patagonia).

3) Any durable pant of your choice that won’t retain moisture (likely nylon), can stand up to brush/thorns, and that you could comfortably hike around in from 70 to 20 degrees (don’t worry about insulation, that’s the next step).

4) IMO It would be worth it to find a lightweight wind breaker. 5oz and they pack down to nothing. Pair this with your fleece midlayer for wind proofing without paying a premium for a membrane and retaining the versatility of two separate layers. A heavy fleece like a fluffy high loft and wind breaker is likely all you’d need for static insulation in the fall. Only cons, keep it away from thorns, and the nylon can be noisy, so it’s personal preference whether you feel you’d like this layer for whitetail. If you set your platform/saddle 5 sticks high, it probably won’t matter. If you hunt low, might be an issue.

5) Finally, get dedicated static insulation top and bottoms that you can just slide over all existing layers when you reach your ambush point. You will not be moving in this, so it doesn’t need to breath (ie windproof), and it be better to go for a lot of insulation. If it’s too much warmth on stand/saddle, shed your midlayer. Down or synthetic puffies will be the warmest but like the windbreaker, their nylon face fabric can be noisy and fragile. Another option would be some specialized whitetail centric system that forgoes packability in exchange for a silent construction, like the Sitka fanatic. For budget bottoms, quilt lined carhartt bibs will get you 90% of the way there especially if you’re only breaking them out in the 20s and any moisture that could wet the canvas will always be frozen. Budget puffy bottoms would be the ECWCS level 7s. Also, if you can find some booties that slip over your shoes/boots that will help too. At least for me, my feet are always the first thing to start getting cold when I’m static. This also means you could wear less extreme footwear hiking in for those days the temperature swings widely from dawn to dusk.

For the surplus stuff, go one size smaller than your normal size.