Archery.. Gloves or other when it's cold?

[jm1607]

What do you backpackers do when it's cold (like 20's-40's) when archery hunting?

Do you wear lighter gloves that you can still use with a release? Or thick gloves when glassing and no gloves when hunting? Or do you use something like a Kifaru handwarmer to keep your hands toasty then pull them out when a bull gets close?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Thin gloves when shooting, inside of thicker gloves when glassing. If my hands are not needed I prefer a muff.

 

[mauidiver]

Merino gloves. Sometimes large over medium when really cold. Still not a problem. I have the Kuiu set and like them.

 

[5MilesBack]

The only cotton I ever have with me on a hunt are my cotton jersey gloves that I wear whenever I shoot as well. I wear those probably 95% of the time for archery hunting. The other 5% of the time I have some 40gm Thinsulate insulated gloves that I wear instead. My release still straps over them easily and shooting isn't an issue.

 

[cody covey]

I shoot with Sitka shooters on when its cold and things happen quickley. Otherwise i take my shooting hand glove off to shoot if possible.

 

[Nick Muche]

I think you'd be very surprised how well a thin merino glove keeps a guys hands warm in the temps you asked about. The best part is you can still shoot with it on and not have to make any adjustments in doing so.

 

[Trial153]

If it's cold enough for gloves, the only gloves use are a pair of wool cut off fingers Filson

 

[timberland]

Light glove on bow hand, no glove on release hand, I keep it in my pocket. Hopefully my tag is filled before I need gloves at all, but late season in WI can be below zero. Gloves go on around 5-10 degrees. I always wear gloves to and from my stand to help keep scent off of vegetation.

 

[jm1607]

I wonder if I should take merinos and heavier "shooting" gloves or just the merinos..

 

[Nick Muche]

I'd guess you would be just fine with a pair of thin merino's. I don't usually take more than that along unless I know it's going to be really cold.

 

[Gumbo]

I've been struggling with a good archery glove system for several years. I found some cheapo, tight fitting poly pro gloves that I can shoot with, and then if it gets too cold I put a merino wool (APX) over them without any bulk. I could still shoot with both on if I needed too. The APX gloves are also pretty cheap, which is good because I tend to be hard on merino wool gloves (I usually go through, or lose, a couple pairs a year). I always brought a heavy, waterproof glove for rain and cold, but it seemed like a waste of weight because I couldn't shoot with them and they were heavy and bulky. This year I finally found a waterproof glove shell I like, the Kuiu Yukon (NOT the pro version). It is uninsulated and I can just put them over the other gloves when I glass or it rains. Shooting with them, however, would not be something I would do. They are pretty stiff and dexterity will be an issue. We will see how they work...

 

[charvey9]

I prefer mountain bike gloves. Much more dexterous than any hunting gloves I've used. I do not like velcro wrist straps so the Oakley Factory Pilot gloves are my favorite every day gloves. Endura, Showers Pass, and Gore Bike wear also have some really good waterproof options that are still thin enough to shoot a bow. Endura strike gloves are my favorite for hunting in the snow/rain. I do also have a pair of OR Convoy gloves if it is going to be really cold and rainy, but those are a bit thick for trying to shoot a bow.

 

[kodiakfly]

I like Under Armour gloves. I have several models that fill the same niche- they're basically compression gloves for your hands; like their compression shorts or shirts. They're just black and tight. They're super warm and are warm when wet. I cut the trigger finger out of the left one and I can wear them down into the 20s pretty easily. If it's colder than that or I'm just sitting, I'll wear a heavier glove. They're dexterous enough that you could shoot with them full finger, but just like I can't mentally shoot my bow with sunglasses on, I can't shoot with anything on my trigger finger. You'll see them everywhere in one form or another for like $20.

 

[Finch]

I like Under Armour gloves. I have several models that fill the same niche- they're basically compression gloves for your hands; like their compression shorts or shirts. They're just black and tight. They're super warm and are warm when wet. I cut the trigger finger out of the left one and I can wear them down into the 20s pretty easily. If it's colder than that or I'm just sitting, I'll wear a heavier glove. They're dexterous enough that you could shoot with them full finger, but just like I can't mentally shoot my bow with sunglasses on, I can't shoot with anything on my trigger finger. You'll see them everywhere in one form or another for like $20.

Same here. I have what are basically UA liner gloves and wear them year round. When it gets really cold, I throw a hand warmer in each pants pocket. Works for me here out east anyway.

I have been thinking I need a good thin waterproof glove though.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I wear warm gloves and remove em for the shot.

 

[KMT]

I use light weight fleece wind proof gloves and take the glove off my shooting hand when I shoot. Only takes a second. I use the same gloves for pheasant hunting when it's 10-20 degrees.

 

[COlineman78]

I use a hand warmer muff and keep a hand warmer in it. I always worry about the smell with chemical warmers, so I either use an electric one or one of the exothermic crystallization reusable ones (like Hot SnapZ). I day hunt, so the electric ones work best for me, however backpackers may prefer the reusable ones depending on your setup. The electric ones can just be turned on when needed, so it can last you quite a while. FHF gear also makes a hand warmer that seems nice called the Molle Muff

 

[Piscatory_4]

I have been wearing Manzella archers gloves. They have a hole in them at the wrist closure so the release can come through it. I have a lightweight pair and a midweight pair. Both are fleece and they work decent. I practice with them on.

 

[BackcountryMT]

Sitka merino gloves for me. Good down to 0° when spot and stalking.

 

[camelcluch]

I like a muff. I just can't get used to wearing gloves.