Best all around Whitetail clothing setup for Illinois?

[rp672]

Looking for a good clothing setup for Illinois whitetails from base layer to outer shell that will cover me from 80 degree early season hunts to rainy 40 degree hunts to 0 degree late season hunts. I've used Sitka, First Lite, and Kuiu, but I don't feel like I've found the "perfect setup" when it comes to a versatile clothing system that will function well throughout the season. Open to any suggestions, ideas, or experience. Thanks!

 

[Forestryguy]

Don’t be brand loyal. Mix and match what works best for you. Do you run hot/cold/dry/sweat easy.

 

[Wannabebowhuntr]

For one set up for everything, I think the best way to go is an uninsulated wind proof outer layer like the new first lite phase or Sitka stratus. When your morning temps are above 40 like they have been most of the year so far in northern/central IL I would be fine in just a base layer and either of those. As temps drop towards the 30’s and 40’s overnight and in the mornings you could add an insulation layer in the middle and be good I think. If you hunt later in the year when it gets below 30 you’ll have to really layer up or have another set up with an insulated outer layer. I think something like I listed is best for central midwest hunters though. I have a first lite solitude set and I haven’t even worn it yet this year, been to warm. We’ll see how the rest of the season goes, but I may sell it and buy one of the lighter sets and an insulating layer so I can also have one set up for the bulk of my season.

 

[rookieforever33]

In IL myself and I have found that walking out a little cold and adding layers once I'm at my stand or blind works best. I wear a mix of Sitka and store brands mostly bought on the discount rack. The Sitka layers with "windstopper" work great on windy days without adding bulk. Really haven't noticed any difference in deer reactions for any camo style used.

 

[Kurts86]

You are really asking for somewhere around 2.5 systems. You really need some lighter pants and a lightweight base layer (core lightweight) down to 60 degrees, then add a midlayer top (ambient) to get into the 40’s and then switch to heavier pants/bibs and jacket (status system) for 20-40’s. Below the 20’s you need the hardcore heavy weight whitetail specific gear or you have to bundle like a marshmallow.

I feel like a mistake people make for whitetail hunting is buying really nice technical clothing meant for higher exertion western hunting and then freeze in a treestand. Once you get below freezing the heavily insulated whitetail gear really does matter and you can freeze in something like a Sitka jetstream.

 

[Wannabebowhuntr]

You are really asking for somewhere around 2.5 systems. You really need some lighter pants and a lightweight base layer (core lightweight) down to 60 degrees, then add a midlayer top (ambient) to get into the 40’s and then switch to heavier pants/bibs and jacket (status system) for 20-40’s. Below the 20’s you need the hardcore heavy weight whitetail specific gear or you have to bundle like a marshmallow.

I feel like a mistake people make for whitetail hunting is buying really nice technical clothing meant for higher exertion western hunting and then freeze in a treestand. Once you get below freezing the heavily insulated whitetail gear really does matter and you can freeze in something like a Sitka jetstream.

Agreed, or people will drop a bunch of money on something whitetail specific like the stratus and then be mad when they get cold because it’s not insulated. Windproof is super important, but you have to start adding insulation as it gets cold.

 

[hereinaz]

Keep it simple. A thin wind proof/rain proof outside shell. Then your choice of layering. Solves it all.

Layers let you adjust to temps. Which types of layers you like. Fleece, merino wool, puffy, etc. maybe all of them.

I also like to walk in cold so I don’t sweat out. Of course, I run hot and will sweat out a t-shirt hiking in feezing weather.

 

[Honyock]

I don't hunt in as low temperatures that you do, but as others have said, wear the absolute minimum that you can get by with walking in. Once you start sweating it doesn't matter what clothes you wear. It took me a while to figure it out and always thought I needed something warmer. I start out with nothing but a lightweight baselayer top regardless the temperature and then layer up when I get there. Half the battle staying warm is not sweating.

 

[zpearo]

In illinois, the answer for me is basically add more layers as it gets colder. I always want to not wear much when I'm moving, but need some extra warmth for when I am in a treestand.

I wear a set of lightweight brown pants and a green synthetic breathable tee shirt for warm weather. I usually take my camo rain pants and jacket to wear over top of that in the morning/evening tree stand sits, or in case it rains.

When it's a bit colder, I add a merino base layer top. A bit colder yet and I add merino base layer bottoms. Colder than that and I switch from lightweight pants to a set of insulated pants and add a fleece top mid layer. Colder than that and I add a puffy jacket and full-zip puffy pants.

Also switch from lightweight ball cap, to insulated ball cap, to beanie hat as it gets colder. And switch from regular boots to 1000g Thinsulate boots when it's cold and I'm hunting from a treestand. So not that much different from any other type of hunt. Layer, layer, layer.

 

[Boarmaster]

In illinois, the answer for me is basically add more layers as it gets colder. I always want to not wear much when I'm moving, but need some extra warmth for when I am in a treestand.

I wear a set of lightweight brown pants and a green synthetic breathable tee shirt for warm weather. I usually take my camo rain pants and jacket to wear over top of that in the morning/evening tree stand sits, or in case it rains.

When it's a bit colder, I add a merino base layer top. A bit colder yet and I add merino base layer bottoms. Colder than that and I switch from lightweight pants to a set of insulated pants and add a fleece top mid layer. Colder than that and I add a puffy jacket and full-zip puffy pants.

Also switch from lightweight ball cap, to insulated ball cap, to beanie hat as it gets colder. And switch from regular boots to 1000g Thinsulate boots when it's cold and I'm hunting from a treestand. So not that much different from any other type of hunt. Layer, layer, layer.

This. To be set up from zero to 80 your going to need a few different layering strategies.
I hunt in Alabama and Ohio over a very long season. My temps my temps range from zero to 80 with mostly temps from high 20s to 60s. So the 20-60s is where I focused first then supplemented for the extremes.
My base layers top and bottoms are midweight merino wool with the tops being 3/4 zips. I have two sets for two reasons. First I hunt up to 20 days per hunt out of camps. So sooner or later one set needs washed. Second I will double those base layers up to add warmth.

My next layer is Scentlok Savanah pants and jacket. Really light and stretchy for my 62 year old fat body. I wear these without base layers in the high temp extreme range but most over my base layers. Pants are comfortable for climber stand hunting for me down to 30 with one mid base under and down in lower 20s with two base layers. The savanah jacket is worn more like a shirt than a jacket.

Next is a scent lock vest and coat. Vest can be worn separate or zipped into the jacket with is waterproof and breathable. Jacket can be worn without the vest if temps are warmer with wind, rain or sunshine. It has a hood.

Additionally I have a non hooded midweight jacket for nice days when temps are 40s to high 50s. I wear it around camp.

For the lower extremes 20s and below I have a waterproof , breathable insulated coat (parka) and bibs. I think they are a Cabelas brand fleece and dry plus set. These are twenty years old will probably last me the rest on my life as they get very little use.

I also have rain gear. Waterproof and breathable for warm wet days. Many times I wear my base layer only under the rain gear.

I have two hats. An uninsulated cap and a stormy kromer gortex lined cap.

You can get the idea. You don't have to buy the brand I did but the function could be the same.
Over the many decades of being outdoors I learned to focus first on the 90% where your gear works close to perfect. Then buy gear that supplements you out to the extremes. Your extremes gear will last you most of your life if its quality because you may not wear it that much. I have yet to find a three layer system that will carry me thru zero to 80 in rain wind and shine. But look forward to reading other hunters ideas as Im never too old to learn.