Carrying heavy clothing when walking in/packing out

[Wiseman13]

Howdy! First time poster long time lurker… With deer season right around the corner, I’m looking to upgrade some of my gear. How is everyone carrying their heavy clothing when going “miles deep”? I tend to go around a few miles or so in NW GA and pack out meat normally deboned, but sometimes as quarters. Trying to figure out a way to tote things like a Sitka fanatic jacket and bibs, since I get pretty cold, without having to carry a 5000 size pack. I was thinking maybe one of the eberlestock emod “deboned” game bags since I’d like to upgrade to the mainframe 2 and just carry one for my clothes and one for meat.

 

[adamm88]

Fantic Sucks to carry, Iv wedged mine between my Kifaru Stiker Xl pack. It works ok, I would hate to carry a deer and the fanatic gear out on my back in one trip, Way too bulky.

Iv changed how i layer, I for the most part wear Kuiu proximity down to the 20s. They pack better or ill even wear the pants ins fully vented with just a light base layer. I then layer up with puffy layers as they provide warmth but minimal weight. Depending on the season ill thrown a woobie in my pack to lay over my lap or bundle up if needed, Its all smaller than the fanatic footprint.

Theres nots a best solution for warmth vs bulk in whitetail stuff, Play around with ideas and figure out what works.

 

[jayhawk]

I just strap them to the outside of the pack I’m wearing. Whatever works

 

[Wiseman13]

Fantic Sucks to carry, Iv wedged mine between my Kifaru Stiker Xl pack. It works ok, I would hate to carry a deer and the fanatic gear out on my back in one trip, Way too bulky.

Iv changed how i layer, I for the most part wear Kuiu proximity down to the 20s. They pack better or ill even wear the pants ins fully vented with just a light base layer. I then layer up with puffy layers as they provide warmth but minimal weight. Depending on the season ill thrown a woobie in my pack to lay over my lap or bundle up if needed, Its all smaller than the fanatic footprint.

Theres nots a best solution for warmth vs bulk in whitetail stuff, Play around with ideas and figure out what works.

In past seasons I’ve done the layering thing but by the time I’m cooled off from walking in I’m putting on 5 layers and a saddle to hunt from a tree and feel like the marshmallow man. I figured switching to something like the fanatic would remedy that issue and could wear light gear in and only have 2 or max 3 layers on.

 

[Tater86]

I use an Exo 4500 pack here in PA. I usually walk into the woods in my britches and put everything on at the stand. Hikes have been up to two miles. The Exo bags sinch down really tight to use as a day pack. I've been running this way for 5+ years carrying in my wool heavyweight outlayers.

 

[ZAP035]

I do quite a bit of late season hunting in MN and WI and have to deal with some downright nasty cold temps. I’ve learned that upgrading my base layers makes a huge difference on bulk/warmth. You can get through subzero all day sits with good base layers (or two pairs), a warm puffy layer, and a thin windproof layer. Far lighter than most of the “whitetail-oriented” Sitka products and their ilk.

 

[ZAP035]

I do quite a bit of late season hunting in MN and WI and have to deal with some downright nasty cold temps. I’ve learned that upgrading my base layers makes a huge difference on bulk/warmth. You can get through subzero all day sits with good base layers (or two pairs), a warm puffy layer, and a thin windproof layer. Far lighter than most of the “whitetail-oriented” Sitka products and their ilk.

If you are set on bringing bulky gear that won’t fit in your pack, I’ve also used a cheap mesh decoy bag.

 

[Wiseman13]

I do quite a bit of late season hunting in MN and WI and have to deal with some downright nasty cold temps. I’ve learned that upgrading my base layers makes a huge difference on bulk/warmth. You can get through subzero all day sits with good base layers (or two pairs), a warm puffy layer, and a thin windproof layer. Far lighter than most of the “whitetail-oriented” Sitka products and their ilk.

Is there certain ones you recommend or just heavy weight in general? I normally will wear a mid weight top and bottom and legs stay good with pants like the Sitka stratus but top gets cold even with a sweatshirt and jacket over long handles.

 

[ZAP035]

Is there certain ones you recommend or just heavy weight in general? I normally will wear a mid weight top and bottom and legs stay good with pants like the Sitka stratus but top gets cold even with a sweatshirt and jacket over long handles.

I use the under armour 4.0 cold gear. If you wear it hiking in, that’s ALL you will want to wear on your top or you’re gonna overheat fast. But it’s the cats pajamas for late season archery imo. I wear those, a merino flannel, and a King’s puffy and I’m usually good unless the wind gets bitter. I have a windproof storm gear 1/4 zip I wear under my puffy for those days