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

 

[Macintosh]

Hike in wearing nothing but baselayer
Put on fresh baselayer shirt if youre sweaty
Wear a heavy hat and neck gaiter
Add layers, hunt.

Mega-heavy whitetail clothes SUCK for anything involving a moderate+ hike. They arent made for carrying. My wifes fanatic jacket and bibs packs larger, and is heavier, than my combined backpacking tent, sleeping bag, pad and puffy jacket. Either carry a full-on backpacking pack to fit them in, or strap that carcass-sized clothing bundle to the outside of your pack, preferably in a big drybag or stuffsack if you want it to stay dry and veges are wet or snow covered.

I dont really use whitetail clothes to whitetail hunt, its just too bulky and heavy to be practical if you have to carry it very far. For archery stand hunting i use down insulation and wear a thin breatheable softshell over it to deaden the noise—this packs small and is about as warm, and has been quiet enough. For rifle stand hunting the noise is less of an issue so gear more suited for western hunting is my go-to.

 

[anonymous22]

I don’t carry heavy clothes. That’s how I do it.

For layers, which is what I think you’re specifically talking about, even for expedition type stuff for like 7 days, I carry the appropriately rated down jacket for the conditions, and mid layer.

Usually that’s it. Mid layer is usually a grid fleece or 300 ish merino. Skin layer is often a 120 to 200 merino.

 

[Jimmy]

I've carried some heavy base layers on the way in so I dont sweat like crazy, then put them on. Depends how far the walk is. Amazing how warm some serious base layers can make you. Miserable to hike in, but great for sitting.

 

[Wiseman13]

I've carried some heavy base layers on the way in so I dont sweat like crazy, then put them on. Depends how far the walk is. Amazing how warm some serious base layers can make you. Miserable to hike in, but great for sitting.

This is probably the direction I need to go with. Wear whatever in cool off put on base layers then just normal hunting clothes. I always make the mistake of wearing my long handles in under a t shirt.

 

[Wiseman13]

Hike in wearing nothing but baselayer
Put on fresh baselayer shirt if youre sweaty
Wear a heavy hat and neck gaiter
Add layers, hunt.

Mega-heavy whitetail clothes SUCK for anything involving a moderate+ hike. They arent made for carrying. My wifes fanatic jacket and bibs packs larger, and is heavier, than my combined backpacking tent, sleeping bag, pad and puffy jacket. Either carry a full-on backpacking pack to fit them in, or strap that carcass-sized clothing bundle to the outside of your pack, preferably in a big drybag or stuffsack if you want it to stay dry and veges are wet or snow covered.

I dont really use whitetail clothes to whitetail hunt, it’s just too bulky and heavy to be practical if you have to carry it very far. For archery stand hunting i use down insulation and wear a thin breatheable softshell over it to deaden the noise—this packs small and is about as warm, and has been quiet enough. For rifle stand hunting the noise is less of an issue so gear more suited for western hunting is my go-to.

in the later months do you just deal with being cold or do you tote extra thermals to put on?

 

[KurtR]

I park at the top of the hill and glass for whitetails some times i need to crack the window if i over heat.

I really dont change much unless we are talking -0 with wind chill but i wear a core heavy weight hoody and timberlines walking and then add insulation layer if i need it. If we are really getting with it just throw on the ice fishing gear but at that point the cab of the pickup is still the better option out here

 

[Macintosh]

@Wiseman13 My setup is as warm as a fanatic setup.