Clothing advice

[Seth1913]

I'm in need of some clothing advice for early season in the Rockies (CO,NM), Bow hunting. Bear with me on the long post.

Head- ball cap and beanie in pack

Top- debating on the fl llano or the qz ( have a bunch of gift cards to bass pro and all they offer is the regular llano in fusion) camo doesn't matter but would prefer asat.

Undies- minus 33 merino boxers

Pants- having a hard time with these as I have some nylon UA pants that are loud and have no stretch. The loud part sways me from other nylon or synthetics but I'm open to ideas as the fl Kanabs seem to be quiet but also expensive and not so durable... The pranas look good though as a non camo option.


Insulation- down hooded jacket that I have. Warm light and packable.

Rain gear- here's another im having trouble with... I have found a small custom company that makes eVent rain shells called Luke's Ultralight, it's very nice jacket but FL new lighter stormtight has me second guessing. Also I'm confused on how the waterproof and breathability ratings of the FL are much higher than any other jacket that I can find. How do they achieve this? What would you choose?

Anything I'm missing? Additional advice?

Thanks everyone.

 

[rbljack]

We stocked up on first light gear for our NM hunt last year, and I was impressed for the most part. For your early season hunt, id say the llano with long sleeves would be a better base layer than the Chama quarter zip. That being said, we found that starting with the llano and bringing either the chama (or Labrador for colder weather) as an extra layer worked well. On top of that, we could throw on the first light puffy. And we also had the stormtight jacket. It worked will for us during rain and sleet. Cant really give you much comparison on breathability, but I liked the overall layering concept, and it worked well for us. I also got a lot of use out of the Neck gaiter. Very versatile item that I could wear different ways, and kept my ears warm early morning in the wind. Our hunt was in the mountains of NM for a rifle deer hunt in early November, so we had to be prepared for snow too. temps ranged from the 20's up into the 60's and it was windy most of the time, and overcast. Then bad weather moved in, and we encountered rain and sleet. Despite that, we were able to hunt and stay dry overall. Most of the moisture in our base layer was due to sweat! LOL....those mountains kicked our butts, and we came up empty, but still had fun! Hope that helps a little. good luck. I did buy a FL balaclava to try out, but never really saw a need to switch from the neck gaiter. I will try the other item next time out for comparison I suppose.

Forgot to mention the kanabs; they worked well for us too. They are quiet, and were comfortable as well. They will wear some when going through briars, etc. That is also something to be aware of when wearing the puffy jacket. Just got to pick your way through, or preferably around that stuff when you can. Before daylight, I was cold when sitting still in just the kanabs though...if I didn't have my thermal bottoms on under the Kanab. If I was moving though, it wasn't a problem at all.

 

[COlineman78]

I ran FL last year and have tweaked my system for next year. I found that I had too many layers for that time of year. The temp is usually very warm during the day and then drops quite a bit at sunset. As such, I have decided to go with a Llano QZ, Halstead Fleece and a Puffy on top. The FL Guide pants are very quiet and I prefer them over the Kanabs for fit alone, but they are also a lot better in the heat of the day. I run Red Deserts and Ice Breaker 200s (if necessary) underneath and plan on carrying some down pants for if I am sitting still at sunset/sunrise.

Rain gear is something that I still haven't settled on. Last year was a VERY rainy season for me and I was using the FL Stormtight set. They are very nice, but I simply can't justify having $500 camo hunting rain gear for CO. I think I'm going to switch it out for the new thin FL in non-camo so that I can use them year round. DWR will get you through a lot of rain storms here in CO as they are quick and don't happen all that often. The Cabelas Space Rain is another good option, but I am tall and worried it won't fit.

 

[280twoeighty]

you are on the right track for the most part.

I got a used set of Kuhl Renegade pants enroute as they look interesting and many have recommended.
I also ordered a couple pair of the costco pants that have been discussed here recently that are comparable to the Eddie Bauer guide pants supposedly for $20.

I would factor in the Chama.

 

[Seth1913]

Thanks for the replies guys! I'm a native New Mexican and fully understand the unpredictable weather we can get in NM and CO. We have a saying if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes. I'm debating on a second mid layer but feel like it would spend the whole time in my pack. I'm a pretty warm person and once I'm moving I put out a lot of heat so I feel like a chama or fleece would be redundant. I've read about the Costco pants and might just stop in to a Sams club and see if they have something comparable.

Rbljack did you baby the Kanabs ar all when busting brush? I really like them but feel I would tear them to shreds in a day. By the way I hope you get to come back and enjoy some more hunting in NM!

colineman- would you say the guides are quite enough for archery? Also in your opinion is the stormtite overkill for most of the weather out here? I've been in some crazy rain storms but for the most part it's dry and I feel like the eVent shell would be more than enough but I've never had an experience with high end rain gear...


Thanks again guys for the help.

 

[COlineman78]

As far as the mid layer goes, it really depends on your style of hunting. If you do any glassing or still hunting you may find one necessary, but I agree that if you are mostly moving you will be fine without. I will say however that the Halstead is awesome and I prefer it to the Chama.

The FL Corrugates are plenty quiet IMO and very breathable. The current gen stormtights are a little overkill IMO but the breathability is very nice. With cheap rain gear in general you will get just as wet from sweat as you would've from the rain. This past year was a pretty rainy year and I only wore them one day that a simple DWR wasn't good enough. I am thinking of giving the new lighter Vapor a shot. The pants aren't changing so I am a little torn on what to do there. I can only think of one other day in the past 10 or so years that it literally poured all day and it was too miserable to hunt and one other day that it snowed.

We have the same saying about the weather especially at higher altitudes. We have had 70+ degree weather for the past 2 weeks so it has been pretty crazy.

 

[Seth1913]

Yeah this 70 degree weather is odd but I have a feeling we are in for another snow storm or two... I really like the curragates and with addition of the tall I might give them a chance. How's the fit? I have big legs from years of baseball. I'll consider a fleece layer but might just utilize all layers of it gets that's cold while glassing. I appreciate the opinion it's helping me dial my setup. I might skip he rain pants, I've never really needed them but if I were I would go for a simple light pant. I think I'll go for the Luke's ultralight shell over the vapor itll save 4 oz and from what you said seems will be plenty waterproof and breathable for CO and NM. Thanks!

 

[COlineman78]

I have big legs, hips and azz from football, so I know your pain. I always have a hard time finding pants, especially jeans, that fit. The Kanabs, especially the 2.0s were WAY too tight in the legs and I couldn't even lift my leg off the ground. The Corrugates are much better and fit me quite well. I wear 36x34 jeans when I can find them with big enough legs and hips and the large fit me just fine. I have heard that the non-camo versions are cut a little tighter, but can't speak to it as I only have fusion. The Eddie Bauer Guides are a little tight in the thighs, but wearable. For reference I am 6'5" 240 with a 33" inseam and everything mentioned fits me great and I wear large across the board with FL with the exception of the Llano which I sized up because I prefer a looser fit (large fit fine, but a little tight for my taste). The Chama was cut a little short for me.

Those Luke's Ultralight options look cool. Will he make tall sizes?

 

[Seth1913]

Being a catcher I think I've done a million squats in my time so I have the right to miss leg day some weeks lol... As far as I know Luke's ultralight will do anything custom, just ask him. I'll probably be getting a qz rain shell from him with hip belt clearing pockets. Sounds like large guides might be the ticket. I'm 5'10" but can't stand pants with inseam less than a 34. The large llano would fit me perfect. Thanks for the help!

 

[Seth1913]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a fleece vest that's fairly light weight? Or something similar? Does anyone Layer a puffy vest under a puffy jacket?? If so how do you like it?

 

[twall13]

I've layered a Rocky Mobility Lite vest (Primaloft) under my down puffy a few times. It worked well for me but I got the sizing right as the vest fits pretty close and my puffy is a bit more roomy as I anticipated a few layers under it. There are nicer vests out there but it's fairly light, my size L weighs right at 10 oz. I also have a cabelas Granite Canyon Polartec fleece vest I like quite a bit. It weighs more (14 Oz. for the Large Tall) but is a bit longer in the torso so I like it for that. It looks like they only have bright colors available in that right now though.

 

[Seth1913]

Thanks! I'll have to try the option of a puffy vest as mid later. The weight isn't too bad especially compared to something like the chama or halstead

 

[COlineman78]

Thanks! I'll have to try the option of a puffy vest as mid later. The weight isn't too bad especially compared to something like the chama or halstead

I'm not a fan of vests as I don't think their warmth/weight ratio is as high as other options, but I get cold in my extremities. The weight of a Halstead and my Kryptek puffy vest are the same (on paper they are both 1lb, haven't weighed them). I can't find the listed weight of the Chama anywhere. I may be willing to part with my Kryptek cheap if you are interested. I will weigh them when I get home and let you know what the difference is.

 

[Seth1913]

Thanks man appreciate that! I'll think about it! I can't remember where but by luck I found the weights of some FL gear and the chama is something like 17 oz but don't I can't remember the site to check.

 

[twall13]

My sz lage Chama weighs 12 oz and is a fantastic piece but it doesn't provide nearly as much warmth as a puffy or a Halstead tech fleece would. Even though it covers more of your body than a vest I feel more warmth to my core from a vest personally. I think they are a slightly different use so it's comparing apples to oranges.

 

[moxford]

The FL Uncompahgre is surprisingly warm.

I had on a very light SS merino, a midweight merino LS sweater, and the FL puffy on for a backpacking trip last weekend in Yosemite. I was comfortable talking/sitting in the exposed snow-kitchen at night (20F) for hours on end. It really surprised me. It is a bit bulky though, and isn't the most durable piece on the planet. The front panels feel like they're 10D. =P

Great piece, though.

Kuiu Chugash/Yukon is a good gear. I have the Yukon set and they're really heavy, but I like to bust brush. Wish it came in ASAT though.

-mox

 

[COlineman78]

The front panels feel like they're 10D. =P

Careful around a camp fire; I got 3 spark holes in mine on one weekend trip.

 

[COlineman78]

Chama QZ - L: 11.1oz
Halstead - L: 14.9oz
Kratos Minus Vest - L: 11.7oz

 

[Seth1913]

Fl needs to make a down puffy, the 20 oz just grinds my ounce counting gears. If they did Id be all over that. I really like the weight of the ultra nx jacket, but, like fl sttormtight makes my wallet cringe a little to much. Plus the kuiu camos just ain't for me (I know the backcountry fashion police don't care)

 

[Seth1913]

How does the Kratos fit you? I've tried a lot of there stuff and the seams that transfer from the torso to sleeves are way to small and dig into my arm pits.