Cold Weather System. Natural Gear Fleece vs Predator Ambush System

[bobinmi]

I'm looking into some cold weather hunting stuff. Im in west michigan and I seem to get more stand time in December than any other month. This leads to long sits in sub zero or single digit temps. I'm sure that the sitka and first lite whitetail stuff is great but I cannot afford to drop a grand on bibs and a coat. I've been looking at the natural gear Fleece and the Predator camo ambush system. Which one of these options has anyone tried and what were your thoughts. I'll be mostly doing hang and hunts and I'll pack in my clothes to put on after setting the stand. If someone knows of another similar system that will run under 500 bucks for top and bottom I'd be all ears. *Edit: I bowhunt 90% of the time. It needs to be quiet which is why I'm looking at fleece.*

 

[*zap*]

I have the Ambush bibs. They run a size small, imo. Great bibs with very good wind blocking ability. Legs zip up to knee not all the way which is workable but not ideal. Very good pockets which includes a kangaroo hand warmer pouch. I have found them to be very good for moderate cold and then I go to Fanatic for pretty cold and then to Cabelas Stand Hunter bibs or the Heater Body Suit for extreme cold. If I was getting them for all cold weather I would size up a bit for more layering (I like less layering and warmer outers). Probably a good idea to purchase from somewhere that will exchange sizes and with enough time for a turn around and still have them in time for hunting.

I like them so much I am watching for a used pair a sized smaller to take backpack winter camping for around camp and sleeping in a pinch since generally all my hunting outers are sized up a bit.....they are also very packable friendly.

I would assume the jacket is of similar quality but I use my Fanatic or Gray Wolf Woolen. I am mostly stationary hunting with longer pack ins.

I have purchased used in great condition Fanatic bibs/jacket for under $500 but that eliminates exchanges for sizing issues.

 

[EKyhookr]

I’ve got the ambush bibs and jacket as well. Very warm and like was said they run a little small in the bibs. I’ve got it in fall gray, If your interested I’d sell them to you forget the sizing I think a large or xl in jacket and medium or large in bibs I’ll check when I get home. Don’t have enough posts for classifieds


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[Texasbuckeye]

Look at the cabelas branded stuff. I have some of their water proof heavy weight winter stuff, coat and bibs, and it keeps you warm. With appropriate layers under it could easily get me into the singles, although in Texas the worst I have had it was into the low double digits. My biggest issue is feet and fingers. Making sure you have that taken care of, I think you could find enough layers to keep the rest of the body warm.

 

[bobinmi]

Look at the cabelas branded stuff. I have some of their water proof heavy weight winter stuff, coat and bibs, and it keeps you warm. With appropriate layers under it could easily get me into the singles, although in Texas the worst I have had it was into the low double digits. My biggest issue is feet and fingers. Making sure you have that taken care of, I think you could find enough layers to keep the rest of the body warm.

How quiet is the cabelas stuff? Im editing the post right now to reflect that I'm 90% Bowhunting.

 

[bobinmi]

I’ve got the ambush bibs and jacket as well. Very warm and like was said they run a little small in the bibs. I’ve got it in fall gray, If your interested I’d sell them to you forget the sizing I think a large or xl in jacket and medium or large in bibs I’ll check when I get home. Don’t have enough posts for classifieds


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If they run small Id probably need a 2x upper and an xl bib. Thanks for the offer.

 

[Texasbuckeye]

There is quiet cabelas gear that will keep you warm, but not necessarily waterproof. The stuff I have is not impossible to bow hunt in as my son and I have done it the last couple years, it just isn’t great for those really quiet calm days. With a breeze where there is some back ground noise it’s fine.
they make Berber fleece stuff that is super quiet and fees super warm, just don’t know how water resistant it is.

 

[Lowdeuce]

A Heater Body Suit is the best investment I have made for cold weather hunting.