Complete clothing overhaul

[mfolch]

If you were to build an ideal clothing system from the base layer up to the outerwear layer, what would it be? I backpack/spike camp hunt in the Adirondacks every year, usually for one or two longish (8-10-day) trips in late October to early December, which means that on any given hunt the weather will fluctuate from high the 30's/low 40's and raining (i.e., miserable, muddy, and wet) to the 'teens and snowing. I hunt whitetail, so the kinds of trips I go on require lots of hiking in (high exertion) and then standing motionless for hours (low exertion=cold) with occasional still hunting when it gets too cold to stay still any longer.

Some background: I started teaching myself how to hunt a few years ago--I began by reading online forums, threw down what I could afford on clothing, equipment, etc., and set out with a friend (an experienced hunter who wanted up his game from tree stand to backpack hunting) into the most remote state land I could reasonably drive to. Now that I have a little more experience, I'm in the process of tweaking, adjusting, and correcting the mistakes I made when I started out. So, I've decided to buy a whole new clothing system--what I have now is decent for hunting from stands, but super heavy and not terribly warm--so I'm torn between Sitka and Kuiu and looking at First Lite. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!

 

[fire652]

I have sitka a switching most to kuiu. I like the mountain pants from sitka. I like the guide series and attack pants from kuiu I also prefer the chugach raingear. I am getting my kuiu in verde.

 

[NEhunter]

I like First Lite for my base layers and Sitka for everything else.

 

[rbljack]

I just did this myself over Christmas. I went with the First lite gear....base layers and outer layers. I havent my set yet, but so far, been liking the gear and it fits great, working together as a system.

Lots of reviews out there on it, plenty of videos to watch and form an opinions. Im sure the other stuff is probably just as good ( I heard good things about the Sitka and Kuiu also. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them from what I could tell in the reading I did.

Or are you asking more specifically which items to get in a given brand, to form a system? I don't have enough time with the gear yet to give specifics on what works and what doesn't. From what I know about the first lite gear though, most recommend the Llano as a base layer, followed by the Chama layer for base layers up top. For the bottoms, I do know that the Kanabs are a light weight to mid weight pant, and you will get cold on a windy day sitting still if no base layer is worn underneath. I know this because I tried wearing them around 28 degrees with no base layer. Doesn't work in that situation. Moving maybe, but not stationary. For outerwear jacket, from what Ive read the uncompadre puffy jacket is the packable option, and I love that jacket! I also have the north branch pant, but don't have much time in them yet. I do know that I was comfortable in them though.

Still waiting on the labrodor sweater (which is their heavier mid layer) and it has a full zip, which would be a nice piece for quick on/off. The chama and llano are both quarter zip, so they are not as easy to put on/take off. I also liked the thumb hole idea on those two pieces. it really helps keep things in place as you layer back and forth.

Not much help, but that's what I know so far.

 

[land cruiser]

I like First Lite for my base layers and Sitka for everything else.

Ditto

 

[Gutpile]

First light base layers here too. Also have kuiu base layers but I like first light better. I bought a ton of First light gear this winter and I'm thoroughly impressed with all of it but the soft shell is too heavy for a softshell. The Puffy Uncompahgre is freaking awesome. Buy it!!. I'm in the process of experimenting with Sitka and Kuiu pants and soft shells. I'm leaning towards kuiu attacks and Chinook jacket. I Like the vents on the pants and the pit zips on the jacket, they really do come in handy on warmer days or high activity. I do also have the first light kanab pants which will have a place in my gear for sure. I'll probably use the kanabs more in the later seasons like rut hunts or elk season. I think it's a wash between kuiu and sitka gear but I lean towards kuiu. They are also a little less expensive BUT you can find Sitka on sale quite a bit and it seems easier to find sitka in stock. Saw your post over at Kuiu but didn't want to pimp other companies on their site. Hope you can make sense of that rambling mess of a post.

One last thing. The pants alone will blow you away if your not used to this type of gear. For years I just wore green Dicky work pants or Carharts because they held up to abuse so well but they are stiff and uncomfortable and horrible when wet. Most of the camo cotton stuff at cabelas or sportsmans warehouse wouldn't even last a season and is just basically garbage in my opinion. Then I bought some Kanabs, Ascent and Attack pants and was completely blown away by the comfort. After that I was hooked

 

[Brendan]

I don't think you can go wrong with First Lite, Sitka or Kuiu. You might want to price out an entire set for each of the three to see how it adds up, Kuiu may be a little cheaper (If you can find what you want in stock).

I'm an easterner too, and do the same types of whitetail hunting myself from time to time (Not as many camping tips now, but do extended climbs up a mountain and end up sitting), and the back and forth between strenuous and sitting still will always be a constant battle. The trick will be layering, hiking very light, swapping socks and letting yourself dry once you slow down or stop before throwing on the primaloft or down insulating layers.

Me personally? I use Kuiu - Attack Pants, Guide Pants and Jacket, Chugach Rain Gear, Kenai Puffy. Just got the Kenai, but I love everything else, even though I can't compare directly to Sitka or First Lite. I am looking at some of the new Sitka whitetail line for my treestand sits. Have wanted a fanatic jacket for ever and they finally added the harness pass-through.

 

[Jeff Martin]

2 staples that are no brainers:
KUIU Attack pant - are the best pant ever made IMHO. Their is a reason KUIU can't keep them in stock.
First Lite Base Layer

The rest is your pick based on your hunting needs..

 

[ChrisS]

I've used attacks in the ADKs with just a mid-weight merino base layer down to 5F. I don't sit long, usually just an hour or so if I'm hunting with a group and doing drives. Otherwise I track/stillhunt so I'm always moving a little. I use a merino top mostly but a poly t-shirt from target (bright red) for when I'm carrying something out. $6 and it dries in minutes. My mid layer is a stretchy fleece from northface and I top off with a wool guide shirt. I pack a light 550 fill down puffy for sitting & a cheaper rain jacket, but rarely use it.

You can't go wrong with the high end gear. It's a matter of personal preference. I'll probably pick up a kenai this season, but that's about it.

 

[Tauntohawk]

Im really liking what first lite is doing with their new stuff and the fusion pattern

 

[Travis Bertrand]

First lite base layers and kryptek everything else if I was to do it again.

 

[charvey9]

I have had very good performance out of Sitka and KUIU.

Switched over to KUIU last year, and have no complaints.

I do prefer Smart Wool for my merino and socks, but opt for the KUIU camo patterns when hunting.

 

[E-2]

I chose First lite based on fit and recommendation and haven't been disappointed yet. I hunt similarly to how you are and the layering is definitely the key. Personally especially with whitetail bowhunting, I bought an oversized thin fleece for an outerlayer to mask noise on the draw. These outerlayers do what they are described to do and that is protect from the elements, but that comes with some noise.

 

[Poser]

Allow me to sing the praises of the Kuiu zipoff base layer pants. Starting to overheat? Drop your pants mid thigh, unzip the baselayers and take them off in 5 seconds and keep going. -no taking your boots on and off to add or remove your baselayer. Going to sit for awhile in the cold? Drop your patns mid thigh and zip them back on. Awesome.

 

[Biggs300]

I'm with E-2 on First Lite clothing. Their Kanabs are quality pants and sound perfect for the temps you will be hunting. Base layers are not as important to me and I usually choose Smart Wool merino medium to heavy weight tops and bottoms although the Fist lite stuff looks very nice as well.

 

[Obi-wanshinobi]

If you have to have camo then any system from the high end guys will work.

If I were doing an overhaul, I'd save a ton of money and buy sale items from STP, REI, Backcountry etc. Buy clothes in solid colors that way they can serve double duty as everyday wear and for hunting.

 

[Elkfitness]

That's what I do for my pants!