First Stone Sheep hunt - clothing - Aug 2025

[RSC12]

Ok. I've read everything i can find on clothing systems for an early Aug Stone Sheep hunt in Northern BC. We'll be gone 8 days and expected temps are -2 to 25C (28-75f). Just looking for feedback/critiques on the particular gear I have.

Ill admit that I get cold hands easy and am also taking a lighter quilt for sleeping so expecting I might wear Puffy pants and tops to bed as well.

Boots
-Salewa Mountain Trainer 2
-Crocs

Base layer
-2 x Forged underwear

Socks
- 2 med darn tough
- 1 heavy darn tough - (sleeping)

Bottoms
-Kuiu Attack Pants
-Kuiu Kenai Puffy Pants
-Kuiu Yukon Gaiters
-Kuiu Chugach Rain Pants

Tops
-Icebreaker Merino short sleeve
-Black Ovis Merino ½ zip hoody
-Arcteryx konseal hybrid fleece
-Decathalon 800 down Puffy
-Kuiu Chugach Rain jacket

Gloves/Hats
-Peloton 200 liner gloves
-OR stormtracker sensor gloves (leather)
-Kuiu Kenai Gloves
-Decathalon waterproof shell mitts (purely waterproof no insulation -2oz)
-Kuiu Icon Hat
-Arcteryx merino beanie

I feel like its a lot of gloves but all together they're 11oz and im not sure if I'll need a durable glove like the OR stormtracker or if the liner glove is good for hiking in etc.

Thanks for any advice.
R

 

[K_pem]

I'll preface my response by saying that I have never been on a Sheep hunt, but I have toyed with virtually all brands of clothing and layering options hunting various species and various conditions here in Idaho but still take my input with a grain of salt.

Temp range is tough, I'm sure you can expect a fair amount of moisture as well.

I think boots and socks look good as long as they work for you; consider bringing two different cushion options of the Mid weight DT socks or pick up a pair of liner socks (i like the Injinji) in case you experience some variability/swelling in your feet. The liners are also great for moving moisture away from your skin and into the merino DT.

I would consider lightweight base layer zip off bottoms personally; great for mornings, slow moving/low output hiking and they double as an option to wear under rain pants but over your underwear in the event that you get stuck in mild temps but a lot of rain.

Pant choices otherwise look good, I'd MAYBE consider the Kutana over the Attack as a last-minute game time decision pending on what temps are looking like prior to leaving but Attacks are probably the right call, I just love the Kutana's versatility in those big temp variations.

Idk that I would do a non-merino blend hoody. I feel like as soon as that thing gets wet, it will stay wet for the remainder of the hunt, but if it's what you have then so be it. I swapped to the Brynje mesh base layers then I layer a Sitka CORE LW over that and its been awesome. I can run with the tank or just straight core LW in really hot weather or graduate up to a SS/LS as needed and they are really warm for the weight and breathability; and they dry stupid fast. Plus, for the weight you could probably damn near carry a SS and a LS w/ the CORE LW for the same weight as the merino pieces you're taking (just a bias thought).

I'd consider a lightweight wind stopper layer for the top also.

I think the heavier duty gloves are a good idea for sure. I always have my Sitka Gunner gloves with me no matter what and I can layer over/under as needed. Idk if you need a liner glove with the OR and the Kenai but that's a personal preference.

Only other thing I would say is that I would take a Windstopper beanie over a plain merino beanie. It's amazing how fast the wind can zap your heat and likewise how good of a job the Gore WS membrane does at mitigating this.

 

[RSC12]

Thanks k_pem! I appreciate the response. I do have kutana pants and was considering them but I'll check the weather and make the decision in the moment.

I was actually thinking that im more worried about being cold than too hot so thought attacks for that reason. Also a reason why I didn't list my peloton 118 zip off bottoms but went straight to my kenai puffy pants. However, I didn't think about if its hot and raining that I might want to go with base layer under rain shell pants so good point.

I also have a 240 beanie that might be better than the merino but my head usually feels warm although a little extra might be worth it.

Lastly I had thought about dropping the liner glove as well but I was thinking the 2oz penalty might be worth it if my OR stormtrackers get wet as they will definitely take longer to dry out.

Just so many "what ifs" hahaha. Easy to make a case for packing a little extra on all layers but I know I gotta stay lean. Thanks again.

 

[Blockcaver]

I've seen a whole variety of weather up in Northern BC hunting Stones the first week. Been hotter than 25*C a few times and actually snowed all day once about Aug 10th or so. You gear looks decent although I am not familiar with your base layers, merino or puffy jacket. Rest of it will work, even if you are over gloved!

Good luck on your hunt!!

 

[K_pem]

Thanks k_pem! I appreciate the response. I do have kutana pants and was considering them but I'll check the weather and make the decision in the moment.

I was actually thinking that im more worried about being cold than too hot so thought attacks for that reason. Also a reason why I didn't list my peloton 118 zip off bottoms but went straight to my kenai puffy pants. However, I didn't think about if its hot and raining that I might want to go with base layer under rain shell pants so good point.

I also have a 240 beanie that might be better than the merino but my head usually feels warm although a little extra might be worth it.

Lastly I had thought about dropping the liner glove as well but I was thinking the 2oz penalty might be worth it if my OR stormtrackers get wet as they will definitely take longer to dry out.

Just so many "what ifs" hahaha. Easy to make a case for packing a little extra on all layers but I know I gotta stay lean. Thanks again.

If you run cold then I don't think you'll be dying even at the top end of temp range in the Attacks, so go that route.

I was saying considering taking a midlayer bottom in addition to the Kenai, not in lieu of. You'll definitely want to have puffy pants. If you can find some, the Peloton 97 bottoms are by far the most versatile mid layer bottoms I have ever used.

The wind protection you get from the 240 might make it worth it depending on how heavy duty your merino beanie is, but that's shooters choice.

As far as the gloves go, like you said, for 2oz if it makes you that much more comfortable, hell take em...

Haha yeah, packing the "what ifs" though is where you can get in trouble real quick...

 

[BCDJR]

I spent 18 days up there on goats and sheep….got locked into camp due to weather and planes not flying. I don’t think you would need those puffy pants if you wanted to make room for different weights of underwear. I would take two pairs of Attack or some combo in the event you blow a seam in the seat or they get ripped. If you spend time in the saddle over a few days those pants will start to smell!

 

[Bado20]

Looks pretty good to me apart from the million pairs of gloves. Good luck.

 

[Spiral Horn]

How about a follow-up report on the effectiveness of your clothing choices.

 

[RSC12]

How about a follow-up report on the effectiveness of your clothing choices.

Sounds good for an after report for anyone that cares.

The temps ended up being between 2C-29C (35F-84F), so warmer than expected. Afternoon rain almost everyday that lasted about an hour or so. We'd set up a tarp or hike in rain gear but always able to dry out as well.

As a recap I brought

Boots
-Salewa Mountain Trainer 2 - (super comfortable and durable enough, but maybe not as waterproof as I thought - probably go back to a full leather next time and leave these for early season elk, deer, bear etc)
-Crocs - (Must have for river crossings and camp wear - definitely bring again)

Base layer
-2 x Forged underwear - (loved them and 2 was a good amount, along with a fresh pair of boxers at the truck for the drive home)

Socks
- 2 med darn tough - (worked awesome, and needed 2 as I would swap day to day and let one dry out)
- 1 heavy darn tough - (sleeping) - (worked great and kept my feet toasty at night. Probably didn't need them but was nice to have. I will drop these once I get a better quilt)

Bottoms
-Kuiu Attack Pants - (probably a little warmer than needed and did get a few pulls from the buck brush but the hip vents worked well and I was happy with their performance. My buddy had the first lite corrugate guide pants and they seemed to hold up a little better for what it's worth. Maybe next time I'll try my kuiu katanas.)
-Kuiu Kenai Puffy Pants - (swapped these for Kuiu peloton 118 base layers and I'm happy I did. On this trip puffy pants weren't needed and the base layers were nice to wear while sleeping, but other than that I didn't need them. Obviously temp dependant).
-Kuiu Yukon Gaiters - (wore these after rain storms, and would definitely bring again)
-Kuiu Chugach Rain Pants - (hardly wore, but definitely bring again for rain and also wind protection).

Tops
-Icebreaker Merino short sleeve - (wore first day then never again. Switched to the Merino hoody and never went back. I'll leave at home next time and if anything add in my OR echo sun shirt for hot weather).
-Black Ovis Merino ½ zip hoody - (loved it. Almost too warm at times, but the 1/2 zip allowed venting and while it still stunk I felt it was better than my buddy who ran a sun shirt the whole time).
-Arcteryx konseal hybrid fleece - (liked it but not loved it. It was too hot to hike in and not quite warm enough at night. I would bring if temps were cooler next time but I ended up just wearing my Kuiu Kenai most evenings)
-Decathalon 800 down Puffy - (last minute switched out for Kuiu Kenai synthetic puffy because the forecast called for rain everyday. Happy that I did and the Kenai was more than warm enough)
-Kuiu Chugach Rain jacket - (Loved it and wore it everyday for rain and wind protection).

Gloves/Hats
-Peloton 200 liner gloves - (wore these in mornings and evenings a couple times. Probably all I needed)
-OR stormtracker sensor gloves (leather) - (dropped these at truck and glad I did. overkill for this hunt)
-Kuiu Kenai Gloves - (Didn't wear as it was too warm. Forecast dependant for future but they are so light that I would probably still pack anyways)
-Decathalon waterproof shell mitts (purely waterproof no insulation -2oz) - (Didn't wear these either. The rain was warm so I just got wet hands and was fine. Same as kenai though, they weigh minimal and might be nice if weather was cooler).
-Kuiu Icon Hat - (wore everyday. had to have a hat for sun protection)
-Arcteryx merino beanie - (never wore it but I feel weird not bringing it so would bring again).


All in all I was happy with my layers. I would drop the extra shirt and probably just bring my kenai puffy next time for warmth if conditions were the same. The trip was amazing. We saw rams almost everyday but the only legal one was the day before season opened and we never found him again which was a bummer. Still amazing to be out there in beautiful country and definitely an adventure. I'm hooked for sure and count my blessings to be able to do a hunt like this. Amazing!

 

[Spiral Horn]

Thanks for the follow-up. All too often we never hear how the gear choices actually worked in the field. Sounds like it all was on target.

A note on Kuiu Attack Pants - they do get pulls from thornbush but I really don’t care about how they look - just love their field performance and overall comfortability over such a wide range of temps/conditions.

Also - due to the unrelenting sun in the Yukon I found myself wearing my Peloton 118 Hoody far more than I ever expected. But discovered that I really liked it - maybe even more than the lightweight wool base layer I was intending to wear.