Layering for 35 - 45 degrees and raining

[samuela]

What's your ideal layering system for hunting in this weather?

Let's assume moderate rain and that you'll have to stop and go periodically (not just camp or stay home).

 

[Bump79]

Synthetic Base Layer - Sitka Equinox Guard Hoody
Light Fleece - Kuiu Peleton 97 or 4 oz Polatrec Grid Fleece like Aspinwall.
Insulation if needed - Sitka Ambient or similar active synthetic

Rain jacket and pants - I like Kuiu Yukon or Pnuma 3L. Pnuma 3L is actually somewhat quiet to move in but not as durable.

 

[Maverick1]

What's your ideal layering system for hunting in this weather?

Let's assume moderate rain and that you'll have to stop and go periodically (not just camp or stay home).

For elk hunting:
Merino baselayers.
Rain shell pants and jacket.
Synthetic insulation layers depending on activity levels.

 

[S.Clancy]

A roof

 

[Caseknife]

Merino base, lightweight soft shell pants and shirt and raingear and keep moving.

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

Sounds like typical Western WA November elk hunting conditions.

Stone glacier light hoody base layer
Quarter zip light or mid weight
OR rain shell jacket
Synthetic puffy in the pack for glassing

Prana pants
OR shell pants (depending on rain and how wet the brush is)
Gaiters

All outer layers treated with Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard Extreme Repellent.

 

[Texasbuckeye]

Any hunt in this is going to be more based on the rain gear than anything else. Those temps need waterproof top and bottom, and that will cut wind and hold heat in well.

I could easily see a light base, a light mid, and a rain jacket with hood on top. Beanie of some sort or ball cap.

On bottom a base, a pair of waterproof pants and waterproof boots.

This will get you plenty warm until you stop or wet out, or sweat out depending on exertion. The need for moisture wicking and quick drying materials on the base layers is key for this.

However, if you stop for any extended period of time you could cool off fast, so dont stop too long in the rain.

I shed hunted this past weekend in 45 with off and on rain in a tshirt, underarmour dry fit long sleeve and a forloh all-clima jacket on top with ball cap, and outdoor vitals satu pants on the bottom with a pair of waterproof boots and was fine for hours walking through the woods and open pastures. My legs got a little wet, but not bad and i was very comfortable with no load/backpack. Adding weight/weapon/load, and i would have been fine with a light base alone i am sure amd the vents on top and bottom. The rain gear keeps the heat in as good as it keeps the wet out.

 

[Macintosh]

Are you camping, or will you be able to dry stuff day to day? HUGE difference between camping for 7 days of straight rain, vs being able to dry your stuff at least a few times.

I prefer synthetic baselayer over wool when its really wet. 35 isnt very cold if moving, but its frigid if you’ve been wet for 4 days, its breezy and you have to be sitting for a while. So lw baselayers just for moisture management, pit zips on jacket to dump heat and perspiration while moving, and a insulated beanie, insulating layer or two for when stationary, synthetic like polartec alpha is good, plus something synthetic thats warmer. And good rain gear, full-zip pants and jacket. And pray for sunshine to dry it all out. a lw tarp to stay out of the rain when cooking, sitting, etc. boot driers if possible. Rubber boots worn inside rain pants if terrain allows.

 

[eamyrick]

35 and raining may be the most miserable conditions out there. I’d much prefer snow. Spent a week fishing in Alaska with 35-45 during the day and freezing at night. I lived in waders which helped. Up top base synthetic layer, grid fleece, fleece vest, Patagonia nano synthetic jacket, Arcteryx rain shell. I stayed pretty warm but my hands ached for 3-4 months after the trip. Hands in rain if you are active is one of the hardest parts.

 

[YellowDog406]

Bottoms: Lightweight synthetic LJs with rain pants
Tops: LS merino base layer, 1/4 zip fleece, lightweight vest to keep my shoulders warm, rain jacket.

 

[Antares]

This sounds like the wx I’ve been hunting in my whole life. When you figure out a system that works, please let me know.