Layering for Colorado rifle seasons

[NEhunter]

Hey guys, looking to see what your layering systems look like for mid October in Colorado. Will be hunting central to north central Colorado for first or second rifle season. Probably backpacking in and hunting from a spike camp.

 

[rbljack]

im following this one as well. Ive put together a decent clothing package now, and need to figure out what im going to wear/pack in that area (Colorado high country) for an elk hunt. I put together my first lite gear, but didn't get enough time this year to test out different combos this season.

 

[1hoda]

I tend to run hot so my setup might be a little in the cool side for most. With that said, I mid weight merino base, light weight pants, wool sweater, thin gloves and hat. I carry puffy, shell , and warmer gloves in my pack. Non insulated boots. Warmer pants in the tent just in case.

 

[Elkfitness]

Everyone is different on their layering systems, but rifle is tough.

Last year I had a blizzard hit me 2nd day of 1st rifle taking out the last quarter of my cow. Then, in 3rd season for mule deer there was no snow and I remember it being "nice"., but one year I shot my mule deer in the same season in 4 degree weather!

You will sweat hiking in, so factor that in. I run my September layering system (Eddie Bauer or russel l3 pants with merino bottom, merino tops, russel l3 top, russel l5 upper/lower rain gear, puffy jacket). I then check the weather and pack in extra gear as needed (russell winter jacket, core 4 element pants, heavier gloves, balaclava)

I keep this same gear In the truck , just in case (plus extra boots).

I have cheaper gear, but it works. I'll upgrade as things wear out. The key is, is to be ready for the extremes. Last example is I shot an elk on my birthday a few yrs ago (2nd season in colorado) and packed it out in three feet of snow! I now throw snow shoes in the truck for any rifle hunt (just in case!).

 

[NEhunter]

Awesome, thanks for the input guys and keep it coming. I went up for archery elk this last year but know I will need to prepare for a lot cooler temps and possibly snow for rifle season.

 

[NEhunter]

Typically I wear a merino base, traverse mid with a kelvin as insulation and a goretex hardshell for my tops. Would most say this is plenty for mid October or would the addition of say a FL Labrador be a good idea or overkill?

 

[rbljack]

My thought was similar to this...was thinking merino llano base layer, followed by the chama. From there, pack the Labrador as an extra layer, and have the puffy to add as well. For the bottoms, Im a bit confused. For those using First lite, do yall run the Kanabs with Allegany bottoms under them? I wore kanabs without a base layer, and out in 20 degree weather with the wind whipping, I was cold, so guessing the base layer Allegany would be necessary. Just guessing though.

Hell, I keep debating if I should even pack the Soft Shell jacket and pants, but that would be a considerable weight gain as well. But from what Ive seen other posting as recommendations, it would be overkill. Not sure...but look forward to hearing what others do for the 2nd, 3 and fourth season elk hunts.

 

[AMann]

Like others have said weather in the mountains varies year to year. First rifle last year in the same part of the state was cold, lots of wind and a few inches of snow. I packed kuiu mid and heavy weight merino and super down zip t with a FL stormtight hard shell for upper. For bottoms FL boxers, Allegany bottoms and attacks. I love soft shells but don't take them on backpack hunts. Depending on the temps... I'd ditch the Labrador and take the merino, puffy and hard shell. For me merino bottoms and gaiters are a must.

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

I guided a friend during 2nd rifle last year. Early morning temps were high teens and avg during the day was 40's. I hiked in with Kanabs and llano top only. Once we'd slow down I'd put on a chama and have my Uncompaghre puffy ready when glassing or sitting still. I was always too hot if I wore Allegany bottoms BUT one morning in particular everything was frozen over along with a strong morning breeze and we had a short hike to a make shift blind, I had Allegany bottoms, Kanabs, llano, chama and puffy. Sitting on frost for a couple hours and I was fairly cold, actually shivering, for some reason didnt seem like the puffy was cutting wind at all and temps were below 20.

this year I added the Northbranch softshell also for rifle season in case Im in the same situation.

 

[worx53]

Merino base, merino mid, Kuiu guide or Yukon Jacket, puffy. I love my gaiters, especially in the snow. If you plan on sitting and glassing a lot get a set of puffy pants...for a couple more ounces it'll be worth it.

 

[7stw]

I run a little colder than most. The weather can vary so much that you have to be prepared for below zero to 80 at least in far north central where we hunt. Average the last few years would be lows in the teens/20's highs in 40's-mid 60's. We had a good cold front last year and 8" snow at around 10-11k where we where one day. Normally I wear either ua cold gear bottoms or Kuiu merino bottoms an ua mock turtle neck and a 185 or 210 Kuiu zip t topped with a guide vest. And either attack pants or sitka mtn ascent pants. If it's colder I'll wear Kuiu guide pants. Always have a soft shell coat (Kuiu guide) and rain gear plus a mont bell down zip t in my pack when sitting and glassing or slowly moving through the timber I'm generally good to go. If I get hot going up or down the mountain I can shed a layer and open the vents on the attack pants I always wear an orange stormy kromer hat and the lightest cheapest orange vest I can get my hands on. As well as always wear gaiters makes snow or steam crossings better for me. Smart wool liner socks and darn tough socks over them and mostly wear meindel (cabelas) boots. Have a pair of lowas and a pair of schnees packs that I always take to camp but leave unless there's tons of snow in the high country. We have a cabin on private land that we stay in most nights. Have bivyed out a few times trying to stay closer to the elk. Then I always toss my super down pants in my pack as well mainly to sleep in but have worn them most of the day a couple of times. Trying to stay warm.

 

[topher89]

Smart wool mid-weight crew, Mountain Standard Fleece Quarterzip, Patagonia Micropuff Jacket and a Marmot shell.

I carry a Patagonia down vest in the pack for extra warmth but it doesn't get used too often.

Bottoms seem to be my problem. Last year I hunted 3rd and 4th in Colorado. 3rd was warm but 4th gave me a foot of snow in one day. I was only wearing a pair of mid-weight Smartwool bottoms and Patagonia Simple Guide pants. That was fine for hiking but terrible for sitting. I need to figure out a light way to increase my warmth while sitting

 

[Rs3003]

This is very helpful to us 1st time backpack hunters!

 

[NEhunter]

This is very helpful to us 1st time backpack hunters!

I agree, thanks everyone for the responses.

 

[Rs3003]

What sitka outer jacket is good for this weather?

 

[worx53]

I used to run a sitka 90% and could fit my puffy under it. I use a Kuiu guide now.

 

[LaHunter]

For those if us that don't live in the mountains, we sometimes have a tendency to overdress and over heat. I hunt in WY at over 8,000 ft during the second half of October. I wear First Lite midweight merino base layers. For pants I have been wearing Kanabs (with Kenetrek gaitors) for the past 2 years and really like them. Gonna include a pair of Attack pants this coming year. On top, I wear a fleece pullover shirt. On my feet I wear Smartwool mid or hiking weight merino socks and Lowa Tibet uninsulated boots. On my head is a orange ball cap. That is all I wear while moving and sometimes I will even take off my fleece top. I will pack a down vest, a jacket, and waterproof / windproof rain gear. I will add these items in bad weather or while sitting still glassing. This setup has done well for me over the past two years. Hope this helps.

 

[Dhois]

I started a thread last November in the elk forum that got a lot of responses. Search for Hunt Gear -What Worked. Great replies. I hunted rifle 4 out of Vaughan Lake CO. 4 -15 degree temps w snow. Bottoms were mid at RailRider VersaTac pants w light merino against the skin. Great combo while moving and ok if you can sit on a piece of foam for glassing. My top jacket was too hot while moving. I would go with thin merino base and a mid wt breathable fleece or other insulator of ur choice with a shell top. Add a puffy insulator to the pack for glassing.