Mid layer bottoms?

[skahunter831]

I did some searching but haven't found any discussion about mid-layer bottoms. I'm going muley hunting in SW Montana in early Nov, and want to be prepared for some cold. I have merino base layers and Kuiu Attack top layer, but I'm considering whether I need a mid layer bottom. I've spent too much on gear for this trip to afford a pair of puffy pants for an outer layer, so hoping to get a fairly inexpensive option for bottom mid layer. $50 or so would be the max. Any thoughts?

 

[H80Hunter]

I’m not really sure about the specifics of your hunt, but I love the SG Helio bottoms. Would be easier to vent with pants that don’t have mesh vents but you could easily reach in and run the zipper down for hiking. I love walking to a tree stand and opening the bibs and base layer wide open.

 

[SloppyJ]

Following along. I typically Static hunt deer so this is a new game for me. Have a 2nd rifle trip next year in CO. From my research anywhere from 55 to 15 degrees. The bottoms seem to be giving me the most problems as far as what to bring.

I was thinking some kiln zipoffs, attack/mountain pant outers and some puffy pants to pull over if needed but I'd like to see the recommendations here.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

If you're moving you probably won't need them, if you're stationary you'll probably need puffy. Wife loves snow so always drags me out in 3rd rifle easy to draw unit. I just wear my light merino 145 from Kuiu and either Attack pants or Timberline pants and it's fine unless I sit longer than an hour or so somewhere. I have a pair of Axis pants but they make me sweat so pretty much never wear them. Last trip out there we woke up several mornings to -4 and one I think -6 temps, couple days it didn't get out of single digits according to our thermometer.

 

[Watrdawg]

Look at the Black Ovis bottom layers. They are good quality and don’t cost an arm and a leg!

 

[Wolfshead]

I personally would consider the attack pants the mid layer.
Then in your case, I would just get a pair of inexpensive outer pants from somewhere like Cabela’s or of the like.
But, if that is something that you do on the regular, I would buy once, cry once, and get something like the puffy….

 

[lak2004]

If you're going to be static and glassing you'll want puffy pants. Black ovis are relatively cheap

 

[zpearo]

For any type of hunt where you'll alternate between moving and sitting, a mid layer pant isn't going to be a good choice. You'll want to just do base layer bottoms and your pants, and then have some outer layer you can put on and take off over your boots.

My brother does this with a set of fleece pants with 1/2 zip sides that he found cheap secondhand. I use puffy pants, with full zip sides, which you really can't beat. Very worth the money for more reasonably priced ones.

Here's a link to the black ovis ones, which are a good deal. https://www.blackovis.com/blackovis-anchor-point-800-fill-welded-down-pants

 

[skahunter831]

If you're going to be static and glassing you'll want puffy pants. Black ovis are relatively cheap

They look as expensive as first lite or Kuiu.... All around $140-$160.

 

[skahunter831]

For any type of hunt where you'll alternate between moving and sitting, a mid layer pant isn't going to be a good choice. You'll want to just do base layer bottoms and your pants, and then have some outer layer you can put on and take off over your boots.

My brother does this with a set of fleece pants with 1/2 zip sides that he found cheap secondhand. I use puffy pants, with full zip sides, which you really can't beat. Very worth the money for more reasonably priced ones.

Here's a link to the black ovis ones, which are a good deal. https://www.blackovis.com/blackovis-anchor-point-800-fill-welded-down-pants

I'm also looking at the Kuiu zip-off mid-weight merino's. Those are on sale for $50 right now.

 

[zpearo]

I'm also looking at the Kuiu zip-off mid-weight merino's. Those are on sale for $50 right now.

I got zip off base layer bottoms and will never go back. That's a screaming deal

 

[lak2004]

They look as expensive as first lite or Kuiu.... All around $140-$160.

Call and ask them for a rokslide discount, might get something off. I would only buy a puffy pant with a full zip. I would not hunt late seasons without mine

 

[zpearo]

@skahunter831 just saw this in the feed

WTS - First Lite Uncompahgre Puffy Pant Medium Dry Earth

First Lite Uncompahgre Puffy Pants in Medium Dry Earth. Worn on one hunt and just don't really need them anymore. In great shape with just a few marks on them but no wear. Still has tags on them. $140 TYD

rokslide.com

 

[180ls1]

Military puffy pants

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2744016132...z2bRA5wOS2opr8lXnO4URuOHU=|tkp:Bk9SR-yt9fXXZA

Military Issued Cold Weather Trousers Liner Medium | eBay

<p dir="ltr">Military Issued Desert Night Camo Trousers Liner. Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.</p> <p dir="ltr">Trouser liner medium short regular<br> Waist from 31 to 35 inches<br> Inseam up to 32 1/2 inches<br> NSN 8415-01-782-2926<br> Nato size 6783/7989<br> Cold weather...

www.ebay.com

 

[skahunter831]

Military puffy pants

Now THIS is what I'm talking about! Thanks, @180ls1 !

 

[HairyScandinavian]

They look as expensive as first lite or Kuiu.... All around $140-$160.

Campfire frequently has them for $99 and they're supposed to be warmer than the First Lite.

 

[Dustin B.]

I did some searching but haven't found any discussion about mid-layer bottoms. I'm going muley hunting in SW Montana in early Nov, and want to be prepared for some cold. I have merino base layers and Kuiu Attack top layer, but I'm considering whether I need a mid layer bottom. I've spent too much on gear for this trip to afford a pair of puffy pants for an outer layer, so hoping to get a fairly inexpensive option for bottom mid layer. $50 or so would be the max. Any thoughts?

I've got a pair of Cabela's MTP Heavyweight bottoms that I really enjoyed. They fit a little looser than a typical base layer bottom, so they would work great as a mid-layer. They've were a game changer for me when I would hunt in just my jeans and a heavy jacket. I think Cabela's/Bass Pro are marketing them under the Redhead brand now. They are still under $50.

 

[lil' bear]

If your looking for budget, check out a military surplus store. I picked up a couple grid fleece tops and bottoms for like 20 a piece and I think they are just as nice if not nicer than most of the grid fleece offered by hunting companies.

 

[evo1mike]

I might be rare but I'm a big fan of midlayer bottoms. This probably comes down to what where and how you hunt tho. Hot climate elk hunters won't understand cold climate mule deer hunting. Especially in late season, we mule deer hunt into mid December in howling wind and snow in BC, we have a base camp and then hike up the mountain to the ridges for slow hunting all day, not just sit and glass.

We all run multiple layers of tops (base, a mid fleece or 2, puffy and a shell or soft shell) but bottoms seem to be merino base and then pants.
Zip off midlayer bottoms like the kuiu Pelton 97 that they discontinued are one of my favorite things to throw on after the hike up, and especially when the weather drops in late afternoon. I almost never use my puffy pants.