My gear/pack layout from base layers to binos

[Ens Entium]

Thanks, I figured the stretch would allow more wind through but it’s good to confirm.

Is the G1000 more breathable than the ventile or just the stretch panels?

Are there times where you prefer the more breathable stretch material for the back panel ie when hiking with a pack?

I would say unwaxed G1000 and the Redkettle ventile are pretty similar as far as breathability.

I do sweat a little where my bino harness and pack are but only really noticeable when I take them off.

 

[kravguy]

Are you guys finding Red Kettle jackets available anywhere? There hasn't been anything available in bigger sizes for awhile, unless I keep missing them and they sell out right away?

 

[JollyRoger]

Are you guys finding Red Kettle jackets available anywhere? There hasn't been anything available in bigger sizes for awhile, unless I keep missing them and they sell out right away?

I emailed them at one point to ask about XL sizes and they said they didn’t have any plans to restock. I usually fall between large and extra large depending on how they’re cut.

 

[kravguy]

I emailed them at one point to ask about XL sizes and they said they didn’t have any plans to restock. I usually fall between large and extra large depending on how they’re cut.

Thanks. With the recent uptick in guys talking about the jackets, I thought maybe you guys were finding them somewhere. I had previously reached out direct and was told the same. I would need a 2xl.

 

[b2one]

I have a question about re-waxing your fjallraven/red kettle/ventile cotton goods. I have used the greenland wax, otter wax, and a few years ago while working in Quebec I melted some Snow seal into a heavy canvas insulated parka to help "winterize" the canvas better. I liked how the Snow Seal performed in frigid temperatures, but I am not sure if I would like it on thinner wind-shirt type pieces in more normal temperatures due to the "greasiness". What wax have you found performs well?
@Formidilosus

 

[Ajsomp]

@Formidilosus I rocked the Atlantic rancher ranger sweater in Colorado for 4th season mule deer. Holy shit that thing is warm. I had it on in the truck before getting out and I was sweating with just my
base layer/tshirt combo on. It is really heavy so I’d have to test it against the fjallraven lada or a LL bean commando sweater for weight/warmth but I got this rancher for under $100 on eBay so I don’t know if I could truly compare it.

 

[fwafwow]

but I got this rancher for under $100 on eBay so I don’t know if I could truly compare it.

Wow. I need to spend more time on eBay. That’s a steal.

 

[Helislacker]

@Formidilosus - has your pack choice changed at all? I’m debating between the R3 7000 or K4 7200, but I also know MR has recently updated their packs, etc.

I hunt almost exclusively late season rifle and prefer something setup for quick access to insulation and glass. Just curious if you have changed preferences as of late or have specific recommendations.

 

[Alex Genereux]

@Formidilosus - has your pack choice changed at all? I’m debating between the R3 7000 or K4 7200, but I also know MR has recently updated their packs, etc.

I hunt almost exclusively late season rifle and prefer something setup for quick access to insulation and glass. Just curious if you have changed preferences as of late or have specific recommendations.

His pack will likely change I think shoot2hunt and exo are making a bag for the k4 frame.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus - has your pack choice changed at all? I’m debating between the R3 7000 or K4 7200, but I also know MR has recently updated their packs, etc.

I hunt almost exclusively late season rifle and prefer something setup for quick access to insulation and glass. Just curious if you have changed preferences as of late or have specific recommendations.

This is a trap.

My late season (cold weather and bulky clothing) preference by far is the Stone Glacier R3 7000 with wings, or this pack-

 

[ResearchinStuff]

@Formidilosus what's your activity level like during your hunting, particularly the colder days? I did a dark to dark whitetail sit yesterday in the mid to upper 20s and absolutely froze. Trying to figure out if your cold weather layer suggestions translate at all to stationary cold weather hunts.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus what's your activity level like during your hunting, particularly the colder days? I did a dark to dark whitetail sit yesterday in the mid to upper 20s and absolutely froze. Trying to figure out if your cold weather layer suggestions translate at all to stationary cold weather hunts.

Generally hike to a glassing spot then sit and glass without moving for hours, to all day. Generally temps are between 0° F and 25° F, and yes it’s cold. The gear isn’t settled for that. The jacket and puff pants haven’t been made that are suitable for it; you need 12-15oz of down in a parka and pants and that hasn’t been made yet (a jacket is coming).

My feet get absolutely frozen and the only boots that have worked to stay warm in cold weather while totally stationary are the Steger Mukluks. If the hike isn’t far, or it is truly cold, I will carry them and change when I get to the glassing spot. Having said that, the Vivo Tundra ESC’s will probably be the cold weather shoe that I use in the future.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

That's helpful, thanks.

 

[JohnB]

Generally hike to a glassing spot then sit and glass without moving for hours, to all day. Generally temps are between 0° F and 25° F, and yes it’s cold. The gear isn’t settled for that. The jacket and puff pants haven’t been made that are suitable for it; you need 12-15oz of down in a parka and pants and that hasn’t been made yet (a jacket is coming).

Check out the Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka (13 oz fill) coupled with the Volant or Frontpoint Pants.

The caveat is that I don't have experience with any of those options but have been quite happy with some of their lighter weight gear.

 

[Shraggs]

Researching… fyi my Michigan December hunts are a testing time for me, and I know you’re thorough so with a grain of salt.

If sitting in deer blind or tree vs western glassing I prefer 200 gram thinsulate cause it doesn’t compress against something losing loft or warmth. I wear parka and bibs with gortex for wind but definitely won’t walk in in it.

Aclima woolnet is now my base later. My mid layer is actually heavy merino, ie the FL furnace. And then a warm wool vest which is also what I walk in with.

Face mask. Warm wool hat and the hood always.

Walk in with cotton socks to absorb sweat and not wet out boot insulation then change into wool socks once sitting and not sweating.

I can go all day in below 20 degrees to single digits and reasonable wind as long as I stand and stretch every hour. I run cold typically too.

 

[Shraggs]

Formidilosus, definitely ready to buy one of those mukluks, hoping the Vivo is equally warm since the sole looks useable

 

[Helislacker]

@Formidilosus what's your activity level like during your hunting, particularly the colder days? I did a dark to dark whitetail sit yesterday in the mid to upper 20s and absolutely froze. Trying to figure out if your cold weather layer suggestions translate at all to stationary cold weather hunts.

Check out the most recent video on Sitka Gear from their IG with Jim Hole. He has a pretty good system for all day sits archery sits. A friend of mine is a very successful archery hunter in Manitoba, which is generally much colder than Western Canada/US and has also figured out a system very similar to Jim’s, but with some added pieces and bits of gear. He is able to sit all day in those temps day after day and still gets it done. I’ll reach out to him for some recommendations if you’d like. All I’ll say is that my system for late season western backpack hunting in Alberta is very different from his, as I know he uses a ton of heavy set wool, bibs, etc.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Check out the most recent video on Sitka Gear from their IG with Jim Hole. He has a pretty good system for all day sits archery sits. A friend of mine is a very successful archery hunter in Manitoba, which is generally much colder than Western Canada/US and has also figured out a system very similar to Jim’s, but with some added pieces and bits of gear. He is able to sit all day in those temps day after day and still gets it done. I’ll reach out to him for some recommendations if you’d like. All I’ll say is that my system for late season western backpack hunting in Alberta is very different from his, as I know he uses a ton of heavy set wool, bibs, etc.

I will take a look, thank you

 

[fwafwow]

I will take a look, thank you

I meant to reply to this the other day. I'm a little baby/bi*&h when it comes to the cold, but came up with a system that worked for me for an entire day sit in Nebraska at around 20 degrees, before adding in windchill. TL;DR - it was Sitka Fanatic (bibs) and Incinerator (jacket, hand muffs, gaiter and hat) - plus some other stuff. PM me if you want additional detail.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I meant to reply to this the other day. I'm a little baby/bi*&h when it comes to the cold, but came up with a system that worked for me for an entire day sit in Nebraska at around 20 degrees, before adding in windchill. TL;DR - it was Sitka Fanatic (bibs) and Incinerator (jacket, hand muffs, gaiter and hat) - plus some other stuff. PM me if you want additional detail.

Consensus is i should have taken the tags off and actually worn my fanatic set, and maybe added some boot blankets over my vivo trackers.