My gear/pack layout from base layers to binos

[Formidilosus]

As someone that is not happy with the SG puffy jacket I'm definitely looking forward to the new mystery anorak! I've always used OR puffy jackets but got the SG for a good price and it seems way too fragile for my liking and not warm enough.

I have used the Grumman since they were prototypes- no durability issues, but they for sure aren’t enough for cold weather.

 

[AlexTX]

I don’t anymore. After using a bunch of different options, it’s come out that having the pistol in a separate holster on the chest and the harness over it is the way. Lots of times I want to drop the harness, but want the pistol still on me.

What chest holsters do you recommend?

 

[Formidilosus]

What chest holsters do you recommend?

I’ve mostly used the Kenai.

 

[Dobermann]

@The Ri Guy @dreamingWest

I'm really late to the RedKettle jacket game, and after finding out they're longer making their items, I searched "ventile cotton" and came up with this website: https://ventile.co.uk/

They list out several of their "partners" that appear to make some decent looking jackets and smocks with ventile cotton.

Hilltrek: https://hilltrek.co.uk/ (Braemar SV Smock & Ballater Lightweight Smock)
Brynje: https://www.brynjeusa.com/ (Explore Ventile® Men’s Jacket)
Sasta: https://sasta.com/ (Peski jacket)
Keela: https://keelaoutdoors.com/ (Ventile Heritage Smock)

Going to do some research and order a piece or two.

That Sasta Peski just came across my radar today from a different source ... looks pretty rugged. Fairly heavy at 690 grams - but that's no too different from some full-length 3-layer GoreTex options ...

Peski Ventile® anorak

An unisex anorak that feels like it disappears on you, yet sets the standard for moving through natureThe Peski unisex anorak has proven itself as a test winner, showing how effortlessly you can navigate the outdoors even in the harshest conditions. Snowy peaks, windswept ridges, or a damp...

sasta.com

 

[Coleredding00]

for anyone interested, the sentinel bino harness and all accessories in coyote are on sale here:

https://north40.com/stone-glacier-sentinel-bino-harness

just ordered mine.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

for anyone interested, the sentinel bino harness and all accessories in coyote are on sale here:

https://north40.com/stone-glacier-sentinel-bino-harness

just ordered mine.

Thank you! I had already ordered the main parts, but the side pockets I wanted were out of stock. Now I have them on the way as well. Merry Christmas!

 

[Shraggs]

It’s still a puffy, but wasn’t bad-

View attachment 977897

So this product is very intriguing, hate hiking with harness in orange vest the strip for warm layer.

But, or wondering if you’ve see any fog on binos going from warm chest to instant very cold?

 

[MEdude]

for anyone interested, the sentinel bino harness and all accessories in coyote are on sale here:

https://north40.com/stone-glacier-sentinel-bino-harness

just ordered mine.

I jumped on that. Thanks for the notice.

 

[Ajsomp]

So I tried the woolshell pants today (temps in the low 30s). Took them on an hour ruck and my thighs rubbed significantly on the pants. If I wore them on a multi day hunt there’s no way I’d have made it without raw thighs. I did not wear with a wool net base.

The problem is that they sit too low. I had to hike the pants up so they wouldn’t rub. I would have to wear them near my belly button in order to have the same effect. I feel like if I ordered a size shorter they would be too short.

I’ll try to give them another go but I didn’t experience this with my standard pants and wool net base.

 

[Nine Banger]

So I tried the woolshell pants today (temps in the low 30s). Took them on an hour ruck and my thighs rubbed significantly on the pants. If I wore them on a multi day hunt there’s no way I’d have made it without raw thighs. I did not wear with a wool net base.

The problem is that they sit too low. I had to hike the pants up so they wouldn’t rub. I would have to wear them near my belly button in order to have the same effect. I feel like if I ordered a size shorter they would be too short.

I’ll try to give them another go but I didn’t experience this with my standard pants and wool net base.

I wanted them to work for me but had a similar experience. One size was too tight and the next size up was huge and everything hung down low.

 

[Shraggs]

So I tried the woolshell pants today (temps in the low 30s). Took them on an hour ruck and my thighs rubbed significantly on the pants. If I wore them on a multi day hunt there’s no way I’d have made it without raw thighs. I did not wear with a wool net base.

The problem is that they sit too low. I had to hike the pants up so they wouldn’t rub. I would have to wear them near my belly button in order to have the same effect. I feel like if I ordered a size shorter they would be too short.

I’ll try to give them another go but I didn’t experience this with my standard pants and wool net base.

Suspenders help?

 

[Ajsomp]

Suspenders help?

Don’t own any and generally not a fan of them. I suppose they could? But again compared to other pants I don’t need suspenders to be comfortable.

 

[cubdriver84d]

So I tried the woolshell pants today (temps in the low 30s). Took them on an hour ruck and my thighs rubbed significantly on the pants. If I wore them on a multi day hunt there’s no way I’d have made it without raw thighs. I did not wear with a wool net base.

The problem is that they sit too low. I had to hike the pants up so they wouldn’t rub. I would have to wear them near my belly button in order to have the same effect. I feel like if I ordered a size shorter they would be too short.

I’ll try to give them another go but I didn’t experience this with my standard pants and wool net base.

Did you have any base layer on? I don’t think I’d wear mine without some sort of base layer. I often sag mine below my pack belt and haven’t had any rubbing with a base layer on (wool net or solid).

 

[Formidilosus]

So this product is very intriguing, hate hiking with harness in orange vest the strip for warm layer.

But, or wondering if you’ve see any fog on binos going from warm chest to instant very cold?

The bino pouch is out of the jacket- the jacket goes around the harness.

 

[Formidilosus]

So I tried the woolshell pants today (temps in the low 30s). Took them on an hour ruck and my thighs rubbed significantly on the pants. If I wore them on a multi day hunt there’s no way I’d have made it without raw thighs. I did not wear with a wool net base.

The problem is that they sit too low. I had to hike the pants up so they wouldn’t rub. I would have to wear them near my belly button in order to have the same effect. I feel like if I ordered a size shorter they would be too short.

I’ll try to give them another go but I didn’t experience this with my standard pants and wool net base.

They are meant to ride high. They are not meant to wear on your hips.

 

[Blaw]

It is. But, it stops all the bs of doubling puffies, multiple mid layers, etc. I guess people don’t actually sit and glass in 20° F and below for hours, regardless of what they say. Because 5-7oz of down isn’t cutting it. You freeze with what the industry offers.

This season with this puffy and the Vivo Tundra boots, was the first season ever that I was completely comfortable while glassing for hours in sub 20° F weather- without shivering, rubbing my hands, getting up and moving, etc.
No more base layer, plus two mid layers, plus two Grumman’s (or a Grumman and a First Lite Chamberlin), and a rain jacket for wind; just put this over what’s worn while hiking, sit down. Done.


30’ish degrees, 30+ MPH sustained winds. Partner had (IIRC) T shirt, LS base layer, thick mid layer, Grumman, rain jacket- same for legs. He froze. I fell sleep.

YA! finally a puffy for canadian winters!

 

[Ranchhunter]

Form
I’ve heard a few people mention going to stabilizing binoculars and a separate rangefinder. Are you still going with the Revic binos?

 

[Formidilosus]

Form
I’ve heard a few people mention going to stabilizing binoculars and a separate rangefinder. Are you still going with the Revic binos?

Yes.

 

[Speaks]

Stabilized binos sound cool but if priority is to be able to shoot quickly on demand I cant imagine that range finding binos would not be MUCH faster. Im sure eventually someone will have a version that is both.

What actually interests me more is a pair of 16s or 18s that I could keep in my pack more taking the place of a spotter and those being stabilized so you dont need to use them off a tripod sounds interesting.

My geovid Rs are 8s anyway and never really felt much of a need to stabilize those.

 

[Ajsomp]

Did you have any base layer on? I don’t think I’d wear mine without some sort of base layer. I often sag mine below my pack belt and haven’t had any rubbing with a base layer on (wool net or solid).

Just merino boxers

They are meant to ride high. They are not meant to wear on your hips.

I figured but I’m going to have to figure a way to keep them up. Even with some Christmas cookies and adjusting the side tabs and adding a belt they didn’t want to sit high.