Need help with tree stand hunting clothes.

Pdawg88

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 4, 2015
Messages
216
Location
Oklahoma
I am getting rid of my Kryptek gear and am looking into either Kuiu or First lite. I mainly hunt from tree stands but we try to go to Colorado for a elk hunt once every other year. Here in Oklahoma I hunt in weather from 80 to 0 degrees. Wanting to look into more Merino and layering.Any opinions or who would be appreciated.
 

Biggs300

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
223
I can 't speak to Kuiu but I have been using FL Kanabs for the past two years on CO elk hunts and they worked great. Not the most durable but very comfortable. I use Smartwool medium weight base layers with them and have yet to be cold with this combo. I have also used them here in OK for deer hunting, but I no longer hunt from tree stands.
 

Nuke Man

WKR
Joined
May 1, 2014
Messages
553
Location
Midwest
I wear firstlite merino base and all Kuiu outerwear. Attack pants are freaking awesome! I also wear a kuiu pelaton 240, kenai puffy and guide jacket. I took everything but the guide jacket to Colorado. Everything listed is definitely quiet enough for treestand hunts. Excited to try the kenai this fall here in Illinois.
 

ofl0926

WKR
Joined
May 23, 2015
Messages
2,179
Location
miami, fl
My father loves his kryptek gear and uses it in the tree stand. He has the different layers so he can adjust to the temp

I use mostly first lite gear. Their merino is great next to skin. The puffy they have is great. Sanctuary jacket is a great heavy weight jacket. I want to get the bids to match when it's bitter cold out.

Might want to also look at Sitka. They make great gear too.


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Cdpp880

WKR
Joined
Mar 4, 2015
Messages
326
I will second the sanctuary jacket as a great one. I barrowed one last year and it was very warm. So much so I bought one. I have heard that the Sitka finattic is good to but it had a shorter cut and I hate wind blowing up my back so I went with the sanctuary. If you are interested in a sanctuary jacket I have one in the classifieds. I have a few pieces of FL merino and like them also.
 
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
3,490
Location
Fargo ND
I am a big Kuiu fan but most items not ideal for treestand whitetail due to noise and warmth. I wear the Attack and Guide pants all the time because of all the burrs and such we have here. On top the Kenai is great but beyond that and merino base I move to Sitka stuff. The Stratus over the Kenai is super warm and total windblock as is the Fanatic.
 

N2TRKYS

WKR
Joined
Apr 17, 2016
Messages
4,244
Location
Alabama
Just buy you some good merino base layers, I use Firstlite. For cold days I wear Drake Waterfowl base layer bottoms. I wear a Cabela's BDU style camo pant. I wear good merino wool socks and Lacrosse rubber boots(I have a lot of water in our swamp). I wear a Marmot fleece and an UA camo pullover over the fleece. For cold days, I wear a Drake Waterfowl MST pullover. I've had good luck with Walls and Drake Waterfowl brand bibs.

I say all that to say this, just get you a good layering system and it should do you well anywhere.
 

Lawnboi

WKR
Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
8,495
Location
North Central Wi
What don't you like about your current stuff? Cold? Not quiet enough? What are you looking to improve?

I wouldn't look at wool to fix your problems. In a stand I really see no pluses to wool over a quality synthetic. Where I hunt is guess it's a little colder. But I when I had kuiu I didn't care for it in a treestand. It was not that warm, didn't block wind and was not that quiet, it may work in a warmer climate though. I cannot comment on first lite.

IMO Sitka makes an awsome treestand line. Unfortunately most of my treestand gear is useless for hunting out west off the ground. It's just too different. I like to be warm in the stand, insulation, a quiet outer and a windproof layer are what I prefer.
 
Joined
May 6, 2012
Messages
991
Personally, I would not spend the money on high end technical gear for stand hunting. I use a ton of high end gear from KUIU, FS and Sitka but as soon as the temperature drops and I am stand hunting, I go to Cabelas Wind Stop wool/fleece blend. It is lined, it is warm, it has wind stopper and you can still layer it with a puffy or wool base/2nd layers. You can buy the pants and the jacket and you are all set. You will save some serious cash, be much more comfortable in lower temps, MUCH quieter, and have cash left to buy your mountain gear when you need it. I love and buy high end gear but don't get caught up in technical gear for stand hunting.
 

WoodBow

WKR
Joined
Jul 21, 2015
Messages
1,884
I will echo what some others have said. Merino is great for base layers but that is about where it's usefulness stops for stand hunting cold temps. There a many options out there that are warmer and cheaper. You have to have some loft to stay warm when stationary in cold temps and none of the merino products I have have loft. I own a LOT of FL gear. The puffy is an awesome item but there is no way I could draw on a whitetail wearing it where I hunt. Fleece is your friend.
 

LostArra

WKR
Joined
May 9, 2013
Messages
3,679
Location
Oklahoma
Personally, I would not spend the money on high end technical gear for stand hunting. I use a ton of high end gear from KUIU, FS and Sitka but as soon as the temperature drops and I am stand hunting, I go to Cabelas Wind Stop wool/fleece blend. It is lined, it is warm, it has wind stopper and you can still layer it with a puffy or wool base/2nd layers. You can buy the pants and the jacket and you are all set. You will save some serious cash, be much more comfortable in lower temps, MUCH quieter, and have cash left to buy your mountain gear when you need it. I love and buy high end gear but don't get caught up in technical gear for stand hunting.

Amen to Jeff and Woodbow !!

For cold treestand hunting Oklahoma:
Minus 33 Expedition weight wool over a light weight merino base
Cabelas Wooltimate in outfitter camo I got the pants, jacket and vest from the Bargain Bin a number of years ago. It's quiet and warm. It does catch a few burrs but I quit worrying about that. I probably wear the vest more than the jacket except on brutally windy days. Good fit for no bow string interference.
 

Lawnboi

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Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
8,495
Location
North Central Wi
Having owned cabelas fleece, if your on a budget go for it, wait till its on sale though, it can be had for half off at times, and make sure it has a windproof layer.

This year, for the stand I pretty much went balls to the walls on Sitka, I get it heavily discounted, but build quality blows cabelas gear out of the water. I'm excited to use a few of the new pieces, I'm hoping I won't be cold in the treestand anymore.

I pack all my bulky gear in, to keep down sweat, and get dressed at my tree.
 

IaTrent

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 23, 2014
Messages
131
Cannot go wrong with merino base layers and FL Sanctuary. Quiet and can sit all day in very cold/windy temps.


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Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
312
Location
Loveland, CO
What don't you like about your current stuff? Cold? Not quiet enough? What are you looking to improve?

I wouldn't look at wool to fix your problems. In a stand I really see no pluses to wool over a quality synthetic. Where I hunt is guess it's a little colder. But I when I had kuiu I didn't care for it in a treestand. It was not that warm, didn't block wind and was not that quiet, it may work in a warmer climate though. I cannot comment on first lite.

IMO Sitka makes an awsome treestand line. Unfortunately most of my treestand gear is useless for hunting out west off the ground. It's just too different. I like to be warm in the stand, insulation, a quiet outer and a windproof layer are what I prefer.

Because It's not the latest and greatest trendy clothing. That's why. Why else would someone purposely buy Kuiu clothing for treestand hunting?
 

SpannerAK

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 13, 2016
Messages
102
Location
Alaska
Your hunting from a tree stand... Throw on a pair of carhartt insulated coveralls and be done with it.
 

mrgreen

WKR
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
422
Your hunting from a tree stand... Throw on a pair of carhartt insulated coveralls and be done with it.

I used to use exactly this. Until I found it interfered with drawing my bow. Saved up and went with Kryptek Aegis, works well below freezing. I leave the overalls open for the walk in, don't put the jacket on 'til I'm at the tree.

I do miss how the Carhartt's held up to thorns, though.
 

Big6810

FNG
Joined
Jul 15, 2016
Messages
63
I'm first lite poor. You can't go wrong. I'm in the tree right now. Layering, Kanabs, Chama hoody, and a Labrador, temp is in the 50's waiting on a slick head.


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Joined
Nov 13, 2014
Messages
2,436
I've spent 30 years in a tree stand and I'll say most western style clothes don't dross over once you dip below the 40 degree mark. Merino or synthetic base layers with fleece mid layers and a good insulating and windproof outer layer is as good as it gets. Save your money and get something like the Sitka Fanatic set. Don't by new but used from somewhere like Archery Talk. I love the fit of the tech. clothing for the early to mid season stuff but that's it.

I like to by gear as much as the next guy, but I've spent most of my treestand years in cheaper Cabelas Dryplus Thinsulate clothing.

I bought a used Fanatic set and it really is the chit.
 
OP
Pdawg88

Pdawg88

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 4, 2015
Messages
216
Location
Oklahoma
Went with all First Lite, so far I can't be any happier. As far as hunting in Carhartt coveralls what else would I spend my money on if it wasn't for overpriced camo?
 
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