NW Montana mid November, what clothing

[Mike D Texas]

I have an elk/deer combo hunt booked in mid November 2027. I have some what I believe are decent clothes but I know I’m lacking in some areas.

I currently feel like I have base layers covered having anything from Kuiu 118 weight merino to Black Ovis 240 weight. Most of my pants are Kuiu Attack and my heaviest jacket is a Kuiu Guide DCS.

I feel like I need an insulating layer for glassing (puffy) and wind layer and a rain layer.

There are so many choices out there it’s overwhelming, and it’s not cheap. I have plenty of time to put together a solid system and I don’t mind spending them money. I just don’t want to waste any money on inferior products due to ignorance on my part.

So give me some suggestions on what works for you by the systems listed above so I can start looking around and building a solid hunting clothing system.

This will be a lodge based hunt, but there is the option to tent camp as well. I’ll ask the outfitter if I need to consider a sleep system as well.


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[dwhite0622]

Congrats on booking your trip. I’m sure it will be a great adventure. November in Montana can be fickle. A few pieces that I find myself reaching for constantly are a good mid layer (something like the Sitka Ambient) and a good puffy. I’ve had success with synthetic and down puffys, and most of the brands have similar options. The warmth to weight ratio is amazing with some of the newer pieces. @mtwarden always has good advice on this kind of deal. I’m sure you can find some of his reviews and posts on gear pieces specified to NW Montana. Good luck with your trip.

 

[Soj51hopeful]

You’ve got it narrowed down to what you need (puffies and rain gear), and You are correct. Now don’t overthink it and get them. I have the Kuiu pufffy pro pant and jacket and some lightweight Kuiu rain gear. It works. Also have some good gloves.

 

[neil.hansford]

For a puffy, Europtic still has the Stone Glacier Grumann on sale for $200. It's a deal at that price, but I wouldn't pay full retail price for it. They also have an Under Armour down jacket on sale for less than $100. Kuiu will have a few sales on down between now and your trip. Also watch for end of winter sales coming up. It doesn't have to be a hunting brand. And u don't need a wind AND rain layer. Buy a rain jacket and use it to cut the wind. By that time in NW MT, any precipitation is likely to be snow anyway.

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[peterk123]

My basic setup is long johns and pants with a sidezip. Medium to heavy socks and uninsulated boots.

For the body I wear merino base layer, a thin mid layer and a heavy midlayer. Over that goes a windstopper jacket. Depending on the day, I have either a light or heavy down jacket and puffy pants. Those usually only come out when I'm sitting for a period of time, like when whitetail hunting or glassing. If it's a cold one, I bring bootcovers for long sits. Rain gear is always in the pack unless it's so cold that it can only snow. Then I usually pull it. I also always have a little foam pad for sitting. It's incredible how the cold ground can strip you of heat in a matter of minutes.

This setup covers me for the wild swings in temps around here. 20 degrees in the morning the 50 when the sun comes out. Plus, I'm a pretty skinny dude so I need layers.

Also, this setup allows me to keep my body cool if I need to, like when you have to lug an animal out on your back.

 

[rratzlaff1490]

Besides a puffy, if there is room on the budget, I would suggest Kuiu Axis Hybrid pants as well. They have sort of a liner on the inside of them and water proof outers on the butt. They’re warm. I wore them in the mountains around Ennis is late November (0-10 F average temp) with a base layer underneath the axis pants and felt like I could have gotten away with put the base layer. I would also suggest making sure your gear is comfortable with adding on protection for G bears

 

[strattonje2020]

Who did you book with?

 

[jimh406]

The elevation that you hunt at can make a difference, but also the weather varies a lot. I'd talk to the outfitter and go with their recommendations. It could be anything from 0 and windy to 60 and sunny.

 

[Geewhiz]

On top I wear a mid to heavy weight merino long sleeve half zip shirt, and then I bring a good puffy and a shell. That covers 90% of situations. If it’s real cold I will throw on an additional mid layer like a fleece of some sort of an ambient type layer.

On the bottom most days I will just wear Kuiu guides and then bring my puffy pants if I plan of being stationary for any amount of time. If it’s real cold I’ll throw on my sg zip off bottoms. Gaitors are also a must for the second half of rifle season.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Thanks for the recommendations so far.

I forgot to add, any particular gloves recommended for mainly walking/stalking? I have a pair of the Black Ovis down glassing mitts for sitting and glassing.

I also have both First Lite and Kuiu gaiters so I should be good there.

On the puffy(s) I’ve heard so many varying opinions on what to buy. I hear some people say the Grumman is great but the shell is fragile, rips easy and sheds down pretty regularly. I hear some say synthetic is better than natural down. My Wyoming guide recommended the Kuiu Elements due to the tougher shell and wind proofing but it’s not as packable.

As to the rain/wind later, I *think* I’d prefer to stay as light as possible on the wind layer and as waterproof as possible on the rain layer (I know they all will eventually soak through) but not heavy enough to cause excess sweating. Maybe I should consider a ultralight shelter for rain as well.

Anyway, lots of random thoughts and I suppose my biggest concern is the puffy gear, primarily due to the cost and durability. In theory it should only come out for inactive periods but I still want to consider durability as part of the decision.


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[Pacific_Fork]

I own a lot of gloves, these get used the most in late season unless its poring rain. You won't be disapointed especially for the price

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005193552?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1&psc=1

 

[Geewhiz]

Thanks for the recommendations so far.

I forgot to add, any particular gloves recommended for mainly walking/stalking? I have a pair of the Black Ovis down glassing mitts for sitting and glassing.

I also have both First Lite and Kuiu gaiters so I should be good there.

On the puffy(s) I’ve heard so many varying opinions on what to buy. I hear some people say the Grumman is great but the shell is fragile, rips easy and sheds down pretty regularly. I hear some say synthetic is better than natural down. My Wyoming guide recommended the Kuiu Elements due to the tougher shell and wind proofing but it’s not as packable.

As to the rain/wind later, I *think* I’d prefer to stay as light as possible on the wind layer and as waterproof as possible on the rain layer (I know they all will eventually soak through) but not heavy enough to cause excess sweating. Maybe I should consider a ultralight shelter for rain as well.

Anyway, lots of random thoughts and I suppose my biggest concern is the puffy gear, primarily due to the cost and durability. In theory it should only come out for inactive periods but I still want to consider durability as part of the decision.


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Nothing beats down as far as warmth to weight. Personally I don’t care if my down jacket has a fragile exterior, I use it as a stationary layer or a layer under a shell. It’s not made for busting brush, and if you’re moving, you won’t be wearing it if it’s a quality down piece anyway because you will overheat.

Make your rain layer and your wind layer the same piece. Find a mid weight waterproof shell like Kuiu chugach or kutana and use it for both.

 

[mike464]

Get a Duckworth Powder Hoody, I live up in the mountains in western Mt and hike or snowshoe everyday. I haven't gone out without in 3 months. It will work somewhere in your layering system whether it's 40 above or 20 below.

 

[nodakian]

Assume you will encounter rain.

Get some quiet gaiters or fleece or wool pants. Small, low, noisy brush and weeds are everywhere. Knapweed, cyanothus, grass, thistle, huckleberry, sage, and a bunch of stuff the names of which I don't recall. Non stop crunch, rattle, and swish.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Any more recommendations?

 

[2-Stix]

wool base, fleece mid weight top, outer Kuiu Axis soft shells, and down and rain on top when needed, insulated boots, neck gaiter, hand warmers, gaiters, inreach,

 

[The Guide]

Any more recommendations?

Don't over think it. You could completely outfit yourself with clothing at a Tractor Supply the day you land. Most of the major decisions need to be made based upon the style of hunting and the temperatures. During general season you most likely will not need to be worried about below zero or SUPER deep snow. I'll give you my clothes that I wear and pack for day hunting Montana general season via spot and stalk.

Basic underwear, nothing fancy.

Thin athletic wool boot socks. Thick bottoms (sole) and light top of the foot and up calf.

Base layer in level 1 polypropylene. I tend towards warm blooded so use your own decisions on needs. I used to go heavier but I would steam up all optics when I'd stop.

Long sleeve dry fit type orange shirt. If you get too warm, you can hike in this and allow your base layer to evaporate to dry.

Hunting pants with side zip vents. Allows you to drop some of the heat you make when hiking and keeps you from getting swamp ass. I like a pair with waterproof seat and knees. I add a pair of puffy pants to the pack when I know I'm going to be sitting for a time waiting on daylight or animals.

Orange hooded Carhartt medium weight sweatshirt. I wear this from around 45⁰ to 0⁰. If it is going to be very windy, I will put an orange soft shell windproof hoodie in my pack to put on when not moving. Do not hike in a windproof shell. You will get soaked and freeze. From around 10⁰ to -20⁰ I add a puffy jacket over the sweatshirt and move slower to keep from getting overheated.

Boots are a personal choice. I hunt down to around 20⁰ with uninsulated boots. When it is below 20⁰ in the mornings down to -20⁰ I use a good 200 gram boot. My feet get hot and sweat so you might need a higher insulation rating.

Gaiters are used any time there is moisture. Even if it is just frost, gaiters will keep you dry and more comfortable. They are light and don't take up much room in the pack if you don't start the day wearing them.

I wear a ball cap all the time. Take it off when hiking to vent heat. I carry a stalking cap also. Nice to keep the ears warm in the wind when glassing. I wear light gloves most of the time. Keep a pair of leather insulated mittens in my pack for times my hands get chilled or it is below zero and blowing.

Trekking poles. Even cheap ones from Walmart are better than nothing in steel terrain when it is dark or you are tired. They make side hilling easy and keep you off your butt and hurt.

These are the things I have found to work for me in the last 36 years of hunting seasons in Montana. I'm a function over looks guy. I buy expensive when needed but don't need a fully matched kit from one supplier. My gear just has to work, not look pretty. With this gear, I have day hunted all day for 10 days in a row and never felt like I needed more gear.

Jay