old school Polar Fleece question

[COJoe]

My hunting buddy and I will be doing a 4th season CO elk hunt this year due to a few factors so I am getting some warmer clothing ready by looking for deals, aka, I'm thrifty.... Back in the 90s, while she lived in AK, my wife was given a large Polar Fleece jacket that she only wore when it was really cold but it was way too big so it didn't get worn much. So now, 30 yeas later, I was wondering how it would do as my mid layer for my 4th season hunt? The jacket has a shell for the wind but do you think it would be too warm and the shell would prohibit dumping heat while I was active?

My base layer will be SG merino wool 170g shirt, then the Polar Fleece jacket with a SG Dehaviland shell. I have the Black Ovis down puffer and a sitka Mountain vest to take also. I have the ambient 100 jacket which is a great early season layer but would that work better than the Polar fleece jacket? My other option is to buy the Ambient 200 jacket as my mid layer or the Sitka 330 merino wool hoody.

Anyone still use the older Polar Fleece items?

 

[justinspicher]

Last year it was fairly warm during 4th, I hunted in a base layer.

However, to answer your question, I do have an orange grid fleece top that I wear on occasion. I find it to be warm as a mid layer under a puffy or a wind shirt. Its pretty useless as a stand alone item, especially if it’s windy.

 

[txtransplant]

That jacket looks like it weighs 7lbs and breaths about as well as a fish outta water.

You already have a great kit - you might just need another layer or two.

I agree with the @justinspicher that a wind shirt will help warm you up more than you think. It just makes a better microclimate to allow your other layers to insulate better. I have a Beyond A4 that I got on sale which I really love. I wouldn’t pay retail for it, but YMMV. I’m cheap.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/wind-proof-jacket-recommendations.382577/post-3890771

Also, have you seen this thread yet? I haven’t fielded it, but plan to add this to my kit this season. Slap that under your existing base layer, might do more than you think, too.

Thread 'Fishnet base layers. They work, and you want them.'

Dec 2, 2021

A current thread brought them up, so I thought a discussion might be good for those that don’t know about them.
I have been using netted base layers for the last couple of years. I was turned onto them by some Scandinavian dudes. They look silly (think 80’s fishnet), however do everything they say they do.

There are several companies that make them- Aclima, Brynje, Wiggy’s, etc. I have been using Aclima Woolnet from Varusteleka.


For a visual, however poor, of what I’m talking about-





I have done quite a bit of work evaluating base layers. Dry times...

• Formidilosus
• Replies: 238
• Forum: Clothing

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If you’re moving, even in freezing temps you don’t need a ton of insulation. Your body is generating heat, and you do NOT want to sweat. “Be bold, go cold,” as Remi says.

If you’re not moving, put your puffy on. I’d leave that old polar fleece in the truck.

 

[COJoe]

Last year it was fairly warm during 4th, I hunted in a base layer.

Yes it was a warmer here too but we did get the dumping of 3-4 feet of snow over three days during fourth season here in Southern CO last year which allowed most of our snow in Pueblo to melt thankfully. Thanks for your input, I think I'll skip the heavy jacket and wear a couple layers if necessary.

That jacket looks like it weighs 7lbs and breaths about as well as a fish outta water.

You already have a great kit - you might just need another layer or two.

Ok, now I had to weight it. It's 28.68 ounces so not horrible but I'll leave it home... I had seen that post about the fishnet base layer but forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me about it, I'll check more into it because I like the concept of it. If not that base layer, I'll fine tune what I have probably.

Two years ago, in 1st season elk, it was 13 degrees a couple mornings so I would start my 1.5 mile hike up to timberline cold not wearing my Dehaviland jacket so I didn't sweat near as much. I just had on a Sitka light weight hoody and a sitka Fanatic hoody which was a great combo for active hiking.

 

[Macintosh]

I have some super old fleece stuff like that. Its too warm to layer with and too much of a pain to take on and off, too heavy and too bulky imo. Personally if its that cold Im still sweating if im moving and this stuff is too hot. So its really for a layering piece only if you are sitting or moving real slow. Id rather take a second lighter non-hooded down jacket as a midlayer in place of something like this. It is about the same warmth, but way lighter, packs way smaller, breathes way better. If $ is an issue used down sweaters are everywhere.

 

[txtransplant]

Yeah I really think you have a good kit already. I know the feeling of wanting to be prepared for ANYTHING, though.

Fish net base layer, maybe SG merino if it’s REALLY cold, then Sitka Ambient, you’re already pretty warm on the move with this. Then you’ve got the mountain vest, dehaviland, and the puffy to round it out. I do think a wind shirt like the one I linked could be helpful, too, but I use that more as a substitute for the soft shell.

 

[Wrench]

I hunted in polartec 200 and 300 for years. It's not compressible, but it's warm and quiet.

Fleece isn't cool in this crowd, but it works great for quiet warmth and it dries fast.....if you have to pack it.....it stowes like a saddle blanket.

 

[USMC2378]

My hunting buddy and I will be doing a 4th season CO elk hunt this year due to a few factors so I am getting some warmer clothing ready by looking for deals, aka, I'm thrifty.... Back in the 90s, while she lived in AK, my wife was given a large Polar Fleece jacket that she only wore when it was really cold but it was way too big so it didn't get worn much. So now, 30 yeas later, I was wondering how it would do as my mid layer for my 4th season hunt? The jacket has a shell for the wind but do you think it would be too warm and the shell would prohibit dumping heat while I was active?

My base layer will be SG merino wool 170g shirt, then the Polar Fleece jacket with a SG Dehaviland shell. I have the Black Ovis down puffer and a sitka Mountain vest to take also. I have the ambient 100 jacket which is a great early season layer but would that work better than the Polar fleece jacket? My other option is to buy the Ambient 200 jacket as my mid layer or the Sitka 330 merino wool hoody.

Anyone still use the older Polar Fleece items?

View attachment 860757View attachment 860758

Funny you asked about the polar fleece. I just picked up a USMC Polartec fleece at a yard sale for $4 it is made by Peckham it weights only 9.5 oz. I have been working on my layering system for colder weather as well. I have the Tiburon shirt (5oz) as a base layer, the kuiu Peloton 97 (5oz), the outdoor vitals ventus hoodie (6.5oz) as active mid layer, and will use the Polartec fleece (9.5oz) over these for warmth when more static. I also have a ghost whisperer vest (4.5oz) for additional warmth if needed. My shell is the kryptek trident jacket (10oz) This set up is about 40 oz total will see how far it will take me as far as temps. I could always add a lightweight puffy as well to keep it under 50oz total.

 

[COJoe]

I just picked up a USMC Polartec fleece at a yard sale for $4 it is made by Peckham it weights only 9.5 oz.

Nice cheap find, I have been looking a those fleece items online.