September Layers

[MuleyFever]

What are you taking on a Sept hunt as far as upper body layers?

Right now I usually have a light, mid, and heavy merino top, Guide vest, and Rain shell. I am looking to add a down or synthetic jacket. I also just want to reevaluate my clothing and maybe get rid of the vest or maybe add a warmer vest or different layers. Where I hunt Sept temps are mild but I will be hunting other higher elevations this fall so looking at other options.

 

[Browtine]

For me, a merino s/s T, a merino mid weight l/s t, a FL puffy and my rain shell are all I need in the Colorado high country during Sept.

Forgot my bottom layer....either Attacks or Sitka Ascents and 200wt merino long johns.

 

[muleman]

Here is what I use in the Rockies. Light and/or medium merino top, light merino bottoms, tiburon or attack pants, down puffy, rain shell, liner sock and regular weight merino sock. The forecast decides if I have the medium merino top and which pants I wear.

 

[dangerousD]

I go into the back country with two lightweight merino tops, a FL puffy, and rain shell. For bottoms I take a merino baselayer and either FL merino Kanab pants or Kuiu Attacks and rain pants. My rain gear is just C4E Torrent stuff. For me, this worked well last year for anything from low 20's in the mornings to 80 or 90's during the day on a couple of the extremes. I hunted Utah and Oregon elk last year in September.

 

[yak]

I think you'll get pretty much all similar to what is mentioned above (base, mid, puffy, shell). I upgraded a few pieces this offseason and plan on posting a video regarding my layering system next month sometime. I don't have very good circulation, so I tend to get cold easy. Here is what works for me:

Top:
Kuiu 145 Merino
Kuiu 210 Merino Blend
Kuiu Superdown Puffy Jacket
C4E Torrent Rain Jacket

Bottom:
Kuiu Attack Pants
Paradox Merino Long Johns (optional)

A few things I have learned over the years. I've noticed I tend to get chilled on sits when I am wearing a synthetic next to skin. I have a puffy vest that works great, but I prefer to be prepared for the worst (puffy jacket) rather than wish'n'shiver (i.e. I'd rather carry a few extra ounces, just in case). Kuiu merino isn't the softest next to skin, but is good quality for the price point. Hope this helps.

 

[MuleyFever]

I was thinking of kicking the vest and one merino layer when I got a puffy and that seams to be what most do. I was kind of thinking about just a puffy vest but like Yak said I would rather have the jacket just in case. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[jmez]

I take lightweight merino, hunting shirt, vest and rain jacket.

Spend 90% of the trip in the LW merino.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Llano SS, Chama zipt, springer vest and kanabs. I keep my Cabelas puffy in my pack. This is for day hunts, hoping to get into backcountry this season. I would add a shell of some type (rain shell or my FL Northbranch) and some merino bottoms (I have mid-weight Icebreaker from STP). Light gloves, neck gaiter, etc as needed.

 

[PA 5-0]

What are you taking on a Sept hunt as far as upper body layers?

Right now I usually have a light, mid, and heavy merino top, Guide vest, and Rain shell. I am looking to add a down or synthetic jacket. I also just want to reevaluate my clothing and maybe get rid of the vest or maybe add a warmer vest or different layers. Where I hunt Sept temps are mild but I will be hunting other higher elevations this fall so looking at other options.

My upper body set up is very similar to yours. I recently switched out my Kuiu Guide vest for the super down vest. A little weight savings and much warmer. For elk, I always hunt late September at elevation. Snow can hit at any moment and I've found myself getting cold going into the evening hours when temps drop suddenly. But we're usually chasing, so the long sleeve merino is perfect for keeping us warm while controlling sweat. And the vest keeps my arms loose and clothing tight for shooting. I can't get enough of the awesomeness of merino clothing.

 

[PMcGee]

My first trip I took more then I needed. Last year I had a mid weight merino, my spindrift and my Chugach rain jacket.

 

[LitenFast]

Mine is similar to most
Llano qz
Chama hoody
OR puffy
OR rain jacket

then
Sitka ascent pants
C4E merino bottoms

I used to use a puffy vest backpacking all the time until I realized I much prefer a jacket and nowdays you can really go light and warm with high fill down jackets.

 

[GibsonKuenzi]

For me, a merino s/s T, a merino mid weight l/s t, a FL puffy and my rain shell are all I need in the Colorado high country during Sept.

Forgot my bottom layer....either Attacks or Sitka Ascents and 200wt merino long johns.

This- substitute your favorite brand to the list above

 

[tttoadman]

typical for me as most:
merino top
microfleece midweight
primaloft vest
rain shell

merino briefs
merino long johns
3 different weight pants to choose from
rain pants

 

[5MilesBack]

Easily 90%+ of September for me is wearing lightweight merino base top and bottom, microfleece as a mid on top, and Microtex or Microtex Lite as an outer top and bottom. I keep a down puffy and rain jacket in my pack, but rarely ever have to use them. Even for a week at a time, that's all I'm bringing.

 

[dreamingbig]

All good suggestions. Last year I was doing some treestand hunting for elk in the backcountry second week of Sep. We got some unseasonably cold early weather with over night lows in low 20s. I was wearing everything I brought plus some of my dads (he was tagged out) sitting in that tree at 430am. I still get cold thinking about it.

 

[5MilesBack]

I get cold sitting if it's 70 degrees out........gotta be moving.

 

[Rucker61]

For me, Sitka merino top, Traverse Zip-T, Sierra Designs dri-down puffy and Space Rain raingear. Bottoms are Mountain pants and lightweight merino base plus rain pants.

 

[charvey9]

Short sleeve merino T, long sleeve merino T, puffy jacket, rain jacket.

 

[MTbowhunter36]

L/S merino T, vest, puffy and rain jacket.
Kuiu Attack and rain pants.
Use this for temps that range from the teens to the 80s.

 

[dangerousD]

All good suggestions. Last year I was doing some treestand hunting for elk in the backcountry second week of Sep. We got some unseasonably cold early weather with over night lows in low 20s. I was wearing everything I brought plus some of my dads (he was tagged out) sitting in that tree at 430am. I still get cold thinking about it.

Good point. Tree stand hunting is one of those things that's altogether different than most of us do when we go into the back country. I get easily chilled when stand sitting for long periods so I'd have to bulk up on my gear if that were the case. But when moving, I'm in a light merino 90% of the time.