Staying warm when glassing

[Squeaks]

How do you stay warm while glassing in single digits? Im always cold and base layer, mid layer, puffy and rain jacket isnt enough. I was thinking about doubling up puffys. Any other suggestions?

 

[MuleyFever]

What specifically are you wearing?

 

[JMundy84]

Build a fire

 

[gumby]

Puffy pants are super nice. A few brands make them with zippers on the sides so they are easy to put on and take off. And it goes without saying to have a good insulating layer to sit on.

 

[anonymous22]

Wrong puffy more than likely.

They are not all are equal. You want stuff that when combined is rated for the weather you are out for, while not making yourself sweaty and wet.

They make puffy pants too, which can help. A buddy of mine use to put his sleeping bag in his pack when we’d go out to glass on cold days.

As to puffys, a down parka is typically what are rated to single digits. For hunting the ridge reaper down parka was a good one, but obviously they stopped making hunting clothes.

Right now, the Kuiu super down parka is rated to 29 freedom units to -38F. There’s a lot of other non hunting brands too.

 

[Macintosh]

Sit on a foam pad to reduce conductive heat loss
Eat. If you dont have fuel to burn you’ll be cold.
Drink warm liquids.
Wear a warm hat and neck gaiter—you lose a lot of heat through your head. A warm hat should be the first thing you put on if you are cold.
Wear a thicker puffy. A puffy with 2oz of down fill is nowhere near as warm as one with 6oz of fill. 800-850fp down.
Puffy pants.
Mittens, not gloves.
Dont sweat on the way there. If you did, consider changing to a dry baselayer. This all stays in the pack until you stop—then put on BEFORE you cool down.

 

[hiker270]

Bought an IWOM a couple years ago. It was a game changer for me when I am glassing or hunting from a stationary position. Worked so well bought my grandson one also.

 

[StupidLightweight]

When I go really lightweight during moderate weather, I bring the Sierra Sniveler quilt from Jacks-R-Better. It looks ridiculous in poncho form but is crazy warm for glassing sessions. They make colder weather versions as well as down sleeves to pair with them.

 

[Poser]

If it’s really cold, two puffies goes a long ways. For bulk purposes, I like stacking a down puffy over a synthetic. Heated socks + some insulated booties. You can put the socks on low and the batteries will last quite awhile. Bring a thermos with a warm drink, sip it slowly, and you should be set.

I spent a couple of days during the late season last year sitting in the shade line under the north face of a peak at 10,000 feet and it was frigid, but I stayed quite toasty using the above combo.

 

[lufa1040]

Thick wool baselayers and legit winter down jacket and pants. But like others have said, you gotta make sure whatever is between you and the frozen ground is insulating enough. A thin sit pad ain’t gonna cut it.

 

[Legend]

Boil water, put it in a nalgene bottle, make sure there is zero air, and put it in you coat. Water will be hot for 6+ hours.

Works in a sleeping bag as well.

 

[Squeaks]

I like all the ideas. Any specific heavy down parka/jacket recommendations. That kuiu super down parka looks great but expensive lol. Also what lightweight pads?

 

[anonymous22]

Outdoor Research Men's Super Alpine Down Parka

Simond Men's MT900​

And

Outdoor Research Stormcraft

to name a few

 

[Squeaks]

Outdoor Research Men's Super Alpine Down Parka

Simond Men's MT900​

And

Outdoor Research Stormcraft

to name a few

Great options. Thank you!

 

[Buglebrush]

First Lite Chamberlain. It's like putting on the sun. Puffy pants too.

 

[jjordan355]

I have a stone glacier Grumman down jacket, Kuiu super down pro LT pants and super down pro glassing glomitts. They work well with a good base layer, talus hybrid pants, and 1-2 mid weight jackets under my Grumman jacket. Sat in -5 degree weather in the snow with a glassing pad for 5+ hours this winter and felt certain I could’ve sat all day had I been seeing the game I wanted.

Look for stuff on sale to save a few bucks is the easiest way to chew on the price tag, but the clothing is worth it’s weight in very cold weather.

 

[neil.hansford]

I like all the ideas. Any specific heavy down parka/jacket recommendations. That kuiu super down parka looks great but expensive lol. Also what lightweight pads?

The Outdoor Research mentioned are good and also take a look at Rab Electron or Neutrino pro. Or just Google "Heavy down parka". Tons of deals out there with way better pricing than the hunting brands.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[TradLife406]

I have raynauds syndrome so for me to stay warm is whole thing. If it's not room temp basically my hands go numb.

I get to where I'm going. Then start with all my puffy layers and soft shell.
I kick my boots off and throw on the glassing booties.
Next I get my glassing pad out which is a full sized z pad.
Next the WM badger comes out of the bag and I crawl into that thing.
Then the glassing mittens.

Oh then handwarmers in my booties and mitts.

Eventually once I know I'm not going to die I'll get the optics and coffee and cigars out.

First year last year using a full sleeping bag. It seems excessive but when you drop an elk at last light a long ways from camp then you're set to spend the night and not die.

 

[kcm2]

for years, I would sit on one ridge and wait for elk to run on another. I would bring a Pocket Rocket, water, something to heat it in (literally a small coffee pot) and plenty of food. Outer would be a Montbell down coat, with expedition weight long underwear under Sporthill pants, and a pad ot sit on. Worked great. Shot 13 elk over the years on that ridge.

 

[Whaledriver]

Honestly most hunting brand down jackets dont do well in single digits. Rab makes some nice down jackets. The Positron and Neutrino are made for single digit temps. I have never been cold in either one. Dont forget a good wool beanie. Tons of heat loss there. Look at other mountaineering brands. They are better suited for single digit and colder conditions.