Staying warm when not moving?

[Elc1973]

Ok guys here's the problem, I hike in with just my base layers and a mid layer and vest and am fine. Once I get to my spot I'm good for about 2 hours and then have to move around to stay warm. Once I get chilled I put my puffy on but still only get a couple hours and I have to start hiking to stay warm. Do I need more layers or what? the temps are in the 20's in the mornings and 40's to 30's in the evenings. I need to be able to stay still till last light since that is the best time. What do you suggest?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Timberninja]

Short answer would be more layers/insulation. Make sure hands, head, legs etc are warm too. Wind also makes a big difference so keep that in mind. I bring a thermos sometime, helps w a warm drink when sitting still. And might be a given but layer before you get chilly, not when you are.

 

[Hawkeye]

Ok guys here's the problem, I hike in with just my base layers and a mid layer and vest and am fine. Once I get to my spot I'm good for about 2 hours and then have to move around to stay warm. Once I get chilled I put my puffy on but still only get a couple hours and I have to start hiking to stay warm. Do I need more layers or what? the temps are in the 20's in the mornings and 40's to 30's in the evenings. I need to be able to stay still till last light since that is the best time. What do you suggest?

Thanks in advance.

I would suggest using just minimal layers getting in. The most important thing is to change out of the layer you hike in with and get into a clean dry top. Then stack on the layers of insulation. I use two layers of wool, a layer of down, then a layer of rain gear to break the wind and keep the heat in. I also put on a knit cap, neck gaitor, gloves with a couple hand warmers, and hunker down and try to avoid the wind. That should keep you warm all day.

 

[Stid2677]

Also try a warm drink and I use Thermacare heat wraps. They work for over 12 hours, I use the large back pads. If it is real cold I wear one over my stomach and one on my lower back.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/19400251?...54080472&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78606457472&veh=sem

 

[jljmonky]

I would suggest using just minimal layers getting in. The most important thing is to change out of the layer you hike in with and get into a clean dry top. Then stack on the layers of insulation. I use two layers of wool, a layer of down, then a layer of rain gear to break the wind and keep the heat in. I also put on a knit cap, neck gaitor, gloves with a couple hand warmers, and hunker down and try to avoid the wind. That should keep you warm all day.

I second the rain gear... It's an underused tool. I hike in minimally an only hunt and then allow myself to dry some and cool down then add a fleece or wool then cool down a bit more and then add a puffy jacket (this year I am going to rock a Patagonia Nano Puff and Arc Teryx vest). As time wears on I add my rain gear. If I continue to get cold I pull out a stove and go for tea or bullion. If it gets works I stare at my Latin "too stupid to quit" tattoo and make myself sit there and suffer.

 

[Becca]

As others have said, additional layers and hot drinks make a world of difference. We try to carry enough gear during the day to make it through an unexpected night if one arises. I figure if I am hauling that stuff anyway, I may as well utilize it since If I am cold and miserable, I will want to quit early. On our last hunt it was sub 30 degrees with the windchill, and I wore my insulated primaloft vest, primaloft jacket, and primaloft pants underneath my raingear even though it wasn't raining. I looked like a marshmallow, but at least I didn't freeze.

Something no one has mentioned is something to sit on. It's amazing how fast the cold ground will get you chilled, and having a small piece of something insulated works wonders at keeping that cold out. We typically carry short thermarest pads in the trekker chair sleeve, but lots of folks utilize a small piece of closed cell foam pad as a chair. On packraft or coastal hunts a life vest works great too. Anything to keep you off the cold ground.

 

[larryschwartz]

To recap what I was going to say but has already been said:
~ Walk in cool, you dont' need to be warm since you are moving.
~ Dry off when you get there and put on dry base layer.
~ Put extra layers on BEFORE you get cold, it takes more heat to warm you back up than it does to keep you warm.
~ Keep your head and hands warm to avoid excessive heat loss.
~ Those thermal pads are a great way to add warmth to your system.
~ Put something under your butt AND under your feet to prevent heat loss, like Becca said an insulated pad is a great idea or one of those stadium cushions.

The things that I would add to the list are:

1) do to not overlook keeping your neck wrapped up and warm, especially if it is windy. I am always amazed at how much better I feel when I shield my neck from the cold, either with a scarf or the hood of my jacket....which is why all of my outer layers have hoods., and
2) if you don't want to mess with a warm drink then at least eat high calorie foods every hour or so during the day to keep the furnace burning. Things like a Payday bar, anything with chocolate and nuts, some super duper granola bar, anything that is a mix of fast burning calories and slower burning calories. Anythign with honey, like honey stinger bars or waffles are a good one for quick energy which will translate into quick heat.

Larry

 

[Biggs300]

Every person is different, but I find that merino wool base layers, a merino wool neck gaiter, wool pants and a wool sweater as an upper body second layer, allows me to regulate my temperature better than anything I've found. My jackets are either puffy down jacket, a Gore-Tex pro shell or both (if it is REALLY cold and/or wet). When I get warm, I'm down to my sweater or sweater and Gore-Tex shell. For me, this combination works better than my lighter-weight layers of soft-shell synthetics and fleece. Wool clothing is heavier and a bit bulkier, but IMO the performance is worth the additional weight.

 

[phil]

What sid said.