Upgrade My System

shadow

FNG
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
41
So I have a pretty good start, but after this years' hunt, I'm reevaluating a few clothing choices. I mostly hunt mid/late September in Idaho archery only. Typically you don't need much more than a base layer top, and some lighter pants. We haven't been packing in for a while, but we hike 2-3 miles in every day. We ran into some cooler and MUCH wetter weather this year than the typical, and it wasn't ideal.

I love my First Lite stuff. Wet or dry, it keeps me fairly warm and cool, but I did get cold a few days when we would stop and it was soaking wet from rain or wet brush, and 35-45 degrees. Most years it's lows in the upper 20's to 40's and highs in the 50's to 70 degrees. This year we just saw a lot of 20-30 degree lows, with rain/snow about every day and highs of 40's to 50's.

This is what I'm running now:

Tops
1. First Lite Llano QZ
2. First Lite Chama
3. Black Ovis merino base layers similar in weight to Llano and Chama
4. Crappy Rain Jacket

Bottoms
1. 2x First Lite Kanab 2.0's (Love them)
2. Black Ovis midweight merino base layer bottoms
3. Crappy Rain Jacket

I was really cussing myself for not having much better rain gear this year, it seemed like it was always wet from rain or wet brush. Then wearing the rain gear you were wet anyway because it was soaking through or I was sweating.

So, I've been thinking I need to add something with a little better of an outer shell, maybe a puffy coat I can put over my base layers when we stop, and definitely some better rain gear or something. I've been debating outer layers / insulation / and rain gear between First Lite and Sitka. I have no interest in debating one or the other unless you have real experience on why you preferred one over the other. I'm pretty sold on First Lite here at least for my base layers. I also bowhunt a lot of whitetails in Iowa so if I could find something that does some dual duty down to upper teens while sitting in the stand that would be a bonus, but I don't expect my mountain hunting stuff to do the hours of sitting in a stand in below freezing temperatures either. Completely different situations, but maybe when it's 30-50 degrees sitting on stand I could probably use it too.
 
I'd look at the Sitka Thunderhead series. I don't have any personal use with it, so maybe someone can comment on it. It is suppose to be quiet so you could use it in a stand and it is "light enough" to carry for day trips.
 
I'm re-posting some info from another thread so forgive me if you've seen it..

I own First lite in llano, Minaret Crew, Chama, Labrador, Kanab 2.0, Vapor Storm-light Ultralight Rain Jacket, North branch soft-shell jacket and bibs. I just purchased the Woodbury jacket and Sanctuary bibs, I think you can layer under the Woodbury for times when it may be colder. I also own the ASAT Elite Ultimate Jacket and Pants.

The North Branch soft-shell is none insulating but has some water resistance and wind resistance, I wore it over my llano 2nd week of September in the MT mountains temps in the 30's with a drizzle and was more than comfortable but was only sitting for short periods of time. If you layer under it heavily I'd say you will be pretty warm. I think the Woodbury might be a good universal pick to get you into the late season sitting in the cold and it's quiet and water resistant.
 
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