Which layer gets the most action?

[Mofarmboy]

Gathering a clothing system for a early to mid sept. elk hunt in colorado around 9000ft of elavation. My question is which layer will my upper body be spending most of its time in. I already have a first lite llano as a base layer. Where should my layering system go from there? I'm looking at the kuiu guide jacket and I definitly plan on getting a puffy. What's your alls layering setup?

 

[5MilesBack]

I always wear my merino base layers, and sometimes in the heat (which is often in Sept) that's all I wear up top. But I would say that most of my time hunting CO in Sept is base layer and Microtex shirt over it. If I need anything else in the early morning or evenings, I use a thin microfleece mock T between those two. That is 99% of what I wear during CO's archery season. For later Sept I sometimes also wear a fleece jacket as well in the morning, but it's off by 9 or 10am. That and rain gear as needed. I also have a down puffy in the bag but that's mostly for the cold sits.......which don't happen too often for me. I like to move.

 

[Mofarmboy]

How does the kuiu guide jacket do in wet weather could it pull double duty as an outer layer/rain jacket?

 

[bz_711]

I've hunted elk 4 times in CO in Sept...95% of my hunting has been with long sleeve base layer and thin fleece 3/4 zip. Even when covered with snow that was all I wore. After about 10:00 am each day it was base layer only. The couple mornings that were in the 20's, I tried either a fleece jacket or fleece vest, both times I had shed them by the time I climbed first hill...and had to pack around rest of day. If you have a good packable rain gear or even disposable ponchos, that would get you through any rain storm with even just base layer or thin fleece. The key is to stay dry. I'm from IL, 20-30 degree mornings are so much warmer in the arid/dry mountains than 20-30 degree mornings in the Midwest (due to our high morning humidity).

Also - I move all day long...sitting a wallow might be a different story. Above all, be prepared to stay dry through a pop up storm.

 

[Travis1984]

Light rain it does ok, but I certainly wouldn't trust it as my rain gear...

I sold my guide, run the merino bases, super down , and chugach if I need it.

 

[KMD]

The members here helped me ALOT to get on track with clothing selection for early season!

That said, I wear a light merino base layers, Smartwool/Firstlite/Patagonia, etc. I wear these 24/7, strip down to these base layers for sleeping.

For active hunting, I wear a poly/blend camo shirt over top of base layer. I like my Kryptek Valhalla and spent most hunting time wearing it.

Good lightweight & comfortable pants like: Sitka Ascent/ Kuiu Attack/ Kryptek Alaios, etc.

Keep a lightweight 'puffy' in the pack, like: Primaloft/ Superdown /Nano puff, etc. Slips on easily when idle to keep your core warm. Use as pillow, or sleep in it if your bag/quilt is lacking.

Keep lightweight hardshell rain gear in pack at all times!. My Kuiu Chugach top/bottoms was a lifesaver for when daily drenchings pop up. Top is worn over puffy to cut wind and stay warm around camp early & late.

And don't overlook:
GOOD beanie HAT
GOOD SOCKS
GOOD UNDERWEAR

 

[tipsntails7]

Fl lano with either a chama or a sitka ascent jacket depending where I'm hunting. That's really all I ever use, I have a puffy and rain gear in the pack if needed. I like the ascent because it is really lite but protects my merino from stickers and briars and such.

 

[bbrown]

I love my Sitka Traverse 1/4 zip on top of a llano for 95% of the day during that time of year - add a puffy for early and late along with a rain top of some sort. I like the Cabelas Space rain pullover if I don't expect too much rain and my Sitka cloudburst if the weather is supposed to be crappy.

 

[Mofarmboy]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like I'll be in the market for some decent raingear a puffy and a light jacket or mid layer. Any input on the durability of the Chama hoody by first lite.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I lost my 90% jacket last year. I wore it all the time, but i always hated it because it was heavy to carry around when it got too warm, and sucked in the rain. I was looking into getting a new softshell and found that most are starting to run a down jacket and rain gear. I already had the cloudburst so i am getting a superdown to try it this year.

I am interested to see how it works, only thing i am worried about is hiking with the cloudburst on without turning it into a sweat lodge.

Joe

 

[Lawnboi]

Sitka traverse is a constant piece being used. And is my favorite.

 

[fillthefreezer]

ill be the odd man out here i guess and say i wear only a merino t shirt 75%. it has to be cold out for me to wear anything over my t shirt.
once its dark or at first light ill add the cerdic hoody.

 

[2rocky]

My constant from Bowseason to Rifle is a button up shirt with chest pockets. Microtex or Wool.

Other layers include a base, vest, soft jacket and rain shell. I wore all these layers during a Late September snowstorm this last year at the same elevation you will be at. Earlier in the week I was packing a pack full of layers.

 

[KMT]

Smartwool and thin camo shirt in the morning. Ditch the smartwool by 10. I always pack a shell just in case it rains or snows and a puffy jacket in case it gets cold. It's usually 30 in the morning and can get up to low 60s in the afternoon. But I've had it snow over a foot and drop to below 10 degrees. But mist of the time you won't need much of a jacket.

 

[pyroducksx3]

First Lite llano long sleeve crew neck base layer, Chama QZ mid layer, used a superdown last year but switching to a firstlite puffy this year and a chugach or poseidon hardshell. I always have a adidas sleeveless climalite shirt I use for hiking in with me as well. I have a neck gaitor and merino beanie to help with keeping me warm as well

 

[justin davis]

My 1st layer gets most of the use.