Who makes the best individual piece.

[Cdpp880]

I am starting to build up a good system and was wondering who has the best base layer, mid layer, insulation layer rain.....
I really do not care if they are the same brand just want to get a good system. I would put the most important layer on the insulation layer bc I am a pansy when it comes to being cold. Not looking for the lightest necessarily but do know want to weigh a ton either. I am wanting a system that could cover me from hot Texas archery hunting , October elk/mule deer hunt in the mountains of Colorado/Montana...to Alaskan moose hunt in late September. I am not going to buy all this at once but probably over the next couple of years. So If u had to do this what would u get?
Base layer?
Mid layer?
Insulating layer?
Rain gear?
Misc pieces?

 

[Mtnboy]

You're gonna get answers all across the board here I would think.

With that being said, one piece of gear that I absolutely love are my Sitka Timberline Pants. The waterproofing in the knees and seat is so handy, I've also learned to really appreciate the knee pads. Great pants.

 

[Timberghost]

Merino 145 and 240 for base and mid
Synthetic or down puffy.
Kuiu chugach top and bottom for rain gear
Have a peloton 240 on order so can't comment on that yet. That will maybe replace the 240 merino.
Attack or guide pants depending on temps.

 

[Lawnboi]

The only piece I really like, that I am never without, is a sitka traverse top.

 

[5MilesBack]

When it comes to my hunting gear "money is no object" comes into play a little. Meaning......I'll spend the money on something if I think it suits me best for my kind of hunting and what I want or really need.

So a lot depends on what's "best for you". Which I'm sure is different than what's best for me. I'm an archery hunter and hunt in mostly very warm weather. The BEST for me has been First Lite base layers (actually prefer the Cabela's base pants because they came in a Tall). Also Microtex Lite as my camo layer, and microfleece or regular fleece as a mid layer if needed. For a puffy I love my $15 Costco clearance special 800-fill down jacket. Sold my KUIU SD jacket. For a synthetic lightweight jacket I like the KUIU Kenai. For my rain gear I use Walls 10x Magnum jacket and pants. Sold my FL Stormtight because it didn't seem to work any better than these for 1/10 the price.

But as with everything YMMV.

 

[dirkcsu]

Base layer= Ice Breaker merino wool top and bottoms
Midlayer= UA or Hells Canyon Hoody
Insulation Layer= UA or Hells Canyon Vest
Outer Layer= UA or Hells Canyon Soft Shell Jacket & Pants
I have bowhunted elk in Colorado for 20 years and never carried rain gear. Like 5MB said, this system works for me and my wallet. Has taken many years of trial and error to get to this level of comfort with my gear.

 

[jquarnberg]

Base: Kuiu Ultra Merino 125. I like it best of all the merino I have tried. Most durable. Best fit.
Midlayer: Sitka Traverse. Like this better than the kuiu merino mid/heavy weight layers I tried. Weight is just right. Very light. Fits great. Solid color is nice I wear it a lot on a daily basis.

But or the warmer temps I have not tried anything I like nearly as much as KUIU's tiburon pant and zip T.

 

[DWinVA]

For me right now:

Base layer? Top: First Lite Llano QZ, wore it everyday elk hunting, sweated like crazy and it never smelled bad.
Bottom: Smartwool merino bottoms. Only used once during elk season.
Mid layer? Top: First Lite Chama Hoody.
Bottoms: Same as above
Insulating layer? Top: First Lite Uncompahgre puffy. When it gets real cold I also use a Sitka Kelvin vest.
Bottom: Sitka Kelvin pants.
Rain gear? Sitka Downpour
Misc pieces? I use the First Lite neck gaiter a lot. Early season I'm wearing the Sitka Ascents and change over to the Sitka 90% pants later in the season.

I wore the Sitka Ascents and the Llano on my elk hunt this fall. One day was cooler and I stand hunted so I added the Smartwool under my Ascents with the Chama and Kelvin vest up top. Here in VA I start hunting whitetails the first Saturday in October and hunt until the first Sunday in January so I end up using all of my cloths. I've also used the Sitka Fanatic stuff but tend to layer more now and not use the heavy stuff as much. Good luck.

God Bless.

 

[7stw]

Base layers
Kuiu merino tops are fantastic
Bottoms even though they're anti hunting patigonia cape line are hard to beat. The older Kuiu bottoms are great as well new zip offs are tight in the calf for me.

Rain gear Kuiu chughach is the best I've found. I like it so much I have a solid color set to wear for work.
Insulating layer kifaru lost lake parka is fastly becoming my favorite piece of anything I've ever owned. Agin I like it so much I bought another one to wear around the ranch in the winter.
Down light weight layer a montbell anorak is nearly perfect.

Mid layer first lite Chama hoody or Kuiu peloton hoody
Pants Kuiu attacks are my favorite pant for anything in oklahoma to Colorado or New Mexico unless there's a lot of snow then I like their guide pants.

If I could only have one piece off that list it would be the kifaru lost lake parka

 

[charvey9]

Can't really go wrong with KUIU, First Lite, or Sitka on any of these items.

My only exception would be Smart Wool for the merion base layers. Fits better, does not stretch or shrink after days of use, and softer than the base layers from hunting companies. Only downside, it isn't camo.

 

[mallacootasmoothie]

Can't really go wrong with KUIU, First Lite, or Sitka on any of these items.

My only exception would be Smart Wool for the merion base layers. Fits better, does not stretch or shrink after days of use, and softer than the base layers from hunting companies. Only downside, it isn't camo.

Yep, I echo this sentiment.

 

[dotman]

First lite for base layers, kryptek for outter and mid and FL for my puffy. Going to give the Kifaru puffy a try as it is supposedly the warmest out in a hunting line.

 

[Bmcox86]

First lite wool base layers
Darn tough socks
Kenai hoodie
Attack pants
Guide jacket
Sitka beanie

 

[Brightwhite]

First lite base layers tops and bottoms
Sitka traverses top
Sitka jetstream vest with wind blocker
Uncompahgre puffy
Sitka ascent pants for warm weather, 90% pants for cooler weather
Smartwool liners with first lite crew socks
Kuiu gaitors
First lite neck gaitor
First lite merino liner gloves
Sitka jetstream gloves for colder weather
Kuiu down glassing mittens for extremely cold mornings

There's are all the items I wouldn't consider selling. I have a bunch of other stuff I don't use that will get sold. This stuff stays...

 

[Bmcox86]

For gaiters the kuiu ones and OR crocs are both good bets. Kuiu is quieter by a hair.
Bino system is FHF gear all the way

 

[dashj7]

I live and primarily hunt in South Texas. This year I hunted the High Country for mule deer and low to mid country for elk. I lost a great deal of weight and had to get a whole new system so here is my two cents.

Next to Skin: First Lite all the way. I have tried kuiu and some off brand of wool. Not the same!!! Cut and feel form both weights are awesome. That to me is the key piece of my system.

Bottoms: Sitka Ascents for hot weather and Timberlines for Cold Weather and mountains. I wore my ascents on the mule deer hunt and bought the Timberlines as soon as I got back. I have been wearing them for my cold weather pants in Texas.

Tops: Sikta Core Lightweight for hot, Sitka Traverse for cold

Insulation: Kyptec Vest, Sitka Hoody Down for Glassing, Sitka Ultra lite down for under jacket cold weather (still testing but works to good for South Texas)

jackets: I love the old Russell APX gear but they dont make it anymore, so Sitka Jetstream. I really like the Kuiu gear for outer layer stuff but love the fit of Sitka. No bulk and great fabric

Sitka Issues: The outter layer of the Jetstream and down is a little loud, but what is to loud. I am testing on deer now and havent had any issues. The real test is a doe at 20 yards! So, how loud is too loud??? We will see

There are a lots of opinions on these forums but there are no wrong answers just what works best for you and your style!!!! Check out my style and resume at #mentalmountain on instagram. Made our styles are similar and this will be helpful to you.

 

[dashj7]

I live and primarily hunt in South Texas. This year I hunted the High Country for mule deer and low to mid country for elk. I lost a great deal of weight and had to get a whole new system so here is my two cents.

Next to Skin: First Lite all the way. I have tried kuiu and some off brand of wool. Not the same!!! Cut and feel form both weights are awesome. That to me is the key piece of my system.

Bottoms: Sitka Ascents for hot weather and Timberlines for Cold Weather and mountains. I wore my ascents on the mule deer hunt and bought the Timberlines as soon as I got back. I have been wearing them for my cold weather pants in Texas.

Tops: Sikta Core Lightweight for hot, Sitka Traverse for cold

Insulation: Kyptec Vest, Sitka Hoody Down for Glassing, Sitka Ultra lite down for under jacket cold weather (still testing but works to good for South Texas)

jackets: I love the old Russell APX gear but they dont make it anymore, so Sitka Jetstream. I really like the Kuiu gear for outer layer stuff but love the fit of Sitka. No bulk and great fabric

Sitka Issues: The outter layer of the Jetstream and down is a little loud, but what is to loud. I am testing on deer now and havent had any issues. The real test is a doe at 20 yards! So, how loud is too loud??? We will see

There are a lots of opinions on these forums but there are no wrong answers just what works best for you and your style!!!! Check out my style and resume at #mentalmountain on instagram. Made our styles are similar and this will be helpful to you.

 

[Cdpp880]

Ok this is what I am thinking
Base layer- first light
Mid layer- still unknown bc I would like something that is wind proof but have to look into what everyone has recommended.
Insulation layer- either first light puffy, kifaru, or Sitka kelvin whichever is the warmest. I do want to stick to synthetics.
Rain gear- still undecided
Misc gear who knows
Thanks for the info keep them coming.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Moose will be a whole different set-up and likely to include waders. AK weather is vastly different from CO & TX and I would pack accordingly. What kinda AK moose hunt are you looking at? Fly in to spike? Horseback? Float trip?