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What is your go to outfit or layering system when the temps are low and the wind is howling? I use the ECWS polartec power grid base layers then a thick fleece shirt and pants. As an outer layer I have an older set of Browning insulated overalls and coat that are warm and waterproof but noisy. My next investment will be a new outer layer that is windproof and quiet. Still have not been able to keep my feet warm. I just stay in the stand as long as my cold feet allow.

Rivers West is the best I've found...windproof/ waterproof...quiet....only negative is that it does not breathe....JMO

Minus 33 merino wool is pretty amazing stuff

medic11 wrote:Minus 33 merino wool is pretty amazing stuff

Just got base layer in today will see how they work in the a.m.

King of the mountain wool is good stuff as well

bigoak wrote: Still have not been able to keep my feet warm. I just stay in the stand as long as my cold feet allow.

I used to have that same problem - primarily because my feet sweat. It's hard to find a balance so I use products that wick moisture away whenever practical. 'Wick-Dri' liner socks work well in combination with a thick wool/blend sock and insulated boots. The key is not to have boots that are too tight, because it is the air cells that either hold or loose heat. The tighter your boots, the less air there is inside to form the insulation pockets (i.e., air). Also if your boots are too tight, they won't allow convective release of moisture away from your skin. Wet skin spells cold feet.

In temps in the teens or below, we use 'Hot Hands' Toasty Toes. These sick to the underside of your socks and help keep toes warm. Hot Hands also makes an insole that puts-out heat too, now. Careful not to create too much heat, or your feet will sweat even more.

My wool socks are Filson brand merino wool.......


I also have a pair of Alpaca hair socks that some Canadian friends gave us years ago - for single digit digit protection. In some cases I've been known to use a liner sock, an intermediate weight poly sock, and a heavy wool or Alpaca sock to wick moisture away.

Pack boots with felt liners is the only boot I've used that really makes a difference in single digit temps.

Go to Sierratradingpost.com for great prices on closeout products.

The latest addition to our cold gear is Browing Primaloft layers (pants and packet). It folds or packs tight and keeps you warm even when the garmet itself is wet. Good stuff! So my bottom layer is UA Base 4.0, Primaloft, Drake Wader Pants, Drake bibs.

The only 'waterproof' jacket I am satisfied with is the Filson Tin Cloth Field Jacket although I don't consider it very 'quiet' until it's broken-in a bit. It only remains as 'waterproof' as the bee wax treatment job you put on it as needed, but is the only jacket I will use in rain/snow, or howling wind. Ditto on the Tin Cloth Field Pants - also great for dog training in the Winter.

the only jackets that seem to be truly waterproof to me are real deal fishing slickers from Grundens (think deadliest catch). I've worn them on 300 mi round trips offshore in the dead of winter and been relatively comfortable

Just got back from a hunting trip and feet kept freezing. Mostly due to sweating and getting cold. I always have out the toasty toes on the bottom side of my toes until this trip. Floured I'd try something different and put the warmer on the TOP side of my toes and it worked awesome. Think the warmer being ontop of toes and having small space between my toes and top of boot instead of beingsandwiched in between foot and sole of boot allowed warmer to "breathe" and kinda generate some warm are in there. Plus I could raise my toes and press warmer against top of boot and toes and REALLY feel the heat. This in combination w boots one size too big were a huge help.

Anatidae wrote:

bigoak wrote: The latest addition to our cold gear is Browing Primaloft layers (pants and packet). It folds or packs tight and keeps you warm even when the garmet itself is wet. Good stuff! So my bottom layer is UA Base 4.0, Primaloft, Drake Wader Pants, Drake bibs.

The only 'waterproof' jacket I am satisfied with is the Filson Tin Cloth Field Jacket although I don't consider it very 'quiet' until it's broken-in a bit. It only remains as 'waterproof' as the bee wax treatment job you put on it as needed, but is the only jacket I will use in rain/snow, or howling wind. Ditto on the Tin Cloth Field Pants - also great for dog training in the Winter.

They have the Browning Primaloft on sale at Fieldsupply.com right now.

http://www.fieldsupply.com/browning-pri ... -more.html

I'm a big supporter of UA 4.0. A fleece lined pant/shirt, and on occasion some bibs/coat and I find myself sitting longer.

The biggest game changer for me was my feet/hands. once my hands get cold, I loose function in them. I hardly ever wear gloves but do for 'moments' at a time.

My feet: I wear your good ole white socks going to my stand. Once at my stand, I will change them and put on some wool. I have gotten by with just my ole leather boots doing this. It may sound stupid, and it's quite cold for a few minutes, but once they warm back up I hardly ever get that stinging feeling when they get cold. I'll admit I do have a pair of browning socks that I'm in love with. Don't know anything about them except they keep my feet warm. But they fit very well.

My bibs/coat/jacket are hardly ever put on for the walk in (including duck hunting). I may be freezing when I get there, but I tend to stay and not get cold once I layer up.

Now if you are in a boat: Grab everything you own! Wind is your enemy!

Three words......Thermacell Heated InSoles

Don't turn them on until your feet start feeling a little bit cold.......it'll buy you a few hours

Deltaquack wrote:Three words......Thermacell Heated InSoles

Don't turn them on until your feet start feeling a little bit cold.......it'll buy you a few hours

+1 Really like mine

Deltaquack wrote:Three words......Thermacell Heated InSoles

Don't turn them on until your feet start feeling a little bit cold.......it'll buy you a few hours

+1

Layering is key. For me it's a silk base layer, ulfrotte wool underwear over that, and king of the mountain over that. Falke expedition socks in muck arctic pro boots. If it's too cold for that setup, get in a heater body suit and that's the end of the story for big game anyway.

Under Armour Rut Wear. Worth every penny. Quiet, scent free, WARM. The stuff is amazing...