Semi repost: what is everyone's layering system

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Dohyde34

Member
Currently in the market for a quarter or half-zip pullover/outerwear for upland hunting. It would be used mainly mid to late season.
I'm wondering how everyone layers for upland hunting, given that it's one of the only types of hunting where you're constantly moving and active. I personally tend to run hot naturally so typically I overdress and end up sweating within 100 yards of the truck. So, I'm trying to get it right.
I'd love to hear what people use for base layers (top and bottom), mid-layers, and outerwear. Also, if anyone has a wind/water-resistant upland half-zip or quarter-zip pullover that isn't too warm and would recommend it, please share. I wear a strap vest, which is why I'd prefer to avoid a full-zip if possible.

What is currently have for layering is....
Base layers: the super thin synthetic top and bottoms that Costco sells, 2 pairs of the original top and bottom cold gear under armour that are incredibly warm, smartwool leggings, a couple various thin leggings.
Mid/Base: a duck camp merino wool Henley
And that's pretty much it, I'll use a sweatshirt if need but shed it within eyesight if the pickup usually. As I said I run hot.
I need a fleece/wool pullover that's water/windproof.
I always wear the heaviest
 
I recall a tip that I read several years ago. I think it was written by the Shotgun Editor for Field and Stream magazine (Phil Bourjaily).

He said when you step out of the truck to go pheasant hunting, you should feel that you are cold, underdressed.

In cold, single digit temperatures, I wear the following:

Base Layer: light weight polyester thermal shirt and on my legs, I wear a tight fitting thin synthetic bottoms.

My mid layer shirt is simply a short sleeve polo shirt.

My outer layer is a lightweight orange nylon windbreaker and my hunting vest, and standard upland pants and knit hat and thin gloves when needed.

One tip I can give is to purchase the disposable toe warmers, the kind with an adhesive to attach them to your socks. Instead of attaching them to your socks, attach them to the inside of your wrists. This heats the blood vessels located near the surface there and it helps your fingers and body to stay warm
 
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Windchill over 15F: non-insulated boots (Kenetrek) and midweight wool socks, synthetic long johns, ventable brush pants (Kuiu), synthetic upper base layer, lightweight long sleeve shirt, windproof light vest (orvis), light neck gaiter.

Windchill under 15F: add 400g insulated boots, an extra lightweight longsleeve layer and maybe a slightly thicker neck gaiter.

Real windy: ventable windproof jacket (sitka).

I always have a compressible puffy jacket on the back of my wingworks. While I agree you should be cold when you start, if you get injured and have trouble moving, an extra layer could make a big difference.

And if you're a blocker? Do you best Randy impression from A Christmas Story.
 
At 15 degrees or so, tee shirt, sweatshirt, Flannel shirt, sweatpants, hunting bib overalls, hunting coat. Under 15 degrees, I'll just clean some guns and look out the window! As for 1/4 sip stuff, have a look at the game hide sweatshirt. I have one with the game bag on it. It's pretty good but also pretty big to take off and store if it gets hot. They run large.
 
Generic long sleeve moisture wicking shirt with a banded 1/4 zip outer jacket when above 15 degrees. Under armor hoodie is swapped in for the 1/4 zip when below 15.
 
Just wear 2 layers under your hunting vest, if it is above 25°. Between 15 & 25° 2 thin layers under your hunting coat. Under 15° add a neck Gator or turtle neck and maybe make the 2nd layer heavier. I am starting to get to where I am not real excited going out under 15° either.....which is not an issue this weekend with highs forecast 56 & 53°.
Below the waist, jeans with chaps....nylon water-proof if above 20°, waxed canvas for colder temps.
Get some decent socks and slip a disposable hand warmer in the palm of your gloves...if it is cold enough for hand warmers, I am wearing a liner glove under a heavier glove...heater in between the 2 gloves.
I should have looked to see where the OP was from.
Don't make this too complicated. Just start lightening up things until you figure out how much to wear.
 
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Goosemaster said:
Down coat,wool ski hat,long underwear, insulated boots,wool socks.
Click to expand...
That's if u don't have a sauna or other type of sweat lodge for a cleansing dehydration. :LOL:
 
Above the waist, some combination of:
Light tshirt
Heavier tshirt
Light long sleeve tshirt
Heavier long sleeve tshirt
Light fleece pullover
Medium weight fleece pullover
If it's so bad I should really be at home, then I wear an uninsulated GoreTex jacket over the rest.

Below the waist:
Brush pants.
Long Johns if it's cold out or if I think there's a good chance my legs will get wet.
 
I wear a long sleeve performance shirt, a merino wool quarter zip top and an old Cabelas upland soft shell jacket under my Final Rise vest. most of the time in chilly weather. When it gets really cold I have MidwayUSA quarter zip top that replaces the old soft shell and it cost less than $40. Cheap but warm enough and it comes in Goose's favorite color.....
 

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It’s taken idk how many years, but I have finally went to a merino wool top, socks and hat. No more cotton. It has to go below zero for me to car about the warmth of my legs, so i havent spent money on that yet.

Main thing is when you get out of the truck to start a spot, be cold. If you start comfortable, youre gonna be soaked when youre done.
 
I always carry a spare duffel bag with duplicates of everything I’m wearing plus some. Your friends might appreciate wearing the same size
as you. We all are advocates of layering. Always a believer in wicking quarter zips.
 
Lightweight sitka hoody and light orvis pull over in the early weeks..

T shirt , sitka fanatic and orvis zip up shell the rest of the year ....
 
Canadian wool ski hat,Army cold weather shooting gloves , Vietnam era, army long underwear,army m16A1, army Micky mouse boots, army extreme cold weather pants, Austrian wool hunting coat.
 
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