Layering recommendations

MNelkhunter58

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I have backpacked multiple times in Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada. I did DIY archery elk hunt the first week of the season back in 2016 near Clayton, Idaho. I am going back again this year, however it will be the third week of September. When I originally went it was still very warm so I did not have to worry much about layering. I expect that it will vary much more from night to day and likely day to day being a little later in the fall. Any general recommendations of what materials to use for my layers or even specific products would be helpful. As well as how many layers you would suggest. Thanks for any insight!!

MNelkhunter58
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-10-19 AT 01:14PM (MST)[p]Definitely checkout Kuiu. Their zip off bottoms are amazing. Plenty of layering options from them. Can?t go wrong with any of them really. Personal choice between merino and synthetic though. I use both.
 
I would prefer to do merino but it also needs to be affordable. I just got the Sitka downpour set to use as a shell in case we get inclement weather. I'll check out KUIU. Any thoughts on how many layers I should aim at having on a day to day basis?
 
3rd week of Sept in Idaho.

Top
lightweight T shirt base layer
Long sleeve Shirt
Shell Jacket
Puffy jacket in your pack

Bottom
Pants
Maybe puffy pants. Personal choice, I love them when glassing for deer. Never bring them for an archery elk hunt.

Rain gear top and bottom.

Don't overcomplicate getting dressed.
 
Skin layer: Merino wool socks, merino wool long john bottoms, polypropylene long sleeve top, ball cap or pull over warm stocking hat

Second layer: Jeans or something like Microtex (Cabelas), long sleeve cotton or microtex long sleeve shirt

Alternate second layer: Light or medium wool pants, thin fleece jacket OR puffy jacket over the top of long sleeve shirt

I always take a down vest in my daypack. Comes in handy sometimes and especially if you had to spend the night out. Stuffs up little and weighs very little.

Packable Rain gear. Thin (non insulated) and big enough to fit over all the above layers.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Merino wool base layers have been a huge game changer for me since first discovering them. I run a mix of kuiu and first lite personally.

Coloradoboy
 
Idaho late September, temps could be teens to 70?s. If a storm blows in can get nasty. Depends on what part of Idaho. Do your homework on weather and gear. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Good Luck.

))))???->
 
Hunted west central Idaho last year around september 24th. It was 24 degrees at night and 65 during the day.

I was comfortable with a merino wool long sleeve shirt and a
lightweight hooded down jacket. Both Kuiu. I didn't need a base layer under my pants which were kuiu and sitka. I kept a Kuiu down vest with me for those times when the jacket was too much. If it would have snowed or gotten colder I could use it as a layer.
 
I use several liner socks and smartwool and Darn tough cushion socks inside uninsulated Hangwag boots.

Smartwool longjohns and a water resistant, nylon blend, zipoff legged pants. Very light and cool, perfect to about 30* with smartwool layer. I m pretty sure they are Columbia brand, under $50 on a sale somewhere.

I wear polyester /microfiber long shirt under Columbia fleece with lucky cotton camo longsleeve over top. Plus orange vest. Orange $1 pullover beanie hat and/or orange ballcap. I have a couple weights of beanie for varying temps.

For rainshell my $40 basspro jacket has kept me as dry as anything else i ve had. Contractor or large lawn plastic bag for my legs insudden downpours at a glassing spot.

I carry a lightweight puffy jacket (alpine design) to put on in morning while makin breakfast, thats all i've used it for on 3 years of august and september hunts up to 12500 feet in Colorado. I also carry a light, water resistant, lined patagonia pant for backup.
If u have the $, nice clothes are great- but you dont have to break the bank to be comfortable, warm & safe out there.

I make sure all gear has zippered pockets! Cant afford to lose anything you will really need out there. And everything you pack is stuff you really need!
 
go onto Firstlite's web & get their merino wool, I have a closet full of Sitka & KUIU I dont wear anymore !! Firstlite is my go to All year long,from their socks to pants, I wear the base layer & have the heavy weight 1/4 zip I never get cold from horn hunting in the spring thru archery thru minus temps hunting yotes in Dec & Jan can NOT go wrong with Firstlite's Merino
 
Thanks for the good laugh. Puffy pants in September? 3 layers in September?

What TF do you wear at your house in September? That is what you will need for hunting.
 
I'm always amazed at these post. I have never hunted in a name brand coat, shirt or pants. I have been working out doors most of my life. I can't say that I have never been cold, but I can say that I have spent days out in -40 and been just fine. I wear layers but they are run of the mill cotton. Wool at times too. If you come on here and ask I'm sure you are ready to drop a grand on clothes. But for all of those others out there looking at getting into hunting is the reason for this post. You don't need to be in special gear to harvest big game animals.

Now boots are a different topic as I will spend money on boots. If the feet are a no go then the show stops.

I feel like the modern day hunting has put to much pressure on people to have a 1000 yard gun and be top to bottom in designer hunting gear.

My sons want to do a hunting show just to show the newbies that you don't have to spend a fortune to start hunting.

I'm sure all of the name brand gear is supper nice, but definitely not required.

2 cents from and old guy

DZ
 
I am an older guy also { 57 } & you will never catch me out on any hunt in anything cotton (other than maybe my boxers} !! been wet many many times in my merino wool I am still warm & comfortable, I hike my Ass of & when I am sweaty again my merino wool stands up!! Air dries quickly & doesnt stink, I know you can buy cotton or poly blends & layer up or down but when that cotton is wet it takes forever too dry & in the wrong situation it can get ya Killed !! I do not suggest buying the Most expensive gear out there, there are a ton of bargains available online!! I very rarely buy my gear at big box store prices !! I guess to me why spend $2000 on a gun & another $800 on a scope & wear your work clothes & take a chance at ruining a hunt or freezing to death !! Just my 2 cents
 
Here is what I wear in September:

Dri fit shirt
Kings Camo XKG long sleeve shirt
Black Ovis Merino wool hooded shirt
Kings Camo XKG puffy jacket
XKG Ridge Pants
I have a pair of merino wool long johns that I sleep in as I cant stand my legs touching each other....
 

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