TRING TO KEEP WARM

[rarhomes]

I have hunted the north country for 22 yrs. and I still can't keep warm. When I sit on stand in 25 to 35 degrees with a 15 knot wind I just can't keep warm, 4 - 5 hours I am shot. I wear heavy thermals, a "t" shirt and light jacket, (keep in mind I am bow hunting) wool gloves, face mask and wool hat over a ball cap. I have been thinking about adding a wool sweater. Any suggestions. I really don't think I could take a late winter hunt were it could be in the teens or colder. How do you guys that bow hunt in really cold weather do it ?

Thanks,

[Ravens16]

I don't hunt but I am out in the cold for extended periods of time
This stuff is great
UNDER ARMOUR, cold weather long johns
Little pricey but worth every penny
Don't buy them too big, have to be skin tight to work
Those little disposable hand and footwarmers

[AARON ROGERS]

Go to the drugstore and get Therma-care heat wraps.Wrap a large one around your lower back and kidneys and this will keep you surprisingly warm.

[weekender]

I layer up with wool on top. The collar is cut off my coat on the left side, I'm right handed. I wear a neck gater and either a tobogon or wool hat. The last thing I put on is a chest protector. It's actually made as a breast protector for women but it works great to provide a smooth surface and keep your bulky clothes from interfeering with your string. I also wear an arm guard to keep my sleeve in check. My biggest problem is my feet, you would laugh if you see my Iditarod boots. I really think boot blankets are the way to go, but I never bought any.

http://www.archerysportsusa.com/stor...cfm/c152/i4381

http://www.texasarchery.org/eletters/20051101.htm

http://www.atafa.com/sports/products...ods-97690.html

http://www.ioarchery.com/pd_905.cfm

[weekender]

be sure to practice some in whatever you wear, or all that suffering in the cold will cause you grief when your clothes make you miss, (grief is what made me get the chest protector).

[fmoore]

I only hunt a little, but I know that when I ice fish (temps from 10 on up - no bob house) I never get cold. Here's what I wear: A nice pair of Gore-Tex Carolinas with 400 gram Thinsulate and "smartwool" socks underneath. Doesn't matter too much what type of socks, just don't wear cotton. I swear by Duofold for long johns. Tops and bottoms. Their highest rated stuff. Then fleece lined jeans, and flannel lined Carhartt bibs. On top, a thick flannel shirt underneath the bibs and a Carhartt jacket on top with a nice wool hat. Works for me.

If I get a flag I'll just take the jacket off and put it outside down on the ice while I fight the fish. Has never gotten wet through.

Under Armour is awesome stuff but I view it as more active wear. Their claim to fame is the amazing wicking capabilities. When sitting still on stand, you don't need something that wicks so much as something that insulates. I know they make cold gear but I still feel it's geared more toards wicking moisture than acutally keeping you warm. And yes I've used it, skiing, ice fishing and hunting.

A quick tip. Put a bit of baby powder in your socks before putting your boots on. When your feet sweat, the sweat will eventually cool off and freeze your feet. The baby powder removes the moisture (don't ask me how, but it does) keeping your feet dry and therefore warm. Cotton will retain moisture so don't wear it on your feet. Feet have a way of sweating in even the coldest temps.

Something like I wear is probably too bulky to bow hunt in, but maybe shoot a bit and see how it feels. Who knows.

At the risk of sounding like a complete ass, I'll add something else. Don't let the cold get inside of you. I find that with anything in life if you imagine it's not there it won't be. No I'm not some lunatic and yes I'm being serious. If you let the cold get into you, you'll be cold. If, when you start feeling it, you just zone it out, you will be fine. I'm serious.

[nautiduck]

Ravens and Aarron hit it on the head Therma care heat wraps and those disposable heat packs are the sheet. The clothes you have are fine put a heat pack in each boot the therma care around your kidney or even chest area and put a heat pack under your wool hat keeping your head warm is key 65% of your heat escapes through your head because of all of the veins that run through your scalp. Ive been hunting NW PA in the snowbelt for decades and Ive never been cold. If it really gets to you they make heated long john and snow suits that are suprisingly thin and flexible the snow mobile suits are meant to be plugged into a 12 volt source but you can buy relatively small batteries that you can tote in a back pack or fanny pack.

[cravertosu]

Layers. It's all about layers. Like an onion, Donkey! (Shrek quote, not calling you a donkey!) Need to get a good set of silk underweights. Those go on first. Over those a heavy polypro set of underwear. Add some nice camo bottoms that are wind/waterproof and your legs/feet will be golden. On top add a nice heavy sweatshirt. I like the heavy weight Carhartts. Over that your wind/waterproof camo top. On your melon wear a fleece cap. If need be, make it a fleece face mask. You'll be golden like the shower!
If you have a long walk to your stand, start early and take it easy on the way out. A lot of times I'll pack my heavy underwear in my pack and tie my coat to my pack and put the stuff on when I get to the stand/blind. If you start out sitting wet, you'll get cold.
Fmoore is right, stay away from cotton. We have a saying in the Army, Cotton Kills. When it gets wet(sweat), doesn't retain heat. Also DEAD on with Smartwool socks! Been wearing them for years. All over the Mts of Afghanistan, never get cold feet. I really like the Rocky Bear Claw boots with 1000gms of Thinsulate. Light and great for sitting for long periods of time. Worn them all over upstate NY, Elk and Mule Deer hunting in CO and in the mts of Afghanistan. Good stuff!
As for my hands, when it's really cold out those hand muffs are awesome! Wear a light pair of gloves and throw some heat packs in there....toasty!

K, think that's about it.

Tim

[Edge Sportfishing]

I just finished hunting Missouri in 20 degree weather with 20 mph wind and was completely warm with thermals under Cabela's "Wooltimate Fleece" pants and jacket and I live in South Florida. I can't say enough about how good the stuff is. It's probably what kept me at it all day while everyone else got froze out after a couple of hours. I was the only guy who persisted and the only one who shot a buck. It's also very quiet.

Your gear pays for itself in that kind of weather.

[rarhomes]

Thanks everyone for all the great info. please keep it coming you all have some great ideas and with so many clothing options (expensive clothing options) it's good to hear what others have done that really works and has been proved and tested.