What's your backcountry layering system?

[Hunter mike]

What types of layers is everyone wearing/bringing in the backcountry?  I've upgraded a few things since last year and want to improve a few more.  Here's where I'm at at the moment:

Baselayer: Lighweight poly (columbia or north face) pants/long sleeve shirt
                  Lightweight short-sleeve poly shirt for warmer weather
                  (might upgrade to some merino for the coming season)

Midlayer: North Face Lightweight fleece under a lighweight softshell jacket for wind
               protection (softshell TBD).  I'd like to find one layer that does the job of
               both but I like the lightweight option of just one.  Also light fleece pants.

Outer/Rain: I kind of count the soft shell as an outer layer/wind break when not
                   raining.  Columbia shell pants/Jacket (lightweight/uninsulated) for rain.
                   Non-rain I like climbing/hiking type pants because my outer shells are
                   kind of loud for my preference.

I also use the Costco wool trail socks or Wigwam wool socks when its colder out.  I might look into some liner socks for this season as well...


It seems like I have too much weight in clothes right now - I do carry an extra pair of underwear, socks, and baselayers (my baselayer is ususally ultralight stuff, most of the insulation in the mid-layers.

My system is versatile down to pretty cold temps (and would replace the middle layers with heavy fleece or down for very cold weather (hopefully soon to be primaloft or climashield).



Any other suggestions?  I'd love to hear what others are using and what items work the best for you.  I personally don't sweat getting everything in camo, but try for earthy colors (this is for rifle hunting mostly).  I mostly try to get quality and comfort first and then slowly upgrade items to high-end camo pieces as I go, but even then I mix and match patterns a lot.

[fillthefreezer]

i run a redram merino tee, 185 or 230 merino from kuiu depending on temp, spindrift, marmot precip shell
this year ill be trying my new ascent "shorts" , core4 merino undies, with long johns from HH or maybe pick up some merino, precip pants. if its later in the year im wearing HH odin guide pants instead of shorts. if its bad weather i bring OR neoplume pants as well.
if im near the truck i wear my guide jacket sometimes
i run a smartwool merino liner with midweight sock over year round
spare underwear, spare liner socks, spare over socks.



this is what ive used from 20-80deg or so

[Hunter mike]

What do you think of the Precip jackets and pants for waterproof-ness and breathability?  I've been wanting to pick up a non-camo outer layer for earlier season scouting and hiking (stealth mode )

[jackelope]

Sitka Core long sleeve top, traverse hoodie, mountain shirt, 90% jacket, jetstream vest, Marmot Precip or Cabela's space rain jacket.

REI merino bottoms or HH polypro bottoms depending on weather. Sitka mountain pants or 90% pants or Marmot scree pants, Cabela's space rain pants. Kinda would like to get a pair of Precip pants or better quality rain pants. The space rains work well though...can't complain, especially for the price.


All weather dependant.

I think the Marmot precip is a great jacket. I use it hiking, around town, work, etc and have never been wet. I've even been running in it this winter. Pit zips are a must have!!

[fillthefreezer]

What do you think of the Precip jackets and pants for waterproof-ness and breathability?  I've been wanting to pick up a non-camo outer layer for earlier season scouting and hiking (stealth mode )

theres better options but not at that price point. its light, functional, and a good value i think. my wife has been running a similar one by patagonia and she really likes it. was like $15 more than the marmot but cut better for her..

[JM]

One thing that I would like to point out to anyone reading this thread is that you don't have to buy Kuiu or Sitka or any of those other over priced backcountry hunting clothing. I know that they are taylored towards hunting and I also know that they are great products, but some of the prices that they charge are ridiculous!! If you go to a websites like backcountry.com or Campmor.com you can get backcountry clothing from a broader market and better prices and they actually have sales. For example I purchased a pair of Stoic microcloth pants recently for $60 bucks they're are water repellent, wind proof, stretchable and quiet enough for archery hunting in my opinion. Now find a new pair of sitka pants for something close to that. The only problem that you'll have is finding stuff that is'nt so flashy and bright, it kinda seems like thats the theme for the granola's.

[Branden]

Agree with JM. Also, you can find deals on sitka etc. I got a pair of ascent pants for $70. Probably my fave pants I've ever used for hunting.

Marmot Precip works well. I use it everyday in the high country whether its raining or not. Plenty of nice fleece on sale all year if you know where to look for midlayers.

[fillthefreezer]

One thing that I would like to point out to anyone reading this thread is that you don't have to buy Kuiu or Sitka or any of those other over priced backcountry hunting clothing. I know that they are taylored towards hunting and I also know that they are great products, but some of the prices that they charge are ridiculous!! If you go to a websites like backcountry.com or Campmor.com you can get backcountry clothing from a broader market and better prices and they actually have sales. For example I purchased a pair of Stoic microcloth pants recently for $60 bucks they're are water repellent, wind proof, stretchable and quiet enough for archery hunting in my opinion. Now find a new pair of sitka pants for something close to that. The only problem that you'll have is finding stuff that is'nt so flashy and bright, it kinda seems like thats the theme for the granola's.

this is very true and i have alot of gear from granola outfits and im always trying to buy when stuff is on sale but on the other hand, if you need something and are paying full price, support a company that supports hunting

[fillthefreezer]

Marmot Precip works well. I use it everyday in the high country whether its raining or not. Plenty of nice fleece on sale all year if you know where to look for midlayers.

i know you guys like to go super light but do you ever have the need for more insulation than just the hard shell?

[JM]

One thing that I would like to point out to anyone reading this thread is that you don't have to buy Kuiu or Sitka or any of those other over priced backcountry hunting clothing. I know that they are taylored towards hunting and I also know that they are great products, but some of the prices that they charge are ridiculous!! If you go to a websites like backcountry.com or Campmor.com you can get backcountry clothing from a broader market and better prices and they actually have sales. For example I purchased a pair of Stoic microcloth pants recently for $60 bucks they're are water repellent, wind proof, stretchable and quiet enough for archery hunting in my opinion. Now find a new pair of sitka pants for something close to that. The only problem that you'll have is finding stuff that is'nt so flashy and bright, it kinda seems like thats the theme for the granola's.

this is very true and i have alot of gear from granola outfits and im always trying to buy when stuff is on sale but on the other hand, if you need something and are paying full price, support a company that supports hunting

That's a very good point and I never really thought about it that way, but anymore with the expense of the real necessities like tags and gas money I'll cut corners where I can to support my habit. I just can't get myself to pay some of their prices for stuff.

[JackOfAllTrades]

On warm days... REI convertable shorts/pants that are nylon infused cotton (with belt loops!), and a cotton camo T shirt or Wilson athletic poly T shirt. (just like underarmor but cheeper) Sometimes a pair of cotton cargo shorts.  If there's even one cloud in sky, a pair of packable Sterns Hushhide rain pants/hooded jacket.
 
On colder days, Cabela's medium weight poly long underwear/pants/long sleeve shirt under a pair of light wool surplus pants. (Italian military slacks) Or a pair of heavier weight surplus US Army wool pants. Or a pair of heavy weight surplus US Army wool cargo pants. Along with a surplus US Army wool shirt/jacket over a wool sweater and/or the forementioned Wilson athletic poly T shirt. Topped by the hushhide rain gear. I'll wear the rain gear in cold winds.
 
For the really cold days,  Cabela's gortex/thinsilate heavy parka and pants over what doesn't get me over heated when walking.
 
I'm looking for a down vest to maybe take place of the sweater.
 
I wear a ball cap or REI rain hat, and in colder climates I always have a wool watch cap and/or poly balaclava at the ready. Good gloves are a must, as you can lighten up some of the body wear if you keep heat loss from extremities to a minimum.

-Steve

[JLS]

Marmot Precip works well. I use it everyday in the high country whether its raining or not. Plenty of nice fleece on sale all year if you know where to look for midlayers.

i know you guys like to go super light but do you ever have the need for more insulation than just the hard shell?

Yes, hollofil coats are a great way to accomplish this.  Shop around and you can find one for 60-70 bucks, pack up the size of a nalgene liter bottle and weigh next to nothing.

[fillthefreezer]

Marmot Precip works well. I use it everyday in the high country whether its raining or not. Plenty of nice fleece on sale all year if you know where to look for midlayers.

i know you guys like to go super light but do you ever have the need for more insulation than just the hard shell?

Yes, hollofil coats are a great way to accomplish this.  Shop around and you can find one for 60-70 bucks, pack up the size of a nalgene liter bottle and weigh next to nothing.

i use a spindrift or tnf down vest and am happy with them. (got my spindrift on fathers day sale )
i was just asking branden because they go UL and he wears his rain gear as a layer

[jackelope]

The only new Sitka stuff I bought was the jetstream vest and the traverse hoodie(that was a gift). Everything else I have purchased used off of web forum classifieds. I don't have the money to buy new.

I also use an Eddie Bauer primaloft synthetic down jacket when it's cold. Clearance at one of their outlets for $40.00. It's a great layer when it's cold and its very lightweight.

[Skyvalhunter]

And doubles as a pillow