How do like to stay WARM?

[sightsee]

So how do you like to stay warm and comfortable on those chilly days waiting for a buck to come by. Do mitts work better than hand muffs? What pac boots do you prefer? Thanks

[pianoman9701]

Chicks, man.

I don't hunt from a stand, which is reflected in my low-percentage kill rate. I usually have no problem staying warm. On the few times I do sit and wait by sign or trails, layering with polypropylene and new-tech clothing seems very effective. My boots are waterproof and my winter ones are insulated. I always wear a wool hat, year round.

[JimmyHoffa]

Boots/footwear are important in a stand.  If you can wear them loose enough to not restrict any circulation it helps keep warm.  If possible, takes something like the big waterproof down booties and put them on in the stand.  Also, a blanket is good for a stand, drape over you.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

I like to layer with wool and fleece with an inner Poly t-shirt. This works great when I am still hunting or spot and stalking. But I definitely need something heavier for sitting in a tree stand. I was doing fine down to about 10-15 degrees, but colder than that I could only last about two hours in the stand.

For pack boots, I used to use Sorrel Caribou's, until I discovered the Wiggy's Pack boots. They are warm and light and I love the Sunwalker liner which doubles as a camp slipper. Lightest and warmest Pack boot I have ever used, and comfortable to walk in and keep you feet warm sitting in a stand.

http://wiggys.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=96&CFID=80289&CFTOKEN=26997713

[Hunterman]

I turn the heater on in the truck 

Hunterman(Tony)

[huntnnw]

I went with cabelas treestand pacs..2,000gm thinsulate and 2 pairs of socks..like mentioned do not wear stuff that is tight on your feet or they will get cold.I buy my stand boots one size bigger. Hand warmers are lifesaver and help alot keeping your hands warm. My outter layer is Predator heavy fleece top and bottom

[Grizman]

 Layers as mentioned and another thing that works for me is the stick on body warmers.  Same a hand warmers but larger.  One over my chest and one on the back of my neck.  They make a huge difference.  I sat 7 hours this year at 4- 12 degrees and felt pretty comfortable all day.  They stay warm about 8 hours.  Try them.

[RadSav]

It is surprising how well you can keep your feet warm if you can insulate the bottom of the foot.  SO I try to use my Duratherm boots until it is down around zero temp wise.  I replace the insoles with a thick felt liner with a reflective surface like the Little Hotties.  Combine that with a Primaloft sock like Lorpen.  When it gets close to zero I will ad a slip on toe warmer like HotMocks.  When none of that works then it's time for the big buggar boots like the Caribou or other arctic pack boots.

One huge mistake most make is thinking more socks will increase the warmth of a hiking boot.  That rarely ever works.  You need to have space bwteeen the boot and the sock to increase warmth.  If putting your favorite pair of boots on with heavy socks makes them fit too tight you will never get them warm.  I know I will use a boot one or even 1.5 sizes larger if that is the case.  All depends how far I need to walk.  Blisters are no solution to me so I compromise a lot.

As far as mittens...I like them if I'm rifle hunting.  Good to sew a bite flap to the tips.  That way you can just bite the flap and pull when you need them off quickly.  I do like the hand muffs too, but not in wet snow or rainy weather.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

These are expensive, but might be a solution for some. http://wiggys.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=309

And these pack liners are way better than felt liners.

As Rad Sav mentioned, you want to allow room for circulation in your feet, plus, you don't want to compress your insulation as the more expanded and fluffed up it is, the better it insulates.

[benhuntin]

I turn the heater on in the truck 

Hunterman(Tony)

best answer



If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[boneaddict]

I shoot my critters in September, it's not as cold then.