How do you stay warm in a tree stand?

[fishnfur]

I'm curious how you tree stand hunters dress or gear up to stay warm in a tree stand.

I've always been sensitive to cold if I'm sitting still, whether it's fishing, hunting, or at a sports event someplace.  I always think that I will be good for four or five hours sitting still in 40 - 50 degree weather, but invariably, my fingers end up numb by the end of the first hour or so and by the end of two hours, I've often had enough sitting still.  I gotta get up and move.  It's obviously much worse if it is raining (which may not be a problem this year the way things are going) or freezing out. 

I've tried thermals under several layers of wool, with an outer "rainproof" shell.  Leaks down the neck, arms, and wicking up pant legs often makes me wet enough to feel as though I'm out there with no protection at all.

This year, I'm planning on gearing up a bit more, so I'm curious what works for you, or what you recommend that will keep me in the stand longer. 

Thanks!

[h20hunter]

Number one is don't get hot and sweaty climping in or hiking in to your spot. Other than that....DO adjust your clothing and maybe pack along an extra layer to change into just before getting on stand...DON'T jump up and down while in the stand.

[quadrafire]

i'll keep some hotties on the backs of or in the palm of my hand inside gloves/mittens, and place one on top of my toes. That will generally keep me pretty cozy. And always wear a stocking cap.

[Gobble]

Snuggie 

[quadrafire]

i'll keep some hotties on the backs of or in the palm of my hand inside gloves/mittens, and place one on top of my toes. That will generally keep me pretty cozy. And always wear a stocking cap.

I didn't mean Hotties like local college coeds, but that would be another option 

[Fl0und3rz]

Hey, honey! I need to go to UW to pick up some hunting stuff. 

[hollymaster]

Snuggie 

Don't they make one in camo? 

[92xj]

Safety pin hot hands on outside of base layer over kidneys.

When feet get cold, tape hot hands on outside of boot on toe area then put on artic boot covers over your hunting boots. Foot, sock, hunting boot, hot hand, boot cover.

Pull pant legs up so they are not tight against your thigh when sitting, need an air gap between thigh and pant while sitting.  Sometimes hot hands safety pinned on base layer on thighs. But mainly no tight outer clothing, need air pockets.

Those make me very comfortable in sub zero weather.

[ctwiggs1]

I've packed a thermos in before, but that was before I was backpacking in.  One Stanley thermos should keep you plenty warm.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Safety pin hot hands on outside of base layer over kidneys.

They make peel and stick hot hands

Number one is don't get hot and sweaty climping in or hiking in to your spot. Other than that....DO adjust your clothing and maybe pack along an extra layer to change into just before getting on stand...DON'T jump up and down while in the stand.

I would wear my base layer and have my top layers in my pack.  I'd get to my stand early enough that I could hang out for 10-15 min in the dark, get dressed, climb up, get strapped in and still have over a 1/2 hr to first light to let thing settle down.

I used to wear 1000g boots.  They also make insulated overshoes but I didn't have much luck with those.  I also used one of those tube hand warmers.  Worked great for cold days but not so great on wet days.  To keep the rain off my neck I either wore the hood or a big brimmed boonie.

I'd also had a small 2 cup thermos with hot apple cider or tea that if I got really cold I'd have a small cup to warm up.

[92xj]

Safety pin hot hands on outside of base layer over kidneys.

They make peel and stick hot hands

And they suck. Safety pins don't fail. The sticky ones stay put for about 2 seconds.

[fishnfur]

All good ideas - especially the college hotties!

I've used hot hands for years that I bought on discount on ebay. Sometimes they work fine, sometimes they peeter out after a couple hours, or never get above about 80 degrees.  It was never a huge issue if they didn't work so well when I was playing golf.  Not the case when your out in the woods.  Perhaps this year I'll splurge on a better product.

My other issue with hot hands type warmers is that I always suspected that the deer might be able to smell them.  I cannot pick up any scent off them, but my sniffer aint the best.  I'm not sure what the chemical reaction is that creates the exothermic heat so I have no idea if there is a smell related to it.  Has anybody ever research this?

Also, do you recommend a polypropylene base layer to wick away moisture?  The wicking action seems fine for when you're generating heat during exercise, but in my feeble mind, it may contribute to heat loss when sitting still - much like wet cotton does.  Thoughts?

[CoryTDF]

I hunt in Walla Walla county in September. That's how I stay warm. LOL

[Dhoey07]

Grow a beard

[vandeman17]

I have only been hunting stands for a few years but what I try to do is go in light on clothes so I don't sweat and then once I get in my stand, I gradually add clothes as I get cold. I have found that I can usually go an hour or more before needing to add another layer so if I start with just a base layer I can add a few layers and by the time my pack is empty, its time to climb out for lunch.