Serious hunter camo setup

[Wetwoodshunter]

Sitting in my blind today I got fed up with the hassle that I have in my rivers west gear regulating temp and staying warm in the morning at 34 degrees.

I decided that is finally time to invest in a full camo setup and I was wondering what you guys use and like. I hunt Turkey, deer, west side elk and will be using it in Montana during November in the high country for more elk and deer action.

I would like to piece together one system that I can hunt comfortably in 10-80 degree weather. Obviously layers involved.

Can you guys give me some ideas to look at? I've been looking at Kuiu but I hear it's nearly impossible to get. Whatever I get needs to have a rediculoudly waterproof coat and pants.

[XAFSSGT]

I am also curious about this.  Tagged.

[X-Force]

Dont get married to one system. 

http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-05-09-42/clothing/269-let-it-rain-light-weight-rain-jacket-shootout

Right now Im running First Lite and Kuiu Merino base layer, Sitka, Kuiu, First Lite, Prana, H/H outer layer, Sitka, H/H, North Face rain gear and Kuiu, Marmot Down Insulation.

Its hard for me to justify buying all one brand (besides the initial $$$$) when there are so many companies making great products that may suit your needs better depending on hunting conditions.

[Wolfdog2314]

I'd hold out for the Kuiu. Only if you're okay with not having the gear until next season. I'd check their in stock and see what they have. I've got quite a bit of their gear and it is the best fitting best performing stuff I've used.

If you need/want it NOW... That's a different story.

[hughjorgan]

I have been using First Lite merino wool the past few years, it has taken me a few years to buy different pieces. I have been able to layer and be comfortable from -20 degrees in Eastern Montana to early season temperatures in Eastern Washington in the 80's and 90's. Only down side is that you probably won't be able to try any of the clothes on before purchasing and they only have a limited stock of items that are released around June/July.

[Wetwoodshunter]

thanks guys can you point out some of the specific pieces of gear that you really like?

[grundy53]

Dont get married to one system. 

http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-05-09-42/clothing/269-let-it-rain-light-weight-rain-jacket-shootout

Right now Im running First Lite and Kuiu Merino base layer, Sitka, Kuiu, First Lite, Prana, H/H outer layer, Sitka, H/H, North Face rain gear and Kuiu, Marmot Down Insulation.

Its hard for me to justify buying all one brand (besides the initial $$$$) when there are so many companies making great products that may suit your needs better depending on hunting conditions.

What Prana gear do you have? The stretch Zion's?

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[Buzz2401]

I don't wear anything but 100% wool.  It is amazing at regulating temperature and is the quiet and naturally scent blocking

[CAMPMEAT]

Wool....

[HUNTaHOLIC5]

I don't wear anything but 100% wool.  It is amazing at regulating temperature and is the quiet and naturally scent blocking

[fisheral87]

Kuiu Attack Pants
Kuiu 145 1/4 zip

I like their beanies but they are not special by any means.

Full disclosure, I've never tried Sitka or firstlite, but I sold my rivers west years ago due to your exact problem.

Al

[Wetwoodshunter]

Well, after my elk hunt in the rain and more gear malfunctions with my rivers west I got in touch with Casey Hawkes at first lite. He is sent me an idea to start up a system that suits my current needs and that I would be able to piece together piece by piece over the next year.

Here is what he sent me. I will be starting by buying the Corrugate pants, Stormtight jacket and a llano qz

I know it probably doesn't matter but I'm going to try and get everything in fusion to hide from animals AND other hunters.

Bottoms:
Red Desert Boxer Short
Allegheny Full length Bottom
Corrugate Guide Pants
Boundary Stormtight Pants

Tops:
Llano Crew or Llano QZ
Chama Hoody or Chama QZ
Uncompahgre Puffy or Uncompahgre Vest
Boundary Stormtight Jacket

Accessories:
Shale Hybrid Glove or Scree Tactical Glove
Beanie or Brimmed Beanie
Neck Gaiter or Wind River Balaclava

[coachcw]

First lite is good stuff , if your a big guy the flex in the crouch kinda suck s 

[go4itlab]

I'm a hard core First Lite Guy, great gear and great prices. The guys at First Lite are top notch to work with. 

[Instinct]

I use core4element. Mariano wool boxers, element pants, assault long sleeve, mid mountain hoodie and or the summit jacket, selway beanie. I'll even throw in the Mariano wool base bottom if I plan on not moving much. But that's for temps 40 to 70 where I'm comfortable.

[MtnMuley]

I use core4element. Mariano wool boxers, element pants, assault long sleeve, mid mountain hoodie and or the summit jacket, selway beanie. I'll even throw in the Mariano wool base bottom if I plan on not moving much. But that's for temps 40 to 70 where I'm comfortable.

Rivera's undies??

[Timberstalker]

I use core4element. Mariano wool boxers, element pants, assault long sleeve, mid mountain hoodie and or the summit jacket, selway beanie. I'll even throw in the Mariano wool base bottom if I plan on not moving much. But that's for temps 40 to 70 where I'm comfortable.

Rivera's undies??

That's freaking hilarious!

[WoodlandShooter]

lots of good stuff here...if you dont want to wear Wool.

http://ufpro.si/uf_pro_products/shirts_and_sweaters/57/uf_pro_hunter_sweater/

[fisheral87]

WLS,

Do you have any of this stuff? Can you point to specific pieces or fabric combinations that they use that work for you?

I like the bigger open patterns like vias which was a big reason I went KUIU. But I really think multicam is a great pattern.

Thanks for sharing.

Al

[WoodlandShooter]

I have the Delta ACE jacket. Used it in weather under 25F with some base layers, and well...it's a warm setup. The outer shell is really lightweight, and it is a ripstop nylon. I can not wear this jacket in weather warmer than 40F while moving...it will cook me. FYI, it is NOT a hardshell, so it is not waterproof.

also sizes run small. I normally wear a large, and ended up ordering a 2X

Also have some stuff in Pencott Greenzone!!! Love that stuff, never used it in a hunting application as I hunt Modern Rifle, but in a Western Washington application, it works really well. for Eastern WA, Pencott Badlands would work well.

Not sure what you are looking for with respect to camo, but there is no "one size fits all" with respect to paterns and color pallets. You must use the correct stuff for your environment!!

Also, this stuff is not "famo" (fasion camo) like the kuiu and kraptek etc...etc. it is the real deal

[PlateauNDN]

Blue jeans and a sweater?

I have 1 layer cold gear compression and 1 layer of outer camo, works fine for me.

[PlateauNDN]

Blue jeans and a sweater?

I have 1 layer cold gear compression and 1 layer of outer camo, works fine for me.

(See pic to the left, crawling out of my blind)

[WoodlandShooter]

Blue jeans and a sweater?

I have 1 layer cold gear compression and 1 layer of outer camo, works fine for me.

yep, that works too.

[fisheral87]

If I wore jeans they'd be water logged in minutes.

Good on you Plat for not buying into the hype.  I've already been sucked in.

Thanks for the input WLS. I agree that camo should fit the environment but if I had to buy multiple sets of stuff my wife would snuff me out in my sleep. So, I strive for versatility whenever possible and multicam/vias I think achieves that.

In the end, if you move, they peg you.

Al

[jtw]

I run camo as an exception rather than a rule ive nailed down a pretty good system for my style of hunting ( out all day regardless of conditions).
Top: merino base layer (first lite is my favorite but I also have some smartwool and icebreaker that work fine) solid colors.
Insulating layer either synthetic puffy or wool sweater or light 1/2 zip shirt depending on time of year. I have a kuiu spindrift puffy for cold and wet, and kuiu 1/2 zips one wool and a tiburon for other conditions.
Shell- after trying a dozen or so rain jackets i landed on a goretex arcteryx shell. It was e,pensive but waterproof, breatable, light and packs small. I bust it out for showers only. Otherwise i rely on the dwr coating of my other layers.
Bottoms - merino long bottoms or exofficio briefs if its hot
either first lite kanabs or eddie bauer guide pants and most importantly for rainy day leg gaiters. Gaiters are the most underrated piece of clothing.
I also have a pair of full zip OR rain pants that I rarely wear unless its really coming down.
Ive pieced all this together for a fraction of what full matching camo from these quality of brands would be. And Ive not noticed a difference in how animals spot me with or without camo. Its more about comfort for me.

[motg9_6]

check out g-force outdoors as well

[ridgefire]

First lite merino and in ASAT and Sitka in ASAT and optifade for me. First Lite for warm weather, Sitka for pretty much everything else.

[Bean Counter]

I don't think the actual camo print makes a darned bit of difference, to be honest. Weatherproof, quiet, durable material is indeed important. Not sure if that's what you were asking by "serious hunter camo setup" 

[Wetwoodshunter]

Yea, I was looking to set up a layering system. What I have now is first lite corrugate pants, merino bottoms, llano long sleeve, Chama hoody, and my old rivers west stuff. I am planning on getting the stormtight pants/jacket combo and the puffy when First Lite has them in stock next year.

Sadly, none of my new stuff is waterproof so I'm still living in the rivers west gear.
I got everything in fusion so far.

As a review of what I picked up. The llano and Chama combined are great, no problem staying warm with the temps we have out on the coast right now. The Corrugate pants are my favorite piece, they are so comfy my fiancee has adopted them.