according to steve rinella

[baker5150]

I haven't noticed cotton being that bad.  But only use it for my shirts, really.  If I'm going into the high stuff in January, I just pack an extra shirt or two to change out after the climb.

Or carry one shirt, for the same cost as 2, but less weight, and not have to change it

Give merino a shot, camofire has Blackovis stuff for cheap on the regular.  You won’t be disappointed.

[Karl Blanchard]

Black ovis wool is good stuff.  I've got a few pieces of Firstlite still but main staple is black ovis and non hunting brand synthetic hiking pants.  The mountaineering industry has been making this stuff for a long time and dont feel the need to gouge their customers like the hunting brands do

[baker5150]

Black ovis wool is good stuff.  I've got a few pieces of Firstlite still but main staple is black ovis and non hunting brand synthetic hiking pants.  The mountaineering industry has been making this stuff for a long time and dont feel the need to gouge their customers like the hunting brands do

I love my black ovis stuff


I still run a lot of Burton and Special Blend baseleyers from my younger days.
It’s tough and well made. Fit for athletic movement, but a little warm for hiking, great for cold glassing. 

[idaho guy]

In the end wear what you want.  Nobody cares

  I am just mad at Sitka ha ha I do think a lot of these hunting clothes are a ripoff but hunters should wear what they want

[blackveltbowhunter]

Based on the majority of rinellas hunts I think he does alot of hunts with a higher risk of exposure. In that case his statement which I am sure we have all heard is almost spot on. I have always thought it should be amended to WET cotton kills. I have done a lot of shed hunting in warm weather low exposure risk in carharts and t shirt and still been miles from the rig and safe.  I have been a half mile from a rig and wouldn't have been caught dead wearing cotton. Pun intended.

The majority of hunting seasons take place during times when counting on weather is very difficult. Most folks are not gonna get out of the warm truck in Levi's and Jean jacket for a 6 hour  tromp thru the forest in a downpour. It's the guy who gets out of the warm truck in bluebird sky and 2 hours in gets hit with the downpour who gets dead. I like Cotton's durability, comfort and affordability. If I think I can wear it and be safe doing so, I would rather trash those clothes than a
more expensive ensemble. Be cognizant of your surroundings and abilities and Taylor the clothing's strengths and weaknesses to your specific needs.


 

[CaNINE]

See post #36 for context on Steve’s comment.

[idaho guy]

Some context is required here. KC I assume you’re referring to the conversation Steve and Remi Warren were having about what “mistakes” hunters make that limit their success when showing up to guided hunts. Other examples included being out of shape, not knowing their rifle, being incapable of setting up and getting off shots in a timely manner, and wearing cotton which meant freezing their asses off and not being able to stay in the field long enough.

Oops should have read that post before my earlier comments. Context is everything! in that context I agree with him. I grew up with the understanding cotton can kill in the wrong circumstances. I don't and wont wear cotton on extended backcountry or late season hunt. I have still harvested more animals in my green woolies than anything else and you can still buy them 40 bucks at north 40 in Coeur d alene. I have also stayed warmer and quieter in the woolies under all conditions. Only downside to wool is it gets heavy when really wet. I cant quit commenting on this because it just bothers me the way these hunting clothes companies  are convincing a bunch of hunters you need to spend 2000 dollars on an outfit to be succesfull. And a lot of the synthetic stuff is really loud and sounds unnatural when brushing up on stuff. Not to mention its not durable at all!  I posted earlier on some animals I got last year in my woolies just to make that point not pat myself on the back. Kuiu I think if you can afford it might be worth it but that's the only one.   I promise not to post on this anymore    

[Magnum_Willys]

My success doubled when I traded my green wool pants in for Kuiu.     

[Odell]

Depending on how you look at it, cotton is the newcomer as wool has been around much, much longer.  It just happens to be cheaper and much less suitable for hunting.

That’s what i was thinking. Wool is no new fancy invention.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ctwiggs1]

"I've been doing such and such my whole life and you don't need all this".

is the same mindset as:

"You can't hunt in cotton."

Hunt in whatever you have.  It's like voting - just get out and do it. 

BUT - it never hurts to research and continually improve gear over the years.

And in the context of what they were talking about... If you've got $5k (minimum, generally) to spend on a guide, surely you can pony up for a little better clothing to keep you out longer. 

[huntnfmly]

I look at it this way hunt in whatever you want but if getting some of the upgraded clothes keeps you more comfortable and are able to stay put longer it well worth it

[CoryTDF]

Cotton kills is what I’ve had driven into my head from hunting Alaska. Cotton absorbs a crap ton of moisture and traps it close to your body speeding up hypothermia. A cool test is placing the very end of a cotton sock into a glass of water and watch it spread. Polypro base layers and wool socks are what I preach and practice. Oh did I mention that cotton weighs a metric crap ton when soaked.

My good buddy is from Alaska and this "Cotton Kills" was his saying as well. That and "No banana's on a fishing boat" LOL.