Getting cold out there - how about this vest?

[Thunderdogg]

I've been out in the cold before and I always just bundle up with layers and layers of clothes to keep warm. The last two years I have bundled up but get freezingly cold out in the deer stand to the point I'm shaking all over. Now I don't mind too much shaking like crazy, but when there are deer in the area it becomes a problem trying to stay still enough to either (a) not frighten them off or (b) trying to sight them in and get off a steady shot...

...so I found this little heated vest on Cabelas and was wondering if anyone happened to use something like this in the woods to keep warm? It looks functional and oh so WARM, but now my wife is saying she thinks it takes away from the outdoors and hunting experience....which I kinda agree with because I'd be the first one to snicker quietly at another hunter who wore something like this...unfortunately I'm getting older and the cold is a little more painful now that it used to be...

Can anyone help me out? Would like your opinions and whether any of you folks actually use something like this?

http://www.cabelas.com/information/C...43941747a.html

Thanks!

[Wingbone]

I don't have one so I can't tell you first-hand whether or not it works well.
But, remember electric socks? The reason that they didn't work so well is that batteries lose their life quickly in cold weather. I suspect the principal is the same. I think you'd have better luck by getting a good fleece vest and putting a couple of disposable handwarmers in the pockets.

[drgildy]

I agree with Wingbone 100%. There is no glory in suffering at anything that you enjoy either. I am among the older also and I do and wear anything I can to stay longer and enjoy the outdoor experience. I am now in the process of trying to put together a "mud" shoe. In mud too deep and sticky for an old fart to wade through when duck hunting I want something like a snow shoe to help me keep from bogging down. I have been stuck in deeply enough a couple times where I had to get down on hands and knees to crawl out. I don't enjoy the experience!

[Dr. Bones]

I bought this vest from Cabela's. It is made by Rocky. I haven't tried it in a hunting situation yet, because it's been too freakin' hot in Wisconsin. But I tried it 2 days ago in the house. I used the 8 "d" cell batteries and it worked perfectly. Wisconsin's gun season starts this Saturday, they are predicting 54 degrees and rain. Lovely! I don't think I will be needing it this weekend. The 8 batteries are a little heavy, but it does have a carrier with belt loop. It would not be for walking around, but sitting on stand it would be great.

As a side note: I just purchased the same idea in a hunting boot. I bought a pair of Rocky Charger boots. Imagine heated hunting boots! They have 400gm of thinsulate and each boot has a 10 hour rechargable battery. I haven't tried them yet since I am charging the batteries as I type this. I will report tomorrow how they work.

[Hiawatha]

Get yourself some Helly Hanson long underwear, those babies will keep you roasting all day long.