Mid Layer Advice
 

I am one of those guys who seem to get cold no matter what. I did get a base layer of Minus33 stuff last Fall and have worn a layer of fleece, maybe lightweight, and that has helped. I am considering getting a heavier layer of fleece or merino wool as a mid layer. Any advice on which I should try and why?

Thanks

You might provide more details on your situation. What game animal? What kind of hunting tractic you employ? What altitude? What state?

I hunt at 11000' in mid-October in SW Colorado: first season elk hunting. In good weather, night temperatures drop to 15 degrees and day temperatures go up to about 50. I sit and watch for elk at ambush sites. So, I'm there about 45 minutes before shooting light (75 minutes before sunrise), and that is the coldest time during the day. I warm up walking to my spot -- about 2-4 miles hike-in. But after I have sat at my spot for 20 or 30 minutes, that heat from exercise is gone.

I wear an inner layer of Minus 33 Merino Wool, which is great. I wear 24 ounce medium weight wool trousers (M-51 Army Surplus) and 13 ounce medium weight wool shirt (Pendleton). Over that I wear a heavy weight wool vest (Filson). Over that I wear a Dry Plus Parka from Cabela's. It has a fair amount of synthetic insulation, but I don't know how to articulate how much insulation. It is a relatively heavy coat I would say and has a good hood with draw strings to close the openings. I have good warm gloves. I wear a polypropolene balaclava. My boots have 400 grams of Thinsulate in them (Meindl Perfekt Hunters) and I wear a thin wicking inner sock and heavy wool socks over those. Other than my feet, I don't get cold in this gear under the conditions I described above. My toes do get cold, but that is just the way it goes. If they get too cold, I stand up and walk around a little bit. For me, any time I get too cold, I just stand up and walk around a little bit.

Depending on your circumstances, you could do something unusual like take a sleeping bag with you and slip it over your lower body. I did this once deer hunting where I only walked in about 1/2 mile from my truck. The kept my feet and lower body warm enough. That wouldn't be a practical solution for my 2-4 mile walk in for elk hunting, I don't think. I don't want to pack in a sleeping bag along with my other stuff. I would rather pack-in my game bags, bone saw, and several knives so if I get an elk I can carry a first load back with me on the hike-out.

Thanks ALsatian for the reply. I hunt in WV mostly from a treestand or on the ground depending with no walking after I get to my hunt spot. I ride an ATV in for about a mile and then walk maybe 200 hundreds yds. to my ambush site. I know there are a lot of variables but for me when the temps are in the 20's or lower with added wind I get cold. I usually wear the Minus33 base layer, a fleece jacket and the same layers on the bottom, then a Cabelas coveralls with windstop fabric. I have employed the use of the Body Heater Suit also. I am aware of the proper nutrition etc. I just get cold starting with feet and hands. I wear polypropene socks, wool socks and an insulated boot of some sort, I have many as I have searched for foot warmth. Some of my prob. may be heart rate as at rest I am at about 40 for a heart rate. Just looking for hope.

Thanks

The Minus33 typically has good stuff. But it depends on what you go with for material thickness. Merino Wool is probably the best option you can get for a base-layer. If you are always cold, then go with a heavier thickness (mid-weight or expedition-weight). The expedition is more expensive obviously, but this is where I usually found the best price for the Minus33 Merino Wool. Here is the Medium-weight from the same place. You can also look at their Coldpruf brand. I like them for a little bit of cost savings over Minus33.