Cold weather gear

Merino wool base layers, socks included. If it’s just started to get cold I wear my normal pants and rain pants in my pack if it gets windy/rainy or I’m sitting, wool pants if it’s winter time. Merino sweater, thin down jacket and my rain coat 90% of the time. If it’s really cold I have a couple lined winter army jackets or my lined Carhartt, I prefer light layers as it’s easier to add or shed a layer if I’m moving around or sitting still. Wool is my go to as it’s warm even if you do get wet for some reason.
 
Helly Hansens, base layer and/or Helly Hansens sweat pants and hoody. I used to wear this pipelining in Northern BC in temps down passed -40. Add in some wool socks and an outer layer thats wind proof.
 
I use a varied amount of layers. I wear a short sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve t-shirt, a military "commando" sweater, a tru-spec camo jacket (a very light fall/spring coat), and a big M65 camo jacket with liner. I wear Under Armour cold gear thermal long underwear, 2 pair of wool socks, and a pair of 5.11 TDU pants. For very wet conditions I wear insulated rubber winter boots, or when its dryer I wear a pair of Rocky 800g thinsulate boots. If it gets warm, I can always remove layers.
 
My base layer for the last 12 years has been a set of BARE polar tech fleece upper and lower. They were designed for diving in a dry suit but for hunting they have been exceptional as a base layer.
I layer fleece clothing as necessary but always make sure that my outer layer is windproof and waterproof when required.
I also find that many fabrics that are great down to -10C or so, start to get noisy in the cold temps. Also many boots and clothing that say they have waterproof membranes and such..... best to go check the manufacturers products against thier cold weather performance. I had a favorite early season Columbia Omni Tech camofluage hunting jacket (300.00+) that i only wore early season hunting and river fishing. Was an awesome jacket, waterproof, comfortable, super quiet in the woods...... and then I wore it as an outer layer on a trip that went down to -28C. The waterproof membrane in the jacket basically shattered to dust in that cold and the thing was never waterproof again.... 100% no waterproof LOL
 
an anorak made in nunavut helly hansen bibs plus home made huge black bear fur mittens. for underwear polypro or merino wool depending of the activity but we are talking -30c and below ...
 
One of the best cold weather hunting outfits I've ever owned comes from, of all places, Giant Tiger. From time to time, they get the Ducks Unlimited stuff at ridiculous prices. I've got a 3-in-1 hunting jacket, camo, with sewn-in shell holders in the pockets, water-and-wind proof, warm as hell and QUIET. Paid around $50 for it, I've had it for about 10 years and wear it all winter. Found the matching bib overalls a few years later, and same thing - I wear them ice fishing all the time. Under that, as others have said - layers (and I don't mean laying chickens - they're warm, but uncomfortable as hell)
 
Papaclaude said:
One of the best cold weather hunting outfits I've ever owned comes from, of all places, Giant Tiger. From time to time, they get the Ducks Unlimited stuff at ridiculous prices. I've got a 3-in-1 hunting jacket, camo, with sewn-in shell holders in the pockets, water-and-wind proof, warm as hell and QUIET. Paid around $50 for it, I've had it for about 10 years and wear it all winter. Found the matching bib overalls a few years later, and same thing - I wear them ice fishing all the time. Under that, as others have said - layers (and I don't mean laying chickens - they're warm, but uncomfortable as hell)
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I discovered the Giant Tiger DU gear as well. I purchased the base layer long underwear and long sleeve base sweater and they are super warm and comfortable. I think each piece was $15 and it was the best investment I made. I no longer wear my Under Armour base layers as they are nearly as warm even if they were 10 times the cost
 
Merino Wool base layers, (high neck shirt & long underwear) and Merino Wool Socks. For colder days, add a heavy Merino Wool Hoodie and Pants all inside lined Camo Coveralls.
 
1963beretta said:
I discovered the Giant Tiger DU gear as well. I purchased the base layer long underwear and long sleeve base sweater and they are super warm and comfortable. I think each piece was $15 and it was the best investment I made. I no longer wear my Under Armour base layers as they are nearly as warm even if they were 10 times the cost
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It is pretty darned high quality gear. I have a winter camo outfit that cost around $400 and this stuff is actually better, because the coat is 3-in-1 and it's fully waterproof.
 
Papaclaude said:
One of the best cold weather hunting outfits I've ever owned comes from, of all places, Giant Tiger. From time to time, they get the Ducks Unlimited stuff at ridiculous prices. I've got a 3-in-1 hunting jacket, camo, with sewn-in shell holders in the pockets, water-and-wind proof, warm as hell and QUIET. Paid around $50 for it, I've had it for about 10 years and wear it all winter. Found the matching bib overalls a few years later, and same thing - I wear them ice fishing all the time. Under that, as others have said - layers (and I don't mean laying chickens - they're warm, but uncomfortable as hell)
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what kind of cold are we talking about?
 
medvedqc said:
what kind of cold are we talking about?
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Around -20, but having spent many, many winters where we often saw -40 (actual degrees and colder), I have no doubt that it would do the trick there as well. You'd have to wear layers as well, but even with top-notch down gear I always wear layers so I don't overheat. Let's face it, Canada Goose it's not, but you could buy 20 DU jackets for the price of 1 Canada Goose. My jacket is around 10 years old and the only damage is a breast pocket that is torn on the inside.
 
http: //www.onoworkandsafety.com/Bama-Socks_p_779.html

https: //www.dunlopboots.com/en-us/products/dunlop-explorer-thermo-plus--full-safety-with-vibram-sole-e902033

My boots are 1 size larger to accomodate the BAMAs but well worth it. when I get home, my feet are 90% dry. The BAMAS are soaked on the outside, dry on the inside.

I will never ever ever go outside on an extended hunt or Atv trip without them.
 
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