- Location
- West Quebec
That's what I do as well the game does not seem to mind.
Fancy camo gear worth it?
- Thread starter canoetrpr
- Start date
That's what I do as well the game does not seem to mind.
xeon. They sure have good deals and shipping is not terrible to Canada. Have you ever ordered it and had it shipped to Canada? Did they ship UPS or USPS?
I would ask the OP what type of hunting is he doing. I own cheap camo for archery hunting and turkey, and have been successful. For deer and moose gun hunting we have to wear blaze orange anyway so spending big bucks on Camo is stupid imho. I have shot oodles of deer and moose just just wearing regular clothes appropriate for the weather at the time. Finding a quiet coat and pant fabric is the most important aspect for me.
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I have been playing this high tech cloths game since Goretex first appeared about 20ys. + back. Spent more money on different types out outdoor clothing than I care to admit or really want to know. I have had Cabelas, LLBean, Browning. Presently using "Rivers West", camo suit, a Pro bass blaze coat, Remington Walmart camo insulated goretex type pant.
Results are as follows: Cabelas, wore out two of there blaze orange suits in about 4 seasons, material seemed to be very sensitive to any abrasion, and it was not very water proof despite being Goretex. They are good to there word for returning your money.
LLBean blaze coat was an excellent first rate coat and I wore it for about 15 seasons. It is no longer water proof, goretex doesn't last for ever despite what Gore tells you. Still have the coat and use it for dogging.
Pro Bass Coat I have have used for the past 3 yrs is a good coat, has removable liner and is water proof with there version of goretex. For 100 bucks it is good value and great performance thus far.
Bought a Rivers West Sawtooth coat with the orange vest that hides away. And a pair of matching cargo pants. about 3 yrs back as well. The material in Rivers West is very tough and highly abrasion resistant. It is very water proof, but it does NOT breathe as it is NOT a goretex type material. Never realized that until after I started wearing it and felt damp and clammy inside for my own sweat. Easy to compensate by layering underneath properly and opening things up to regulate heat. Biggest issue is the rare earth magnets used to keep the pocket flaps closed, they disorientate compasses as fast as you can put them in your pocket. So I had to cut them out. When the cloth gets wet, it holds the water and takes a while to dry.
Browning: Very highly over priced and poorly designed was my experience with it. I only took it out of the box wore it around kitchen for 5 min made up my mind it was over priced junk and sent it back.
The Remington stuff that Wally Walmart sells is surprisingly good for little money, the insulated goretex like cargo pants I have are warm and water proof.
So when it comes to hunting gear I found it is buyer be ware. Paying huge dollars doesn't necessarily mean it will do all that the manufacturer claims. I am also an avid down hill skier and I have ski wear that for the same or less money will out perform similar priced hunting gear, and ski wear is known to be notoriously expensive. But I can sit on a cold wet chair lift for 20 min in a hundred dollar pair of ski pants and not get my a$$ wet. I can't say that for many of the so called water proof goretex hunting pants I have owned. Sit on a wet stump for 10 min and your a$$ is cold and underwear wet.
In my experience the quality in hunting clothing for the money one pays is just not there. There are huge markups and profits to be made in clothing that's why the stores are full it.
Army surplus heavy wool pants are very hard to beat, wool like fleece keeps you warm even when wet. So the best advice I can give is shop around see whats out there and don't necessarily think the most expensive is the best.
Results are as follows: Cabelas, wore out two of there blaze orange suits in about 4 seasons, material seemed to be very sensitive to any abrasion, and it was not very water proof despite being Goretex. They are good to there word for returning your money.
LLBean blaze coat was an excellent first rate coat and I wore it for about 15 seasons. It is no longer water proof, goretex doesn't last for ever despite what Gore tells you. Still have the coat and use it for dogging.
Pro Bass Coat I have have used for the past 3 yrs is a good coat, has removable liner and is water proof with there version of goretex. For 100 bucks it is good value and great performance thus far.
Bought a Rivers West Sawtooth coat with the orange vest that hides away. And a pair of matching cargo pants. about 3 yrs back as well. The material in Rivers West is very tough and highly abrasion resistant. It is very water proof, but it does NOT breathe as it is NOT a goretex type material. Never realized that until after I started wearing it and felt damp and clammy inside for my own sweat. Easy to compensate by layering underneath properly and opening things up to regulate heat. Biggest issue is the rare earth magnets used to keep the pocket flaps closed, they disorientate compasses as fast as you can put them in your pocket. So I had to cut them out. When the cloth gets wet, it holds the water and takes a while to dry.
Browning: Very highly over priced and poorly designed was my experience with it. I only took it out of the box wore it around kitchen for 5 min made up my mind it was over priced junk and sent it back.
The Remington stuff that Wally Walmart sells is surprisingly good for little money, the insulated goretex like cargo pants I have are warm and water proof.
So when it comes to hunting gear I found it is buyer be ware. Paying huge dollars doesn't necessarily mean it will do all that the manufacturer claims. I am also an avid down hill skier and I have ski wear that for the same or less money will out perform similar priced hunting gear, and ski wear is known to be notoriously expensive. But I can sit on a cold wet chair lift for 20 min in a hundred dollar pair of ski pants and not get my a$$ wet. I can't say that for many of the so called water proof goretex hunting pants I have owned. Sit on a wet stump for 10 min and your a$$ is cold and underwear wet.
In my experience the quality in hunting clothing for the money one pays is just not there. There are huge markups and profits to be made in clothing that's why the stores are full it.
Army surplus heavy wool pants are very hard to beat, wool like fleece keeps you warm even when wet. So the best advice I can give is shop around see whats out there and don't necessarily think the most expensive is the best.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
I don't put much thought into camo patterns, but there's definitely something to be said about the quality of stitching and materials used in the generally more expensive clothing. The stuff I've had from WalMart and CT hasn't lasted long for me, it literally falls apart pretty quick.
Army surplus gear is great for sweaters and underwear, but I don't like the cargo pants or jackets, they're pretty loose fitting and sloppy. Their cold weather mummy bags suck. If you talk to some military guys, they're actually not too thrilled about their gear. The reason they wear it is that they don't get to choose what to wear.
I consider Cabela's clothing to be pretty good on average. I'm also not a fan of GoreTex or other waterproof membranes, it depends more on the outer layer as even clothing with GoreTex gets soaked and heavy if it has a fleece outer layer or similar. The Cabela's Guide Wear rain gear (Gore Tex) seems to be tough and relatively waterproof, provided you spray the canvas type fabric with a waterproofing somewhat regularly. Sitka has been pretty durable for me as well,though not necessarily overly warm. River's West stuff I like as well.
For true cold weather I have a Cabela's goose down coverall I've had for 20+ years. It's not waterproof, but I don't worry about that at -20 or less.
Army surplus gear is great for sweaters and underwear, but I don't like the cargo pants or jackets, they're pretty loose fitting and sloppy. Their cold weather mummy bags suck. If you talk to some military guys, they're actually not too thrilled about their gear. The reason they wear it is that they don't get to choose what to wear.
I consider Cabela's clothing to be pretty good on average. I'm also not a fan of GoreTex or other waterproof membranes, it depends more on the outer layer as even clothing with GoreTex gets soaked and heavy if it has a fleece outer layer or similar. The Cabela's Guide Wear rain gear (Gore Tex) seems to be tough and relatively waterproof, provided you spray the canvas type fabric with a waterproofing somewhat regularly. Sitka has been pretty durable for me as well,though not necessarily overly warm. River's West stuff I like as well.
For true cold weather I have a Cabela's goose down coverall I've had for 20+ years. It's not waterproof, but I don't worry about that at -20 or less.
powder burner
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
I picked up some wool stuff from wholesale sports. Jacket and pants. Layer up. One of best things is white snow camo coveralls over layers.
Adrian J Hare
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- NewLowell On. Can.
My Milwaukee heated jacket was very nice at and hour before dark when the temps dropped to shaking cold last night. Picked up another hunter and had to turn on the truck heater on high to warm them up...
Well I picked up the Browning Hells Canyon stuff. It seemed to fit me best. I liked the XPO 4in1 parka but I'm a short and stout guy and need a large or XL jacket and the parka almost goes to my knees and fits wierd ;-). Their dirty bird version fits better but so does the Hells canyon and I'm jus going to have to add layers of insulation under it as necessary.
The comments here have been rather helpful in figuring out what I'm getting it for to begin with. I plan on goose hunting with a friend. Lots of geese in the area so it is very accessible. Also plan on trying turkey hunting in the area this year. Camo to be used for these two. Next year I plan to setup a tree stand on my property and bow hunt for deer. Camo should help here too.
It was a good reminder that when I am out rifle hunting for deer in November around north bay I will be wearing blaze orange to my ground blind anyway and if we are walking trails then there will likely be snow on the ground.
The comments here have been rather helpful in figuring out what I'm getting it for to begin with. I plan on goose hunting with a friend. Lots of geese in the area so it is very accessible. Also plan on trying turkey hunting in the area this year. Camo to be used for these two. Next year I plan to setup a tree stand on my property and bow hunt for deer. Camo should help here too.
It was a good reminder that when I am out rifle hunting for deer in November around north bay I will be wearing blaze orange to my ground blind anyway and if we are walking trails then there will likely be snow on the ground.
buy once, cry once. The best outdoor gear, waterproof, warm, comfortable is mostly all in camo, as its the hunting companies that make it. They don't much bother with solid colors, as you are cutting out the camo market, but it doesn't hurt to have camo, whether you need it or not...
I use Robinson gear, and find it reasonably priced and durable...
http://www.robinsonoutdoors.com/
I use Robinson gear, and find it reasonably priced and durable...
http://www.robinsonoutdoors.com/
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
if you want good camo buy 3d leafy
Buy some decent long underwear, some clothes to wear that will keep you warm, a layer to keep you dry, and whatever you feel the need for, for over it all, along the lines of Demnical's post above.
I have, at times, been able to squeeze a nickel so hard that the beaver shat blood. IE: I am a Cheap SOB.
I wore a lot of the Military issue kit out hunting.
The IECS (IIRC) jackets and pants are actually pretty decent kit for warm and dry, and you can get a set for around a hundred bucks at a surplus place, usually. I used to wander about the hills South of Moose Jaw wearing the Air Force blue stuff under the sorta white coveralls (also old stuff from work) as white was one of the approved colors in Sk at the time. -20C, and blowing snow was pretty normal. There were two different sets, the light weight jacket for an upper, and the bib overalls for cold weather, the medium weight pants for the 'warmer' winter weather.
I just threw the coveralls over my street clothes, when the weather was nice enough.
The Army Flat Green version of the same era outerwear is actually pretty good camo in it's own right. Classic Canadian solution, the OD blends in pretty much everywhere, and the flat green stuff was quieter in the bush than the CadPat that replaced it.
Having the coverall over the Goretex held the seams tight to each other, and kept the warm air in. Very comfortable! Comfort is key. If you are warm dry, and cozy, you can sit still, and movement will give you away a long time before camo issues will.
Layer up, and you will have a lot more flexibility as to when and how you can hunt.
I know, not really the answer, but an opinion, anyways. YMMV.
Cheers
Trev
I have, at times, been able to squeeze a nickel so hard that the beaver shat blood. IE: I am a Cheap SOB.
I wore a lot of the Military issue kit out hunting.The IECS (IIRC) jackets and pants are actually pretty decent kit for warm and dry, and you can get a set for around a hundred bucks at a surplus place, usually. I used to wander about the hills South of Moose Jaw wearing the Air Force blue stuff under the sorta white coveralls (also old stuff from work) as white was one of the approved colors in Sk at the time. -20C, and blowing snow was pretty normal. There were two different sets, the light weight jacket for an upper, and the bib overalls for cold weather, the medium weight pants for the 'warmer' winter weather.
I just threw the coveralls over my street clothes, when the weather was nice enough.
The Army Flat Green version of the same era outerwear is actually pretty good camo in it's own right. Classic Canadian solution, the OD blends in pretty much everywhere, and the flat green stuff was quieter in the bush than the CadPat that replaced it.
Having the coverall over the Goretex held the seams tight to each other, and kept the warm air in. Very comfortable! Comfort is key. If you are warm dry, and cozy, you can sit still, and movement will give you away a long time before camo issues will.
Layer up, and you will have a lot more flexibility as to when and how you can hunt.
I know, not really the answer, but an opinion, anyways. YMMV.
Cheers
Trev
- Location
- West Quebec
Exactly..
I believe in purchasing good quality clothing, however; you will not find this hunter wearing camouflage. Quality wool such as Filson and fleece at MEC. I'm very dubious about camo anyway, I think that it's only a sales gimmick.....................that's another story.
Dang. Tried my newly purchased stuff at home and I do think they really thought this out when they designed the bib. The waist button just pops open when you sit or squat sometimes. It is a half bib. This goes back into returns.
Found a great deal at Sail on the XPO and the jacket fit me better than I thought.
Found a great deal at Sail on the XPO and the jacket fit me better than I thought.
I have few items of camo gear. Mostly stuff that was left at the end of the year and was CHEAP! I am pretty sure that Trevj has NOTHING on me. I have used military gear for as long as I can remember. I even used a set of surplus NBC coveralls for sitting on stand. NO wind got through that and, although stiff, was quiet in the woods.
mostly use regular stuff if it keeps me warm. I miss heavy wool pants. When I was a kid, it seemed like every store around carried them for pennies. Now, costs more than designer jeans.
you do not need camp to hunt with. You do need clothes what will get you out there and keep you out there when you want to be out there. If that means rain, wind, and wet, then you clothes to do that with. And those conditions demand good clothes. I am happy with what I have, I wish I could still fit in my flat green Gortex stuff... When that first hit us, a bunch of us took it out for a week long hunting trip.. And it rained!! We stayed warm and dry the whole week.
Do you need it for hunting?
My wife shot this buck wearing this!
mostly use regular stuff if it keeps me warm. I miss heavy wool pants. When I was a kid, it seemed like every store around carried them for pennies. Now, costs more than designer jeans.
you do not need camp to hunt with. You do need clothes what will get you out there and keep you out there when you want to be out there. If that means rain, wind, and wet, then you clothes to do that with. And those conditions demand good clothes. I am happy with what I have, I wish I could still fit in my flat green Gortex stuff... When that first hit us, a bunch of us took it out for a week long hunting trip.. And it rained!! We stayed warm and dry the whole week.
Do you need it for hunting?
My wife shot this buck wearing this!
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Adrian J Hare
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- NewLowell On. Can.
A great picture ! Congrats girl !
