Your best insulating layer

[upperleftcoaster]

Merino base layer and a shell for hiking. Either soft shell or goretex depending on the weather. Then I put on my puffy (650 fill) plus the shell and I’m good for glassing and still hunting. If it’s tending towards freezing I keep the long Johns on. Otherwise I’m good with my hiking pants.

I’ve noticed a huge difference by ditching the cotton for base layers and weight savings. Also I’ve come into the habit to layer up and down as needed. The couple minutes to change around is so worth it to keep your sweat/moisture levels down.

[Jack Russell]

Take a look at paradox brand. Costco sells it this time of year. It's about $20 a piece, for either tops or bottoms. It is a merino wool blend. May be just what your looking for.

Agreed - Costco Paradox brand merino fits well, provides good insulation values and is CHEAP. Icebreaker brand would be 3 times the price.
Also no cotton. Ever. Not when it’s below t-shirt weather. Cotton gets heavy when wet, prone to freezing hard on temperature drops and has zero insulating properties. It’s basically a heat wick, letting valuable heat energy out the door.
As mentioned above, layering on and off at appropriate times is a necessity especially when climbing up the hill to sit and glass

[Harvest the Land]

Hey wanted to see what everyone uses for an insulating layer in cold weather. I currently have a merino base layer, Kuiu peloton 240, an underarmour hooded sweatshirt and kuiu Yukon when it’s wet and windy. I’m looking to swap out the under armour sweatshirt because it’s bulky and heavy. I’m thinking either a soft shell or a puffy would be a good piece to have, wondering what you all use. I’m not necessarily looking for hunting specific brands either as I do a lot of hiking in addition to hunting.

I hunt like you - hike, then stop to glass, then hike etc. What I found to be a game changer was heated base layers (top and bottoms) It allows you to not have to take off your pack and dig for extra layers, because you just press a button and it instantly heats you up during those times when you're stopping to glass or sitting/waiting if you're on hot sign - like if you're in the timber in tight quarters and know there's an animal nearby, its a lot less noticeable to press a button for warmth, than digging in your pack and putting on more layers.

I searched forever and could only find one company that makes a heated base layer out of lycra wool. Its tough as nails and really warm base layer even without the heat on cause its much thicker than standard merino base layers. Just look online for Vivienda Intelligent Heated Underwear for Men, and if you think you might want to order it, make sure to order 2-3 sizes bigger than you normally wear because they make them small

[Sitkaspruce]

I am a mix and match person.

Usually a 260 weight Merino, Sitka Heavy weight hoodie and either my waterproof shell or a cheap, but very well made, Paradox puffy that rolls up small and fits in my pack.

Bottoms are usually Sitka Timberline pants with different weights of long underwear.

I also carry my faithful West Coast Tuxedo rolled up in my pack for those really freezing your nuts off days!

But I mix and match depending on the weather and what I am doing.

Cheers

SS

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Personally, not a big fan of using merino as a base layer. I find it takes much longer to dry than a full synthetic base layer.
I have been using the same heavyweight Stanfield fleece polarthems since the early 2000’s and find they wick away moisture incredibly well. I have two that I layer depending on the temps and add my Cabelas micro fleece on top of that. I throw on a down layer and then breathable rain gear when I dry off.

I use those three synthetic layers a lot Over the years and they have held up incredible well. Not the greatest at door regulation but they have probably been one of my top purchases in my life.

For warmer temps I start with just a synthetic tee…sometimes Underarmour or Arcteryx. Doesn’t really matter.

I do pack a Kuiu merino long sleeve for sleeping in but I don’t like it for hiking.

SSS

[bogman]

back in my commercial fishing days ,first it was the grey Stanfields then came the blue fuzzy Helley Hansons, now , well nature and life have provided me with my own insulation

[bighornbob]

I have been using the same heavyweight Stanfield fleece polarthems since the early 2000’s and find they wick away moisture incredibly well.

They work well if they dont catch fire on a caribou hunt

BHB

[SR80]

I use an arcterxy atom ( synthetic puffy ) that i wear as a midlayer when temps drop to like -10ish. I can hike with it under a soft shell or outer shell and not get sweaty. But if im sitting i have a SG grumman puffy and sitka kelvin if its really cold.

[Graden]

I bought the thinner Canada Goose down vest used for less than $100. i use it in spring and summer by itself. I use it under a raincoat closer to winter. I use it under a winter coat when its really cold. It is amazing how useful it is.