Winter Hunting Gear....looking for something breathable

[DesiMunda]

Over the past 6-7 years I’ve been slowly accumulating quality hunting gear and so far it’s all been trial and error and it hasn’t been easy on the wallet. I can really use some feedback on how to go about getting the ideal winter wear.
I can’t seem to find an outfit that can regulate body heat....Currently I’m using the Browning Hell’s Canyon Parka & Bib, I did read up on this product and all that it promises to do, but in reality it fails. So I end up mix and matching with good money down the drain.

I have a husky body type, 6’ tall and 250 lbs...mostly muscle mass (weight training).

Outer Shell

3-in-1 shell with a removable insulated jacket
2-Layer Pre-Vent shell with fully-taped seams
Water/windproof and breathable
Fully adjustable attached hood
Fabric hook and loop cuff closures
Two oversized handwarmer pockets and Napoleon chest pocket
Water-resistant front zipper
SilentSnap front storm flap closure
License tab on back
Internal pockets for smaller gear
Harness Access
Regular Fit


Insulated Liner

Water/wind-resistant shell fabric
PrimaLoft® Hi-Loft Silver 80 gram insulation
Handwarmer pockets, left chest zipper pocket, internal zipper chest pocket
Internal zippered security pocket for valuables
Full-length zipper with chin guard
Regular Fit


Most of the items (80%) listed are irrelevant if you can’t keep this parka on, It absolutely provides “No” breathing, starts to condensate and the internal liner becomes soaking wet and this is with little or no walking. At times I feel like lighting it up on a campfire......since it’s so uncomfortable, I just end up using a hoodie. So why did I buy this garbage?

Is it me or this gear? I even looked at installing air vents in the liner and the outer shell and that’s not cheap, and most places flatly refused because of the work required.

Should I look at buying something better? KUIU? Will this work? Any KUIU owners, please provide feed back. I’m looking at the KUIU, Kutana Gale Force hooded jacket & matching Bib
https://www.kuiu.com/global/hunting-jackets-vests/kutana-gale-force-hooded-jacket/40018.html?dwvar_40018_color=Verde2.0&cgid=jackets-and-vests#start=1

Will this product work? Is anyone currently using this brand? Please help before I make another bad decision.

Thanks,

Mak

[porthunter]

I'd definitely look at upgrading.

I think the Gale Force may be a bit of over kill. Personally, I'd recommend looking at getting the Yukon Pants and Jacket set, as well as the Superdown Pro for an insulation piece you can take on and off depending how active you are(heats up quite abit when you're hiking but its great for when you slow down to glass and want to keep that heat in.

Under that stuff, I run almost all synthetics, I used a heavy Merino base on a recent late season trip and although it worked, I did find alot of the times it was soaking up my sweat and extremely difficult to try and try out, not fun in the cold... luckily that superdown pro worked great to keep me warm and still allowed the merino to slowly dry through without losing any loft(to my pleasant surprise).

[DesiMunda]

I will definitely look into your recommendations....Yukon Pants and Jacket set, as well as the Superdown Pro for an insulation

Thank you...much appreciated

[boxhitch]

Most people make the mistake of over dressing for temps and not adjusting soon enough to reduce moisture overload
A good sop is to 'start out cold'
Think 'warm when wet' for quick drying under-layers, save the parka for the sedentary times
Paying big dollars won't help, nothing vents enough to keep up with what the body puts out

[Talltimber1]

Excellent recommendations by porthunter in my opinion.
Synthetic base layers, Yukon rain gear and a puffy.

[decker9]

I usually don’t change much for winter hunts, except for mix matching base layers depending on temps. I mostly use sitka, although my one piece of kuiu (an older SD jacket), comes with me no matter the time of year, the thing is amazing for its weight, but it does sweat up when a guys working hard. I tend to layer more, vs one big suit, although my big suit, is always with me on winter hunts, just incase.

My outer layers usually consist of rain gear (sitka), it’s worked well for me so far.


My “big suit”, consists of the sitka blizzard parka and a medium weight wool pant for under my rain pants. Depending on the hunt, I like to have these two spare pieces for when things get cold, or wet and sweaty, I can nearly go commando under the parka and wool while my under layers dry out.

No matter the big suit tho, if a guys going to be moving, he’s probably going to be sweating.

Quality layers under a good rain set, I find to be my favourite, it’s a lot easier to regulate your temp that way.

[45freezer]

I would also take a look at the FL uncompahgre jacket, I've been pretty impressed so far.

[Sportster]

I'm investing in more wool hunting clothing the last couple of years.

[swampthing]

The kuiu axis may be what you need. Its my go to cold weather gear. With pit and hip zips you can shed heat and perspiration when hiking. If its real cold you need some layers underneath. When I am varmit hunting on my snowmobile I wear a cheap large parka and bibs over the axis gear. I shed those off when I park the sled and start hiking.

[DesiMunda]

Thank you, appreciate all the input and recommendations.

Mak

[86k20]

Stay away from Kuiu. You and are are very similar build and I can tell you they do not make stuff to fit guys like us. Everything is sized small and even the xxxl will barely fit and will not be comfortable or allow layering. First Lite is much better for sizing.

[David]

At the end of the day it comes down to whether or not you want/need a camo pattern...

If you don't need a camo pattern there is way better value for money out there (Helly Hansen outlet in New West, Outdoor Research online sales, Fjallraven clearance area in their Broadway store, REI outlet when we can go back down south, etc. etc.). If you do need a camo pattern, then others have given great advice.