Hunting Jackets - Bulky vs Tight and wool vs synthetic

[Vini]

Hey Everyone,

It's been awhile since on here. I hope everyone is enjoying the isolation. I know I'm getting a little squirrely.

Anyway, I'm looking for you thoughts/recommendations in regards to jackets. This is for November boots on the ground hunting. So walking/hiking most of the day.

I currently have the traditional bulky camo jacket. It's ok but I'm thinking of moving to a tighter wool jacket (no camo).

What are thoughts on bulkier jackets vs tighter jacket? Pro and cons.

Also, wool vs synthetic materials.

Brands?

Any comments are welcome

[tyreguy]

Think layers as that will give you options to shed/add layers depending what what you’re doing.
Heavier warm jacket will get you sweating during a hike and cold when you stop. Others will chime in but maybe a wool base may be the ticket. My memories of wool is HEAVY when it gets wet.
I use a wind resistant fleece and depending on weather I will use heavier base layers.

[Redthies]

If you want wool, without the oldschool weight, have a look at First Lite stuff. They make fantastic stuff and also have non camo colors in pretty much everything they make. Black, brown, green and gray are the plain fabric colors, with the brown and green being very “hunt appropriate” shades. The gray is too I guess if you are in the rocks a lot.

https://www.firstlite.com/

[KBC]

First lite has quality stuff. I picked up a kiln not too long ago when it was on sale. Unfortunately I’m thinking of not supporting them anymore because of the cost of their items and where it’s made. The kiln is made in China.

To put it in perspective, I could buy 5 kiln shirts made in China, or a brand new Exo K3 pack made in the USA. I own several of their jackets and have had a couple pairs of their pants. Some is made in Vietnam, some in China etc. Like I said the quality is there, but for the cost it should be made in a better place.

Merino wool all the way though.

[st99]

I'm a wool guy, I wear wool for everything from my socks to my vest, but I wear a wind and waterproof jacket on top. I take my jacket off when walking and put it back on when I sit and while riding my atv. It's important to stay dry.

[dmuth]

If you want wool try
https://www.gostwear.com big Bill clothing made in Canada THEY ARE AVAILABLE IN A COUPLE OF Different weights .

[Ride Red]

Think layers as that will give you options to shed/add layers depending what what you’re doing.
Heavier warm jacket will get you sweating during a hike and cold when you stop. Others will chime in but maybe a wool base may be the ticket. My memories of wool is HEAVY when it gets wet.
I use a wind resistant fleece and depending on weather I will use heavier base layers.

^^^^^. Used wool for many years a long time ago, but the modern version is night and day difference. I’m a huge fleece fan and merino wool as it’s light, moisture wicking and easily layered without being bulky. Nothing like being able to shed/add a layer as the elements change around you. I’ve been on high ridges where I was practically in nothing, then the cloud rolled in and had to bundle up cause of freezing rain.

[45freezer]

Big fan of wool, not for an insulation layer though at least personally. Wool is always next to skin in my layering system, weight will be dependent on temperatures...I've tried lots of different brands and so far first lite stands head and shoulders above the rest, as mentioned it's pretty spendy but either wait for sales or buy it lightly used and the price is very similar to cheaper brands and the quality is a night and day difference. For example I paid $75 for a lightweight merino shirt from Mark's work warehouse (also made in Asia) that was full of holes within a few months of light use, also paid $90 for a midweight merino from first lite that has so far been significantly more durable, comfortable and functional...minor price difference for significant quality difference in my opinion. I would personally go with a grid fleece mid layer and fast drying, lightweight and breathable synthetic jacket on top of that if necessary instead of a wool jacket, I'm certainly not an expert but I've spent enough uncomfortable days/nights on the mountain to start looking at what I'm doing wrong in my layering system and address it.

[ellenbill]

What the hell is wrong with stanfields comes with handy back door and made in Canada! All we get from China is viruses!

[Ron.C]

Im not a big fan of heavy bulky jackets. And it really depends on the conditions. My jacket needs to keep the elements out and block wind. It can be insulated if Im not getting rained on (hunting in cold snowy conditions) but if Im hunting in wet conditions, I dont want a heavy insulated jacket as my outer layer.

Everyone has their own preferences on clothing and layering. You need to determine for yourself what works for you and your budget. Your buddy might run hot and you might freeze with the same clothing and layering choices.

My preferences, depends on type of year and hunt. I like now use wool for next to skin. My mid layers are synthetic sweater or my old stansfield with a light puffy (Rab Generator) over that. My outer layer is either a rain shell or heavier puffy (Kuhl Projekt) if in cold/snow. No, this stuff isn't sitka, first lite or kuiu, but aside from the stansfield, all quality backpacking gear.

I've used this combination on several backpack goat hunts and it works for me. I like the puffy coats for a couple reasons. Super warm, extremely light and packable and make for great pillows on a backpack hunt.

[knothead]

Synthetic all the way. Wool is good and I wore it for years but it takes forever to dry when wet, and it will get wet if your hiking in the bush from your sweat if not your leaky rain gear.

[r106]

Multiple light weight layers is your friend. I use wool base layers and mostly synthetic on top. I average 2-4 upper layers depending on conditions.

Early season I always have a light weight wool long sleave shirt on first and my sitka timberline jacket on outside. As it cools down i will add sitka heavy weight core hoody under the jacket. That will be sufficient for my hunting until the temps drop in november at that time i use a puffy vest. Combining/alternating all of those covers me for 90% of my hunting. Also a good toque and gloves make a huge difference as well. Rain gear is another story.

I never realized how much it sucked wearing a bulky heavy jacket till i learned to just layer properly with good stuff. All my hunting cloths head to toe probably weigh less than just a heavy carhart jacket lol.

I should add i always have my stanfield wool shirt with me in my bag for some reason. Always.

[Vini]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for posting this information. This forum and it's members are fantastic. I tried posting similar questions on another forum (FB) and got nothing but silly posts that were, lack of a better term, just plain stupid. Some good posts as well but for the most part useless.

Anyway, keep the opinions coming. Much appreciated

[MichelD]

What the hell is wrong with stanfields comes with handy back door and made in Canada! All we get from China is viruses!

I grew up wearing those but I still don't like the huge wide open collar. I'm a "I like my neck warm" type of guy. And they're friggin' expensive.

My secret; a couple years ago I went on a Merino wool shopping campaign for two weeks in May and hit local charity thrift stores, Sally Anns, and one VV (I hate VV) and paid prices anywhere from $2.00 to $10.00 for Merino wool light and medium weight pullovers I wear as undershirts hunting and some are nice enough to wear in the house over a t-shirt. Spent $70.00 and got enough to fill a drawer.

I had a pile of synthetic long sleeved undershirts I wore for years, but Holy-Moly!!! One morning in the duck blind not even doing anything and I smelled like a rutting billy goat, never mind the aroma after wearing one for several days hiking.

[pg83]

I'll echo a few responses here so far.

I love merino wool as a base layer(for its antimicrobial/antistank purposes), but that's about it. Synthetics are just so much better for hunting in BC IMO as you're gonna end up wet and they dry quicker and hold their insulation value along the way. This does, of course, depend on how you hunt, but you mentioned "boots on the ground" so I assume you will be soaked from sweat or rain(or snow melting on you, or wet bushes)at some point in your typical day afield regardless of the time of year. I have given up on softshell jackets entirely for any hunting that isn't road warrior style. It's a useless layer to me as the only thing it adds to your kit is weight.


Layers, layers, layers: Base - Insulation - Rain/Wind
Stick to the pieces of gear that perform a specific function for you and you will be ahead at the end of the day.

Or be like me 20 years ago while packing out part of my Dad's goat and hope for the best(it was a great day for packing, besides the gumboots)... I got lucky.


https://i.imgur.com/XFtfUng.jpg



Point is, you can get shit done regardless of what you're wearing but you will be far more comfortable and far better off(Read: safer) in certain things than others. That doesn't mean you are less manly or any other bullshit you might hear.

Wear the best layering system you can afford at the time and you will be able to hunt better/farther/deeper or whatever else someone wants to call it.
It doesn't need to be a hunting brand, it doesn't need to be camo, it doesn't need to be fancy. It needs to work for you, period.

[stosto]

Merino wool base layer, puffy jacket and rain jacket is the ultimate combo.

My black puffy arcteryx jacket is light, warm and packs down to a small pouch. No need for camo or hunting brands either, since some moutaneering gear can be moderately priced, especially right now, and will likely last longer and outperform the gimmick gear from Cabelas.

[Redthies]

First lite has quality stuff. I picked up a kiln not too long ago when it was on sale. Unfortunately I’m thinking of not supporting them anymore because of the cost of their items and where it’s made. The kiln is made in China.

To put it in perspective, I could buy 5 kiln shirts made in China, or a brand new Exo K3 pack made in the USA. I own several of their jackets and have had a couple pairs of their pants. Some is made in Vietnam, some in China etc. Like I said the quality is there, but for the cost it should be made in a better place.

Merino wool all the way though.

Most companies manufacture in offshore factories. It’s an unfortunate reality. I appreciate the desire to support companies that manufacture here. At least First Lite is very involved in conservation and access work. I will admit to having a dog in this fight as they say, in that my old roommate from the Kootenays is the founder of First Lite. I already liked their gear before I found that out though, so I’m grandfathered as an unbiased source...

[Pauly]

I used to hunt in all wool but now I’m head to toe under armour well built and durable keeps me warm in minus 20 no problem. It’s expensive but worth it

[whognu]

the mrs tells me big bulky jackets make my ass look big.............................................er

[Redthies]

the mrs tells me big bulky jackets make my ass look big.............................................er


She’s right.

[Talltimber1]

Synthetic base layer, synthetic mid layer, puffy jacket and rain shell.
System starts out tight fighting base layer, casual fitting hoodie and puffy and rain gear is on the loose side to layer over everything.

[Squamch]

I used to hunt in all wool but now I’m head to toe under armour well built and durable keeps me warm in minus 20 no problem. It’s expensive but worth it

I've never experienced well made or durable under armour gear. Just cheap chinese fall apart gear.

I do use a synthetic UA tshirt that I use as a base layer sometimes on sunny days. Typically though I use first lite merino as a base, then whatever is weather appropriate as far as a grey stanfield, or greenish polar fleece. I do have a big heavy walmart camo coat. It soaks up water really well, but its warm if it is nice amd dry out.

[HappyJack]

November when it's cold out I prefer a wind/water proof one piece set of coveralls, if it gets colder yet, add some down filled or wool long johns underneath it.

[Vini]

Thanks Everyone,

Great responses here. I'm seeing a fair amount people suggesting puffy jackets. While I can see the merit in using them, I find when the gun goes to the shoulder, bulky or puffy feels unnatural. That's why I was considering more form fitting. Queue the tight jeans hipster jokes :-D . For me, when I'm hiking/walking my body does a pretty good job of regulating heat but sometimes when I sit, i can get cold. Maybe throwing another layer in the pack for sitting is in order. Side bar, have you ever sat on a spot and felt relatively warm, then stand up and immediately get the shakes? Weirdest thing

[r106]

A good puffy jacket or vest is super light weight and packs down to almost nothing so when i shoulder my rifle it squishes it down with no resistance so its no different than shooting with a light sweater. Its also something you dont usually hike in wearing. Once your in and set up put it on.

Edit even though there called a "puffy" there not bulky