I'm the first to admit that for a fat boy, I get cold pretty easy. I've fought it from the time I started hunting at 8 and still have to take extra precautions 25 years later. I've learned a few things along the way that really help. Since it was a brisk 29 degrees this morning (a temp that used to do me in fairly quickly) and I stayed toasty, figured I'd share some of my tips and techniques.
First off, spend money on quality gear. I realize not all of us have the ability to spend hundreds of dollars on hunting gear, but you can make it happen if you really want to. Christmas and birthdays are great times to pick up stuff and you can always save your change. I've invested in Under Armour Cold Gear products for years and believe wholeheartedly in them. The Cabelas Extreme Cold Weather Series layers are also great. Cabelas Outfitter Fleece is great stuff as well. The version I have has the wind proof lining and I firmly believe in owning stuff that's wind proof. I'm fairly well equipped clothing wise, but I may own some First Lite wool or Sitka Gear stuff before long.
Second is strategically placed Hot Hands. I buy the big versions and put one in the pocket of my UA Cold Gear fleece. This keeps the warmer over my heart and I've found this really helps me stay warm. Hand warmers in each pocket are great and an adhesive one stuck to my UA Cold Gear base layer at the base of my neck is great too.
Third, keep your neck covered. Invest in a fleece gaiter or a nice face mask. I have a UA Infrared face mask that I use. Keeping my neck, face and ears warm is crucial to staying warm.
Fourth, feet. This is my Achilles heal to make a bad pun. I fight cold feet even in above freezing weather. I wear Muck Wetlands and I sweat terribly in them. I've started wearing a thin UA Heat Gear hiking boot on the walk in, then putting on a thick pair of Browning wool socks once I'm to the tree. It helps, but I still need hand warmers in my boots some days. I may get some heated insoles for Christmas this year, so my fingers are crossed!
Sixth, getting to your spot without sweating is a challenge for some, especially for me. I have to walk in with my UA base layers and finish dressing at the tree. This means carrying in 3-4 layers on days like today. I can bundle everything up in my GamePlan Gear Bow Bat and it works well. If I sweat on the way in, it takes hours of my hunt.
Lastly, get creative. I just bought a ThermaCare heat wrap off Amazon that has a washable waist band. You heat the back up in the microwave and strap around your lower back. I haven't used it yet as it's primarily for frigid cold waterfowl hunts, but I can see it going on some deer hunts too.
So if you're a cold weather wuss like me, let's hear how you fight the cold. BTW, today took 4 layers. UA Infrared base layers, Cabelas E.C.W.S. layers, Rocky fleece lined pant, UA Storm series bibs, UA fleece 1/4 zip and Cabelas Outfitter fleece with wind proof liner. LOL
First off, spend money on quality gear. I realize not all of us have the ability to spend hundreds of dollars on hunting gear, but you can make it happen if you really want to. Christmas and birthdays are great times to pick up stuff and you can always save your change. I've invested in Under Armour Cold Gear products for years and believe wholeheartedly in them. The Cabelas Extreme Cold Weather Series layers are also great. Cabelas Outfitter Fleece is great stuff as well. The version I have has the wind proof lining and I firmly believe in owning stuff that's wind proof. I'm fairly well equipped clothing wise, but I may own some First Lite wool or Sitka Gear stuff before long.
Second is strategically placed Hot Hands. I buy the big versions and put one in the pocket of my UA Cold Gear fleece. This keeps the warmer over my heart and I've found this really helps me stay warm. Hand warmers in each pocket are great and an adhesive one stuck to my UA Cold Gear base layer at the base of my neck is great too.
Third, keep your neck covered. Invest in a fleece gaiter or a nice face mask. I have a UA Infrared face mask that I use. Keeping my neck, face and ears warm is crucial to staying warm.
Fourth, feet. This is my Achilles heal to make a bad pun. I fight cold feet even in above freezing weather. I wear Muck Wetlands and I sweat terribly in them. I've started wearing a thin UA Heat Gear hiking boot on the walk in, then putting on a thick pair of Browning wool socks once I'm to the tree. It helps, but I still need hand warmers in my boots some days. I may get some heated insoles for Christmas this year, so my fingers are crossed!
Sixth, getting to your spot without sweating is a challenge for some, especially for me. I have to walk in with my UA base layers and finish dressing at the tree. This means carrying in 3-4 layers on days like today. I can bundle everything up in my GamePlan Gear Bow Bat and it works well. If I sweat on the way in, it takes hours of my hunt.
Lastly, get creative. I just bought a ThermaCare heat wrap off Amazon that has a washable waist band. You heat the back up in the microwave and strap around your lower back. I haven't used it yet as it's primarily for frigid cold waterfowl hunts, but I can see it going on some deer hunts too.
So if you're a cold weather wuss like me, let's hear how you fight the cold. BTW, today took 4 layers. UA Infrared base layers, Cabelas E.C.W.S. layers, Rocky fleece lined pant, UA Storm series bibs, UA fleece 1/4 zip and Cabelas Outfitter fleece with wind proof liner. LOL