what to wear

[backcountry82]

hello all....im heading to colorado next year for my first elk hunt...having never been i need help with what to wear...any suggestions from undies to outerwear would be helpful...thanx

 

[gonehunting]

Synthetic all the way, from the tighty whiteys on out. Layer it as much as you can. I haven't really found any signifigant differance between any of the synthetics warmth wise. Just pic the material you like best. Don't get caught up in expensive name brands, you can find some great stuff cheap at walmart, Kmart, etc. Polypropylene does tend to bunch up if it is worn as the base layer. Wear as many layers as it takes to that all you need is a light jacket. The only windproof top I wear is the light jacket. That way while you are hiking, you can take the jacket off and your sweat will evaporate. Then when you decide to sit, just put the jacket back on. Outer pants should be something durable and blocks the wind though. Wear two pairs of socks, one thick and one thin, it will save on blisters. Rain gear I prefer Helly Hansen, But I mostly back pack hunt so I need it light and compact. Do not skimp on the boots though, buy the best you can afford. Something with alot of ankle support, your feet and ankles will thank you for it. Also have a good hat, you lose most of your body heat through your head, I always take it off while hiking, saves on sweating. For gloves I will wear a polypropelene liner with wool gloves. Thats the only wool I wear, wool is good, it retains heat when wet, but it also retains water. Synthetics retain heat, but wic water away. I have posted on this subject a few other times, I hope it helps. This is what I use, and it has come from trial and error while hunting in Alaska, and it will be what I use next month when I go to Colorado elk hunting as well.

 

[jmbn]

I agree with Backcountry in general, but he's a bit more into layering than I. A lot of people will disagree with this, but I also prefer Dacron (polyester) to wool, altho if you already have wool, wear it.

I hunt out of Gunnison at just over 10,000 ft, in the early November hunt, and it's usually below zero when we get up in the morning. I wear long johns top and bottom, and fleece or heavy dacron pants on the bottom, and on top I wear a warm shirt, a sweater, sometimes a vest, and the heaviest coat/parka I can stuff in my daypack, which is where it spends most of it's time but is there when I need it. Warm boots sized for heavy socks.

I have some Sorel Glaciers (pacs), which have a thick liner as well as foam insulation, and think highly of them. My feet get cold with anything less. Be sure to take at least two pairs of liners and switch them each day or they will get soggy (cold). And heavy gloves and pockets big enough to get gloved hands into.

CO requires you to wear those $*&%& orange vests. Many years ago, I had a seamstress sew a couple of net vests on top of some camo cotton/poly jackets I got on sale from Cabellas, then I cut off the arms to make vests out of them, and they work fine and actually look pretty spiffy. I took a b&w photo of them in the snow and they really blend in reasonably well. Tried to wear them to a party last weekend but my wife nixed the idea.

Have fun.

 

[PowDuck]

A lot depends on WHEN you're going. Is it an early season archery hunt or a later gun hunt?

I like - love silk as my base layer. If it's gonna be real cold I'll put polypro over that. Work out from there. Definitely need GOOD boots. I wear Merino wool socks, sometime with, sometime without thermax liners.

 

[gonehunting]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

A lot depends on WHEN you're going. Is it an early season archery hunt or a later gun hunt?[/b]

Dohhhhh!!! good point

 

[foulshot]

My uncle was just up on a deer hunt in unit 5. 60-65 during the day and 30's at night. It's only gonna get colder over there.

 

[backcountry82]

thanx for all your input...i will be in the western part of the state during the second rifle hunt...i should have told you that at first...i appreciate all the help and good info...i hope everyone has a great year in the woods and good luck!!!

 

[jpeaston]

I hunted out of Meeker last year during 4th season, heres my get-up:

Danner boots (unisulated) definately hafe to have Gore-tex
wool/poly socks with blister free under sock
long johns
dickies work pants sprayed with water repellant
gators to keep snow/mud out of boots and pant legs
long sleeve thermal
sweatshirt with hood
lightseight jacket wind/water proof
crooked horn outfitters daypack(highly suggested)
light weight gloves so I didn't have to have my hands in my pockets
and some of those handwarmers
I also like those bino straps when I'm out all day

this year I will be taking a boot dryer or extra pair of boots
I'm kind of warm blooded, plus I like to walk ridges, I rarely sit for more than an hour.