Whats your cold weather clothes?

[Maccool]

I'm tired of freezing my behind off while on stand and was wondering what everyone wears to keep warm. I have been seeing a lot of good reviews on the under armour cold gear but it is way pricey, and was wondering if it works better then the military poly long johns. So whats good for the money?

[bulletstuffer]

Staying warm takes layers.  Some type of polypro or silk next to the skin, fleece on top of that to trap heat, wool on top of that if you can, then a windstopping insulated outer garment. Same layering system for the bottom half.  Polypro socks against the skin then the heavy smartwool socks topped with 1000 gram boots with boot blankets over the boots.   A baclava and a nice warm hat on top of that.  I have even used a heat exchanger mask under the baclava and wool hat for bitter cold days.  A good icebreaker hand muff with a 2 or 3 hot hands hand warmers inside for an additional heat source. 
 
This sounds like overkill but I have sat outside in -4 temps without the windchill in a howling wind for 5+ hours and never got a cold chill.  Took me alot of years to get this layering system as I have struggled for so many years trying to stay warm on stand.  You can not walk around when you are dressed like this as you would over heat in minutes.   
 
If you watch for stuff on sale you can get excellent gear at the cost of the stuff that doesn't work as good.  Watch for goretex outergarments as they are usually made better.   Cabelas has a sale going on for some long underware options
 
http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=106671780&WTz_l=Home%3Bcat110998980
 
Good luck,
 
Bulletstuffer 

[Empty Quiver]

Bullet stuffer is pretty well dead on.


I like the "military" style long johns that are waffle cut on the inside, from Cabelas. Over that would go a set of Thinsulate quilted thermals. Outer layer sort of depends on conditions. Filson Double Macinaw wool coat if little wind, as it quiets the whole mess immensly. If wind is a concern then an insulated wind stopping outer layer.


Wool socks, Smartwool to be specific, I dont worry about the liners as they are superfliouss with the Smartwool. Normal cold weather hunting >15 degrees will find me with a pair of 400gr thinsulate boots on my feet. I own a pair of 800gr boots that will rarely see duty unless <15 degrees or ice fishing all day.


Nothing beats a good wool stocking cap/ balaclava under a hood... if you are content to look out a pipe all day. I try to get by without a hood with a fur bomber hat, or in combination with a balaclava. Hands are my problem, and it all boils down to sweating. I do as well with a pair of wool liner gloves, and stick my hands in my pockets as anything. Wool chopper mitts with a BIG body warmer size chemical heater pad in each one is about as good as it gets.


Now take as much of the above as possible and put it in a big pack. I'm talking the thermals, the outer wind break the wool socks all of it. Get your butt moving and walk to your stand. when you get there you will most likely be sweating a bit, excellent. Unload that pack and get dressed at or near your stand. I try to find a nice log to sit on for this chore. I change out of cotton socks (stow in a qt Ziplock bag) into the wool, pull the thermals on put my bibs on add the coat and get on stand. No reason to carry the ruck to the stand unless it has your lunch or other stuff.


Finally I usually have something hot to drink in a 1 pint thermos, as well as some stuff to snack on. About the time I feel I have just got to get down and warm up I'll break into the thermos. Adding heat to the inside of the ol body helps me tremendously. They say caffeine will in the end make you colder as it dialates the cappilaries, cold fingers... I know. But that is what the heat packs are for.


Or scrap all that get yourself a pop up blind and a small propane heater . Thousands of Finlanders here in Mn. can't be wrong    

[spruce]

Not a whole lot I can add - the guys have covered it pretty thoroughly.
 
One thing about footwear - make sure your boots fit a little loose when wearing whatever heavy socks you choose, and don't lace them up tight. 
 
Like they said, layers and a windproof outer layer.

[tacklebury]

Perhaps a bit of a cheat, but I've become really glad to have the stick on foot warmers.  They last 8 hours.  I stick one on the bottom of each foot and throw a loose handwarmer up in the toe of my boot.  Never have too cold of feet now.  I also keep one in each glove and one in each big coat pocket.  If you catch em on sale, it's usually under 50 cents each small one and a buck for the stick on foot one.    5 bucks is cheap for stayin warm in my book. 

[FAStevo]

I have tried all of that synthetic "stuff" and there is nothing better than wool next to the skin. Now many think that wool it too itchy etc. but the modern weaves coupled with the softer merino wool, make it bearable for nearly anyone. The Minus33 brand is fantastic, their expedition weight tops and bottoms are heavier and I think longer lasting than Smartwool. I wear the Minus33 stuff, everyday through the winter and NOTHING, wicks moisture away like wool. I have had the same two pairs for the last 3 years, and I am not exaggerating, when I say, I wear it 100+ days a year. For socks I buy what ever has the most wool in it and is on sale....... outerlayers, I have worn Sleeping Indian Designs for 10 years, but I don't think there is a huge difference in quality in the name brands i.e. Filson, King of the Mountain etc. I used to get cold no matter what, but I usually stay comfortable now. Just an FYI, get a "turtle neck" under layer shirt, keeps the breezes out. Regards, Steve

[Lloyd Smale]

only thing high tech i go for is a first layer of something that will wick away sweat and a good pair of 1000 gran thinsulate boots. Other then that its wool for me.

[Maccool]

Thanks everyone. My feet never get cold, I wear a pair of thick socks and mickey mouse boots (in fact after 25 years I just bought a new pair) I have some of the military base layer stuff now, but after its washed it pills up pretty bad, my dad is retired nat. guard and we hunt in the Grayling area so we shoot over and buy long johns and what not (everclear 190 proof) from the base. I think I will save up some money and get some good wool base layers.