Military surplus cold weather gear for elk hunting in the mountains?

The newer soft shell stuff in conjunction with fleece and/or polypro layers is very effective for its weight- we used it in Afg. in the winter (8000 plus feet, Paktika province). The older woodland gore tex/ poly pro combos are "ok" but heavier, bulkier, and make nylon "swishy" noises, but its better than vintage stuff like cold war era field jackets and wool shirts. Yes, I use mil stuff because I have it and it works. If you are in the Springs, see if you can engage a tabbed member from 10th SF Group (not a support guy)- they are VERY educated on cold weather gear in harsh conditions- its what they do.

You don't want 1 single heavy jacket, pants, insulated coveralls etc. for that type of hunting. That stuff is fine for tree stand hunting where you walk a short distance. Even most of the military stuff is designed for guys who are transported by vehicle, helicopter etc. and dropped off with short walks being the norm. Some of the special forces units do some long range patrols where they are on foot for long distances. You'll be better off looking at backpacking gear. In fact the military in recent years has gotten better at borrowing ideas from the backpacking community.

Think light weight and multiple layers for walking up and down slopes at 9000' You'll need a decent day pack to carry what you don't wear. I often start out walking into an area wearing only a long sleeve T-shirt in temps down as low as the teens if there is no wind. Once seated I'll put on 2-3 lightweight synthetic or wool shirts and a light weight down jacket. They make some synthetic fill that is just as warm as down now that will pack almost as small. If windy a lightweight windproof shell over everything. A warm head covering is vital.

I find long underwear bottoms under my pants too hot when moving. I haven't worn them in years, but do often pack windproof warm-up athletic pants sized to easily slide on over my hunting pants. They are available in black and are cheap. They work great when standing still and slide off quickly when moving.

You can find a lot of good stuff at military surplus stores. I have a mix of military surplus, and athletic gear. Under Armor makes good stuff, but Walmart sells knock-off items for a fraction of the price that works nearly as well. This is the wrong time of year to be looking for bargains though. Most of my mountain hunting gear came from backpacking stores. In early summer they mark down winter gear drastically. I have some name brand stuff made by North Face, Marmont. and others bought in June at 50%-70% off the regular price. About the same price as Walmart gear.

"...military surplus gear..." Depends on whose. Canadian Forces(The entire Canadian military does winter. Including the Pigeons and Boat People. Even they get sent to nasty cold places.) winter kit is the best there is, but I don't think you'll find it in Colorado Springs. Won't be cheap either. A parka starts at $150ish Cdn. in the surplus joints up here. You're looking for a CF extreme cold weather combat parka. Good to well below -40(F or C. The scales meet at -40. (-40 is something you have to experience to believe. Tomatoes become rocks. Doubt you'll see those temperatures hunting though.).
The CF hasn't issued winter combat pants for years. Cost too much compared to the cheap nylon 'wind' pants(just a shell) that have been issued for 35 or more years.
Your boots are far more important than anything else. Think 'Thinsulate'. CF issue mukluks beat everything though. And carry extra wool socks. Feet get cold, change your socks.
Be sure to get wherever you're going a few days early to acclimatize to the altitude too.
Kind of wondering if you may have left buying clothing too late as well.

The Army or Marine Corps M-65 field jacket with a liner is one of the best coats I have ever used for hunting and they usually cost about $65 and they can be purchased at any Army Surplus store. I like the ones in Woodland Camo but they come in several patterns. The pockets are great for storing gear and as the day warms up you can un-snap the front. Snaps are always better than zippers because a zipper will fail at the wrong time, and you can unsnap the bottom snaps to fit over items that you carry on your belt. A backpack is a real problem in the mountains and if I couldn't carry it in my pockets or around my waist I left it in the Jeep. The Army wool glove liners are also great and can be used without the actual glove. They are warm if you are not alergic to wool, and you can fire the rifle without removing the gloves. Wear a larger orange vest over the M-65 to meet State regulations and it can be un-zipped as the day warms up. For a shirt I like the fleece variety sold by a retailer like Cabalas with a zipper down the front so it can be unzipped as the day warms up. I like DuoTherm underwear that have wool on the outside with a cotton liner. The best way to keep your feet warm is to wear your hunting boots a half size too large and then fill the void with a fleece sock like HeatHolders. For bitter cold weather buy a fleece fashmask. I hunted for 10 years in Colorado during deer and elk season and if you're walking in the mountains at 9,000 ft you need to travel light. Instead of carrying your binoculars on a strap around your neck I like to carry them on a longer strap like a mountain man carried his possibles bag. They slide right up when you want to use them and they don't get in the way when you lean over to go under dark timber.

sage5907 said:

The Army or Marine Corps M-65 field jacket with a liner is one of the best coats I have ever used for hunting and they usually cost about $65 and they can be purchased at any Army Surplus store. I like the ones in Woodland Camo but they come in several patterns. The pockets are great for storing gear and as the day warms up you can un-snap the front. Snaps are always better than zippers because a zipper will fail at the wrong time, and you can unsnap the bottom snaps to fit over items that you carry on your belt. A backpack is a real problem in the mountains and if I couldn't carry it in my pockets or around my waist I left it in the Jeep. The Army wool glove liners are also great and can be used without the actual glove. They are warm if you are not alergic to wool, and you can fire the rifle without removing the gloves. Wear a larger orange vest over the M-65 to meet State regulations and it can be un-zipped as the day warms up. For a shirt I like the fleece variety sold by a retailer like Cabalas with a zipper down the front so it can be unzipped as the day warms up. I like DuoTherm underwear that have wool on the outside with a cotton liner. The best way to keep your feet warm is to wear your hunting boots a half size too large and then fill the void with a fleece sock like HeatHolders. For bitter cold weather buy a fleece fashmask. I hunted for 10 years in Colorado during deer and elk season and if you're walking in the mountains at 9,000 ft you need to travel light. Instead of carrying your binoculars on a strap around your neck I like to carry them on a longer strap like a mountain man carried his possibles bag. They slide right up when you want to use them and they don't get in the way when you lean over to go under dark timber.

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With all due respect, there is a reason our people aren't using M65's and wool liners any more. I don't even think that stuff is issued, and you sure never see anyone with a serious job wearing that stuff in the field. The M65 liner is a good piece of lightweight kit, though.

I never said the M65 has a wool liner. It has a fiberfill liner. If you have a "serious job" you can buy anything you want! The reason military gear is so good is that it has many pockets with snaps and zippers and it is tough. Much of the high dollar gear has nothing but a zipper and if you are ever at 9,000 feet in a snow storm and your zipper breaks you will look for something better.

Another military item I wear all the time is the BDU shirt. They come in both warm weather and cold weather versions. Although I wear fleece shirts in really cold weather the BDU shirts make a really good switch when the weather warms up. Again, many pockets and button fronts. I especially like them when the insects are bad and they protect well when ticks and mosquitos are a problem. I also like them for building fence and when I am cutting cedar trees in the spring because the long sleeves keep the poison ivy off my arms. Poison ivy likes to grow under cedar trees.

Unfortunately, it looks like Glenn's is closed on Sundays.

You won't get my M65 field jacket away from me. I admit it's not particularly warm for cold climes, but in Texas, it works. I've been wearing this thing for 30 years and it ain't worn out. I only wear it on hunts, though.

I used to browse the Sportsman's Guide little mini catalogs they'd send me and they always had some stupid mil surp thing I couldn't resist. I bought this green Swedish issue long coat because it as 20 bucks. It's heavy and it's REAL warm. I have only worn it on a tripod stand with a hard norther blowing. It's too danged heavy for anything else down here.

In the mountains, layering is the key as has already been mentioned. I always had a day pack and would start to strip layers as I warmed up and stuff it in my day pack. I loved the M65 jacket for that, could take the liner out of it. I had a quilted shirt, WARM shirt, I wore under it. Then, I wore an undershirt under my shirt. I'd wear insulated coveralls if it was cold enough, too, and long johns under my pants. With good footwear and a pair of gloves, this got me though about anything in the New Mexico mountains. But, I was well south of Colorado.

I'll just say, layering is the way you need to go.

Oh, in the rain, especially while waterfowling, I bought a light Drake goretex parka that goes over my field jacket. It's waterprrof, the reason I wanted it. Don't add much to the insulation, but I don't need that.

Whatever cold weather gear you decide on, don't forget a good, warm hat.

[QUOTE="MCgunner, post: 10650078, member: 22716"I used to browse the Sportsman's Guide little mini catalogs they'd send me and they always had some stupid mil surp thing I couldn't resist. I bought this green Swedish issue long coat because it as 20 bucks. It's heavy and it's REAL warm. I have only worn it on a tripod stand with a hard norther blowing. It's too danged heavy for anything else down here. .[/QUOTE]

That reminds me of a ex Swedish army coat i bought many years ago. Thick grey canvas and sheep skin lining. It would have had to be -50C to wear it, and it was so stiff there was no way you could mount a rifle wearing it.

Not a cold mountain expert, but I have many years experience working outdoors with horses and hunting the upper midwest late seasons where morning temps are single digits to below zero. Layering is always the way to go. Unzip or unlayer while stalking or hiking, close back up when stopped for periods of time. Make sure the outer shell, boots, gloves, and hat are waterproof. Its altogether too easy to get wet and get in trouble.

Along with a good knit hat to keep your head and ears warm, be sure to get a baklava or something similar to cover your neck. One that can be pulled up over your face if needed can be a godsend when temps drop and winds pick up. I would also recommend jackets be longer rather than waist length. That transition area between tops and bottoms is an easy place for wind to find its way in and cool your core.

Mr. Hill said:

I've got a problem. I live in Colorado, I'll be going elk hunting at 9,000 feet in a few weeks, and I don't have a heavy coat or insulted trousers. And I just started a new job so money is really tight.

I'm seriously considering purchasing some used or excellent condition military surplus gear for the hunt. Some gen 2 or gen 3 level 7 parka & trouser combos. Do any of you use surplus military gear for hunting? I've no prior military experience, but the gear looks pretty good for the price, and we have some good surplus stores here in Colorado Springs. And if anyone can give me any advice about what to look for, gen 2 vrs 3, the other levels, I'd appreciate it. I do have waterproof camo jacket/coveralls, but they are very thin and, while wind proof, lack insulation. Thanks!

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Your going to have to wear some orange and that includes hat. Why not buy orange jacket and layer.?

I wear Wrangler and long johns, good boots and layer over orange jacket/orange hoodie,good pair of gloves. 9k isn't that high. I live Black Forest @ 7700ft. I sure don't want heavy clothes and I've seen it warm up where I take LJ off put in pack.

I'm hunt Middle Park, first elk season(5days)and 2nd buck season(9days), and they just got their first good snow. You can get pretty good orange jacket at Walmart.

I carry small tarp and if it gets bad I'll lay up and stay dry till things get better and one thing I'd get is good set of gators.

Where you shooting at?

Denver metro area here: and if I may suggest, take a look at some of the thrift stores as well. I am a traditionalist, thus prefer wool to the high tech stuff for a variety of reasons, but there is always military surplus stuff and/or old hunting equipment and clothing as well, especially for your location with the military bases being local.

Another place to look for clothing is at Sierra Trading Post. I scored a Filson 100% wool hat with sheepskin ear covers for 30 bucks recently. They also sell other cold weather gear and boots for a good price. At the local Centennial STP store, they have Filson and Pendleton closeout jackets for an excellent price.

If it were me, I'd buy some Smart-wool or Ibex merino long underwear/shirt (they are not itchy), and put a plaid wool shirt over it, then layer my jacket over that. Find some wool pants from the thrift store, and put them under your thinner coveralls. Try it before you go, and if you don't like it, you're only out 10-20 bucks or so. I find layering somewhat similar around here I can comfortably be down to 0 with a good scarf, gloves and hat added.

WOW. Ya'll should really take a look at what is being issued nowadays (layering systems, waffle long johns, windstopper fleece, wind and water resistant soft shells, etc.) Its all lightweight, camo, and works well wet- and thanks to 16 years fighting in mountains, its not just for Special Ops guys any more, and is available on the surplus market. Research Protective Combat Uniform (PCU), Its a 7 layer system, and there are several generations and colors. The items are made by companies like Patagonia and Beyond. Yes, I still have my M65 from the 80's- I used it in lieu of my issued gore-tex deer hunting at Ft Campbell in the 90's cause the M65 was quieter (no nylon swish-swish) but the current issue cold weather gear is much better than the ECWS gear from back then and centuries above the M65, which is basically a WW2 piece of kit. Does the modern stuff cost more than what you used guarding the Berlin Wall in 1978? Yes. But you get what you pay for- and I'm not shy about buying gear that will keep me warm and somewhat comfortable- I played the "travel light, freeze at night" game plenty in my younger days, or ended up having to go light on "comfort gear"- and even food- because my ruck was maxed out with 100 pounds of lightweight mission essential crap like ammo, explosives, commo gear, water, etc. I'm sure as heck not going to be a shivering, wet, hypodermic mess as a civilian having a good time. Also make sure you have good boots, gloves, and hat.

You can find most of what you need here. https://www.galaxyarmynavy.com/#

Mr. Hill said:

White river national forest. I'm avoiding cold weather winter clothing made of cotton, and I prefer to buy outdoor clothing made for in the USA. Which means Walmart is out of consideration.

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I guess when your crying poor you can be picky.