Best Cold Weather Hunting/Hiking/Survival Jacket???

[Little Wolf]

Deer season has ended here, but the lessons it has taught have not. My jacket just wasn't warm enough, we had some cold cold weather days, 15 - 25 degree days and when still hunting one gets cold fast. My jacket is just simple polyester layered thick (the Remington 6 in 1), and it just doesn’t do the trick

Well, I have learned my lesson, it is time for a major GEAR upgrade. However, I need your help. Which, out of all the jackets out there, is the best fort general purpose cold weather activity? The best jacket would fit all of the following criteria.

1. Warmth:

This is possibly the largest most important factor for me, it has to stay warm. I don’t want to freeze when still hunting. Simple polyester doesn’t seem to do it, what materials would you recommend? A traditional like Wool, or Down insolated? Or a newer fancy synthetic like thinsulate, or artic shield’s “re-tain”?

I want to be warm, but at the same time I don’t want a jacket that will make me sweat and freeze later if I have to move around a bit. Does this pretty much confine me to a gortex shell?

(description of retain can be found here)
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&indexId=cat601737&hasJS=true


2. Noise

Noise is a big factor, esp when hunting. The last thing you want to do is alert the deer and scare them away. Many hunting jackets out there, mostly the synthetic ones, can be a bit noisy. I am not trying to be unrealistic here, if there is a jacket that is perfect in all other respects, but is just a little noisy, than that is a fair trade. But I don’t want to be squeaking loudly through the forest.


3. Utilitarian

Part of what makes a jacket useful are it’s extra features. Things like lots of pockets, hand warmers, a hood, etc. That was one thing that I did like about my Remington 6 in 1 jacket, it had a LOT of pockets and a LOT of other little nifty features. A hunting jacket should at least have a lot of pockets for items, gear, etc.

Another thing is camo, I appreciate a good camo pattern, like real tree, and consider that a nice utilitarian feature of any good jacket.


4. Durability

A jacket should be able to be worn and weathered a bit without going to pot. What comes to mind the most is something like a jacket with down lining. Very warm when dry, but if it were to ever get wet then it actually accelerates heat loss. So a down jacket that got torn, could allow moisture in and thus be a hindrance. Not sure how the newer fabric technologies like thinsulate and retain hold up to abuse, rips, etc. This is an important factor.


So those are the criteria I believe are the most important, if you believe I’ve left any out don’t hesitate to let me know. So far, I am sort of thinking between a few different jackets.

1. Is the Arctic Shield H3-H5 parka/jacket. Have heard good things about it’s heat retaining ability, but have heard that the retain fabric can get very noisy. The colder it gets the noisier it gets is what I heard.


2. The Remington Down filled Bomber (How does a “Bomber” differ from jacket?). Seems fairly light weight and warm, but again I am not sure how well the jacket can hold up before moister penetrates and permeates the down insulation.

3. Some thick Wool jacket of some sort. Quiet, warm (even when wet), old fashioned. Cons of this would be heavy and expensive. Also, I know wool is fairly warm, but I don’t think it’s quite as warm as down or the new retain stuff.


These are the only three jackets I am aware of, if you know of any good ones that meet the three criteria listed above please let me know. I need to find the perfect cold weather survival jacket. And I am still not sure which material is the best to construct it, never mind which brand/type to get. Any personal experience provided would be much appreciated.

 

[ExSoldier]

Wow.

When I was an active duty infantry captain (cold war), this was a question we were asking ourselves, right before reporting in to our first duty station, between officers. Before some wry old First Sergeant would snatch us up and infuse us with the wisdom of the infantryman.

The secret is the proper use of layers, not one thick civilian jacket. If it's that cold, a good "next to your skin" base layer of a thin material designed to wick away perspiration is step number one. I'm referring to next generation long underwear. Next, a dark colored t-shirt so it there's no contrast with the army issue combat fatigues.

If you're in a wet climate, I'd add a low noise outer layer of rain gear. If the climate is extremely cold (anywhere north of the Mason Dixon Line), I'd be remembering that the reason most folks suffer in the woods is they forget that a major portion of body heat escapes via an uncovered HEAD, so wear a nice woolen "Balaclavia" type cap that you can pull down over your ears (yet still allows you to hear vital sounds of "movement" in the woods). Also critical is what you wear on your feet, as any infantryman will tell you! Don't skimp on footwear. In 1980, I spent $142 on a pair of Chippewa "Minus 40" black boots and I wore them for the next four years in some very nasty extremes. Worth every dime to an underpaid, under appreciated 2nd Lieutenant. Bought them at the direction of my company First Sergeant, who'd truly "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT" in the infantry since about the era of the Korean War.

Hunting animals isn't so different from hunting men. Unless the reason is for food. I was a pretty avid deer hunter before I went on active duty. After leaving the army, hunting no longer held the same appeal. However, I do at times enjoy the benefits enjoyed by my friends who still hunt. Meaning I never turn down a steak or a roast!

BTW a "Bomber" jacket is similar to the old "Ike" jackets in that the bottoms tend to be waist high so as not to interfere with the flight controls.

 

[Little Wolf]

I was browsing LLBean and came across these jackets. They seem almost as good as the Beagle jackets here http://beaglewear.com/store/index.html?action=browse&CategoryNum=106763181710384870 at around half the price (not that price is an object if I discover that a higher price item really is that much better).

1st Jacket

It's a tightly woven wool jacket like the beagle, but also have a layer of thinsulate to help keep it extra warm.

We've updated our classic wool hunting parka with leather reinforcements and new styling. Wool is a time-tested favorite of cold-weather hunters. It's warm even when wet, quiet in the woods and exceptionally durable for its weight. Our Maine Guide Wool Parka combines our exclusive premium-quality, tightly woven wool, now with the lightweight comfort and warmth of 150-gram Thinsulate™ Ultra olefin/polyester insulation. You get all the advantages of heavyweight wool without added bulk, allowing you to quickly and comfortably move through the woods and mount your rifle.

Forearms are protected with self-fabric patches, collar stays snug with microsuede strap closure. Cut full for layering with a comfortable, nonbinding fit. Two upper handwarmer pockets, two lower front pockets and two interior zip pockets. Draft-stopping elasticized drawcord waist and internal rib-knit bands on the cuffs. License loop. 85% wool/15% nylon. 12 oz. per sq. yd. Imported. Dry clean.

Then there is this jacket of theirs. Very heavy wool, tightly woven for warmth and protection. They call it their finest wool coat. Though, I kind of like the idea of the wool + thinsulate one. Would seem warmer to me??

Next Jacket

Our Premium Wool Cruiser is an heirloom-quality jacket that will be worn – and appreciated – for generations.

Heavyweight wool is tightly woven for greater weather resistance, naturally shedding rain and snow. Full-cape design offers an extra layer of protection and warmth. Finishing on interior seams adds strength and comfort. Buttons have replaced zippers for a more secure closure.

Handwarmer pockets are lined with soft fleece. Generous cargo pockets hold shells, bullets and other big-game gear. Interior pocket system includes a place for glasses and wallet. Double cuffs have inner layer that buttons closed to shut out cold and snow. Outer cuff slips easily over thick gloves. Double-layer fabric on high-wear spots extends wear. 85% wool/15% nylon. Imported. Dry clean.

Last but not least, check out these wool pants of theirs. Tightly woven wool with a layer of gortex lining to protect from wind! Seems like a very high quality item of clothing at a very reasonable price! Beagle wear's pants seem to be the same thing yet more expensive, am I wrong?

Very Nice Pants!!

These traditional heavyweight wool pants have long been the preferred outerwear of Registered Maine Guides, who depend on them during the harsh weather of Maine's winter months. We've always insisted on using top-quality, tightly woven wool – it's warm when wet, quiet in the woods and exceptionally durable for many seasons of hard use in the field. Breeze-blocking yet breathable Gore-Tex WINDSTOPPER® membrane helps keep you warm on blustery winter days. Cut full for freedom of movement. Suspender buttons, two front pockets, two back button-flap pockets and two flapped thigh pockets. 85% wool/15% nylon. Loden and Malone plaid are 16 oz. per sq. yd. L.L.Bean Camo is 12 oz. per sq. yd. Unfinished inseams; alterations up to 34" are free. Imported. Dry clean.

 

[Caimlas]

One word: layers!

I don't wear a single jacket when I'm out and about in cold weather (it's usually about 10-20F average around these parts from mid-November). I'll layer up with multiple clothes:

Top:
* wicking thermal underwear
* cotton tshirt
* fleece
* down vest
* "vietnam" era Army jacket given to me w/ 2 down liners
* canvas jacket 'pullover' with a hood (for wind) I had made (2 large front-snap pockets), a warm hat, and a scarf or neck donut scarf (last year I used a filson wool jacket for this layer - both worked nicely, though this one nicer)

Bottom:

* wicking long underwear
* if it's really cold or windy, a second pair
* jeans
* carhart bib overalls

ETA: Feet and hands:

* Feet a pair of warm - but not too warm! - boots with wool or polywool socks. I've been wearing the $80 Danner boots. Personally, my feet sweat a lot, so if the boot is -too- warm, my feet will end up getting cold regardless. If I'm out for a full day, I'll need a change of socks without a doubt. Get boots that can be laced loose while wearing 2 pairs of socks while still stay fairly snug w/ plain cotton sport socks: you do not want tight boots, as cutting of circulation in your feet will chill them quickly, and chilled feet will cool you as fast as wearing no hat.
* Wool mittens w/ the "exposed fingers" flaps so I can access the trigger. Like my boots, my hands sweat a lot, so I don't wnat something that's going to keep them completely enclosed and not breathing. If they get cold, I've got plenty of pockets to give extra insulation. With the wool mittens, sweat can evaporate and wick away fairly easily.

Layers are ideal, because if oyou're moving and get warm (or if you're moving), you can simply unzip one or two layers and cool down proactively without opening up all your clothes and getting cold. THe idea is to trap warm air, and provide a number of layers through which to do so; likewise, to prevent cold air from getting in. Thus, even if it inhibits movement slightly, you want the borders of your garments to be fairly tight (like the bottom of your jacket) so wind can't blow cold air up into your chest cavity. Likewise, you don't want large cavities of air between you and your garments, because it requires substantially more energy to heat all that air, requiring you to have a more expensive jacket.

 

[rodregier]

For really bad weather torso coverage, I'm using a polypro base layer, shirt over that, Polartec fleece midlayer if necessary and Gore-Tex / Thinsulate jacket as waterproof breathable outer layer.

These are Cabelas offerings, there are others.

Cabela's Military Weight Polartec® Power Dry (base layer)

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=pod&id=0016690

Cabela's Polartec® Classic 200 Outerwear (mid layer)

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=pod&id=0040281

Cabela's GORE-TEX® Thinsulate™ Parka (outer layer):

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=pod&id=0033790

 

[Little Wolf]

That Cabella's jacket/parka looks nice. Though I question how warm thinsulate only is compared to thinsulate + wool of the LLBean? Though the LLBean jacket doens't have a hood!

Also, how does a jacket differ from a parka?

 

[learningman]

The jacket for me when the weather takes a turn for the worst is my Filson Double Makinaw cruiser. It is 100% wool and is a great coat. It does have some weight to it but will keep you warm and dry. I was hunting in the Thompson Falls area in MT some years back and it was a heavy rain snow mix. When we got back to the cabin I could literally ring the water from the sleeves of my coat and I was perfectly dry. Nice coats.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Check out this link http://www.riverswest.com/hifi.html

Good warm, quiet, strong, and water resistant.

 

[Rosco-Pico]

If you get cold in this....something is wrong!
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&indexId=cat601740&hasJS=true

Its quiet, very warm and heavy and if it gets wet, you still stay warm. Hard to bet wool.

 

[Leanwolf]

LITTLE WOLF - "Deer season has ended here, ..."

Where is "here??"

Steep mountains? Flat land but wooded? Prone to heavy winds or quick striking mountain snowstorms? Swampy but cold?

As said above, layers are your best bet.

I have hunted all over the west for years and my standard dress for the mountains of the west where it can get very cold, very quickly, is in layers.

Long underwear of the polypro wicking type. L.L. Bean wool pants. A lightweight wool shirt, and a heavier wool shirt over that. Then I also have a good 10X goose down thigh length jacket with hood. When walking or climbing the steep slopes, I have the 10X jacket rolled and tied to my day pack. Sometimes even the heavier wool shirt is stuffed into my day pack.

If I'm sitting or standing for some time while looking or using my binocular, I can add the clothing from my day pack, if needed.

I carry a heavy duty 55 gal type garbage bag folded in my day pack. If in rain or snow, it works just fine. There are some lightweight rain suits and ponchos out there that work fine, also.

Smartwool socks, and good boots.

I've used that combo when it was -18*F, snowing like crazy, heavy wind chill factor, and was just fine.

That's my winter dress. Others have just as effective dress.

L.W.

 

[campbell]

+1 to Filson. For warm but quiet, good wool is great.


http://www.filson.com/home/index.jsp

 

[rodregier]

re: parka vs jacket

Jackets typically terminates at waist level.

Parka typically terminates (say) mid-thigh.

 

[Harve Curry]

No matter the material, layers plays a part.
I use long johns if needed.
Wool shirt.
jeans or canvas pants.
Down or Thinsulate vest
Parka: with a roll up hood, loose fitting, lots of pockets, water shedding materials, gortex, insulated but light weight , that can be rolled up in a day pack if it gets to warm.

The parka keeps some survival stuff in the pockets all the time.

 

[41magsnub]

Another vote for the layers. when duck hunting in extreme cold I wear a polypropelene (sp) layer next to my skin, then some heavy fleece long underwear, then a pair of fleece pants, with waders for the outer layer (heavy carhart pants for deer/upland game). On top I wear a similar long underwear top and as many fleece layers as I think are necessary with a shell of some kind on top appropriate to the type of hunting (orange, camo, etc).

With all the fleece layers I can add or remove them as necessary to match the temperature. I would never wear just the one big heavy jacket, I've tried that and it is just a pain. One tip, make sure there is enough room in your pack to put in layers you take off if it warms up or you start walking around.

 

[41magsnub]

One tip on the feet sweating a lot issue I learned as a ski instructor.. spray on deodorant. Works awesome!

 

[Justin]

When out hunting in twenty-degree temperatures last week, I wore polypropylene thermals, then a set of Carhart bib overalls, a fleece jacket, a goretex-lined military surplus jacket and then my blaze orange vest.

This arrangement worked out quite well, as I remained warm while in the field.

The goretex jacket makes noise, and isn't something I would wear if there isn't snow on the ground.

I have been told that it's a good idea to avoid wearing anything made of cotton as it will hold moisture from sweat, and become cold very quickly.