Cold weather hunting bibs and parka

[HoosierHunter128]

Ok. I know I can spend a bundle on Sitka, or lots of other brands for a new bibs and parka set. I’ve been wearing carhartt camo bibs with the black liner, and no clue the brand of my parka for maybe 10-12 years. I’ve gained and lost and gained weight, and the color is getting off, and the bands are getting loose. Time for new stuff. I’ve looked around on forums. I bought a pair of carhartt bibs on moose jaw, but they were too big and seemed cheap. I returned. I could go with cabelas, but their stuff looks cheap now too, both quality and price. What do you guys recommend. I hunt in indiana, and it used to get a lot colder earlier, but now in mid-late November it drops into the teens, and if I do the late hunt, it’s sometimes around zero in the morning. Also, I sit for hours, so super warm is needed at 20°. I don’t care about brand, I care about warmth, being able to wash, and tough (my last set lasted me 10 years). Also, I have a KUIU soft shell that is nice, I wear it to town, but I’d no where near hunt in it…not nearly warm enough, and hard to wash every weekend too.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have had great service from Under Armour gear. It's not cheap, but mine must be 10 years old. Warmth without bulk.

 

[HoosierHunter128]

As a caveat, I’ve got a pair of carhartt Arctic bibs that are awesome, super warm and really tough…all black…sure do wish they made those in camo

 

[HoosierHunter128]

I have had great service from Under Armour gear. It's not cheap, but mine must be 10 years old. Warmth without bulk.

Seems like all they offer now are mid weight stuff. They only have one pair of bibs now

 

[Armored farmer]

Seems like all they offer now are mid weight stuff. They only have one pair of bibs now

I admit that I haven’t researched this for some time. I just know that AA gear is not bulky yet still very warm. Mine is called Storm.

They may not be as desirable as they once were.

 

[HoosierHunter128]

I used to find decent stuff at gander mountain…they’re gone…bass pro bought cabelas and both consolidated their stuff…looks like sheels offers a decent all wool set, that’s not much wool, mostly polyester…browning used to make a nice wool set but that’s not around anymore. I’m not saying I want wool, just saying there used to be nice stuff out there at reasonable prices and I’m just not finding it

 

[Armored farmer]

Take a look at drakewaterfowl.com i bought a set of early season camo last year. It is good stuff. They have heavyweight gear too. Lits of good hunting gear there besides clothes.

 

[wombat13]

Do you really need camo bibs if you have a very warm black pair? Also, do you really need to wash your hunting gear bibs/parka every week? I wash mine at the end of the season (and at least one year I didn't even wash them then - went two years between washes). I bought Cabela's bibs and parka at least 10 years ago and they're still in great shape. Can't tell you about the quality now.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I'm getting into the "buy once, cry once" stage of my life

Granted, I'm in Alaska now, but I used to really try and get all my gear from Walmart and online surplus. I was a huge bargain brand guy.

But I found the gear really does not perform well.

I still shop sales, end of season online. I've been using mid-tier gear, Kryptek, Nomad. But also some North Face and Carhartt.

Really, I don't think camo is needed, but it is nice. You can always get good black great and always toss over a cheap camo shell.

I always end up layering anyways.

 

[Barnfixer]

For bow season my son has Badlands gear and I have Nomad. For gun season, Don’t laugh but for cold weather I use Ski-doo snowmobile black bibs and I’ve been nice and warm all season. On top I’ve picked up old style Cabelas down jacket and vest on eBay. Lighter weight stuff, not the parka type. We’re located in northeast Wisconsin.

 

[Robert]

I hunt in Kuiu here in Colorado and on the wind swept plains of NE. Never have I been truly cold. It's all about layering with Kuiu. I wear a base layer, my Attack pants, smart wool liners and socks, mid layer top, guide jacket, gloves, beanie, neck gaiter, and if it's snowy or extra cold I throw on my OR Crocodile gaiters. Wearing layers allows me to adjust to the temps of the day. Wash it? Sure once a year after the season is over or if I've been doing a lot of camping and reek of smoke.

I love my Kuiu gear. H&Hhunter wears the down jacket when we are sitting and glassing. I'd love to get one too.

 

[jmr40]

Where, and how I hunt it is better for me to dress in multiple lighter weight layers. A heavy, bulky set of bibs and jacket would be too cumbersome. But I usually put in a lot of miles in a day and steep climbs are usually involved. I need to be able to take stuff off and put it in a daypack then add it back later.

I understand that most guys who don't have to travel far to a stand and sit stationary all day have different requirements. But you may find the multi-layer approach works for you too.

 

[Rembrandt]

Some of the newer technology is getting good reviews.....light weight, less bulky and heated w/battery power. (same type of batteries used with power tools) My clothing is good for awhile, but I'll be looking into the heated clothing next time.

 

[Random 8]

Depending on your size, if you can find a Swedish M59 parka in your size, it will be the warmest coat you've ever owned. Very heavy too. I don't recommend it for a lot of walking around, but it's warm and windproof. They also have a set of ECW bibs that are ridiculously warm also, but those are even harder to find. Both come in standard drab green.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...gXsX_vEb6-Sy1wz68YsaAjfWEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds This is a close second, and a bit more breathable and water repellent. You might not like the reflective strips, but the "POLIZEI" logo is fun to wear at "special" events. The "game wardeny" arm patch is good for keeping the riff raff away from your fishing spot.

I wear mine for predator hunting where it is common to sit in one location on a windswept field in sub-zero for hours. I wear a thin camo or snow camo poncho over the top, and occasionally a blaze orange work vest for a bad cold snap in rifle season.

 

[HoosierHunter128]

Where, and how I hunt it is better for me to dress in multiple lighter weight layers. A heavy, bulky set of bibs and jacket would be too cumbersome. But I usually put in a lot of miles in a day and steep climbs are usually involved. I need to be able to take stuff off and put it in a daypack then add it back later.

I understand that most guys who don't have to travel far to a stand and sit stationary all day have different requirements. But you may find the multi-layer approach works for you too.

I am layered up too, and I don't walk to my stand in a coat or bibs, and during the early season sometimes never put them on. But it gets cold here, and I never want to sweat, so I add as I get colder. Indiana winters can get brutal with the wind. I can't keep a ground blind in or on the outside of a field because the wind just rips it apart. I just wondered if there was a brand that I was missing as far as good hunting clothing. I'll probably end up with something from Cabelas or Bass Pro, but was hoping for better quality at similar prices.

 

[HoosierHunter128]

Do you really need camo bibs if you have a very warm black pair? Also, do you really need to wash your hunting gear bibs/parka every week? I wash mine at the end of the season (and at least one year I didn't even wash them then - went two years between washes). I bought Cabela's bibs and parka at least 10 years ago and they're still in great shape. Can't tell you about the quality now.

My black bibs are too hot for Oct and the first part of Nov. Plus they're black and the leaves are green still. Also, I'm not sure where you're from wombat13, but most of my shots are with a bow, and even during our short rifle season, I'm shooting at 40 yards and less. I'm very particular about how I smell. I want zero odor, and not to be seen (camo). Before I started my washing clothes regiment I'm on now, deer would spook, and they usually at least knew something was off at that < 40 Y range. Now they walk right underneath me; so yes, everything I wear gets washed every week after its worn.

 

[wombat13]

My black bibs are too hot for Oct and the first part of Nov. Plus they're black and the leaves are green still. Also, I'm not sure where you're from wombat13, but most of my shots are with a bow, and even during our short rifle season, I'm shooting at 40 yards and less. I'm very particular about how I smell. I want zero odor, and not to be seen (camo). Before I started my washing clothes regiment I'm on now, deer would spook, and they usually at least knew something was off at that < 40 Y range. Now they walk right underneath me; so yes, everything I wear gets washed every week after its worn.

Last year for the first time I used a smell reducing spray on my clothes and wore my turkey hunting headnet. I had multiple deer within 20 yards that had no idea I was there. I’m really sold on the headnet. I had a couple deer look right at me, one inside 15 yards, and they just put their heads down and went back to eating. I’ve always been busted in the past when a deer looked directly at my face.

i shot a doe at 13 yards with the crossbow, the deer behind it on the trail stopped and looke at me and then just carried on their way. I was sitting in a treestand fully exposed!

I spray my outerwear and put them in a plastic tub with lid and keep them at hunting camp or in my truck. The plastic tub has leaves and dirt and other forest stuff in it. They don’t come in the house all season.

 

[Axis II]

I am not even joking when I say this. Go to cabelas and buy this right now. I usually freeze to death and hunted about 7 days last year in snow, downpours, 20-25 degree says and I was comfy. Get them a size larger to let air ciculate and that helps a lot.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/redhead-silent-stalker-elite-bibs-for-men

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/redhead-silent-stalker-elite-bone-dry-3-in-1-parka-for-men

 

[wombat13]

I am not even joking when I say this. Go to cabelas and buy this right now. I usually freeze to death and hunted about 7 days last year in snow, downpours, 20-25 degree says and I was comfy. Get them a size larger to let air ciculate and that helps a lot.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/redhead-silent-stalker-elite-bibs-for-men

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/redhead-silent-stalker-elite-bone-dry-3-in-1-parka-for-men

I’ve been very happy with my cabelas bibs and parka. Probably the old version of those. Called the material “silent suede” at the time.

 

[Axis II]

I’ve been very happy with my cabelas bibs and parka. Probably the old version of those. Called the material “silent suede” at the time.

It got to the point last year with the bibs, fleace lined jeans, UA under shirt and a hoodie with the jacket that I had to open the jacket for some cool air. I was also impressed that it being cheaper rain gear i didnt get wet at all when it rained for 3hr so hard I couldnt see 200yards.

 

[longbeard92]

It got to the point last year with the bibs, fleace lined jeans, UA under shirt and a hoodie with the jacket that I had to open the jacket for some cool air. I was also impressed that it being cheaper rain gear i didnt get wet at all when it rained for 3hr so hard I couldnt see 200yards.

I bought the Redhead Stalker bibs here in central Wisconsin. Not a big cabellas fan but more than pleased with warmth and water repellency.

 

[Bartojc]

My bibs are now 6+ years old and my jacket older. They are both older closeout models from Cabela's, I think Silent Suede ? I've been more than happy. I've hunted all day in temps down to single digits in the mornings. Layering is the key and not sweating. Not sure what Bass Pro/Cabelas is offering now. Been kind of turned off by Cabelas lately. Maybe their clothing is still ok ?

-Jeff

 

[Tirod]

Some of the newer technology is getting good reviews.....light weight, less bulky and heated w/battery power. (same type of batteries used with power tools) My clothing is good for awhile, but I'll be looking into the heated clothing next time.

View attachment 1027289

Batteries are lithium like power tool packs but the connections are unique and individual, leaving you with trying to find some 3-5 years down the road and discovering they moved on and abandoned that format. For the money I see them as a pricey alternative. Most are Chinese regardless of brand, and the quality keeps going down while the prices are driving up.

A Milwaukee or Rigid heated soft shell used to run $85 from plumbing and electrical suppliers, the last one I saw was a zip hoodie from Milwaukee at HD and they wanted $120.

Zip front cotton hoodie. Junk.

I've read the skimobile stuff is still great, they consider the fact you could be tooling along at 25-30mph and incorporate wind blocking tech. As for "Carharrt" they moved to midweights and dropped most of their construction grade line because they are now selling to rugged Mall walkers in their later 50's who need to appear to be a tradesman. In reality most of these guys are business owners or mid management and they show up in droves on Saturday doing their rugged thing, buying a filter for the garage to change their oil, or grabbing some treated lumber for that huge upgrade since they are working from home (hint hint)

Try Berne in a rural location, you might find some in an ag store where it means something to carry real insulation. Other than that, shop Ebay. I picked up a used Cabela Goose Down Parka and wore it hunting in 14F weather, it worked, but it was heavy. Cut my day short.

For the most part now I have returned to my roots and wear Gen 3 army cold weather gear. Very easy to overdress, but layered you can work with it.

 

[HoosierHunter128]

I just bought these bibs. We’ll see I guess. I know drake is great for hunting waterfowl. Not sure why they wouldn’t be for deer. I like chest pockets for phone and calls and stuff. Not willing to spend $300-400 on their nice parkas. Need to find that now….
https://www.drakewaterfowl.com/products/silencer-bib-with-agion-active-xl?variant=31058440847427

 

[HoosierHunter128]

They’ve got inside chest pockets for hand warmers also, but I’ll probably use those to hold more stuff close to my hands