Some of the most popular hunting seasons take place during the coldest weather of the year. The upside to that is that deer will be out and moving around quite a bit more when the temperature drops; the downside is that you, the hunter, have to be out there in freezing weather waiting patiently. Of course, if you dress for it, winter hunts are a lot more tolerable. Here are some tips and tricks for staying warm during your next freezing cold hunt in the snow, ice, and winter chill.
Sock liners
You’re probably familiar with base layers and how well they work to keep you warm during winter hunts. But did you know sock liners are a thing, too? Good sock liners not only help keep your feet warm, but they also wick sweat away from your skin and help prevent blisters. Liners like the Kenetrek Ultimate Liner can be worn alone or with a heavier sock over them. Kenetrek makes some of the highest quality cold weather boots and socks on the market and these liners are another of their fantastic products.
The Kenetrek Ultimate Liner comes in varying heights, but the over-the-calf version is a personal favorite. These are solidly made liners that manage to warm your feet without adding bulk. According to the company, they’re a synthetic blend that includes 77% polypropylene, 17% nylon, 3% elastic, and 3% lycra. These liners wick sweat away, breathing so your feet don’t sweat excessively, and help reduce friction against your skin. If sock liners aren’t part of your winter hunting wardrobe, they should be.
Cold weather gloves
As you might have guessed, layering is the secret to standing up to the freezing winter weather. It can be hard to find the right pair of gloves, especially for long sits, and that’s why it’s smart to have the perfect glove layering system. With a good set of flip-top gloves, a thin glove liner, and Hothands tucked inside it all, your fingers can stay warm and trigger-ready (or at least warm enough not to get stiff and painful).
The Incinerator Flip Mitt is Sitka’s answer to cold weather wear, and it’s perfect when paired with Hothands. These gloves have a black liner layer that covers your fingers, and a flip-top mitten for added warmth. That means you can open the mitten portion of the gloves when you require the manual dexterity of your fingers, then close it again to trap heat.
As we said, the best way to do that is to include Hothands, which you can tuck inside the gloves themselves. The reason for the addition of Hothands isn’t because the gloves aren’t fantastic quality but because there’s really no glove on the market that heats hands when you’re sitting in the snow not moving. Sitka offers the Incinerator in Whitetail: Elevated II camo. The gloves have a fleece knit face and a polyester micro-grid fleece knit backer.
Pro tip: Adding liners to your existing gloves can help more than you might imagine.
Fleece Hat
If you’re expecting us to mention layering hats, you won’t be disappointed. Yes, you can put a heavier hat on top of your beanie. There are definitely times it’s worth doing. However, the right beanie goes a long way toward keeping heat where it belongs (in your body). Our moms used to tell us we lost all our body heat out of our heads, and they weren’t wrong. Fleece is among the best of materials for a hat to wear on winter hunts. The Carhartt Fleece Hat is one of the better designs on the market, and it’s long enough to cover the tops of your ears, too.
This beanie is made from 100% polyester fleece. It’s offered in a variety of colors. Carhartt made this hat to be machine washable, so it’s easy to keep it clean, and the seams aren’t excessively bulky. If need be, you can use a hat with ear flaps on top of this one. Another method of staying warm is to wear a baseball hat with a beanie like this one pulled over it. Having the right hat is a huge help when it’s snowing outside and you plan to go sit in a blind or treestand.
The Right Jacket
There’s more to a good winter hunting jacket than enormous bulk. After all, if you can’t raise your arms, you can’t hunt. And if you make a ridiculous amount of noise every time you move, you’ll scare animals away. One example of a well-made winter jacket comes from Nomad Outdoor in the form of their Conifer Jacket. This jacket is designed specifically for winter hunting and has a whole host of features meant to help you stay insulated no matter the weather.
Nomad states the Conifer is made with 100 grams of Primaloft insulation to keep your core warm. Over the arms, it’s reduced to 80 grams to make it easier to move. On the outside, the jacket is brushed fleece, which helps make movement quieter so you’re less likely to spook game when you do move around. Taped seams and waterproof zippers make the Conifer more resistant to wind and rain.
Other excellent features are a three-way adjustable double hood, fleece-lined hand pockets, and adjustable cuffs that can be tightened to keep the cold out. The Conifer has the expected assortment of pockets, too. Make sure you invest in a good-quality jacket and your hunt will be a lot more comfortable.
Bibs (Yes, Really)
Bibs are often thought of as being for waterfowlers, but they’re great for any and all cold-weather hunting. Wearing bibs helps insulate your core, which is a great way to stay warm without restricting arm movement. The Alpha Elite Bib from Scentlok is a quality option made to insulate you while you hunt while simultaneously controlling human odor, which can be a giveaway to game animals. You can find bibs with a chest piece or without one, but they’re not truly bibs without it.
The Alpha Elite Bib is made with 150 grams of Thinsulate to keep you warm on the stand. These bibs are made to perform in the woods and are waterproof, breathable, and designed for movement. A rib knit side waist adds to the overall comfort and makes it possible to move even with heavier layers and 18-inch leg zippers have a flap over them to keep the cold out. Carbon Alloy is used to minimize human odors. Scentlok makes these in Realtree Edge or Mossy Oak Country DNA camo.
When it comes down to it, you want clothing you can layer that wicks sweat away and doesn’t make too much noise. It’s easy to think something might work great in the store, but then you head outside and discover walking sounds like a stampede of greased squirrels. Or maybe you tried a thinner product and found out it didn’t do much to keep you warm.
Put some thought into what you wear during winter hunts and your time outdoors will be a lot more pleasant.
What’s your favorite cold weather gear tip for hunters? Share your experiences in the comments section.
