Outer Layer / Jacket

[itsnlkthing]

I'm in great shape for base and mid layers but my current jacket is too heavy for bow season. I'd appreciate any recommendations. I know I want quiet but what are your thoughts on the options out there and is there any value / need to go to ghillie style for elk?

[Huntrgathr]

I think you should go full Ghillie and full face paint just for the street cred. When someone runs into a hunter that is dressed like that he just automatically thinks "Whoa ! That dude's a Badass !". And just carry a spear.

Seriously though , I always go for the quietest outer layer I can find. Wool or fleece, treated with a wash-in water repellent.

[itsnlkthing]

If anyone has constructive input, I would appreciate it.

[Mikeha33]

I bought the Browning Hell's Canyon Full Throttle outerware for last season, and it was great. Not waterproof, but water resistant(that's why we carry rain gear), same for the pants and vest. Warm, quiet, fits tight to the body, good cuffs, and blocked the wind well. Also, much cheaper than Sitka, which in a 3rd party side by side comparison, there was little difference between the two. I was pleased, and have decided that it will be my outer gear again this fall. I wore it with only a merino base laye 1/4 zip on most days (except in the mornings, when it was right around freezing) and I was very happy and warm.

[cnelk]

IMO - Ghillie suit isnt needed for elk - an elk hunter is much too mobile for that design.
When I think of a ghillie suit, the first thing that comes to mind is a sniper...

Since you are set on base and mid layers, a long sleeve camo shirt would be my next choice.
Then a rain jacket in a pack for an added layer if needed

[Lefty]

I have a synthetic super lightweight windproof shell that I layer over the top when not wearing a drake waterfowl jacket

[jmez]

I wouldn't recommend a ghillie suit. They are heavy and if you wore it through timber and blowdowns there wouldn't be much left at the end of the day.

Do you have a vest? I was never a big vest guy until I got one. Now it serves as my insulating layer for bowseason. Light, easy on and off and don't get near as hot as a coat/jacket. I also have a hoodie but rarely wear it. If it is cool I wear the vest and if I don't need the vest too warm for a hoodie. You could also look into a rain jacket. It will block the wind and works well for a lightweight outer layer.

I'll qualify this by saying I have a pretty high internal thermostat and rarely get cold.

[itsnlkthing]

I don't have a vest... hmmm

[elkmtngear]

X2...down vest under an uninsulated rain shell (my shell is a Cabelas Space Rain, super light and packable).

Lightest, warmest, and most packable solution I have found. Got to experience rain, snow, you name it this Season, and it worked great for me.

This is all I wear, other than a merino wool shirt. You have several layering options with this type of setup. If it's fair weather and I'm on the move, it's just the merino shirt. If I am sitting a wallow and I get cool, I don the vest. If it gets extra cold or rainy, the shell goes on over the vest.

[itsnlkthing]

Is that she'll quiet as well?

[Huntrgathr]

If anyone has constructive input, I would appreciate it.

I wasn't trying to be " destructive", just throwing in a little humor. I really do think wool or fleece is the way to go. Most of the new soft shells and laminates are too noisy.

[WapitiTalk1]

Went through this same decision making process last year. Both my Rivers West and RO jackets are a bit too heavy for warm season bowhunting (particularly walking anywhere in either one). I picked up a RO vest last year and it works great over my base and mid for warmth. As others have said, a breathable rain jacket/shell is a smart move to carry as a final insulating layer.

Here's the vest I picked up. Although RO is out of the camo clothes business, there are still some pieces floating around and they're very, very inexpensive

http://www.amazon.com/Russell-Outdoors- ... doors+vest

[Jaquomo]

+2 on the vest. I have four different vests for different conditions, ranging from a super-compact RO Primaloft that weighs nothing (for inside my outer layer) to a Cabelas Berber with windstopper for real cold mornings. That Primaloft vest makes a 10 degree difference.

For an outer layer during September - unless it's rainy - I only use a polyester hoodie with a light liner, Cabelas, Fieldline, etc when it's under 35 in the a.m., or an unlined cotton/poly shell when am is over 35. I also have an unlined wool hoodie that's great and versatile when hunting from a base camp, but too heavy to pack around.

[Indian Summer]

Primaloft has replaced down... which was THE way to go in the last for a vest. The reason is because if down gets wet it's useless. Plus it's bulkier.

I'd recommend the Sitka Jetstream jacket. Then, get their Kelvin vest with Primaloft insulation and add that underneath if it gets chilly and you're not moving. That layering system is priceless for archery season. You could also consider the Kelvin jacket if you wanted sleeves for the insulation layer under the outerwear. If it's too cold for that then you'll have to consider more weight in which case I go to wool.

Ghillie... no.

[itsnlkthing]

If anyone has constructive input, I would appreciate it.

I wasn't trying to be " destructive", just throwing in a little humor. I really do think wool or fleece is the way to go. Most of the new soft shells and laminates are too noisy.

No problem, if we had some history together, I would have a better sense for where you were coming from. Since I'm relatively new here, it came across more like a shot. We're good....

[Gutpile]

One medium to light base layer here and a medium weight vest and I'm warm in weather to mid twenties. Make sure fit is pretty tight and practice shooting with it on to get used to it.