The older I get, the more cold impacts me. In the past few years I have had to add more layers and thus more bulk to be out in the cold. And by cold I mean 10 degrees for a high and 15 to 20 below zero for the low, without any wind.

My outer layer is KOM wool bibs and wool parka. My inner layer is Under Armor, KOM wool vest, Merino wool sweater, fleece jacket then KOM parka. It is warm but really bulky, especially the KOM parka.

So, I am looking for suggestions on less bulky clothing. I want to replace my KOM parka with something that is much less bulky but just as warm. If such a thing exists. I have had my KOM parka for about 20 years and there is nothing wrong with it. But when I have it on I feel like Randy from the movie Christmas Story.

I have not kept up with advances in clothing technology so am looking for suggestions from those who hunt in very cold conditions.

I haven't personally tried it (too expensive), but the Sitka Fanatic stuff has a strong following from what I gather. I'm sure someone will be along with a cheaper alternative.

I know what you mean about getting colder as we get older, a couple of days ago I was out in 40F with two fleece and two wool layers up top with warm pants under insulated bibs. Never had to dress like that even 5 years ago that I recall.

Maybe something with GORE-TEX? You need something to keep You warm but still allow the perspiration to escape. I'm sure that some of the experts will show up to give opinions and advice. GOOD HUNTING!

There's nothing new in clothes its all hype and little substance imo. Wool is still the king in truly nasty cold and wet conditions.

I used to wear down decades ago. Down is light and very warm. No way do you feel weighted down and restricted like you do with the Pillsbury dough boy clothes you are currently wearing. But it tends to bust open if you wear it without some kind of goretex shell.

Affordable and heavy duty grade is my style these past decades. Fleece is cheap light and very warm, and dries extremely fast. I wear that under my Carhartt and Walls bibs and canvas jacket. All construvction dudes wear this stuff, you can work in it and it is very affordable. Good luck.

I was out in single digit wind chills with a,15-20 mph wind and fresh inch plus of snow. Coupla fingertips got cold holding the bow, to the point of hurting alittle when they warmed up. After being in shirtsleeves most all fall, I didnt really get acclimated to this quite yet. But the deer were active, feeding, moving, chasing, and scraping all during daylight hours. Tracks were everywhere and I saw four. Excellent morning, early afternoon of hunting. The kind I like best. The ole German army wool sweater and pants did the trick. Stayed warm even on stand. Extra fleece glove over the cut-off fingers wool insert on my left hand resolved the burning digit issue. And I even had a shot at a yearling doe 100 yds from the truck coming out. 10 yd,broadside in the open. I passed in favor of waiting for a bigger one tomorrow. Gonna be 5-10F up there in the morning.. They will be moving. :) Cant wait.. Up at 4:30...Tomorrow's the day, I feel it! I cut at least 4 sets of buck tracks yesterday. All heading toward the doe playground.

I just got some of the Sitka Fanatic bibs and jacket from a member on Bowhunting.com forums, I just wore them out in 25 degree on temps, they had me sweating like a pig on the way to the stand.

I get cold really easily, specifically in my feet/hands. Obviously they didn't help keep my feet too warm but the rest of me was nice and toasty. I will let you know how they perform tomorrow morning as it is going to be 16 degrees outside. I believe there is a heavier sitka set, they call it the Incinerator or something. But so far I have been pleased with the fanatic set.( It helps that I killed my first archery buck while wearing them for the first time. Training wheels or not :)

Every thing you are wearing should keep you warm....if it fits correctly. Very few of us can still fit in the clothes we bought several decades ago, myself included. What I did was go up one size so that my clothes fit a little looser giving me more freedom of movement. Of course if you layer you will be able to remove or add clothing as necessary. I wear a filson gray black cruiser and matching pants as my outer layer, a wool vest of the same make, and several layers to include the extreme cold weather poly pro made for the military. Too bad Filson stopped making the gray black pattern. You can still find them if you keep your eye out, but that was the best patten for bowhunters IMHO. TLM

Bought quilted long John's and I really like them, unbelievable difference, even helps keeping the feet warmer. Not much good for hiking though.

When it comes to decreasing bulk, you are not going to find any clothing that is warmer, per bulkiness, than the expedition stuff that climbers wear.

However, it is rather expensive, but lasts forever if cared for properly, and it isn't trendy.

I use a combination of the new high tech stuffm and the old. The old is mostly the outer layers. EXCEPT for the rain gear.

Under armor cold gear and wool socks for a base layer a long sleeve tshirt and a fleece vest is my go to. Then I wear another vest over that and I'm good to 20 degrees. Any colder and I just add a down coat.

I find that some type of "wind proof" clothing really helps keep the core warm. John

I wear SI, same as KOM. Nice at 30 degrees and no wind.

Add 20 MPH to that 30 degrees and wool sucks.

There some synthetic stuff out there that works with wind. I've had a some Sitka and Kuiu stuff at 30 degrees and 20MPH and was warm. Wear the same stuff and no wind, you might be warm, but your never going to get to full draw on a whitetail.

I have a wool 'system' and a 'wind' system. Don't want to say it's perfect, but I've never froze anything off. That alone makes me feel good.

Bowmania

Keep what you have and add a Heater Body Suit,

Like the Lost Mohican I prefer wool, Filson in particular. However, though still a little bulky I'd give Cabela's MT050 Whitetail Extreme parka a try. Tried it on and it seemed very warm while still being surprisingly quiet.

I bought a Gerbings fleece heated vest and put those hot hands/feet warmers in my pockets and boots. The cold is hard on me after two back surgeries but this really works well. I don't have to wear heavy parkas now or giant mittens. Hope ya find a solution. Tom

A good synthetic moisture wicking layer next to your skin is very important. After that, you have to layer. For upper body wear, I wear as little as possible for the hike in to my climber location. That's usually a fleece,or wool, sweater over the moisture wicking layer. At the base of the tree I put on a pullover heavy fleece(300wt)before donning my harness. Once I'm up the tree I remove the light gloves I used for the hike in and climb, then first put on Arctic Shield boot covers, another heavy fleece vest, which goes over my harness, then an uninsulated brushed nylon camo jacket. I wear a neck gator to the tree and it fills in the gap between my collar and the harness tether. I wear two fleece caps and recently found one with a wind barrier I will try this morning. I use a ReconWrap to create a camo face mask and it blocks the cold/draft on my face and ears. My gloves are GloMitts with fleece pockets stitched in the finger/mitt to hold dry chemical warmers. I also have those warmers in my pants pocket and the outside camo jacket pockets.

For extreme cold(teens and windy), I have a mylar panel I pin inside the back of the uninsulated jacket, and I also wear a fleece pocket on a belt that I position in the middle of my back, with a heater inside. Also, I put a heater packet in the ArcticShield boot covers.

On all my outer jackets I stitch two elastic pieces under my left arm(I'm right-handed), which pull the front of the jacket towards the back, so as to draw the front of jacket close to my body, and out of the string path.

Anything I put on before the harness is pullover and anything after the harness is zip up.

After you've done it a few times it becomes routine.

I have the Sitka Fanatic Bibs, Stratus jacket and pants, all are wind proof, and a Sitka Kelvin jacket for insulation. They are warm and a lot less bulky. The Fanatic bibs are warm and I would think twice about doing any long walks with them. The bibs have zippered legs and chest to allow venting. I have the KOM Bowman and it is heavy and bulky.

I recently picked up Cabelas Wooltimate pants & jacket with their 4most wind- shear protection & have been very pleased, the wind proof layer is the key. I also appreciate that u can throw it in the washer & dryer.

grey wolf woolens lined wool. sitting in a tree right now 18 f and breezy. warm and comfy

I tried to go non-bulky for the same reasons you mentioned, spent a lot of money on new stuff. None of the fancy, expensive stuff worked any better or required less bulk. So I'm back to all wool now and a vest under and over my jacket. Helps keep my core warm and arms a bit more free feeling.

I tired wind shear clothing, but sounded like Donna Summers in 80s nylon pants doing a jig.

Getting older does make us feel colder sooner in the fall but wait , if you have open heart surgery it makes it 10x fold worse LOL...My first year and WOW , I wish I had known that was going to happen.

Cabela's stand hunter extreme bibs or coveralls.

Cabelas thermal zone base layer. Best base layer I've ever worn. Much better than UA IMO. Only problem...don't walk too far. You will sweat even in 0 deg temps. I carry it and get dressed when I reach my stand. Also thermal fleece for mid layer. Outer layer is a quality wool vest. My problem is usually my feet. Just can't keep my toes warm.

I build a nice fire by my natural ground blind, with cedar boughs and make hot tea,,,,,, really I am not kidding, in the western UP.....

Except for right now, I am in the woods every day, wool is nice, but when it gets wet, it stays wet,,,,,,,,

still wear my wool pants and plaid shirts, but my daughter bought me ECWS under layer clothing, that is amazing stuff,,, I think she got it from Cabelas in Green Bay.....

I also have some nice fleece bibs........

BUT, if you want to hunt cold weather, and I mean cold weather, I used a Heater Body Suit in Ontario one year,,,,, WOW, under light clothing, nothing kept me warmer,,,,,, There used all over Canada,,,,,, easy to carry in, on back, and put on,,,,,

The are not cheap, but my buddy said, compared to what he spent on Sitka, its a bargain

>>> "I tried to go non-bulky for the same reasons you mentioned, spent a lot of money on new stuff. None of the fancy, expensive stuff worked any better or required less bulk. So I'm back to all wool now and a vest under and over my jacket. Helps keep my core warm and arms a bit more free feeling." <<<

I'm in this same boat. I don't like the bulk on my arms when I shoot my bow. Hence I am going to with a wool vest. Should keep the torso warm.

I like the ECWS i'll use the thin layer next to my body.Then i use the heavy weight on top of it ,to top it off with 28oz.wool pants.Same thing on the top of my body,with a filson heavy weight sweater,and my black an gray check wool vest.I ware two bogings,i really like to keep my head warm too.I don't like to ware a coat,never could shoot my bow with one on.If the wind blows i"ll ware some sort of wind blocker pull-over.19 this morning and i was toasty.Over the years i found this works for me, maybe not someone else.

"I tired wind shear clothing, but sounded like Donna Summers in 80s nylon pants doing a jig."

This isn't an issue with the Cabelas Wooltimate, the stuff is whisper quiet. It's denser & heavier than wool, but not too bulky since you only need a good base layer underneath. Too warm for stalking or long walks, but great for long sits on stand. I hunted the last 2 weeks in single digit to low 20's & this is the best stuff I've ever tried... been hunting MN & WI late seasons for 35+ years.

Two Tracks vest.

That Two Tracks does look warm. I like warm.

My friend just won a Milwaukee electric co, jacket that you run batteries in to keep you warm,,,, I laughed at that, but he said it is great,,,,, another idea

Like you I am wool guy.

Yesterday was 15*F and steady 25 mph wind.

I wore merino long johns, (2x legs) an unlined wool shirt and my Grey Wolf Woolens lined (wind break) bibs and jacket and was fine. I realized I had been over insulating myself prior. There was a very slight chill in my arms from the wind.

My brother wore long johns (cotton of all things) and his Sitka gear bibs and jacket. His only complaint was the same slight arm chill, but he was a lot less bulked up than me.

It has me wondering.....

Sitka gear, but by far the best thing is a vest I found by Googling that has 10 pockets for the large 16 hr. handwarmers. You want a thin vest to conduct the heat to your body. I wear it over long underwear or over the Sitka bibs, depending upon how cold it is.

I'm in Canada now and using about 15 handwarmers a day, additional ones for head, near ears, and neck,and feet. I can stay out all day...I don't think any clothing even Sitka and Cabelas best would enable me to do this w/o them. It costs about $15/day; well worth it. Active heat beats passive heat retention, IMO.

Every problem has a solution...

Sevearl layers finished off by a heavy wool blanket made into a pullover is the best I got and use but sometimes late season still presents a problem. But, I solved it a while back.....I don't go hunting when its real cold. :o) To quote 10 Bears, "At my age, there is nothing like a good fire." Regards

I'm like you a love my wool but the older I get the heavier it seems. This year I changed a little to reduce weight. I use a lot of first light merino wool under layers, then Patagonia nano puff pants and jacket. They are light and warm just don't outer layer to tight over them. To down around freezing I use firstlite wool over it with 2 layer vest system. As it gets colder my outer layer changes to my old swanndri gear and my Patagonia layer goes to my thicker down layer. The hard part is finding the good pants that are insulated and light your looking for light in weight stuff. Gun season just started here so got out the old Kentucky smoke pole but noticed that getting around was so much easer and I felt so much lighter. Hope this helps you like it did me. Dennis

I got a heater body suit for Xmas a few years ago. Now I dont need all those bulky clothes

I hunt in some cold temps on occasion. Sat in standing corn last year with wind chills at -17 degrees. I wore high end insulated, water/wind proof Cabela's coveralls over fleece base layers.

Yes it's somewhat bulky, but it works. Usually pin a large heat pack inside, center of back. As for hands, just light weight gloves kept in my pockets with heat packs. Stay perfectly warm for when I need to be able to shoot.

Just remember the key element regarding a windproof layer. It has to be as close to the outside as possible. Nothing outside that wind barrier is going to do you much good at all as the wind is flushing the trapped air out of it faster than your body can warm it.

In 40 odd years of traditional archery I’ve tried just about all the cold weather clothing options like KOM, Body Heater Suit, several versions of Cablela and LLBean offerings, Sleeping Indian etc.

I found the usual trade off was bulk for warmth that could make flexibility and shooting a bow a challenge. For example, the body heater suit is really a sleeping bag with legs. Very warm but a bit awkward for me to get it and my other gear to my ground blind. I also struggled with the motion to get it to slip off my shoulders for a shot. I’m sure not a problem for a tree stand hunter, but it was for me on the ground.

I kept looking and sometimes buying since my sensitivity to cold seems to increase with age. Two years I made the substantial investment in Sitka gear— Fanatic jacket and bibs. I can handle 0-40 degrees F with a single wicking layer and the Fanatic combo. Minimal bulk. Keeps my core so warm the circulation in hands and feet stays high and I find little need for hand warmers. The jacket is full of pockets and a ‘kangaroo’ pouch hand warmer that is unique.

I can’t wear the jacket if there is a long walk to the blind, but it’s easy to pack.

Haven’t checked prices lately, but the pair will likely scare the dickens out of $800.00. Feel the pain once, and don’t look back. Great gear. Wish I’d done it sooner.

I wear same thing Eskimo people wear. My mid length Wolf fur coat does not care if your naked underneath, you will still have to open it up and cool down every once in awhile.

It was +5F yesterday morning. Had my German army wool pants and sweater, underarmor long sleeve under and fleece sweatshirt over, with thin,snowcamo cover. Wool knee high sox with Muck boots, wool army glove inserts with a fleece glove on,left hand only. Had to keep putting fingers in pockets, but otherwise toasty even standing still. Wind was around 5-7 mph, slightly below 0 wind chill. Called two all bucks in but wind was swirling. They,took off before offering a shot. Ground hunting is a challenge, but very exciting.

It was +5F yesterday morning. Had my German army wool pants and sweater, underarmor long sleeve under and fleece sweatshirt over, with thin,snowcamo cover. Wool knee high sox with Muck boots, wool army glove inserts with a fleece glove on,left hand only. Had to keep putting fingers in pockets, but otherwise toasty even standing still. Wind was around 5-7 mph, slightly below 0 wind chill. Called two all bucks in but wind was swirling. They,took off before offering a shot. Ground hunting is a challenge, but very exciting.

Sheesh, once of my mug is enough...sorry.

Two small bucks...

Best thing you can do to keep your feet warm is put unscented antiperspirant on them. Feet don't sweat, they don't get cold.

I know it isn't a great thing to do as your feet are supposed to sweat, but if it gets cold and I am hunting or working outside, I do it.

IWOM is what have been using. Similar to a heater body suite. Instead of open at the top, a parka is incorporated. Has a lot of really cool features. Checit out!

This....

One thing I have used that works good is a jogging outfit with the liner. the wind will not go through it they are very thin and very light. put it on under outer layers it is a little noise but you wont notice it under other layers.

TK, you never looked so good. Can see why you haven't shot a deer yet, your facing the wrong way.

LOL, I look WAY better covered up with a face mask. I never know what direction to face, so I probably spook them all by turning around so much. But where I am here, it doesn't matter what direction you face, the deer could have come in from ANY direction, there were tracks everywhere. Like a cattle yard there. Maybe if I just stand still I'll get more shots. :) The two that did come in came from opposite directions within 5 minutes of each other (in the other stand about 100 yards from this one.

Kodiak,

That’s pretty much how I look, except in camo.

Wool is the way to go, However Iv ruined a lot of expensive wool clothing walking thru Brush and briars. My pants are so matted up now with stickers an burdocks that it's actually ripping the outer layers off causing them to be much less effective and really uncomfortable . I will only were my wool now for late season hunting while I'm hunting over a food source an won't likely have to deal with much brush. I am also getting tired of all the bulk with wool, so I went back to merino base layers and Under Armour clothing, much less bulk and keeps me warm during all day sits down to single digits.

The issue with REALLY cold weather when layering is the bulk. Some of the extreme gear gives you warmth without the bulk. I have the Cabelas MT050 Deer Hunter Extreme coveralls...the Wooltimate Extreme cold bibs and parka is a hot set up also. The trick is to wear your base layer ONLY to the stand...chill out and cool off, then get dressed.

I am also considering the Milwaukee heater jacket, they also sell a heater hoody sweatshirt. Still need a windproof layer to keep the breeze from taking your heat away.

"There's nothing new in clothes its all hype and little substance imo."

From my first hand experience I have to disagree.

Used to be a worshipper of wool as an outer layer...have all sorts of it.

I then bought some Sitka pants for the elk trip to Colorado.

Very glad I did...quiet, warm and windproof, much easier to walk in and the pocket design, belt and suspender system is very well thought out. I was never cold in snowstorms and wind at timberline.

In comparison wool is heavy and bulks up in the knees and impedes walking long distances. Also it is not windproof.

It would have been tough to do what I did with my wool pants and coat.

I just wore them deer hunting here in Quebec and was comfy at temps near 0 degrees F with a gusty NW wind.

Going to buy some Fanatic bibs next and the coat...short term pain for long term gain.

Meant I just wore my Sitka Mountain pants hunting in Quebec...was warm but sometimes hunt in worse conditions up here, hence the Fanatics.

in the old days used to go to the Army/Navy store, looking for military winter wool uniforms

I ditched the UA cold gear years ago for bow hunting. They’re too tight and don’t allow air to trap in my opinion. I like light poly under merino wool for base layers and GW wool on top. Your KOM is probably spot on, the base might be what’s getting you cold. In wind I’ll put on a wind stop layer. Really cold, I break out my Bunny Boots. I don’t typically hunt in temps like that, but have hunted single digits on occasion and been comfortable.

If you can afford it Woolpower merino wool terry woven long underwear is absolutely the best investment I ever made against cold. Woolpower is the Americans company that distributes it. It's made by Ulfrotte of Sweden. It comes in 200, 400, 600 and I think even 800 gram weights. I bought 200 gram for moderate cold 30 to 10 above. And 400 to put on over the 200 if it got colder. With a wind barrier layer over that and a G.Fred Asbell wool pullover and codet wool bub overalls I could sleep comfortably with the temps at zero without a fire.

The Sitka Gear incinerator line works very well for cold weather. Add base layers as the temps drop. I have used it for treestand hunting in the Iowa late season with temps as cold as -10 and stayed pretty warm. Bigger issue was keeping my feet and fingers warm.

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