I have a brutal chest cold courtesy of my Phys-Ed kids. I had to go out this morning like it or not to run my trap line. It was -5 with a stiff wind. I am a volunteer firefighter and decided to wear my turnout gear checking my traps. Unbelievably warm. What a great setup for stand hunting I thought. You figure, this gear protects us from fire, sometimes getting too hot to touch, and absolute hell to wear at a Spring, Summer, or fall fire. Every fire dept has old gear hanging around. Be worth checking it out. The wool helmet liners we wear are warm too.

Can you shoot your bow wearing that stuff?

MP

My buddy who stood in my wedding was a firefighter, now retired. He gave me some boots and a coat. I use to wear them ice fishing. Wow, haven't thought about that in years. John

I will try shooting my longbow with the coat on. I crook my arm so it should work. I definitely will wear it ice fishing.

I used to have an old black turnout coat and wore it hunting some (not bow hunting) and worked outdoors in it. It was very warm and waterproof. Not sure what happened to it.

Did a quick search, some of that gear is super expensive. Understandable, made for literal hell-on-earth conditions.

Not sure how much 'used' stuff is out there, would definitely be great for ice fishing if you can find a deal.

I too am a Vol. firefighter. I agree that it's warm, but I'd be pretty cautious about wearing used turn-out gear. Even if cleaned regularly, it can still hold some pretty bad toxins that todays modern materials put out when they are on fire.

A least it would have that wood smoke smell for a cover sent. ;)

Layering still works just fine but folks neglect the very areas that can bring body heat down in a hurry; the midrift, neck and head. A lot of thought is given to feet of course but if you keep the neck worm you will go a long way to keeping the entire body cozy.

I bought a neck gator about a dozen years ago....could have been only four years ago but time flies. Best $2.98 I ever spent for winter wear. I also wear my fleece fanny pack which has a wide area to cover my waist/midrift area. It's amazing how much warmth those two areas will either give or take.

Stilldub is probably right. Most of the fires we have up here are forestry related. We did have a mobile home fire a month ago that was nasty. We were all wearing air packs. I am almost 73, so my job is to keep track of the guys and keep the portable tank filled. Our fire station is the social center of our village along with church and our 15 student school. Every male native is on it. We train twice a month followed by goodies baked by the wives, and have one hell of a Christmas party.

George is spot on about the neck gaiter. Years ago, my mother gave me one for Christmas. Made of pretty thick fleece and has been one of the best articles of cold weather clothing I ever had. I can wear it just around my neck but mostly I use it in conjunction with a wool skull or watch cap.

My wife knits neck gaiters for me. A combination of green, brown and tan yarn and stretchy enough to pull up as a facemask.

MP

Turnout gear would probably be OK for stand rifle, but it’s too bulky for bow hunting and moving around much. I wore that stuff and later sold it for 40 years total, so I’ve got a lot of experience with it.

Yes the kidneys act like a radiator and the blood flow in neck and head area. Keep those areas warm and you will be in good shape. >>>-----> Ken

Another vote for the fleece neck gaiter. Will pull mine up over the mouth and nose when colder, as the air will warm as you breathe through the fleece.

I use one all the time. Older I get the easier I get cold.

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