Cold Weather Layering Philosophy

In this podcast I discuss an alternative to the usual layering advice given to and by whitetail hunters for tree stand use. Nearly everyone is familiar with using the big, bulky insulated parkas and jackets, whether they're inexpensive or from top shelf brands. Those garments are usually well thought out and useful in the tree. The downside is that for mobile hunters in particular, the amount of bulk and weight carried in just for layering gets fairly extreme in cold weather. Western hunters are familiar with packable insulation, but often those options are noisy and don't have good windproofing or pocket layout. The compromise here is a system in which you layer a functional whitetail specific shell garment overtop of a packable insulation layer. Base layers can be worn while walking in, and the shell can provide additional wind blocking if needed while the insulation takes up minimal pack space. You ultimately have to weigh out which type of system makes more sense. One is easier in terms of purchasing and sizing. The other offers benefits for long treks to the tree.  DIY Sportsman is Powered by Simplecast