What is the warmest clothing??

[DLH]

In your opions: what is the warmest type of materials?  I currently wear WOOLRICH  > red wool plaid. but what about THINSULATE? or something eles?  and where to get the garments


WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[longwinters]

I have woolrich and am very disappointed with the loose weave and the button front of the coats.  I hunt in temps from 50 to -50 and woolrich does not cut it.  But I do love wool for hunting.  I like the smell, the feel over my longjohns and I like the weight.  Probably 7-8 years ago I purchased a long coat, shirt and vest made by Swanidri in NewZealand.  It is fantastic.  Very tight weave, basically waterproof, I use it from mild conditions to extreme cold by the layering system.  It comes in camo as well as a variety of colors in plaid.  As far as I know right now you would have to look them up on the internet as the company I got mine from no longer exists.  One of my sons also got some 2 years ago and really loves it.  It costs about 1/2 as much as Sleeping Indian designs or King of the Mountain and better fits my hunting style.

long

[akpls]

When I was a kid deer hunting in PA Woolrich was real popular.  You still see the "old-timers" wearing it back there.  Now that I live where the cold can be serious I've gone almost entirely to layers of Polarfleece under a pair of nylon windpants.  It's lightweight and absorbs very little moisture.  What it does absorb can be dried out in short time.  When I have to be out for extended periods and it's really cold (-40F or lower) I put several handwarmer packets between the layers.  On my head I wear a light fleece balaclava under my beaver hat.  Of course the ultimate for warmth would be a fur parka, but I find those a bit heavy for my purposes.

[Daveinthebush]

Back east I wore wool too. The Malone Bib hunting pants are my favorite.
The back part over the kidneys really helps to cover the back when you lean over.

I found that I needed more up here so snow pants from Cabela's are standard way up north.

I bought a 2-part parka Dry Plus from Cabela's that I love.  It was five years ago and I have worn it to -55 windchill and snowmachining.  I love it.  In Valdez I usually only have to wear the liner. I can'r remember the snow pant brabd but there more than adequate.

For my serious boots I have some mid-calf -85 Cabelas with heavy felt liners that are great.  Most people opt for the military bunny boots up here but I like a taler boot with a draw string on the top.

The key fact is layering and haveing the extra graments along.

[Dand]

I'm sold on high quality fleece and synthetics that don't absorb water or moisture.  I have quite a bit of Patagonia, NorthFace, REI fleece in different weights that allows layering, does not absorb water or sweat.  Its lighter, more flexible, quiet and if it does get water on it, it will dry out and keep heat better than anything. Last thing I want out hiking is weight.  A good goretex or dry tex wind breaking cover is good.  

I still wear a down parka when its ultra cold and I'm pretty certain rain or serious dampness isn't going to be a factor.

The one advantage to wool is its fire resistance.  If you have to go with wool go with Filson. Love my double makinaw coat for around town.  I'd sure hate to get it wet though - it  would weigh a ton.

Above all stay away from cotton. Had another good example of that yesterday.  Shoveled out the drive and got real sweaty while wearing a cotton T shirt.  The put up Christmas lights and other low level activity.  Got chilled with the damp shirt and never could warm up- that damp shirt just sucked the heat out of me - even inside until I changed shirts.

[Stringer]

I was raised on Filson wool and tin pants in the timber in Wa, but up here I use capilene, fleece, and a windproof fleece, or water proof shell. You can not beat the layering system.

[GillDog]

When I go on multi-day hunts in the alpine I wear my fleece and Patagonia Stretch Element shell. When you are up high for a few days at a time you need gear that is light and breathable. Later in the year when I go out for the day I often wear my Filson wool. It is super quite and in my opinion it can't be beat for day trips in the snow.

[kenfred]

Anybody have any experience/opinions on the Arctic Shield line of outerwear?