Colorado 4th season elk clothing???

[ColinR]

Looking for some advice on 4th season (end of November) elk in Colorado. Will be my son and I's first out-of-state hunt! We have a little bit of merino wool base later stuff and some "around the house" Kuiu stuff but since most of our hunting is done driving a SXS to a heated deer stand we don't have any what I would call "real hunting cloths"

I know that time of year Colorado weather is very unpredictable so I feel like we need to be prepared for anything from 70 degrees to zero or below.

Is the Kuiu and Sitka gear really worth the price? Are there some off brand or other brand stuff you recommend that is just as good?

I am reading some people don't like merino wool for extreme cold and to get synthetic instead..... any advise there? They say merino wool retains moisture and feels clammy???

If you have a particular clothing line you recommend, what clothing pieces do you recommend we get?

Yes I know people have been hunting in jeans and a Carharts for years killing all kinds of critters in the mountains, but I would like to take advantage of the technology we have now.

[Mossback]

Looking for some advice on 4th season (end of November) elk in Colorado. Will be my son and I's first out-of-state hunt! We have a little bit of merino wool base later stuff and some "around the house" Kuiu stuff but since most of our hunting is done driving a SXS to a heated deer stand we don't have any what I would call "real hunting cloths"

I know that time of year Colorado weather is very unpredictable so I feel like we need to be prepared for anything from 70 degrees to zero or below.

Is the Kuiu and Sitka gear really worth the price? Are there some off brand or other brand stuff you recommend that is just as good?

I am reading some people don't like merino wool for extreme cold and to get synthetic instead..... any advise there? They say merino wool retains moisture and feels clammy???

If you have a particular clothing line you recommend, what clothing pieces do you recommend we get?

Yes I know people have been hunting in jeans and a Carharts for years killing all kinds of critters in the mountains, but I would like to take advantage of the technology we have now.

Like you said be prepared for below zero to +60 degrees. I have mostly Kuiu gear just b/c thats what I started with buying. For 4th season you are def going to want merino wool base layers ( get zipoff bottoms whatever you decide they are worth their weight in gold), then either Kuiu or Sitka for the layering system. Not a fan of first lite stuff but everyone has their own opinion. To me its worth the money, I do at least two out of state trips a yr and put stuff through the ringer. For 4th season I would have a good waterproof set as well for sitting and glassing in snow ( I have Kuiu yukon for this scenario) its also a good wind blocker. The elements Jacket from Kuiu is a good 4th season jacket as well. There were times in wyoming last yr I was wearing two sets of merino bottoms and tops, fleece lined Kuiu pants, yukon pants over those, a guide jacket and my elements jacket over that but it was -10 and 30 mph winds. Get really good gloves as well with a lighter base glove that goes under ( buy the external glove a size bigger to put on and take off easier). Hot hands warmers in jacket pockets really help to warm up your hands one at a time while glassing etc. I wouldn't worry about camo colors, solids are fine. Get as much as you can out of the outlets sales to save 30-40%. I have a mixmatch of colors, solids and camo, but I'm not going to a fashion show so I don't care. Buy a neck gaiter as well, its helps keep heat in and block the wind. Leg gaiters too, they will keep your pants and boots dry. Waterproof your boots ( boots are a whole other subject) as much as possible too dry feet are crucial.

[ColinR]

Like you said be prepared for below zero to +60 degrees. I have mostly Kuiu gear just b/c thats what I started with buying. For 4th season you are def going to want merino wool base layers ( get zipoff bottoms whatever you decide they are worth their weight in gold), then either Kuiu or Sitka for the layering system. Not a fan of first lite stuff but everyone has their own opinion. To me its worth the money, I do at least two out of state trips a yr and put stuff through the ringer. For 4th season I would have a good waterproof set as well for sitting and glassing in snow ( I have Kuiu yukon for this scenario) its also a good wind blocker. The elements Jacket from Kuiu is a good 4th season jacket as well. There were times in wyoming last yr I was wearing two sets of merino bottoms and tops, fleece lined Kuiu pants, yukon pants over those, a guide jacket and my elements jacket over that but it was -10 and 30 mph winds. Get really good gloves as well with a lighter base glove that goes under ( buy the external glove a size bigger to put on and take off easier). Hot hands warmers in jacket pockets really help to warm up your hands one at a time while glassing etc. I wouldn't worry about camo colors, solids are fine. Get as much as you can out of the outlets sales to save 30-40%. I have a mixmatch of colors, solids and camo, but I'm not going to a fashion show so I don't care. Buy neck gaitors as well for the wind, its helps keep heat in and block the wind.

Thanks. The Yukon rain jacket is actually on sale now. 27% off at $279. Being that I have 9 more months I should probably wait and see if it goes down or find it secondhand.

[Mossback]

Thanks. The Yukon rain jacket is actually on sale now. 27% off at $279. Being that I have 9 more months I should probably wait and see if it goes down or find it secondhand.

Might as well start buying stuff here and there, I doubt you get that jacket much cheaper if any. I would bet this won't be your only trip out west after the first one. last yr during Co 4th season it was lows in the teens and highs uin the 40s, we had just come from wyoming where it never got over 35 for 10 straight days. its all a crapshoot on the weather. I cannot reccomend the zipoff merino bottoms enough. not having to take boots off to shed bottom layers is awesome. My buddy has the chugach rain gear set and he loves that one as well. The yukons are thick and you aren't hiking much in them without sweating profusely. I have mine for sitting

[Texans42]

fourth season is all about layering

are the top brands worth the price? Best way to put it they are appropriately priced in comparison to similar technology used in top end mountaineering brands like Arteryx, Mountain hardware, Mammut etc.

can you build a cheaper version that is priced less but may be a little heavier, not dry as quick or less technical in general from someone like Columbia… yes

[CrownKiller14]

1) Puffy Jackets and Pants (Black Ovis is high quality at a lower price point)
Weight vs warmth can't be beat.

2)DarnTough socks

Depending on the type of hunting. If your gonna be glassing for long periods a good butt pad sitting directly on the ground sucks your body heat right out of you.

[ColinR]

Might as well start buying stuff here and there, I doubt you get that jacket much cheaper if any. I would bet this won't be your only trip out west after the first one. last yr during Co 4th season it was lows in the teens and highs uin the 40s, we had just come from wyoming where it never got over 35 for 10 straight days. its all a crapshoot on the weather. I cannot reccomend the zipoff merino bottoms enough. not having to take boots off to shed bottom layers is awesome. My buddy has the chugach rain gear set and he loves that one as well. The yukons are thick and you aren't hiking much in them without sweating profusely. I have mine for sitting

Do you feel restricted, as in range of motion, in the Yukons? When you say thick, I think of the old thick plastic rain gear that you might as well get rained on because your going to be soaked with sweat wearing it anyway. I really wish Kuiu was sold in stores so you could go try it on.

[Mossback]

Do you feel restricted, as in range of motion, in the Yukons? When you say thick, I think of the old thick plastic rain gear that you might as well get rained on because your going to be soaked with sweat wearing it anyway. I really wish Kuiu was sold in stores so you could go try it on.

nope I buy a little bigger to put on easily over layers or take off quick. its not like the old plastic stuff, its semi breathable.

[7sdad]

I would look at First Lite over Kuiu and I have more Kuiu than I do First Lite. Look at the First Lite Furnace base layers as they are about as warm as it gets. And don't worry about camo, solid colors work just fine.

[160class]

I run all Kuiu personally, my brother runs Sitka and other buddies run Kuiu.

Get whatever layering system you feel the most comfortable with, Sitka you can go try on so that is a plus over Kuiu.

[Texans42]

my late season setup

base layer-

bottoms-kuiu 145 and for real cold Stoneglacier Helio zip off
top- Kuiu 145

pants-
Prana Zion and SG De Havilland

mid-
Sitka Fanatic and firstlite Klamath and Columbia grid fleece(orange)

vest-
orange kuiu pelton 240 orange and orange aglow


Puffy-
Mountain hardware Ghost whisper (best sub 12oz puffy on market)

outer jacket-
Stoneglacier M7

gloves-Mountain hardware power stretch liners and either kuiu northstar groments or Mountain hardware absolute zero mitts.




note I gave two options on some. If I’m spike camping out I tend to be more weight aware

couple other things I always have neck gaiter, leg gaiters and microspikes

Good luck. Dont over think it. Just stick to synthetic/wool over cotton and grid fleece or power stretch fleece mid options to save weight. 4th season Waterproof jacket isnt needed but does a great job blocking wind. Some of the waterproof/semi waterproof hybrids are great layering outer wear options: Kuiu Axis, Stone glacier M7, Stika jetstream, etc.

They all have a layering system that will work, comes down to user preferences(example my favorite grid fleece is firstlight kalamath but I typically wear the sitka fanatic more because of kangaroo pocket.

[easeup]

snow shovel

[Dave_]

If you want to save some $. Look into the military Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS). Some of the name brand stuff your paying for the name or pattern. Look at what it's made out of and find it cheaper from a less popular brand. Camo patterns don't mean anything to the animal

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[Dave_]

Now if you want ultralight backpacking gear you will have to shell out some $. I'm a fan of merino, mostly so I don't stink like a skunk.

I hunted 1st season a few years ago it it dropped down to single digits temps at night at +10k feet. I was in a tee shirt walking around hiking/hunting during the day but would freeze my butt off if I was sitting and glassing at first or last light

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[wytex]

2 pairs of good boots, snow will get them wet and wet boots are not fun.
Leg gaiters help, mentioned above and work great instead of rain pants.

I've come to really love my puffy jacket for cold weather hunting, I have an old Core4E and a Kryptek with a hood. Fleece or something quiet goes over the puffy for noise and to protect the puffy.

A smaller day pack for when you don't need a huge pack frame and bag.

Get some merino wool glove liners.

Cheap snow shoes may come in handy too, make sure they are long and wide enough for your weight. Post holing or trudging through deep snow gets old.
Colorado snow is dry so you will sink in your boots. It really taxes your qauds and such after an all day snow hike.
A cheap sled for dragging quarters works very well in snow, probably can buy one in Colorado at a Walmart or something if you get up this way and it is snowy.