Whether trekking long distances or glassing for hours, you need to be able to make yourself as comfortable as possible so you can hunt harder, longer, and increase your chances of success. Below, we're going to show the basics - what the purpose of each layer is and how you can mix and match items to meet the ever-changing conditions a day's hunt brings.
The longer you last, the better your odds. It's that simple. Base layers are the foundation of your whole system because regulating your body temerature is key to keeping up your stamina.
When your body temperature rises or lowers too quickly, you fatigue. Base layers help trap-in the heat while keeping sweat away from your body at the same time. For that benifit, you'll want a lightweight material that stretches and holds close to the skin.
Temperature Regulation
Maintains thermal balance between the body and its environment - holding just the right amount of heat.
Moisture-Wicking
Soft, breathable fabric with 4-way stretch that moves with you, holds close to the skin, and pulls away excess moisture.
Quick-Dry Technology
The lightweight polyester/spandex blend with flat locked stitching means you'll stay dry no matter how much you sweat.
There's no worse feeling than when you need to hold still, but something is riding up or slipping down. The Vycah Briefs stretch, breathe, they won't ride up, and they feel like a million bucks.
Our Maxx Merino Socks feature Elastic Support System (ESS) throughout for support as well as a heel lock to secure the sock into place.
The mid-layer is an extension of your baselayer and you'll want the same properties. The fabric needs to be flexible, lightweight, holds in a more heat because the fabric is a little thicker than your baselayer.
It's all about options. If you anticipate cooler temps in the morning and warmer temps later in the day, opt for a lighter weight piece like the Zenyth Shirt or the Zenyx Stealth Shirt. For colder hunts, the Vyce Hoodie or the Vyce Stealth Hoodie are what you'll want to grab. Pants with features such as zippered hip vents and adjustable ankle diameter snaps so you can trap and release heat when you need to.
Temperature Regulation
A good mid layer will help to hold-in heat while still allowing for airflow between layers.
Ventilation
Breathable fabrics with features like zippered hip vents and inner thigh heat release channels gives you more control over your comfort.
Lightweight
No need to be weighed down in order to stay warm anymore. Durable, lightwight materials like rip stop polyester solve this problem.
Insulation layers are all about holding in heat. Since movement generates heat, this step in layering is perfect when you're glassing for long periods of time rather than hiking.
You lose a lot of heat around the head and neck, so headwear is also an important insulation tool.
Whether worn as an outer layer or under a jacket, materials like the white duck blended down filling in our Cobalt Jacket and Cobalt Pants keep you in the stand or blind longer - fearing the cold no more!
Quiet
Lightweight
Insulating
Getting soaked in the back country can ruin a hunt very quickly. Good outer wear will protect you from the elements, period. Durability is important, too - especially if you're getting caught-up in some brush.
Staying quiet, having plenty of storage, and being able to move around comfortably are all things that will keep your hunts successful.
From your jacket and pants down to your boots, your outer layer is your protective shell.