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Are expensive hunting clothes worth it?

Posted on 6/28/22 at 11:06 pm
Posted by arktiger28
Member since Aug 2005
4805 posts
Posted on 6/28/22 at 11:06 pm
I’m a big deer hunter and I’ve always just kind of warn thrown together clothes like old army fatigues. I’m thinking of upgrading to something like First Lite but It’s not cheap. Is an investment in expensive hunting clothes worth it? I hunt in South Arkansas and North Louisiana.
Posted by Rize
Spring Texas
Member since Sep 2011
15841 posts
Posted on 6/28/22 at 11:33 pm to
quote:

I’m a big deer hunter and I’ve always just kind of warn thrown together clothes like old army fatigues. I’m thinking of upgrading to something like First Lite but It’s not cheap. Is an investment in expensive hunting clothes worth it? I hunt in South Arkansas and North Louisiana.



I guess it depends on the kind of hunting. If you’re going to be out in the elements bow hunting or stalking then some of them would be. For the bow hunting stuff you will want quit and light weight for the early season when it’s balls arse
hot.

If your sitting in a heated ground blind or box blind with a rifle then probably not. I bought a bunch of the Badlands stuff when it went on 50% sale a few years ago. It’s not the best out there but for what I do and 50% off I couldn’t pass it up.
This post was edited on 6/28/22 at 11:35 pm
Posted by UpToPar
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2008
22165 posts
Posted on 6/28/22 at 11:36 pm to
In 95% of scenarios, they are a luxury item. They are nice to have and will make your hunt more comfortable, but they certainly aren’t necessary.

Whether they are “worth it” depends on what kind of hunting your doing. They are of little utility if you’re sitting in a box stand. If you’re in a climber in 20 degree weather then they have greater value.
Posted by Atlas_Shrugged
Ocean Springs, MS
Member since May 2022
570 posts
Posted on 6/28/22 at 11:39 pm to
I hunt deer mostly in NW Arkansas and South MO….I gets damn cold and a few years ago I switched to First Lite Moreno wool and it was a game changer for me…on the flip side i sometimes hint in MS and Texas and my light Moreno wool stuff keeps me just as cool in the “summer” as it does warm in the winter when I wear it as a base layer
Posted by rmc
Truth or Consequences
Member since Sep 2004
26554 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 5:09 am to
I think what others have said is correct. Depends on what you are doing. I know in SW Mississippi last year I spent just as many times climbing into my box stand in December and January wearing basketball shorts and a t shirt because it was a sweat lodge with the temperatures.
Posted by PolarPop5
Baton Rouge, La
Member since Aug 2017
273 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 5:38 am to
As a big duck hunter in the marshes of South La, a good Sitka jacket is worth its weight in gold. I do however wear whatever gas station camo I have under the outer shell.
Posted by Canon951
Member since May 2020
147 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 6:23 am to
Do you get cold when you hunt wearing your current attire? I used to hunt in army fatigues, etc. and would always be cold. Current hunting clothing has come a long way in my opinion and is worth upgrading if staying warm is a problem for you when you hunt.
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5671 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 7:26 am to
The key to deer hunting is time in the stand. If you’re uncomfortable, you’ll spend less time in the stand.
Son gave me a Sitka bow jacket a while back when he was getting a discount with them. It’s done the job from zero degrees in Colorado and WYO to 30 degree days in Mississippi and Louisiana when it’s spitting ice pellets.
I’ve also had good luck with Cabelas Berber fleece, but it’s a bit more bulky.
Use whatever keeps you on the stand longer.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
11456 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 7:38 am to
Depends.

Warm weather bow hunting I go cheap. I wear Wrangler ATG pants, a loose cotton tshirt, and a mesh leafy suit top.

A couple years ago I invested in some First lite Solitude bibs, jacket, and some MTN Ops Merino baselayers. Freakin' game changer.

ETA: The First Lite Solitude kit feels really well made and is laid out thoughtfully as far as pockets and such go. Hood is really functional as well. I purchased some Obsidian Merino pants and they were the most comfortable, quiet pants I ever wore but I guess they're made for skinny mountain people and not hobbits. It took about 2 months for my thighs to rub a hole in the crotch where my legs rub together. I'm not fat, 30 inch waist, athletic build. FL let me return them and upgrade to the Obsidian Foundry pants which were absolute garbage. They put a bunch of the Corrugate Guide pants material on them which is loud as all get out. Felt like I was wearing a garbage bag.
This post was edited on 6/29/22 at 7:43 am
Posted by One More Shot
Member since Nov 2021
279 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 7:45 am to
The true answer is NO. In the end its a fad. Yes I have purchased more expensive hunting clothes than most. If Sitka, Drake, REI, First Lite, North Face, etc makes it I probably own it. With that being said Moreno wool that has been commented is a absolute great layer to have. And honestly not expensive and made by a bunch of companies now. SAID ALL THAT, TO SAY THIS.... LAYERS are the key to warmth period end of story and bottom line. Also planning your hunt. If I'm walking into a deer stand or duck blind most of the time, I have two warm outer layers in a bag and don't put them on until I'm in a blind and settled a couple minutes to let moisture from walk dissipate. South in general is more humidity control than cold. It's just not cold down here to speak of. I never hunt less than 2 layers even in Sept Oct. And as many as 4 Jan Feb. 80% the time it's a cotton shirt first and honestly have left many in the woods in a stump hole covered in dirt and leaves. Once they are wicked and full of moisture (SCENT) they got to go. Reach in bag and fresh one and layer up for the sit time. Never been a fan of scent Lok or similar products because the honestly just don't work after you've warn them a handful of times or sweat in them once. You can't wash that out without adding another scent to replace it.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 8:03 am to
It can be. Where that stuff is worth the cost is multi-day backpack hunting where weight and pack-ability can really make life much easier. You're paying a whole lot for the light weight, not for how great it will keep you warm.

As someone else said, layers always was and always will be the secret to staying warm. Wool base, puffy mid, and an outer shell with properly fitted boots will keep you warm in some nasty shite. You can piece together basically the same get-up as a full kuiu set from academy if you're willing to wear some stuff that looks a little goofy.

If you're a stand sitter in extreme cold, than you can do much better for your money than the technical mountain hunting gear.
Posted by Huntinguy
Member since Mar 2011
1754 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 8:30 am to
I grew up killing deer in flannel shirts, thermal knits, blue jeans and carhartt coats.

Still hunt in similar gear at times, but the short answer is YES.

Good base layers (merino or synthetic) and well fitting, well thought out outers will make your hunt more comfortable.
Posted by Tear It Up
The Deadening
Member since May 2005
13483 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 8:37 am to
I’ve got a bunch of mismatched camo that I buy on clearance. I mainly wear camo as an outer layer.

For duck hunting I wear a Academy brand moisture wicking shirt, a thick underarmor quarter zip, with a Drake jacket over that. For pants under the waders I have some fleece moisture wicking pants in various thickness.

Posted by Rust
Member since Feb 2019
585 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 9:11 am to
Anybody considering buying Origin’s new camo when they release it? It’s all made in the US, so I’m sure it’s well made, but they’re going to want some serious $$$$ for their tiger stripe design
Posted by John_V
SELA
Member since Oct 2018
1758 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 9:22 am to
For the average hunt, no. For the extreme days, they're worth every penny. I grabbed a Kuiu Element Down Jacket for the freezing days when we'd go fishing in December-February. Made those days seem like sweater weather
Posted by arktiger28
Member since Aug 2005
4805 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 10:20 am to
Thanks for the advice guys.
Posted by NatalbanyTigerFan
On the water somewhere
Member since Oct 2007
7624 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 10:29 am to
I've seen proof that my grandpa killed 100's of deer over the years while wearing no more than a Gander Mtn jacket and Liberty overalls.
If it got really cold, he'd wear on of those Elmer Fudd looking fleece lined hats
Posted by LSUfanNkaty
LC, Louisiana
Member since Jan 2015
11129 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 10:50 am to
quote:

Are expensive hunting clothes worth it?



No.... Academy Magellan brand is all I use. Affordable and works well. (IMO)
Posted by AyyyBaw
Member since Jan 2020
1063 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 11:11 am to
An underrated brand of camo is Rocky. It is way cheaper then most high end brands, but all pieces that I have purchased have been great purchases.
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
15262 posts
Posted on 6/29/22 at 11:51 am to
If you ever watch that outdoor show "Hunting With HECS" you're doing it all wrong if not using their brand of clothing.

When I did hunt years ago, I never used cammo, just warm comfortable clothes in the winter and waterproof stuff if duck hunting and always managed to take home game.

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