Layering 101: With Sitka Founder, Jonathan Hart from Sitka Gear on Vimeo.

Layering is an important aspect of equipping yourself for an enjoyable hunt.  Multiple layers of clothing working in synergy to “wick” moisture away from your body, keep you cool when it’s warm and warm when it’s cool.

This short video from Sitka Gear explains the layering concept quite well.

Basic Layering System For Hunters:

• Base Layer – This layer wicks moisture away from your skin and helps push it to the outer layers of your clothing system.
• Mid Layer – This layer is like your first layer of insulation.  Not too heavy, not too thin.  It’s very important for comfort.
• Outer Layer – This is your heaviest layer of insulation and is meant to insulate you against the cold.
• Outer Shell – This is your layer that protects you from the elements.  It should be waterproof, windproof and breathable.

A representative with Sitka Gear approached me a few months back about potentially advertising on our website.  Sitka has provided us with a set of their “Coldfront” Jacket and Pants in “optifade” camo.  We’ll be taking this gear on our late season October Stones Sheep hunt this year, and we’re excited to write a review on the product.  The conditions we’ll be experiencing in Northern BC, at the tail end of Stones Sheep season should be perfect for a thorough and detailed review.  I can tell you right, from having lots of high-end gear in my possession, this is some nice constructed stuff.

Carl

I’ve owned a number of Merino Wool products over the years and have always taken at least a Merino mid layer on all of my backpacking trips.  I was searching on Google one day looking for Merino Wool products when I typed in “Merino Wool Camo” and found the FirstLite website.  I had never heard of them before but they were the first company I’d ever found that was making Merino Wool clothing for hunters in a variety of camoflauge and earthy tone patterns.

FirstLite is definitely a company that knows and understands the unique benefits Merino Wool has to offer hunters. 

The desirable characteristics of Merino Wool are explained quite well on the FirstLite Website and I’ve also linked to them below.

• Comfort Benefits of Merino Wool
• Merino Wool Odor Control
• Thermal Regulation

Interested in the products, I shot off a quick email to FirstLite asking if they would be interested in advertising on our website in exchange for some product for us to review.  The next day I received an email from Kenton (the owner)  and he was interested in working something out with me.  FirstLite provided me with the following items:

• Merino Wool “Red Desert” Boxers in ASAT Camo L
• Merino Wool “Chama” Base Layer in ASAT Camo L
• Merino Wool “Springer” Vest in ASAT Camo L
• Merino Wool “Labrador” Shirt in ASAT Camo L

What Are My Initial Thoughts?

Shipping was fast, I think the gear showed up in less than 3 business days.  The fit was excellent on all of the items I received (size LARGE for all my items), for your own sizing reference I am 5′ 10″ and 200lbs.  So if you’re bigger than me I think it would be safe to go up a size… First Lite is unique in the marketplace in that they offer their Merino lineup in an ASAT camo pattern, which is kind of cool and works well to break up your outline in a wide variety of terrain.  Merino available in camo patterns was definitely “cool” in this hunters eyes. 

The quality of the clothing is impressive and what I would expect from a hunter making gear for another hunter… The Merino Wool is a much heavier weight than what’s in some of the more athletic brands out there which is a big plus if you’re hunting in a cooler climate such as in the mountains, or during a late fall hunt.  The clothing comes in various weights so you can mix and match based on the conditions you might expect in the field.

The clothing has much heavier duty stitching than other Merino Wool clothing I’ve used and seems to be manufactured a little more rugged than some of the more “athletic” marketed brands.  The zippers are very heavy duty, like what you’d expect to find on a canvas duffel bag, seriously!  This adds a little weight to the clothing but I don’t think you’ll ever be able to complain about one breaking, or trying to find one in the early morning light in November Deer season when you have a thick pair of gloves on.

First Lite is aggresively priced too, especially for Merino clothing, considering they are heavier weight wool than comparable products in their price range and also they come in 3 different camo patterns.  ASAT, Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity & RealTree Advantage Max1. 

How Does It Perform?

Our spring Black Bear season started April 1st and I’ve been wearing the FirstLite product on my daily outings.  I am lucky enough to live not 3 minutes ATV ride from some prime logging slash and Black Bear habitat so I am often out looking for bears from 3pm until dark, depending on the weather.

The Red Desert boxers are awesome for a base layer as they are long cut and very comfortable against the skin.  The fit is very athletic, which also helps keep your muscles warm.  I haven’t done any extreme hiking with them on yet but haven’t noticed any creeping, or seam issues causing chafe.  Generally I find if the fit is very athletic (tight) and has great moisture wicking then these issues are much less of a problem.

The Chama “mid” base layer  is also very comfortable against the skin and has a very generous 1/4 zip on the front to help you regulate heat, not really significant enough to be worn on it’s own the Chama would perform best when used with another heavier layer (or two) such as the Springer Vest and then the Labrador zip up shirt.

The Springer Vest is where we start getting into the much heavier weight Merino and you can really feel the difference in thickness between the Springer and the Chama base layer.  The vest fit is excellent, it’s got 2 handy hand warming pockets along with a chest pocket to store small items in.  The vest makes a noticeable difference in the warmth of your core and works well as part of the “system”.

On top of it all, goes the Labrador full zip shirt.  This is the same heavy weight 18.5  micron 400gm Merino that the Springer vest uses and the Labrador really tops off the system nicely.   When you zip it up it has an athletic fit and compresses all of the layers nice and tight your body.

Using any one piece of the system on it’s own doesn’t seem to offer the same benefits as the “system” itself as there is a noticable difference in warmth when using all of the layers together and it’s very comfortable to wear.

For the past few weeks in the cooler than usual spring temperatures here on mid Vancouver Island the First Lite layering system along with my eVent outer shell has kept me nice and warm.  No complaints.  For later season fall hunts, or extreme weather hunts the First Lite layering system would be a great foundation for your layering system, topping it off with a primaloft or down vest and then a really good outershell and you’d be set!

What About The Odor Control & Washing?

Good Question!  Regardless of whether you were wondering or not.  While Merino Wool is odor resistant, it does not actually “kill” odor to my knowledge.  When you are hiking, making your way up a ridge, you’re going to sweat and that sweat will stink.  The Merino does a good job of not absorbing the odor, but doesn’t remove the smell completely.  The more Merino layers you have on the more effective this effect becomes.

As for washing the clothing it’s been through about 12 wash cycles so far without any noticable effect on the camo patterns or clothing itself.  We wash in cold water, and hang the clothing to dry.

What Are My Final Thoughts?

I am very happy with the First Lite Merino Wool camo clothing.  It’s a renewable natural fibre, it’s comfortable against the skin, it’s much warmer than synthetics, it helps with scent control and it comes in Camo patterns.  If you do your research on pricing and other Merino Wool brands I think you’ll find First Lite is competitively priced for a product line that is a little better suited for a hunter anyways. 

There are many choices out there when it comes to Camo clothing, but if you narrow it down to companies producing Merino Wool clothing in camo patterns for hunters then you’ll find that First Lite is definitely one of the best in it’s class and is worthy of a closer look.

Happy Hunting!
Carl

Where Can You Buy First Lite?

Direct From The First Lite Website

Vantage Point Outfitters (Vancouver Island & Online) 

Grouse River Outfitters (Kelowna & Online)

Why Would A Hunter Want To Wear Merino Wool?

• Merino Wool is a renewable resource. 
• Merino Wool has tiny little fibers, so is not itchy next to skin.
• Merino Wool offers the powerful insulating properties of wool.
• Merino Wool can retain nearly 1/3 of it’s weight in water and still provide the same insulating capabilities.
• Merino Wool will resist any body odor if you’re on an extended backcountry hunt
• Merino Wool clothing is typically light weight compared to similar synthetics which make it attractive for backpackers.

I had never heard of the RedRam product until I emailed Ice Breaker asking if they would be interested in advertising on my website.  They contacted me right away and asked if I would be interested in the RedRam lineup.  Obviously I was so they provided me with a set of the Merino Wool Long Underwear Top and Bottom.  They also provided some Icebreaker items we had requested as well that we will be reviewing at a later date.

RedRam Product We’ve Been Using:

• Merino Wool Bottoms – Size XL (I would go 1 size larger than you usually do as the fit seems small)
• Merino Wool Top – Size XL. (XL seemed like the sizing was more on par and not as small as the bottoms)

What Do We Think So Far?

We’ve been wearing the RedRam base layers through Black Bear season and so far this is great stuff!  I’ve always used traditional sythentic base layers such as polar-tec, xps and even the brands that Costco sells a ton of and I am glad I’ve made the switch to Merino.  The IceBreaker Merino that RedRam uses is incredibly soft and light weight against the skin I initially questioned it’s ability to keep me warm.   Wool Socks were my first introduction to wool and my feet hated them!  I couldn’t stand the itchiness and am happy to say that with the RedRam Merino there is no itch whatsoever.

They feel very light next to comparable synthetic products I own (polartec, XPS, paradox) and when thrown on a digital scale they are actually about 1 – .5 oz lighter than the comparable synthetics as well which makes them slightly more attractive to a lightweight backpacker.

Despite being a lighter material the Red Ram Merino product is actually quite warm and because of it’s many natural benefits I think Merino is a much better choice for hunters.

The Red Ram line would be suitable for most of your 3 season use, possibly even 4 season use if you were using it as part of a multi-layered system.  For everyday use like they claim on their website, it’s an excellent product.

Carl

Where Can You Buy RedRam Merino Wool Underwear?

Wholesale Sports Locations Across Western Canada

http://www.gandermountain.com/

There is usually always water a few thousand feet below you, but not many hunters want to lose all that altitude just to get water everyday.  I am one of those hunters who likes to have lots of water on hand, at least 1.5 - 2 liters per person, per day in base camp, and I always have a 1.5 liter Nalgene bottle on my person that I try to fill up every chance we get.

Water Related Items We Bring Along On Our Backpacking Trips:

• Katadyne Vario Filter.
• 1 1.5 liter Nalgene for daily needs.
• 2 1 liter Platypus bladders for water storage.
• “Pristine” water drops (as backup measure) and we’ll share this between 3 guys.

Here are some tips for finding water and staying hydrated on your Stone Sheep hunt:

• Use A Water Filter:  Preferably the type that has an intake tube with a float.  We never used to filter our water on our northern BC mountain hunts, until one year we hunted a spot where water was extremely scarce… I knew ahead of time however, this was going to be the case for this particular area and had purchased a Katadyne Vario filter just in case we had to treat some really nasty water.   We had been using the drops previously but I wasn’t fond of the chemical taste (or smell).  After using the filter to collect water from a muddy puddle at the bottom of some snowpack I couldn’t believe how handy this little filter was for collecting water from very hard to reach places.It’s not easy trying to fill up a Nalgene in a tiny little puddle, if you’ve ever had to try!  But with the filter, you can throw the intake tube into your water source, no matter how small, start pumping and you’ve got crystal clear, great tasting water flowing out the other side, or straight into your Nalgene.   It’s very fast (2 liters/minute) so collecting water isn’t a chore.

• Take Reserve Water:  Whenever we make a climb, if we don’t know there is water where we are going we will pack water with us up the mountain.  We’ll usually fill our 1.5 liter Nalgenes along with 1 or 2 of the 1 liter platypus bladders as well.  This covers us for drinking water, and cooking water for about 24 hours.  It’s always better to pack a couple extra pounds of rehydration than not to have it, and you sit completely parched on a wind blown cold, dry ridge somewhere.

• Drink Water Often:  Every chance you get you should be drinking water.  I went on a sheep hunt with a doctor one year, who told me that if my pee wasn’t clear then I was dehydrated.  You are excerting yourself beyond your normal limits on a backpack sheep hunt and rehydrating yourself is important, so when you have the chance to drink and water is in ample supply, do so!  Whenever we stop to filter water at some little source on the mountain, we usually sit down, take our boots off and have a rest.  We drink quite a bit of the filtered water before filling our Nalgenes and hitting the trail again.

• Collecting Rainwater:  We’ve used Garbage Bags and Siltarps to collect water with great success when it’s pouring outside… Oftentimes showers in the northern BC mountains are fast and furious, and if you’ve been low on water they are good opportunities to replenish.  One year we were catching the run-off from the Siltarp we had setup over our tent, we could fill a 1 liter Nalgene in just a few minutes it was coming down so hard.  Unfortunately for us that rainstorm lasted 2 and a half days!

• Collecting Snow Runoff:  The last couple years snowpack has been our main water source, and we’ve had to do a little exploring to find a good place to setup camp, while taking this into consideration.  We simply find the snowpack and then using shale/rock from around we will dig a couple of holes right below the snowpack and they slowly fill up with murky water.  If you let them settle down the water will eventually go clear.  We then use the Katadyne filter to pump the water out of the pool.

Good Luck on your next Backpack Hunt!

Carl

This will be the first year that I am going to be bringing my sons along with me Cole (7) and Beau (5).  We plan on pounding the logged out slashes behind our house as throughout deer season we spotted a few decent bears and May of last year there was definitely two big boars hanging around so we’ll be making a play for one of them.  It should be a great learning experience for them.

If you’re looking for some Black Bear hunting tips, or some ideas for using the meat follow the links below.

• Vancouver Island Black Bear Hunting Tips
• Field Judging Black Bear Size
• Black Bear Dog Food Recipe

So what are your Bear hunting plans this year?

Carl

• They are lighter weight than their synthetic cousins.
• They pack down smaller than their synthetic cousins.
• They are warmer (comparing synthetic to down)

The one major drawback for down sleeping bags is obviously the insulating properties are non-existant if the down gets wet.  On my backpack sheep hunts I am very careful about keeping my gear dry, and if my sleeping bag isn’t inside it’s waterproof stuffsack buried in my pack, it’s laying out inside my tent, which is also waterproof.  Sure, condensation can become a problem if left unchecked, but that’s where companies like Mountain Hardwear come into the picture.  Mountain Hardwear is a well known as a producer of high quality mountain expedition gear and not too long ago they came out with their own waterproof breathable membrane called Conduit.  The Conduit membrane, with it’s waterproofness and breathability make it an excellent choice for the outer shell of a sleeping bag that will be used in potentially damp situations.

Several months ago I emailed Mountain Hardwear about acquiring one of their down sleeping bags in exchange for advertising on our website.  They were very quick to respond and agreed to my offer and they sent what we both thought would be the ultimate 4 season down sleeping bag  for backpack hunters in BC.  Meet the Mountain Hardwear Banshee SL 0. 

What Makes The Banshee SL 0 Sleeping Bag Great?

• Rated To -18 celcius
• 800 Fill Down -  Is very warm and lofts up really well.
• Lightweight – 3lbs 10 oz.  Packs down quite small (especially for a 4 season bag)
• Conduit Outer Shell – A waterproof, breathable membrane protecting your down insulation.
• Welded Seams – Eliminate any needle holes from sewing, further protecting the down.
• Zipper Flaps – A small detail that prevents any drafts or water from entering through the zipper.

What Are My Initial Thoughts?

The sleeping bag came shipped in a medium sized box and included inside was it’s own waterproof stuff sack and also a much larger mesh bag for storing the sleeping bag when not in use.  Quality Construction in this sleeping bag is evident.  The shell feels very durable and because of the welded internal baffle construction there is minimal stitching on the outside of the shell.  The stitching that is present along the zipper, hood and collar was very clean.

Aside from the looks, once we climbed into the sleeping bag we were thoroughly impressed.  There was plenty of room (we were using the Long version) even for a mummy type bag and the way it all lofts up once you pull it out of the stuff sack is pretty impressive.  The inside seems as soft and cushy as the down quilts you’d find in a 4 or 5 star hotel.

For my 5’10″ 200lb frame and my hunting partner who is about 6’3″ 200lbs wasn’t complaining about a lack of room either so if you are in our size range the long would be a good choice.

So How Did The Bag Perform?

Like we do with all of our hunting gear we threw the sleeping bag into a pack and headed out on a journey 18+ miles off the Alaska highway, and then hiked up into a small little drainage in the rockies that my family has hunted since the early 60′s.  In total we spent 9 nights using the Mountain Hardwear Banshee SL 0 this year at varrying altitudes and weather conditions, from driving wind/rain (and I mean HARD) to freezing temperatures, and in the extreme heat, as usual it was a mid August in the BC mountains, so you’ll get all 4 seasons, sometimes in just one day!

The first few nights, the temperatures were just above freezing, but it’s still pretty damn cold when you’re 6500′ feet up in the Rockies hidden away, on a wind blown ridge and while sleeping in the Banshee you were warm and comfortable, there were no cold spots in the bag at all and no problems with sweating, or poor ventilation (I usually always sleep with at least 6″ of zipper open around my feet).  Sleeping on the Exped Downmat 7, in combination with this bag, was like a backpackers dream. The Exped is really the cat’s a$$ but we cover that in another review.  The bag is definitely roomy inside for guys around our size and you can’t help but feel cozy as the down lofts all around you as your body heats up the bag.  The hood fits nice and snug around your face which on a really cold night is a good feature.

The Conduit outer shell fabric performed flawlessly and thanks to my partners poorly maintained leaking tent he was able to test the water repellency of the Banshee on several nights.  There were sections of the bag dripping with water on several occassions and the only reason it’s dripping is because the water literally just beads off!  The Conduit outer shell seems like a really good choice for a sleeping bag outer and definitely held up to the perils of a wet cold northern sheep hunt.  When the sun came out and we often had a slight breeze, the outer shell material stood up to us throwing it out on the shale and rocky ground to dry for a while.  Within about 30 minutes, there was no evidence of moisture, so the Conduit shell dries fast too.  Sometimes, in the sheep mountains of BC you will have wet gear for several days and outside of dropping altitude and lighting a fire, you’ll only get short little breaks of sunshine, that really heat up the surrounding terrain, it’s during these times a sheep hunter dries his gear so it’s fairly important the gear you have, dries quick!

The coldest it got was likely around 0c /-1c as all of the dew on our tent was frozen in the morning, and a slight icy crust on my water bottle, indicated it was a much cooler August night, I was still warm and cozy in the bag.

The warmest it got, was hot and sleeping in the Banshee was still ok providing you opened up pretty much the entire size zipper to vent but that wasn’t too big of a deal and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again on an August mountain hunt.

What Are Our Final Thoughts?

Overall I am really happy with the performance of the Mountain Hardwear Banshee SL 0.  For it’s price range I think it’s an excellent sleeping bag choice for 4 season mountain hunting in BC.  Couple the Banshee with the ground insulation power of an Exped Downmat for example and you’d be able to use this sleeping quite comfortably on your late season backpack hunts.  At 3lbs 10oz it’s not the lightest sleeping bag out there but it’s still lighter than many synthetic bags with lesser temp ratings.  If you’re looking for a down sleeping bag that is versatile the Banshee definitely has something to offer you because it would be suitable for all of your 4 season BC backpack hunts.  You can always makeup the weight difference with other gear upgrades or leaving behind items you don’t really need.

What Are The Pros?

• The water repellency of the Conduit outer shell fabric really impressed us.
• The sleeping bag packs down incredibly small for it’s size. (about volley ball size)
• The sleeping bag is very comfortable.
• The sleeping bag is really warm.
• Made with 800 fill Goose down.
• Internally welded baffles reduce stitching on outer.
• Versatile, a good choice for 4 season BC use.

What Are The Cons?

• It’s not cheap at approx $500 but is still less than some competitors.
• The bag is not the lightest for a 4 season bag.

The bottom line:

If you’re looking for a down sleeping bag that will keep you warm and comfortable through the 4 seasons of hunting in the BC mountains then the Mountain Hardwear Banshee SL 0 is a sleeping bag worth looking into.  The Conduit outer shell is the perfect protector of your down and will shed condesation, leaky tents and likely any damp conditions short of you spilling your Nalgene inside or dropping it in a river or creek for some reason.  For the price it’s an excellent value and a sleeping bag that could be used throughout BC’s 4 seasons of hunting making it a good economical choice instead of buying a summer and a winter bag.

If you own a Banshee or have questions about our experience with the Banshee please feel free to post a comment and we’ll answer you back quickly!