Currently, I have this huge jacket meant for gun hunting. It has these cuffs around the wrists, so it's pretty hard to get my release to stay comfortably. I just wanted to know of a jacket that's not too bulky, but will do a pretty good job at keeping me warm.
This is what I have, buy an extra size up and you can layer easily under. Has Quick-Cinch System to keep coat out of the way when wearing less layers. Scent Blocker Alpha Jacket with Trinity Scent Control http://www.outdoorsexperience.com/s...alpha-jacket&gclid=CIbxovS_z8kCFdaRHwodCpQACw
It's hard to find a jacket that's warm, but I also wanted something lighter than my "regular" hunting coat, which was too warm for early season hunting. So, I decided on Cabela's ZONZ woodlands parka. It's just what I was looking for. It's packable, pretty warm, and it's waterPROOF, which is very important to me, because once you get wet, your hunt just ended. I usually wear something with long sleeves for added warmth if needed. It was around $125-$130, which isn't too bad.
I wear a fleece coat with wind stopper in it from Day One Camouflage. It is really warm. Has straps on the forearms to keep fabric out of the way when shooting. Very comfortable.
A fleece vest was the best thing I've found to keep core warm. It under something and oh man. Love fleece midlayers, stops wind and control body heat.
For the average winter temps in NC, I wouldn't be in more than a fleece baselayer with a Hoodie over the top most of the time. You might be better off looking for the warmer base and a lighter top layer to help keep any bulk down.
I would look into some nice base layers and mid layers. I wear the sitka heavyweight base layers then stratus mid and outer and can get through November and December in Iowa
Wear a good base layer and a light jacket. Then buy a HBS and you will never get cold until it's time to shoot a deer haha. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Depends on a few things IMO.. Budget and conditions you plan on hunting ie; rain / snow or dry days or both? Money is not an object? Sitka makes some very nice stuff at a cost. On a budget but good quality, lots of choices, personally I chose the Under Armor gunpowder jacket/pants. Their only hunting camo line that has insulation in the pants and a good amount of insulation in the jacket. Base layers - choose carefully. 98% of what under armor sells is for active hunting ie;stalking, etc. The only set of base gear they sell that's made for tree stands/blinds is their extreme cold baselayer, which is the [h=1]Under Armour® Men's Extreme Base Bottoms and Top[/h] everything else they sell is not ideal for stationary hunting. Another option is merino wool, but than ya need to watch how thick the product is, 190wt isn't much and is considered light, also pricey as is Under Armor. In between base and top could be a 1/4 inch zip top, lots of choices there to, but layering will be key. If you plan on hunting all weather, rain, sleet, snow and whatever else maybe go the goretex route. Lots of options there too.
Light weight jacket and varying levels of base layers get me from September to February (deer season) in NJ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My under armour rut scent control jacket isn't really super warm but it has some elastic cord in the sleeves that you can pull tight to keep it out of the way of your string.
