Different climates and hunting styles often necessitate different systems to optimize your comfort and safety. Provided below are recommendations based upon specific criteria for the way you hunt. These recommendations are only meant to be guidelines and your needed system may vary slightly due to your individual needs.
OPTIFADE OPEN COUNTRY
Hunting Style: Fast & Light
Weather: Hot and Dry (50-100 degrees)
Example: August Antelope/Mule Deer
Recommended Gear:
- Ascent Pant or Mountain Pant (knee pads for stalking)
- Core Crew (Short-sleeve, Long-sleeve or Zip-T) – moisture wicking, odor control
- Celsius Vest (AM insulation)
- Core Gloves or Shooter Gloves
- Sitka Cap
- Bomber Belt
- Ascent 10 or Ascent 14 Pack (hydration ready)
Hunting Style: Active, day hunts from BASE camp
Weather: Warm days/cool nights/minimal rain (35-80 degrees)
Example: September Elk
Recommended Gear:
- Ascent Pant or Mountain Pant (added water-resistance)
- Core Crew (Short-sleeve, Long-sleeve or Zip-T) – moisture wicking, odor control
- Celsius Vest (AM insulation)
- 90% Jacket (soft shell performance)
- Core Gloves or Shooter Gloves
- Sitka Cap
- Bomber Belt
- Ascent 14 Pack (hydration ready)
- Stormfront Light Jacket (in pack for rain storms)
Hunting Style: Active, day hunts from BIVY camp
Weather: Warm days/cool nights/minimal rain (35-80 degrees)
Example: September Elk
Recommended Gear:
- Mountain Pant
- Core Crew (Short-sleeve, Long-sleeve or Zip-T) – moisture wicking, odor control
- or Core Merino Zip-T shirt for extra warmth.
- Celsius Vest (AM insulation)
- 90% Jacket
- Core Gloves or Shooter Gloves
- Sitka Cap
- Bomber Belt
- Bivy 45 Pack
- Stormfront Light Jacket (in pack)
- Kelvin Vest (optional for lightweight, packable insulation at camp)
Hunting Style: Active, day hunts from BASE camp
Weather: Cooler days/cool nights/seasonal rain/snow (20-60 degrees)
Example: Late September/October Elk
Recommened Gear:
- Mountain Pant or Timberline Pant (waterproof knees and seat)
- Core Crew Merino Zip-T
- Celsius Vest (insulation) or Jetstream Vest (windstop/insulation)
- 90% Jacket or Jetstream Jacket (windstop)
- Traverse Gloves (warm) or GORE-TEX Mountain Gloves (bombproof)
- Sitka Cap
- Traverse Beanie (warmth without reducing hearing)
- Bomber Belt
- Flash 20 Pack
- Stormfront Light Jacket (in pack)
Hunting Style: Active, day hunts from BASE camp
Weather: Unpredictable cooler/cold (10-40 degrees)
Example: Late October/November Mule Deer
Recommended Gear:
- Mountain Pant, Timberline Pant or 90% Pant
- Merino Zip-T
- Core Bottom or Merino Core Bottom
- Celsius Vest (insulation) or Jetstream Vest (windstop/insulation)
- 90% Jacket or Jetstream Jacket (windstop)
- Traverse Gloves (warm) or GORE-TEX Mountain Gloves (bombproof)
- Sitka Cap
- Traverse Beanie (warm) or Jetstream Beanie (warmer with windstop)
- Bomber Belt
- Flash 20 Pack
- Stormfront Light Jacket (in pack) or Stormfront Jacket (for lots of rain/snow…pit zips for hiking)
- Stormfront LightPants (in pack)
OPTIFADE FOREST GEAR
Hunting Style: Treestand/sitting
Weather: Warm and Dry (40-80 degrees)
Example: Early season whitetail
Recommended Gear:
- Ascent Pant
- Merino Zip-T or Core Crew
- 90% Jacket (AM/PM insulation)
- Core Gloves
- Sitka Cap
- Bomber Belt
- Ascent 14 Pack
Hunting Style: Treestand/sitting
Weather: Cooler weather, seasonal moisture (30-60 degrees)
Example: Mid-season whitetail
Recommended Gear:
- 90% Pant or Stratus Bib (for colder weather)
- Merino Zip-T
- Jetstream Vest (windstopper) or Kelvin Vest (insulation)
- 90% Jacket (warmer weather) or Stratus Jacket (colder weather)
- Traverse Gloves or Stratus Gloves
- Traverse Beanie or Stratus Beanie (for colder weather)
- Bomber Belt
- Ascent 14 Pack
- Downpour Jacket (in pack)
- Downpour Pant (in pack)
Hunting Style: Treestand/sitting
Weather: Cold weather, rain/snow (20-40 degrees)
Example: Late-season whitetail
Recommended Gear:
- Traverse Zip-T (warm base layer)
- Stratus Jacket w/Kelvin Vest or Kelvin Jacket (insulation) or
- Fanatic Jacket
- Stratus Bib w/Merino Core Bottom or
- Fanatic Bib
- Traverse Gloves or Stratus Gloves
- Stratus Beanie
- Bandit or Traverse Balaclava
- Bomber Belt
- Ascent 14 Pack
Hunting Style: Treestand/sitting
Weather: Brutal Cold weather, snow (0-30 degrees)
Example: Late-season whitetail
Recommended Gear:
- Traverse Zip-T
- Fanatic Jacket w/Kelvin Vest or Jacket (insulation) or
- Incinerator Jacket (insulated waterproof)
- Fanatic Bib w/Kelvin Pants or
- Incinerator Bib (insulated waterproof)
- Stratus Gloves
- Stratus Beanie
- Traverse Balaclava or Bandit
- Bomber Belt
- Flash 20 Pack