Shown Above: Kühl Clothing
Best Winter Bushcraft Clothing
I’m excited to say that cold weather is officially set in for the year. I always look forward to the hot & humid months of Summer to pass (even though I love fishing during these months). There’s just something special I love about the cool nights of Fall which lead to my personal favorite season, Winter. A lot of folks look at me like I’m a lunatic when I talk about loving being out in freezing (or below-freezing) conditions…
For those who look at me like I’m crazy, I would say, “there’s no such thing as bad weather…just poor choices in clothing”. So, for the next few minutes, let’s dive into my top clothing choices for enjoying the cold weather. I’ll also share some tips for staying dry & warm on your next outdoor adventure!
Quick Guide:1. Accessories (gloves, hats, etc)
2. Recommended Base Layers
3. My Favorite Mukluks
4. Best Pants
5. Button Down Shirts
6. Warmest Button Down Shirt Jacket
7. Best Down Jacket
8. My Current Favorite Winter Coat
9. Best Wool Coats & Anoraks
Cold Weather/Winter Bushcraft Clothing
Let me start by saying that cold weather is subjective based on an individual’s tolerance to the cold, varying weather conditions, and your region/environment. Here in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, 20º starts to feel pretty cold to me in the early months of Winter. However, 40º-50º with windy and wet conditions can feel absolutely miserable as well.
“…cold weather is subjective…”
To help make the most of my time outdoors, no matter the weather or temperatures, I have put together an assortment of clothing that can be layered into my outfit for maximum efficiency against the cold. In this article, I’m going to start out by sharing my winter clothing accessories, then the items that make contact with my skin, then we’ll move on to the bigger/bulkier outerwear…
Best Cold Weather Accessories
Shown above are staple items that come along with me on every outdoor adventure during the winter months. Going from top-left to bottom-right, here are the items:
- Helikon-Tex Ranger Winter Gloves (insulated)
- Tom Beckbe Field Hat (for shielding against rain/precipitation)
- Large Shemagh
- Carhartt Arctic heavyweight wool-blend socks (best option)
- Realtree wool-blend socks (good option)
- Badger Claw 100% Wool Beanie Hat
This system of accessories allows me to protect my hands + keep them insulated. Keep my head protected against wind and the elements. I can wear the shemagh as a scarf, headwrap, or additional insulating layer. And lastly, I have two pairs of socks to ensure I always have dry + warm feet (one heavyweight pair and one lightweight).
See more clothing in my Amazon Store
Condor Base II Layers
At the end of 2023, I began testing the Condor Base Layers and I couldn’t be more happy with them. They are very warm and wick moisture very well. The fit and comfort of the Condor Base II’s are fantastic. I would, personally, recommend ordering 1 size up in the tops and your typical size in the bottoms.
As for my testing for the Condor Base II’s:
I did a couple of Winter Survival Classes in the Condor Base-II’s and they performed very well. Temperatures that I tested these base layers in ranged around 0º degrees Fahrenheit to 30º. The Condor Base Layers are some of the best I’ve tested in terms of trapping warmth. I attribute that to the materials used and the waffle pattern. If you’re on the fence about a good set of base layers, I fully recommend these!
Recommended Condor Clothing:
- Condor Base II Crew Pullover
- Condor Base II Mid-Weight Drawers
- Thermo Neck Gaiter (for trapping even more heat)
- COUPON: Use code “awaken” for an exclusive discount
Best Cold Weather Long Johns + Boots
Next up are the essential insulating layers for my winter clothing system and my favorite boots of all time…
- Long Underwear: I love the ColdPruf Merino Wool Base Layers and they are priced reasonably as well.
I have used this brand for a couple of seasons now and they have performed very well. I would recommend buying your long underwear/base layers one size larger than you would typically wear. This allows you to not feel restricted and it will keep you warmer than tighter clothing. - Boots: Danner Mountain 600’s are the way to go!
I have honestly lost count of how many years I’ve had this pair of boots. But they are still alive & kicking. They keep my feet dry, comfortable, and well protected from the elements. I do wish I had the insulated pair of Mountain 600’s for Winter…But my budget hasn’t allowed me to purchase those just yet.
Best Winter Boots for Bushcraft
This year, I finally got a pair of traditional Mukluk Boots! I have wanted these for a couple of years and I couldn’t be more excited about them.
- These Sheepskin-Lined Mukluks are top-notch when it comes to keeping your feet warm.
- This is my first pair of nice “moccasin” style shoes and I cannot speak higher of their comfort. The wider foot & toe bed allows your toes to spread out more naturally than traditional hiking boots. This results in a very “connected” feeling to the ground without being too hard or uncomfortable.
- Keep in mind that these are not “waterproof” out of the box. So, be mindful of this in deep snow or water. I plan to add some leather treatment to them at some point to make them more water-resistant.
- Overall, I’m loving these Mukluks and I’m so happy to have these for cold days & nights around camp.
Best Bushcraft Pants
Building upon my long underwear I like to choose durable and thick pants for my Winter Bushcraft Clothing:
- Kühl The LAW Pants:
These pants are a heavy denim material that feels more like waxed canvas than typical blue-jean material. I have been caught up in briers more times than I can count with these pants and they are extremely durable. They also have a bit of wiggle room (even the tapered cut) to fit my wool long underwear underneath for maximum warmth on cold days & nights. - Helikon-Tex Hybrid Outback Pants:
These pants are another go-to when I’m busting through a lot of brush, planning to be around a campfire, or if it’s really cold outside. They are made well, can be waxed, and have a ton of pockets. - Kühl Silencr Rogue Cargo Pants:
These pants are thinner than I typically like to wear during very cold winter days. However, it’s nice to have a lightweight option if I’m going to be very active or if the temperatures are warmer. These pants are also a great look for casual everyday wear and they are still accommodating of my wool base layers.
Best Men’s Flannel Shirts
I wear flannel shirts year-round. If you see me, you can almost guarantee that I’ll be wearing a flannel. However, in the Winter months I beef them up with some heavier-weight materials:
- Legendary Whitetails “Navigator” Fleece Flannel (best option)
This has to be the warmest & most cozy shirt I’ve ever put on. It fits incredibly too, which can be hard to find in a men’s button-down. My only word of caution for the fleece material is if you plan to be around tall weeds & vegetation…It can be a pain to pick out all of the plant fibers from the fleece. - Legendary Whitetails “Tough as Buck” Flannel
This is like a standard cotton flannel on steroids! Seriously, it feels like it could last my lifetime and be passed on to one of my kids for them to wear. The red plaid is so bold and looks fantastic as well. This is becoming my go-to flannel when I’m not wearing the green fleece one.
Kuhl Joyrydr Button Down (warmest option)
As you probably can tell, I typically stick with a few brands that I trust and that I like the fit of their clothing. So, here’s another great option from Kühl Clothing…
- The Joyrydr Button Down honestly feels more like a midweight jacket than a button-down. It is a great layering option for when temperatures start dipping to around the freezing point.
- The fleece lining provides incredible warmth and is sufficient enough to wear by itself on cold days when you’re actively working outdoors. But again, layer it underneath a good coat (see my preferences below) and you will be plenty warm.
Kühl Joyrydr Fleece Lined Button Down
Best Men’s Down Jacket
I reviewed Outdoor Vitals Lofttek Jacket a while back and gave it a lot of praise. But, I recently got ahold of the improved Outdoor Vitals NovaPro Jacket and I absolutely LOVE this updated down jacket. It has all of the things that I love about the LoftTek Jacket: Excellent wind protection, great water repellency, and a superior warmth-to-weight ratio.
However, some minor updates that I appreciate about the NovaPro Jacket are:
- It has a noticeable amount of extra loft & fill than my LoftTek Jacket does.
- I really like the updated logos and aesthetics of this jacket.
- This version fits true to size without the need to size up.
- And the fabrics that are used are more durable.
Overall, the Outdoor Vitals NovaPro Jacket is incredibly warm when paired with the correct base layers (wool, flannel, etc)…I regularly wear my Nova Pro Jacket in below-freezing temperatures. It is also a fantastic jacket that fits into everyday life with a simple pair of jeans, as I have photographed above.
Pro-Tip: A down jacket makes an incredibly warm layering item underneath an anorak.
Kuhl Ukon Fleece Lined Hoodie
Do not be misled by the name “hoodie” here…This is definitely a Winter Coat.
- The Ükon Fleece Lined Hoodie is a newcomer to my Winter Bushcraft Clothing kit, but I am already appreciating what it has to offer.
- The exterior of this hoodie (coat) is waxed for water resistance. And it provides incredible protection from the wind.
- The interior of this coat (I’m not calling it a hoodie anymore) is made of Italian Fleece and will absolutely keep the chill away.
- The hood and neck area of the Ükon are, perhaps, some of my favorite parts of this coat on a cold day. They block every bit of cold and wind from your neck, head, and most of your face.
- I am also loving all of the pockets that the Ükon Hoodie has to offer. In fact, I keep this coat kitted out with a mini survival kit so I always have the necessary gear on my person when I need it most.
Best Wool Anoraks & Jackets
In 2020, I finally broke down and bought a Lester River Boreal Anorak. I debated getting one of these for 2 years or so and finally pulled the trigger after saving up for a while. And, as luck would have it, I traded for one of the Lester River Boreal Field Jackets a few weeks after I placed my order for the Anorak.
After owning both, the Anorak and Field Jacket for a while now, I can say that it’s up to your personal preference on which one you choose…
Both of these Lester River clothing items are 100% Wool. They are both incredibly warm, very heavyweight, have great pockets/organization, and are ideal for sitting around campfires since they won’t get holes in them due to popping embers. The Field Jacket is definitely easier to take on & off when you’re controlling your body temperature. But, the hood of the Anorak is a nice bonus when the wind kicks up and you need the added protection.
Check out Lester River’s Outerwear
Winter Bushcraft Clothing Guide
So, there you have it…This was an in-depth look at my winter clothing and how I like to dress when cold weather hits. I’ll do a quick recap below to save you from having to scroll up & down a million times…
- Cold Weather Clothing Accessories:
Helikon-Tex Insulated Leather Gloves • Tom Beckbe Waxed Canvas Field Hat • Large Shemagh/Scarf/Headwrap • Heavyweight Wool Socks • Lighter Weight Wool Socks • Badger Claw Wool Beanie Hat • Coldpruf Merino Wool Base Layers - My Favorite Footwear:
Danner Mountain 600 Boots (insulated version here) • Lined Mukluks - Pants:
Kühl The Law Pants • Helikon-Tex Hybrid Outback Pants • Kühl Silencr Rogue Cargo Pants - Shirts:
Legendary Whitetails Fleece Flannel • Legendary Whitetails Buffalo Plaid Flannel • Kühl Joyrydr Button Down Jacket - Coats:
Outdoor Vitals Down Jacket • Kühl Ükon Fleece Lined Coat • Lester River Wool Anorak & Field Jacket
