Agree with this. I live in N Idaho and the ability to layer up and down is a must. I have had it go from 35 at sunrise to 65 and then a storm will roll in and it will be 30 and snowing by 5 pm the same day. Merino is a must, Sitka is great gear but any big brand will work. NO COTTON! Cotton will kill you if you let it.Think differently about gear when hunting spot and stalk in the mountains, where you're going to be active climbing, hiking, then sit for a period of time glassing, then back on the move again. Temps can vary from 60 degrees to below freezing, and many places the wind never stops. You need to have layers that can easily be added on or taken off. Merino is great for base layers, throw in some soft shell outer garments, a puffy jacket for cold weather insulation, and high quality rain gear. And I agree with the above post, don't go cheap on the boots. Camo is ok but isn't necessary, natural colors work fine. Sitka, First Lite, Kuiu, Stone Glacier are a few brands I've been around or personally used that have quality high tech light weight fabrics.
I found to help break in boots is to stand in water for a few minutes, it will soften the material some then go for a hike and they stretch and break in nicelyI have stocked up on quality Merino socks and also have a roll of leukotape if hot spots start.
Headed to do much more hiking in two weeks than I will on the hunt in October.
The boots will be put to the test before the hunt so any problems should arise before I'm hunting.
^^^^^ the boot thing! I should know, I have cheap boots! . But I also don't travel any distance to go hunt whitetail, and while it's cold in November December in Saskatchewan, it's predictably cold and it stays cold - the only way your encountering moisture is sweaty feet or if you somehow get snow in you boot if you don't properly pull the elastic of a pair of ski pants overtop the boot. Cold and dry isn't hard to dress for compared to alternating temperatures and possibly getting wet on top of everything else.Rain / snow is always possible in the mountains. Don't go cheap on the boots. Just make sure it is a a breathable membrane so you let that out while walking