Mickey's Tips for Staying Warm In the Woods

The biggest thing I’ve learned from bow hunting so much the past few seasons—if I’m warm, I’m much more likely to stay in the woods. And if I stay in the woods, I’m much more likely to get a deer. Through some trial and error, both hiking and hunting, I’ve learned a few key tricks for staying toasty on the coldest days. Here are my favorites, which I use all the time and which just carried me through my best deer season ever. 


Trick 1: Hand Warmers in Your Front Pants Pockets. 

Putting hand warmers in your front pant pockets is a huge lower body heat gain. I use this trick whenever temps are below 30 and I’m doing something stationary for a long time (like a prolonged sit or stand during whitetail season). I just open the hand warmers, shove them in the two front pockets of my pants, and zip the pockets shut. In a matter of minutes, they heat up and start warming the blood headed down to my legs and feet. 

As I start to warm up, I have the option to move the hand warmers around—to my hands or upper body; really anywhere that’s cold. And if I get too warm, I can store them in a cargo pocket or the front pocket of my Kuiu Venture. This entire process is much easier (and quieter) than adding and then removing a layer. 

My handwarmer trick has really saved me on the coldest days, both hiking and hunting. This trick will work for all the cold-weather athletes out there too—try it while ice climbing, skiing, or even late-season bouldering at places like P-Way or Lincoln Woods.


Trick 2: Break Out the Puffy Pants. 

Puffy pants are a “must have” in your pack during chilly hunting days. I don’t normally wear them on the hike into the woods, but once I get to where I’ll be hunting, I’ll bust them out of my pack and put them on over my softshell hunting pants. 

The added warmth is awesome—enough to buoy my spirits as I wait for the mythical swamp donkeys to appear in my sights. For next-level warmth, pair the puffy pants with my hand warmer trick. 

Besides being great for sits, puffy pants are an excellent emergency layer in the event of an injury or being exposed to freezing water. Mine are so light that I almost never go on a cold-weather hike or hunt without them. Too bad for you that Outdoor Research doesn’t make the Tradecraft Insulated Pant anymore (although you can still find some floating around on the Internet). 

Trick 3: Bring a Warm Drink. 

Whether hiking or hunting, don’t underestimate how nice a warm drink is after you’ve been out in the cold for a few hours. For me, hot chocolate gives me an instant body warmth that helps me push through the toughest weather and chillest temps. It's also a huge morale booster, especially on slow hunting days, giving me something to look forward to rather than thinking about my face being numb.

I carry my hot chocolate in a Yeti thermos. Why the Yeti? Frankly, because it works the best. 

Trick 4: Wear a Neck Gaiter. 

Putting on a neck gaiter will totally change how you feel on the coldest days. I have absolutely fallen in love with mine, from Sitka. Super smooth and lined with a double-thick, high-pile fleece, this neck gaiter offers both warmth and concealment, critical on days I’m hunting. 

I wear mine whenever I am outdoors and not moving. The high loft fibers of the fleece really trap heat and the softshell outer helps to stop wind and mild weather. Being able to hide your face from the cold for a sec is just so nice! Mine has really made a difference for me this year. 

So there you have it—the four tricks for staying warm outdoors that I use all the time hiking and hunting and which helped carry me through my best whitetail season ever. 

By Mickey Spades. If you found Mickey’s post useful, consider sending him a few bucks. (Venmo: @michael-spadea-4)