Plan for the low 30s to the low 50s, plan to get wet, and plan to hunt inside the Arctic Circle without climbing mountains. That is how James sized up Greenland 60 days before his caribou and muskox hunt. When he looked for layering advice written for this place, he found very little, so he laid out the system he was packing, from base layers to camp clothes.
Every piece in this kit is from TUO. TUO supports The Fair Chase.
1. Know the Conditions You Are Dressing For
Temperatures move around through the day, so layers you can add and shed matter. This was not a hunt where you get dropped off, climb a couple thousand feet, and live off your back. James stayed in tents reached by boat, which left room for a few comfort pieces.
2. Start With the Layer Against Your Skin
James builds every plan like this from the inside out, starting with base layers. On top he runs the TUO Kinetic 200 merino quarter zip against his skin. A quarter zip suits a hunt with walking, he says, because you can zip it up to hold heat or open it to dump heat. This one also has a face mask.
On the bottom he wears the 250 weight pants. He does not run warm, so the 250 works for him, even though a lighter weight exists. On warmer days he skips the bottom base layer and wears only his outer pants.
3. Let a Grid Fleece and Light Pants Do the Daily Work
James has liked grid fleeces for years because they add a little insulation and block some weather. For this trip he chose the TUO Folcrum hoodie, a grid fleece with a face mask for stalking and a kangaroo pocket. He expects to wear it alone over his base layer about 95 percent of the time.
His outer pants are TUO's new Vista pants. They are light, they stretch so you can move, and they dump heat through a side zipper. James also calls them very durable. Greenland was set to be their first big trip with him.
4. Carry Insulation for Glassing
When it turns cold, he pulls the TUO Clement hoodie over the top for glassing. It stays with him at all times, and when he is not wearing it, it is his pillow at night.
5. Bring Rain Gear You Already Trust
In a wet place, rain gear is a must. James chose the TUO Ballistic Storm jacket, which he says he has worn forever. It is fairly heavy duty, yet it stretches, stays comfortable, and is very waterproof. He had just worn it through days of rain on a Montana bear hunt, so he knew it would work.
6. Pack a Few Camp Pieces
A short-sleeve merino tee rides along for the random hot day. As James puts it, merino does not stink and keeps you warm when it is wet.
For camp he packed the 350 hoodie, a big, heavy merino sweatshirt that is also his go-to deer hunting piece. He also brought the AMP Puffy Pant, which he describes as insulated joggers, for cold glassing sits or for relaxing in camp after a long day.
The Full Packing List
- TUO Kinetic 200 merino quarter zip, base top
- TUO 250 weight merino bottoms
- TUO Folcrum hoodie, grid fleece
- TUO Vista pants, outer pants
- TUO Clement hoodie, insulation for glassing
- TUO Ballistic Storm jacket, rain
- TUO merino short-sleeve tee
- TUO 350 merino hoodie
- TUO AMP Puffy Pant, insulated joggers
James calls it a simple list, but a thought-out one: start from the inside, cover rain and insulation, and lean on workhorse pieces like the grid fleece and Vista pants. Some of the pieces were already out when he recorded this, and some were still coming.
FAQ
How cold is a late-summer hunt in Greenland?
James planned for the low 30s to the low 50s, with temperatures that move around through the day. It is also wet, so rain gear is a must.
Do you need mountain hunting gear for Greenland?
Not for a hunt like this one. James stayed in tents reached by boat instead of living off his back on a mountain, so he had room for a few comfort pieces.
What is the most important layer?
The one against your skin. James starts with a 200 weight merino quarter zip on top and 250 weight merino bottoms, then works outward.
Watch or Listen
- Watch the layering breakdown on YouTube
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
- Listen on Spotify
- Watch Land of Plenty, our Greenland film
For more hunts and gear breakdowns, subscribe to The Fair Chase on YouTube.