Cold-weather hunting is a layering game.
You need enough insulation to stay warm while glassing, sitting or waiting for daylight, but you also need a system that can breathe and shed layers once you start climbing.
These four BlackOvis pieces build a simple cold-weather hunting system from the skin out: heavyweight merino on your upper and lower body, lightweight insulation over the top, and merino hand protection that doesn't sacrifice dexterity.
Here are four of our favorite BlackOvis picks for building a cold-weather hunting kit.
1. BlackOvis Beavercreek 250 Merino Bottom
Shop the BlackOvis Beavercreek 250 Merino Bottom
Cold-weather comfort starts with the layer against your skin.
The BlackOvis Beavercreek 250 Merino Bottom uses a heavyweight 250-gsm blend of 52% merino wool and 48% Cordura nylon. That combination brings the temperature-regulating properties of merino together with added durability for hard use in the field.
Despite being a heavyweight base layer, a size Large weighs just 9.3 ounces.
Wear it underneath your hunting pants when temperatures drop, especially on late-season hunts where you'll alternate between hiking hard and sitting still for extended periods.
Why it makes the kit: It gives your lower body a warm 250-gsm foundation without adding excessive weight or bulk.
2. BlackOvis Beavercreek 250 Merino 1/2 Zip Hoodie
Shop the BlackOvis Beavercreek 250 Merino 1/2 Zip Hoodie
Pair the Beavercreek Bottom with the Beavercreek 250 Hoodie and you've essentially built the foundation of the entire cold-weather system.
Like the bottom, the hoodie uses a 250-gsm fabric made from 52% New Zealand merino wool and 48% Cordura nylon. It weighs 13.2 ounces in a size Large.
The half-zip is particularly useful in a hunting layer because it gives you a quick way to dump heat when you start climbing. Zip it back up when you stop moving, and the attached hood gives you additional head and neck coverage.
You can wear it by itself in cool weather or underneath insulation once temperatures really drop.
Why it makes the kit: This is the workhorse layer. Merino next to your body, a hood for extra coverage and a half-zip that lets you regulate temperature without constantly taking layers on and off.
3. BlackOvis Charge Insulated Primaloft Jacket
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Once you've established the merino foundation, add insulation.
The BlackOvis Charge is a lightweight insulated hunting jacket built for cool mornings, glassing sessions and changing mountain weather.
A 100% mini-ripstop nylon shell provides durability without excessive bulk, while the streamlined design allows the Charge to work as an outer layer in milder conditions or underneath a waterproof shell when the weather gets worse.
At approximately 16 ounces in a size Large, it's light enough to keep in your pack until you stop moving and need another layer.
It also includes two zippered chest pockets and fleece-lined zippered hand pockets, which become especially useful when you're sitting behind glass in cold temperatures.
Why it makes the kit: This is your insulation layer. Pull it over the Beavercreek Hoodie when you stop moving, then shed it when it's time to climb again.
4. BlackOvis San Juan Fingerless Merino Glove
Shop the BlackOvis San Juan Fingerless Merino Glove
Cold hands are miserable, but bulky gloves can create another problem for bowhunters.
You still need to operate a release, rangefinder, binoculars, phone and other equipment.
The BlackOvis San Juan Fingerless Merino Glove provides lightweight merino coverage while leaving your fingertips exposed for precise tasks.
The seamless merino construction weighs just 2.3 ounces, making these extremely easy to keep in a pocket or pack.
For truly cold conditions, we'd think of the San Juan as part of a layered hand system rather than your only glove. Wear them when you need dexterity and pair them with heavier gloves or mittens when temperatures demand more protection.
Why it makes the kit: You get lightweight warmth without giving up the finger control that's especially important while bowhunting.
How the BlackOvis Cold Weather Layering System Works
The strength of these four pieces is how naturally they work together.
Against your skin: Beavercreek 250 Merino Bottom
Upper-body foundation: Beavercreek 250 Merino Hoodie
Insulation: Charge Insulated Jacket
Hands: San Juan Fingerless Merino Glove
The Beavercreek pieces create a 250-gsm merino/Cordura foundation. The Charge gives you a packable insulation layer you can add when activity slows down. The San Juan gives your hands some merino coverage while preserving dexterity.
That's a much better approach to variable hunting conditions than relying on one massive jacket to do everything.
Why Layering Matters for Cold Weather Hunting
The challenge isn't simply staying warm.
It's managing heat and moisture while your activity level changes.
You might leave the truck before daylight in freezing temperatures, climb 1,500 vertical feet, stop to glass for an hour and then start hiking again.
The clothing system needs to adapt with you.
That's why we'd build around layers:
Start with merino.
Vent when you're working hard.
Add insulation when you stop.
Add weather protection over everything when conditions demand it.
The goal is to stay comfortable without carrying unnecessary bulk.
Who Is This BlackOvis Cold Weather Kit Best For?
This four-piece system makes the most sense for late-season deer and elk hunts, cold archery hunts, chilly mornings during the regular season, long glassing sessions and hunters looking for a modular layering system instead of one oversized cold-weather piece.
It also gives you flexibility. The Beavercreek Hoodie can come out earlier in the season. The Charge can live in your pack as emergency insulation. And once winter conditions arrive, the pieces can start working together.
Shop the BlackOvis Cold Weather Hunting Kit
Build the system from the skin out:
BlackOvis Beavercreek 250 Merino Bottom
BlackOvis Beavercreek 250 Merino 1/2 Zip Hoodie
BlackOvis Charge Insulated Primaloft Jacket
BlackOvis San Juan Fingerless Merino Glove
These products are part of authentic closeout BlackOvis inventory available through Huntwurx. Sizes, colors and quantities are limited, and restocks aren't guaranteed.
FAQ's
What are the best BlackOvis layers for cold-weather hunting?
The Beavercreek 250 Merino Hoodie and Bottom make a strong cold-weather foundation because both use heavyweight 250-gsm merino/Cordura fabric. Add the Charge Insulated Jacket for additional warmth when temperatures fall or activity slows.
Is 250-gsm merino good for cold-weather hunting?
A 250-gsm merino blend is substantially heavier than lightweight warm-weather merino and is well suited to cool and cold conditions. Both Beavercreek pieces use 250-gsm fabric and are specifically positioned as cool- or cold-weather hunting layers.
Can I wear the BlackOvis Charge Jacket over merino?
Yes. That's exactly how we'd build this system. Wear the Beavercreek Hoodie as your merino layer and add the Charge Jacket when you need insulation. The Charge can also fit beneath a waterproof outer shell when conditions become more severe.
Are fingerless merino gloves good for bowhunting?
Fingerless gloves are useful when you want some hand coverage without sacrificing fingertip dexterity for operating a bow, release, rangefinder or other equipment. For very cold conditions, the San Juan is better treated as one component of a layered glove system.
How much does this BlackOvis cold-weather gear weigh?
In size Large where specified, the Beavercreek Hoodie weighs 13.2 ounces, the Beavercreek Bottom weighs 9.3 ounces and the Charge Jacket weighs approximately 16 ounces. The one-size San Juan glove weighs 2.3 ounces.
