Nick’s Idaho Adventure & Gear Review

I’ll be honest, I’m not a hardcore hunter. Nor did I grow up in a family that hunted or fished. But living in Wyoming for 12 years will change you, and during that time, I developed a passion for chasing game in the mountains. For me, a big part of the appeal was stocking the freezer with meat to enjoy throughout the year. 

For many seasons, I didn’t succeed in punching my tag for elk or deer, even though they were plentiful. But that didn’t seem to matter. Just immersing myself in the woods and mountains and watching these amazing creatures was reason enough to be out there. Plus, hiking in that kind of mountainous environment really paid off training-wise when it came to the winter ski season.

New opportunities to explore the backcountry

I grew up skiing, racing, and hiking in northern NH. So when I moved out west, the transition to backcountry ski touring felt like a natural progression. In the “off-season”, a few close friends who hunted asked if I’d like to join them for my first Wyoming adventure. That first night, as I lay in my tent far from civilization, listening to bugling elk after a long day of backcountry hiking, I was hooked. 

​Ever since, I gladly jump at any opportunity I get to spend time in a remote area, whether I’m fly fishing or hunting. So when a good friend from Wyoming asked if I’d be interested in joining them on a late-season whitetail deer hunt in northern Idaho, I didn’t hesitate. Remote, thick with timber, and in the heart of logging country, it was prime whitetail territory and an unmissable trip. It was also a great chance to test out a whole host of Polygiene-treated apparel and do a gear review. 

Choosing the gear for my trip

The gear I chose needed to be able to handle cold weather, as we were planning on being there the week before Thanksgiving, and there was a good chance of snow and low temperatures. But it also needed to be breathable, comfortable, and flexible enough to hike in for miles. We planned to ride quads out from our base camp deep into the backcountry, then hike most of the day via old logging roads and through timber patches. 

It would be six days of backcountry hunting and living with no showers and no laundry. So Polygiene odor control technology would definitely come in handy. Not just for the game (which can pick up on human scent incredibly easily), but my tent partner, too. 

Out in the Idaho backcountry

Spotting and tracking deer are a lot easier against a white canvas, so we were a little disappointed when the forecasted snow never arrived. But we had our fair share of frost and 30℉ (-1℃) mornings, with temperatures rising to around 50℉ (10℃) at midday. This meant layering was crucial, as you’d need all the warmth you could get while sedentary and glassing a hillside in hope a grey body would present itself. But you’d also need to slowly peel layers off as the day warmed up and your legs started to accumulate miles.

Reviewing the gear

Montane Alhena Mountain T-shirt

This was my main shirt, and I wore it nearly the entire trip. I slept in it for the additional warmth in the sleeping bag, and used it as my first layer when out hiking during the day. It dries super quickly, and the merino blend helped keep me warmer than a 100% polyester layer. The merino-poly blend feels great against the skin, and this was a big positive for me, as I normally find 100% merino irritates my skin. Most importantly, the tee stayed fresh the entire trip.

Sitka Fanatic Hoodie

Another piece I lived in every day. It has a great lofted fleece interior that breathed well when hiking, but provided that extra warmth when I was seated and glassing. Tapered arms ensure it doesn’t bunch up under your jacket sleeves, and a cool cuff foldover provided a mitten-like cover for extra warmth when I didn’t have my gloves on. The fit was perfect, and the kangaroo pocket with the extended chest zipper was supremely practical. The small details and features are really indicative of the thoughtful design Sitka has put into this – the hood has an excellent attached face cover, and the backside is cut so it extends slightly, preventing it from riding up the back when wearing a pack. 

Sitka Jetstream Jacket

While this jacket isn’t technically Polygiene-treated, I sprayed the fleece interior with Storm Care Solutions’ aftermarket Polygiene® OdorCrunch spray to keep it smelling fresh. It provides great wind protection – my achille’s heel when outdoors.

Stone Glacier Cirque Lite Jacket

A light and packable midweight jacket that I would use when hiking and could easily layer when needed. Wonderfully quiet and designed to take up no space in your pack, it’s a really versatile light jacket.

Pnuma Cascade Puffy Jacket

My go-to safety jacket when we were seated for long, early morning glassing sessions in freezing temperatures and I needed all the warmth I could get. It’s a super cosy puffy jacket with 260 gsm Primaloft Black ThermaPlume synthetic insulation that retains its warmth, even when wet. The liner is treated with both Polygiene StayFresh and OdorCrunch for comprehensive odor control. The jacket comes with its own stuff sack and also doubled as a comfortable pillow at night.

Buff Original 

A piece of gear that I take everywhere with me. Whether you need it for sun protection or to cover the face when riding ATVs in the freezing cold, it’s always invaluable.

Forloh BTM Pro Pant

A smartly designed hybrid pant that combines Polygiene-treated, stretchy woven twill panels with a nylon/cotton ripstop fabric at the knees and backside for improved abrasion-resistance. This gives the pants a comfortable flexibility when hiking and the water resistance and durability required when walking through brush. The pants’ water resistance can be further enhanced by rubbing a wax into the nylon/cotton areas and applying heat to melt it in.

Stone Glacier Helio Zip-Off Bottom

Perfectly weighted baselayers that can be zipped off without needing to remove your boots. This was great when it warmed up around midday, and the extra layer wasn’t needed.

Sitka Core Lightweight Boxer

I’m slightly embarrassed to say I wore these boxers more days than you probably should. But they breathed great, sat comfortably, and stayed fresh the whole time.

SOLE Active insoles 

Having borrowed a pair of hiking boots from my friend, I brought my own pair of SOLE Active Thick insoles to ensure proper foot alignment and comfort. As they are already formed to my feet and provide the right support, they kept me comfortable while wearing boots nonstop for six tough days. Combined with my Polygiene-treated socks, they helped keep the stink to a minimum in the tent!

Outstanding performance, comfort and odor control

Over the six days, my gear performed incredibly. The fit was perfect, the temperature regulation worked well, and the odor control was extremely effective. I wore most of these clothes all day and slept in my baselayers at night, and still didn’t register any unpleasant smells or body odor on the material. All the gear passed the dreaded tentmate’s “sniff test”, and perhaps most impressively, I didn’t get any funny looks or comments on the flight home. After six days in the Idaho backcountry, I was ready for a hot shower and a good home-cooked meal, but I was still smelling fresh.

Returning home with a cooler packed with delicious venison meant the trip had been a big success. But more importantly, the experience of reconnecting with an old friend and spending time in a remote and beautiful region is one I’ll always treasure. I’d like to say a big thank you to the brands that supported me and provided the gear to test. I can’t wait to get back out there and put more Polygiene-treated products through their paces!