Polygiene in the Wilderness: A Game-Changer for Mountain Hunters

I’ve been fortunate to roam some of the most beautiful and remote mountains in North America with a camera or bow in hand. The goal has always been to see over the next ridge, push myself physically and mentally and try to find a leery mountain animal to hunt — typically wild sheep or mountain goats. 

These expeditions typically last 10-14 days in the backcountry of Northern BC, Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Alaska and are based in the backcountry. They’re done backpack style, meaning all gear, camp and food are carried and — if successful — the animal butchered in the field and carried out. Because of this, sheep hunters are particularly critical of gear from a performance, packability and especially weight perspective. We must bring only the essentials. 

When base layers from my most trusted gear manufacturer Sitka Gear started utilizing Polygiene technology, I was thrilled. The performance of synthetic materials — especially next to the skin — outperformed other materials in wicking and quick-drying applications, but the issue was always the odor of wearing the same garments for 10 straight days, often exerting oneself under a heavy backpack. I’ll be honest — I would wreak.

With the help of Polygiene, I can take a single upper and bottom layer into the mountains. And, while I can’t say I’ll be 100% scent-free by the end of the trip, I can say that Polygiene makes a noticeable and significant difference compared to other non-treated synthetics. If not for my own sake, at least Polygiene has made a big difference for my hunting partners and close-quarters tent mates! If we haven’t stunk each other out of the tent by the end of two weeks, you know something is working! 

Cheers and good hunting,

Adam Foss
@fossman8