Additional outwear peice for archery - Suggestions Please

[R_burg]

Hey guys, I am looking for something quiet to wear over my other layers.

My insulation and rain layers are covered, with Arcteryx Cerium LT and Arcteryx Theta AR. I love both of these jackets, but neither is an effective outlayer for bowhunting... neither are camo, the Cerium is too prone to rips, and the Theta isnt quiet enough.

Right now, I have been stripping these before going on my stalk, and wearing my merino baselayer + poly shirt + Kuiu Peleton 200, which works fine in AZ at anything above 40 when I am stalking, but in reality I need something to use over my down / Gore Tex Arcteryx layers for when it is colder. I have friends in WI and family in NY and I bow hunt from stands every year as well, which can get pretty damn cold, and I am planning a hunt for WY next year... so for multiple reasons I need to add something to what I have.

I have looked at all the usual suspects (Kuiu, First Lite and Sitka) and I dont really see anything that fits what I am looking for.

Any suggestions or ideas?

 

[worx53]

I wear a cirrus jacket or superdown under a Guide jacket or Yukon if its really wet that is one size up.

 

[R_burg]

I wear a cirrus jacket or superdown under a Guide jacket or Yukon if its really wet that is one size up.

Thanks. My buddy has a guide jacket, it seems a little bulky for my preferences. I havent had my hands on a Yukon but it seems like it has great specs.

A couple options I was considering were the Ultra NX and the Chinook.

Concerns with each:
Ultra NX - Is it quiet enough? Will it fight off thorns and barbs like my Arcteryx Theta does? (Not sure I see a reason to carry 2 rain outerlayers)

Chinook - Is it too bulky to add to my pack? It seems sorta redundant with my other gear.

 

[fngTony]

Peloton 240, sized to wear over your insulation yet could be worn over your base and mid only. It might replace your peloton 200 as well. It won't be redundant with your rain jacket since it doesn't even have dwr or a membrane. Lighter than a traditional softshell. Smooth face to not hold burs like fleece.
I really like the wind resistance of the 240 material. Not windproof but it's quiet and breathes well.

Comparing the chinook with the 240. 240 is minimal, lighter weight and less expensive. Less redundancy.

Ultra nx felt pretty good for ultralight rain gear, it's still ultralight rain gear though.

Yes the guide jacket is bulky if you're talking about pack size, it doesn't feel bulky wearing it though. Also it's heavy, my large is about 27oz.

There is a million softshells out there but then you have to justify the weight penalty and bulk. This is what keeps coming back to the peloton 240.

 

[R_burg]

Peloton 240, sized to wear over your insulation yet could be worn over your base and mid only. It might replace your peloton 200 as well. It won't be redundant with your rain jacket since it doesn't even have dwr or a membrane. Lighter than a traditional softshell. Smooth face to not hold burs like fleece.
I really like the wind resistance of the 240 material. Not windproof but it's quiet and breathes well.

Comparing the chinook with the 240. 240 is minimal, lighter weight and less expensive. Less redundancy.

Ultra nx felt pretty good for ultralight rain gear, it's still ultralight rain gear though.

Yes the guide jacket is bulky if you're talking about pack size, it doesn't feel bulky wearing it though. Also it's heavy, my large is about 27oz.

There is a million softshells out there but then you have to justify the weight penalty and bulk. This is what keeps coming back to the peloton 240.

Interesting idea. I could replace my 200 with a 240. I would have to size up, and it wouldnt work well as a mid layer anymore so I would have to replace that.

However, I could always get something merino to replace the 200 with. That way it would be lighter and the combination wouldnt add tons of space to the pack.

BTW, regarding the Guide jacket I did mean pack size. Have you felt the Ultra NX in person? Was it a quiet material you would feel comfortable bow hunting in?

 

[BroodBuster]

Puffy vest. With no arms they are very quite.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Have you considered just putting an oversized long sleeve Tshirt over your outer layer? You can get the camo you want, it is quiet, and won't break the bank.

 

[R_burg]

Have you considered just putting an oversized long sleeve Tshirt over your outer layer? You can get the camo you want, it is quiet, and won't break the bank.

Um, other than this goes against the entire idea of this website, is a cheap and easy to way to solve the issue, and isnt gear-whoreish at all?


Kidding of course. This is along my idea of getting a light jacket... but obviously cheaper and easier. To be honest, I hadnt thought of synthetic long tee in a light material. Appreciated!

 

[larryschwartz]

Have you considered just putting an oversized long sleeve Tshirt over your outer layer? You can get the camo you want, it is quiet, and won't break the bank.

Or, a lightweight longsleeve fleece jacket.

 

[R_burg]

Or, a lightweight longsleeve fleece jacket.

Yep, 2 of the Kuiu products discussed above fall into that... But to Gunnersdad49's point, a lightweight synthetic shirt would be cheaper and lighter.

I dont want to add a fleece jacket if it is at all bulky.

 

[fngTony]

Interesting idea. I could replace my 200 with a 240. I would have to size up, and it wouldnt work well as a mid layer anymore so I would have to replace that.

However, I could always get something merino to replace the 200 with. That way it would be lighter and the combination wouldnt add tons of space to the pack.

BTW, regarding the Guide jacket I did mean pack size. Have you felt the Ultra NX in person? Was it a quiet material you would feel comfortable bow hunting in?

I have felt the ultra nx in person. I wouldn't use it to stalk unless it was already on and the opportunity arised. It would be great for alpine climbing but not crawling around in brush.

The T-shirt idea is a good one.

 

[worx53]

guide jacket is tough and quiet. ultra nx is not quiet or really tough. Yukon is in between as far as noise but super tough with the advantage of being completely waterproof. I got rid of my peloton 240 as I found I would use the guide jacket over it when it got colder. If you treestand hunt the guide over the insulation is quietest. The cirrus and superdown are a little too noisy when game is in close on their own. I really like the kifaru lost parka and spent a lot of time in it this season--still not as quiet as a guide jacket.

 

[R_burg]

guide jacket is tough and quiet. ultra nx is not quiet or really tough. Yukon is in between as far as noise but super tough with the advantage of being completely waterproof. I got rid of my peloton 240 as I found I would use the guide jacket over it when it got colder. If you treestand hunt the guide over the insulation is quietest. The cirrus and superdown are a little too noisy when game is in close on their own. I really like the kifaru lost parka and spent a lot of time in it this season--still not as quiet as a guide jacket.

Thanks for the insight. I do like the idea of a Guide Jacket in the tree stand... not sure it would make it into my pack though.

Choices, choices, haha.

 

[worx53]

When hunting west or not treestand hunting I don't pack the guide jacket at all. I do long sleeve merino, puffy and nx rain jkt.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[Brendan]

Thanks for the insight. I do like the idea of a Guide Jacket in the tree stand... not sure it would make it into my pack though.

Choices, choices, haha.

DOn't bother with the guide. It's not warm enough for tree stand hunting. It is a typical lightly insulated soft shell that offers some wind protection and some DWR. Don't get me wrong - I love the jacket and for more active day hunts in the right conditions - it'd be great. Not for tree stands, not for where weight is a concern, not for really adverse conditions.

What I would wear? Tree stand hunting for whitetails - Sitka Fanatic. But it's heavy as hell and I'd never ever bring it on any sort of a hike. But for tree stand hunting - pretty much the best thing that's ever happened to me.... Elk / deer hunting? I'd use pretty much what you have. I have the Kuiu kenai with a hood, which is quiet, synthetic, warm enough. Pit zips are great. I wear it over a variety of First lite merino layers depending on the temperature. I have the Chugach NX - it is a great jacket, but is a typical hard shell rain jacket. If stalking in it, it better be raining or it's too loud. Sitka's supposed to have a new rain jacket for this year that is supposed to have a quiet outer shell.

 

[fngTony]

If you want good weather protection from a softshell look for something that blocks wind. Sitka has several with windstopper.

 

[R_burg]

If you want good weather protection from a softshell look for something that blocks wind. Sitka has several with windstopper.

Thats not what i set out wanting, as I have a high end hardshell i love and I don't really want to carry the bulk or weight of a soft shell in my pack.

That being said, it seems like unless I go for a thin synthetic camo long sleeve and just put that over my down or hardshell, a softshell is probably what fits the bill. A second, lighter-weight rainshell is something I like the idea of, but as you pointed out, I don't trust it would be quiet enough to stalk in for bow hunting.

A softshell just seems like a lot more to carry for a very small purpose.

 

[fngTony]

Thats not what i set out wanting, as I have a high end hardshell i love and I don't really want to carry the bulk or weight of a soft shell in my pack.

That being said, it seems like unless I go for a thin synthetic camo long sleeve and just put that over my down or hardshell, a softshell is probably what fits the bill. A second, lighter-weight rainshell is something I like the idea of, but as you pointed out, I don't trust it would be quiet enough to stalk in for bow hunting.

A softshell just seems like a lot more to carry for a very small purpose.

I agree although I love having a softshell it's not a staple like a puffy or base layer. It was nice to have the guide jacket last November as it rained for five minutes in all of nine days. It will be in my collection, just not taking it all the time.

Sitka timberline would be way less bulk, can't remember how loud it was but definitely not rain jacket noisy.

 

[R_burg]

I agree although I love having a softshell it's not a staple like a puffy or base layer. It was nice to have the guide jacket last November as it rained for five minutes in all of nine days. It will be in my collection, just not taking it all the time.

Sitka timberline would be way less bulk, can't remember how loud it was but definitely not rain jacket noisy.

Thanks dude.... that has led me down the right path. I think a lightweight wind shirt is what would fit the bill. A used Sitka Contrail or, if I cant find one, a new Sitka Flash look to be the best options (or a Mountain Jacket to a lesser extent).

Sitka pricing is tough... if the Flash was 149 I'd buy one right now... but 229 is pretty steep. When you cost 50% more than a comparable Arcteryx you know you are damn expensive. I mean... thats pretty nutty to me.

Anyone have any experience with the Contrail? I dont have any Sitka stuff, but I have tried many items on in preparation for purchases and I was a L in some items, an XL in others. I have done some research and it seems like the Contrail runs small. Would like some additional opinions though.

 

[Ozzymodel70]

you got a lot of good info here. Ill just add that I think the Kuiu Peloton 240 seems to be one of the most underrated pieces in western hunting. super light weight warmer then my guide jacket, dead silent and blocks the wind just as good.