Backpack hunt - two puffys ???

[WVELK]

Sorry, need to give you some background before the questions. First, I HATE to be cold. Second, I am going on several hunts this fall that require some element of backpack hunting (sheep, moose and goat to start). Temps could range from 15 degrees to 55 degrees F during the day. I had originally thought about this as my top layering system: Kuiu 145 merino, SG Helio hoodie, SG Cirque Lite, SG Grunman puffy and Kuiu Axis Hybrid. Lets leave rain gear out of this equation. That combination weighs 73.6 ounces.

I have a hunting clothing addiction - could be worse addictions. Thus, I have the following in the closet from which to pick: Kuiu Merino 145 and 200, SG Avro t-shirt and hoodie, SG Helio, SG Cirque and Cirque lite, Arcteryx Atom Hoody, SG Grunman and Kuiu Axis Hybrid Jacket.

My gear is going from hunt to hunt so what I start out with the last few days of August will be what I ned up with on the 10th of November.

Rather than use the combo listed at the top, I am thinking of a base (either one of the merinos) then either the AVRO or Helio Hoody, next either the Arceteryx Atom or Cirque Lite then packing two Grunmans. I have a large and an XXL at home and tried them on this morning. They fit like a glove together. Taking two down puffys gives me more warmth at less weight. I leave the Axis Hybrid at camp or home. My outer shell would be a Arcteryx Beta AR jacket.

Questions: Have you packed two puffys and liked or disliked? Do you see any downside? Out of the clothing options listed above what would you go with based on your actual experience in the field?

If I were to go today, I would likely go with Avro t-shirt (5.7oz), SG Helio (14.5 oz), Aceteryx Atom (12.5) and two Grunman puffy jackets large and XXL (combined 23.6 oz). Total weight 56.3 ounces. 17.3 ounces lighter than my original plan and more comfortable when I tried it all on this morning.

 

[Poser]

I haven't packed 2 full puffies before on a backpack hunt, but I certainly would consider it if conditions warranted it. I have packed a full puffy + a (ultralight) puffy vest and worn them together (vest under puffy) on cold sits and slept in the vest for extra warmth. That combo works well enough for me that I'll continue to do that on backpack hunts on particularly cold years.

 

[justinspicher]

I’ve done the puffy vest/jacket combo as well as the double puffy combo. I prefer the double puffy. I used both in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri and Kansas.

Do my double puffy combo I use a Patagonia nano puffy with a baselayer on under it. When I’m static I’ll throw on my nano air jacket. Both are pullovers with a 1/4 zip.

 

[Jbehredt]

I’ve worn my Grumman over a Sitka kelvin hoody. The small weight penalty was worth it for the comfort of knowing I had another layer for sitting.

 

[Eric30]

Typically I will pack two puffys on a hunt, one being an everyday light puffy (torrid jacket from enlightenment equipment) and a heavy puffy (Kuiu super down pro). For the minimal weight and good warmth of the torrid jacket its an awesome puffy if you want two on a hunt. I find myself wearing a merino base layer with the torrid jacket majority of the time on the hunt. Plus a perk of a second puffy is stuffing it inside of a stuff sack at night and using it for a pillow. This way it makes it easier to justify the added weight of a second puffy. lol

 

[WVELK]

Very valid point as to making pillow at night

 

[Eric30]

Very valid point as to making pillow at night

Yes, I found putting the extra puffy and any extra clothes in a stuff sack makes in my opinion for a better pillow compared to one of the air pillows. I even with put my extra merino shirt over the stuff sack as a pillow case... lol