Best down puffy. That's actually warm

[3sdad]

I have a firstlite uncompaghre. My only first lite piece. It's a good choice for early to maybe mid season, but does get cold when glassing much below freezing.

 

[Trial153]

Filsons feather weight is super warm... not the lightest or the most compressable though

 

[Racethesunset]

Agree - not a fan of Sitka or Kuiu down jackets when it gets into and below the 20’s glassing up a ridge in the Rockies. When I am 15-20% body fat they are fine, but not lower. Save for the Hooded Down WS, which is warmer but not really great for its weight and fill power.

My favorite mountaineering jackets are the Eddie Bauer First Ascent BC downlight and the Columbia 800 fill series with omniheat interior. Omniheat works in my experience. Both are durable, waterproof, stretchy, and will cook you if you move.

For something that is way beyond average and that I regret selling, there is the Eddie Bauer First Ascent Peak IV (or whatever version there is). Absolutely the warmest jacket I’ve ever used.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Never been a fan of one big ass puffy in the cold. I would rather take two smaller(less loft) jackets. Plus it gives me more options.

 

[Middleofnowhere]

I received a Kuiu superdown pro as a gift. I wear the thing all the time as it is slid brown color and not camo. A buddy picked up a Chinese made down jacket at Burlington coat factory for $70 and I have to say it seems exactly the same as my Kuiu.

The “feathers” in my Kuiu down jacket are coming out all over. They are feathers imo and not pure down, as you would see in the higher end American made Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering puffy jackets.

 

[Mr.Crumbz]

I got one at Christmas that came from Old Navy. Solid black, comfy as all can be, keeps me warm in 2 Celsius with strongish winds, and beads water when I got caught out in the rain. Couldn’t be happier with the darn thing! And it packs in to its own pocket. Defiantly a fan of these puffy down jacket!

 

[Clrems77]

Not sure... there’s not a label on it it was just what they had at Costco

Costco.com still has some in Med and Large. Just got mine!

 

[joestrow]

I have an artyrx cerium LT that a really enjoy. Compresses well and keeps me toasty. I spent an afternoon in Seattle trying on all the high end backpacking puffys and that one was the winner for me.

 

[junior]

My Kuiu Superdown was ok for early season but not nearly warm enough for late season in Montana and I was not a fan of the jacket material, yes it’s light weight but did not cut the wind at all. I really like the First lite Chamberlin for when it gets real cold.




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[Elk slayer]

You can never go wrong with first lite but I also have a kuiu puffy was very surprised how well it has held up to beating the brush for being synthetic!

 

[jbwright]

I've never yet found a puffy in the hunting-specific brands which I really like. When I put on a puffy I want to get WARM and stay that way. Camo means nothing to me. It's all about warmth, light physical weight and how it's made. The companies which make expedition-quality gear are the ones I favor. The best I've ever owned is a Feathered Friends Helios jacket. They make hooded and regular versions. Super-warm but very compressible/packable. The clamshell handwarmer pockets beat any other design I've seen or tried.

I’m going to get one of these. Reviews are solid-I’ve had Kuiu, And a couple other hunting brands’ down and I am just not impressed with the quality. Also, I have Kuiu’s super down pro pant, the best one they sell, and the fabric is extremely loud. Same thing the the kuiu down pro jacket, very loud. I understand this stuff is made for when you stop to glass and need warmth quickly, but geez. Anyway, thanks for the Feathered Friends suggestion...

 

[bowtech101st]

Bought the Grumman the second they released it in the new Coyote color. My first impression is I'm very impressed.

I did a very unscientific test the other day. It was 25 degrees out, so I put my jacket on and took a drive in my pickup. I rolled the windows down and stuck my arm all the way out the window for about 5 minutes going at 35 mph. In addition to the regular wind, the driving created quite a bit of "wind speed" on my arm. Not only was I warm, but I could not feel any wind coming through the fabric on my arm. I did the same test the next day with my Kuiu Superdown (original model, not the Pro), and the wind was definitely coming through and I started to get chilly.

I'm now a believer in their Pertex fabric for wind resistance, and can't wait to put this jacket through the ringer this fall .

 

[ks.snow]

Kevin, how would you think the feathered friends Helios would compare to the first life chamberlain down jacket in terms of warmth. They seem like they would be pretty close to one another. Was curious of your thoughts.

 

[Benjblt]

Box baffle or die.

What's box baffle?

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[Farmerlentz]

My big issue with the hunting brands is they are all made over seas and are sold for the same price as feathered friends and Western mountaineering. Not sure why they can't make some of their clothes state side

 

[Clarence]

My big issue with the hunting brands is they are all made over seas and are sold for the same price as feathered friends and Western mountaineering. Not sure why they can't make some of their clothes state side

Agreed. I wonder how much of that extra cost goes into marketing? If the product is good enough, word of mouth and quality along with customer service should sell it. Some of these boutique shops are supportive of hunting, and they are doing business in a way I can appreciate. Buying made in the USA costs more, but there is often better value in those products. I think I need to put a order in with feathered friends.

 

[Dos Perros]

What's box baffle?

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Knowledge Base - What is a Box-Wall Down Jacket?

A Box-wall down jacket is one that utilises 'Box-wall' construction for it's baffles. Baffles are the pockets of space that are created between two layers of fabric which then hold the goose or duck down that is in your jacket. These chambers filled with down are how the jacket keeps you warm.

www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk

 

[freebird]

I still haven't made my purchase, so for me its between these, FL Chamerberlin, Kifaru LPP, Sitka WS kelvin Hoody, KUIU Super down pro hooded jacket or Kryptek ARES. The only one I have really checked out is the Sitka WS kelvin hoody.

 

[Kevin Dill]

Kevin, how would you think the feathered friends Helios would compare to the first life chamberlain down jacket in terms of warmth. They seem like they would be pretty close to one another. Was curious of your thoughts.

I’ve not worn the Chamberlain, but have heard it’s pretty nice. I assume it’s very warm. I wonder if it is as compressible and stuffable as the Helios. Not sure of its weight. In any event, both are good. For my ways, I actually didn’t really want camo, and my Helios gets used in nonhunting activities too.

 

[Benjblt]

Knowledge Base - What is a Box-Wall Down Jacket?

A Box-wall down jacket is one that utilises 'Box-wall' construction for it's baffles. Baffles are the pockets of space that are created between two layers of fabric which then hold the goose or duck down that is in your jacket. These chambers filled with down are how the jacket keeps you warm.

www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk

A picture's worth a thousand words. Thanks for the explanation. Funny, RAB pops up as one of the manufacturers that makes a box baffled down jacket. I've been looking at theirs. I'm not sure why more hunting folk don't look at their stuff.