Best soft shell for archery

[craigrh13]

There seems to be so many soft shell jackets out there these days. I'm looking for a soft shell that can be worn alone or over over layers. Mostly archery hunting. I'm in Michigan and it will be mostly worn during late October to mid November so highs in the 30's-50's and lows mainly in the 20's. Any suggestions? FYI I am looking at Kuiu, Sitka, Badlands, Skre, and stone glacier. Thanks!

 

[Bump79]

I've personally gone away from softshells. They seem to fit in a no-mans zone for me. Not that warm, that that breathable, not waterproof and bulky/heavy generally. I find that just the softshell windbreaker without backing works awesome. I can layer over anything and it packs nice.

Oh those - I'd look at Kuiu Pro Guide and Stone Glacier De Hav. They are light enough but still give a little protection.

 

[craigrh13]

I've personally gone away from softshells. They seem to fit in a no-mans zone for me. Not that warm, that that breathable, not waterproof and bulky/heavy generally. I find that just the softshell windbreaker without backing works awesome. I can layer over anything and it packs nice.

Oh those - I'd look at Kuiu Pro Guide and Stone Glacier De Hav. They are light enough but still give a little protection.

I basically want it for wind resistance and more weather proofing over my mid and base layers. I've been eyeing the Kuiu pro guide. Waiting to see if it goes on sale. I just picked up a Rubicon as well.

 

[mulveymo]

If it's a designated archery tree stand set, don't get a softshell. Get something like sitka stratus or kuiu proximity. Fleece facing is way quieter and they're designed to layer down to the temps you're hunting in.

If it's spot and stalk, I like my Jetstream. Durable enough to deal with crawling and brush beating but still reasonably quiet. Haven't tried the others, but the Jetstream works well for what I use it for.

 

[isItFallYet]

For Michigan, non-active tree sitting, find one of the Cabelas wooltimate sweaters on ebay. Warm and blocks wind.

 

[Texasbuckeye]

Are you going to be mostly tree stand hunting or active hunting? The requirements will be slightly different for each type of hunting, although quiet is important.
Your temp range is pretty low for just a soft shell with a mid and base under. most will want some insulation under in those temp ranges unless really active.
Another consideration is precipitation. Is the area you are hunting more wet during the season time you are looking for or more dry?
The answers to these questions will help shape the jackets that could be used.

 

[RADunfee]

Jetstream is so versatile. Size up and you can layer under it like crazy.

 

[craigrh13]

I generally dress on the light side and can stay warm. I have a ton of base and mid layers including puffy vests, kuiu vests and jet steam vests. What I don't have is a good jacket to go over all of this. Hence why I was looking at the stratus, jetstream, acclima, kuiu pro guide, Skyre or something like any of these.

I'll be mostly tree stand hunting and I just need it to handle possible snow or light rain. I don't bow hunt in the hard rain.

 

[Bump79]

I generally dress on the light side and can stay warm. I have a ton of base and mid layers including puffy vests, kuiu vests and jet steam vests. What I don't have is a good jacket to go over all of this. Hence why I was looking at the stratus, jetstream, acclima, kuiu pro guide, Skyre or something like any of these.

I'll be mostly tree stand hunting and I just need it to handle possible snow or light rain. I don't bow hunt in the hard rain.

Fair points. I'm just giving my recommendation based on similar conditions. My soft shells have all gone to the wayside and tried tons. None ever really fit the bill.

I really like just a quiet stretchy somewhat wind/water resistant shell. I DWR it every year or so for protection. I picked up a Black Ovis Specter for like $25 and I wear it all the time. Great piece. I have an old Marmot that is even better.

BlackOvis Specter Ultralight Wind Hoodie

The BlackOvis Specter Ultralight Wind Hoodie is designed for comfort and performance, making it perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, and shooting.

www.blackovis.com

You could look at a Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody or Rap Vital. Even closeout Sitka Mountain Evo Jacket.

 

[jd1006]

Nomad Barrier NXT. It’s like the jet stream but quiet.

 

[deezs]

I have been looking for the same thing, I stand hunt whitetails in Wisconsn, probably similiar conditions as you. The kryptek njord is on sale on their website, but their description is very vague and I am not sure how warm it is, I ordered the vellus last winter when it was on sale but returned it because it was more jacket than I wanted and had a little noise when you moved in it, I have also seen several complaints of deer picking off the sky fall pattern. The kuiu proximity looks good for what I want, so does the code of silence versa 7 jacket, but I am leaning more towards the pnuma vintis, seems to check all the boxes for me and gets very good reviews for it's wind proofing. It will probably come down to the versa 7 or the vintis, which ever I find the best deal on

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I have the older kuiu guide jacket and it’s ok but it’s not of a strange piece of gear for me. It’s not particularly windproof and it’s not very waterproof. It dose make a decent outer layer for cool/mild conditions. I wear it on boats and rafts while moose hunting but I never pack it for hiking, it’s just too bulky and not versatile.

The he new guide jacket must be pretty good, I think the axis jacket is supposed to be more wind proof than the guide jacket so you might take a look at that.

 

[ozyclint]

Maybe take a look at the TUSX Boulder jacket.

Boulder Summit Jacket

Retain Warmth or Expel Heat When physically active in cold climates the ability to regulate your core body temperature is an important requirement This cool to cold weather hunting jacket is equipped with features that will enable you to both retain warmth and also expel excess body heat...

www.tusxhunter.com

 

[Madstop14]

I spend most of bow season in a tree and temps/conditions here change dramatically on a day to day basis. I've tried a ton of different jackets over the years - get a Stratus and don't look back.

 

[Texasbuckeye]

For bow stand hunting, it is hard to beat the stratus jacket with bibs. The jacket is really wind resistant, the water resistance is enough for light misty rain, but not rain rain, but you will be able to wear quite a bit of layers underneath and still be comfortable and not feel like a full tick ready to explode. The jacket is breathable, and the bibs have leg zippers which allow you walk in to the stand and dump heat pretty well.

The one drawback with the stratus is it doesn't handle moisture super well. it will repel light misty stuff really well but I would not want to sit in a rain with it. It will soak out rather quickly and the material gets really heavy when wet.

IF there is a bunch of misty wet stuff when you are hunting (and or flat out rain), then the Forloh All-Clima is a great soft shell jacket. Quiet enough, breathable enough (with the pit zips) and completely water proof and excellent wind resistance. If you are going to be layering under well, it could easily take you into the temp ranges you are looking for. I think of it as a rain jacket that is an all day kind of jacket. I spent a rainy day shed hunting with just a t-shirt and an under armor dry fit type long sleeve under it (meaning essentially two base layers) and it kept me dry and completely comfortable in the low to mid 40's, and was quiet enough that I was able to stalk up to some doe to within 40 yards, and could have gotten closer if I had cover. I could have easily worn a vest or puffy under with those layers and still been very comfortable.