BlackOvis Recon Down Jacket - Soliciting Feedback

[Okie_Poke]

Has anyone used the BlackOvis Recon Down Jacket? This is their heavier down jacket with 240 grams insulation, not the lighter Anchor Point with 120 grams of insulation. From watching the BlackOvis explainer video on the differences, the Recon is cut bigger, has a (probably slightly) tougher face fabric, and has a few more creature comforts in addition to the extra fill. It's also got sewn seams instead of the welded seams on the Anchor Point. Both are supposed to have the same quality of down (90/10 800-fill power down).

The most obvious con of the Recon from looking at specs is its weight (24 oz) and that it is likely not as packable. I've looked at and tried on the SG Grumman but (i) didn't like the way it fit (had to size up and didn't like it), and (ii) want more than 5 oz of down. I've been waiting on Outdoor Vitals' new puffy, but it looks like that may be pushing it close in terms of them getting that done in time for this season. I haven't given up on that by any means, I'm just considering options.

My immediate use case for this would be late-October rifle hunt this year in Colorado. I'll be day hunting, so the use case for this puffy will be to pack it around and throw it on when stationary and cold. So, while weight and packability are a concern, it's not the same concern as if I was backpack hunting. However, I am hoping to go backpack hunting next spring for spring bear and ideally I would like a puffy that can be used for that use case as well. I don't need the puffy for this year as I can lug around my heavy-ass softshell coat again if I have to.

If would love to hear your experience with or feedback on the Recon. Thanks in advance.

ETA: The website says "240 grams per meter" of down fill on the Recon, not simply 240 grams. I'm not sure if that is trying to convey something different or not as I don't think I usually see the amount of down spec'd as "grams per meter."

 

[Bump79]

Here's what I've been doing, not sure if it will work for you. I wear an active insulation like Sitka Ambient 150 (or whatever they have now) and then top it with the lighter synthetic or down.


So my layers are Sitka 120 Merino, Kuiu 97 or 200 fleece, Sitka Ambient, then light puffer. Or wind or rain shell. Condition dependent.

 

[Okie_Poke]

Well, I asked this question here and on another forum. Got absolutely zero feedback in the limited time I allowed for it. So, I did the only rational thing and ordered one (on sale from Camofire) to try. If it's too bulky or appears to be poor-quality, I'll send it back. Otherwise, I'll try it this fall.

Outdoor Vitals' forthcoming puffy still seems more like a goldilocks on specs. But, I'm somewhat nervous there will be furher delays or I'll miss the presale or something and I won't be able to use it this fall. So, I saved a bit of money at the expense of weight and packability and ordered the BlackOvis on sale. I'll post an update when it's in hand and I have thoughts.

 

[Mt4+4]

Interested in hearing your report when you get it , I'm on the fence of what to buy and I need one before this fall as well .

 

[Okie_Poke]

Jacket came in. First impressions are good, considering the price I paid. I'm not blown away, but I'm net favorable on first impressions.



It seems to be a well made piece of gear. The shell is definitely thicker than the SG Grumman, which I have tried on and thought was super delicate. This doesn't provide the same "oh I'm going to tear this" reaction, though I understand no puffy is made for going through brush. It is not as "puffy" as I expected given how much down is supposed to be in it. I don't have a Grumman handy to compare it to, but I recall it being more puffy when I tried it on in Scheels several months ago. This jacket seemed warm when I put it on but it's August in Oklahoma, so it's kinda hard to test. Fit seems right to me initially, though I need to try it on over the layers I'll actually be wearing it over. Colors look good to me.

It packs down reasonably small as well. Note that it can go smaller but I'm trying to hold it in a ball and take a picture at the same time so it's not fully compressed in this picture. It's going to be easy to stuff in a pack for my use case.



I'm leaning towards keeping it at the moment but will decide after I try it on with layers.

 

[Mt4+4]

Jacket came in. First impressions are good, considering the price I paid. I'm not blown away, but I'm net favorable on first impressions.

View attachment 923751

It seems to be a well made piece of gear. The shell is definitely thicker than the SG Grumman, which I have tried on and thought was super delicate. This doesn't provide the same "oh I'm going to tear this" reaction, though I understand no puffy is made for going through brush. It is not as "puffy" as I expected given how much down is supposed to be in it. I don't have a Grumman handy to compare it to, but I recall it being more puffy when I tried it on in Scheels several months ago. This jacket seemed warm when I put it on but it's August in Oklahoma, so it's kinda hard to test. Fit seems right to me initially, though I need to try it on over the layers I'll actually be wearing it over. Colors look good to me.

It packs down reasonably small as well. Note that it can go smaller but I'm trying to hold it in a ball and take a picture at the same time so it's not fully compressed in this picture. It's going to be easy to stuff in a pack for my use case.

View attachment 923750

I'm leaning towards keeping it at the moment but will decide after I try it on with layers.

Thank you for taking the time to report back . I just ordered the anchor point today since it was on sale as well , the weight savings is what pushed me to get it over the recon . Hopefully it'll be warm enough for me .

 

[RWT]

Watching. Not like I need a puffy when it is 100 degrees today.

 

[ArmyAg97]

Thanks for the report. I'm considering a purchase as well.

 

[Okie_Poke]

It did fit correctly over my layers. I'm 5'9" and 190 pounds, wearing a size large. In the photos below I have on a t-shirt, a Midway grid fleece shirt, and a Sitka jet stream jacket underneath the puffy. Recon fit just fine over the top of them and left room for my dad gut. My only concern with the garment is that I question whether it really has as much down in it as advertised. Perhaps because the jacket is longer the same amount of down isn't as thick; I have no idea. I guess the only thing left to do is try it this fall I guess and see how warm it is.