Do I even need a Puffy?

[bowhunter15]

I sold the fleece lined soft shell I used as a packable jacket for mid-September elk/MD in central Colorado. That leaves me in need of a replacement for that layer. I was looking at the FL Uncompahgre, but wanted to see if I could salvage a solution from what I already have first. It's my understanding that for fleece vs puffy, fleece is better on the move or in wetter conditions, and the puffy is ideal for times when you're stopped. Fleece is also quiter for bowhunting. Puffy has better warmth to weight.

The only times I used that jacket in the past was sitting early morning or late evening when the temps were low. For the coldest it got (maybe mid to upper 30s) I had all my layers on. But for 90% of the day, while walking or mid-day, I just wore my merino base layer and nothing else. So the ideal use for the replacement garment seems to be that of a puffy.

I have a nice, warm Polartec fleece (Cabelas Standhunter, monkeyman level fuzzy) that weighs 16.3oz. I figure it should be a litter warmer and bulkier than something like a FL Halstead.

So my current potential system is pictured below. The question is, would I be better off replacing that fleece with a Puffy for an additional ~3oz and hopefully more warmth? Do I stick with what I have? I'm willing to shell out the money if it'll be worth it, but would prefer to save it if the upside is minimal.

Pictured:
FL Chama QZ
Mountain Hardwear Nitrous 800 fill vest
Cabelas Stand Hunter Polartec fleece
Cabelas space rain jacket
FL Wind River merino balaclava
Baseball cap

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[R_burg]

I dont use a vest, so I am not sure how much that helps with warmth in your system.

However, I have a nice Arcteryx polartec fleece and a I have a Arcteryx Cerium LT. Its an 850 fill Puffy. Its 10oz and is warmer than an Uncompahgre.

To me its night and day. The puffy is way, way warmer and I love it compared to the fleece. It packs down way more, weighs much less, is much warmer... its perfect for glassing.

I still utilize a lighter fleece midlayer, as its great for that or as an outlayer... but not as my insulation piece for when glassing.

 

[Tex68w]

Puffy FTW for around camp and when sitting for a extended periods of time glassing.

 

[realunlucky]

For warmth puffy is where it's at wieght wise.

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[kodiakfly]

Agree with all above. For weight and for stationary stuff, the puffy wins hands down.

 

[bowhunter15]

Ok, so a follow up question for those that use the puffy... do you think I'd be alright ditching the 800 fill down vest and just going 1) merino base 2) puffy jacket 3) packable rain jacket? I guess the vest only weighs like 8 ounces so it's not a big deal. Just curious as to a typical layering setup utilizing a puffy jacket.

 

[oenanthe]

Ok, so a follow up question for those that use the puffy... do you think I'd be alright ditching the 800 fill down vest and just going 1) merino base 2) puffy jacket 3) packable rain jacket? I guess the vest only weighs like 8 ounces so it's not a big deal. Just curious as to a typical layering setup utilizing a puffy jacket.

Add a windshirt or light jacket and you should be all set. and maybe a 2nd baselayer for late-season hunts.

 

[TheCougar]

I'm a puffy fan, but I glass a lot. I never used to use them, but now I love my unpronounceable puffy. I think Sitka makes one as well, plus kifaru and a few other companies. I don't hunt in it, though. It is too noisy and not durable enough to be used when I am actually getting on animals. Plus it is just too damn hot. It makes the most sense around camp and when you are stationary.

For my layering, I have a wool shirt, a thermal fleece, an llano top, and a puffy. If it is going to rain, I will pack the rain top. With that set up I can make it into the 20s glassing.

 

[bowhunter15]

Add a windshirt or light jacket and you should be all set. and maybe a 2nd baselayer for late-season hunts.

I do have another merino 1/4 zip from cabelas. Combined they'd be like wearing a 400g+ merino.

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[SHTF]

Ive hunted Colorado the last 3 years in September Mostly backpacking but chasing elk also Been a learning experience and Im still learning and trying to get it done. On to your topic I can tell you that in September plan for some truly chilly Mornings in Sept. No way would I leave home without my puffy especially if your over 9000 feet Altitude. Yes it can be very hot but the weather can also be straight cold at times especially early morning and when the sun goes down. My system is Core Shirt, Puffy Jacket, Sitka traverse and Rain Jacket. This hasn't failed me and some may say its to many layers but Id rather not need it and have it then to Need it and Not have it. Nothing can be more miserable than being cold out when your trying to focus on being quiet and getting to the next ridge. I find the more comfortable I am the easier it is for me to focus on my surroundings. My 2 Cents.

 

[rbljack]

After using the First lite unpronounceable for a year now, I don't think I would ever leave home on any hunt without one. Its just worth every ounce for a lightweight option!

 

[MuleyFever]

After using the First lite unpronounceable for a year now, I don't think I would ever leave home on any hunt without one. Its just worth every ounce for a lightweight option!

While the Firstlite is a great jacket it is not lightweight IMO. You need to decide what kind of puffy you want. If you want a just in case warmth layer that may sit in your pack you want a lightweight down jacket. You should be able to get a good down jacket at 10oz. The Firstlight weighs about twice that and will not pack down nearly as small. Now if you know it will be cold and you will spend a good amount of time in the jacket you may be better with something heavier. The Firstlite also has a DWR treatment.

I fit into the first category so I sold my Firstlite and got a good down jacket that weights 10oz and packs down to the size of a softball. The Firstlite at nearly twice the weight and size just wasn't what I needed. I have been in CO the last 2 Septembers at over 10,000feet and have only pulled the puffy out 1 time. The down fits my style better.

 

[bowhunter15]

While the Firstlite is a great jacket it is not lightweight IMO. You need to decide what kind of puffy you want. If you want a just in case warmth layer that may sit in your pack you want a lightweight down jacket. You should be able to get a good down jacket at 10oz. The Firstlight weighs about twice that and will not pack down nearly as small. Now if you know it will be cold and you will spend a good amount of time in the jacket you may be better with something heavier. The Firstlite also has a DWR treatment.

I fit into the first category so I sold my Firstlite and got a good down jacket that weights 10oz and packs down to the size of a softball. The Firstlite at nearly twice the weight and size just wasn't what I needed. I have been in CO the last 2 Septembers at over 10,000feet and have only pulled the puffy out 1 time. The down fits my style better.

That's a good point, and was one of the reasons I picked up the mountain Hardwear vest on sale. The other way I think about it is what would happen if I did get the jacket wet, even if I slipped during a creek crossing and soaking my pack or had condensation from a hydration bladder wet it beyond what a hydrophobic down could withstand.

After I setup base camp, my day pack weighs about 17 pounds including food and 3L of water. I could drop it to close to 16 with a down option, but that piece of mind might be worth going with a synthetic, at least for me.

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[mfllood3800]

Depends how cold it is and you get,
I wear the cirrius puffy (lighter set up) under a soft shell. The only layer below the puffy is a long sweat wicking shirt. I hike in at 11,000 about a mile or two, sit in a ground blind, then hike several miles after that on reaching the known elk in their moving patterns.
My weather in Aug- Sept here in Utah is 30-40 early and up to 60 later in day. The hike in is vertical and not fun- swept timber, so I need light, but warm, especially when I sit to see if they come in.

 

[5MilesBack]

Looks like you already have a down puffy in the form of a vest. I would just wear the vest over your fleece when you need it. Personally, I would never head out without my fleece, but I have several different weights of fleece to choose from. I do carry my down puffy jacket when I pack in, but I rarely use it.

 

[mtwarden]

in moderate temps my puffy is more of an emergency piece of gear; it's not worn often, but is always carried- 12-ish oz that packs into a package smaller than a Nalgene just makes sense to have in my pack

as temps cool it's used often when stopping for breaks, glassing, around camp, etc

even in the middle of the summer, a lightweight puffy makes it into my pack- at high elevations weather tends to change very quickly

 

[fngTony]

If you live where temperatures will be between around 25 to 35 in the morning take what you have out on a hike and find an exposed area to sit. If your rain jacket cinches at the waist and cuffs it may retain enough heat for you. If not replace the vest with a down jacket.

I wouldn't worry about the down getting soaked in Colorado. If stream crossing it would be in your pack. Store it in a small dry bag.

 

[BKhunter]

Do you guys think this would be an acceptable puffy for the back country if most of my hunting will be during September? I like the idea of the lighter option and I don't think I will need it to often in September but like to have it just in case.

Men's Microtherm Stormdown Hooded Jacket | Eddie Bauer

 

[bowhunter15]

If you live where temperatures will be between around 25 to 35 in the morning take what you have out on a hike and find an exposed area to sit. If your rain jacket cinches at the waist and cuffs it may retain enough heat for you. If not replace the vest with a down jacket.

I wouldn't worry about the down getting soaked in Colorado. If stream crossing it would be in your pack. Store it in a small dry bag.

That's not a bad idea. I can just wear a mix of those items as I go ice fishing to test them out, with a winter coat for backup and obviously when the temps are representative.

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[Titan_Bow]

I use my puffy alot. The warmth to weight ratio is great. A decent puffy is very light and packs pretty small, and makes a good pillow to boot!