Do I need a down jacket?

[Oregonhuntrboi]

Trying to figure out if I need to buy a down puffy or just change my ambient from the original to the 200 and layer that under my mountain evo for cold weather glassing sessions.

I typically hunt Oregon early season - Idaho late season for whitetail. I’m a pretty active hunter so my system is a merino Baselayer, SG cirque lite vest, + Sitka mountain evo. I was just putting on the ambient when sitting but it’s too cold. So I’m wondering if I should do the ambeint + puffy or ambient 200 plus Sitka mountain evo shell?

 

[Mukwa]

Puffy 100%. You have a great layering system started. Now you just need a true insulation layer for longer inactive sits to retain maximum body heat. The mountain evo isn’t a completely solid shell and the ambient is more active insulation than static insulation. Adding a puffy to your system will make it more versatile for you.

 

[rickjames80]

Agree 100%. A puffy is versatile and the weight penalty is so minimal for the benefit.

 

[oldskool67]

Yes

 

[DisplacedHusky]

Not sure how far back you get but’s it’s also a crucial emergency piece should you get into a jam and bad weather moves in.

 

[Maverick1]

You do not NEED it to hunt. It would be a nice insulating layer for the collection of clothing items you already own, providing warmth with a minimal weight penalty. Choose between down or synthetic.

 

[jazzturkey]

I would definitely recommend bringing a puffy along for glassing especially. I don't wear my down at all when I'm doing anything active but it's perfect for spending a lot of time sitting in one place.

 

[pawlyb]

Agree with the above commenter that at the very least, it could be crucial if you got stuck on the mountain.

 

[Nicaburns]

Puffy jacket and pants are near the top of the lightest comfort AND emergency gear you can carry. Pretty much only firestarter and a lighter beat them out.