Do I need a down jacket?

Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
759
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

FNG
Joined
Dec 21, 2024
Messages
13
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.
 

Maverick1

WKR
Joined
Jun 1, 2013
Messages
1,977
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.
 
Joined
Dec 15, 2024
Messages
10
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

FNG
Joined
Jan 1, 2022
Messages
32
Agree with the above commenter that at the very least, it could be crucial if you got stuck on the mountain.
 

Nicaburns

WKR
Joined
Dec 16, 2022
Messages
364
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. 😂
 
OP
Oregonhuntrboi
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
759
I’m gonna change direction on my own thread, as far as bottom layers are concerned. I’ll layer SG helio under my pants for late season but have found that’s it’s not nearly warm enough for sitting and glassing them it’s too hot for hiking. What’s your bottom layer setup typically? As of now I’m thinning I just need to pack grunman pants and ditch the mid layers.
 
Joined
Aug 11, 2017
Messages
2,760
Location
Florida
I’m gonna change direction on my own thread, as far as bottom layers are concerned. I’ll layer SG helio under my pants for late season but have found that’s it’s not nearly warm enough for sitting and glassing them it’s too hot for hiking. What’s your bottom layer setup typically? As of now I’m thinning I just need to pack grunman pants and ditch the mid layers.
peloton 97 zip off bottoms and puffy pants will take you a long way in the mid/late season.
 

gclubb02

FNG
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Messages
89
To echo everyone else yes, as mentioned if not only just for comfort factor when glassing but also if you get hurt or something it could save your life. Not to mention weight to warmth ratio with a good puffy is better than just about anything else.
 

TaperPin

WKR
Joined
Jul 12, 2023
Messages
3,814
Like everything, just use the puffy in the right way - it can’t get wet in the field like fleece can, or it won’t dry out easily. Down also doesn’t like to be washed regularly or you’ll quickly loose the loft.

I don’t use down except in frozen conditions - in heavy sleet it is hard enough to keep everything dry with synthetics.
 
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