Down Puffy in September?

[elkdreamer78!]

How many carry a down puffy during archery elk seasons? I hear on podcasts and such that is is low weight penalty emergency type item. “I always have a puffy of some type” I have not run into a situation where I would have needed it in the few times I have been out. That said do I need it?

 

[elkdreamer78!]

How many carry a down puffy during archery elk seasons? I hear on podcasts and such that is is low weight penalty emergency type item. “I always have a puffy of some type” I have not run into a situation where I would have needed it in the few times I have been out. That said do I need it?

The areas I am hunting are typically below 9000 feet. The last two trips have been in the first half of September.

 

[Geewhiz]

I never do and wouldn’t unless it’s calling for much lower than normal temps. Hunting Montana up to 10k ish ft. Not a lot of weight but definitely some and a fair amount of extra volume that i would rather do without.

I might also add that I seam to run warmer than a lot of folks. I definitely bring a puffy in rifle season.

 

[S.Clancy]

I always do. I've needed my puffy in NV in August

 

[TraderMike]

Always. Basically part of my essentials like headlamp, water filter, etc...

 

[mtnwrunner]

Always. Basically part of my essentials like headlamp, water filter, etc...

Absolutely. Always have one in the pack......even backpacking in the summer.

Randy

 

[Macintosh]

Last minute wx check I might decide to leave it in my vehicle, but any kind of mountains I darn sure would never plan to not bring it before seeing a short term forecast. Ive been happy to have it in june, july and august too.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I’m a proponent of being prepared. Always have water filtration, tarp, fire starter, and the rest of the 10 essentials.

That said, I get very warm walking. Like 15 degrees during deer season and I’m waking in a Core Lightweight or at most a Midweight or heavyweight zip T. Never a jacket. So I will almost never wear a puffy doing anything besides hanging at camp or deer hunting. We don’t do much glassing when elk hunting. If we are bivy or spike hunting, I will probably bring it. If hunting from the truck, I bring my 20oz quilt as my emergency insulation.

 

[croben]

For elk, we’re usually lower in elevation and the weather is usually 80-90’s out. With this, I don’t typically carry one unless there’s some cold weather forecasted. For high buck in September, it’s not uncommon to be at or just above freezing out and to see some snow so I will always pack it just in case. From October on, it’s always in my pack.

 

[Jbogg]

I always do as well. There is zero weight penalty, and it compresses down to almost nothing in the pack. This past fall on our bow opener in early September the temps were in the high 50s at 3600’ in the mountains with a steady drizzle most of the day. I got soaked hiking in that morning, even with rain gear from perspiration. Once the wind picked up I would’ve had to bail if I did not have my puffy.

 

[camelcluch]

I carry a lighter puffy. Something like the FL Chamberlain would be a lot here in Colorado. Unless you’re a cold person.

 

[jdmaxwell]

I always do every year end of September in Colorado high country..

 

[fngTony]

Yes. Some kind of insulation should be carried.

 

[couesbitten]

I'll echo mtnwrunner, even on backpacking trips in the summer, I'm bringing my down puffy or puffy vest and rain jacket. I've seen snowstorms in August in the Washington Cascades.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Where I hunt here in CO temps can drop into the 20s even in during Sept. archery elk. I always have some sort of light compressible synthetic or down puffy stored in my truck gear totes. I'll pack the insulation appropriate one based on the hunt day weather forecast. If I'm spiking out the puffy serves as an added insulation layer for when I hit the sleeping bag for the night.

 

[fmyth]

Always. A few years ago I was archery hunting in Wyoming. It was so hot we were burning up in short sleeves. That afternoon the temps started dropping and I was in my puffy with my rain jacket over it for the hike back to camp. That night the temp dropped into the teens with 50 mph wind gusts. We spent over 24 hours in the tent praying a tree wouldn't fall on us. When it finally stopped we had over 2 foot of snow. There were trees down and dead birds everywhere. Pack a puffy.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Agree, always. I used mine first week of Aug in southern New Mexico and the second week of Aug in NV this year. I’ve woken up to a foot of snow in early Sept archery.

 

[taskswap]

I hunt in Colorado. I've had it snow in July, hail in August, and near-freezing rain in September. I've also had it be 82 in October Rifle 1. Gear up.

 

[elkdreamer78!]

I appreciate the responses. I was able to pick up a Kryptek Cirius Down jacket at Costco of all places for $50. Appears to be a pretty good deal. Thank you again.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Get a small stuff sack and compress the heck out of that thing. May help with space. Don't store it in compressed form for long periods, but in your pack it's fine for a season.