Favorite down vest

[Grassymike]

MEC that I found on Kijiji for $15.

 

[Reshi]

I am very cold when stationary, and very warm when active, and I've found the Filson vest does well in both scenarios. Has held up well to rain squalls here in the PNW, and cuts the wind pretty good.

I've also found the ripstop nylon fabric is TOUGH, I wear it all the time busting brush and chainsawing and it looks brand new. My one complaint would be that the zipper on my vest doesn't feel particularly stout and I'm sure it'll be the first thing that fails, but that's easy enough to DIY fix.

Compared to:

Kuiu Guide (Filson is significantly warmer and more wind resistant, doesn't shed rain quite as well, moves better, just as tough)

Kuiu Kenai (Filson is warmer when stationary, more wind resistant, much tougher, and breathes better IMO)

Kuiu Superdown Ultra (Filson does everything better than this vest besides compressibility, no contest)

Fjallraven Pak Down Vest (Filson isn't quite as warm when stationary, does everything else better)

Sitka Jetstream (Filson cuts the wind just as well IMO, is warmer, breathes better)

Carhartt Sherpa Lined Vest (Filson cuts the wind WAY better, is WAY warmer, but not as tough. I actually don't get why this vest is so popular, pretty useless besides the duck cotton for logging IMO, it does take a beating)

Filson Western Wool Vest (Ultralight does everything better, doesn't look as classic in the field tho)

Really old thread, but I've been doing research on a vest to wear as a midlayer. I decided to buy a filson ultralight after reading your post. But I probably should have asked how yours has held up, and if there is a different vest that you now prefer?

 

[The Ri Guy]

Really old thread, but I've been doing research on a vest to wear as a midlayer. I decided to buy a filson ultralight after reading your post. But I probably should have asked how yours has held up, and if there is a different vest that you now prefer?

Besides some slight staining and discoloration, my Filson Ultralight Vest still looks "brand new" after ~6 years of service thus far (purchased in May 2019.) It's still my primary general purpose outdoor vest for Spring, Summer, and Fall. No fraying, no seams pulling, etc.

However I "upgraded" to the Filson Tin Cloth Insulated Work Vest for hardcore farm, yard, shop, etc. work and Western Washington brush busting in cool/cold weather. I've also since acquired an Sitka Jetstream vest that is my primary hunting vest now. I wear it over the top of my ambient when stationary

I received a Stone Glacier Grumman vest that I liked a lot too, but the first instance I took it out I was both too hot for how I use vests, and I put a big gash in it from a Maple Vine whipping across the front.

 

[Reshi]

Thanks for the response! I like that the Filson seems to be very durable and something that will hold up over time.

I'm going to be using it during cold days for whitetail hunting while sitting in a treestand. I'm looking for something that will preferably work well as a mid layer. Do you think the Filson Ultralight will serve me well for this or would you opt for the Jetstream? I mostly just want something to keep me warm.

 

[The Ri Guy]

Thanks for the response! I like that the Filson seems to be very durable and something that will hold up over time.

I'm going to be using it during cold days for whitetail hunting while sitting in a treestand. I'm looking for something that will preferably work well as a mid layer. Do you think the Filson Ultralight will serve me well for this or would you opt for the Jetstream? I mostly just want something to keep me warm.

I wouldn't use a vest as a dedicated midlayer myself, I use it more as a reinforcement to my midlayer when conditions don't call for a puffy jacket or hardshell. i.e. sitting a wallow in the 50's with a moderate breeze (jetstream) or still hunting in sub-freezing temperatures.

I have never hunted from a tree stand, but I would maybe look at something like the Pnuma Iconx heated "vest". It has been mentioned positively on Rokslide a few times over the years by treestand hunters and can be had on sale on various websites on occasion.

 

[oldskool67]

Got an REI 800 fill on their clearance rack for like $60. Worked good enough I sold my Kuiu one that I had for several years