Firstlite puffy vs brooks down sweater

[Gnatboy911]

What are your thoughts on these two? I know the puffy is synthetic and the brooks is treated down...but, any other thought? Would one be better than the other for packable insulation?

 

[ChrisAU]

I'll have a Brooks in hand today. I had an Uncompahgre but moved it down the road, it was around 23 oz and not warm for that weight IMO. I have a 26 oz Chamberlain for my "fvck it I'm not gonna be cold today" jacket, and it is easily twice or three times as warm as the Uncompahgre. Hopefully the Brooks will fill a niche in my setup for light down insulation when its not going to get below freezing.

 

[Haackea1]

Can you wear both the brooks down sweater with the puffy overtop for late season? It can get into the teens or low 20's for extended periods. I am somewhat reluctant to get the Chamberlain as I have several FL layers already.

 

[tylerb4613]

Can you wear both the brooks down sweater with the puffy overtop for late season? It can get into the teens or low 20's for extended periods. I am somewhat reluctant to get the Chamberlain as I have several FL layers already.

Have you tried this combination yet? I have the same question.

 

[LJ Buck]

I think the brooks down is plenty warm. It is warmer then the Uncompahgre puffy IMO.

 

[Mountain_Life]

I would caution anyone intending to use the FL unpronounceable as an outer layer anywhere with branches, thorns or rocks. The material is as durable as wrapping paper.... the fit is great but it's a little confused about it's identity imo. I purchased one after hearing all the hype and am now kinda confused on when I can actually use it.

-not tough enough to bust brush
-not warm enough for a cold day glassing
-doesn't vent well enough to hike with
-doesn't hold water out like a soft shell

 

[Gonz406]

The Brooks is alright, the freak down is starting to come out of mine and poking my arms.

 

[tylerb4613]

I would caution anyone intending to use the FL unpronounceable as an outer layer anywhere with branches, thorns or rocks. The material is as durable as wrapping paper.... the fit is great but it's a little confused about it's identity imo. I purchased one after hearing all the hype and am now kinda confused on when I can actually use it.

-not tough enough to bust brush
-not warm enough for a cold day glassing
-doesn't vent well enough to hike with
-doesn't hold water out like a soft shell

Are you referring to the brooks?

 

[tdhanses]

The unpronounceable I wear as my daily wear winter coat, it isn’t warm when out in the cold for long spells. Wouldn’t shock me if the Brooks is warmer, I have a kifaru LPP for being in the cold for long stretches, it’s heavy though but bomb proof unlike 99.9% of light weight down options.

 

[tdhanses]

I would caution anyone intending to use the FL unpronounceable as an outer layer anywhere with branches, thorns or rocks. The material is as durable as wrapping paper.... the fit is great but it's a little confused about it's identity imo. I purchased one after hearing all the hype and am now kinda confused on when I can actually use it.

-not tough enough to bust brush
-not warm enough for a cold day glassing
-doesn't vent well enough to hike with
-doesn't hold water out like a soft shell

The unpronounceable is pretty dang durable, not sure what you are comparing it to but doubt there is a light weight down option more durable.

I have no issue busting brush in it working my property, I treat it like crap and have zero holes/tears in it and when you wash it it looks new.

 

[Mountain_Life]

No, I am referring the to uncompaghre. I can see it working well for a daily jacket, as just mentioned though. But I have struggled to find a place in hunting that it works better than another jacket. Just my opinion though, I didnt mean to offend any of the unpronounceable gang.

 

[gfreidy]

I rely upon the Uncompaghre as it has always been plenty warm for me. In fact I only break it out late October and use the Cirrus until then.

 

[Mountain_Life]

For those of you that have found it useful, can you further explain why you like it? Maybe I'm missing a purpose.

 

[gfreidy]

I use the Uncompaghre for two purposes. As an active hunter I use it as insulation when I stop to glass and then remove it when I am on the move. I will also use it as a primary insulation in cold weather when I am still hunting. I don’t use it for long duration cold weather stands as I don’t hunt that way. I like the synthetic Insulation as it will work when damp.

 

[tylerb4613]

I rely upon the Uncompaghre as it has always been plenty warm for me. In fact I only break it out late October and use the Cirrus until then.

I wonder if the brooks is warmer than the cirrus...

 

[gfreidy]

I would like the Brooks Sweater ... when I got the Cirrus it was about half the cost of a Brooks though

 

[tdhanses]

No, I am referring the to uncompaghre. I can see it working well for a daily jacket, as just mentioned though. But I have struggled to find a place in hunting that it works better than another jacket. Just my opinion though, I didnt mean to offend any of the unpronounceable gang.

Oh no offense at all, by far it isn’t my favorite but durability is not its weak point, warmth is, looking for facts, how did yours fall apart so easily as I take mine through some thick ass crap without issue? Maybe contact FL if it was that fragile and see if they will replace it?

 

[tdhanses]

I would like the Brooks Sweater ... when I got the Cirrus it was about half the cost of a Brooks though

Same here, cirrus is a great build up to cold weather option.

 

[Mountain_Life]

My first tear came from the zipper hanging up, I've heard of this happening to others and I suspect that the material inside the pocket is a bit thinner. I wasn't too concerned as it wasn't on the exterior of the jacket. Since then, I've had several other small tears, mostly from leaning against pine trees eating or glassing. I was able to glue them shut, but have since benched the jacket in favor of the Lost Park Parka, which is only 2 oz heavier and warmer/more durable.

 

[Mountain_Life]

If I had to choose between the puffy and the Brooks for an exterior garment I would still choose the puffy, as a small tear in the puffy is minor. You know the result of a down jacket with a tear. (Enter duck massacre scene here) But for packable insulation, down will beat synthetic in the warmth/packability contest everytime.