Hard shell advice wanted.

[Bobbyboe]

I would like to ditch my soft shell and purchase a hard shell system. I’ll be running a wool base layer, fleece and down mid and then a hard shell outer.

So, what should I be looking for in a hard shell? I’m not married to a hunting brand by any means. Do I really need a $300 plus jacket or do cheaper/mid range ones meet the needs for 1-2 hunts a year? I typically hunt Wy FYI.

Is there a waterproof/breathability rating I should be shooting for? Any other features that would be nice for hunting?

My main goal is to be a touch lighter than the soft shell and have a more flexible system.

 

[MountainTracker]

If it was me based off of your needs/use/price I’d look at the outdoor research foray jacket.


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[Chuck44]

In my opinion, Pit Zips are a huge help in temperature regulation and breathability.

 

[tdot]

Pit zips and how they function.

Hood does it move with your head.

Pockets that work with how you use the jacket (ie. Always with a pack, or sitting in a tree stand, etc.)

Does it fit with your layering system. Some may be too tight to have a puffy under them.

DWR this can make or break a hard shell. Starting with a good one is important, but as they all wear out, maintenance is important for long term success.

2ply laminates will typically breathe better, but will require more maintenance to keep them breathing that well, they're less durable and lighter. 3 ply are the opposite.

Noise - if this important to you. Very few hard shells will be quiet. Even fewer from non-hunting companies.

Generally I've found the rating systems to work for comparing products within a lineup, not as well across different manufacturers.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Hmmmm. No experience in WY but I will toss in a few thoughts.

I think hard shells really shine in rainy, rainy environments. I have owned a few over the years including north face, TAD, sitka, wild things and a few others. None breath as well as a god soft shell. Though I still own and occasionally wear my sitka storm front jacket, I wear my jetstream probably 10x more. I have a set of sitkas cloudburst lighter rain gear that stays in my pack and gets worn as outer wear in rainy conditions 1-2x year.

Unless you hunt a lot of rain conditions, maybe consider a light non breathable shell you can toss over your soft shell for a big storm. Or a poncho tarp like a gatewood cape. Just something to get you through the worst of a rain.

If you are focused on a hard shell and want to go cheap, I think there is a lot to be said for military stuff. I have a wild things tactical goretex jacket that is great for snow and rain and. Probably cost half what a comparable jacket from sitka would cost.

 

[Brendan]

There are very different levels of "Hard Shell". All the way from a lightweight cheaper packable backpacking shell, up to bombproof 3 layer goretex pro shell costing $800.

Important to me:

Actually waterproof, which rules out some of the cheaper backpacking shells. Had a brand new one start letting water in on me this year.

Pit Zips. If you can't control heat, you soak yourself from the inside.

Personally, I'll always have one because even during archery season I've gotten hit with a couple days of steady rain. You can always leave it in the truck. I'm 2 for 2 being in Wyoming during September and needing the hard shell where my Jetstream or other soft shell wouldn't cut it.

In recent years I've had experience with the Marmot Helium (started leaking) ArcTeryx Alpha SL (blew out seams on 3 different jackets) ArcTeryx Alpha SV (Extreme weather Alpine Mountaineering Line - Bombproof, but expensive and heavier) and the Kuiu Chugach NX.

So far, if I had to pick one, I'd pick the Kuiu. Depending on hunts this coming season, I might be in the market for one myself

Have a lot of other Sitka Gear, haven't tried rain shells though.

 

[Michiganhunter]

I’ve had good luck with military surplus shells. Under $100 durable a bit noisy and heavy but I’m not packing into the backcountry very far.

 

[Bobbyboe]

Thanks for the responses guys. I like the comfort of my softshell, but feel it is lacking with regards to room for layering (puffy's) and stationary glassing sits. It is a Kuiu Guide M, which fits great with a base layer and a Kenai. I feel there would be no way a puffy would also fit inside without serious compression/ lack of comfort.

I want to have an outer shell that in cold weather a base layer, mid of fleece or Kenai and a puffy fit under. In addition, I want a windproof outer for sitting and glassing. I personally seem to get cold easily, therefore I want to ability to have a puffy under the shell too.

Obviously the hard shell would also be used during rain events too, but I'm mostly concerned about using it as shell to block wind and cover my layering system.

Does this make sense, or am I overthinking?

 

[Napperm4]

In my experience with hard shells, I’m more likely to get them wet from the inside out through natural perspiration.

I stay way from anything gortex as I find it tends to leak in areas of compression like under pack straps and belts regardless of the company name on the jacket. It also requires you to be sweating heavy for it to breathe.

Pertex Shield jackets have worked great for me in the past. I had a few MEC branded ones. If you’re just looking for the odd shower protection try to find a clearance or gently used marmot precip jacket.

I picked up the Kuiu (I know it’s a swear word in this place) kutana storm shell and have been incredibly impressed. I haven’t weathered any multi day rain squalls with it yet, but for what I have used it’s been the most breathable even at a low activity level. Super durable, packable, seam taped, non gore tex light weight, relatively quiet (especially after breaking in a bit) pit zips, large but adjustable hood with stiff beak, ventilation through pockets and waist cinch. I was impressed enough that I ordered a second in a solid color for every day use.