Hunting Jacket suggestion

[LCguy]

Hi all, looking for some suggestions for hunting jackets. For some background, I hunt muzzleloader seasons in New Mexico which means mid-october for elk and late october/early November for deer with the occasional early December for cow elk. I exclusively hunt units in central and southern New Mexico. Typically, weather-wise, this means pretty cold (mid 20s-40) mornings and warm (mid 60s-70s, sometimes 80s) afternoons along with the occasional rainstorm and usually at least a few days of very high winds. I usually run a first lite kiln base layer, challis fleece midlayer and then a cheap ski jacket I got from Costco as my outer. This has worked pretty well for me for my early morning/late evening glassing sessions but I've worn that poor $30 jacket out over the last two years and the water resistance is already down the drain, I got absolutely soaked on my elk hunt this year. I'd prefer something that's tough (a lot of thick and pokey brush walking between glassing points and I also quail hunt throughout the winter so lots of brushbusting there) and waterproof/resistant but doesn't really need to be super heavy. For reference, I usually run very hot hiking (typically hike in with just the kiln on unless its in the low 20s or teens) but very cold while at rest. Bonus if it can also double as a ski jacket.

 

[skip189]

Kuiu Axis Hybrid is probably my best softshell jacket as it is warm, blocks the wind well, and repels water pretty good. I have had better luck with this jacket then my old Sitka Jetstream.

 

[yfarm]

First Lite Corrugate shell my sons love just more than $30,
I use Eddie Bauer First Ascent Sandstone which is a very similar fabric but no hood, oversize it to wear over layers, ebay for $30

 

[Brian.243]

I have been super happy with my forloh allclima and it's US made

 

[ForlohFamily]

Hi all, looking for some suggestions for hunting jackets. For some background, I hunt muzzleloader seasons in New Mexico which means mid-october for elk and late october/early November for deer with the occasional early December for cow elk. I exclusively hunt units in central and southern New Mexico. Typically, weather-wise, this means pretty cold (mid 20s-40) mornings and warm (mid 60s-70s, sometimes 80s) afternoons along with the occasional rainstorm and usually at least a few days of very high winds. I usually run a first lite kiln base layer, challis fleece midlayer and then a cheap ski jacket I got from Costco as my outer. This has worked pretty well for me for my early morning/late evening glassing sessions but I've worn that poor $30 jacket out over the last two years and the water resistance is already down the drain, I got absolutely soaked on my elk hunt this year. I'd prefer something that's tough (a lot of thick and pokey brush walking between glassing points and I also quail hunt throughout the winter so lots of brushbusting there) and waterproof/resistant but doesn't really need to be super heavy. For reference, I usually run very hot hiking (typically hike in with just the kiln on unless its in the low 20s or teens) but very cold while at rest. Bonus if it can also double as a ski jacket.

Men's AllClima Soft Shell Jacket​

 

[LCguy]

Men's AllClima Soft Shell Jacket​

Whats the difference between this one and the stretch woven AllClima?

 

[ForlohFamily]

Whats the difference between this one and the stretch woven AllClima?

The key differences between the Men's AllClima Stretch Woven Jacket and the Men's AllClima Soft Shell Jacket come down to their material design, intended weather use, noise level, and technical features:

1. Material and Structure:
   • The Stretch Woven Jacket uses a 4-way stretch woven twill fabric (84% Poly/14% Spandex), making it highly flexible with reinforced AbraSynthetic suede from elbow to cuff for durability and abrasion resistance. It has a mesh lining for breathability and ventilation.
   • The Soft Shell Jacket is a 3-layer bonded fabric with a microfleece backer for added warmth, quietness, and comfort. It uses FORLOH’s Airadigm™ Double Pulse Plasma Technology, which individually coats fibers for a permanent water-repellent finish.
2. Weather Resistance:
   • Both jackets are DWR-treated and water-resistant, but the Soft Shell Jacket is more advanced in weatherproofing, offering waterproof protection and wind resistance due to the specialized plasma treatment. It also includes underarm vents for temperature control.
   • The Stretch Woven Jacket is midweight with weather resistance but is more focused on breathability and mobility in milder conditions.
3. Noise:
   • The Soft Shell Jacket is designed to be ultra-quiet for hunting, making it better suited for environments where silence is critical. The microfleece layer minimizes noise and keeps warmth closer to the body.
   • The Stretch Woven Jacket provides durability and flexibility but isn’t specifically noted for being ultra-quiet, making it suitable for general outdoor activities but less ideal for silent hunting situations.
4. Special Features:
   • The Soft Shell Jacket includes RECCO® technology for search and rescue detection, asymmetrical wrist cuffs, and welded seams for a high level of weather protection.
   • The Stretch Woven Jacket incorporates Polygiene® Stay Fresh antimicrobial and Odor Crunch® scent control, adding odor protection to keep the wearer undetectable.

The Stretch Woven Jacket is a versatile, breathable option for moderate weather and high activity levels, focusing on mobility and abrasion resistance, while the Soft Shell Jacket is a more technical, silent, and highly weather-resistant choice for colder conditions and hunting scenarios requiring quietness and durability.

 

[Brian.243]

Whats the difference between this one and the stretch woven AllClima?

I have both they are both great jackets the stretch is a bit lighter and and ok for light occasional rain it doesn't have pit zips I wish it did
The allclima soft shellis a awesome jacket and I have had it in heavy rain and was fine it's not a rain jacket but it kept me dry. The outer layer of the allclima seems to me to be a little bit tougher and it has pit zips.
If I don't know what weather to expect I grab the allclima Soft shell
If I only had one it would be the allclima Soft shell

 

[Brian.243]

The key differences between the Men's AllClima Stretch Woven Jacket and the Men's AllClima Soft Shell Jacket come down to their material design, intended weather use, noise level, and technical features:

1. Material and Structure:
   • The Stretch Woven Jacket uses a 4-way stretch woven twill fabric (84% Poly/14% Spandex), making it highly flexible with reinforced AbraSynthetic suede from elbow to cuff for durability and abrasion resistance. It has a mesh lining for breathability and ventilation.
   • The Soft Shell Jacket is a 3-layer bonded fabric with a microfleece backer for added warmth, quietness, and comfort. It uses FORLOH’s Airadigm™ Double Pulse Plasma Technology, which individually coats fibers for a permanent water-repellent finish.
2. Weather Resistance:
   • Both jackets are DWR-treated and water-resistant, but the Soft Shell Jacket is more advanced in weatherproofing, offering waterproof protection and wind resistance due to the specialized plasma treatment. It also includes underarm vents for temperature control.
   • The Stretch Woven Jacket is midweight with weather resistance but is more focused on breathability and mobility in milder conditions.
3. Noise:
   • The Soft Shell Jacket is designed to be ultra-quiet for hunting, making it better suited for environments where silence is critical. The microfleece layer minimizes noise and keeps warmth closer to the body.
   • The Stretch Woven Jacket provides durability and flexibility but isn’t specifically noted for being ultra-quiet, making it suitable for general outdoor activities but less ideal for silent hunting situations.
4. Special Features:
   • The Soft Shell Jacket includes RECCO® technology for search and rescue detection, asymmetrical wrist cuffs, and welded seams for a high level of weather protection.
   • The Stretch Woven Jacket incorporates Polygiene® Stay Fresh antimicrobial and Odor Crunch® scent control, adding odor protection to keep the wearer undetectable.

The Stretch Woven Jacket is a versatile, breathable option for moderate weather and high activity levels, focusing on mobility and abrasion resistance, while the Soft Shell Jacket is a more technical, silent, and highly weather-resistant choice for colder conditions and hunting scenarios requiring quietness and durability.

I wish the stretch had pit zips to help ventilate and dump heat when doing more strenuous hikes
Both are amazing jackets