Insulation layer Q

[Evolution84]

Hey guys

looking for input for mostly stand hunting. Base is going to be a 150-250 merino, outside is going to be the fanatic set. Question is, is there a big advantage to a hunting down jacket vs let’s say an Eddie Bauer dwr fill.
Looking for something quiet so wasn’t sure if there was a big difference, but you can get a quality EB on eBay for 40-50 with 800 fill, whereas buying a Sitka, first lite or kuiu will put another dent on the wallet

just looking for suggestions and advice. Searched the threads and already feel it’s not a big difference, but wouldn’t hurt to ask

thanks

 

[H80Hunter]

Down under the fanatic is going to be tough. One, almost all down things are loud. Two, it's going to be incredibly bulky while also compressing the down under the fanatic. If you are dead set on down, I would only do a vest (that will help with sound since your arms will be quieter). Find one maybe you can get your hands on, some are slightly quieter than others. Or, a Celsius midi works very well under the Fanatic.

 

[Evolution84]

Yes it was definitely going to be a vest. Thanks for the input

 

[j33]

I’ve got an Eddie Bauer Cirrus Lite vest 650 down fill bought new for $35 I think. Fits better for me than the First Lite Uncompadre that I had and is like 1/5th the cost and much much lighter.

Also have a Microtherm down 800 fill Eddie Bauer, I use it daily breaths incredible. Not too warm though. Again 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of a hunting brand.

Eddie Bauer makes good stuff don’t hesitate to buy them. I bought all my stuff 50-75% off from them.

 

[Smallie]

I run a Pnuma insulating vest for tree stand hunting the Midwest which is synthetic down 700 fill it’s very warm but doesn’t compress as well as true down. No complaints with it as a midlayer and it’s warm and quiet.

 

[rkcdvm]

I use Eddie Bauer down jacket . They work awesome. I use 250 merino base and kuiu axis jacket . Was very warm at 18 degrees this week. Don’t hike in down though. You will swear like crazy

 

[Evolution84]

I use Eddie Bauer down jacket . They work awesome. I use 250 merino base and kuiu axis jacket . Was very warm at 18 degrees this week. Don’t hike in down though. You will swear like crazy

How quiet is the Eddie Bauer? I have never owned down. The fanatic is deadly quiet so I don’t want to ruin that. Mainly archery

 

[rkcdvm]

How quiet is the Eddie Bauer? I have never owned down. The fanatic is deadly quiet so I don’t want to ruin that. Mainly archery

I killed a bull today at 40 yards while wearing it. He didn’t seem to hear it .
Personally my hearing isn’t great but i can’t particularly hear it when moving around

 

[Jn78]

I wouldn't put down under that outer layer. The fanatic is like 3 pounds, right? You will not get good performance out of squished down. I would go with a less compressible synthetic. High loft fleece might fit the bill - I have used a Mountain Hardwear monkey man and a Patagonia r3 and was happy with them. They are very quiet. The only issue is wind rips right thru them, so they are not worth much if you need to use them as an outer layer. You can get them with windstopper, but that increases noise.

If you are set on down, most are similarly noisy because they basically all use a 10-20 denier ripstop outer fabric. I have a friend with an Eddie Bauer down coat and it is just as noisy as any other down coat. The exception that i have found is Patagonia's quiet down line. It is not as noisy.