Insulation layer???

[qmalone64]

Looking for recommendations for insulation layer. Would be used for 1rst through 3rd rifle seasons.

Would be paired with SG m7 outer shell, sitka hvy weight hoody and then base layer

Currently torn between SG cirque or SQ grumman. Think the cirque would be more versitile but everyone seems to love the grumman around here.

Open to any and all other suggestions though.

Thanks!

 

[gclubb02]

Hard to beat the warmth to weight ratio of the grumman

 

[hunting1]

I love my Cirque but it is a different animal! Will not stuff down as small and breathes. The full pit zips are nice, it is closer to active insulation I guess you could say.

 

[qmalone64]

I love my Cirque but it is a different animal! Will not stuff down as small and breathes. The full pit zips are nice, it is closer to active insulation I guess you could say.

Got ya. It warm enough for glassing or more useful for when youre moving? When you stop to sit are you having to layer up in addition to the cirque?

I like the idea of the cirgue. Seems like it could be more verstile than the grumman

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Got ya. It warm enough for glassing or more useful for when youre moving? When you stop to sit are you having to layer up in addition to the cirque?

I like the idea of the cirgue. Seems like it could be more verstile than the grumman

So I’ve ran all that stuff.

Cirque won’t fit well over an m7 but will go under it easier than a Grumman. The Grumman is better as a static insulation layer, as it’s a tad warmer. For on the move, cirque can work better.

I use a baselayer, Sitka ambient hoody to replace grid fleece mid layer, and M7 a ton during late rifle season. It’s a great system, and I can work a Grumman or heavier puffy in there.

I can only move in tbe cirque when it’s incredibly cold out, like single digits.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Sitka Ambient. It is the most versatile piece of Sitka I own. Great as an outer layer when it's not too cold, and so light and thin that it provides unbelievable warmth as a midlayer. Mine is full zip with no hood.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Mountain hardware Ghost whisper is an ultralight 8oz down jacket that pairs well with M7. It’s got to be pretty cold though, M7 is pretty warm itself.

I normally rock ambient pull over 100 or 75, unless it’s real cold then out comes ghost whisper

I have the cirque and it’s more my day to day jacket. If I’m hunting and have it I’m normally 145 base, vest (Kaini) and then cirque when glassing

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Got ya. It warm enough for glassing or more useful for when youre moving? When you stop to sit are you having to layer up in addition to the cirque?

I like the idea of the cirgue. Seems like it could be more verstile than the grumman

If you run cold, this is one of the few synthetic options in that 133g/m2 weight range. Not an active piece at all, not nearly as light or compact as a Grumman, but warmer. The cirque is quite unique as a quieter, heavier insulated syn piece. Reminds me of warmer kuiu kenai honestly.

Generator Alpine Jacket

Built for exposed belay ledges in wild winter weather, the Generator Alpine features tough construction and supercharged synthetic insulation.

rab.equipment

 

[qmalone64]

Mountain hardware Ghost whisper is an ultralight 8oz down jacket that pairs well with M7. It’s got to be pretty cold though, M7 is pretty warm itself.

I normally rock ambient pull over 100 or 75, unless it’s real cold then out comes ghost whisper

I have the cirque and it’s more my day to day jacket. If I’m hunting and have it I’m normally 145 base, vest (Kaini) and then cirque when glassing

Cool. Thanks for the info. Was contemplating a brooks down (great sales from time to time). It would be Light enough to tote a heavier puffy in addition if the need ever arose. Be a poor mans ghost whisperer perhaps haha

What kind of temps you sitting through with the ghost whisperer / m7 combo?

 

[cuerro viejo]

Cool. Thanks for the info. Was contemplating a brooks down (great sales from time to time). It would be Light enough to tote a heavier puffy in addition if the need ever arose. Be a poor mans ghost whisperer perhaps haha

What kind of temps you sitting through with the ghost whisperer / m7 combo?

single with ambient hoodie, teens with out hoodie and just helio,

, although I did hunt pheasants last year in -6 with ambient, Ghost and m7 combo but I was not stationary

 

[qmalone64]

single with ambient hoodie, teens with out hoodie and just helio,

, although I did hunt pheasants last year in -6 with ambient, Ghost and m7 combo but I was not stationary

awesome. thanks for the info!

 

[junitas03]

Looking for recommendations for insulation layer. Would be used for 1rst through 3rd rifle seasons.

Would be paired with SG m7 outer shell, sitka hvy weight hoody and then base layer

Currently torn between SG cirque or SQ grumman. Think the cirque would be more versitile but everyone seems to love the grumman around here.

Open to any and all other suggestions though.

Thanks!

Totally aligned with most folks feedback.
Grumman is warm, static layer - I wouldn't move with it on, same with the Ghost Whisperer (solid recommendation on a non-hunting brand insulation layer). I'd sweat out too much.

The Cirque is a great option, though as others have noted - it's better suited for wet weather, not the best packing piece (it's bulky). I reserve the Cirque for inclement rainy cold weather under an SG M5.

Sitka Ambient Pull Over or Full-Zip is hands down the best piece of gear I own, and wear throughout the entire hunting season. September Elk through Nov. / Dec. But, the fit might be weird over a Sitka Heavyweight. And, it's definitely an active insulation layer.

I was waterfowl hunting this past weekend, brutally cold - I went with a KUIU Strongfleece in place of a Sitka Heavyweight as my second layer, and it was great.

I think that might be a good solution - swap out the Sitka Heavy Weight for a thicker fleece with a less breathable face fabric. So, run a mid weight base-layer (as your first layer), heavier fleece (I like the KUIU Strong Fleece 235 Zip T-Hoodie) as a 2nd layer and the M7. And, then I'd snag the Grumman Down for static / when you're not moving.

IMO that could work more efficiently.

 

[qmalone64]

Totally aligned with most folks feedback.
Grumman is warm, static layer - I wouldn't move with it on, same with the Ghost Whisperer (solid recommendation on a non-hunting brand insulation layer). I'd sweat out too much.

The Cirque is a great option, though as others have noted - it's better suited for wet weather, not the best packing piece (it's bulky). I reserve the Cirque for inclement rainy cold weather under an SG M5.

Sitka Ambient Pull Over or Full-Zip is hands down the best piece of gear I own, and wear throughout the entire hunting season. September Elk through Nov. / Dec. But, the fit might be weird over a Sitka Heavyweight. And, it's definitely an active insulation layer.

I was waterfowl hunting this past weekend, brutally cold - I went with a KUIU Strongfleece in place of a Sitka Heavyweight as my second layer, and it was great.

I think that might be a good solution - swap out the Sitka Heavy Weight for a thicker fleece with a less breathable face fabric. So, run a mid weight base-layer (as your first layer), heavier fleece (I like the KUIU Strong Fleece 235 Zip T-Hoodie) as a 2nd layer and the M7. And, then I'd snag the Grumman Down for static / when you're not moving.

IMO that could work more efficiently.

thanks for the info. like the sound of that.

by the responses here it sounds like I am going to have to bite the bullet and get an ambient then decide what static piece to rock with that and the M7 when it comes time to sit still and glass

additional question

would the ambient be warmer than the heavyweight or are they similar in warmth just that the Ambient is better at managing moisture etc.??

thought being if it is warmer I could use the heavyweight as second layer, then light puffy (think ghost whisperer / brooks down etc.) over that, then M7 as needed first season. obviously would change layer accordingly with activity / temps.

then swap out the heavyweight hoodie for ambient with the rest of the same layers above for later season / colder temps? as well as watch for a BIG puffy to come on sale somewhere to put over everything if need be?

 

[MT_Wyatt]

thanks for the info. like the sound of that.

by the responses here it sounds like I am going to have to bite the bullet and get an ambient then decide what static piece to rock with that and the M7 when it comes time to sit still and glass

additional question

would the ambient be warmer than the heavyweight or are they similar in warmth just that the Ambient is better at managing moisture etc.??

thought being if it is warmer I could use the heavyweight as second layer, then light puffy (think ghost whisperer / brooks down etc.) over that, then M7 as needed first season. obviously would change layer accordingly with activity / temps.

then swap out the heavyweight hoodie for ambient with the rest of the same layers above for later season / colder temps? as well as watch for a BIG puffy to come on sale somewhere to put over everything if need be?

Ambient replaces heavy weight grid fleece, similar warmth if not warmer, but wider comfort range (for me). I think that Ambient 75 is kind of the sweet spot for insualtion weight/mapping.

All of that need to change mid-layer approach etc goes away with the alpha direct/unfaced inner ambient type pieces - I just use it for everything, and it works pretty dang well. Other thing you might consider is an unfaced polertech alpha pullover/hoody, wihch is like an ambient without face fabric, and use a windshirt or similar over that.