Just got new puffy...help!

[big10hunter]

I just got my new synthetic puffy. I'm not going to dis any company, lets just say it is one of the big 3. Anyhow, construction is as expected, good. However, it seems thin to me. I'm wondering if this can/will keep me warm in late Sept in CO. I'm new to this layering with puffy concept. Any advice?

 

[Rucker61]

My Kelvin Lite was warm under a 90% in Season 3 last year, and that was at dusk, not moving.

 

[doverpack12]

If its one of the big 3 and seems thin then it is either one of the high tech down ones designed to be thin but very warm or a lighter version of a puffy. They will work if its a good name nothing to worry about. Its not gonna be like a huge down coat of the past.

 

[big10hunter]

Also, it fits close to skin, no air space. Is this the fit I should have for a puffy?

 

[doverpack12]

Sounds a little tight to me but I would wait for someone more knowledgableto comment on the fit. I like to wear a merino top and then usually a sitka traverse/kryptek sherpa/c4e assault type shirt over that then the puffy then rain jacket.

 

[Wood Trekker]

Most puffy jackets that are designed as active layers are thin. I don't think there is anything wrong with yours. How many grams of insulation does it have? It is probably 60 or 80 grams of some type of Primaloft. That should make it as thick as its competitors. I wear mine over a thin fleece.

Keep in mind, these puffy jackets are designed as part of a layering system for active wear. They are not supposed to also keep you warm under the same conditions while sitting in a tree stand for five hours. If you were not overheating wearing it while backpacking to the location, you will certainly be cold once you stop moving. These puffy jackets have comparable insulation to a 200 weight fleece. For cold weather I carry a second, thicker puffy jacket that I keep in my pack and put on only when I have stopped moving.

 

[colonel00]

Obviously I don't know which one you have but I just got the KUIU Hooded Super Down Jacket and I really like it. It is thin compared to the big StayPuff marshmallow man jackets you see people wearing on the street but I think it will do just fine.

 

[bcimport]

I sold my Sitka Kelvin to try a Kuiu Superdown this year. The Kelvin was fantastically warm but still just a little bulky. The superdown has been good so far but we'll see how it goes when it gets real cold. Honestly I think the Sitka kelvin hoody (down) look much warmer than the kuiu when I look at pictures of loft and overall fill weight. The bummer is it is still standard down. If they jump on the treated down next year I would probably sell the superdown and give it a shot. I use the puffy in camp and when sitting still and glassing and I get cold easily so I'll take all the loft I can get. Probably should have kept the Kelvin as it worked great last year on a two week stone sheep and caribou hunt.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I have been using the Kratos which is on the thin side as far as puffy jackets go. As a stand alone jacket, it would not keep me warm all the time. But as part of my layering system, it works very well. It is nice to be able to adjust the layers so I can be comfortable in all activity levels.

The Super Down a bit warmer imo. You need to match your system with your hunting style and the temps you will encounter.

 

[KarinaPohl]

If you have bought a good branded one then it will be thin but will be warm but the cheap brands do not guarantee the quality.

 

[dotman]

I just got my new synthetic puffy. I'm not going to dis any company, lets just say it is one of the big 3. Anyhow, construction is as expected, good. However, it seems thin to me. I'm wondering if this can/will keep me warm in late Sept in CO. I'm new to this layering with puffy concept. Any advice?

You're really doing yourself a disservice not saying what jacket it is, just tell us what you have and those with experience can tell you how it should fit and how warm it is.

 

[7mag.]

I just got a Kuiu Superdown, and so far I like it. I noticed how thin it is and the athletic cut, but that is what I wanted, it will be a great insulation piece for layering.

 

[squeekieslayer]

what are the "big 3?" In my opinion, down/puffy layers are never on the outside, so camo is a waste. With that said, there are dozens of great products from non hunting companies that are probably better and slightly cheaper than comparable "hunting" company offerings. Back country Skiers have been sporting lightweight down way longer than the recent fad in hunting clothes...

I think that the best would be to tell people what you have so that they can give you specific feedback. "thin" is very subjective and based on a certain companies fill rating, baffle system, material etc, thin may mean different things for each manufacturer,. Whats thin in one campany's design may be equivalent to what is "puffy" in another's based on many other factors.

Joe

 

[squeekieslayer]

Not to mention.... this is extremely subjective. What keeps me warm in september would cause my wife to have hypothermia. I typically dont bust out down anythign till november hunting.

Joe

 

[bigeasygator]

Assuming the big 3 are First Lite, Sitka, and Kuiu, I have one of the puffy layers from all three companies. Some seem "thinner" and more "athletically" cut than others (the Kuiu comes to mind in this regard). All three have provided an amazing amount of warmth for their size. I disagree with squeekieslayer that they are never meant to be on the outside...I only wear my puffy layer on the outside. I wear a base layer (Merino top), a mid layer (pieces like a heavier merino top, the Labrador sweater from FL, or the Traverse from Sikta), and then if it's too cold I put the puffy on the outside over top of the others. If it's precipitating I'll add a lightweight rain layer on top. Which puffy I use depends on the type of hunting I'm doing and how much weight I feel like carrying. I'll add that the layering system described above is what has worked for me for early to midseason hunts. If it's a later season hunt I'd probably add a heavier jacket in the layering mix -- something like a Sitka Coldfront or a Kuiu Guide (then the puffy, when needed, would be under that more than likely).

 

[5MilesBack]

In my opinion, down/puffy layers are never on the outside, so camo is a waste.

Personally, I will never use down as an insulating layer in any type of active "activity". If I'm elk hunting I'm active and barely wearing anything for warmth. It's when I stop (rarely) during those early morning and late evening glassing sessions when I need the insulating jacket. And for those I just want to throw it on over whatever else I'm wearing, and then take it back off when I start my hike out. Or........use it around camp before jumping into the bag.

 

[Kotaman]

Personally, I will never use down as an insulating layer in any type of active "activity". If I'm elk hunting I'm active and barely wearing anything for warmth. It's when I stop (rarely) during those early morning and late evening glassing sessions when I need the insulating jacket. And for those I just want to throw it on over whatever else I'm wearing, and then take it back off when I start my hike out. Or........use it around camp before jumping into the bag.

EXACTLY what he said...

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Puffy jackets are kind of like sleeping bags.....

Most bags have a temperature rating. Puffy jackets have temperature ranges they perform best in.

We will debate whether synthetic or down is better in sleeping bags. Same thing with insulation pieces.

As for activity level, well i would wear some but not others. The First Lite breathes really well, and in conjunction with a merino layer or two it works well. The Sitka Kelvin down hoody isnt great for a lot of movement, just too much. But for late season glassing, and the single digit temps we have had lately, its great.

 

[wapitibob]

I have a Kryptek Kratos "puffy" that sure looks/feels thin, but wearing it today with only a t shirt under it and 15 deg outside, it's damn warm. Fit is almost identical to my Sitka 90% jacket. Maybe a twitch smaller.

 

[FrankieP1988]

Ive been wondering how the western mountaineering flash puffy jacket would work but it is pretty pricey.... I have the kratos right now and have been using it the last few weekends on whitetail and plains elk hunts, so far so good when using with layers