New developments coming this summer

[doverpack12]

My puffy arrived today.

OV again nicely done. 3 for 3 in terms of fit and I’m not an easy person to fit.
If anything I could have downsized to a L tall instead of standard XL. Mid layer is an XL and fits well. I have room for another layer or jacket between the two which isn’t a bad thing at all.

No outside use yet and I’m skeptical there is 7.5 oz of down fill based on the loft but will reserve judgement there when it has a chance to expand and in real use outside.

 

[2Stamp]

My puffy arrived today and I'm leaving for my CO 3rd rifle this afternoon. So along with the puffy I'll be further using the pants and mid layer (which I've been using since Sept). Should have some solid thoughts after.

 

[philcox]

This is the major downside of these. Not been through hardly anything rough. Don’t think these are going to be a long term solution.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fever Buck]

For folks that ordered the puffy, how does it compare to an SG Grumman, Kuiu Super Down, and FL Chamberlain? I have all 3 and am curious where this guy would fall in that lineup.

 

[IDHUNTER]

For folks that ordered the puffy, how does it compare to an SG Grumman, Kuiu Super Down, and FL Chamberlain? I have all 3 and am curious where this guy would fall in that lineup.

I posted my initial reaction vs the Kuiu super down a few posts back. Haven't tested it in cold or windy conditions but with less stitching and more down I would expect it to perform better. Time will tell.

 

[Fever Buck]

I posted my initial reaction vs the Kuiu super down a few posts back. Haven't tested it in cold or windy conditions but with less stitching and more down I would expect it to perform better. Time will tell.

Thanks. Is it about the same packable size?

 

[IDHUNTER]

Thanks. Is it about the same packable size?

Yes, I'd say so.

 

[V2Pnutrition]

For folks that ordered the puffy, how does it compare to an SG Grumman, Kuiu Super Down, and FL Chamberlain? I have all 3 and am curious where this guy would fall in that lineup.

I'd say it compares about like apples, oranges, and bananas. They're all fruit, but quite a bit different in their own right.

The face fabric on the OV seems far more durable and substantial than the Gruman with more fill (+2 oz, I believe?). They're both 15D, but the OV (or similar brands using the same face fabric) seems far less prone to tears. Full disclosure: I do not own a Gruman. This is based on friends who do and have multiple patches on it.

You may be getting close with the Super Down @ 14.8 ounces with 5 ounces of 850 fill (vs the OV @ 15.2 and 7.1 oz of 850 fill), but like @IDHUNTER mentioned; more fill + zero stiching should make it warmer.

For comparison:
- Gruman is 11.8 ounces with 5.X oz of fill and a seemingly fragile 15D face.
- Super Down is 14.8 with 5.X oz of fill and a 30D face
- OV is 15.2 with 7.1 oz of fill and a "tougher" 15D face (I haven't 'busted' brush, but I have walked through it, pulled it in and out of the pack on backcountry trips, glass on rocks, slept, etc.- without issue).

The only other down jacket I've liked as much is the Katabatic Tin Cup and it's still "only" at 5 and some change on the fill power. It has that same "durable" face fabric/non-sheen look at 20D.

It's WAY less bulky/heavy/everything than the Chamberlin.

Hopefully that helps give you a decent run down to make some decisions on!

 

[K_pem]

Yeah idk that the Grumman and the Vantage are going to be all that comparable given the attributes of each.

I’m having trouble justifying the OV vs the Grumman though in that I have the Sitka Hyperdown (which in theory should be substantially warmer but is obviously much heavier and much bulkier) for late season glassing but for the rest of the year and more weight conscious hunts the Grumman is a few ounces lighter, so do I really NEED the added warmth of the Vantage? Probably not, but basically all that extra weight carried is warmth (the 2+ ounces more down, maybe 1oz of material difference).

I probably will end up sticking Vantage for year round use and have the Hyperdown I can sub in for truck hunts or extremely cold temps. I just don’t think the 2-3oz weight savings of the Grumman will justify keeping it in the pack over the Vantage. I guess we will see and base it more on packability, fit, function.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Yeah idk that the Grumman and the Vantage are going to be all that comparable given the attributes of each.

I’m having trouble justifying the OV vs the Grumman though in that I have the Sitka Hyperdown (which in theory should be substantially warmer but is obviously much heavier and much bulkier) for late season glassing but for the rest of the year and more weight conscious hunts the Grumman is a few ounces lighter, so do I really NEED the added warmth of the Vantage? Probably not, but basically all that extra weight carried is warmth (the 2+ ounces more down, maybe 1oz of material difference).

I probably will end up sticking Vantage for year round use and have the Hyperdown I can sub in for truck hunts or extremely cold temps. I just don’t think the 2-3oz weight savings of the Grumman will justify keeping it in the pack over the Vantage. I guess we will see and base it more on packability, fit, function.

Having used a hyperdown (run cold) and Grumman a ton, I’d agree. But the Grumman is crazy light for the warmth and good UL/earlier puffy. Owning the hyperdown, it’s hard to spring for the vantage when overall and full weight are so similar. I sold my Grumman intending to replace with the vantage piece, but haven’t (yet) due to being so close in fill weight. I’d agree with the year-round/backpack hunt take for vantage and late/truck approach on the hyperdown. One thing I’m not sure of is how close in warmth per ounce that primaloft gold down blend is in 800fp vs the expedry they use in the vantage. My guess is the vantage is super close in warmth.

Pants: the difference becomes even more apparent. Hyperdown pants are way heavier than Grumman, partially due to more fill, and more features/larger cut to layer with.

 

[K_pem]

Having used a hyperdown (run cold) and Grumman a ton, I’d agree. But the Grumman is crazy light for the warmth and good UL/earlier puffy. Owning the hyperdown, it’s hard to spring for the vantage when overall and full weight are so similar. I sold my Grumman intending to replace with the vantage piece, but haven’t (yet) due to being so close in fill weight. I’d agree with the year-round/backpack hunt take for vantage and late/truck approach on the hyperdown. One thing I’m not sure of is how close in warmth per ounce that primaloft gold down blend is in 800fp vs the expedry they use in the vantage. My guess is the vantage is super close in warmth.

Pants: the difference becomes even more apparent. Hyperdown pants are way heavier than Grumman, partially due to more fill, and more features/larger cut to layer with.

Right?

I just sold my Grumman. I have a Sitka Aerolite that I can use in the mean time then I’ll have the Hyperdown for late like I said.

Im wondering if selling the Grumman was the wrong move now but again for an extra 2-3oz (and presumably more warmth/wind protection) why not carry the Vantage?

I think I’d like to see a Vantage lite maybe? A puffy that weighs say sub 10oz with like 4-5oz of fill. That might be asking too much lol

 

[fngTony]

@Brigham @ Outdoor Vitals would you guys consider developing a puffy that uses different fabrics, sew patterns and fill type/amount in areas that make sense? Some examples being your rain jacket having heavier material in higher wear areas, Arcteryx uses synthetic on the shoulders and cuffs, Rab uses a different baffle direction under the arms for a more natural movement that doesn’t lift from your waist, don’t know if anyone does this but I don’t need so much insulation under my arms rather a puffy could drop some weight and bulk by minimizing that area

 

[Fever Buck]

I'd say it compares about like apples, oranges, and bananas. They're all fruit, but quite a bit different in their own right.

The face fabric on the OV seems far more durable and substantial than the Gruman with more fill (+2 oz, I believe?). They're both 15D, but the OV (or similar brands using the same face fabric) seems far less prone to tears. Full disclosure: I do not own a Gruman. This is based on friends who do and have multiple patches on it.

You may be getting close with the Super Down @ 14.8 ounces with 5 ounces of 850 fill (vs the OV @ 15.2 and 7.1 oz of 850 fill), but like @IDHUNTER mentioned; more fill + zero stiching should make it warmer.

For comparison:
- Gruman is 11.8 ounces with 5.X oz of fill and a seemingly fragile 15D face.
- Super Down is 14.8 with 5.X oz of fill and a 30D face
- OV is 15.2 with 7.1 oz of fill and a "tougher" 15D face (I haven't 'busted' brush, but I have walked through it, pulled it in and out of the pack on backcountry trips, glass on rocks, slept, etc.- without issue).

The only other down jacket I've liked as much is the Katabatic Tin Cup and it's still "only" at 5 and some change on the fill power. It has that same "durable" face fabric/non-sheen look at 20D.

It's WAY less bulky/heavy/everything than the Chamberlin.

Hopefully that helps give you a decent run down to make some decisions on!

Awesome, thanks for the write-up man. Very helpful.