New guy layering questions

[snowplow]

Hey guys, I just got me feet wet with a layering system last year. I went with the firstlite marino stuff and loved it.

On a week long western wa elk hunt I ran:

Llano QZ
Chama Hoodie
Uncompagre Puffy
Dayone Soft Shell Pullover
Firstlite baselayer pants and boxers
Dayone Softshell Pants

It was less rainy than normal but colder. It got down to the low 20's and I was a little on the cold side at camp when I quit moving and through on the Uncomp Puffy. I even hunted in it one day for most of the morning. I think I should be wearing my marino with my softshell and have the Puffy for when I sit and glass or back at camp/sleep. So I think I need to add a layer in there somewhere.

Here is what I see as options,

FL Labrador heavy marino
FL Halstead tech fleece
FL Uncompagre Vest

I'm curious what you guys do and what you think?

 

[Dameon]

My 10 day hunt this past year was mostly at 10K feet and I encountered temps from 20 to 65 degrees. Winds from 5 to 40 mph. No rain to pounding rain and hail overnight. At one point, I was wearing every layer I had just to stay warm and cut the wind. Lightweight packable layers are your friend and your layering system is similar to mine. I run a OR transcendent down vest under my ASAT bow hunter soft shell jacket. The two together with my llano and Chama, keep me plenty warm most of the time, and I get cold easily. While I am on the move, I open up the pit zips to shed heat. If the weather gets really cold, windy, or I am not moving, I will layer on my Uncompaghre puffy. If things really warm up, I shed the jackets and just use my vest. If I were in your shoes, I'd get the vest.


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[fngTony]

I started using a vest this year, its a great light addition and really boost the range of everything else I have. Also Might try some puffy pants (some recent threads on here). For me even a heavy baselayer bottom only takes away the chill but not the cold. Another versital option is kifaru woobie to wrap up in.

 

[Dameon]

After my trip this past season with just a set of Kanabs and Icebreaker Apex heavyweight bottoms, I added the North Branch pants to my layering system. It should do a good job of cutting the wind and adding warmth with the option of zipping it open to dump excess heat. It should be noted that I hunted from a basecamp in October. If I was backpacking in or it was September, I would pounce on the upcoming Uncompaghre puffy pants as soon as they became available for a lighter weight packable option.

 

[colersu22]

I wa wearing the ss llano, charma hoodie, haleatead fleece and the cheap Costco down vest that people rage about and was good to the low 20's in western Washington last week. When I would glass and felt a chill I threw on the first lite puffy and was warm again. I had the Labrador and I felt like it was heavy for the warmth it provided personally so I sold it.

 

[snowplow]

Thanks guys that's great info.

So far I think I'm considering the Halstead fleece or the Springer vest. Fleece is sure nice for WA.

As another alternative, what would you guys think of trading out my Uncomp Puffy for a Kifaru? The Kifaru is supposed to be a lot warmer, and I war really only cold while sleeping (in the Uncomp) and while sitting back at camp.

Do think I should add another layer, or just get a warmer coat?

 

[doverpack12]

I don't think the springer vest is going to add much noticeable warmth to your system but it is kind of heavy. The Uncomp. Vest would add alot of warmth and the Halstead will add warmth too. Either of the two I mentioned will work well to add warmth while moving but the vest will add more warmth when stopped as well. It sounded like you wanted something else while moving so you didn't have to use the jacket until you stopped. If that is the intended use I think you will get a wider range of usable conditions out of the Halstead if you need a big bump in warmth for both moving and stopped I would get the vest.

 

[Trial153]

Second skipping the springer. Honestly I think the warmth to weight ratio on it and the Labrador are terrible.
I would go with the halstead fleece.

 

[elkyinzer]

I am a big fan of the fleece as an intermediate/outer layer, very versatile. Bulkier than compressible down and synthetics but durable enough to be worn as an outer layer. Around here you wear a down jacket in the woods it'll be shredded in 5 minutes. Halstead fleece needs pockets badly, I end up wearing a non-camo Marmot fleece I have more frequently just due to that design flaw. Merino baselayers + fleece jacket + down jacket, I am good stationary hunting down to 30 degrees or so and can peel layers depending on activity level.

 

[bigeasygator]

Is this hunt a backpack hunt or one from a base camp that doesn't require you to pack in all of your gear (such as something you could drive to)?

If it's the former, you definitely want to watch the weight. The Halsted fleece is light, but isn't going to add much warmth. It may be a little heavier than a Chama...but not much. I actually have found the Labrador to be quite nice as an outer layer when things are a little colder (layered with the Llano and the Chama). You can't beat the weight of a puffy, so a Uncompaghre vest is nice as well for adding something under your soft shell.

If weight isn't an issue, I've been running the Sitka Cold Weather Hoody for days that are chillier and I've found it to be a great piece of gear. I'd even recommend replacing the soft shell with it...it's become one of my favorite pieces of gear. I used it extensively in Newfoundland on a moose hunt this year and on a mule deer hunt in South Dakota and it's been great for that piece in between a puffy and merino. Only downside is it is a bit bulky and heavy for what it is (27 oz)...but I think it's the exact piece you're looking for.

 

[GKPrice]

Is this hunt a backpack hunt or one from a base camp that doesn't require you to pack in all of your gear (such as something you could drive to)?

If it's the former, you definitely want to watch the weight. The Halsted fleece is light, but isn't going to add much warmth. It may be a little heavier than a Chama...but not much. I actually have found the Labrador to be quite nice as an outer layer when things are a little colder (layered with the Llano and the Chama). You can't beat the weight of a puffy, so a Uncompaghre vest is nice as well for adding something under your soft shell.

If weight isn't an issue, I've been running the Sitka Cold Weather Hoody for days that are chillier and I've found it to be a great piece of gear. I'd even recommend replacing the soft shell with it...it's become one of my favorite pieces of gear. I used it extensively in Newfoundland on a moose hunt this year and on a mule deer hunt in South Dakota and it's been great for that piece in between a puffy and merino. Only downside is it is a bit bulky and heavy for what it is (27 oz)...but I think it's the exact piece you're looking for.

Are you talking of the Sitka cold weather Traverse hoody ?

 

[bigeasygator]

Are you talking of the Sitka cold weather Traverse hoody ?

Yep...left out the Traverse part on accident!

 

[Felix40]

Im not a fan of the heavier merino layers. I used to think I wanted some but after playing with them a little and seeing how little insulation you get for the weight I have decided against them. I would add an uncompadgre or similar vest. It will probably be similar to the springer in weight but much much warmer.

 

[snowplow]

Thanks fellas. Yes, it is a 7 day backpack in, basecamp hunt. I'll look into the Traverse Hoody. I love the idea of fleece, but am not really impressed by the Halstead. No pockets, doesn't seem very thick, and seems expensive for what it is.

I'm not entirely sure what this mid layer is supposed to do I guess. Should I be going for weather repellent like an outer layer or breathable like a baselayer?

Does anyone know about the Peloton 240 jacket? It seems like it might be worth considering.

 

[justinspicher]

It's all expensive. I run the basically the same setup all year. It's all First Lite. It's not perfect but it's what works for me. I can stay fairly warm moving and even stationary.

However, when I'm stationary I have started getting out my woobie. I layer with a llano and chama.

For the late season I've been putting my Halstead over that then my springer vest. I went down a size on my springer vest and it seems to work better at trapping the warmth. It could all be in my head too. Then I put my Vapor jacket over that. That's worked pretty well so far this late season and I've been out and about snowshoeing and looking for elk. My feet are the coldest part of me usually.

I have the Labrador, but will wait to use it during the early season to knock the chill off. It has the full length zipper so it's easy to throw on and off.

 

[snowplow]

I checked out the Traverse Hoody and like it, but I found the Fanatic Hoodie and think I like it even better.

So far the Kuiu Peloton 240 and Sitka Fanatic Hoodie are my favorites.

From some googling I found that the Kuiu Peloton 240 is warmer than the Fanatic. They are both said to be mid layers and about the same weight. However the Kuiu seems more like a jacket where the Sitka definitely seems more like a layer.

Are these both good fits for the niche I'm looking for? Am I correct in thinking that the Fanatic would be a step warmer than my Chama?

I am all ears guys. If I had to buy right now, it seems to me so far that the Fanatic is the perfect next layer to a Llano/Chama and under a Puffy.

And....


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

 

[aaron600rr]

I checked out the Traverse Hoody and like it, but I found the Fanatic Hoodie and think I like it even better.

So far the Kuiu Peloton 240 and Sitka Fanatic Hoodie are my favorites.

From some googling I found that the Kuiu Peloton 240 is warmer than the Fanatic. They are both said to be mid layers and about the same weight. However the Kuiu seems more like a jacket where the Sitka definitely seems more like a layer.

Are these both good fits for the niche I'm looking for? Am I correct in thinking that the Fanatic would be a step warmer than my Chama?

I am all ears guys. If I had to buy right now, it seems to me so far that the Fanatic is the perfect next layer to a Llano/Chama and under a Puffy.

And....


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

How's the sizing on the Peleton 240?

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[justinspicher]

The only problem I see with mixing brands is that these particular brands are built to work as a system so they might not fit as well or work quite as well as they would if you used them as a complete system.

Just my opinion, I've only used first Lite because I have OCD and can't mix brands.

 

[bigeasygator]

I checked out the Traverse Hoody and like it, but I found the Fanatic Hoodie and think I like it even better.

So far the Kuiu Peloton 240 and Sitka Fanatic Hoodie are my favorites.

From some googling I found that the Kuiu Peloton 240 is warmer than the Fanatic. They are both said to be mid layers and about the same weight. However the Kuiu seems more like a jacket where the Sitka definitely seems more like a layer.

Are these both good fits for the niche I'm looking for? Am I correct in thinking that the Fanatic would be a step warmer than my Chama?

I am all ears guys. If I had to buy right now, it seems to me so far that the Fanatic is the perfect next layer to a Llano/Chama and under a Puffy.

And....


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Those are two very different pieces (the Traverse cold weather and the fanatic). The fanatic isn't really going to add much warmth if that's what you're looking for. Honestly, the fanatic hoody is almost like a glorified baselayer, not so much a mid layer IMO.