Please school me on layers, specifically puffy jackets

[husky390]

I'm looking to add a jacket to my kit this year and have no clue on what's good, what's recommended and what's a waste of money. I've always hunted from a truck camp so I've never really needed one, but this year will be my first backcountry hunt. So I have to ask, what is a Puffy?

Here is what I'll be wearing this year. I wore the merino wool base layers with cotton pants and poly asat shirt and I was plenty warm. Towards the end of the season I added a cotton hoodie and was warm. After reading Aron's GIF article, I'm ditching the cotton.

Merino wool base layers
Kryptek Valhalla pants and shirt
Rain pants and jacket

I've been reading on here about the First Lite Puffy and am interested in that. But what's the difference between that and something like this?

http://www.golite.com/Mens-Selkirk-Ultralite-800-Fill-Down-Jacket-P47040.aspx

If there's an article about this or layering that I missed, please point me in the right direction. Thank you.

 

[dryflyguy]

Husky,

I've hunted in a Sitka primaloft Kelvin Vest for two years and used a KUIU superdown 1/4 zip tee this year. I've used them both in some pretty cold weather but wasn't terribly wet. I use a superdown hoodie for my everyday jacket right now to get me through the winter. I'm a fan of both puffy types (KUIU superdown and Sitka Kelvin) and I will continue to use both of them depending on the conditions. The superdown is quite a bit lighter and much more compressible. It is not nearly as durable as the Kelvin. If I expect a lot of moisture or am not overly concerned about my pack weight, I'll most likely take my Kelvin. On the other hand, if I'm not overly concerned about excessive moisture and am focused on minimal bulk & weight, I will be packing the superdown. I don't have any experience with the First Lite puffy. Good luck!

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm ditching the cotton.

Good idea.

Man, you just missed the FL 40% off sale........could have gotten a great deal on their puffy. What size do you wear? I've seen a thread here for an XXL for sale at the discount price.

The whole deal with a puffy is a decent insulation layer. Several options for insulation layers depending on the temps and exertion levels. During CO archery I'll go anywhere from a microfleece to a down jacket as my insulation layer, depending on the need. The nice thing about the right down jacket is how light they are and how little room they take up. My KUIU Super Down jacket is in my pack on every outing now, even summer.

 

[husky390]

Good idea.

Man, you just missed the FL 40% off sale........could have gotten a great deal on their puffy. What size do you wear? I've seen a thread here for an XXL for sale at the discount price.

I know it, but ditching the cotton was a priority and I jumped on the Kryptek sale, plus I bought a bunch of other stuff so the toy funds weren't there to take advantage of that sale and that used XXL jacket is sold. I wear an XL shirt so would I need an XL or XXL? I've looked at KUIU online and like their stuff but from what I've read their clothes are a very athletic fit which means it probably wont fit me very well until I cut more weight.

Dryflyguy, thanks for the info. I have a very limited experience with vests but the time's I've tried them I found myself wishing for a jacket. But another option would be to try a vest with my rain coat as the outer layer, I guess.

 

[SHTF]

Husky I have a APX Kings Camo Puffy you can have bro. I paid 45$ for it at a outdoor show. Only issue is I had a bit of a fire incident on the right side pocket. This doesnt affect the Coats Function to keep you warm though. If your interested in it you can have for free. We are local so if you want it PM me and you can stop by the house to snag it. Its a 2xl but we are close in size so this should fit you well.

 

[SHTF]

And its Primoloft. This thing has been sitting in my hunting cabinet forever. I use a Patagonia now so need for this and it would never sell with the burn in the pocket.

 

[justinspicher]

I bought the FL puffy and rain jacket for a personal Christmas gift in order to upgrade my gear. They are both very well constructed and comfortable. I take both every time I go out. Each one can compress into it's own pocket for easy packing. Olive in Washington state so the rain jacket will be used frequently. So far with a long sleeve shirt and a vest under the rain shell I've been warm down to 32* while doing minimal movement. It sheds rain well so far. As for the puffy, it is used in anything below thirty. It also sheds the rain pretty well. I've worn it with a long sleeve under in 27* degrees and was very warm. Having a hood is a bonus to me. These jackets run large and I should have bought a medium, but now I can put both jackets on over my Koala lite.

 

[husky390]

And its Primoloft. This thing has been sitting in my hunting cabinet forever. I use a Patagonia now so need for this and it would never sell with the burn in the pocket.

You sir, have a pm. Thank you very much.

 

[SHTF]

Some Photos of it for you bro.



Here is the Burn Hole