Puffy Comparison: Tear It Up!

[Jaden Bales]

You know........I look at that chart and see $900 for a jacket and even $400 for a jacket........and personally, I think that's insane. I could afford to buy the $900 jacket, but I didn't get to this position by actually doing that. I'm pretty thrifty by nature, so I have no problem going down to the local thrift stores and buying coats and jackets for pennies on the dollar. If I want camo.......I can throw my $30 rain jacket over the bright blue down ski jacket. That's how I roll.

Isn't that the truth!

It's kind of why I like doing these spreadsheets, though. I want to identify best bang for the buck then search for deals on that item.

My grandpa was just telling me today, "can you believe people pay $500 for a backpack!? I made mine when I used to pack in!" I personally love the comfort of the higher end gear, I just think a guy can pay $150 instead of $500 if they look hard enough.

 

[Elkangle]

I run a sitka base layer, fanatic hoody, then the sitka ws puffy....and that's it....that and my rain shell covers nearly every scenario for me

Above 30 I'd go with a lighter weight puffy

 

[Jaden Bales]

I run a sitka base layer, fanatic hoody, then the sitka ws puffy....and that's it....that and my rain shell covers nearly every scenario for me

Above 30 I'd go with a lighter weight puffy

Man, that WS jacket looks bomber! It's expensive, but if you aren't expecting a downpour, you could just about leave the shell at home on most trips.

That's pretty much the layering system I'm hoping to run, too! If I can cop on one of those for a little less than retail of course. Lol.

 

[Elkangle]

Man, that WS jacket looks bomber! It's expensive, but if you aren't expecting a downpour, you could just about leave the shell at home on most trips.

That's pretty much the layering system I'm hoping to run, too! If I can cop on one of those for a little less than retail of course. Lol.

Yup but i still bring it...its nice to have the option to use it as a wind breaker when your moving or use it as a sit pad or cover my leggs with it when glassing

 

[Elkangle]

A big key for my temp regulation is that fanatic hoody... it has an amazing temp range so when combined with the puffy & shell your good for all scenarios

 

[Jaden Bales]

A big key for my temp regulation is that fanatic hoody... it has an amazing temp range so when combined with the puffy & shell your good for all scenarios

That's a fair point with the shell. Especially if you run a light one that packs in it's pocket.

I like those grid fleece pieces. I had a Patagonia version for quite a while that kicked ass.

Those Fanatics are currently on sale, FYI for anyone looking for a mid layer.

 

[Mtngroan]

Sure enough, Sitka's and First Lite's down are 70% goose down 30% synthetic. I missed that part. That's sweet!

Do you like the Transcendent Hoody from OR for this list? I love OR stuff - been running their Foray rain jacket in Coyote Brown for like 5 years and it's arguably my favorite piece of gear I've ever bought.

What about the OR Collosus?

 

[Jaden Bales]

What about the OR Collosus?

Oh hell yeah! They make that in multicam, too! Good rec.

 

[HuntWyld]

Might get blasted for this but UA ridge reaper 850 down puffy jacket is made very well and is one of the warmest packable jackets I’ve tried...

 

[Jaden Bales]

Might get blasted for this but UA ridge reaper 850 down puffy jacket is made very well and is one of the warmest packable jackets I’ve tried...

Nice! I'll check it out. No judgment here.

 

[Justin_the_EDG]

Pretty interesting thread. If you'd like to add another synthetic to the list, consider the Nunatak USA Skaha and PCT jackets. Jackets very similar to the LPP, but with ultralight type fabrics instead of the cordura. Same insulation even, but in various weight options.

They're currently at the top of the list for my next puffy.

 

[Jaden Bales]

Pretty interesting thread. If you'd like to add another synthetic to the list, consider the Nunatak USA Skaha and PCT jackets. Jackets very similar to the LPP, but with ultralight type fabrics instead of the cordura. Same insulation even, but in various weight options.

They're currently at the top of the list for my next puffy.

Well that’s one I’ve never heard of before.

Sweet! I’ll check it out. Thanks!


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[Swift]

Feathered friends, western mountaineering

 

[Swift]

I take the weight penalty most of the time and grab my lost park parka if it's 30ish or lower Other wise it's the kelvin lite active that has covered the all my needs and at 0 I will use both

 

[bmf0713]

Anyone have any experience with the SKRE ptarmigan 850? Their site has it at $270.

I have the older SKRE ptarmigan without the hood. I wore it in December during deer season when it was a high of 13. I only had a sitka midweight baselayer on and the down jacket over it. Was plenty warm and comfortable when standing still too hot when walking had to take it off. I love it so I just bought the new one with the hood.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

I'll tell you this.........from experience, hunting anything later than archery season I want a full on winter coat available........especially if I'm stationary. At that point, weight doesn't matter to me......just staying warm is the objective. The KUIU Super Down is fine for archery season, but anything below 30 degrees and I'm freezing in that thing. So much so, that for the price I sold mine and use a cheap Costco 800-fill $15 special.

Are you referring to the Super Down Pro?

 

[Rommy]

Are you referring to the Super Down Pro?

Imagine he’s talking about the super down ultra. The pro is a pretty warm piece


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[fightthenoise]

Have you guys seen this?

Down jacket indicator 2024

docs.google.com

It’s taken from this reddit post:

https://reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/bu0j6e/a_data_sheet_comparing_down_jackets/


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[Fins_N_Tines]

Imagine he’s talking about the super down ultra. The pro is a pretty warm piece


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I have the Super down pro and am thinking about getting rid of it and going back to the FL uncompaghrae. Although the Super Down Pro is warmer, its not as warm as I feel it should be. I will take the weight penalty for synthetic for reasons of getting it wet. Also, nobody has mentioned that you can use it as an oven as well and actually dry out a base layer. You cannot do that with down.

Additionally, I have also read once treated down is soaked it actually can take longer to dry out. Not sure if thats true, but I heard that from two reputable people in the outdoor industry.

 

[Jaden Bales]

Have you guys seen this?

Down jacket indicator 2024

docs.google.com

It’s taken from this reddit post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/bu0j6e

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is sweet! It's like someone took my idea and actually finished the process. Lol. Thanks for sharing!