Puffy Jacket Question

[WVELK]

Wife got me the Stone Glacier puffy jacket (very packable). For those of you that normally carry one, do you size yours to go on under your outter layer or large enough to put in on over everything? Excuse any typos I don’t have my glasses on and can’t see crap. I may have asked you about elephant socks if my typing was off.

 

[WyldGoose]

For me, sized to fit over my base, wind layer, and bino harness. This way it quickly can go on or off without messing around with anything else.

 

[Seeknelk]

Sized to fit over everything. You don't want the outer layer to compress the down. Tried it before and felt the difference. A rain shell is the exception. It should fit over the down.

 

[fngTony]

Wife got me the Stone Glacier puffy jacket (very packable). For those of you that normally carry one, do you size yours to go on under your outter layer or large enough to put in on over everything? Excuse any typos I don’t have my glasses on and can’t see crap. I may have asked you about elephant socks if my typing was off.

I’m in between a large and extra large in jackets and went xl in my down and rain jacket. My down is a little thicker than the SG but fits under my rain jacket without compression. I can also wear a mid layer comfortably under everything.

For reference none of my stuff is the same brand and I’m surprised how well everything works together. Base layer is a Sitka hoodie, Mid layer is Outdoor Research, down is a heavier option from Rab and rain jacket is from Black Diamond.

Sorry no experience with elephant socks

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I went a size up for laying and being able to go over bino harness. They were “slim” fit for me from normal sizing anyway. Go up in my opinion.

 

[justinspicher]

I always buy a puffy in my normal size and it fits over a base layer and a mid layer with no issue. I have even worn and inner and outer puffy of the same size like this with no issue.

 

[WVELK]

Thanks for the responses. This would work for going over my light layers on Sept elk hunts, but would have to go under the outer layer on late season hunts. The point about not compressing the down is valid and a good reminder!

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Sized to fit over everything and bought a larger, cheapish orange vest.

 

[LongWayAround]

Puff over base and mid. Shell over puff.

 

[WVELK]

Well looks like we have a consensus. Since I am the OP let me ask a follow up. For those of you who use the puffy on the outside with a shell, do you still use the shell if it is not raining for perhaps to cut the wind? And, how much warmer do you think the light puffy keeps you. I ask the last question because I am someone who hates to be cold and am always looking for a better way to beat the cold.

 

[WyldGoose]

I don’t put my rain jacket on unless it’s raining. My “mid layer” is my wind layer(HPG Windcheater) and it almost never comes off.

 

[fngTony]

Well looks like we have a consensus. Since I am the OP let me ask a follow up. For those of you who use the puffy on the outside with a shell, do you still use the shell if it is not raining for perhaps to cut the wind? And, how much warmer do you think the light puffy keeps you. I ask the last question because I am someone who hates to be cold and am always looking for a better way to beat the cold.

I have a wind jacket that I would layer under my puffy but never my rain jacket. I would wear my rain jacket over it for protection if using it next to brush and rocks.

 

[NealS02]

I am the exception here for sure, but I wear the Sitka Jetstream as my wind layer and trying to wear a puffy over it is (in my opinion) next to impossible given how tight the Sitka Kelvin Down is on the arms. I love my puffy under the Jetstream and was warm in WY this November at temps below zero while stationary. This solves the rain/snow issues you have with wearing a puffy as the outermost layer. Not saying it is the right way to do it but it works great for me.

 

[WVELK]

I don’t put my rain jacket on unless it’s raining. My “mid layer” is my wind layer(HPG Windcheater) and it almost never comes off.

How heavy is the Windchecker? Looks like you are from Arizona what temp range are you hunting? I am just having a hard time getting my mind around the fact that if I have a merino base, then usually a heavier merino second layer, a vest (all three usually being Kuiu, then an Axis Hybrid Kuiu Jacket on and I am cold or getting cold which is more likely then adding a XL Down Puffy whether Kuiu or Stone Clacier is going to make a big amount of difference.

 

[LongWayAround]

Even when it gets cold in September, I can't imagine wearing all of that.

I don't have the axis jacket but do have the pants, I'm not sure where they would fit in for September. Heavy fleece backed softshell but not a real rain jacket??

What's the vest?

Put your puffy on before you get cold, not after you're already uncomfortable.

 

[fngTony]

How heavy is the Windchecker? Looks like you are from Arizona what temp range are you hunting? I am just having a hard time getting my mind around the fact that if I have a merino base, then usually a heavier merino second layer, a vest (all three usually being Kuiu, then an Axis Hybrid Kuiu Jacket on and I am cold or getting cold which is more likely then adding a XL Down Puffy whether Kuiu or Stone Clacier is going to make a big amount of difference.

Generally if you have more than four upper garments you probably need to rethink what each piece is doing for you. I can see using a softshell in place of a mid but not over two shirts and a vest before adding a puffy and rain shell.

 

[WyldGoose]

How heavy is the Windchecker? Looks like you are from Arizona what temp range are you hunting? I am just having a hard time getting my mind around the fact that if I have a merino base, then usually a heavier merino second layer, a vest (all three usually being Kuiu, then an Axis Hybrid Kuiu Jacket on and I am cold or getting cold which is more likely then adding a XL Down Puffy whether Kuiu or Stone Clacier is going to make a big amount of difference.

I’m in the Arizona mountains, I live at 5,000 feet and hunt from 5,000 to 8,000 ft. The Windcheater isn’t super heavy, it’s very breathable and durable, plus has pit zips for dumping heat.
My system is a merino t-shirt, windcheater, super down pro puffy(when glassing, not moving) and Kuiu Chugach rain jacket. That’s it. If it’s really cold, sometimes a Peloton 97 over my base tee and under the windcheater, but that’s rare.