Puffy Jackets!

[ScottR_EHJ]

As most of you know I do a bit of freelance writing, and just finished a major pack review. My project partner and I have been talking about what we want to work on next and clothing was the consensus. Sooooo.....

Over the past 18 months there has been a LOT of improvement made into the Puffy Jacket world and we thought a comprehensive look at several offerings from several companies would be well worth the read. We felt like Rokslide would be a great fit for this, and hope everyone will find the information useful.

The jackets that will be included are:

Sitka Kelvin Down Hoody
First Lite Uncomphagre
Kuiu Super Down Hooded Jacket
Kryptek Kratos

We have been in communication with Core4 as well, but I am waiting to hear back from them.

The goal of this review will be to use each of these jackets over the course of the winter in varying applications to test them against their descriptions. We will post as many pictures as possible and help each of you decide which jacket is best for YOUR application. All of the jackets will have strengths and weaknesses, we hope to be candid and fair about each of them. We are also aware that some of these jackets carry significantly more insulation than the others, bear in mind this will be all about application and use.

We will be posting a lot of pictures on this thread, and will be answering some questions that we don't cover in the article portion. Have to save some secrets for the written product! We will take pictures of the jackets and how they fit on both of our body types, as well as a few shorter guys who might want some internet fame.

We will be meticulous about wearing the same clothes for every activity with the exception of the jackets themselves. The only variable that could perform differently should be the jacket. Durability, drying periods, performance when wet, wind breaking ability, stitching strength among other things will be covered.

An all around winner WILL be declared. This will be the jacket that can be used in the most applications and expected to perform well. This will be the jacket that if you only have the money for one, this is the one we would recommend.

Jackets will arrive this week with pictures and first impressions to follow!

 

[mtswampfox]

wow first rain jackets now puffys......what next???? glad i stumbled onto this site

 

[HellsCanyon]

Good stuff Scott! I have my own predictions for this review but will keep them to myself for now

Mike

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Something that I forgot to include in this, these jackets do have different fill ratings and materials. So bear in mind that YOU as a reader are going to be reading our material to find what fill is best for YOUR hunt. This where the "All Around Winner" comes in. The jacket that performs the best in the most settings would be that jacket. However, that doesn't necessarily make one of the others a "bad" jacket. In fact when dealing with quality gear it's rare to find a terrible product. I will go out on a limb and say that a lot of complaints about gear come from people trying to use the wrong piece for their application. Or not properly caring for their equipment post trip, and then wonder why it doesn't work the next time around.

 

[Yellowknife]

I will go out on a limb and say that a lot of complaints about gear come from people trying to use the wrong piece for their application.

Wha? I never do that. Well, ok... maybe once in a while.

At least I usually admit it though.

Sounds like an interesting concept for a test. Lots of variation in insulation types and designs. Going to be tough to directly test something like the tradition style Sitka down jacket (outer layer) to something like the Kryptek that I would suspect is designed more as a mid-layer. On the other hand, maybe that is the kind of comparison that people need when deciding what kind jacket to buy.

Yk

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Wha? I never do that. Well, ok... maybe once in a while.

At least I usually admit it though.

Sounds like an interesting concept for a test. Lots of variation in insulation types and designs. Going to be tough to directly test something like the tradition style Sitka down jacket (outer layer) to something like the Kryptek that I would suspect is designed more as a mid-layer. On the other hand, maybe that is the kind of comparison that people need when deciding what kind jacket to buy.

Yk

I think a lot of people do need it! Number one its very hard to get hands on experience with some of these. I know ahead of time how some are going to do, but others won't. How many first timer threads do we see here from people who are heading West to Colorado to hunt elk? Most of them won't know which is best for archery, first or third season, but this will help decipher that.

Things like durability and features can be measured against each other fairly easily. But, if you only have enough cash for one jacket, it's better to get the right one than be disappointed.

 

[luke moffat]

If you can only own one always get the warmest one and then vent if needed. If you have to run extra layers to make a puffy work then its not really working for ya.


Look forward to your thoughts given your uses.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Yup, having to overlayer to cover up for not enough insulation is something that should be avoided. Ideal world is 3, possibly 4 at the maximum. Mobility is severely hindered at that point.

 

[Yellowknife]

If you can only own one always get the warmest one and then vent if needed. If you have to run extra layers to make a puffy work then its not really working for ya.

Now here I'm going to have to disagree with you. I like fairly warmish for backpacking trips, but not to the point where it fits poorly under a shell. I also have no problem adding a fleece shirt for an extra layer if things get bitter. I like to carry a micro fleece anyway for that little bit of extra warmth, pillow, spare shirt, etc. so it's no extra weight in the layer system.

But then again, I live in interior Alaska, so I own about 20 different jackets of all types collected over the years and can pretty much choose from a number of options that fit any given situation. I've currently got ultralight down, a synthetic vest, two different weights of synthetic insulated jackets and a fleece or two that make my backpacking/hunting field rotation. A "best all arounder" is not something I'm looking for! Maybe warmer is better if that is the criteria.

Sreekers,

If you are comparing different kinds of jackets for insulation, it would be interesting to add a high loft fleece to the mix. Fleece in general has pretty much fallen out of style, but they do have some durability and significant noise advantages for bowhunters in particular.

Yk

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Yk,
I used an old Columbia fleece pull over a bunch this year. The only one i know of is the Kryptek offering.

I will see if the powers that be think it is worth it, personally i like the idea.

 

[Yellowknife]

Cabela's still sells a Berber fleece line, but yeah... essentially nothing much available from hunting companies. I buy from mountain companies, and even there the options are somewhat thin anymore. The military surplus ECWCS might be an option? Being military, it's probably heavy and bulky, but it's also inexpensive which would be a good category to have.

And good point on the "four layers max" thing. Very true.

Yk

 

[Hardstalk]

Are you asking for short guy volunteers or you have a few lined up?

 

[hunting1]

Like my Spindrift, REI, and am loving my Core4 Summit so far. I have the Kryptek in black that I wear every day when it's cold. The reason for liking the C4 is the cut is better than the Kuiu.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

I have a few broad short guys, lined up for pictures. Local keeps it simple too.

 

[Kotaman]

Be curious to hear the results as I own all of these jackets and have put them through the paces. (Along with the Spindrift)

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Be curious to hear the results as I own all of these jackets and have put them through the paces. (Along with the Spindrift)

Interested in hearing your thoughts too.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

First Lite came in yesterday, very nice jacket. I am most impressed with how much movement is allowed. The combination of materials to provide stretch in the right places is great.

 

[Kotaman]

I'll post my thoughts after the review...I like all of these jackets for different reasons/uses.

 

[FrankieP1988]

Anybody using a western mountaineering puffy? I see a lot of good reviews about their bags but nothing about their puffy jackets

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Anybody using a western mountaineering puffy? I see a lot of good reviews about their bags but nothing about their puffy jackets

Which jacket are you thinking? I can always reach out to them and see if they want one included. The more jackets, the longer it takes to get the review done. Every jacket needs a thorough use by both Namack and I, and representation in the review.