Puffy Jackets!

[ScottR_EHJ]

The zipper is stiff on all of their outerwear that i have gotten my hands on. The zippers are waterproof, and therefore tight to prevent leaks.

 

[n2horns]

been wearing the LL Bean 850 UL down treated jacket. must say, I am liking this. It's light and also somewhat windproof. packs small and fit is good.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Everytime I check the forum there is a new jacket mentioned. Lots of options.

 

[Stid2677]

Golite -Bitterroot-Water-Repellent-Down-Jacket jacket on sale today only $169.00


http://www.golite.com/Mens-Bitterroot-Water-Repellent-Down-Jacket-P47041.aspx

 

[luke moffat]

Now Stid where might you get an idea like that

 

[5MilesBack]

Everytime I check the forum there is a new jacket mentioned. Lots of options.

Yes, this is getting expensive. I could be using this money for tags instead. I guess those will come from some other money than this clothes money.

My wife actually laughs at me........well, more like frowns at me. I will wear old cheap t-shirts and jeans full of holes every day of the year, but my hunting clothes that I wear for hunting and scouting are all top of the line.

 

[Stid2677]

Now Stid where might you get an idea like that

From you of course, hanging out with you always cost me money.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Hanging out with gear nuts is always expensive!

 

[fillthefreezer]

Yes, this is getting expensive. I could be using this money for tags instead. I guess those will come from some other money than this clothes money.

My wife actually laughs at me........well, more like frowns at me. I will wear old cheap t-shirts and jeans full of holes every day of the year, but my hunting clothes that I wear for hunting and scouting are all top of the line.

im with you here! i have have holes in all my underwear except my $50 first lite ones haha

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Bumping this back up to the top, for an update. We haven't gotten the last two jackets, the written portion is pretty much done for the 3 we have.

Aron and I took care of the Kryptek earlier this week, so I should have plenty to post about here very soon. Thanks for following along as we work on this, let me know if you have any questions on the Kryptek.

A note related to this as well, I really appreciate all of the questions via PM. If I haven't gotten back to you try again, my Inbox has filled up several times over the last couple of weeks with the pack review and this project.

 

[7mag.]

Sreekers, have you tried the Krytek Borealis? I know it's not a full puffy, but I tried one on at Cabelas the other day and I really liked it.

 

[fillthefreezer]

Sreekers, have you tried the Krytek Borealis? I know it's not a full puffy, but I tried one on at Cabelas the other day and I really liked it.

i really like that layer as well, but i have tried about half the jackets in the test and its not really even close to them. i would call the boreallis strictly a midlayer. and perfect for below 40deg and hiking with a pack.

 

[andres3]

Some more real use data

I was waiting on this review before purchasing a puffy, but with the First Lite sale a couple of weeks ago, I just had to try it. I also received the Kanab pants and Chugach Workshirt for Christmas. This was perfect timing since I just got back from a 5 day elk hunt. I can give my opinions on how they worked out. My stats are; 5'8'' tall, 180 lbs, 45" chest, 34" waist, and 31" inseam. The pants (medium) and shirt (large) fit better than most of my dress clothes (my wife agrees). They fit comfortably loose enough to wear a merino wool base layer underneath. They are well made and the ripstop works, I will explain later.

The pants are great. The only thing I did not like is that they only have a right rear pocket. I have been wearing a wallet for better than 45 years in my left rear pocket, it feels odd/uncomfortable to switch sides. I realize this will probably be a non issue for anyone else. I also hooked the pants on the truck tailgate the last morning and got a 2" tear. This was my bad, and I believe any other pair of pants I own would have torn just as much or more. I wore the pants the rest of the day, and the riptstop did not let the tear get any bigger. I will call the company today to see if they can be repaired (on my dime of course). I still plan on buying another pair for next years hunt. If I could add one recommendation it would be to add a left rear pocket.

I really like this shirt too. I did find out if you have your jacket zipped up all day, like I did on one cold day, the ripstop in the shirt collar irritated my neck and my got really red. Again, I still plan on buying one more shirt for next years hunt. If I could add one recommendation it would be to add a softer material on the inside of the shirt collar.

Now for the puffy jacket (large), this one is tough because I really loved this jacket, but I did have some issues. The good: The jacket felt like a feather compared to the Filson wool liner I had been using, and packs a whole lot smaller; The freedom of movement is amazing, it almost feels like you are not wearing anything; The fit is great, and fits just loose enough that I can also wear a light fleece jacket for colder conditions. The material is very windproof, and I do not think it can get any quieter without being a wool or fleece type of material. The jacket kept my core warmer than I thought possible for what seems like very thin insulation. Now for the bad: 1st, I did get a chance to wear the jacket with my gortex shell on top for a Christmas light parade and choir concert. The temperature was in the low 20's with a little breeze. I was basically standing still for about 2 1/2 hours and could feel the top of my arms getting cooler while my under arms and body core were nice and warm. I realize this is probably an issue with my metabolism and might not affect any one else. 2nd, Since day one I had trouble with the zipper snagging, a little jiggling always got it loose, except on the first morning of my hunt. The first morning the zipper got stuck so bad, it took me at least 5 minutes of pulling and yanking to get it unstuck, and then the zipper just fell off. I was really looking forward to giving the jacket a good test but ended up using the Filson for the whole hunt. I will call the company to see about my options, and I am sure they will make it right. If I could add recommendations: 1st, Add more insulation to the arms, or better yet, map more insulation to the outer part of the arm only; 2nd, Fix the zipper issue (then again I might have a lemon since no one else seems to have this issue). Finally, I never really got a chance to test the under arm breathable panels, but they seem kind of small, so maybe make them a little bigger.

I hope this info helps with adding actual usage data.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Sreekers, have you tried the Krytek Borealis? I know it's not a full puffy, but I tried one on at Cabelas the other day and I really liked it.

I have not, i want to, but time is a commodity right now.

 

[wilkes]

Looking forward to hearinf about the Kratos. I am wearing all Kryptek gear except for a puffy and want to be sure it is worth purchasing before I dive in. Thanks for the hard work!

 

[shaun]

Looking forward to hearinf about the Kratos. I am wearing all Kryptek gear except for a puffy and want to be sure it is worth purchasing before I dive in. Thanks for the hard work!

The Kratos is by far the warmest coat I have owned by the weight to warmth ratio. Kept me plenty warm from Alaska to Colorado and California. I beat the hell out of it and it has held up great

 

[wilkes]

Sounds good! Is it noisy or quiet enough to stalk game? How is it when a little wet?

 

[shaun]

It was not too loud. It does have a little noise to it but not enough to hinder a stalk at all. It does absorb water but it also wasn't too bad. It rained on me 5 of 8 days in AK and besides it being a little wet it preformed awesome! Didn't loose any warmth

 

[wilkes]

Well a testimonial from long hunts in wet Alaska just about does it for me! Thanks.

 

[Bmcox86]

I picked up the kratos since their on sale at cabelas right now and I had plenty of gift cards to burn. So far I think the fit is excellent. I'm 5'11 185 and the large fit great with plenty of room to move with my wool underneath. Also fits great under my core4 soft shell and it's hardly noticeable. I haven't worn it in the field yet but should get a great test this weekend bird hunting in snow and 30 knot winds.