Puffy Jackets!

[mattstanton]

So I'm trying to decide between a soft shell like the jetstream or a first lite puffy for September through November hunting and adding the first lite rain gear if needed. The soft shell seems too heavy vs even a puffy/stormtight jacket combo. What are your preferences.

 

[Stid2677]

So I'm trying to decide between a soft shell like the jetstream or a first lite puffy for September through November hunting and adding the first lite rain gear if needed. The soft shell seems too heavy vs even a puffy/stormtight jacket combo. What are your preferences.

I have all but stopped bringing a softshell on backpack hunts. The quality and breath-ability of the current rain jackets make them an unnecessary item in my pack. Base layer, a wind shirt for pockets and to wear while moving and the puffy for glassing and around camp, then throw on the rain jacket when needed.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Just got the Kratos in today, will get some use tomorrow and Saturday morning in the wind. We have a winter weather and high wind advisory through the weekend. Sounds like a perfect time to take a hike right?

Initial impressions on the fit:

-The Kratos fit is similar to the Kuiu in the way it fits on the arms. The wrists and forearms are slim for use underneath rain gear or a soft shell. This jacket is going to be great for hunters who want some extra insulation under soft shells, I pulled on the Koldo to see how it worked underneath. Fit and range of motion were very good.

-I was a fan of the stretch panels in my Kratos Minus vest, and the stretch panels in Kratos jacket are just as functional.

-The back of the jacket is long enough for tall guys. I was worried about this as my Koldo occasionally gets a draft while seated and glassing.

-The Primaloft insulation will feel very light when compared to the Sitka(800 fill is the heaviest by far though), or even the Super Down offerings.

Will have more later after I have some real use.

 

[Aron Snyder]

So I'm trying to decide between a soft shell like the jetstream or a first lite puffy for September through November hunting and adding the first lite rain gear if needed. The soft shell seems too heavy vs even a puffy/stormtight jacket combo. What are your preferences.

i would choose the first lite by far.

I've been beating the piss out of mine and for me, it's a much more diverse jacket.... especially when compared to a standard puffy.

 

[Stid2677]

i would choose the first lite by far.

I've been beating the piss out of mine and for me, it's a much more diverse jacket.... especially when compared to a standard puffy.

+1, I would agree with Aron, the Uncompahgre Puffy Jacket is to me a hybrid, like a softshell and a puffy had a baby. that and a rain jacket would be a lot of protection.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I had the jetstream and have the FL puffy. The FL puffy is like two jackets in one. It cuts the wind very well and it can take a pretty good rain to soak through. I wore mine for over 60 days this year in the field. I'm a very satisfied customer!

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Yup, the first lite is great for many applications. Quality jacket that can really do it all.

 

[mattstanton]

Guess that settles that! Uncompagre and a stormtight it is! Thanks guys

 

[lintond]

Went ahead and bought the uncompahgre puffy based on Aron's recommendation and reading the reviews on here. Got it in the mail today. First impression is I'm going to love this bad boy! Had it on a few minutes and was already warm! Got the brown so I can use it around hippy vile Portland.

One note is I was surprised how big the Large was. I'm 6'-1" and 195. The sleeves are perfect length and the body has enough room I could add a vest underneath if needed. My favorite part is the length is long enough from letting drafts into the rear quarter while sitting.

 

[Ramcam]

Went ahead and bought the uncompahgre puffy based on Aron's recommendation and reading the reviews on here. Got it in the mail today. First impression is I'm going to love this bad boy! Had it on a few minutes and was already warm! Got the brown so I can use it around hippy vile Portland.

One note is I was surprised how big the Large was. I'm 6'-1" and 195. The sleeves are perfect length and the body has enough room I could add a vest underneath if needed. My favorite part is the length is long enough from letting drafts into the rear quarter while sitting.

Yea the Large is definately large.I can fit my X large Superdown inside no problem.I;m 6' 190ibs.Tapers at the hips, arm length and arm fit is good with lots of upper chest room.

 

[fillthefreezer]

i really like the sleeves on the uncomp. puffy. very nice while wearing a release

 

[Acecook]

Hey guys I'm fairly fresh to backpacking but I have been gathering gear for the past couple of years. I have mostly Sitka gear like the jetstream and 90% jackets, both kelvin lite and regular vests and sitka raingear . I'm trying to figure out what puffy to go with. I've got a lead on the core element elevation jacket, what do you think?. I love my jetstream but it sounds like some guys don't pack jackets like that but pack a puffy any raingear instead. I'm up for any direction on how to make my backcountry layering system better. Most of my time in the backcountry will be spent from July to early October.

 

[Darren Best]

I'm surprised the Montbell Thermawrap isn't mentioned more considering how light it is and what a bargain it can be had at.

I've been running the Superdown hooded jacket all winter and I am very happy with it.

 

[Matt W.]

I ran the Montbell Thermawrap Parka the last 4-5 seasons. It is an amazingly warm jacket for the weight, but very fragile. Also not much weather protection built into it, at least in my experience. I have since upgraded adding two puff jackets. The Sitka Kelvin Lite and the First Lite Uncompaghre. Both provide better all around use than the Montbell did. I can wear either around town or in the field and not be as concerned with rips and tears. They also stop wind and will even shed a little water. The Uncompaghre is surprisingly weather resistant and having both in a size medium allows me to even double up on the two for the really cold days.

 

[luke moffat]

I ran the Montbell Thermawrap Parka the last 4-5 seasons. It is an amazingly warm jacket for the weight, but very fragile. Also not much weather protection built into it, at least in my experience. I have since upgraded adding two puff jackets. The Sitka Kelvin Lite and the First Lite Uncompaghre. Both provide better all around use than the Montbell did. I can wear either around town or in the field and not be as concerned with rips and tears. They also stop wind and will even shed a little water. The Uncompaghre is surprisingly weather resistant and having both in a size medium allows me to even double up on the two for the really cold days.

I agree, I owned a therawrap parka (with the hood). I used it a season and then sold it. Reason being if I am going to haul a puffy jacket I want it to be warmer. If I carried a soft shell, base layer, and rain jacket and a puffy jacket, it would work fine. But I don't I only use a base layer, puffy jacket, rain jacket. So I want to have more insulation than what the thermawrap offers. In fact I've found I prefer 100g/m2 atleast in my puffy jackets. Yes its heavier than a 40-60 g/m2 jacket certainly, but I'll take the heavier jacket with tougher outer shell and more insulation and still be quite a bit of weight savings over a soft shell and lightweight puffy like the thermawrap. Just my experience after trying them out.

Which is why I like my Supercub jacket from Barney's of Alaska. Tough outer shell and 100 g/m2, and primaloft insulation is perfect for wet environments. Though most of the summer I'll be using the GoLite Bitterroot with down tek. I used the non-down tek version last year and I really like the insulated hood and how much insulation you get for the weight. It weighs only 3 oz more than the Kuiu Superdown but has 210% more down insulation in it (70 grams for the Kuiu and 150 for the GoLite Bitterroot) and still the Bitterroot is $50 less.

 

[Matt W.]

Luke,

From what I can read on the Supercub its seems a lot like the Uncompaghre from First Lite. What do you think?
I really like how the sleeves on the Uncompaghre taper to the wrist. Makes it easy to get on under a shell and is good for the shooting the bow.
How does the Supercub breath? I've been pretty surprised with the Uncompaghre's breath-ability.

How durable is the outer shell on the Bitterroot? Is it more like the Montbell?

 

[luke moffat]

The shell on the Bitterroot is more like the Montbell, but as a down jacket it'll usually be used in sitting situations glassing/hanging out or under my rain shell. Had the same shell on the 2012 model Bitterroot and it held up just fine when used in this fashion last year.

I honestly don't think of a puffy jacket of having "breathability" to be honest. I'm just looking for it to hold in heat. I've seen the FL puffy and it is comparable in weight, and the FL jacket does have an insulated hood which the supercub is lacking.

However, the supercub uses primaloft vs. the cocona or whatever it is. I've never used teh FL puffy, but for the price they were giving them away during their sale I don't think it'd be a bad option. The shell on the supercub is much tougher though and I used it to hike through the brush since 2010 with not a single hole wore through which is impressive to me atleast. Don't think you can gone with either the FL or the supercub, but if I had to do it again and buy either a supercub or a FL at the same $200 I'd go supercub again.

 

[BRobertson]

The shell on the Bitterroot is more like the Montbell, but as a down jacket it'll usually be used in sitting situations glassing/hanging out or under my rain shell. Had the same shell on the 2012 model Bitterroot and it held up just fine when used in this fashion last year.

I honestly don't think of a puffy jacket of having "breathability" to be honest. I'm just looking for it to hold in heat. I've seen the FL puffy and it is comparable in weight, and the FL jacket does have an insulated hood which the supercub is lacking.

However, the supercub uses primaloft vs. the cocona or whatever it is. I've never used teh FL puffy, but for the price they were giving them away during their sale I don't think it'd be a bad option. The shell on the supercub is much tougher though and I used it to hike through the brush since 2010 with not a single hole wore through which is impressive to me atleast. Don't think you can gone with either the FL or the supercub, but if I had to do it again and buy either a supercub or a FL at the same $200 I'd go supercub again.

Anything named "SUPERCUB" has to be good!!!

As you can tell, I have a soft spot for Supercubs!!

Bob

 

[wilkes]

Sreekers: Have you had a chance to review the Kratos yet? Any further opinions?

 

[tbone131]

The shell on the Bitterroot is more like the Montbell, but as a down jacket it'll usually be used in sitting situations glassing/hanging out or under my rain shell. Had the same shell on the 2012 model Bitterroot and it held up just fine when used in this fashion last year.

I honestly don't think of a puffy jacket of having "breathability" to be honest. I'm just looking for it to hold in heat. I've seen the FL puffy and it is comparable in weight, and the FL jacket does have an insulated hood which the supercub is lacking.

However, the supercub uses primaloft vs. the cocona or whatever it is. I've never used teh FL puffy, but for the price they were giving them away during their sale I don't think it'd be a bad option. The shell on the supercub is much tougher though and I used it to hike through the brush since 2010 with not a single hole wore through which is impressive to me atleast. Don't think you can gone with either the FL or the supercub, but if I had to do it again and buy either a supercub or a FL at the same $200 I'd go supercub again.

Supercub for sure! Best puffy I own!