Puffy with hood or without?

[kickemall]

Looking to get a puffy jacket and leaning towards no hood but would like to hear from others if you like a hood or not?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[HJ Handy]

I've never had a hood on a puffy jacket. I always have carried a beanie for extra warmth if I need it.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I vote no hood. A Bernie you can take off and not be constricted where as a good is always there, in the way, and not easy to take off. I hate hoods for that reason. One of my under layers does however have a hood. That makes for an easy transition to cold to hot weather.

 

[armyjoe]

I've never had a hood on a puffy jacket. I always have carried a beanie for extra warmth if I need it.

X2 this is what I've always done and never once felt like, jeez I wish I had a hood right now

 

[Brock A]

I decided to go with the hood (KUIU superdown). Last year my insulating layer did not have a hood. This year I decided to try it. I hate being cold so when I am glassing on a chilly morning I like to cover up as much as possible. So far I like it. I feel like I may be in the minority on this one though.

 

[Vol375]

I agree on getting the hood. When I wear a puffy it's because its cold, and I like the added warmth if needed.

 

[Nick Muche]

I love the hood on my Superdown.

 

[MattB]

I love the hood on my Superdown.

Given the purpose of a puffy jacket is heat retention and I have read you lose ~70% of heat from your head and neck, I wouldn't own a puffy that doesn't have a hood.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I've used both and after getting and using the FL puffy with a hood this year I doubt I'll have one without it ever again. It's warm and in really cold weather being able to zip up to near full containment around your neck, up to your chin + head is definitely a factor in keeping myself warm. Plus is pretty compressible so I'm no worried about it bulging up under a rain layer or anything like that.

Mike

 

[crazy_davey]

Would never own one without a hood.

 

[AZ Ron]

When it is very cold out I'm very glad to have the hood on my down jacket. Weight is negligible and it hasn't gotten in the way yet.

Ron

 

[robby denning]

I've only put 3 days on my First Lite puffy and two of the three, was very glad I had the hood. Hood is so light, hardly notice it when not in use.

 

[CrzyTrekker]

I have several puffys (Kuiu, Patagonia) and my favorite is a Nano Puff Hoody. Great when the wind picks up and temperature drops.

 

[Wrongside]

Would never own one without a hood.

X2

A hood is light warmth.

 

[KMT]

Bought a hoody last year and will never buy another one without a hood again.

 

[unm1136]

www.jacksrbetter.com has a down hood that weighs 2 oz and uses omni tape (sort of a softer velcro, where the hooks and loops are in both strips) to attach to a jacket or vest. This is a hood that includes a kit to retrofit anything you have. I will be getting one of these, and a quilt, and the sleeves, and whatever puffy layer I get, whether it has a hood or not will benefit from this stuff.

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/down-hood/

pat

 

[gelton]

All depends on the outer layer. If it has a hood then no for the puffy if it doesn't then you do need a hood on the puffy.

 

[luke moffat]

I'm firmly in the puffy w/a hood camp. Especially after putting on the GoLite Bitterroot last night as the Mercury started dropping. Certainly not a wet environment jacket like something with primaloft fill, but its warmer that my 20 oz primaloft Integral Designs jacket while weigh in at 40% less and it comes with a puffy hood....hard to go wrong there for $150!

 

[thru-hunter]

I prefer da hood

 

[mtnkid85]

Again, I vote hood. I view a hood as a cheap, light way to add noticeable amounts of warmth to my kit.

I own a Feathered Friends Hyperion as well as the hooded Helios... Have not warn the Hyperion since getting the Helios.