Puffys-Necessary or Not?

[Where's Bruce?]

I am contemplating a light down packable jacket and possibly pants for unexpected storms or hypothermia caused by wet conditions (like snow or a dunking in water). How many of you pack these on multiday trips? Are there any you would recommend? The only down in my pack right now is a Sitka Kelvin vest. Everything else is synthetic. My camos, sleeping bag & insulation for my hammock. Whether you pack a puffy or not, please post. I wanna see the issue from both sides. Many thanks.

 

[realunlucky]

Puffys give you the best warmth for lest weight and pack up small. Guess it depends on how far your carrying your stuff. I bought the first light its awesome piece of gear

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Puffys give you the best warmth for lest weight and pack up small. Guess it depends on how far your carrying your stuff. I bought the first light its awesome piece of gear

Well you're in one of the states I would primarily use it in so thanks.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

It's a must have piece of equipment IMO for the reasons you mentioned.

 

[rodney482]

I will not go on a trip without mine.

For instance, I just got back from AZ. I saw that temps were suppose to be in the 40's in the AM.

I packed my spindirft and thank goodness I did. It was very chilly while sitting on top of a mountain glassing.

My buddy just about froze to death.

It weighs almost nothing, packs tiny and works better than advertised

 

[Browtine]

I always pack mine. Either synthetic or down based on how wet/dry the forecast looks. Down is a MB Alpine Light parka and synthetic is a FL puffy.

 

[Screamrider]

I won't go in the woods without a puffy jacket stashed in my pack. Pants I leave behind, unless full winter conditions.

 

[Beastmode]

I never have in the past because I didn't feel it was a nesscitty. After looking at the weight and layers I would be saving and even not having to bring a pillow I am all for getting a jacket atleast this year.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

So what's the best rated, lightest and most compressible puffy? Doesn't need to be camo as I will have a shell layer over it.

 

[Obi-wanshinobi]

I would check out Go-Lite puffys. I use a Marmot Zeus but I'm looking for something lighter and might pull the trigger on a KUIU SD.

 

[ckleeves]

You sure your Kelvin vest is down?

 

[Where's Bruce?]

You sure your Kelvin vest is down?

Nope. It's PrimaLoft, my bad.

 

[Beastmode]

Reekers is doing a review on them and should be out soon.

 

[ckleeves]

No worries I thought maybe you had a special one lol. I have quite a few puffy jackets and don't really think there is one that stands out over the others. They all do the same thing, some are just lighter, some more durable, some warmer, some more compact you just need to find the one that fits your needs best.

 

[tipsntails7]

No worries I thought maybe you had a special one lol. I have quite a few puffy jackets and don't really think there is one that stands out over the others. They all do the same thing, some are just lighter, some more durable, some warmer, some more compact you just need to find the one that fits your needs best.

This is extremely good advice.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

This is extremely good advice.

Likely to be used inside my hammock at night...lightest woul be???

 

[ckleeves]

I have no idea what the absolute lightest puffy made is. You talking a difference of a few ounces between most comparable jackets. The difference between a Patagonia ultra light down hoody and a good old hooded Nano puff is like 4 ounces.

 

[tipsntails7]

Likely to be used inside my hammock at night...lightest woul be???

How much warmth are you lookin for? Are you a hot sleeper there for put out a lot of moisture? Are you worried about down clumping because of body sweat and vapors. First choose weather you want down or syn, then figure out how much durability your willing to really sacrifice. There is a ton of mountaineering puffies out there that are crazy light ghost whisper by mountain hardwear is 8 oz.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Montbell Plasma 1000 down is the lightest I'm aware of at something like 4.8oz.

 

[Browtine]

Likely to be used inside my hammock at night...lightest woul be???

Look at MB, Pata, MH, Rab, Golite, ID, Arcteryx in the non hunting world. They all make good stuff and have lightweight options, but sometimes a challenge to find earth tones.

I think Kuiu is the only hunting company that makes a truly lightweight puffy.

I currently run a MB Thermawrap synthetic for milder hunts (8ozs), a MB Alpine Light down parka for when it's cold (14oz), but just added a FL Uncompahgre as well which I like a lot, but it's heavier at around 19ozs.