Puffys-Necessary or Not?

[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.

 

[Nick Muche]

Lighter than a soft shell and more effective than one in terms of warmth.

 

[InDeep]

I switched to one this year , It came after my early season so I mainly hunted with it in non pack in style hunts . But I love it will lighten my pack by almost 10 oz.

 

[KMT]

I bring a puffy even if I'm just going on a day trip. It's light, packs down small, and it's warm. I like the security of having it just in case I spend the night in the woods unexpectedly.

I have a MH compressor (synthetic) and an Eddie Bauer (down). I use them interchangeably. I really don't think brand matters much once you get beyond the $13 Walmart jacket.

 

[ElkhuntrMT]

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.

Kuiu's Super down and Super down Zip T are 9 oz and 7 oz per Kuiu's website. Compared to the Sitka kelvin light at 14 oz, Kryptek's Kratos Jacket at 19.5 oz and Core 4 Elements Elevation Jacket just over 16 oz if your looking for strictly hunting puffy. I personally have the Kelvin light jacket and take it with me all the time no question. Super warm and compact and a great pillow!

 

[Brandon Pattison]

When Reekers does post his review can someone post a link to this thread?

 

[AK Troutbum]

I don't leave home without the puffys. I currently only own one pair of puffy pants (MH Compressors), but I have 1 MH hooded Compressor, 1 MH down, 1 Kuiu hooded super down, and 2 Kuiu Spindrift jackets. When I say, I don't leave home without them, I literally mean that. I'm either wearing one, one is always in the truck year around, and I always take both pants and jacket on my hunts.

All my puffy jackets are size large with the lightest being the Kuiu super down at (I think, slips my memory) 10 oz, then the Kuiu Spindrift is 14 oz, MH down is 15 oz, and MH Compressor is 17.5 oz. These are the exact wts. I get on my scale.

 

[amp713]

Ive never had them but with all the talk i think ill keep my eye on camofire, backcountry.com, or steep and cheap for one to try......

 

[gelton]

If you don't have or have never used one then they definitely aren't necessary. Only because you don't know what you are missing though. Once you have had one and used it for hunting then they are absolutely necessary...funny thing is I had a puffy long before I ever used it for hunting. Now I wont go out without it.

 

[amp713]

http://www.backcountry.com/burton-d...ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6UHVmZnk6MToyODpQdWZmeQ

http://www.backcountry.com/backcoun...ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6UHVmZnk6MToyNjpQdWZmeQ

http://www.backcountry.com/quiksilv...VsdHM6UHVmZnk6MTo4OlB1ZmZ5&skid=QKS99P0-TOM-L

So im not buying one just yet but are these going to do just as much good as most? I mean they are just super packable waterproof warm coats right?? Idk alot about these yet so im just trying to find out more

 

[amp713]

First one is even a camo patern....

 

[brunse]

Absolutely. Mine folds into a pouch inside pocket and make the perfect pillow. It a blue marmot down 800 fill. Probably a Zues model??

 

[AK Troutbum]

Just weighed my KUIU treated down, a tad shy of 11 oz. and size XL.

 

[Mike7]

You can get some cheap mid-weight down coats (like last year's model of Marmot Zeus down jackets, etc.) on some of the sites like Backcountry.com. I generally avoid using my down coat unless I will just be out for 1-2 days at most or if it is after Dec 1 and I'm reasonably sure it will not be raining (because it gets really wet and humid here at times).

Or if you would rather have synthetic, there are similar deals to be found. I really like my Patagonia Micropuff for colder and potentially wet weather. For early season wet weather the Marmot Baffin is pretty light and warm and can be found cheap like this one ( http://www.altrec.com/marmot/mens-baffin-jacket/ ) . Also, on sale right now at Cabelas is the Camo Insulated Passage Vest in Primaloft One. That could be added to a Marmot Baffin to get you comfortable in some pretty cold weather, but also each could be used separately as needed for somewhat warmer early season conditions.

 

[kickemall]

My first choicein non hunting is Montbell thermawrap synthetic with hood then Patagonia micropuff. Both are light and both are warm. Watch sales and closeouts and you can pick them up cheap, especially odd colors.

 

[squirrelduster]

I have a MB that I bought several years ago. I think it weighs 14oz. Awesome coat, it's always in my pack. The weight is nothing and when the fog rolls in in summer during deer season it can get really cold quickly.

 

[MTbowhunter36]

I have a Mountain Hardwear jacket that I keep in my pack, even during September archery elk season. It is lightweight so is worn in early morning, but also doubles as my pillow at night. Used to have a merino jacket, but glad I switched to the puffy jacket due to the weight and space savings in my pack.

 

[russ_outdoors]

Like others, I never leave without a puffy. Makes a great pillow, extends a sleeping bag's temperature range, keeps me warm when glassing early/late and provides a safety factor when conditions aren't quite as planned. A few other brands not mentioned include Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends. My current favs are the WM Flash Jacket (down) and Kuiu Spindrift (synthetic).

Outdoorgearlab.com has some great reviews and comparisons of different jackets.

 

[amp713]

I think for all the pros ill get one! I can ditch the rain jacket i pack plus the extra layer i have in case temps drop. That more than makes up for the price plus i can use it as a pillow..... Does everyone usually go a size up from normal?? Or are they sized to fit over your usual layers?

 

[luke moffat]

Don't ditch the rain jacket....base layer, puffy layer, rain layer...all ya need.