Questions for you vest guys

[snowplow]

I think l want to add a vest to my layering system. I find l'm stuck at the place where l'm wearing too many fleece layers but not ready for a coat. I think a vest would be great. This would be a day hunt setup not ounce counting back country stuff.

So.. what vests do you guys like?

I have the kuiu Chinook jacket and love it so am considering the vest. Or a super down maybe. Are there any other great ones l'm missing?

My perfect vest would be down, would bead water off for a while, and would not be too fragile or loud.

What do ya think?

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[pilgrim7]

I wear a Melanzana Hardface vest pretty often. Its not hunting specific but I find I bring it along on pretty much any high output outdoor activity.

 

[Chris Upchurch]

I’m probably about to pull the trigger on a Sitka Kelvin Lite vest. Lots of folks seem to really like it.

 

[jolemons]

Id go down for warmth and compression when it's stored. I wear mine often. I use softshell for truck hunts, mostly to help cover up a down jacket to give it some protection.

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[Ace12]

Look into the kuiu peleton 240

 

[snowplow]

Look into the kuiu peleton 240

Good call that's my go to. I'm in it 100% of the time. I also have the 200 (pretty sure) that is their heaviest fleece. I run cold and the 200 and 240 is fine together temp wise when it's cold but l just don't like how it feels. Too thick, too much fleece.

So l put my 240 and Chinook on and it's good sometimes but usually too warm. Def too warm with rain jacket.

The Chinook with just a light shirt under works but doesn't have the layerability that l like. I'm a little too warm or a little too cold.

So l was thinking vest. Or maybe the guide jacket soft shell. I really like the idea of a soft shell but have been let down by them in the past so l'm really hesitant.

My gut says the Chinook vest would be great.

On a side note- l love my 240 so much that l am considering having full zip vents (like on the pants) sewn in from the elbow up and around the armpit and down by the pocket. Or to have the sleeves zip off for a vest. I think that would make it perfect. Because it's kinda a light duty softshell anyway. Any thoughts?

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[realunlucky]

I wear the SKRE Hardscrabble vest on almost every hunt. It's a soft shell fabric that blocks the wind moderately well but still can breathe when working hard. Plenty of similar options out there. Some people complain that they don't find much soft shell vests very warm.
If you want a ton of warmth you'll need to go with down or a synthetic version of it. Typically these have a bit louder outer shell fabric.

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[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I have had great success with my Kryptek Vidar vest. Kind of like their Cadog jacket minus the sleeves.

You can consider wearing the down vest under your 240. You'll still be warm but the 240 will offer some additional protection.

 

[stump06]

I have the guide vest and wear it a ton. I love it because I can carry it in my pack and put it on when the temps drop. It keeps everything tight so it doesn't interfere while I'm bowhunting. I also love the pockets and the fact that it cuts the wind really well.

 

[Anello]

I went with all Kuiu stuff many years ago as it is the only stuff that fits me properly, and because I had a really neat personal experience with Jason and his team when the company first started (RIP). Quickly -- my wife bought me a Kuiu jacket in a camo pattern that they do not offer anymore as a surprise birthday gift. I was living in Oklahoma at the time for work, and she was in the Bay Area where she worked and we were traveling back and forth. I was arriving on my birthday, and she wanted to have the jacket for me at the airport. The order was not delivered in time, and she called. They offered to drive it to the airport and meet her. She was so moved by that gesture, that she decided to have them send her a pic of the jacket and she put it in a card for me. I got it the next morning as they had it overnighted. This doesn't answer your question, but some context for my loyalty was needed.

A friend of mine recently asked what piece of clothing I wear most when I am hunting, other than the base layers, and it occurred to me that my guide vest is likely my most valued piece fo clothing. That, and a base layer and I can get going in a variety of weather conditions. I also have a Super Down vest. That, too, is with me one every hunt. I get cold, fast, being a So-Cal p-ssy in the cold weather, so I need to have my core warm. My vests really help. While jackets and rain gear are also necessary, I would argue that a good vest and base layer system will see a ton more use than anything else.

 

[OMB]

I usually have a Patagonia Nanopuff with my gear to wear over my mid-layer solely because I have a few of them at this point and they work. Now that I'm not buying anymore Patagonia though I'd look at something similar like a Kuiu Kenai.

 

[snowplow]

Awesome guys. I just saw my buddy had a kuiu guide vest. It was way thinner than l expected. Am l correct in assuming they must not be nowhere near as warm as the down or sun vests?

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[rclouse79]

I bought an 800 fill Sierra Designs vest before last season. It is nice and toasty, and I think it was only $60 when I got it. Up to $74 now.

 

[Rommy]

I have a kelvin lite and uncompahgre vest. I like them both as extra warmth on the move or under a puffy when stationary. I prefer the kelvin lite over the FL though.

If I could do it over again I’d probably get the jetstream vest for wind protection (heavier and less warm though) and id probably get a down vest. I heard FL is coming out with a brooks down vest.

Synthetic insulation loses loft when you compress it and if I’m wearing the kelvin lite or uncompahgre with a pack on my back it’s going to lose considerable loft over time.


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[Napperm4]

If you want a vest for on the move - peloton 240 is a great piece and is relatively warm for weight because of the wind stopper. One of my favourite combinations is the p240 vest under the strongfleece 260.

If you want a lot more warmth for while you’re hiking, go with the Kenai vest. It’s breathable and nearly as hot when on the move as the super down line. Down side is that it’s also breathable when you stop so it doesn’t retain heat like the down.

Get a synthetic and carry a shell for active insulation.

Get the super down ultra if you’re just wanting to throw it under a layer when you’re stopped or around camp

 

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[Jimss]

A vest is almost always in my pack no matter what time of year. It's always nice having arms free of sleeves....especially for bowhunting. I got a Sitka Fanatic vest last year and really like it. Most of the vests mentioned above are somewhat noisy. My preference is super quiet cloth material for brush when used as an outer. As an inner layer it is warm. I also like the large hand-warmer pockets and front pouch. It's a little more bulky than others but I'd rather have quiet, rugged outer material.

 

[68Plexi]

I’m going to echo the synthetic vest option. Down is awesome, unless it’s compressed under a pack or you’re moving because they don’t breathe well. Find a primaloft vest and pack it.

I have a soft shell vest and a primaloft (Simms actually) vest and the primaloft is hands down warmer. Also, if it gets wet it dries quickly. The guide vest and other soft shell type vests tend to block wind decently but don’t add enough warmth to weight imho.


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[Swamppirate]

I have a Badlands Rise vest. Very warm for a standalone or layering for really cold days.

 

[katdaddy2013]

Another vote for Peloton 240 vest while layering.
At times I also wear an orange puffy vest that my wife bought me at Beall's, on sale for $20. But it's kinda noisy.