S2H Winter Rifle Course Observations/lessons

[Antares]

This is the response I received from them a few weeks ago. "Buy an MDT chassis and use AICS mags..." Pass.

 

[Formidilosus]

Many climbing/mountaineering companies make jackets that meet these thresholds. Some quick places to look would be Rab, Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering all make parkas with fill weight from 12-20oz. Occassionally color is a bit less than desirable compared to camo but both FF and Rab frequently make coats in black.

A buddy has a Patagonia Grade VII down jacket that I'm envious of every time he puts it on. It's a damn shame that was discontinued. And also not a lot cheaper.

Most are belt length (too short), and or are heavy.

I haven’t looked in a couple of years, but what jacket has 12+ oz of fill, falls to upper thigh, and doesn’t weigh 30+ ounces?

 

[JohnB]

Most are belt length (too short), and or are heavy.

I haven’t looked in a couple of years, but what jacket has 12+ oz of fill, falls to upper thigh, and doesn’t weigh 30+ ounces?

Ah, makes sense. Those are some tough criteria and I'm not sure that any of the jackets I was thinking of would meet them. I'll be curious to hear what is in the works. I've been real happy with my FL Chamberlin this winter for cougar calling around 10 degrees and bc skiing in the -10 to 0 range but down jacketitis can strike at the damned times.

 

[wind gypsy]

I almost got one of these a handful of years back but settled for a FL Chamberlin on sale.

Ion Parka – Western Mountaineering

www.westernmountaineering.com

If 8 oz of 850+ fill plus gore windstopper isn't enough.. they make this too

Snøjack Parka GWS – Western Mountaineering

www.westernmountaineering.com

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I almost got one of these a handful of years back but settled for a FL Chamberlin on sale.

Ion Parka – Western Mountaineering

www.westernmountaineering.com

If 8 oz of 850+ fill plus gore windstopper isn't enough.. they make this too

Snøjack Parka GWS – Western Mountaineering

www.westernmountaineering.com

I’ve owned the snojack. It’s typical mountaneering fit where it’s super short in the torso and back (by design).

For that price you’re at Nunatak custom territory who uses the best available untreated down and whatever face fabric you want. Plus tailored to your dimensions and can be made long in the seat, etc.

 

[wind gypsy]

I’ve owned the snojack. It’s typical mountaneering fit where it’s super short in the torso and back (by design).

For that price you’re at Nunatak custom territory who uses the best available untreated down and whatever face fabric you want. Plus tailored to your dimensions and can be made long in the seat, etc.

Ion looks like a longer option. I'm a fan of Nunatak, have custom apex puffy jacket, pants, and sleeping bag from them. I didn't think Jan made anything with windstopper though.

On something that warm, the extra creature comfort features (pockets) are nice too which the WM doesn't seem to have either.

 

[TOLeary]

Most are belt length (too short), and or are heavy.

I haven’t looked in a couple of years, but what jacket has 12+ oz of fill, falls to upper thigh, and doesn’t weigh 30+ ounces?

You’re most likely looking at a custom Timmermade or Nunatak if they’re open to it. Atleast what you could get now. And fully made to your specs

 

[coloradoan]

If I sent this thread (and the comments on down vs synthetic) to Jerry Wigutow he'd have an aneurysm.

 

[Marbles]

Most are belt length (too short), and or are heavy.

I haven’t looked in a couple of years, but what jacket has 12+ oz of fill, falls to upper thigh, and doesn’t weigh 30+ ounces?

What quality down? My Rab Position Pro only has 10.6 ounces of fill is warm enough it has yet to make it into my pack on an overnight. I have used in for multi hour range trips at -20 when I spent most of my time prone. Total weight is 26-27 ounces. It is long.

It would go over a Rab Electron Pro if in conditions that justified a parka in the field. The two are a more flexible system than a single parka and outside of high altitude I doubt more would be needed. If you need more, the face fabric strength of heavy high mountain parkas is also a good idea. Something like the Rab Expedition 8000. After all, the colder it is, the more dangerous a rip and shedding insulation becomes.

Plenty of the Rabs are cut to cover the hips and butt. As are down mountaineering parkas, something that only comes to the belt is a jacket.

 

[9.3koolaid]

If I sent this thread (and the comments on down vs synthetic) to Jerry Wigutow he'd have an aneurysm.

That's his default state in my experience

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

My Nunatak jacket that I bought off the classifieds is either 850 or 900 fill down and weighs 12 oz total weight, including overfill.
It could be a bit longer in the front, but the back drops down a nice amount.
It’s really warm.

 

[DangerRanger]

Thank you, putting in for a late season tag this year and prepping for cold. A bit overwhelming at first but sure I will get a lot out of it as I parse through.

These are extremely valuable for the community

 

[HighUintas]

What quality down? My Rab Position Pro only has 10.6 ounces of fill is warm enough it has yet to make it into my pack on an overnight. I have used in for multi hour range trips at -20 when I spent most of my time prone. Total weight is 26-27 ounces. It is long.

It would go over a Rab Electron Pro if in conditions that justified a parka in the field. The two are a more flexible system than a single parka and outside of high altitude I doubt more would be needed. If you need more, the face fabric strength of heavy high mountain parkas is also a good idea. Something like the Rab Expedition 8000. After all, the colder it is, the more dangerous a rip and shedding insulation becomes.

Plenty of the Rabs are cut to cover the hips and butt. As are down mountaineering parkas, something that only comes to the belt is a jacket.

I had looked at that one before, but I have an electron and it fits me so snuggly that it's sort of turned me off from trying another one. I got it in a size too small.

Are the sleeve cuffs on the positron stupidly tight?

 

[Okie_Poke]

Oh yes, you need more than the Grummans. Right now I am using two Grummans. However that is a compromised answer as no matter large you get the top pair, it does weigh on and compress the bottom pair. Same as above- Goosefeet Gear.

What temperature range would you say a set of Grummans are good for as a static insulation layer?

 

[Marbles]

I had looked at that one before, but I have an electron and it fits me so snuggly that it's sort of turned me off from trying another one. I got it in a size too small.

Are the sleeve cuffs on the positron stupidly tight?

No, the cuffs have a Velcro adjustment. I sized mine up to fit over a base layer, a mid layer, and my standard puffy layer. It is something to put on when sitting still and take off before starting to move for me.