Sitka Kelvin vs First Lite Uncompahgre Puffy

[oldillini]

I don't have any experience with either of these. Gear for sitting in a whitetail stand in Indiana is not the same for an elk hunt in CO's mid-October season. So maybe someone can help me compare these the Sitka Kelvin vs First Lite Uncompahgre Puffy. How do they stack up warmth wise? Is the Uncompahgre a heavier jacket? I plan to layer up with wool. I don't have access to a stocking distributor, at least not within 150 miles.

Thanks for any advice or comments.

 

[Kotaman]

I just did a little review of 17 different "Puffy" jackets over on Bowsite. These two are included. Here's a link.

http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=440152&messages=49&forum=2

Mods...SOrry if this is not allowed...Go ahead an delete if I broke any rules...

 

[good2eat]

No experience with the Sitka so I can't help there. The FL Puffy is very light but very warm, particularly with merino wool base and mid-layers.

 

[jherald]

The standard Kelvin is heavier throughout than the FL puffy.

Depending on what your preference on a hood is, the FL puffy has a very nice hood with a good 3 way cinch down system. The FL puffy has body mapped insulation, thicker in the over torso for core warmth, thinner in the arms. The hood is insulated over the top of your head and uninsulated over the sides of your ears to not restrict hearing as much. The FL puffy has a nice offset zipper to the side of your chin. An outside chest pocket and two hand pockets. Elastic draw cord waist.

The Kelvin has no hood, like mentioned the insulation thickness is the same throughout in the arms and the torso. The Kelvin is going to be a much warmer jacket overall except minus the hood. Has an inside chest pocket and two outer hand pockets. Elastic draw cord waist.

I believe the Kelvin is at about 23 ounces for a size medium. FL puffy is about 19 ounces for a medium. Both are wind/water resistant with a DWR. Both dry out relatively quickly. I noticed the Kelvin is a little more wind resistant with the thicker insulation, nearly totally wind proof. The FL puffy is pretty much wind resistant over the torso and hood, but the forearms have a more breathable type material and not really wind proof.

I regularly use both depending on the time of year and what I'm doing. I have a love hate feeling towards hoods since I nearly always have a beanie and dont always use a hood.

The FL Puffy was nice in the Brooks Range last year since I could cinch the hood up tight and keep mosquitos out of my face and off my head.

You can do some shopping around online and find deals on Sitka and maybe the occasional sale on FL.

 

[IaTrent]

What temps are you dealing with? If 30 and below the FL Sanctuary is the way to go.

 

[oldillini]

What temps are you dealing with? If 30 and below the FL Sanctuary is the way to go.

Whatever the temps can be in mid-October in NW CO.

 

[Ryan R]

Great write up Kotaman. I have the kelvin lite and just got the first lite puffy. I pack the kelvin lite on my mountain hunts. It is a warm and light jacket.

The first lite's materials are very nice and the jacket is warm. I'm not a fan of the off set zipper around the neck. When the hood is down and the jacket is zipped up, the zipper pushes into my throat. When the hood is on my head it's no problem. I'll combine the two jackets for late season.

OP - my FL puffy (size large) is 19 oz. and the kelvin is around 25 oz. (sitka website)

 

[NEhunter]

Great post jherald. My kelvin jacket is very warm.

 

[mauidiver]

Really good informative post! Thanks

 

[Where's Bruce?]

The Kuiu is loud, underfilled and left me with a chill in 45* weather during a still hunt. The longevity and effectiveness on Superdown is still an unknown. My Sitka Kelvin (synthetic) is so much warmer (might even say hot) and works even soaking wet. I tend to prefer to lean towards warmer pieces for midlayers but that's just me. I have no experience with the FL.

 

[Karlkortemeier]

I have the Sitka Kelvin jacket and vest. They are incredibly warm. I instantly feel the heat when I put them on. I rarely wear them while still hunting. They are to warm. When I am tree stand hunting they are a blessing. The material on the jacket is a bit on the noisy side. It would be perfect if it was brushed. My tree stand shots are close, less than 15 yds, so I have to be aware of what I might rub against while drawing my bow if I have it on. On all my hunts during cooler weather I pack the vest. It has been a real lifesaver, especially if I sit for a break or take a rest. Highly recommended.

I only have Sitka stuff, so I can't compare it to other brands. All the high end gear gets good reviews. You probably can't go wrong either way.

 

[cutup75]

I have the FL puffy, I've never had a warmer jacket. This is my go to jacket in any condition. I have a few other puffy jackets that pack smaller but if you need warmth this is it. I've had great customer service too with FL. I don't know about Sitka customer service, but FL takes care of their customers.

 

[gibby18]

I'm 2 months into a Kelvin Lite Vest and haven't taken it off. Packs small, wears well and is a great layer that doesn't overheat. If I were a stand hunter I may go a bit heavier and I'd say the fit is a bit bigger than the standard Sitka fit. I'd recommend to anybody and have already.

 

[jb79]

I have 2 FL puffies and love them one camo and one brown ...... Wear the brown one daily for everything from fishing to running around town, Light weight and supper warm!

 

[fastphin]

I just did a little review of 17 different "Puffy" jackets over on Bowsite. These two are included. Here's a link.

http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=440152&messages=49&forum=2

Mods...SOrry if this is not allowed...Go ahead an delete if I broke any rules...

Great write up, considering a layer for archery hunt in mtns of 10'. How does the FL pack in size compared to KUIU?

 

[GibsonKuenzi]

The Kuiu is loud, underfilled and left me with a chill in 45* weather during a still hunt. The longevity and effectiveness on Superdown is still an unknown. My Sitka Kelvin (synthetic) is so much warmer (might even say hot) and works even soaking wet. I tend to prefer to lean towards warmer pieces for midlayers but that's just me. I have no experience with the FL.

I believe this is talking about synthetic insulation jackets, not down. Comparing apples to oranges in a way. Unless I am mistaken and you are talking about the new Kenai jacket?

 

[castandblast]

I believe this is talking about synthetic insulation jackets, not down. Comparing apples to oranges in a way. Unless I am mistaken and you are talking about the new Kenai jacket?

You're not mistaken. He's answering questions nobody asked about both down and Kuiu. Still hunting in a noisy coat? Being chilled in 45 degrees while moving in ANY down garment?

The whole post baffles me.

 

[luke moffat]

You're not mistaken. He's answering questions nobody asked about both down and Kuiu. Still hunting in a noisy coat? Being chilled in 45 degrees while moving in ANY down garment?

The whole post baffles me.

You aren't the only one!!

 

[tipsntails7]

I just did a little review of 17 different "Puffy" jackets over on Bowsite. These two are included. Here's a link.

http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=440152&messages=49&forum=2

Mods...SOrry if this is not allowed...Go ahead an delete if I broke any rules...

Kota is one of my favorite guys around. Whenever I think about picking up a new piece of gear, I will see what he has to say cuz he probably has it. what's great is he is basically the exact same size as me so I get the right sizing as well.
That's a heck of a write up.

 

[tipsntails7]

Great write up, considering a layer for archery hunt in mtns of 10'. How does the FL pack in size compared to KUIU?

I can't speak to the Kuiu as I don't have one but here is the FL packed up. It still could be compressed more in a stuff sack I just never feel the need.




The FL is one of the best jackets I've ever owned.