Vest options

[husky390]

I'm new to vests and this is my first year giving them an honest try. I've been using a Cabela's cheap-o fleece vest and while it worked great in the early season, it's not working out so well in the later season. I've been looking at the Kryptek Vidar Scout vest but are there better options? I'm looking for something quiet so a puffy Marty McFly vest is out. Any suggestions?

 

[Elc1973]

I have the kryptek puffy vest (forgot the name) but it's warm and actually pretty quiet. It's also very light weight and packs up nice. Got it on sale so thought I would try it. So far very impressed. I wear it every day.

 

[Fred@Exterra]

I have a Sitka vest, not sure the name. It has a quiet outer shell and a Berber fleece like lining. I have worn it nearly everyday of hunting for the last 7 years. I would not leave home without it.

 

[209hunter]

Im in the same boat. Im thinking about trying the first lite uncomphadre vest but im not sure about the noise. Kuiu offers a few vest as well

 

[Qfrog]

Cabelas wind shear vest is great!

 

[KMT]

why does it not work later in the season?

For me, if it's cold enough for a vest, it's cold enough for a jacket. Thus, I don't have any use for a vest. I usually hunt out of a backpack. If I'm going to carry something around, it has to be useful most of the time, not just in very limited circumstances. In my case, the jacket wins.

 

[husky390]

why does it not work later in the season?

For me, if it's cold enough for a vest, it's cold enough for a jacket. Thus, I don't have any use for a vest. I usually hunt out of a backpack. If I'm going to carry something around, it has to be useful most of the time, not just in very limited circumstances. In my case, the jacket wins.

Because it's a very lightweight fleece vest, the one that's always on sale at Cabela's. I bought it to give vests an honest try without tying up a ridiculous amount of money for a jacket missing its sleeves. If I hated it, I'd only be out $25.

I used to think the same thing about vests and actually used to joke about how my core would be warm but my arms are freezing, but this year, that hasn't been the case. I backpack hunt as well and will set up a spike camp to day hunt out of. This year, I've taken my puffy with me on every trip but it's stayed in camp except for one morning when temps dropped to the low 20's. I think puffy jackets are great for camp at night and sitting a spot in the morning but they are noisy, and I'd be peeling it off in no time on the first hike up a slope. I don't see a need for a soft shell since I have a rain jacket (noisy too) and since I wear a merino base layer and a long sleeve shirt, the vest works very well for keeping me warm but allowing me to move through the woods without overheating. I cannot do that with a jacket. Temps this year in CO were rather warm and on only one occasion did I need to wear a puffy. But that brings out another problem which is the string of my bow will hit the sleeve of my puffy. Which is why I'm looking at getting a backpackable heavier vest to try.

 

[husky390]

Im in the same boat. Im thinking about trying the first lite uncomphadre vest but im not sure about the noise. Kuiu offers a few vest as well

I have the FL Uncompaghre Puffy jacket and it is noisy. Unless they changed the fabric of the vest, I'd expect it to be noisy too.

 

[johnnylaw]

I 2nd the sitka vest, one of my favorite pieces of gear whether im whitail hunting from a tree or up in the highcountry glassing.

 

[venado_hunter]

Which sitka vest do you all use?

 

[KMT]

I hunt and live in Colorado. I would die of heat stroke if I had to climb with a puffy. I'm fortunate in that with no wind, I can hike up or downhill with just a smartwool long sleeve shirt and a long sleeve shirt over it. Add the back pack, and I stay surprisingly warm in temps down to 15 degrees. It just depends on the amount of work. But that's when moving. For me, sitting still in temps below 45 is uncomfortablely cold without a puffy, though. That's why a vest does not work for me. I use either a blue down Eddie Bauer puffy or a gray arcteryx puffy. I have shot elk wearing both of them during archery season.

I bought a vest 5-6 years ago. Tried to use it one season, but it just didnt seem fill any void for me. But I know that people love them.

 

[husky390]

KMT, is your arcteryx puffy quiet? How bulky is it? I'm shooting a Full Throttle and the cables can easily smack a sleeve.

 

[KMT]

I have the arcteryx Atom LT Hoody. Seems quiet to me, but it's not a brushed cloth. It's tight fitting, even in the sleeves. Try to find one at REI or backcountry. Both have a great return policy.

 

[husky390]

Thanks.

 

[JP100]

I have used the Kuiu guide vest for 4 season guidng(2 in NZ and 2 in North BC) and am pleased with it.
I used to think vest were of no use aswell but once I started using mine I found it to be one the most important pieces of kit.
I just tried on one of the Sitka(it had a windblocker label on it,not sure of the model) vest yesterday and the Kuiu one seems to thicker/warmer. Kuiu one is not super warm but is warm enough for most 'active' hunting, it is windproof outer layer with a light fleece type lining.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

The Kelvin vest is almost too warm but your best friend when sitting in wind glassing on a cold day. No shivering.

 

[venado_hunter]

I have the kelvin, but was thinking a stratus or jetstream (if they make one would be nice.

 

[fort fireman]

I have the kryptek vidar vest. I love it but to be fair I have only worn it one morning before daylight in a tree stand and it wasn't really cold. It was more I just got it and I wanted to try it. It felt like it will work well as the temp drops as a layer under my jacket.

 

[husky390]

I have the kryptek vidar vest. I love it but to be fair I have only worn it one morning before daylight in a tree stand and it wasn't really cold. It was more I just got it and I wanted to try it. It felt like it will work well as the temp drops as a layer under my jacket.

How's the "fit" of the vest? Athletic smedium or First Lite sizing?

 

[fort fireman]

How's the "fit" of the vest? Athletic smedium or First Lite sizing?

I really don't know. I'm new to the "technical" type clothing. I'm 6' 2" about 220 and have the XL if that helps at all.