Warmest Down mid layer

[Scottfogelson]

What company makes the warmest and quietest mid layer down or synthetic jacket. Need something for layer on late season whitetail

 

[dreamingbig]

Kuiu kenai or Sitka fanatic hoody/vest or Celsius are a few good options. First lite sanctuary as an outer layer.


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[Scottfogelson]

I have the KUIU kenia top and bottoms and 210 merino top and buttons but hunt in very cold conditions. I was thinking of getting the celious but didn't know how warm it was. I have the KUIU GUIDE JACKET as an outer shell

 

[5MilesBack]

For real cold weather I used to use an old Gerry down ski jacket. That thing was stuffed and thick and warm. And for whatever reason, I haven't been able to find it recently. Probably because I hate hunting in the cold and haven't needed it in years. But I have a late season (Dec) deer tag this year and have been looking for it.

I'd go to Goodwill or ARC or one of those places and try to find a down ski jacket.

 

[fngTony]

Gerry jackets are sold at Dick's sporting goods. They are not how 5miles remembers them any more. Nice hard shell with light removable insulation layer. Also found on Amazon. Haven't seen any over a 650 fill and not much fill either.

 

[Yooper]

If it doesn't need to be camo, the newer Patagonia Nano Air jackets have been great for me. The nylon shell on their older puffys were too loud, but the shell on the Nano Air is much softer. I wouldn't want to wear it as an outer as the material would be shredded in no time, but as an insulating layer I've been very happy. Steep and Cheap has them on sale right now.

 

[5MilesBack]

Gerry jackets are sold at Dick's sporting goods. They are not how 5miles remembers them any more. Nice hard shell with light removable insulation layer. Also found on Amazon. Haven't seen any over a 650 fill and not much fill either.

I don't doubt that. My old jacket I could have filled two quilts with the amount of quality down it had in it. Everything has seemed to deteriorate in quality and value these days.

 

[TubbsTru]

The Kuiu Kenai is pretty quiet for an insulating layer. I didn't find it incredibly warm, but I'm in central Wisconsin and hunt all the way through late season and so need some serious warmth.

I've had great success with the Montbell Alpine Light Down Jacket. It has kept me warm on all day sits in freezing temps. It has quality down (800 power fill) and is windproof. Under an outer layer it is a great piece. It also has sort of a micro-fleece lined collar, so that really helps with noise. But, I've never had a problem on the noise side of things when layering it under a quiet outer layer. Finally, for a down jacket, it is quite reasonably priced.

Finally, if you have the money, take a look at Feathered Friends down products. Superb quality.

 

[davescarp]

i'm in the same boat, want a down mid layer for warmth on colder days (<25F or so?). problem is the manufacturers rarely list the wiegh t of down fill so it's kind of hard to compare garments at various price points and weights.

 

[JollyRoger]

If it's truly going to be a midlayer, or you dont care about camo, look into mountaineering brands. They've been doing this forever. I've got a MontBell down jacket that is extremely warm, too warm to wear while active except for the coldest of temps. It's like wearing a sleeping bag.

 

[Richard295]

i'm in the same boat, want a down mid layer for warmth on colder days (<25F or so?). problem is the manufacturers rarely list the wiegh t of down fill so it's kind of hard to compare garments at various price points and weights.

Assuming you are glassing (1.5 MET) rather than doing camp chores (1.75 MET) you will need slightly more insulation between your base layer and camo windshell/rainshell. You will need on average about 5.3 oz of 800 fill (size M) to achieve this. The light weight value leader at this temperature range is the Montbell Mirage Parka at 12.8 oz. and $319.

To address the earlier request for the optimal garment for 15F while glassing, you would need ~7.85 oz of 800 fill. This could by layering a Montbell light down vest 2.8 oz of 800 fill under a Montbell Mirage or using a Montbell Permafrost under your shell (-1F for a wide safety margin).

Feathered Friends was mentioned as another brand to consider; their Helios has 7.80 oz. of 800 fill and would be an ideal -15F glassing garment.

Most other vendor's Customer Service department will give you the fill type and amount for a size M if you ask.

 

[fngTony]

Seems to be getting hard to find a stand alone cold weather coat. They are expensive when you do. Like someone else said layering insulation layers maybe the trick, and give you more options. I currently have three, a down vest, breathable teton puffy, a hooded synthetic that is noisy but very wind and water resistant. I can layer all three comfortably and mix them for the conditions. Paid $250 for all of them (all on sale) .