What jacket to bring early season high country

[scarboy11]

Ok guys, early season archery mule deer hunt at 12,500-13,500 I'm running kuiu gear. Can I get away with just my dcs guide jacket? Will it hold up to the thunder storms? Or should I bring my rain gear? I purchased the jacket late in the spring havnt got to really test it yet. Comments and suggestions welcome!!

 

[7mag.]

I know most don't, but I always bring my rain gear. I prefer a puffy under a rain jacket for back pack hunts.

 

[bowinhand]

I'd bring the rain jacket and a puffy jacket/vest.

 

[Elkmasterwyo]

Good advice here, I like my Sitka Kelvin under my dew point or downpour jacket

 

[LJ Buck]

Bring Rain Gear

 

[Kotaman]

Since I went to the KUIU Yukon, my Guide jacket sees very little time in the mountains. Yukon is best of both worlds IMO. If buying the Yukon is not an option, I'd opt for Rain gear and a puffy. As much as I like my Guide Jacket, I just don't see the need to be hauling around a softshell.

 

[Browtine]

Another vote for Chugach and a puffy.

 

[scarboy11]

For sure guys thanks for all the talk! I always have my rain gear but want to hit ultra light was just debating what one to leave behind.

 

[dotman]

Rain jacket and puffy here.

 

[ckleeves]

What are you rain jacket/ puffy guys hiking and hunting in when it's to cold for just base layers? You won't change my mind on soft shells ( love them) I'm just curious.

 

[dotman]

What are you rain jacket/ puffy guys hiking and hunting in when it's to cold for just base layers? You won't change my mind on soft shells ( love them) I'm just curious.

Base layer and fleece. Not an old school heavy one but I have the Kryptek Sherpa and Cerdic 2. Will keep running the Sherpa till it fails which probably isn't anytime soon. But I guess I could wear my puffy if I'm still cold but that seems to only happen when I'm not moving.

 

[ckleeves]

I see so your not just carrying a rain jacket and puffy.

 

[dotman]

I see so your not just carrying a rain jacket and puffy.

I always take base layers and a mid, he only asked about jackets, not entire clothing system

 

[7mag.]

What are you rain jacket/ puffy guys hiking and hunting in when it's to cold for just base layers? You won't change my mind on soft shells ( love them) I'm just curious.

I don't usually backpack in when it's that cold. If I do, I'll use the Kryptek Borealis. For day hunts, I love my Guide Jacket. In late October or November, and I have a long walk before daylight, if it's mid teens to mid twenties, I usually wear base layers and a fleece vest or Sitka vest.

 

[ckleeves]

I always take base layers and a mid, he only asked about jackets, not entire clothing system

I'm going to add mids and clothing systems to my vocabulary

What's the advantage over a light soft shell? Better layering with a mid?

 

[jmez]

Early season I would take the rain gear and leave the jacket at home.

 

[cody covey]

Rain coat and puffy. I have left both at home and both times i wished i had them.

 

[dotman]

I'm going to add mids and clothing systems to my vocabulary

What's the advantage over a light soft shell? Better layering with a mid?

IMO yes the layering is better and less weight. I used to take a softshell and never used it so it was just dead weight for me. Finally last year I dumped it and didn't look back. But that just says I'm not a softshell guy.

That said I do have a softshell Kryptek vest I just can't talk myself into selling because it was so cheap but I still don't use it.

 

[SHTF]

IMO yes the layering is better and less weight. I used to take a softshell and never used it so it was just dead weight for me. Finally last year I dumped it and didn't look back. But that just says I'm not a softshell guy.

That said I do have a softshell Kryptek vest I just can't talk myself into selling because it was so cheap but I still don't use it.

Dot you can send that my way. I will put it to use for you buddy. By the way the Polertecs have gotten some use till it heated up. It will definitely be a good to insulation for colder weather =).

 

[dotman]

Dot you can send that my way. I will put it to use for you buddy. By the way the Polertecs have gotten some use till it heated up. It will definitely be a good to insulation for colder weather =).

Haha, I got it in the right size