Windshirt/midlayer help

[Nicklesgv]

Hey Folks.

Im trying to find a windshirt for active bowhunting. Im looking for something that is #1 quiet, cuts the wind, is unisulated, and ideally, but not necessary, camo. (I know, grandad used to thump em in jeans)

I run really hot when I'm active but am prettt lean so I get cold fast in the wind. I have a peleton 97 that I overheat in all but the coldest walks.

I have a houdini I love but it's kinda loud and on its last legs, just seeing if the unicorn is out there. Seems like the jetstream LT fits the bill but gawl dang it's expensive. Also looking at the hpg windcheater. Any thoughts are welcome.

 

[Davyalabama]

Milsurp gen iii ecwcs wind shirt/jacket -- It's fine stand alone, great under another jacket. Easy to find off ebay.

 

[Poser]

My favorite is the Black Diamond Alpine Start. It is available in a hunter friendly green.

 

[bliner]

I agree with Poser, BD Alpine start is my favorite. Cuts wind well enough, but still breaths great.

 

[Moccasin]

I settled on the HPG windcheater last season after a couple other iterations. It’s sized appropriately for an outer wind layer, is a bit smock-like in the back to cover the butt, and has pit and front zips to ventilate when active. Durability seems to be well in advance of other similar offerings and it is quiet enough to start and improves with wear.

 

[wapitibob]

Early version Sitka mountain jacket if you can find one.

 

[WyldGoose]

I’ve been using an HPG Windcheater for maybe 7 years. I run hot and it’s the only thing that seems to work for me. It’s not just breathable, but it’s extremely durable.

 

[V-TRAIN]

HPG Windcheater rocks, I was able to score one on here used cause they are pricey for what they are, but man it is really nice, they make it in multicam also, so I also use it still hunting whitetails.

 

[Stache Attack]

I kick myself for getting rid of the Sitka mountian evo. I’d go wind cheater if I bought into wind shirts again. For now I’m just using merino or synthetic layer with rain jacket over the top( thin such as OR helium) eliminated a clothing piece imo

 

[DirtyTerp1]

Tomahawk performance has a decent wind shirt.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I'm not a huge FL fan, really only own their merino anymore because it's bulletproof, but somewhere along the line I bought their Ridgeline QZ and I really really like it for what you describe. I couldn't remember the name of it so looked it up and happens to be on sale now.

Men's Ridgeline QZ Pullover

The Ridgeline QZ Pullover is the ideal layer for hunters who want additional protection from thick brush and wind, but don't want a suffocating fabric that'll eventually have you in an all-out sweat. The Ridgeline finds a critical balance of performance, durability, and packability using...

firstlite.com

 

[SROB34]

My favorite is the Black Diamond Alpine Start. It is available in a hunter friendly green.

Thought I'd resurrect this thread since it helped me make some decisions on a new Sept season midlayer. Thanks guys!

Black Diamond selling their Alpine Start jacket with the Alpha Direct insulation.

Men's Alpine Start Insulated Hoody

A highly versatile midlayer that’s both lightweight and highly protective, the Alpine Start Insulated Hoody is designed for high-output endeavors in cold conditions. The Schoeller stretch nylon face fabric provides abrasion-resistant wind and weather protection, while Polartec Alpha is mapped in...

blackdiamondequipment.com

Seemed like best of both worlds of a wind shell/more durable piece with high loft/low weight insulation. I was waiting for the Outdoor Vitals midlayers to come back in stock, but this seems like a better (and cheaper) option.

Thought I'd share.

 

[Poser]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread since it helped me make some decisions on a new Sept season midlayer.

Black Diamond selling their Alpine Start jacket with the Alpha Direct insulation.

Men's Alpine Start Insulated Hoody

A highly versatile midlayer that’s both lightweight and highly protective, the Alpine Start Insulated Hoody is designed for high-output endeavors in cold conditions. The Schoeller stretch nylon face fabric provides abrasion-resistant wind and weather protection, while Polartec Alpha is mapped in...

blackdiamondequipment.com

Seemed like best of both worlds of a wind shell/more durable piece with high loft/low weight insulation. I was waiting for the Outdoor Vitals midlayers to come back in stock, but this seems like a better (and cheaper) option.

Thought I'd share.

I grabbed one on that deal, too, as I don't have the insulated version. I think I'll use it a lot backcountry skiing and turkey hunting this spring (green).

 

[Poser]

I used the insulated Alpine Start jacket this weekend while ski touring. Started out Saturday morning at 16 degrees, cloudy and light snow with a blustery wind at 20 mph and gusts up to 50 mph in exposed areas. I wore the jacket + a Kuiu guide vest over a SG Helio as a baselayer. That layering system worked exactly as I expected. I only broke a slight sweat on the uphill and didn't add any layers for the downhill. I threw a puffy on while handling changeovers into downhill mode.

 

[Fritz D]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread since it helped me make some decisions on a new Sept season midlayer. Thanks guys!

Black Diamond selling their Alpine Start jacket with the Alpha Direct insulation.

Men's Alpine Start Insulated Hoody

A highly versatile midlayer that’s both lightweight and highly protective, the Alpine Start Insulated Hoody is designed for high-output endeavors in cold conditions. The Schoeller stretch nylon face fabric provides abrasion-resistant wind and weather protection, while Polartec Alpha is mapped in...

blackdiamondequipment.com

Seemed like best of both worlds of a wind shell/more durable piece with high loft/low weight insulation. I was waiting for the Outdoor Vitals midlayers to come back in stock, but this seems like a better (and cheaper) option.

Thought I'd share.

I like the sounds of that, Thanks for the link.

 

[SROB34]

I like the sounds of that, Thanks for the link.

You bet! I know BD is sold out on their site but check Backcountry.com and Steep and Cheap, saw some more stock there in the green.

 

[SROB34]

I used the insulated Alpine Start jacket this weekend while ski touring. Started out Saturday morning at 16 degrees, cloudy and light snow with a blustery wind at 20 mph and gusts up to 50 mph in exposed areas. I wore the jacket + a Kuiu guide vest over a SG Helio as a baselayer. That layering system worked exactly as I expected. I only broke a slight sweat on the uphill and didn't add any layers for the downhill. I threw a puffy on while handling changeovers into downhill mode.

Did you try without the vest? If so, notice a difference in warmth/breathability?

Been wearing this piece around town in weather ranging from 32 degrees to 45, and man, I'm really impressed with the warmth I get even when static. Generally I'm not even wearing a warmth-generating baselayer and still feeling very cozy in this thing. First piece with the alpha direct insulation and its wild how light but warm it is. This stuff is definitely on my radar for future pieces/baselayers.

I'm one of those guys that always feels cold but generates a lot of body heat/sweat, so if the insulation I have on doesn't breath well, its almost a given that I'll sweat too much and ultimately get really cold. Had this happen a couple times in 3rd rifle season and had to stop what I was doing to dry things out before carrying on.

I like that I can open the hand pockets and chest pockets to get a little extra venting. The insulation is mapped in all the right places, and I can see this thing dumping heat/moisture when hiking under the armpits - exactly what I need. Full zip is also a plus for me, sometimes I just find it annoying having to take hats and gear off to get a midlayer on or off over my head (an advantage IMO compared to Outdoor Vitals). Jury is still out on how much wind gets through, and dealing with any precipitation.

I hope BD keeps tinkering with this hybrid style layer - unfortunately this seems to be discontinued based on it being pulled from their site in the Men's section. I don't see other stuff from them that has the alpha direct insulation either.

 

[Poser]

Did you try without the vest? If so, notice a difference in warmth/breathability?

Been wearing this piece around town in weather ranging from 32 degrees to 45, and man, I'm really impressed with the warmth I get even when static. Generally I'm not even wearing a warmth-generating baselayer and still feeling very cozy in this thing. First piece with the alpha direct insulation and its wild how light but warm it is. This stuff is definitely on my radar for future pieces/baselayers.

I'm one of those guys that always feels cold but generates a lot of body heat/sweat, so if the insulation I have on doesn't breath well, its almost a given that I'll sweat too much and ultimately get really cold. Had this happen a couple times in 3rd rifle season and had to stop what I was doing to dry things out before carrying on.

I like that I can open the hand pockets and chest pockets to get a little extra venting. The insulation is mapped in all the right places, and I can see this thing dumping heat/moisture when hiking under the armpits - exactly what I need. Full zip is also a plus for me, sometimes I just find it annoying having to take hats and gear off to get a midlayer on or off over my head (an advantage IMO compared to Outdoor Vitals). Jury is still out on how much wind gets through, and dealing with any precipitation.

I hope BD keeps tinkering with this hybrid style layer - unfortunately this seems to be discontinued based on it being pulled from their site in the Men's section. I don't see other stuff from them that has the alpha direct insulation either.

I haven't yet tried the jacket as a stand alone layer over a baselayer as its been a little on the cold side, but I intend to use this jacket a lot this winter so I'll get some opportunity to experiment with its comfort range.