This last summer, Sitka released the Sitka HyperDown jacket and pant along with the new HyperDown Sleeping bag. You can read Josh Boyd’s review of the sleeping bag here.
Hyperdown Jacket and Pant
The HyperDown jacket is Sitka’s warmest puffy jacket and, in my mind, replaces the Kelvin WS Hoody. The biggest difference to me is the lack of the Wind proof layer and the type of insulation. The HyperDown uses an 800-fill PrimaLoft Gold down blend and is a 90% down/10% synthetic blend. Both the jacket and pant have 8ozs of fill. Both are very warm and feel as though there is more insulation than 8 oz.
Sizing and Fit
Both are oversized enough to be worn over the rest of your layers; my large easily fits over everything, including my bino chest pack.
Exterior
The shell on the outside is 27D Ripstop Polyester, and 10D Ripstop Nylon is on the inside. They slide over my other layers easily with no catching. The exterior held up great for me with no snags or rips, but I was not hiking around in them–they are way too warm to be moving around in. The exterior is not quiet, but I cannot imagine a time I would be sneaking into range while wearing them.
Features
The jacket has two zippered exterior hand pockets and two large mesh pockets inside. These can be used to dry out smaller items like socks using your own body heat. The hood has adjustment that will keep it out of your peripheral vision, and it works well. The pant has a side zipper that runs almost all the way to the beltline and allows easy on and off. The pant has no pockets and an elastic waist with attachment points for Sitka’s suspenders. The pant has a double layer on the seat and knees. Both compress down well but the pant does not have a built-in pocket to pack in to, the jacket does. Weight of my large jacket is just over 21 ounces and just under 20 ounces for the pant.
Review
I wore the HyperDown puffy layer in some brutal cold and winds this winter and fall, and I never felt that I needed more insulation. These are by far the warmest puffy layers I have used. Adding a windproof layer might be nice, but it bucks the wind well without it. This is not an active-use puffy. I used it while sitting, glassing, or hanging out in camp with minimal movement. This is it if you are looking for a super warm puffy set for late season or cold weather glassing.
Comment or ask Tony questions here.
*Sitka Gear is a Rokslide advertiser, and the writer was given complete freedom to write his opinions on this gear.
