|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,654
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,654 |
Looking for recommendations on a packable puffer jacket for layering.
Thanks.
"There is no excellance in Archery without great labor". Maurice Thompson 1879
Nothing clears a troubled mind better than shooting a bow. Fred Bear
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,404
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,404 |
Whatever is on sale. I picked up a Northface 50% off and used it a lot this year.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,711
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,711 |
Hood is nice to have. I have the montbell jacket and parka (hooded) and use them a lot. Also have REI UL vest and use it a lot as well.
None were bought at full price.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,278
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,278 |
Really like my first lite puffy. Very light as you would expect. Quality zippers, warm, and water resistant. Stores in it's own pocket.
My number 1 go to jacket.
Lefty C
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,839
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,839 |
I've been in a gear buying/testing mode for the past year and tried some puffer jackets. I really like the Mountain Hardware Nitrous. They can be had on fleabay for much less than retail and are less expensive than correlative jackets from Sitka, Kuiu, and First Lite.
I also bought a cheapie to throw in my day hike pack and have been pleasantly surprised - Hawke & Co. Think this is the one I have.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Hawke-Co-Mens-Packable-Quilted-THERMAL-CORE-Insulated-Jacket-Black-M-/191490756075?hash=item2c95bd0deb:g:5dgAAOSwxYxUwYky
I've worn it early spring trout fishing when the mornings are cool, deer hunting as an extra layer, and hiking when the temps dip or the wind starts to blow. It also packs into a very small package and takes up no space in the pack.
I also bought a Browning Primaloft jacket. It has 130 gr/sq m of Primaloft (can't recall which version). It isn't as svelte as the Hawke & Co but it is like a furnace. It packs down reasonably small but I don't wear it unless its very cold or I'm standing still for hours in the cold.
My only issue with puffer jackets is that most of them don't breathe at all. I wore the Hawke & Co 2 weeks ago on a 12 mile hike with temps in the 30's. I wore a base layer, light fleece, and the puffer. I hiked most of the AM with the jacket wide open. I can't see them being used when active hiking/hunting is involved unless its really cold. But for an insulating layer when you get where you are going, they are hard to beat.
Most of the newer puffers are good quality but I'd question paying $2-300 for a jacket than can get a hole poked in it from a thorn/branch. I have a hole in one of mine from a thorn. A dab of superglue fixed the hole but I'd be more than a bit irritated if I put a rip in it. Hence why I've been buying/using the less expensive versions. I can be a bit hard on things........
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,130
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,130 |
Montbell jacket
Outdoor Research Transcendent vest
happy with both (neither would be a good outer layer)
bought when on sale
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317 |
X2 I have the cabelas one, a patagonia das parka, which is really too heavy for layering, kuiu, and kryptek. They all work, thicker ones are of course warmer but less versatile. I usually carry the kuiu and a patagonia primaloft vest sheep hunting. I can mix and match based on conditions and still fit them under a shell for wind/rain/snow protection. You won't be climbing with any puffy jacket unless you enjoy the sauna.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,404
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,404 |
I like the puffers that fit into a gallon ziplock. Nice piece of mind to know you aren't going to soak it on the hike up.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,625
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,625 |
Really like my first lite puffy. Very light as you would expect. Quality zippers, warm, and water resistant. Yep. I have a woolrich that serves beautifully, but if I were to do it over instead of the vest I'd get the First Lite Uncompahgre jacket. The vest I have is amazingly pack able and WARM (-er than down even). If the jacket is nearly as awesome as the vest I'd be hard pressed to imagine a better one. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/32...ntrol-uncompahgre-puffy-insulated-jacket
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317 |
I like the puffers that fit into a gallon ziplock. Nice piece of mind to know you aren't going to soak it on the hike up.
I generally stuff puffy pants (yeah, I'm a wimp - I like my insulation), jacket, vest, etc into a lightweight stuff sack. As much to reduce bulk as anything, but they do a good job on water too.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,237
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,237 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,085
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,085 |
REI revelcloud is a favorite, but I have to agree on the whatever is on sale opinion.
I have one from Costco that has lasted me a lot longer than I would have ever thought. I recently bought a down vest from Costco that looks promising too.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453 |
Check Cabelas Bargain Cave for their Primaloft jackets or vests.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,157
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,157 |
Are the Costco items down?
The entire family each got one of those Kirkland down sweaters. They are surprisingly warm and have held up well.
They vests we got a few months ago and are phenominal for the $17 price tag!
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. --Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice. --ironbender
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228 |
You looking for down or synthetic? For synthetic, I l Iike the Mont-Bell Thermawrap, For down the Patagonia Fitzroy is amazing, especially if you can get one and a discounted outlet price,
Ed T
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,085
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,085 |
Are the Costco items down?
The entire family each got one of those Kirkland down sweaters. They are surprisingly warm and have held up well.
They vests we got a few months ago and are phenominal for the $17 price tag! Yes they are down. The down sweaters and the $17 vests are a screaming deal.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 920
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 920 |
First Lite Uncompahgre jacket kicks ass.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900 |
First Lite Uncompahgre jacket kicks ass. Just got one and gave it the trial run this afternoon. Low 20's,wind 25-30 at the range today. Layered up it was toasty. I love that thing.It will go to Wyoming and Kansas next year.
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,654
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,654 |
Thanks for all the info guys. I'll keep my eye open for sales plus I want to try on some of your recommendations for fit.
"There is no excellance in Archery without great labor". Maurice Thompson 1879
Nothing clears a troubled mind better than shooting a bow. Fred Bear
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 |
I have this one and it's fantastic-- very light, very warm, and very thin. I stumbled on it and after reading the Field and Stream review, where it was awarded Best of the Best, I bought it. It's on sale now. EB Storm
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
|
|
|
|
584 members (1234, 10ring1, 160user, 17CalFan, 007FJ, 1lessdog, 66 invisible),
2,166
guests, and
1,189
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,102
Posts18,464,178
Members73,925
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|