Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Warmest puffy?

I never realized that the Active didn’t have a hood. That seems like a mistake. May be a reason to look at the Patagonia Nano Air or OR Uberlayer for a polar tech alpha jacket with a hood.

Understood. Weird thing is I’m very cold natured at home and in everyday life but run pretty warm on the trail

Funny you say that about the Kuiu Peleton 200 and R1 - I found the same thing. R1 in a large fits me perfect. Wore mine Sunday on a hike. Its growing into one of my favorite pieces of clothing.

Kind of wish it had a hood. With the DWR finish it would really add to the versatility. But, I can easily use another layer for the hoody, and when its warmer I won't need the additional layer or the associated hood so I think it all works out. Otherwise I really like the Kelvin Active. That piece will fit into any mountain hunting season.

For warm weather I'll have an aerowool shirt. As it cools off I'll add the Kelvin Active. That brings a light water resistance too. Next I'd add the Peleton 200 under the Kelvin Active. For quite cold I'll add the Arc'teryx Atom or Kifaru LPP and lastly I'll have a rain jacket in the pack if necessary. Some combination of those items covers just about everything. All very light and pack-able. I look forward to packing it all up as if I were headed to CO and comparing the weight and volume. I think it will be a significant improvement.

I do still wish the hoody on the 200 was better with water. That would be a strength of the Arc'teryx Fortrez or Naga in lieu of the 200 but I'm not sure how well they breathe. The 200 is quite good in that regard. Maybe try some Nikwax Polar Proof or Tx Direct on the 200 hood?

One more layering item thought for the day. Hiking through the eastern woods scouting yesterday, temp was 34deg and occasional light rain and mist. Had the Kelvin Active over the Peleton 200 and was comfortable and the KA shed the water just fine. What it does not shed, nor does an Arcteryx Atom or Kifaru LPP, is Briers. That is one thing a jacket like the Kuiu Guide handles much better. I don't think it will be an issue for out west, but certainly one more thing that makes layering out east vs. west different.

I love my R1, even though it see's more use around the house and around town than anywhere else. During the winter I'll end up wearing mine almost every day until my wife starts making fun of me. I'd like to get another pullover and one of the hooded versions. Has anyone compared the Sitka Core HW Hoodie to the R1 hoody? Seems like they would be very similar.

Purely based on "internet knowledge" but I would think misting rain would be ideal conditions for a soft shell jacket.

I agree on the East vs West. As much as I love looking at the First Lite and Sitka websites, until I'm in a position to regularly hunt the mountain west I can get by just fine with much less technical clothing. I actually prefer cheap fleeces for moving around in my woods. If they get torn up then not big deal.

Briars can shred things that's for sure. Though low-tech by today's standards, I've had very good luck with using a microtex jacket as on outer layer over my more expensive, fragile under layers. Fends wear very well.

The East vs West thing is why I'll probably end up with two clothing systems. Sure, some pieces will be in both systems, but I can get buy with some pretty inexpensive and lower tech options for quite a few of my situations.

I have both the R1 and Core HW hoody. They are similar. I'd give a nudge in warmth to the R1. Time will tell but I'm guessing the R1 will withstand wear better as well. The difference to me is the Core HW is a true midlayer piece that can be worn as an outer while the R1 is a hybrid midlayer-outer piece. I like them both. I've gone to using my R1 for my everyday cool weather hiking outer layer and my Core HW as my hunting midlayer.

Thanks. I spend a lot of time reading posts at backpackinglight.com. They have some guys there that get very technical about different materials, clo values, drying times, etc. Most of them prefer standard 100wt fleeces over the r1, claiming they're both warmer and dry quicker. I find the R1 more comfortable but haven't worn either in demanding enough conditions to pass judgment. I do know my North Face TK100's are 2-3oz lighter so once of those are more likely to make the packing list if I was inclined bring a mid layer on one of my backpacking trips.

Anyone tried the Kuiu Ultra Merino? Sounds functionally like Aerowool.

Zero actual experience but I'm fairly sure I've read that the Kuiu is more comfortable but less durable. You know how valuable second and third hand info over the internet is though...

Spent the past 4-6 weeks hiking and trying out various base layers. I've tried/worn Kuiu Peleton 130, First Lite Aerowool Minaret, Sitka Core Lightweight, Outdoor Research Venture, Patagonia Cap 2 and 3. I've done enough to come up with a couple conclusions:

Kuiu Peleton 130 - I tried this on and it felt like sandpaper against my skin. I didn't like it all all. I didn't wear it and sent it back.
Sitka Core Lightweight - same feel as Kuiu Peleton 130. I sent this back as well.
First Lite Aerowool Minaret - This has become my favorite shirt. These are soft, dry quick, don't stink. They are the real deal.
Outdoor Research Venture - I really like this shirt and wear it hiking alot, probably more than the Minaret because it has a 1/4 zip and I find I used the zipper alot. These things dry quick and mine has been pretty durable for how thin it it. This shirt also tends to acquire an odor quicker than the Minaret.
Patagonia 2/lightweight - I have an older version of this shirt and it may not function as good as the newer version. I still sweat in this and it doesn't seem to wick as well as the Minaret or Venture.
Patagonia 3/midweight - Again I have an older version and this shirt is a bit too warm for me to wear when its above 50.

Of all the shirts I've worn, the Minaret and Venture are my favorites. I like the Patagonia shirts and likely need to buy a couple new ones to see if I like them as well as the Min/Ven.

I have been happy with the Pategonia silkweight Capilene as a base. Have a minaret to try. The Peleton 200 over it is nice. Didn’t like that the 200 got real wet so I treated it with nikwax polar proof. Water rolls right off it now. Hope it’s still moves sweat....

The lightweight Capilene has become one of my favorites also, prm. Capilene also doesn't get so smelly after a few days of use-unlike the old variety, which I called Stinkilene. 😃

Timely topic for me. I've been trying to determine what to use for a puffy jacket. I don't necessarily need a camo pattern.

I'm interested in the Arc'teryx Atom LT hoody. Others have mentioned the basalt color, but I can't seem to find that color in their offerings. Is there something I'm missing?

I can't find Basalt either. However, the "Roman Pine" looks like a possibility for a 'hunting' color?

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Arcteryx-Atom-LT-Hoody-Mens/dp/B002K0MQWI?th=1&psc=1

I have a set of the 145 long underwear and gloves

My only gripe is the short legged pants ride up and bunch up behind your knees by the end of the day

I especially like the gloves

Big Montbell fan. Thanks for the suggestion.