Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Opinions on Sitka Jetstream as a outer layer

I’m looking for some help figuring out my layering system for a December western hunt.
Pretty well got the base , and mid layers.
I usually start with a lightweight synthetic crew followed by a core heavyweight hoody, or a 200 weight 1/4 zip.
Now where should I go ?
I will need an outer layer . I have a MT050 jacket I was thinking of using , but others have suggested this wasn’t a good option.
So is something like the Jetstream the route to go?
Insulation layer ?
Puffy jacket or vest ?
Kelvin lite hoody ? Kelvin Lite vest ? EMS puffy ? Badlands inferno ?
Do I just skip the totally weatherproof gortex layer ?

After a base and mid-layer I just add a light insulation layer. I use the Arc’teryx Atom. Then add a more robust puffy for when it’s real cold. I use a Kifaru Lost Park. I do keep a light rain jacket in the pack. Don’t think I’ve ever worn it. I used to use a shell, the Kuiu Guide DCS, but don’t think it really does anything useful.

The Jetstream and the Arc’teryx atom look as they are pretty similar in what they do.
Am I right on my thinking ?

No. Jetstream is more of a shell. Not much insulating properties. Think of the Atom as a light puffy. I’m not against shells, I just don’t think it works for me. If I were hunting more in thick cover where a puffy may get ripped, or dealing with showers or more wet conditions I’d use one. You mentioned December out west, doubt you’ll be dealing with any rain so I’d focus on warmth. But if you want a more robust outer layer, the Jetstream is probably a good choice. I just tried a Kuiu Axis hybrid, liked the jacket it just didn’t fit me. Sleeves were too long relative to body size.

So then if a more durable outer layer like the Jetstream is needed , would a puffy (kelvin lite hoody, EMS puffy, or even the LPP work over the top of the jet stream ? If so how cold would this be good to ?

What type of hunt, lodge, backpack?

Elevation?

Will be closer to a lodge style hunt . Up to eleven thousand feet.
So I will be able to have extra things at the lodge or truck.
Limiting factor is probably day pack and budget.
Don’t mean to seem stupid , just a drastically different type of hunt than the Eastern stand hunting I’m used to.

You could use the Jetstream as an outer layer with light base/mid-layer while hiking around and then add the puffy of your choice when you stop. How cold that will work to depends on the mid layer you’re wearing and tolerance for cold. And of course which puffy you choose. At 11k in December I’d go with about as warm a setup as I could. Realize the Jetstream, and all other shells, have no loft and thus very little heat retention.

The issue I having trouble wrapping my mind around is this.
If the temps are single digits or below , or even 20’s with the wind blowing ; I’m afraid I’ll be cold while moving wearing only a aero wool base , and a core heavyweight hoodie .
Isn’t the wind gonna cut right through me ?
I would think the atom and the likes of would be a static piece . I’m I wrong on my thinking.

So I guess what I’m thinking is I need a mid to light insulating active layer , and then when stationary throw on something like the LLP over everything.

Have I got this all wrong ?

In the situation you described, I’d wear my base layer, 240 Peleton and Atom and toss on the LPP on when stopped. 240 and Atom are quite good with wind. I’m sure there are many other good combinations.

I'm a sweater....

Even in temps down to 10-15, I will start hiking with a long sleeve base layer only, maybe a light shell over it of it's windy. It'll be cold for a bit. Any more than this and I'll get really sweaty and hot on the hike in to glass/hunt, etc. Most of my hike-ins are pretty physical though.

Upon reaching my destination, I'll either switch out my usually soaked base layer with a dry one, add a lofted puffy, and an outer jacket. If it's really cold while glassing, I'll throw on two mid layers.....

No worries, gear planning is half the fun of these trips,

but, December at 11k?

A rain jacket? Hell to the NO...........

I understand budgets, but lets be serious,

Sunrise at 11K, in the wind, once you start shivering,

You'll regret being the miser. Got the coin for the lodge hunt but no moola for a worthy jacket?

Elk hunt?

Never said I didn’t have the funds to buy worthy jacket.
I don’t know what I need that is why I’m here trying to ask questions and figure it out.
If a already had something that might work I saw no need not to utilize it .
The rain jacket as a outer layer I understand now is not a good option.
I learned something and have proceeded to find out what I need to do.
I’m asking for layering suggestions.
Do you have one ?

https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-synthetic-insulated-jackets



This looks to be helpful.

Pretty much sums me up as well.

You had mentioned budget, only reason I went there,

The poster above me, MCH, mentioned the Arc'teryx Thorium Hoody, He wears this jacket, ask him for his advice.

Now that it's in my head I imagine I'll be ordering soon. Looks ideal for what I'm looking for.

Many options out there, I think your answer is in the "warmest puffy" thread

Yea I guess what I meant was I am willing to buy what I need , but I would like to get it right the first time , and not waste money on stuff I don’t need or won’t be happy with.

Hope I'm not derailing the thread, but may I ask what size pack you use to accommodate all the clothes you carry?

When I am hunting Montana in late Nov. early Dec. I carry two coats when I am tent/pickup camping. I start with a lighter coat for hiking to my glassing area then when I get there I switch jackets to my 050 which you said you already own. If it starts to get to warm while I am moving glassing areas I open the pit zips until I reach my destination. Sit on my pad and zip my coat up and enjoy the day. When I start down the hill I put my lighter coat on and head for camp. I wear base layers with a heavy quarter zip as my everyday gear and longs with heavy pants. Have not been cold yet even with temps down to -10.

I run a Kifaru Reckoning...

The clothes I'm not wearing I strap between the bag and a guide lid for easy access...

Greg, while watching "hunting Arizona coues deer " all day at work, I noticed a plethora of Sitka gear. I have none!!! This might get interesting!!! There will be lots of dri fit!!! Haha

The Jetstream is a great jacket. For what you want, it should be good. Baselayer, mid layer (fleece, etc), then have the Jetstream. It's windproof and has a little insulation. Its very brush resistant and will do well as an all around outer layer jacket. It will shed light precip but is not full on rain gear. When you get cold, add a puffy vest or jacket underneath, if you are hot, open the pit zips and center zip. Add a rain jacket if its wet out.

Excellent piece that you will be pleased with and they are on sale most places now.

I don't currently own one but its an awesome piece of gear in my opinion.

Lee

I must be a peasant. Decent raingear to me means waterproof and windproof, must have pit zips. I carry a Marmot Precip always. Buy it large enough to fit over a puffy and use it w/ the rest of your layers as needed. I bought my last one from STP for $60.00. For the gear snobs the Precip pants and jacket are recommended by several of the co.s that guide on Denali.


mike r

Stilllearning,
In Arizona I do a lot more hiking then hunting. Nature of the land. I use my hiking/backpacking layers and add camo outer layers for hunting. You are spot on with the idea of two different mid layers. The new active insulated mid layers are intended to be warn while moving. Think Patagonia nano air. Once you get to a spot to glass, you switch out for a static insulation piece, think down. How heavy depends on how your body heats up and how much you sweat. As for the outer, if I'm expecting to be moving through branches, bushes, cactus, I will use a soft shell. If there is any chance of rain I'll have a hardshell in the pack. In Arizona, I've found that a windjacket (currently using the Arcteryx Squimmish) is very useful.
Sense the Jetstream is 25 ounces, I would evaluate it in relation to what I get for the same weight. I would rather carry a Patagonia nano air (14 ounces), Arcteryx Squamish ($150/5.5 ounces) or outdoor research helium 2 ($160 and 6.5), and a stationary insulation piece (had the mountain hardwear ghost whisperer hoodie, not sure what I'll replace it with). The ghost whisperer weighed in at 8 ounces. I can carry the nano air and ghost whisperer, plus either the wind jacket or rain jacket, for an extra 3 ounces. The fly in the ointment is the need to throw camo over the layers if you feel the need. Adds some weight. Still, I'd rather carry a layering system then one big piece.
Now is the time to buy, everyone seems to be having sales on winter backpacking/hiking gear. Good luck,
Peter

Read all the responses and I apparently do things a bit different.

I like your FL Aerowool - Sitka Core Heavyweight layers - ALOT. I use the exact same setup. Unless its really cold and/or wind is blowing, I hike in like that. You'll discover temps in the west don't feel as cold as comparable temps in the east thanks to alot less humidity in the west. I promise you won't freeze to death.

As to insulation, I tend to run with a puffy of some sort. I have several weights of puffy jackets from very lightweight to really friggin' heavy (Sitka Kelvin Down hoody). I use the puffy: when its cold, I wear it hiking, or when the wind is blowing such that I'm getting chilled just hiking. Hence the different weights. My goal is to arrive warm but not sweaty. I manipulate clothing accordingly. I've hiked in with just the Aerowool top on. My goal is not get all sweaty.

As to an outer shell, I wear one when I'm stationary, mostly to cut the wind. I need a hood at a minimum on my outer shell. I love hoods, a jacket without a hood isn't worth much to me. Others dislike hoods. When I arrive at my location, I normally don the puffy and outer shell.

Example - this past year it was 0 degrees the first day of Wyoming elk season with a 5-10 mph wind. I hiked in the dark with both Sitka lightweight and heavyweight bottoms, Aerowool top, Sitka Core Heavyweight hoody, Sitka Timberline pants, smartwool socks, Crispi 400 gr boots. I had light gloves and an orange ball cap. I was hot when I arrived 2+ miles later at my starting point. I cooled down waiting for light to come and put the Jetstream on. I still hunted all AM in that setup and was a bit warm. At lunch, I took a "stand" (aka napping spot) in a smallish meadow overlooking a small saddle. Elk tracks indicated it was a good spot. I put on a Sitka Kelvin Lite Hoody and Sitka Jetstream. And proceeded to nap in the sunlight and temps ~ 15 degrees for an hour. (as an aside, never underestimate the power of a mid-day nap in elk season <G>)

I've worn an assortment of Cabelas, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, Patagonia, Kuiu, and Sitka products. I'm sold on Sitka. They do what they say they'll do. They are pricey but most good equipment is.

BWinters, I agree with you. That's how I do it. I didn't realize how wrong I had been until I read thru this thread!

I mostly use KUIU but have some Sitka as well and I really like the Jetstream.

Lee

BW,
So if you need an insulation layer while moving you use the puffy (Kelvin lite hoody) not the Jetstream ?
You are using the Jetstream as a stationary shell; is this correct ?
If so is the Jetstream the only shell you carry ( no waterproof shell ) ?

Thanks

Hi SL,

I rarely need a puffy while moving - only when it's pretty cold. Single digits is cold to me. If I'm hiking any elevation gain, a puffy over the Aerowool and Athens Core Heavyweight will make me sweat. Flat hiking in the cold with wind is about the only time I wear a puffy while hiking. To me the Jetstream is also a bit too warm for hiking over the aforementioned base/mid layers. My main issue with wearing a puffy as an outer garment is simply the terrain I hunt in. I tend to do alot of still hunting in dark timber. The Kuiu Guide and Sitka Jetstream are much more quiet than the ripstop fabrics in puffy jackets. Plus I have rips in most of my puffy jackets from using them as an outer layer. You'll find the Sitka Jetstream and Kuiu Guide jackets are much more durable and quiet than the puffys I've seen.

As you stated, I do tend to use the Jetstream as an outer shell most of time when I'm stationary. They do have a light insulation but their main function is a wind break.

As to outer shells, I'd estimate I carry only the Jestream 95% of the time. Both it and the Kuiu Guide will shed light rain/snow pretty good. They are not rain gear but do work well for the random precip event. I've hunted it during snow fall and never got wet. I have a complete set of Sitka rain gear that still has tags. The older I get, the more I dislike hunting in the rain. A drizzle is one thing but an outright all day rain usually finds me snuggled in my tent till it quits.

Another consideration. I grew up and still hunt in NW PA. I wear my Sitka gear when it's not raining but usually hunt in Rivers West gear up there due to the lake effect weather. Simply put, it rains alot. Usually misty, light rain events. The Jetstream isn't ideally suited for that situation.

Another thing I've noticed when I take eastern guys elk hunting the first time - they tend to wear way too many clothes on the hike in. In the east, we normally only hike a short distance to a treestand, climb in, and sit all day. Elk hunting in the west usually starts with a 2-4 mile hike. You'll be way over heated and sweating peofusely if you have too many clothes on. When that happens, you really need a wicking layer next to your skin to move the sweat away from your skin. If not, you'll be cold and clammy. For this very reason, I moved away from merino wool next to my skin and use all synthetic. I wore merino alot for 4-5 years and couldn't figure out why I got cold and felt clammy most of the day. The merino doesnt move sweat away from my skin faster than I create it. Plus merino takes longer to dry than a good synthetic. Once I switched to all synthetic, I wasnt cold as much and not clammy at all. Look up John Barklow and watch his dynamic rewarming drill video. I buy into the theory. It works for me. Start out hiking cold, you'll warm quick and arrive much less sweaty.

BW,
I am appreciating your help here !
I think we are seeing things much the same.
I have also looked at the guide jacket vs the Jetstream.
Guide doesn’t have windstopper. So I’m guessing it’s more breathable , but not quite as warm. This might make it slightly better for an active jacket whereas the Jetstream might be better suited for a static jacket.
What is your take on the Jetstream vs guide ?

Forget the Guide go Axis Hybrid.

Will look at it .
Care to elaborate?

The Axis has Water Proof panels on the hood, shoulders, and sleeves. It is the best Softshell Kuiu makes in my opinion. Finer touches than the Guide, and mine is a tad longer than the Guide. I am not a huge fan of Kuiu but they did this one right.

My concern is that with more wind and water resistance comes less breathability .
Will that not restrict this to purely a static layer ?

I was really trying to avoid carrying 3 jackets , but I might just have to.
Im starting to think Brad’s system might be right.
Base layer , mid layer, unlined soft shell , puffy , and a Gore-Tex hard shell .

I can lead you to water, but I can't make you drink. Good luck in your search.

tagalong

MCH , I’m still listening.
I’m guessing you are packing the axis and a puffy , and forgoing the hard shell. Is this correct ?
I can see this being a viable system.
Can you do any walking in the axis without overheating ?

You can't compare me to you. I rarely get cold. I once snowboarder for 6 plus hours at Okemo Mountain in -20 weather. Only reason I went in was ski patrol noticed I was getting frost bite around the edge of my googles. The only thing I use a puffy for is around camp, belaying, and once in a great while glassing when it is really cold. So what works for me isn't going to work for you. I layer with a base of Smart Wool, then my pants for lower body. Upper body I will wear a fleece if really cold out then jacket. If I bring a puffy it is in my pack until I am not being active.

Anyways like I said I am no Kuiu fanboy, But the Axis is your ticket as far as I am concerned. If I didn't believe in it I wouldn't have suggested it to you. I don't believe in brand loyalty, I am loyal to what works.

I've owned both. They are very similar in all characteristics and covers the same ground. I find the Guide to have smaller arms than the Jetstream. The reason I go with Sitka is the fact it fits better than the Kuiu. As a bonus, you can catch Kuiu on sale in spring and fall. Wont find that with Sitka.

So it looks like the axis and the Jetstream look promising.
Would be nice if somewhere had these to go see and try on.
I’m a little concerned about Kuiu’s athletic fit. Don’t know if my 41” chest, 41” belly, and 38” waist barrel shape fit the mold.
Both are basically the same price now. Sitka so called on sale at Midway, Black Orvis , etc.
Kuiu from their site.
When and if are better deals available for either ?

A couple of things. Both are cut 'athletic', Kuiu a bit more so. I'm 5 ft 8 about 155-160, 41" chest, 33" waist. Both Large jackets fit, the Kuiu is a bit snug in the arms with a light puffy under, the Sitka fits well with a Kelvin Lite hoody underneath. Pants seem to be right on with Kuiu maybe being a bit more generous than Sitka. I have a size 32 Mountain pant, size 33 Timberline. I wear one with base layer, one without, fit is perfect.

I would call both companies, discuss your size and they'll guide you. Black Ovis is also really good to deal with. I would order a set from both companies, try them, don't wear them outside. Keep the one you like, send the other back. Or send both back if you don't like them. For your measurements, I'd throw First Lite in the mix. They are cut way more generously than Kuiu or Sitka and make as good as quality. In FL, I wear medium in their jackets and have room for puffy under. I have a couple pieces of their gear, notably the woodbury jacket. Its my whitetail stand jacket.

Cabelas usually has a lot of Sitka Gear in stock if you have one close by.

Today was the type of day in Northern VA where a shell is useful. Started as snow, went to sleet then a wet mess all why staying below 30deg.

Ive gone away from using them in the Rockies because I haven’t felt they offered anything I needed. But if the forecast was was wet snow I could see taking one again.

I did try a Kuiu Axis Hybid. Like about everything about it except the fit. A large fit well in the body, allowing room for layering underneath, but the arms were way too long. Returned it. If I decide to add another shell it will have to be a Jetstream.

Yes what I would do. Kuiu sleeves suck azz, and that is putting it lightly.Both in length and in width. specially in the forearms.

Will 80 gm. Polar tec alpha be as warm as 80 gm. Primaloft ?

Ford vs Chevy. Doubt anyone could tell the difference if you switched the tags on them.

Agreed.

Are you comparing Sitka's Kelvin Active Jacket and the Kelvin Lite Hoody? I had both in my hands and could not feel a difference. I went with the active jacket just because its suppose to breath better.

I had a brainfart earlier and am going to change my tune a little bit. Disclaimer that this is all internet research that comes from way too much time looking at backpacking gear.

Polartec Alpha was designed as an active insulation. Its basically equivalent to a fleece material encased by a breathable ultralight wind shirt.

Primaloft is a synthetic insulation designed to get as close to down as possible with a man made material. Typically used for static insulation.

Somewhere online you can find clo values for each insulation. Primaloft (or at least the better versions) has a higher clo/gram value than Alpha. Much like 850 down has a higher clo/gram value than any synthetic insulation. For the same weight of insulation and everything else being equal, the primaloft SHOULD be warmer. Whether than translates to a noticeable difference in the real world is up for debate and people like bwinters have taken the time to try a lot of them.

80g of Polartech Alpha is what’s in a Kelvin Active. I would not consider that a warm jacket. It’s great if hiking, as in pressing to get from point A to pt B. Not so great if slowly stalking through woods. Obviously layering can shift things, but I’d consider the Kelvin Active a great jacket through September. As much as I love the fit and feel, I need a layering piece that works for lower activity levels in Oct/Nov temps then I add real insulation for sitting and glassing. If I go archery elk this Fall in CO my Kelvin Active will be with me. The one light primaloft jacket I have is warmer (no idea what the fill amount is), but doesn’t breath anywhere near as well as the polartech alpha.

Talking about your Atom LT? If so those are 60 gram

No, some old Cabelas’s primaloft jacket. The Atom is Coreloft. It breathes quite well. But not quite as well as Kelvin Active, though it is warmer than KA.

I always get confused between primaloft and coreloft.

Ive never owned a Kelvin active but the the reason I say the Kelvin active and Kelvin lite are similar is due to the fact that the Kelvin lite has both primaloft hi-loft and polartec alpha. I think the Alpha is in side panels of the jacket.

Both have 80 grams of insulation. The primaloft hi-loft has a clo value of 0.65. I cant find a clo value for alpha but doubt it's a whole lot less. Primaloft gold and silver are the high warmth primaloft products with clo value of 0.92 and 0.78. Primaloft gold is comparatively really warm.

I’ve seen a value of .496 clo for the 60 gram alpha, obviously 80 gram would be higher

I have used the Jetstream for over two years on a number of hunts. I can't say enough good about it. It is warmer than it should be. With weather in the teens, I layer underneath, a couple polypro long sleeve shirts (using Kryptek now), then a fleece vest under the Jetstream. I carry a Sitka puffy in my pack if I'm going to sit awhile, as well as Dewpoint rain suit. The hood is a great feature also, especially in the wind.

I strongly recommend the Jetstream. Be sure to size it right; I usually wear a large, and the extra large hits me just right.

Which puffy are you using ? Kelvin Lite or Kelvin Down?

I’m just trying to figure how and if the Kelvin active jacket (KAJ) works in a cold weather system ?
Would it work better as a second layer over a base layer instead of a R1, or core heavyweight ?
Then the Jetstream , kelvin lite hoody in the pack if needed.

That’s exactly what Polartec Alpha was designed for

So it’s looks like the KAJ might be more comparable to a peloton 240 , but more durable.
Would this be a good assessment?

Getting way outside my knowledge level but both seem like breathable mid layers. Peloton probably more breathable, Kelvin Active probably warmer and more advanced materials. All assumptions though.

I’ll get you some pics of each tonight. The 240 and Kelvin Active are quite different. The KA is a rather thin, yet puffy jacket. If you hold it up to light you can see through it. The 240 is a thin, dense material. The 240 blocks wind better. The KA moves moisture better and has a DWR finish. Which is warmer? Good question. The KA has some loft, but it breathes so well it doesn’t block wind. The 240 blocks wind, but has no loft to speak of. If temps aren’t going to be too cold, I’ve found the KA over the 240 works well.

Edit: I wear the 240 as a shirt over my silk weight or Aerowool base layer. I also wear it over a t-shirt around the house a lot. Very comfy! My layering starts there (for Oct/Nov Rockies at 10k). I’ll add insulation, rain protection, etc., on top of that. The Kelvin Active would be used if I need a little more insulation and expect lots of strenuous climbs, fast hiking of some distance, or whatever may work up a sweat. Probably the best use case for the KA is mild conditions, with some good climbing/hiking and worn directly over a base layer. It’s hard to pinpoint a suitable temp because the wind will really change how you feel. With the 240 the wind doesn’t impact how I feel nearly as much. The 240 is a great shirt for any season, the KA is a great jacket for Aug/Sept mountain hunting. I don’t see any utility for the KA as it gets colder. That’s how I see it.

I'm not up on all the technical gear like most here, I have a buddy on here that I ask about clothes all the time. And I'm a slow adapter. But I do kill elk every year in Wyoming in December at pretty high elevations. I've done it when it's below zero and when its 45 degrees.

Been using merino as a base for a long time. Then wool surplus officer dress pants. I just recently got the wrangler fleece lined pants but haven't used them yet. I did use the unlined wrangler outdoor pants this fall and they are great. Tops are merino, lightweight syn. puffy and then in my mind at least a pretty huge non hunting brand down puffy with hood. I don't want one without a hood. I was happily surprised by how wind proof the Brooks range puffy is. I think it weighs 17oz. But I still carry my marmot precip for windy days pants and jacket. The jacket is sized big so as to not compress the puffy. It probably isn't going to rain and while my country isn't windy by Wyoming standards we still get some wind and I like the rain gear as a lightweight hard shell wind stopper.

I admit that my clothes are partially because of budget. Also, I'm not a backpack hunter, but like you I suspect, the guys on here really know clothes so I do like to come here. Doesn't sound like your upcoming hunt is a overnight backpack deal either.

Probably spent more on my merino than anything else.

surplus wool pants under 20, wrangler fleece lined outdoor 25, precip around 60 each from STP, Brooks range puffy bought on sale in late winter 80. My lighter weight syn puffy I think was around 60 on sale. I think my smartwool merinos are around 100 each.

I would like to try the FL areowool this year.

Obviously all the FL, Sitka, Kuiu works. I haven't tried any of it mostly because of budget and what I have works so well. Maybe I never should try that stuff, probably works so well I'd cry that I didn't try it before. Don't be afraid to try non hunting brands.

The clothing piece that baffles me a little right now is the skin tight hoodie deals that I see all the guys wearing on the hunting shows. I haven't figured out yet how I need one of those.

I'd be interested in seeing the pics as well. I've had a KAJ in my hand, a buddy has one, and I don't recall being able to see through it. I recall it being very similar to the Kuiu Kenai that I had at the time more than anything. Of course I could be mis-remembering..............

Here’s a couple pics.

There are lights behind them here. The camera doesn’t pick it up well, but as you look through the KA you can see bright points of light. I love the jacket, just not as a layer in very cold temps.


240 looks like a single layer (it’s actually two bonded though). The KA is is clearly multi layer with some loft.

Thanks for the photos .
The 240 looks like an old Cabela’s grid fleece 1/4 zip I’m still wearing .
It’s literally my favorite fleece shirt ever.

[quote=Stilllearning]

Mine is the Kelvin Jacket (no hood), insulation is Primaloft.

https://www.sitkagear.com/products/kelvin-jacket/optifade-open-country

I really like the looks of the non hooded kelvin jacket.
No one was showing one in stock , even Sitka themselves; so I made the assumption they had been discontinued.
I hope I am wrong.
Are they still in production ?

Midway Usa has the Kelvin Active jacket on sale right now. Not sure what sizes they have left.

In the same vein as prm, here are a couple of pics of various puffy and similar purpose jackets.

Kuiu 240 Peleton (L), Sitka Kelvin Lite (R)



Sitka Core Heavyweight (L), Patagonia R1 hoody (M), Kuiu 240 Peleton (L)



Sitka Traverse Cold Weather hoody (L), Sitka Kelvin Lite hoody (R)



All 4 together



Interestingly, the most windproof is the Kuiu 240 Peleton. It didn't occur to me to wear it as a mid layer until prm posted. It is about the same weight as the R1 and Core Heavyweight. I also did the "light test" to the KLH. You can't see specific light 'holes/beams' through the material but you can see the light illuminating the material from the opposite side of the light, especially as the stitching. It still breathes fairly well - you can blow air through it (my empirical windproof test).

The Sitka Traverse Cold weather hoody isn't a puffy but is deathly quiet, warm, and breathes. I don't think its as warm as the KLH but the exterior is quiet. I ended up with it kind of by accident and decided to keep it. Its worth a consideration as well.

So many good alternatives out there. I’ll bet the Kelvin Lite over the 240 and a silkweight synthetic base would cover 90%. Add an Uber puffy for real cold glassing and a packable rain jacket (also works as additional wind block while glassing) and you’re 100%. Lots of other ways to go, but that works for me. Some use one less layer, but I’ve found those five are the most I ever need. I could leave the big puffy at home for earlier seasons, or possibly even a warmer than average CO 1st rifle.

My real wind blocker test is put the layer on over a thin synthetic t-shirt and ride my 4-wheeler the .5mi to the mailbox. When it’s about 30deg you find out real quick what blocks wind!

The Kelvin Jacket, in the link above, seems to be available, and is discounted.

Looks to be sold out and or unavailable when Ipull it up.