lately I have been wanting a non bulky jacket that is non bulky in the arms but still is a pretty warm coat suitable down to at least 10 degrees or so. any ideas on that?? just bought a cabelas wooltimate jacket that I will test out.

i have one of the micro berber fleece jackets. pretty warm.

Layer a down vest and light fleece or merino sweater from First Lite.

Non bulky is subjective. Shells like army goretex fit nicely, but weigh alot. Down wears fatter, but compresses in your ruck when you are moving and weighs hardly anything.

Mountain Hardwear Subzero
North Face Nuptse

Not sure a single garment will do it all, or at least I haven't found it.
Most will say layering is the secret. I've had luck with a combo: base layer, shirt, down vest with fleece outer jacket(that Cabelas jacket will work). Add a lightweight rainjacket to windproof if necessary. This combination can be altered as necessary depending on activity level, and is relatively lightweight.
I have a thick insulated jacket for hunting on stand that is warm, windproof, and water resistant. But it's bulky and has to be carried hiking in or else you'll be wet when you get there.

And IF such an animal exists, I would be looking at the ski industry to try and find it. May be something there that would fit your needs.

I just got this cadelas jacket yestrday and wore it on a walk. I had a long sleve t and the jacket. It was in just above or at freezing. I felt good, it is lite. Just over 1.5 pounds. It has a thin shell that is water repels. Did a coffee test this morning. Its in the bargin cave for 60 dollars. It is longer than I want but I think it will work well. I think it would work for gun hunting but not the best for bow hunting it is a little loud.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Ultra-Pack-Synthetic-Down-Jacket/725203.uts?Ntk=BargainCave&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D1000002949%2B5102706%26Ne%3D5102706%26Ntk%3DBargainCave%26Ntt%3Djacket%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-Bargain%2BCave%26WTz_st%3DSearchRefinements%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26search%3Djacket%26searchTypeByFilter%3DBargainCave%26x%3D11%26y%3D8&Ntt=jacket

10 degrees is pretty darn chilly for a light coat. At some point you must be trapping your own body heat enough to create warmth or reflecting it back like a space blanket. Only so many ways to do it.

I've got a lightweight patagonia jacket I really like as a mid layer because it does the things you ask. It is more than a lightly insualted shirt, but less than a jacket. But to 10 by itself, not a chance. I also like the thin, insulated jackets instead of one bulky one. I've been experimenting with the patagonia (nice shell, thin microfleece lining) under an eddie bauer jacket that has a thin layer of modern synthetic insualation (can't remember which one) that works great for the warmth bulk ratio and then a simple waterproof, breathable shell. Works great. I've only seen 25 degrees with this combo. Gets too hot with minimal activity.

I think Patrick at Kifaru has the right idea for the kind of jacket you are describing with the insulation he is using. Not aware of anything else. But I am not a guy who would spend $300 on a jacket either.

Hope someone has some great suggestions.

I'd second the Cabela's Synthetic Down jacket. I've used it for a few years now and I have questions about the durability of the outer shell fabric, but I only use it when I'm sitting and glassing when its cold, so it serves my purposes. I think that if I assume you're wearing other layers, then this jacket would work. It is definitely not bulky and is actually relatively thin. If you were only wearing a light shirt and then this jacket over it, it might not be enough for 10F, but if you have on a base layer and reasonably warm shirt, I would think this would do it.

If you get a chance check out Patagonia's Das Parka, they're warmer than their micropuff and compresses down well. I decided to check it out cause I plan to hunt sheep later than normal this fall and I think it'll be great for what I'm going to use it for. The new colors kind of suck, I think flourescent orange and black not my favorite colors for hunting. I was able to find them on ebay recently for a decent price in olive drab from last year and slightly older, some new and some used. I picked up 2 just because I don't think we'll see a color that good for some time.

Gwl, mind fixing that link so the rest of us can read the thread?

When you say "10*" are you talking active or passive activity?

Huge difference...

There must be 20 of these types of coats available. The Cabelas synthetic down insulation (I have one in an older jacket they no longer make) seems to be as good as any. I would choose that or any jacket with a non continuous filament insulation (like primaloft) over a continuous filament insulation (like climashield that Kifaru uses). The non-continuous filament insulations have a higher warmth to weight ratio and are more compressible than continuous filament insulations.

eta: some options from REI -
http://www.rei.com/category/4501424
on the page above, REI revelcloud and spruce run, MH zonal and compressor, Patagonia Nano and Micro

I've really been liking a light jacket with a nice thick (but light) down vest on top of it recently too.

Recommending any coat without knowing whether its use is for passive or active use is, well, useless...

I assumed this thread was about a static insulating layer. Active use down to 10f hardly even calls for a jacket. Base layer or two and decent wind shell pretty much covers it.

Are you looking for wool, down or what? for a not too bulky down jacket I would recommend the Sherpa Pangboche jacket $200 retail and 800 fill down.

He didn't say, hence the reason I asked. I've found on these forums it's not necessarily wise to "assume" any meaning.

sound wisdom Brad.

I use the DAS parka too. Most use comes during our winters here in AK.
It's good down to -20F with good layers. During hunting season I use it in an open canoe with motor that I run at about 15 mph, works so well that I have another new one to serve after this one has had it. Mine is alpha green ,bought at $75. Wish I had bought a couple more..

I'd take a look at Barney's Brooks Range Jacket. On my wish list to try out soon.Desgned by Alaskan sheep hunters.

Think they also make a warmer version but can't recall the name.

sitka cold front. mine never ceases to amaze me at how warm it keeps me with just my normal base layer/shirt combo.best jacket Ive ever owned

Been wearing a Wiggy's Sweater for the last 12 years. The new ones have a Suplex exterior that is much better when it is windy out than the original light nylon exterior ones.

When it gets dirty or smokey smelling just throw it in the washing machine.. My original 1998 vintage Sweater gets washed 2-3 times a year. Was out the other day at 8* with a thermal t-shirt and was very warm while walking...

http://wiggys.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=195&CFID=8428730&CFTOKEN=70174686

Bob

Cabela's Synthetic Down jacket!! They had smoking deal earlier and I bought 3 jackets and one vest. They are great stuff for money.

I got one jacket for my son and two jackets and a vest for myself.
i ordered XL and XXL jackets. XL I can wear under shell and XXL over the shell when stopping for glassing and it's not raining.
I paid $30 each, except XXL was $40. For winter hunting I can layer both XL and XXL and be very warm...

Lately I also got GoLite's vest which have 60g insulation.I think this is not nearly as warm as Cabelas syn down. However Golite is crazy light

For single heavier jacket I'd be interested of Das Parka but that's pretty expensive.
Matt

http://www.cabelas.com/mens-layering-jackets-parkas-cabelas-ultra-pack-synthetic-jacket-1.shtml


Try this for the cabelas synthetic ultra pack jacket. It looks like they used to have one with a hood that would have been great.

Kuiu Spindrift Primaloft insulated jacket packs small, fits well and is warm for the weight. I love it for backpack hunting here in British Columbia.

I've got one of those patagonia das parks in the classifieds if anyone is interested.

Also, I like using a nice puffy vest instead of the full jacket. I find the vest keeps me plenty warm, and my midlayer fleece with my raincoat/windcoat keeps my arms plenty warm enough.

Puffy vest is not as warm and not as bulky as its equivalent jacket.

just a followup, I told you guys I bought a cabelas wooltimate jacket. in an attempt for a one coat fits all approach, this way I can keep something to keep my head warm and gloves inside the coat, basically in an effort to manage my gear better. wool for some reason to me keeps me warm but doesn't get so hot normally basically I seem to just feel comfortable all the time with it on. But it can be heavy most of us know the draw backs of wool. however the wooltimate coat is a blend. its also not too heavy, as a pure back packing coat I would probably want something lighter.

yesterday took it out for some coyote hunting. did one stand temp 14 degrees and with a steady 10mph wind. this is about the most challenging conditions I will hunt in with it and I can tell you with a hoodie on under it, I was fine, coat did a great job of blocking the wind, but was comfortable to have on all day while riding around in the truck of course unzipped. this is alot to ask of a coat and one I am not sure was possible but this coat did great. while I wish the sleeves were a little more trim I didn't feel like the michelin man with the coat on. highly recommend this coat.