For glassing...puffy for sure. Not even close

 

They do make different grades of fleece from heavy to light but in general puffy gives you the best insulation per ounce wt. If you go the fleece route then lots of under layers may help. Feathers give great loft and insulation and are still near the tops per unit wt but many of the artificial fibers (e.g. polarguard and primaloft- which work even when wet) are nearly as good- wt a bit more, are bulkier but are cheaper. If you are sitting or relatively inactive at below freezing temps you want good insulation or you will suffer. One way or another puffy would be more efficient. I've spent some time sleeping in a tent in a polarguard sleeping bag at temps in the 5 to 10F range and was snug as a bug in a rug...I did not enjoy getting up in the morning tho.....

 

My sitka mid layer then fanatic hoody then mid Celsius coat then fanatic vest is a great combo for 30-37 degrees

 

Polarguard & Primaloft don't even come close to Down as I have had all 3 & tried them to compare for warmth & on a scale of 1 to 10 10 being warmest
which is down but Polarguard & Primaloft are about a 6 at best. I live in WI. & hunt late season in -20+ below not like AZ. at 30 degrees.

 

Yeah, I’m used to Northern MN hunting where you do a lot more sitting. This western stuff requires a lot more layering. I may just end up getting the FirstLite Uncompahgre Puffy.


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Pull the trigger brother....my go to piece here in AZ.....if you need any info, PM me

 

850-900 fill power down, is the warmest insulation money can buy.

 

Hahaha...that’s the issue. What money can buy. LOL!


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For a mid layer synthetic may be best, the uncomphagre is good to around low-mid 40's as an outer with some layers under it. It does make a very good mid layer under insulated outers.

 

Kifaru lost park parka and don’t look back. Not as expensive as down a tad on the heavy side but about as bombproof as you can get. Mine is always in my pack, super durable and super warm

 

Thank you, it looks really nice. However, in AZ it’s not a constant use item. So weight is more of a concern for me. It’s kinda like rain gear, silly to spend a bunch of money on something that’ll get used once a season. I’ll just spend $20 for a poncho that can cover my pack as well. If I start heading north on my hunts to B.C. and other locals, I’ll definitely look at the Kifaru though. Thanks for the suggestion as I didn’t even realize they sold jackets. Lol.


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Buy a used puffy on here, or get away from the hunting brands. Camo doesn't matter.

 

Yes to this! I bought a used Kuiu puffy on AT for 40 bucks. The thing weighs nothing, and you literally Feel yourself getting warmer as soon as you put it on. Great coat.

 

Keep an eye on eddie bauer for a clearance down puffy....

For example: https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/38832284/down-jackets-for-men/?sp=1&color=Med Indigo
https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/10112119/down-jackets-for-men/?sp=1&color=Black
https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/10112230/down-jackets-for-men/?sp=1&color=Dk Smoke


I have a 650 fill I paid $12 for and it's been a great coat for under my heater body suit. Light, packs nice, and keeps me warm when I take off suit to shoot deer.

 

Try looking at companies that don’t make camo colors. They are usually cheaper. The animals don’t care what your wearing under your Sitka outerwear. REI, EMS come to mind. I just bought my dad a Patagonia Micro Puff for a little over a hundred. Black Friday you’ll see lots of stuff for 40-50% off. Down is way warmer than anything else. But if you sweat through it, you’re hosed. Synthetic down will keep you warm even when it’s wet. Just something to think about.

 

Yes, I picked up a North Face Thermoball for $119 and it has been working awesome.

 

Costco has the marmot puffy jacket for $90, 700 fill.

 

Walmart Swiss gear puffer. Use it under your main jacket. Best 24 bucks you will ever spend.

 

Going to have to check those out. Just looking for a midlayer under my Wooltimate jacket. Have a Wish.com electric vest on the way. But probably won't see that for a month.

 

Just started using puffy this year and it was much warmer when the mornings were below 30.

 

Following

 

In AZ layering is likely the way to go. A puffy might be overkill and $$$. I use an ever changing combo of merino wool base layer, 1/4 zip micro fleece shirt, EB micro fleece thermal zip hoody with a EB zip (quite) stretchy hooded windbreaker, Kuiu camouflage pattern over the top.

 

Possibly, that’s why I posed the question. But with temperatures in Dec and Jan dipping down below 20 and doing a five day back country, I don’t want to take the chance. I’m actually more thinking of what I would wear at night in my bag. I have the merino base layers of varying weight and a Sitka Mountain Jacket and Vest. So during the day, I’ll be good to go. Thanks for the input.


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Good down is worth the extra cost. 850 plus is the way to go

 

I have a Mountain Hardwear 600 fill -15 bag that is great....for car camping or short pack in camping. Very warm and re-lofts well. Same bag from WM costs $600+ more than the $125 I paid for that bag on ebay in July........a lot depends on your application and how much you want to budget for gear that suits that application. Obviously, the best gear is usually made very well and is lighter/less bulk but the juice may not always be worth the squeeze.

 

Saw some Gen 3 level 7 military primaloft top or bottom $30. If camo is an issue throw a ASAT leafy suit over it.

 

where?

 

If your sitting in cold the level 7 is not going to do the trick...

 

I know it’s the last layer of the Gen 3 ECWCS system. So far I plan to use 3-4 layers. I have Cabela’s Polartec ECWCS, spandex underwear, and liner socks. Then Polartec 300 jacket, 200 bibs, and Wigwam socks. Topped with Dayone fleece Parka, ASAT classic bibs, and Danner 400 gram Thinsulate boots. If need be a Gore Tex jacket and pant as outer wear. But I agree that level 7 Primaloft alone does no good.

 

I have 3 of the L-7 pants and 2 parkas. For camping I put a L-5 pant over the L-7 pant( sized right and connected at the suspender straps on both pants you can put them on as one.....e-z peasy) for wind and general protection of the L-7 and wear a windproof L-4 under the parka. If your moving around a little they are great. I wear them over town clothes a lot going to the gym and such stuff. For the $ they are worth owning for sure but my uncomphagre stuff is almost as warm for a lot less weight and bulk to pack in. I guess it really depends on how you hunt, packing in I want light/packable because the weight adds up fast and it can suck to pack a lot of weight.....
Chilly and windy today and I am working outside....will wear L-5 jacket for sure with a heated vest under it and a wool sweater over the vest.

 

Zap I agree lighter the better. But I my case my wallet is to light to get the stuff I would really love to have. Lol. Which is a bonus because it also restricts me from those awesome hunts where I would really benefit from the best gear.

 

I hear ya, brother.

 

Here you go, everything you could probably want to know about puffy jackets.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12454523/5

 

What's some good puffy pants that will go underneath another pair of pants?

 

you're going to sweat like crazy

 

Just bit the bullet and ordered the FL Uncompahgre as it went on sale today. I’m tired of looking at jackets. LOL! Now onto the sleeping bags. Ugh!


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