Jacket/Parka question

2

280ackimp

Active Member
Jul 4, 2017
166
28
New Hampshire
I am going to be hunting in mid sept this year and am trying to figure out an insulating layer option for a backcountry
tent camp hunt. Space and weight is a challenge. I will be at 8,500 -11,000 feet and I am sure I will see 30 to 60 deg weather with snow and rain as per usual.
I plan on layering wool with fleece shirts and a a quiet rain shell. My decision is in getting the proper jacket for under the rain shell for really cold situations? Cabelas has a few options both down and synthetic under $200 that are truly packable. What do your guys use that isnt $300 or more that is durable,warm, quiet and packable?
Hunting in the NE I can get away with and have heavier and more durable jackets/coats however they dont fit the mission out west !
 
W

WY ME

Very Active Member
Feb 4, 2014
549
47
Wyoming
I would think all you would need is a light down jacket like they sell they Cabala's or a hundred other places for about $85. They weigh nothing. Here in the WY mountains that's plenty warm enough for September.
 
Slugz

Slugz

Veteran member
Oct 12, 2014
3,664
2,341
55
Casper, Wyoming
280.....great to see some one from back east word it the way you did. That right there is why having the really light options makes a huge difference. Good next to skin layer, followed by maybe another thicker thin layer, then down insulating weather layer when it gets cold followed by a weather layer. Many options to choose from out there.....until you say packable, saving weight and space. I'd recommend you just save/work a little more and get a truly ultralight layering system. If you are gonna start hunting out west more often then in the end it will save you money. Just my opinion. First Lite, Kuiu, Sitka......you can find the stuff on ebay, craigslist etc etc and or buy it new.
 
CoHiCntry

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
Find a light weight down puffy. They pack down to next to nothing and are really light. You don’t have to break the bank either. Costco has had some in the past that were dirt cheap a lot of guys are using. My layering consists of a long sleeve pullover merino base layer, a long sleeve button up microtex shirt then either a soft shell or down puffy with a rain jacket to put over it when needed. This is what I use 75% of the time hunting September through November in Colorado. I have a Marmot down puffy I’ve been using for several years. Don’t be afraid to buy used either!
 
bowrunner

bowrunner

Active Member
Oct 13, 2015
299
9
Illinois
That’s a good tip CoHiCntry, I might look out for a puffy from Costco.

To add to what was said. Some things you can get away with non-camo, and find high quality stuff on backpacking websites for cheap. Also, I have been hitting up the Cabelas Bargain cave lately, and getting some awesome deals. They won’t have First lite and Sitka stuff on clearance too much, but if you know what you are looking for you can find comparable Cabelas brand stuff. It might not be the level of First life or Sitka, but for me it’s fine. But, Slugs is 100% correct that you are better off buying stuff once and buying high quality than having to replace it more often.
 
CoHiCntry

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
bowrunner said:
That’s a good tip CoHiCntry, I might look out for a puffy from Costco.

To add to what was said. Some things you can get away with non-camo, and find high quality stuff on backpacking websites for cheap. Also, I have been hitting up the Cabelas Bargain cave lately, and getting some awesome deals. They won’t have First lite and Sitka stuff on clearance too much, but if you know what you are looking for you can find comparable Cabelas brand stuff. It might not be the level of First life or Sitka, but for me it’s fine. But, Slugs is 100% correct that you are better off buying stuff once and buying high quality than having to replace it more often.
Click to expand...
I agree... the only thing I would add is mountaineering companies have been in the business of making high end gear for mountain excursions a lot longer than the newer hunting companies making high end gear. Therefore you can get the same quality product from many mountaineering companies at a much lower cost. Of course both types of companies have some really high priced gear! I would look at moosejaw, backcountry, summit hut or a number of other online retailers to find a good deal on a decent puffy. It is nice to support companies that are catering to the hunting market. Everyone has to decide if it’s worth spending more or not?
 
RICMIC

RICMIC

Veteran member
Feb 21, 2012
2,016
1,796
Two Harbors, Minnesota
I did a late season cow elk hunt in WY this past January, and hiked from 6.5K to 8.5K daily from the pre-dawn. I couldn't have done that in a normal winter because of the snow cover, but this year the snow was light and the weather was mild. It served to make the access easier, but also put the elk on top of the mountain. Temps were 15 to 40. Merino wool base layer, poly fleece shirt, KUIU down vest, Sitka 90% jacket, Sitka 90% vest, Russell soft shell rain jacket. On the bottom I wore the merino wool long johns, 90% pants, and the Russell rain pants. Once I heated up, the down vest was the first to come off, and then the shell. After that I could control my temp by opening zippers. All were purchased at a discount except for the KUIU vest. That was $180, and is almost too thin to work (you would think), but it is beyond warm, and only weighs a couple ounces. I have a 550 fill vest that I paid $35 for that is 4X as thick, half as warm. So, my point is that, Yup you often do get what you pay for.
 
2

280ackimp

Active Member
Jul 4, 2017
166
28
New Hampshire
Gents I appreciate your comments and experience. I will look at the suggestions youve made.
Ive carried a winter parka in the past and just never used it ...that was 30 years ago nd the tech we have today wasnt available ! Thanks !
 
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