Jacket of Choice for Backpack Hunts

[RobinHood]

I am looking for "THE" jacket for backpack hunts. These suckers are expensive and I want to buy a good one and only do it once. I am looking for a jacket that is good in all situations, is durable, and warm. That way I only have to worry about packing in one jacket for the trip.

I have a quality base layer, but struggled with my coat last year. This year I am upgrading. I have narrowed it to three, but wanted some opinions on what everyone is using.

ASAT Outdoors Elite Ultimate Jacket http://www.lancasterarchery.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=296&products_id=11989

Sitka JetStream http://www.sitkagear.com/products/open-country/jackets-vests/all-jackets/jetstream-jacket/

Russel APxG L4 http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Russell_Outdoors_APXg2_Gale_L4_Jacket&i=414210&merchID=4004&r=view

Any thoughts or suggestions about other jackets are welcome. Thanks

 

[Livesilly]

I sure hope everyone has good things to say about the Gale because I just bought one. Its a bit heavy but the fit and quality is great...can't wait to get it out in the weather.

 

[brudno]

Really hard to beat Sitka Jetstream or the 90% jacket for backpack hunts in my opinion. I still pack a down jacket for a pillow and for those days when the temps really plummet and im mostly just glassing.

 

[mthuntress]

I'd go with any coat from Rivers West.

 

[BOHNTR]

I chose a wolfskin jacket made by gray wolf woolens. The BEST choice I've made. Lightweight (wolfskin), wind proof, hood, sheds water in heavy downpours, breaths, and has a draw string to cinch around chest (for bowhunters). Best of all, it comes in Predator camouflage.

www.graywolfwoolens.com/store/home.php

 

[RobinHood]

I'd go with any coat from Rivers West.

This looks like good stuff and reasonably priced. What products have you used or have experience with?

I chose a wolfskin jacket made by gray wolf woolens. The BEST choice I've made. Lightweight (wolfskin), wind proof, hood, sheds water in heavy downpours, breaths, and has a draw string to cinch around chest (for bowhunters). Best of all, it comes in Predator camouflage.

www.graywolfwoolens.com/store/home.php

Did you go with a custom made jacket like this one http://www.graywolfwoolens.com/store/product.php?productid=74&cat=20&page=1
or did you go with a different model?

IS that jacket stout enough to take on a bow hunt in August and and elk hunt in November?

 

[BOHNTR]

I gave them my dimensions (Outfitter series). I chose the Wofskin unlined jacket with the wind barrier. More than warm enough for me with silk underwear and mountain shirt. I've used in the high-country in Aug/Sep and temperatures in teens in December. The lined jacket is supposedly very warm......but you may cook in it if you're hiking, etc.

 

[300Weatherby]

i got the apxg2 gale jacket for christmas. i love the thing. it is very quiet and pretty warm. probably the most comfy jacket i own. i will be buying more apxg2 products befor this next season comes!
Go to lintonoutdoors.com they have the gale jacket on sale right now for $79.99!! thats a screaming deal!!!

 

[mthuntress]

I can't remember the model {SORRY}I take the tags off and I've had it for 6 years now.I now it's in the H2P line and it was rated for 35 to 60 degrees but I've had the same jacket on at a -45 with out windchill and walking around with the zipper half way unzipped.The plus for me was that it was waterproof the company ment it As I said I've had it for 6 years and when I'm in the down pour of rain/snow I still don't get wet at all.

 

[arrowslinger21]

I'd go with any coat from Rivers West.

I have a rivers west jacket, and I would not recommend it for backpack hunting. They are waterproof, but they also get heavy when they are really wet, and they take forever to dry. If it pours all day, it won't be dry after sitting in a tree overnight, and then when you cram it into your pack the next day when the weather is nice, it will still be wet and it will get the inside of the jacket wet. Then you will have a damp jacket to wear for a couple of days. Also I have one of their "heavier" jackets, and while it is very warm while moving (because they dont breathe) it is not warm while sitting and glassing. I have switched to sitka after being miserable in my Rivers West gear in the backcountry for a couple of years, and the sitka quality is far better, and the gear is far more effective. Rivers west stuff is definately water proof, and I use it for blacktail hunting still, but it is not meant for the backcountry in my opinion.

 

[*******]

I second arrowslingers remarks on Rivers West. Great gear for in a tree stand, a blind, or on horseback but not for hiking with. Too much material and hold water like mad.

I'll put my vote behind the Sitka jacket for an all around jacket, but the Russel one for bow hunting. It is just that much quieter in the brush on a stalk.

 

[AZ Hunter]

I just got the Russell Gale jacket too. The feel/fit/look is quality. I haven't had a chance to field test it yet. i also have the Storm Cloth II hooded jacket. It is waterproof and light weight, but doesn't offer much warmth or wind protection. Also, the useless black fleece patches suck up water and take much longer to dry than the jacket material.

 

[mathewshooter]

I think you have to put kuiu in this discussion also. All the reviews so far are great, I can't wait to get mine.

 

[RobinHood]

Great!... thought i had my mind made up and you throw another stick on the fire.

I will have a look for sure... thanks for sharing.

Edit: Which jacket did you buy and why?

 

[mathewshooter]

Yea I was looking at Sitka and Russell till I heard about KUIU. I sent a pm about my choice.

 

[hoytnut]

Avoid Rivers West - too heavy and will not breathe at all. I like my Sitka 90%, but I may have to give KUIU a try as well.

 

[woodtick]

I love all my Russell Stuff, Sold all my Sitka stuff and was able to buy the whole line of Russell and still had money leftover to get another pack. The Gale jacket is as good as any thing Sitka makes.

 

[RobinHood]

I tried on a bunch of jackets and went on a few good reviews from the net and decided on a KUIU Guide Jacket. The fit is awesome. I am 6'1" 185 lbs and the large is perfect. The tail is long and there is enough room underneath for layering.

Couldnt be happier. It appears to be quality stuff. Here in Vegas it is a little warm to be trying stuff out, but excied to get it out and have at it this fall.

 

[Twojump]

I have a Rivers West jacket and I would use it if the weather turned bad... we don't have all that many bad Sept days though... a few from time to time, but in Oregon it's pretty much warm and too dry until late season. The stuff is waterproof for sure. I wear it West side in the rain and it's always done a good job of keeping me dry. Some people say they get real sweaty in it, but I must move slower than most guys I guess. If it was raining or snowing hard enough, I doubt I'd be hiking enough to sweat in the thing.. I don't know...

Most of my trips are Eastern Oregon and drier than a popcorn fart so it hasn't been a problem either way.... but the Rivers West stuff would work in my opinion.

 

[arrowslinger21]

I have a Rivers West jacket and I would use it if the weather turned bad... we don't have all that many bad Sept days though... a few from time to time, but in Oregon it's pretty much warm and too dry until late season. The stuff is waterproof for sure. I wear it West side in the rain and it's always done a good job of keeping me dry. Some people say they get real sweaty in it, but I must move slower than most guys I guess. If it was raining or snowing hard enough, I doubt I'd be hiking enough to sweat in the thing.. I don't know...

Most of my trips are Eastern Oregon and drier than a popcorn fart so it hasn't been a problem either way.... but the Rivers West stuff would work in my opinion.

I don't know... I hunt in Oregon as well and hunt up high. I have been snow on during opening week the last 2 years in a row, and gotten snowed on at least once in every bow season I can remember during september. I hunt no matter what the weather is, and I used a rivers west jacket for two seasons before getting rid of it. Absolutely didn't cut it for me, and I was miserable many a time. I moved up to sitka and am in the process of field testing some of their stuff now. So far it has been way better though. I do still keep my rivers west stuff for late season blacktail hunts, but I dont use it in the backcountry anymore.