Down/Puffy Insulating Layers

Looking for anyone with experience using Down or synthetic "puffy" insulating layers. I'm thinking about late season and looking to add some layers that don't take up a bunch of room or weigh a ton.

So far I've been wearing a heavy weight Merino base layer on both top and bottom, then a ScentLok Alpine hoodie on top, and then the ScentLok Covert Deluxe windproof fleece on top and bottom. This is a killer setup into the mid to high 20's but I'm looking towards those single digit days that are sure to come. I'm thinking a nice light weight down piece would be the ticket in between the merino wool and the windoproof fleece on top.

I see KUIU makes some down pieces, but they're crazy expensive. Cabela's has their Instinct series which looks good and isn't terribly priced. I'm also looking at the Patagonia Nano Puff Pants. They're the cheapest of the bunch and seem like they would work pretty well.

http://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-puff-pants-for-fly-fishing/82140.html

 

I have a First Lite Uncomparghe Puffy. Super warm and light and will definantly be in my late season attire. I did buy this for backpack hunting though, so you could probably find just as good insulation that's a little heavier and cheaper.

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You need the puffy jacket to be your outermost layer in order for it to work properly.

 

I have no argument to say otherwise, but I have used my puffy under a soft shell and was plenty warm.

I would say any puffy I've seen would be too noisy as an outer layer.

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That sucks, as I really wanted to add a First Lite one, but in order to save some cash I really figured I'd use it as an outer layer....but the noise thing concerns me big time.

 

Not saying it won't add some insulation, but down insulates by creating loft. The more down is compressed, the more it loses it's ability to insulate. This is the same reason a down sleeping bag will not insulate you from the cold ground.

 

I'm a fleece guy as an outer layer, so most anything is too noisy for me.

The FL puffy is priced at what it is due to it's weight and packability. I carried mine for 3 weeks in Alaska and Idaho and it's perfect for that style.

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But you personally haven't noticed a loss of it's insulation properties (atleast noticeable) by wearing a layer over it?

 

Diminished? Maybe a little. Was I warmer than had I not had it on? Definitely.

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I might consider puffy on my legs but I don't want it on my upper body shooting bow. Upper body I've upgraded myself to battery powered heat. Keeps warm and thin.

 

For extreme cold all-day sits, I have two base layers (one is a micro fleece turtleneck). Then I put on my battery powered heater vest. Over that I put either a down vest or a down jacket. They are lightweight and pack very small. Yes, they make some noise, so I cover them with a fleece or wool jacket. Compression is not really an issue, since my fleece jacket is not super tight. The combination of the heater vest and the down to hold it all in has been unbeatable for me. Dressed this way, it's like I'm in a different climate, and I am still able to shoot my bow without interference. I am now thinking about getting a pair of down pants as an underlayer.

 

Why wouldn't it work as an insulating layer just as well?

 

This is exactly what I was thinking. My fleece is pretty large and today's puffy jackets and pants aren't like they were in the 60's. We're not talking about the kid from A Christmas Story here. I own a few puffy pieces of casual wear (jackets and vests) and they're pretty slim and very warm. I've almost considered just washing them in DDW and wearing them under my fleece instead of buying something new. Just need a pant to go with it.

 

Oh man....now my North Face puffy jacket is on its way for a test run....wife is gonna kill me if I take it and make it hunting apparel now LOL

 

They make a sleeveless vest puff right? That is kinda what I'm thinking of grabbing, lessons arm bulk for bowhunting but keeps the core temps warm.

 

I bought a cheap down vest at Costco last year and it makes a difference. I wear it under my regular hunting gear

 

Cant go wrong with a good wool sweater if you have one. I usually go with the long johns, a wool sweater, hoodie and scent lock jacket on top and I'm good. I'm also a grizzly bear and never get cold too.

 

I use the First lite Uncompahgre Puffy Pant and the Kuiu Super Down Jacket. The First lite pants I think are my favorite piece I have ever owned. The have double zip up the entire legs. I can wear whatever I want to the stand and once I'm settled in I can put them on in the stand over boots or whatever. They also are not loud at all. Its like wearing a sleeping bag. I use the Kuiu puffy super down (no hood) and wear it as close to skin as I can. I know everyone here says different but I find it much warmer close to the skin and its just stupid loud if you have nothing on top of it. I use and old fleece snowboard jacket liner over it. All together its fantastic. I am a person who is always cold. This setup works great for me. The only change I plan to make is to hopefully buy the First lite Sacutuary jacket next year. For over top or replaceing. The bonus on both the pant and Kuiu jacket is they pack down insanely small. You can get the jacket in a large pocket if you have too.

 

What's with the Life Preserver?

 

I use this one, it's totally silent