Thread: Down Jacket as a mid layer

Hi
Someone mentioned in one of the threads about light weight gear they use one of these jackets as a mid layer.
https://www.macpac.co.nz/mens/jacket...ns/114097.html
Waring a marino/polyprop base layer would that jacket be better than than the one below for Canterbury?
https://www.kathmandu.co.nz/mens/clo...ed-jacket.html

Mostly a down jacket/vest is worn when sittin in ya tent, sitting glassing, or sitting round a camp fire when the temp starts to get noticeably colder.
I would have thought that wearing a down jacket as a mid layer when moving, you'll be sweating your arse off. Id be wearing multi layers of thermal or polyprop that you can strip off or put back on one at a time.
Over to you really

Hi Bos, good point about miltiple polyprop layers, have read that somewhere.
So down jacket does make more sense over the marino one

Most of the people I know use a thermal layer on the top and bottom. A micro fleece or summer shirt and shorts. And a light jacket for the wind.

This is north island.

And always an actual rain jacket in the pack.

I now have a lightweight down jacket that smells real manky cause I left it on under my anorak while on the move.an I don't move fast.

I have the Macpac supanova (check their clearance) its super warm and light. I always use it as a mid layer but only for glassing or moving around at the same elevation in cold temps it comes off the second i have to do any climbing. Even for winter i find that my Fast hunt top and two merinos (a lightweight firstlite hooded one and another 180 weight macpac one) cover me in almost all instances if i am moving. And with the puffer added covers me sitting. I just need a better set of gloves as the wind still gets my hands if its chilly.

EDIT:
https://www.macpac.co.nz/clearance/m...=en_NZ&start=1

These are another 10% off everytime they have a sale in store.

I have a ultralight macpac jobby that packs down real small in a dry bag. Great for putting on at camp after pulling off the wet gear and you can wear it in you sleeping bag for those real chilly nights. Also makes a great pillow if you don't need to wear it.

Hi
Thanks, did wonder if it would work in a sleeping bag ok. Cheers

I have a Macpac Uber Down Hooded Jacket that is super lightweight , it packs down into about the size of your hand .
It is about the lightest that they make in regards to Down weight and loff so it’s not the warmest you can get but worn on top of a thermal and light fleece layer you stay very warm still .
I would never wear it walking unless you are in a real survival/ blizzard type situation, but is super nice to have when you stop for awhile or at night .
Down puffy type jackets are not super resistant to abrasions or thorns etc so care must be taken when wearing them if your leaning up against a rock or tree glassing for example .
I wouldn’t be without mine and it goes everywhere with me because its so light and packs down small , you dont know its there until you need it .
Someone mentioned storing it in a dry bag which is essential because a wet Down jacket is as good as useless .
I consider it an extra in my daybag and still have a fleece mid layer with me at all times .

Originally Posted by Ground Control

I have a Macpac Uber Down Hooded Jacket that is super lightweight , it packs down into about the size of your hand .
It is about the lightest that they make in regards to Down weight and loff so it’s not the warmest you can get but worn on top of a thermal and light fleece layer you stay very warm still .
I would never wear it walking unless you are in a real survival/ blizzard type situation, but is super nice to have when you stop for awhile or at night .
Down puffy type jackets are not super resistant to abrasions or thorns etc so care must be taken when wearing them if your leaning up against a rock or tree glassing for example .
I wouldn’t be without mine and it goes everywhere with me because its so light and packs down small , you dont know its there until you need it .
Someone mentioned storing it in a dry bag which is essential because a wet Down jacket is as good as useless .
I consider it an extra in my daybag and still have a fleece mid layer with me at all times .

The Macpac Supanova I posted above and the new Icefall have a higher loft down and weigh slighty less (icefall about the same but has synthetic in the shoulders to help with moisture of something blah blah blah

I've got a hooded Macpac pulsar that i've been wearing as a mid layer. As its Primaloft moisture, in this case sweat,
isn't as much of an issue. I simply wash it with all my other hunting gear - it gets no special treatment. Have found it surprisingly hardwearing. Much higher warmth to weight ratio than a bulky mid layer fleece which is the other option. And its windproof. In winter, I still take a big down jacket for camp/inside sleeping bag on a chilly night.

Now slightly confused.
Just checking so I have on my list all the things I need to keep a lookout for. A good rain jacket (have), a marino and or polyprop base layer (have a kathamndu corespun marino which should do hopefully).
But then should I get both the marino jacket as per the link also the downs Jacket, and maybe a Fast hunt top or equivalent?
Was initially thinking the down jacket would mean I'd need neither the Fast hunt or marino one.

Ta for your input, still a noob on hunting/hiking

For general Canterbury conditions I find the following works for me, pretty simple

Summer
1. Merino base layer for day and walking
2. Merino base layer + Fleece for evening and glassing
3. Merino base layer + Fleece + Rain jacket for glassing in the wind and rain

Shoulder seasons and winter
1. Merino base layer for climbing
2. Merino base layer + Fleece for walking
3. Merino base layer + Lightweight puffer + Fleece for evening and glassing
4. Merino base layer + Lightweight puffer + Fleece + Rain jacket for evening and glassing in wind and rain

I use
Merino base layer: Kuiu short sleeve
Fleece: Some cheap hunting and fishing thing, its not real thick or heavy
Puffer: macpac uberlight wit hthe hood
Rain jacket: Stoney Creek Glasnock

Dont bother with an expensive fleece or lightweight puffer, it will just get gross after a few successful hunts

I go for a big boy puffer jacket if doing Alpine mid winter stuff

Originally Posted by mhoppy

Now slightly confused.
Just checking so I have on my list all the things I need to keep a lookout for. A good rain jacket (have), a marino and or polyprop base layer (have a kathamndu corespun marino which should do hopefully).
But then should I get both the marino jacket as per the link also the downs Jacket, and maybe a Fast hunt top or equivalent?
Was initially thinking the down jacket would mean I'd need neither the Fast hunt or marino one.

Ta for your input, still a noob on hunting/hiking

Down jackets are really not suitable for hunting/moving in. Best setup is the above.
You have a merino, so that's your base layer sorted.

Buy a midweight fleece mid layer. These are a practical and versatile layering product. Doesn't have to be a flash Harry one, plenty of economical options that work just fine. I have a hunters element one that I've had for years that was bought on slae for about 50 bucks. Good fleece. Some people go merino for this but personally as I wear it as an outer layer a lot, I much prefer a fleece. My flash Kuiu merino hoodie got holes in it first trip I wore it. Turns out merino doesn't like Bush lawyer

Buy a puffy on one of macpacs sales. You can get one for less than 100 bucks. This will be your outer layer at camp or when sitting/glassing. Usually over your mid layer fleece.

The only other layer is your rain shell which it sound like you have sorted.

Don't get to caught up in what the yanks do, our hunting is very different here.

Originally Posted by BruntyHunt

For general Canterbury conditions I find the following works for me, pretty simple

Summer
1. Merino base layer for day and walking
2. Merino base layer + Fleece for evening and glassing
3. Merino base layer + Fleece + Rain jacket for glassing in the wind and rain



Shoulder seasons and winter
1. Merino base layer for climbing
2. Merino base layer + Fleece for walking
3. Merino base layer + Lightweight puffer + Fleece for evening and glassing
4. Merino base layer + Lightweight puffer + Fleece + Rain jacket for evening and glassing in wind and rain

I use
Merino base layer: Kuiu short sleeve
Fleece: Some cheap hunting and fishing thing, its not real thick or heavy
Puffer: macpac uberlight wit hthe hood
Rain jacket: Stoney Creek Glasnock

Dont bother with an expensive fleece or lightweight puffer, it will just get gross after a few successful hunts

I go for a big boy puffer jacket if doing Alpine mid winter stuff

Agree mostly with above but replace fleece with a nylon type thin breathable long sleeve top ie Stoney creek fasthunt, Earth Sea Sky etc. These are cooler in summer i find wear better and save getting sunburnt on the tops as i never remember sunblock. Fleece is an ok compromise if you already have it but i find a long sleeve fleece top way to hot for climbing. biggest advantage of fleece is it is cheap.

Disagree on lightweight puffer. Buy a good one with high loft down as they aren't that expensive $225 will get you top of the line if you can weight for a macpac sale. it makes them way warmer. I dont fancy leaving down jackets on the outside layer a they get torn easily so one that can be layered is great. I dont wear it if (i am covered in undried blood or am sweating) so doesnt get gross at all. Put its in a dry bag in you pack like all you base layers your not wearing should be and good to go.