Thread: Down Jacket as a mid layer

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.