Thread: What Jacket next?

Originally Posted by K95

What is the deal with arcteryx leaf gear? They make a parka that's thigh length.

Arc'teryx LEAF is MIL/LEO specific range of technical garments made by one of the best outdoor gear manufacturers. It came around as a result of SOF guys requesting Arc'teryx make some items in subdued colors. It is ridiculously priced, but the intended buyer is budget rich SOF groups.

Yes, they made an Alpha Parka. I believe it was a request from a Scandinavian SOF team. It is no longer in their line up. You can still find it around.

For a lightweight hunting option, an Alpha LT and an Atom LT is a pretty awesome combo. It weighs less than a kilo (combined weight of 820gm), and combined with a merino base layer I have comfortably taken it to 0 degrees in the heavy rains of the PNW. The Atom LT by itself is one of the best pieces of kit, it is great as a stand alone jacket, and is wind and water resistant. It is so good, I had to buy my wife one, so I could get mine back.

I have the normal Alpha, and it is a bit heavier (an extra 185grams), but has a more robust exterior fabric. I'll use that if I'm in thicker scrub.

As I said, their stuff is expensive, but you can find some great deals. I got the Atom LT and the Alpha LT for around $500 landed. Their stuff has a lifetime guarantee.

Outerwear | KUIU Ultralight Hunting

Highly recommended, read the descriptions and decide what works best for you

I just ordered the Kuiu guide jacket on sneezes advice. Thought it was a good price as well on the black Friday sale. Got a set of gators thrown in and should be under any customs bullshit.
Bit of a wait but.

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Originally Posted by 199p

Outerwear | KUIU Ultralight Hunting

Highly recommended, read the descriptions and decide what works best for you

You where yours in a shop it hardly counts
The Sitka stormfront gear takes some beating IMO.


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hahahaha at over double the price i would hope it would take a beating

[QUOTE=K95;320591]Ridgeline is fucking rubbish, Stoney creek is rubbish and hunters element is rubbish. Selling you back up service instead of a good product is not good. Don't kid yourself you're the only one who's gear from them has failed.

Totally agree have one of each and still get wet when it rains. I'm going to get a 'kaiwaka' raincoat next life time guarantee.

Originally Posted by 199p

hahahaha at over double the price i would hope it would take a beating

True
Sorry I meant the Sitka Cloudburst.


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Hey you write for the magazines don't you? I've read your articles and love your writing. I particularly love the fact you discuss things some of the boys might be too macho to discuss. Of note was your article discussing how you felt killing animals. I really struggled with this when I shot my first goat a few months ago. May struggle with this aspect of hunting. Not too worried tho, if I can't hack it, might take up nature photography and use hunting skills to get close to the animals for photos. Camera kit would weigh a little less than Bow or Rifle too I'd say, LOL.

Think you are probably one of the most talented writers in the hunting mags currently. We're probably on a similar journey, being a bit new to it, although I'd say you're a lot more experienced than me.

Anyway, all the best, look forward to your next article, keep up the great work.

Regarding pit dumps, the XTR has huge ones which made no discernable difference. AND I tried just about everything under this jacket without joy. When it was bone dry and I had my primaloft jacket under it, I felt cold and damp and generally chilled in about 4-5 minutes, removed the XTR and felt warmer and drier in about 2 minutes.

Basically if it's warm the XTR is a giant, hot, stuffy plastic bag and if it's a bit cold, it works like a heat exchanger and chills you to the bone. I do think the shell isn't beading water off any-more, so that is probably a key issue. Don't mind being hot and a bit sweaty, just the cold factor I'm not keen on.

Currently considering : Stoney Creek Rock Pullover and a cheap ($50-$100), lightweight, non breathable, packable 100% waterproof raincoat.

Spoke to a customer in a shop today and he swore by his, reckoned he wore it all day in light rain and was warm n cosy. Not too many negative comments on Stoney Creek stuff, so maybe one of their Hunting jackets, but...mmmmmmm

Anyway I'm raving.

Cheers Campbell

those Sitka coats are bloody expensive, but in reality what advantage does a Sitka shell coat have over a standard mountaineering brand coat?

and lets face it when its pissing down you aint giving two shits whether your being quiet or not. more important you want to be dry and warm!

[QUOTE=Dundee;320989]

Originally Posted by K95

Ridgeline is fucking rubbish, Stoney creek is rubbish and hunters element is rubbish. Selling you back up service instead of a good product is not good. Don't kid yourself you're the only one who's gear from them has failed.

Totally agree have one of each and still get wet when it rains. I'm going to get a 'kaiwaka' raincoat next life time guarantee.

Used all above & they shit I now use my kaiwaka raincoat I just put an airmesh top over the top to keep the noise down

Originally Posted by actstuntcam

Hey you write for the magazines don't you? I've read your articles and love your writing. I particularly love the fact you discuss things some of the boys might be too macho to discuss. Of note was your article discussing how you felt killing animals. I really struggled with this when I shot my first goat a few months ago. May struggle with this aspect of hunting. Not too worried tho, if I can't hack it, might take up nature photography and use hunting skills to get close to the animals for photos. Camera kit would weigh a little less than Bow or Rifle too I'd say, LOL.

Think you are probably one of the most talented writers in the hunting mags currently. We're probably on a similar journey, being a bit new to it, although I'd say you're a lot more experienced than me.

Anyway, all the best, look forward to your next article, keep up the great work.

Cheers Campbell

Many thanks, Campbell

Originally Posted by scoped

and lets face it when its pissing down you aint giving two shits whether your being quiet or not. more important you want to be dry and warm!

Exactly. Which is why I said earlier I just use a good warm coat and have one of those pack away raincoats that are 100% waterproof. Lighter, don't hold water and windproof!

I wouldn't be without my Swazi " One Tough Mutha ", in fact I have two. It's purely a Goretex shell, has kept me dry on the Kaweka tops and in pissing down gales around Puysegur Point in Fiordland.
For warmth layer I underneath it. It's noisy, so what, I need to be dry. It rolls up into its hood.
I bought both off TM, still with the stores tags on them.

I guess we're drawn to the clothing racks in " hunting " stores, and begin our search there.

Resist the urge and as others have said, start looking in the likes of the Bivouac stores or online.

After sales service is no use to you when you're hypothermic.

B

If you do want a real good Hunting Jacket the best I have seen is the Sitka Downpour jacket. I first saw them when a guy came back from a hunt in denim jeans in pouring rain and the jeans were perfectly dry underneath! (He was wearing the downpour leggings.) The jacket performed just as well.

Looks like I'm getting my money back. Hamills turned the Hunters Element Jacket around super fast and contacted me super quick with a replacement. No word on what the issue was with the original jacket. I was told if I can find my original receipt I can have a store credit. Awesome.

Bought a cheap $100 jacket on Torpedo7 in the last few days a Yukon
• Scent-Factor™ (scent inhibiting silver ion anti-microbial) treated lining
• Waterproof and Breathable
• High count tricot fabric is ultrasoft, durable and quiet
• 2 zippered chest pockets
• 2 zippered hand pockets

Hoping to use as a mid-layer shower-proof jacket. was going to get a Stoney Creek Rock-Pullover, but the Yukon was cheaper and I thought it'd do a similar job.

So: Currently thinking
Stoney Creek Hybrid (for cold wet conditions)
Gortex rain-coat for over the top of that.


Thoughts on:
Stoney Creek Rock Pull-over
Stoney Creek HYBRID
Yukon Jacket
Deals on Gortex jackets (small and packable and not more than $250) Katmandu have a few quite good ones from $200-$250, but there must be better deals out there.


Cheers Everyone
Cam