Russell isn't making them anymore, but I'd like it to be a little heavier-duty material and maybe a little quieter. But for the warmth-weight ratio I'm really impressed.
IMO synthetic is the most versatile and safest route for a back country extreme hunt. My favorite of the jackets listed above is the First Lite Puffy. I like the Super Down, but after wearing it super wet conditions for 10 days in AK last year, I was wishing I had my First Lite. The KUIU Super Down is definately lighter and more packable however.
On late season hunts I've started to pack two puffy's. SD for under and either the Spin Drift or First Lite over everything. I feel I could weather just about any conditions with this set up. I wear the KUIU Yukon as my outer shell, so when I'm really cold on that wind swept, snowy, cold mountain I have on the Super Down, Yukon and First Lite/Spindrift. These puffy's are so light carrying two is no problem whatsoever. I've eliminated my softshell with this system.
There are quite a few great choices out there. Decide whether you want down or sythetic and go from there. For me down is great for when rain is not imminent. From now on when I travel to historically wet areas, I'll be packing synthetic. When hunting the Western US, you can bet I'll have Super Down in my pack.
I have the Kuiu super down hooded coat. It is absolutely fantastic.
I also have lightweight patagonia down jacket called a down sweater. Its not camo obviously but I have the black so at least its not lime green.
Retail prices are not that different between the two (about $50) but the patagonia can be found on sale at times. Kuiu has some great sales too.
I have a golite wenatchee promaloft vest. It is really light and really cheap. I think I paid $30 bucks. It is a great insulating layer. Keep it under the back seat in my truck and travel with it in my carry on. comes with a stuff sack even.
WRT puffies,I haven't seen them all, but pretty much all the reviews rave about the FL. It's a bit heavier than most, but heavier duty, tougher as well. Rather than being so delicate it's primary use is in a layer with a soft/hard shell over it, this one is used regularly as a stand alone jacket. Cuts the wind very well but still has some "breathing" to it. It's certainly one of the best of breed.
Don't do late season, mid sept to early oct at the very latest, but things get into the teens fairly regularly. Pretty much what kota said. Between this puffy and the Yukon I'm dropping my soft shell jacket all together and actually feel I'm covered over a much wider range of conditions than my old system.
I see the puffy in most cases coming out when it gets colder, glassing, in camp, stationary things. Don't plan on using it when moving, a base, secondary layer and a merino vest as necessary when moving is enough. I can't imagine moving much with the puffy on, it is WAY warmer than it looks. And my thermostat is set higher than most...
God Bless.
Like Jac stated, not available anymore. Plenty of good choices out there. Develop a short list of what you want, be patient and wait for someone to discount as snap one up.
My 7/10 day pack is down about 10 lbs in the last 3 years with new gear, like a tent to a tarp, a new pack and sleeping bag/pad combo. A puffy jacket will drop a pound or a little more, I hope.
Thanks to all of you that posted and to anyone else that may post.. But please keep posting if you have info..
I would love to get one before my spring turkey season opens on the first Saturday in May to give it a try.. I have a bowsiter coming up to hunt for a week from Louisiana and we may do a 3 day spring turkey pack hunt..
Khunter, that's not a puffy jacket, that's just George bulked up. :)
Again thanks everyone..
Ed
do you want to have an outer layer that you always wear or inner layer that you wear as required?
if outer, you want something durable, water resistant and quiet. probably heavier and synthetic. maybe in camo.
an inner does not have to be as durable or camo. down is a better choice.
i tend to wear fleece as my outer layer as it is quiet and very flexible. under that goes another fleece vest with merino wool tops. if needed, i carry a down anorak.
sizes matter too. you may need to get inner layer that is smaller than your outer layers.
don't forget to factor in your raingear.
do you want to have an outer layer that you always wear or inner layer that you wear as required?
if outer, you want something durable, water resistant and quiet. probably heavier and synthetic. maybe in camo.
an inner does not have to be as durable or camo. down is a better choice.
i tend to wear fleece as my outer layer as it is quiet and very flexible. under that goes another fleece vest with merino wool tops. if needed, i carry a down anorak.
sizes matter too. you may need to get inner layer that is smaller than your outer layers.
don't forget to factor in your raingear.
Last August I had the pleasure of meeting Kuiu's founder Jason Hairston at the Heritage Hotel in Norman Wells NWT where we stayed in route to our sheep hunt with Arctic Red River Outfitters. Jason is a great guy and was interested in what I was bringing in on my hunt. Since I was packing mostly Kuiu gear all was good but he was concerned that I did not have a good thermal layer to wear in case the weather turned cold. Well to make a long story short, Jason gave me a new Superdown Zip T to bring along just in case.
Well as you can see in the attached photo, it was needed. Having lived and hunted in Alaska many years, I know how miserable things can get on backpack trips and honestly, I don't think I have every used a better piece of clothing, period. I especially appreciated the Zip T when I was glassing on windy hillsides. After dropping my pack, I would throw it on and I was warm in seconds; even when damp or wet.
Sitka Kelvin for me. I jam it into a large Zip Lok bag to keep it compressed. I love down too but it's just too bulky.