Puffy Jacket Playoff: Sitka VS. First Lite VS. KUIU VS. North Face VS. TUMI VS. Columbia VS. E Bauer

Puffy jacket ranking and review. Cheat Sheet: / hunt_detail
Check out this head to head video ranking Hunt Map Apps: • OnX VS. GoHunt VS. Hun...
Natural Down Fill, Synthetic Fill, Fill Power, DWR, Down to Feathers Ratio - it can all be a bit much. Let's see how these puffy perform and forget the marketing nomenclature.
Hunting Gear List: www.amazon.com/shop/jcoonshunts
Instagram: / j_coons_hunts
#sitkagear #firstlite #kuiu #northface #columbia #eddiebauer #puffyjacket #hunting #elkhunting #muledeerhunting #deerhunting #staywarm #backcountryhunting
Timecodes
00:00 Intro
2:00 Sitka Gear Kelvin Lite
3:48 First Lite Brooks Down
5:28 KUIU Kenai
6:48 North Face Thermo Ball
8:11 TUMI Preston
9:54 Columbia Omni Heat
11:48 Eddie Bauer Stratus Therm
13:23 Final Thoughts

[@theamericansavage]

Very nice review. One of the most in depth and informative processes of comparison. Really enjoyed it. Subscribed for more.

[@HuntDetail]

Thank you for the feedback and support!

[@brace1007]

Nice work, well laid out process. I've found that most puffy type jackets underperform while out in the wild. Where I've found they work best is as a mid layer under some sort of soft shell outer. Because of this I've gone more to looking at puffy jackets that are geared to the outer layer like FL Uncompaghre and Kuiu Proximity. Yes they are more than double the weight, but if I was continually using these as a mid layer then I'm still carrying that much weight anyway. Thanks for the video!

[@jamescrews3516]

One of the best reviews of these jackets! Very nice! Thank you

[@HuntDetail]

Thanks for the feedback and support!

[@CarolinaNocked]

Great video. I’m from the SE where I almost never gets cold but planning for an Illinois hunt this year. Love not having to spend 300 for a jacket

[@saggot420son]

Nice video. I would like to see these brands down vs down snd synthetic vs synthetic as well the "weight classes" such as kuiu super down vs ultra down. Expensive test for sure

[@jamescrews3516]

Crazy how good Columbia did. Those fleece pockets make a huge difference also

[@glynnplantz1159]

Great video! But, don’t forget Outdoor Research.

[@troutcrazy7541]

Great video

[@HuntDetail]

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback!

[@mkcl9073]

Great video, I was going to buy the First lite brooks down, until I watched this. Then I found one in the rack at Scheels. Definitely feels cheap and not very warm. Hopefully first lite sees this.

[@HuntDetail]

Thanks for the feedback. Truthfully - I like the FL Foundry pants and have other pieces of their gear…but this jacket is not one of them. Hope your season is going well!

[@tikka300wsm5]

If I'm carrying a puffy on a hunt, I am not expecting it to be quiet, durable, waterproof. It is because temperatures dropped and I need a layer to keep me warm. To me, it's sole benefit is warmth to weight ratio on long packs into areas.

[@sinepari9160]

I purchased the Sitka kelvin down lite jacket a few weeks ago prior to pheasant season in SD and it is loud but packs down small and the only MID-mid layer I'd need under a shell even at 0 deg temps in CO/WY/ND/SD where I hunt. I'll use goretex pro rain gear outer layers in single digit temps. I call everything a 'mid' layer because I can use a merino base and anything from a windproof hoody to full rain gear as an outer and is all I need from 0-warm temps when moving. If I stop I'll put on a puffy jacket/pants otherwise I can run with a wool base and mid/goretex outer. I do run pretty hot though and rarely get cold as long as my ears/hands/feet are warm. Pretty cool though and thanks for your honesty rating that EB jacket #1.

[@HuntDetail]

Best of luck this season!

[@markmoore312]

Thanks for doing this video, I know it took work

[@HuntDetail]

Best of luck this season!

[@clarencemaximum8553]

If you can please review the stone glacier Grumman, very interested to see how it compares

[@HuntDetail]

I agree…that jacket looks interesting and would be one worth taking a look at

[@davidgreene8453]

Eddie Bauer user for years. My wife uses one of my older ones for cold walks. I have no less than 6 of various weights. Couple are for more rough use(field use) couple for mid layer under shells. One for extreme weather. Can’t beat them and all bought for 40-60% off. Let’s not get started on the vests!

[@Thedoors432]

I have the first lite Brooks. A thin sweater and that jacket I’m good in 20-30 degree weather for a long period of time. If it is not real cold out, I will start sweating in it. Love my brooks down jacket. It’s light enough to layer, which everyone knows it’s about layering to stay warm

[@HuntDetail]

That’s great. And yes, layering is important…but that is not how I was testing them. It was based on pure performance and the Brooks didn’t not perform well.

[@messagesystem333]

No Forloh?

[@djw195]

Great vid. I got the Eddie bauer over the higher priced names brands cuz it seemed to be a similar fill and quality. I got a cheaper puffy jacket for around 35 and wear it under a Sitka stratus jacket and its great

[@PD-we8vf]

So you only paid $35 for an Eddie Bauer?

[@thatguythatsoutside]

Sam's Club has them just about every year.@@PD-we8vf

[@anbu1371]

Could you do a video like this for sleeping bags, with your favorite option

[@HuntDetail]

I like that idea…I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for the feedback.

[@arthurjones907]

You talk about your “core temp” are you meaning your skin temp? Or did you use a thermometer under tongue? Just wondering..

[@HuntDetail]

Temp on my chest as measured with thermometer.

[@tspencer5481]

Awesome video. I love to see non-hunting brands compete head to head with ones that are marketed to hunters and obviously marked way up. Do you have one like this for pants? Or rain gear?

[@HuntDetail]

I don’t have this for pants or rain gear…great idea for sure. Thank you for the feedback and support. Best of luck this season!

[@tspencer5481]

@HuntDetail Id watch if you did. Any off the cuff recommendations for a solid elk hunting pant thats not overpriced for what it is?

[@HuntDetail]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYS4knh9e8SafZIsi=57XaqrHW3Nm0vNo1 Wranglers from Walmart. $25

[@joshuareed3999]

Why not compare the KUIU Super Down Ultra or Pro in this comparison? Those are super popular and priced similarly to some of the ones reviewed here.

[@HuntDetail]

Great question! Truly...there are so many variations and options with each brand...it would be hard to do all of them. Of course Sitka and First Lite have other puffy options as well. I tried to focus on something that...to me...would fit my needs for 30 degree weather...early season elk or Nov. whitetail. Thanks for the feedback!

[@joshuareed3999]

@J_Coons_Hunts Thank you. I am in the market for a down jacket for an upcoming mule deer trip and your inclusion of non-hunting brands has me thinking.. I appreciate your content!

[@haff202]

Please compare packable puffy jacket and pant only down.

[@HuntDetail]

Explain? Not sure what you mean by the question. Some of these are synthetic and some are down…I chose this on purpose. All of these are “packable”.

[@LeoParsi11]

One thing that you have to take in to consideration is that the specialized hunting jackets give you warmth even when wet, but the non hunting jackets won't.

[@HuntDetail]

Ehhhh…synthetic down or synthetic fibers might…but not “hunting jackets”. It depends on their fill. Pretty sure the Columbia was synthetic. Of course, if you’re hunting Alaska…then synthetic is likely a better option. If you’re hunting elk in Colorado…different story…down can be an option if paired with a rain jacket, etc. Environments are going to dictate choices for sure.

[@emr7831]

What are the odds you know the model of the columbia?

[@HuntDetail]

I don’t know the exact model. I believe the exact model may be discontinued but there are several that are similar in design and makeup.

[@PD-we8vf]

You didn’t do Arctyrex?

[@HuntDetail]

Archtyrex is waaaaaaaaaay down the list. There are quite a few ahead of that brand.

[@justinwoodcox6406]

Price out the window how do you rank them?

[@HuntDetail]

Ehhh, the quiet touch to the Kuiu is hard to beat. It’s warm but also something that isn’t noisy with brush, etc. If it’s going to be really wet conditions, I’d pair it with a windbreaker/rain jacket. May even apply some water repellent to the shoulders and arms.

[@HuntDetail]

After that, it’s hard to say. It’s been a while since I’d did this review. Good question thought

[@Lexidezi225]

So where is the durability test? This test don’t mean shit without a durability test. And for that you would need time to use them all hard

[@Blingem14]

These are not even comparable jackets… they are all of different levels of insulation. Good first stab at it but there are so many variables you’re not mentioning. Were u in the sun for one and not with another…? On and on.

[@HuntDetail]

Thanks for your support! Best of luck this season!

[@user-ul4wy2lx2m]

There are so many different jackets out there and my favorite is Eddie Bauer because the price that you can find for cheap and it goes up against jackets that cost 4x more money but if you get into some of there jackets that are for climbing 🧗‍♀️ you will find it actually to warm to use if you are going to the car then the store lol 😂 so ya there lightweight jackets are better because the other ones are overkill 😊

[@ericweber7707]

Awesome comparison video, well thought out. Thanks for taking the time to make this. I’ve made similar gear videos on my KZbin channel. I know the time and effort it takes to make these videos. 🫡

[@ryaniam22]

I wonder if there any of those are secretly just a fleece convered by 2 sides of nylon. Fleece is made of polyester so if they don't specific what polyster insulation is inside it often if just a fleece...which is ok but makes they way overpriced and not overly effective