Okay, no, but, I made some customizations to one that I think I'll like for a lot of the hunting I do.
Not sure if any of you out there are like me, but I've struggled to find a jacket that has the features that I really want in a mid–layer jacket that also functions as an outer layer in dry conditions. Those features:
- warm enough for the most common temps I encounter while hunting (20s-60s)
- quiet enough to stalk within bow range
- Windproof (not wind resistant)
- durable enough to move through thick brush and timber
- loose enough to layer underneath
- low profile enough to put a puffy on over the top
- easy to put on/take off
- reasonably lightweight to carry when I'm climbing or the midday sun gets too warm.
All that said, I decided too have a local tailor make some changes to a pullover that I already had, to see if it would do a better job of serving the purpose that I wanted. The original piece was the Cabela's Microberber Windshear Pullover. It's a good weight for mid season outerwear, or a late season layer. Unlike the heavier outfitter's fleece jacket they make, I can shoot a bow without interfering with the string, and it's much lighter to carry/pack. The issues I had with it were that it's hard to put on and take off- it would bind on my under layers. It also had no sleeve cuffs, and a loose waist band, so wind would blow up your back, or into your sleeves.
So I had the tailor add a full-length zipper for easy on/off, and it will offer much more venting. She also added a draw cord waist to keep wind out of the back (not super attractive, but oh well), and elastic cuffs on the sleeves. If I like it on my January bow hunt, I may have her add pit zips as well.
All-in, zippers, cord & elastic, and tailor fees, it'll cost about $28 bucks. If I like it, I figure I'll have saved about $232 over the Jetstream, and $196 over the Guide DCS, which isn't windproof.
I don't think I'll ever make a long, steep climb in it, but I do think it will give me a better range of uses than a lot of the high end options out there in a warmer, quieter jacket. I'll post back what I think after my January hunt. Pictures of the the jacket attached.
link to the original pullover here:
Just thought I'd share since there's so much discussion about layers/softshells/etc. on here.
-C
Not sure if any of you out there are like me, but I've struggled to find a jacket that has the features that I really want in a mid–layer jacket that also functions as an outer layer in dry conditions. Those features:
- warm enough for the most common temps I encounter while hunting (20s-60s)
- quiet enough to stalk within bow range
- Windproof (not wind resistant)
- durable enough to move through thick brush and timber
- loose enough to layer underneath
- low profile enough to put a puffy on over the top
- easy to put on/take off
- reasonably lightweight to carry when I'm climbing or the midday sun gets too warm.
All that said, I decided too have a local tailor make some changes to a pullover that I already had, to see if it would do a better job of serving the purpose that I wanted. The original piece was the Cabela's Microberber Windshear Pullover. It's a good weight for mid season outerwear, or a late season layer. Unlike the heavier outfitter's fleece jacket they make, I can shoot a bow without interfering with the string, and it's much lighter to carry/pack. The issues I had with it were that it's hard to put on and take off- it would bind on my under layers. It also had no sleeve cuffs, and a loose waist band, so wind would blow up your back, or into your sleeves.
So I had the tailor add a full-length zipper for easy on/off, and it will offer much more venting. She also added a draw cord waist to keep wind out of the back (not super attractive, but oh well), and elastic cuffs on the sleeves. If I like it on my January bow hunt, I may have her add pit zips as well.
All-in, zippers, cord & elastic, and tailor fees, it'll cost about $28 bucks. If I like it, I figure I'll have saved about $232 over the Jetstream, and $196 over the Guide DCS, which isn't windproof.
I don't think I'll ever make a long, steep climb in it, but I do think it will give me a better range of uses than a lot of the high end options out there in a warmer, quieter jacket. I'll post back what I think after my January hunt. Pictures of the the jacket attached.
link to the original pullover here:
Cabela's Berber Fleece Camo Mens Hunting 1/4 Zip Pullover shirt Size XXL | eBay
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;">Cabela's Berber Fleece Outfitter Camo Mens Hunting 1/4 Zip Pullover Shirt Size XXL. Used Cleaning Out My Closet sold as is where is no sales of 48 states feel free to email me with questions</p>
www.ebay.com
Just thought I'd share since there's so much discussion about layers/softshells/etc. on here.
-C