As a bonus recommendation, I just got the Traverse Cold Weather Hoody on my buddy Nick's recommendation. $199 is kinda pricey for a fleece, but this thing is crazy comfortable, fits athletic bodies perfectly, sheds light rain, and is totally quiet. Wish they'd add this to the everday range in some more colors like navy blue, or ranger green. I like it's full-length zip a lot better than the pullover Gradient hoody. https://www.sitkagear.com/products/traverse-cold-weather-hoody/optifade-subalpine
These recommendations also work well for midwestern early season deer (archery) and turkey hunting as well. I add the core lightweight hoodie into the mix and have had deer walk within 10 yards of my tree stand and not see me. I also love the Mountain Pants (which come with knee pads).
Do you wear/recommend a shirt between your base layer and the jacket? For example, my layers are usually in this order, depending on temp/activity: Core lightweight -> Apex hoodie -> Jetstream -> Kelvin active.
Sorry, just saw this. I'd just run the core, then the kelvin active, then the jetstream. You def want the insulation inside the shell! Can't see a lot of reason to add a shirt to that system, it won't add any warmth but will limit moisture transfer.
Insulation on the inside of the shell makes intuitive sense to me (and generations of jacket design); I only recently started trying it the other way after listening to Barklow make the argument for it based on moisture movement and efficiency for peeling layers. I honestly doubt I will notice a difference and will likely go back, something to think about.
I think Barklow's suggestion for wearing a shell under a puffy is if you're adding like a big high loft puff around camp at night, and it can't comfortably fit under the shell. His point is more that the shell can still function in the middle, if necessary, even if that function is limited. With something that prioritizes breathability like the Kelvin Active, I'd definitely try to get it inside the shell. Otherwise you're just stuck with a not very warm insulation layer constantly getting what warmth it can contain stripped away by any breeze.
Thoughts on a minimum temperature range when bringing the lightweight core hoody, kelvin active and a flash pullover? I’ve been bringing a light quilt for aug/early sept hunts, so sleeping in a puffy and 3/4 length Kelvin pants. The puffy needs replacing.
Also, my take on the ascent pants is 9/10. A two-way fly would bring them to 10/10.
Active or static? Active: anything this side of a blizzard. Static: 40.
Following Barklows prescription for sleeping in the aerolite bag is pretty spot on. Don't skip the insulated booties.
The Kelvin Down Light puffy is awesome. The new aerolite puff isn't very warm. My go to high loft is the Kelvin Down WS, but I don't like carrying that.
Late to report here, but that Kelvin Active is truly amazing. Thanks for the recommendation - slept in it all weekend, hell, I think it was on whenever the sun wasn’t.
Swap out the Ascents for the Mountain Pant (also in Pyrite and with kneed pads) and that was my archery elk uniform. Perfect except for the coldest moments sitting a wallow - I added a puffy.
As a bonus recommendation, I just got the Traverse Cold Weather Hoody on my buddy Nick's recommendation. $199 is kinda pricey for a fleece, but this thing is crazy comfortable, fits athletic bodies perfectly, sheds light rain, and is totally quiet. Wish they'd add this to the everday range in some more colors like navy blue, or ranger green. I like it's full-length zip a lot better than the pullover Gradient hoody. https://www.sitkagear.com/products/traverse-cold-weather-hoody/optifade-subalpine
These recommendations also work well for midwestern early season deer (archery) and turkey hunting as well. I add the core lightweight hoodie into the mix and have had deer walk within 10 yards of my tree stand and not see me. I also love the Mountain Pants (which come with knee pads).
Do you wear/recommend a shirt between your base layer and the jacket? For example, my layers are usually in this order, depending on temp/activity: Core lightweight -> Apex hoodie -> Jetstream -> Kelvin active.
Sorry, just saw this. I'd just run the core, then the kelvin active, then the jetstream. You def want the insulation inside the shell! Can't see a lot of reason to add a shirt to that system, it won't add any warmth but will limit moisture transfer.
Insulation on the inside of the shell makes intuitive sense to me (and generations of jacket design); I only recently started trying it the other way after listening to Barklow make the argument for it based on moisture movement and efficiency for peeling layers. I honestly doubt I will notice a difference and will likely go back, something to think about.
I think Barklow's suggestion for wearing a shell under a puffy is if you're adding like a big high loft puff around camp at night, and it can't comfortably fit under the shell. His point is more that the shell can still function in the middle, if necessary, even if that function is limited. With something that prioritizes breathability like the Kelvin Active, I'd definitely try to get it inside the shell. Otherwise you're just stuck with a not very warm insulation layer constantly getting what warmth it can contain stripped away by any breeze.
Thoughts on a minimum temperature range when bringing the lightweight core hoody, kelvin active and a flash pullover? I’ve been bringing a light quilt for aug/early sept hunts, so sleeping in a puffy and 3/4 length Kelvin pants. The puffy needs replacing.
Also, my take on the ascent pants is 9/10. A two-way fly would bring them to 10/10.
Active or static? Active: anything this side of a blizzard. Static: 40.
Following Barklows prescription for sleeping in the aerolite bag is pretty spot on. Don't skip the insulated booties.
The Kelvin Down Light puffy is awesome. The new aerolite puff isn't very warm. My go to high loft is the Kelvin Down WS, but I don't like carrying that.
Late to report here, but that Kelvin Active is truly amazing. Thanks for the recommendation - slept in it all weekend, hell, I think it was on whenever the sun wasn’t.
Swap out the Ascents for the Mountain Pant (also in Pyrite and with kneed pads) and that was my archery elk uniform. Perfect except for the coldest moments sitting a wallow - I added a puffy.
The Mountain's just soak up water and are too heavy. Ascents keep weather off way better.
Interesting, I will check out the Ascents. I've been really happy with the Mountains so far (and in Dirt, not Pyrite, it turns out).