Jacket- Heat Dump and back sweat ?

[undercover]

Just came back from a slow stroll wind bumping some whitetail bedding area, it’s 32deg, WNW wind 10 mph with gusts to 20ish. I put 1.4miles on the boots, dressed on the lightside, baselayer top, mid layer insulation and a Spider wind resistant jacket with zero zips for dumping humidity. Came home took off top 2 layers and my back was drenched. No pack only rifle and chest pack for binos. My question is: would pit zips remove heat/humidity for the back area? My arm pits were bone dry, my phone which I kept in my chest zip exterior pocket was also damp. I didn’t really exert much on the hunt, almost like a Sunday stroll. What jacket would you recommend for this type of hunting? I guess I was holding some pretty good heat. Thanks for your help….Blessings from Michigan

 

[Wrong Burgundy]

This kind of layering is pretty popular for the conditions you are describing. There are other cheaper options on the market, but the science behind it is pretty solid. I have not tried them yet, but nordic skiers, climbers, etc. are fans of this kind of layering. Something to consider.
I typically avoid a fully windproof layer as when I am moving and creating heat/moisture, I rarely can dissipate enough heat when on the move to offset the windproof function, so no matter what I will get sweaty. I like to dress light enough to "start cold" when I leave the truck, and know that I will warm up enough to just keep me comfortable without fully overheating and sweating. When I stop, I throw on the puffy and may even swap out for a dry fleece hat, depending on if I am going to glass for a while, etc.

Brynje USA – The Lightest, warmest, driest base layer you will ever own.

www.brynjeusa.com

 

[noharleyyet]

Picked up a used Kuiu puffy w/pit zips from someone here...handy little thermostat

 

[GrantK]

Pit zips help some but if you're generating any real heat in a hardshell they won't dump enough, if it isn't too wet or windy a softshell would do a better job of dumping moisture.
It's also possible that your insulation layer is not super breathable and is holding on to some moisture as well.

 

[undercover]

Thanks. Puffy would had been shredded with some of the stuff I went thru, baselayer is merino from black ovis so should be decent, I’ll have to explore more light to medium stuff with pit zips and go from there.

 

[MNElkNut]

This can be a problem late season pheasant hunting in MN. Temps are usually 0-20 and you can easily work up a back sweat. I have a cheap fleece jacket that the mice ate a hole right in the middle of the back when we were renting a place while building our house. It lets a lot of moisture out and a bonus is that I can tell people that is where I got shot. You could put a baseball through the hole so they always look shocked! So, simple solution, rip a hole in your jacket right in the middle of your back.

Seriously though, my rule is if I am comfortable while getting ready at the truck I am overdressed. That outer layer can trap a lot of moisture, so if you have the option of something that breathes well, try that.

 

[Jnasa]

A soft shell with pit zips has helped me a lot. I use it in light rain or wet brush when a hard shell isn’t needed.

 

[belshawelk]

First its the underlayer then the jacket. Good polypro pulls moisture away then a good coat like a Kuiu guide jacket with zip with let heat out/

 

[Redman]

One of my favorite products is made by Kuiu. It is called their Insulated Snap Shirt. First time I used it, many years ago, I was hiking my tail off trying to make it back to camp. I stopped and ran my hand down my arm and it was damp. When I got back to camp I took it off and noticed the inside was completely dry but the outside was damp with my sweat! My merino T shirt was dry as well. Not sure what magic material they use but that snap shirt is my favorite, it just pulls/lets the moisture out. Bought one just to wear around (have it on right now) when it gets cold but not cold enough for a coat.