Pack belts vs parkas

[tigerwerkes]

Is it just me or is it really annoying that there aren't more options for hunting coats that have a split in the sides to let the back stay tucked under your hip belt and the front to hang outside the belt?

I find that the pockets in most coats are placed too low and are covered by my pack belt, or if i pull the front off my coat out from under my belt then i end up with a wad of it bunched up on my hips.

I have an old walls saddle coat that has split sides, but i can't find anything with modern waterproofing and materials.

If any of the product developers are here... you're welcome... I'd be happy to test your prototypes.

 

[dfanonymous]

Most experts don't hike with layers on.
The industry realizes this. That's not a critique to you or the question.


That said, it would have to be extreme mountaineering, like -10 or worst before you'll catch me with more than a mid layer on while making a climb. Even in the Marine corps, we would be of a mind that being comfortably cold was better than over layering. Especially before movement.

Getting off my soap box; so for things like I do, I would use a shell like this: https://www.rei.com/product/230795/outdoor-research-foray-ii-gore-tex-jacket-mens

This has a large side zipper similar to what you're talking about. You can run the hip belt through if I'm understand the question right and it's made with a gortex shell. About as modern as I know more less, and I've been pretty happy with most OR products.

 

[Koda_]

Lots of options in hip belt pockets to add on.

PACK POCKETS

Our Pack Pockets give you little extra external pack storage, right where you need it! These super tough, waterproof, zippered pack pockets attach...

mountainlaureldesigns.com

Outside of a rain or blizzard I never wear a parka hiking, way too hot. Prefer my small items to stay in the packs hip pockets where they are always accessible regardless of changing layers when hiking.

 

[tigerwerkes]

Most experts don't hike with layers on.
The industry realizes this. That's not a critique to you or the question.


That said, it would have to be extreme mountaineering, like -10 or worst before you'll catch me with more than a mid layer on while making a climb. Even in the Marine corps, we would be of a mind that being comfortably cold was better than over layering. Especially before movement.

Getting off my soap box; so for things like I do, I would use a shell like this: https://www.rei.com/product/230795/outdoor-research-foray-ii-gore-tex-jacket-mens

This has a large side zipper similar to what you're talking about. You can run the hip belt through if I'm understand the question right and it's made with a gortex shell. About as modern as I know more less, and I've been pretty happy with most OR products.

Yes, maybe coat is the wrong term. I'm mostly wearing a waterproof shell +/- a layer underneath. That jacket is exactly what I'm talking about... wish there were more options.

 

[osok-1k]

Kuiu has a number of excellent waterproof coats with high pockets which are designed to be worn with a pack (backpack). Most are tailored for a close fit so you gat a lot of bunching. I have several Kuiu jackets / rain gear and pants and they work. Not inexpensive but you gat what you pay for. Sitka and First Light are other similar brands in a similar price range that are very good as well. I would not personally buy the Outdoor Research parka, it's not intended for a hunting application and will certainly have a lot of loose material unless you're a fairly rotund shape. Most of the expensive brands are geared toward more athletic builds and if you have much belly, like me, you need to go up in size.

 

[dfanonymous]

Yes, maybe coat is the wrong term. I'm mostly wearing a waterproof shell +/- a layer underneath. That jacket is exactly what I'm talking about... wish there were more options.

Try searching by mountaineering jackets. I have a UA hunting one (I'm in the ridge reaper line) that does something similar I think, but depending what you're doing, I wouldn't take something like that on anything hardcore. Like if I redid Whitney's mountaineering corridor, I wouldn't bring my hunting gear, obviously.

The only other one I know of that does that is a few of the mammuts. Check out the Taiss HS. I would imagine there's more. I'd be confident that black diamond, Patagonia, mountain hardware, arc'teryx, north face or one of those types make a model or 2 that do the same thing.

 

[Koda_]

What your looking for is a mountaineering parka.
The mountaineering community has solved the low parka under pack belt thing years ago, at least in the upper end brands. Kuiu, Sitka, First Lite are some hunting brands that have borrowed from the mountaineering clothing designs with camo for hunting (finally) check to see if they borrowed the high pocket design.

Though I still use a mountaineering brand for a "hardshell" rain parka for hunting, cheaper and lighter weight since I rarely use it in all but solid rain or blizzard conditions. Mines a Patagonia Torrentshell, weighs under a lb and compacts small inside the hunting pack. Dark grey for a neutral hunting color.