What's warmer.. Predator fleece jacket or extra heavy/blanket Asbell?

[Zradix]

Hey Gang,

I have a predator fleece jacket.
It's nice, quiet, and fairly warm..definitely need to layer on cold days.

The sleeves are a bit short though and the cuffs are a bit bulky.
I've been shooting bows with a lower brace height and having some clearance problems.

Anyway, thinking hard about an Asbell pullover in extraheavy or blanket weight.

Wondering if anybody has tried both and can tell me if one seems warmer than the other.

Thanks!
   

[xtrema312]

I have a predator fleece jacket or coat.  Not sure if is the same as yours or not.  It is fairly thick. I think it has a wind layer in it because it does good in the wind and has a bottom part inside that you hook around you waist.  I had an Asbell zip jacket in extra heavy weight.  No comparison in warmth to me at all particularly in any wind.  Predator was hands down way warmer with both over the same under layers.

The Asbell jacket or pull over really needs to be part of a layering system and you need something to block the wind.  I sold mine and plan to get a vest instead so I can use it under or over as part of my layering with other stuff.  Vest over my lighter layers for mid fall temps and under my predator or other top coat in colder weather.  That way I don't bulk up my sleeves.

[Zradix]

Thanks xtrema,

I have the one like this...
 http://stjoeriverbows.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=11

Thank you for your input.

[xtrema312]

I think our jackets are similar if not the exact same thing. I got mine used in a trade on this site. I didn't get it new to know what it was, but I don't see anything on the linked site that my jacket could be other than the the jacket the link goes to.

[SELFBOW19953]

I wear a light weight wind proof shirt/jacket under my Asbell zip up jacket with very good results when it's windy.

[Marc B.]

Zradix I have the same Predator jacket as you and a ton of the Asbell wool. The Predator is much warmer when the wind blows,I bought it and the matching pants for blustery days. If you go with the Asbell get a windblocker vest to go with it.

[yogibarrows]

I have the Predator jacket too and I did not like the bulky cuffs like you said.  They were very tight too.  I cut off the sleeves and made it into a vest, I love it now.

[Zradix]

Thanks guys.
I do have an asbell windblocker vest and it works great.

That's an interesting thought Yogi...maybe a predator vest over an Asbell pullover over a windblock vest...hhmmm

[TxAg]

Originally posted by Zradix:
Thanks guys.
I do have an asbell windblocker vest and it works great.

That's an interesting thought Yogi...maybe a predator vest over an Asbell pullover over a windblock vest...hhmmm

That sounds warm. I'd probably fall asleep wearing that  

[Zradix]

I get my best naps hunting...lol

[Hermon]

For those of you that have the Predator jacket with the windshear lining, is it quiet?

[Zradix]

yes it is very quiet.
It doesn't block all the wind..but a good portion of it.
You can blow through it fairly easy with your mouth right up on it.

Personally I'm surprised how much it blocks the wind..I was dissapointed when I first received it and did that test..but it ends up working pretty well.

I did stay a LOT warmer when I started using the asbell wind blocker under it though.
That vest is a pretty good insulating layer too though...

[xtrema312]

Originally posted by Hermon:
For those of you that have the Predator jacket with the windshear lining, is it quiet?

Yes very quiet. Nothing like the last set of heavy camo stuff I got with the water proofing layer on it. That was like moving around in a paper bag for quite a while.

[Gator1]

I have the predator set like you guys.

Best value and quality I've owned.

The pants are outstanding as well as the jacket,

Hunted in mid 30s,

No longies on bottom. Am
Nod basically a fleece shirt under the jacket.

[NoCams]

Same here..... Windy days the Predator comes out, all other days I love my Asbell blanket weight. Heading to the tree now, blue bird day, no wind to speak of, high 40 something so Asbell over Ulfrotte' longjohns and I will be toasty. Hunted the previous few days in 15MPH winds in Predator with wool underlayers and stayed toasty due to windblocking capability of Predator lined fleece. Had a buck come down a hill so even though I was 18 feet up a white oak he was above me a few days ago. He practically looked right at me several times and never saw me. I am telling ya'll that as long as you stay still deer cannot see Predator Fall Gray......    Best camo out there IMHO. I feel the same way about my Asbell Timber Ghost, the light open colors keep you from becoming the black blob against a light sky background and gray tree trunks.

[Cecil]

What I have found is if you wont something to block the wind and layer get a gogging suit with the liner. they are very light. alittle noisy but under other clothes they work great.

[Roger Norris]

Asbell wool is absolutely part of a layering system for the deep cold. We wear them alone in early season, but later on (like now) I start with a windblocker vest, and then add a Asbell Sherpa vest on bitter days, or just a plain wool vest. Maybe throw a wool shirt or sweater (I have had a Filson sweater for years, I use the heck out of it in layering)and a zippered jacket over that.

I love that Teresa now has Zippered Jackets instead of just pullovers, it makes the layering SO much easier. I choose whichever plaid pattern fits the terrain.....usually Evening Stand Green or Brown for ground hunting, and Timber Ghost for treestand sitting. Because of the layering, I don't consider what weight they are at all.

An alternate to what I just described, is to have one base Asbell garment....such as the Anorak in grey or green, and use the vest's in different patterns for both layering and camo effect.