Kryptek Aegis Insulated Hunting Jacket Review

Mountain Weekly News ~

Kryptek’s camouflage covers the people who protect, the armed forces whose Aegis allow us the freedom to play in wild, untrammeled woods; it’s a given, then, that Kryptek Aegis Hunting Jacket will take your stalk to the next level. Given its warmth and waterproofness, your only problem might be that it’s never too cold to hunt and that would definitely get in the way of winter couch season.

Highlander Camouflage Pattern

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The Kryptek Aegis Jacket I tested has the Highlander camo pattern. Does it work? I mean, I’m not an elk or a grouse but I was able to hide from my partner in the woods. But my testing doesn’t really matter because the US Department of Defense already did that heavy lifting. This is a company that was founded by veterans who wanted to bring combat-level camo to civilian hunting applications. But Kryptek still supplies the DOD, and their patterns were evaluated in corresponding terrains as well as against NIR (Near-Infrared reflectance). The Aegis’ Highlander camo is made to hide in golden grassy plains, hard-scrabble high desert areas (think Afghanistan), and even marshes (though the Deadzone Flyway pattern does a better job of that).

But yeah, the camo looks sick and has been certified by the military to work. If U.S. Special Ops depend on Kryptek to keep its warriors out of view from gun-wielding enemies, no doubt the Aegis jacket with Highlander camo will keep you hidden from that herd of impala a hundred yards away.

Built for Cold Days in the Mountains

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Those starts at zero-dark-30 during fall hunting season can be rough. Especially once you get into position for your prey and you just have to hunker down until the sun begins that slow morning thaw. Luckily, this Aegis jacket is freakishly hot. Like, you could wear a t-shirt under this for a below-freezing hunt and still be fine. I’ve worn my fair share of Primaloft but Kryptek’s 100-gram Primaloft Synthetic Insulation is hotter than a lot of my down jackets. Now maybe it’s getting an assist from the Soft Tricot Lining. Maybe it’s that body mapping Kryptek does so those spots that really notice the cold get a little extra heating.

Either way, I personally wouldn’t wear this out for big game, unless I was posting up in a tree stand or hunting for, say, antelope by scoping them out from buttes and then driving towards a herd in an expansive plain. The Kryptek Aegis is warm. I wore it carrying a gun on a scrubby stretch looking towards a tree looking for a lek, and then along a river searching for ducks. Neither were very successful hunts but it was getting late in the season. I also wore it for a pre-dawn hike to a spot to hunker down for an unsuccessful deer hunt. Even with snow on the ground as I moved slowly or in the pre-dawn dark I never felt cold.

Where I really tested the insulation, though, was on top of Grand Targhee ski resort. What’s the difference between a ski jacket and a hunting jacket? They both have to take care of you in every condition. They both are made for high activity regardless of the weather. On this day, the temp was dropping fast and the wind was spitting frozen rain at me but my body was toasty. Though the waterproofing might have had something to do with it as well.

Wind & Waterproofing

Kryptek’s Aegis jacket is one of the best jackets I’ve worn hunting for keeping nasty, wet weather from slicing through. The Outer is 100% Polyester Quite Brushed Tricot that Kryptek claims is 100% windproof and waterproof. With 20,000 MM of waterproofing, I’d say that’s an accurate assessment. Even more, as I fought through a day where the storm blew in, roaring snow just below freezing at me so it crusted my jacket (and the rest of my body), the dampness never sank in.

There was also the wind, that reminded me of an Icelandic peak. That even managed to sneak into my Gore-TEX pants (which admittedly were a few years old). But not the Kryptek Aegis. This jacket kept me bundled and warm. Though with its 10,000 g/m2/24hr rating I didn’t start overheating when I dipped into the trees to fight down hardpack with the occasional good turn.

Aegis Jacket Features

A good jacket, especially for hunting, is infinitely important. The Aegis has a big external chest pocket that can fit glasses, a phone, and a wallet. The two outside pockets are huge too, big enough to hold a hat, gloves, some extra shells, and such. There are also 2 inside pockets, for those final little things.

The 3-point detachable hood was big enough to fit over my ski helmet. There’s also the chin rash guard and the pit zips, which came in super handy when I was skinning with my chainsaw to cut down a Christmas tree (chainsaw get heavy a few miles in). I should add that the needles never penetrated the outer membrane as I carried it out. And of course the ninja Hans (cuff thumb holes), kept it locked in, especially important when shooting for a little extra warmth when your gloves are off.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

1. Exceptional Warmth: The jacket’s 100-gram Primaloft synthetic insulation, combined with the soft tricot lining and body mapping, provides outstanding warmth, even in sub-freezing conditions. The reviewer even found it warmer than some of their down jackets. This makes it suitable for cold weather activities where staying warm is crucial.

2. Excellent Waterproofing and Windproofing: The 100% polyester outer shell boasts 20,000 MM of waterproofing and is also 100% windproof, according to the review. The jacket successfully kept the reviewer dry and protected from wind, even in harsh conditions like blowing snow and freezing rain. This makes it highly reliable in inclement weather.

3. Effective Camouflage and Military-Grade Design: The Highlander camo pattern, tested and used by the U.S. Department of Defense, is designed for various terrains and includes NIR (Near-Infrared) reflectance consideration. This makes the jacket effective for hunting in various environments. The veterans who created the brand also imbue it with a level of experience and credibility.

Cons:

1. Too Warm for High-Intensity Activity: The jacket’s exceptional insulation, while beneficial for cold conditions, may be too much for high-intensity activities like stalking game over long distances, leading to overheating and discomfort. The reviewer mentions not recommending it for “stalking big game for miles up and down ridges carrying a rifle.”

2. Bulky for Agile Movement: While not explicitly stated, the jacket’s focus on insulation and protection likely makes it less lightweight and flexible compared to jackets designed specifically for highly mobile activities, even if it is not bulky. It is not an activity jacket that would be good for backcountry skiing.

3. Price: Though not explored in depth, the jacket’s price point of $339.99 is a significant investment, potentially making it inaccessible to budget-conscious consumers.

Overall Impression

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The Kryptek Aegis Hits Hard on all Corners. A good active jacket is a good jacket. And we at Mountain Weekly would be surprised if more people don’t start snowboarding in hunting jackets because they drop comparable or even better tech. But Kryptek’s Aegis is an amazingly warm jacket, whether you’re wearing it to stalk or to shred. The 100 Grams of Primaloft Synthetic insulation kept me warmer than a lot of puffies and the Polyester Brushed Tricot outer kept the gnarliest of weather from chilling me to the bones.

I wouldn’t wear it for stalking big game for miles up and down ridges carrying a rifle. But hunting upland bird or ducks? OR sitting in a stand? It’d be perfect for that. Just like I probably wouldn’t wear it for Splitboarding but for resort laps it’s better than any other insulated shells I’ve worn. A jacket made by and for warriors is the perfect coat of armor for anybody looking to battle the elements and take part in humanity’s oldest outdoor adventure, the great chase of prey. But really, if you’re ever outdoors, there are few jackets that will keep you as warm and dry as Kryptek’s Aegis Jacket ($339.99).

Related Jackets for Big Game Hunting We Tested

1. Sitka Dew Pint Hunting Jacket
2. Sitka Ambient Hunting Jacket
3. Best Hunting Gear for the Rocky Mountains

The post Kryptek Aegis Insulated Hunting Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Ryan Ariano.