Once upon a time, in my part of the world, the fall season seemed to last just a week or so. We’d go from 80°F one week to snowstorms the next, without a whole lot of warning in between. Trick or treat was done in snowsuits, more often than not. In recent years, though, there has been a much longer period of time where a parka is too heavy and a hoodie isn’t quite warm enough. Enter the XKG Transition Hooded Jacket from Kings Camo.
What is the XKG Transition Hooded Jacket?
Features and Construction
The XKG Transition Hooded Jacket weighs just 16.9 ounces, or a hair over a pound. It’s filled with 100 grams of Primaloft Gold Cross Core insulation. It isn’t down, but the weight-to-warmth ratio is pretty close to down. This insulation is covered in 100% micro ripstop polyester. The end result is a jacket that’s lightweight and soft. It’s also very packable. I’ve stuffed it down into my pack on a few occasions, wanting it available just in case the weather turned.
The polyester is treated with Polygiene to render it odor-resistant for the life of the jacket. It also has a PFAS-free DWR water-resistant treatment to help moisture bead and roll off.
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The jacket features two zippered hand pockets that are large and deep, as well as one hidden chest pocket that zips. There are no interior pockets. The hem is adjustable, so you can cinch it tight against bad weather. The hood also has an adjustable drawstring. The hood is large enough to fully cover even my Macy’s Parade float-sized head.
Performance
My wife and I recently took a short camping trip to Point Beach State Forest along the Lake Michigan coastline of Wisconsin. It was sort of a last-minute trip, trying to cram in just one more camp outing before the end-of-the-year obligations pile up.
Weather forecasts called for daytime highs in the mid-40s and then dipping down to the low 30s overnight. Perfect weather for testing the XKG Transition Hooded Jacket. After my positive experience with their boonie hat, I had high hopes for this jacket.
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Our first night, it was misting just a bit as we started setting up the tent. It was also around 40°F, and the combination of damp and chill wasn’t pleasant. However, the jacket did its job perfectly. It shed the moisture easily, keeping me dry. It was also plenty warm, so much so in fact that at one point I had to unzip the jacket to cool down a little while we moved gear from the van to the tent.
I was wearing a hoodie and a T-shirt under the jacket, and I’m certain that if I’d have ditched the hoodie, the jacket would have been warm enough.
Over the next few days, I wore the XKG Transition Hooded Jacket often, but mostly in the late afternoon and evening as the temperature cooled down. We strolled the Lake Michigan beach, and I was as snug as the proverbial bug. The hood was great when the wind picked up.
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I really appreciated the deep handwarmer pockets, too. The zippered chest pocket was perfect for my cell phone, keeping it easy to reach for photos during our trip.
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I really liked the soft feel of the jacket. It didn’t restrict my movements at all, nor is it overly loud as you move about. With some jackets and coats, you feel like the entire forest can hear you walking as your arms swing front and back. That’s not the case here at all.
Kings Camo has a 5-layer system for its outerwear product line. The XKG Transition Hooded Jacket is what they call a Layer 3 component. As it states on their website, “The XKG Transition Hooded Jacket is a layer 3 piece in our 5-layer system. This can be worn as your outermost layer over a base and mid layer, or worn underneath a soft shell or hard shell jacket in more severe conditions.”
Two Slight Complaints
I only have a couple of issues with the jacket, both of which are matters of personal preference. As I have thick wrists, I’m not overly fond of elastic cuffs on my coats. These aren’t bad at all, they don’t bind or feel tight. But just knowing that they’re there bugs me, if that makes sense.
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I also really like having at least one interior pocket in a jacket. They make for a more secure carry for things like cell phones or sunglasses. Not having an interior pocket isn’t a deal-breaker for me, though.
Recommendation
If you’re looking for something to chase away the chill on those early morning hunts or hikes, you could do far worse than the XKG Transition Hooded Jacket. Couple it with a decent hoodie and you’ll be able to use it through winter in many cases.
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As someone who has spent his entire life living in the upper Midwest, I know the value of a great jacket or coat. This one is definitely worth adding to the lineup.
Find it at Kings Camo for $240.
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