This fall, Chêne released a new piece of apparel that I immediately knew I needed to get my hands on: the Flyweigh Jac-Shirt. Chêne, one of my favorite makers of waterfowling gear, billed the shirt as a versatile blend between a mid-layer and outer layer that can be worn indoors as well as on serious duck hunts. The classic look of the Jac-Shirt, which has a button-down style collar and comes in both solids and two camo variations, appealed to me. But does it live up to the hype? Here are the results from hands-on testing of the Flyweigh Jac-Shirt in the marsh and around town in Western Montana this fall.
Flyweigh Jac-Shirt
Specs:
- Fabric: 75-percent nylon, 25-percent spandex
- Insulation: 100-grams of PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation with Cross Core™ technology
- Pockets: Two magnetic chest pockets with one hidden zippered pocket
Pros:
- Seriously versatile
- Comfortable
- Classic Look
- Light but warm
Cons:
- Lacks hand pockets
- Not waterproof
- Not ideal for frigid conditions
The main thing I like about the Jac-Shirt is its versatility. The product really does blur the line between a shirt and a jacket, a mid-layer and an outer layer. The versatility is also the Achilles heel of the product; it does both things well, but isn’t the best option for either.
As an outer garment, the Jac-Shirt is certainly warm enough to wear for most early-season hunting scenarios. The product is lightweight and packs down small, making it ideal for when you strip layers as an early-season hunt warms up in the morning. The camo options—Mossy Oak Bottomland is my favorite, for obvious reasons—do a good job of concealing you, and in most scenarios, the solid patterns will be fine for hunting applications, too. The magnetic chest pockets are nice, and I appreciate the inclusion of a hidden zipper pocket for valuables, too. I’m also a fan of the polyester nylon blends, which make for an easy range of motion, though this product is not billed as being waterproof or even water-resistant, which means it’s not great as an outer-layer in the case of precipitation. Additionally, I lament the lack of lower pockets to stash shells and warm your hands; this isn’t an issue if you’re wearing waders that have pockets, but if you only use muck boots, which I often do early in the season when hunting the shallows for teal, for instance, it is.
In the marsh, I do think that the Shirt-Jac excels as a mid-layer later in the season that can double as an outer-layer—like the Chêne Scout Jacket—if there’s enough heat to pull your outer layer during the day. The PrimaLoft insulation is warm and offers better insulation than most mid-layers I’ve used before. Here, the sleek design with few pockets is a plus, too. I will say, though, that while I appreciate the classic look of the buttons, they would be difficult to mess with in the field if it’s cold enough to make your hands stiff. This isn’t something you need to do commonly, but in the rare cases that you do need to remove or affix your jacket while you’re on a hunt, it can be a pain.
I’d also add that the Shirt-Jac is not just a hunting product; I happily wear mine around town. There aren’t a ton of true waterfowling products that I’d do that with, and so, I appreciate the versatility of this aspect of the Flyweight Shirt-Jac, especially when packing for out-of-town duck and goose hunting trips, when it’s nice not to have to pack an extra jacket to use at camp or in the lodge.
The Final Word on the Chêne Flyweigh Shirt-Jac
The Chêne Flyweigh Shirt-Jac is a piece of apparel I’ll keep in my rotation for two reasons: its versatility and its classic design. This product excels most as a mid-layer on cold mid- and late-season mornings that can also function as an outer-layer when it warms up and during the early season. The product is warm, lightweight, and comfortable. The old school look means that I’m just as happy wearing it around town as I am taking it hunting.