Kuiu super down vs Sitka kelvin?

[Slimdog350]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to figure out what jacket I want so I thought I'd get some opinions. Weight and pack ability are definitely important. The super down seems to fit the bill but I get a great discount on Sitka gear. I plan to also use it to up the degree of my sleeping bag because I sleep cold. The kelvin lite looks ok I'm just not sure it will be warm enough. I also want the hooded jackets. Any opinions is much appreciated!   Jason

[stagnw]

I can't speak to Sitka, i just recieved the Super Down vest from Kuiu, only worn it around the house and i can feel the heat radiating in my core.  Material is a "swooshy" type, however its quiet, i was able to creep through the house with it on, and was satisfied with the lack of noise it made..  Vest weighs 6.4 ounces, and Kuiu seems to be half the price of Sitka, but being a smaller company, backorders and wait times seem to be the norm.

[MtnMuley]

I own both, and will say the KUIU is twice as nice as the Kelvin.....maybe three times as nice.

[haugenna]

I have the superdown zip t.  I really like it as and insulation layer with a wind break on top and base layer below.  Toasty warm.

Check out the video of the down they are using. 

KUIU Super Down Demonstration

[splitshot]

  I cant believe the price they are getting for Sitka stuff.    I don't get cold with polar fleece.  someone is raking in the money with big prices.  I cant pay that much money that I would pay for a gun.  hey put on another layer and buy more ammo and shooters.   mike w

[haugenna]

splitshot,

I can pack 3-5 super down zip t's to 1 fleece coat.   The idea behind some of these products is to do more with less.  Less weight, less space and more performance.  With that comes a price.   

[fair-chase]

Can't comment on the Sitka Kelvin as I've only tried it on in the store, but the Kuiu Super Down is toasty warm and comfy. My only complaint is that in order to make the compressed size numbers look better than the previous Spindrift model, Kuiu really stretched the limits of what can reasonably be stuffed into the pocket. It's a mild nuisance to pack the Super Down Jacket (especially with cold hands) as it is a really tight fit. Other than that seemingly unnoteworthy example, I have no complaints about the Super Down. One of my favorite pieces. Especially this time of year.

[JLS]

  I cant believe the price they are getting for Sitka stuff.    I don't get cold with polar fleece.  someone is raking in the money with big prices.  I cant pay that much money that I would pay for a gun.  hey put on another layer and buy more ammo and shooters.   mike w

A lot of folks out there aren't really using their gear in a way that they get the full benefit of clothing like Sitka or Kuiu.  When I used to horsepack and set up a wall tent, I just wore wool and it was fine.  Now that I need/want lighter weight and quicker drying materials for backpack type hunting, I find that Sitka is a very good option.

It is expensive, and it isn't necessarily warmer.  However, it's lighter, dries quicker, fits better for layering, and is very weather resistant.

[Slimdog350]

Thanks for the reply's everyone! I'm pretty sure I'm going to pick up the kuiu coat. It's a lot lighter than the kelvin. Both brands are great but it seems like kuiu is more geared to the back country guy with as light as some of their stuff is. I was able to get hooked up thru their guide program and I received their pricing packet the other day. I've already picked out several items that I want to purchase and my wife is cool with it! I'll post up a review after I test my stuff out!

[Sliverslinger]

Here's my thoughts. I have two superdown jackets (1/4 zip and full zip) and DCS guide jacket and pants from KUIU. That superdown jacket is absolutely incredible. It is ridiculously warm, weighs next to nothing, and I can compress it down to fit in a Ziplock bag in a cargo pocket or small pack. Worth gold to me on cold hunts. When I'm moving it stays packed and it's just merino balselayers and the DCS jacket. Whenever I stop I put the superdown on and absolutely love it. You will never regret owning one. Can't speak to the Kelvin.

[Slimdog350]

Thought I would update this post. I received the kuiu super down jacket the other day. I also ordered the guide beanie, bino buddy and a few dry bags. I'm excited to test everything out. I did try on the coat and it was incredibly warm! I've also been kicking around about buying the new ultra 6000 pack that was just released. I watched their release video on their website and it looks like they addressed the frame issues from the icon packs. I like the setup and it's very light....although my wife isn't keen on me buying another pack. I might think about selling my MR Longbow even though I love it. The ultra pack is 4 lbs lighter

[jackelope]

Thought I would update this post. I received the kuiu super down jacket the other day. I also ordered the guide beanie, bino buddy and a few dry bags. I'm excited to test everything out. I did try on the coat and it was incredibly warm! I've also been kicking around about buying the new ultra 6000 pack that was just released. I watched their release video on their website and it looks like they addressed the frame issues from the icon packs. I like the setup and it's very light....although my wife isn't keen on me buying another pack. I might think about selling my MR Longbow even though I love it. The ultra pack is 4 lbs lighter

I saw on Rokslide where Kuiu declined allowing the Rokslide guys to test their packs like they test the Kifaru and Stone Glacier packs. I don't really have a solid opinion on that....can't decide whether it will affect my decision on a new pack. The price point is awesome and I probably don't punish my packs the way a lot of guys do. It's come down to the Ultra or the new EXO Mountain Gear pack for me, pretty much solely based on what I can afford. Just kind of in a wait and see point right now. I want to see how they perform for folks before I pull the trigger.

[haugenna]

I think Jackelope meant to say Kifaru and Stone Glacier.

I sent you a pm Slimdog but will say it on here as well.  Kuiu may have gotten it right with the new frame but the jury is still out.  Kuiu makes a lot of great products like the down jacket, guide jacket, and pants but I wouldn't put them as a top manufacturer of packs.  They could get there with Jason's drive for innovation but after 4 frames in 4 years, I am not willing to be a field tester.  I held both the stone glacier 5100 and the new Icon bag at the SCI show a while back and decided to go with the Stone Glacier.  I have exchanged a bunch of emails with Kurt the owner and he is a stand up guy.  Nothing against Kuiu as I think they are great people from what I gathered at the show.   

[jackelope]

Woops...yup I fixed it.
Thanks Haug...

[ellensburgpo]

Kuiu has posted two videos on their blog in the last two days on the durability of the ultra. They ran a frame over in various ways yesterday with a Toyota tundra and it survived. Today they threw it off a hill and all things considered it did well. Mine is on preorder and I'm excited for it to arrive. The whole rockslide vs kuiu thing is stupid and hopefully will go away soon.

[7mag.]

Kuiu has posted two videos on their blog in the last two days on the durability of the ultra. They ran a frame over in various ways yesterday with a Toyota tundra and it survived. Today they threw it off a hill and all things considered it did well. Mine is on preorder and I'm excited for it to arrive. The whole rockslide vs kuiu thing is stupid and hopefully will go away soon.

I have a fair amount of Kuiu gear, and I love it all. I don't own any of their packs, I have been pretty leery due to the problems they've had with the earlier Icons, but the new Ultra looks pretty good so far. The testing they have shown is impressive.

As far as the original post, I haven't worn a Kelvin, but I do have a Superdown. I am very happy with it. It is far warmer than I expected, weighs almost nothing, and packs down very small. It has been a great addition to my pack.

[fillthefreezer]

OP:
if youre not in a hurry, id wait and see how the kryptek aquillo turns out. word is around june. looks like a SWEET piece 

[Slimdog350]

I agree with the packs frame not being tested long enough. It's still an issue for me. The price point is a steal...( not to rub it in but I get guide pricing so it's even cheaper!). I love all their gear and I also like that it's a small business where it's not on every cabelas and sportsmans shelf. I like Jason's innovation and that he wants to set hunters up with gear that performs. If I do purchase the pack I'm also going to get the 1850 ci bag as well. I appreciate everyone's input. Ellensburgpo.....post some pics when you get your new pack and let us know what you think!