Kuiu- Merino 185 Zip-T

[nw_bowhunter]

I got one of these for Christmas and I'm just not sure about the quality of the product. Was not very impressive upon initial inspection. Although I'm sure I'm being somewhat bias as last year I started my Sitka gear build out and love it. I wanted to try Kuiu but now I'm unsure...

Can anyone on here who has worn and use the shirt give me some feedback.

[Skyvalhunter]

Love mine, like the fact its quick dry and keeps you warm even when wet

[ellensburgpo]

Love mine, like the fact its quick dry and keeps you warm even when wet

 

Great shirt, love mine for early elk bow season.

[nw_bowhunter]

The shirt is so much different than my Sitka gear I guess this through me off. I will re-look at I might being to picky..")

[ellensburgpo]

Kuiu is good gear. It's different in a number of ways from Sitka so you may be comparing apples to oranges depending on what Sitka gear you have.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Love mine. 

[Forks]

 You can wear it for days without stinking. Put the 230 over the 185 and you're set for many conditions. Kuiu and First lite are the best merino I have found. Enjoy your gift.

[stagnw]

I can't comment on the 185, however i just got the Super down vest for christmas, my first piece of Kuiu.  My mom thought they shipped an empty bag, and i thought it was really chincy, it weighs nothing..... HOWEVER then i put it on and could immediatly feel the heat radiating in my core.  I'mm sold. Their motto is ultralight hunting and i'm thrilled to buy more.  Kuiu doesn't have the bells and whistles that Sitka has, but it also doesn't have the price tag Sitka does! Happy hunting.

[nw_bowhunter]

See that's how I felt about the shirt.  Chincy and nothing to the product. Well I'm going mountain biking this weekend gong to give it a test run.  I will say that kuiu pattern doesn't have as much sheen compared to the Sitka gear.  I always felt the sheen seemed to alert animals more.  Thanks for the feedback guys. 

[MtnMuley]

The shirt is so much different than my Sitka gear I guess this through me off. I will re-look at I might being to picky..")

I don't think they're a bit different than the Sitka ones.  If you're thinking it looks chincy, you should move up to the thinker model.  I have both KUIU's, a couple Sitka's, and a couple First Lite's.  I feel none of them stand out from the other, and they are all well built.  Just my thoughts, but I think you're being over-critical.

[curtdiesel]

They all seem very similar to me.  Pricing is very close too.  If anyone knows where to get KUIU, Sitka or First lite a lot cheaper please share.

[haugenna]

I have a few different merino wool tops and I am not impressed with Kuiu's merino wool tops.  They are a little scratchy for my liking.  As mentioned above, they have some awesome products but I think they fall short in the merino category compared to others.

I like REI smartwool and Firstlite merino wool for wool base layers.

[haugenna]

They all seem very similar to me.  Pricing is very close too.  If anyone knows where to get KUIU, Sitka or First lite a lot cheaper please share.

Kuiu- they sell direct to customers.  They run a sale every now and then.  Another place to buy it at a discount would be the classifieds.

Firstlite- I see some sales at the end of season on products left over.  Dealers don't want to carry the inventory over to the next season.

[nw_bowhunter]

Mtnmuley, I may be being to critical however $90.00 for a shirt I have higher expectations. I will also consider getting the next level merino shirt. 

[MtnMuley]

Mtnmuley, I may be being to critical however $90.00 for a shirt I have higher expectations. I will also consider getting the next level merino shirt.

As I said before, it's a 185 Merino base layer.  What exactly are your issues with it compared to other 185 weight merino layers?

[elksnout]

I've worn my 185 now through two full seasons. The bottoms too. You can't get more comfortable in my opinion. Zero itch next to skin, warm, dries quick and doesn't smell after a week of hunting as they say. I also have the 230 and their beanie and neck gaiter. My only complaint is the 185 top is starting to see signs of wear. I would have hoped it would hold up better but it still functions.

[trophyhunt]

I was hopeing this was an add to sell the stuff!!  I love mine!

[KFhunter]

I got a first lite Llano I really like,  I wear it all the time in early, late and in the middle seasons. 


The first lite boxers didn't hold up for me,  but I loved em so much using them I'm going to try another pair or something very close.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I run a Llano short sleeve from First Lite during early season, and it's thin...but it's a 150 merino.  You have to understand that these companies base there stuff on a layering system.  The 185/230 combo is AWESOME.  I've got the whole KUIU line and haven't been dissapointed with a single thing. 

Get them cheaper?  Nope.  Though First Lite and KUIU make as good (better) products then Sitka, and Sitka is twice as much. 

[Slimdog350]

I love my 185 zip. It's comfortable and light weight and as a few have said you can wear it for days and it has no noticeable odor. I wore mine in Idaho for 7 days and it performed well. That being said there were 2 things that stood out: it needs a zipper guard at the top, my beard kept getting hung up in it and was annoying and also when it got wet it had a strange smell to it. This was my first merino shirt so not sure if other brands have the same issue? Other than those two items I think it's a good product. I will be buying their super down coat and bino harness soon.

[trophyhunt]

I love my 185 zip. It's comfortable and light weight and as a few have said you can wear it for days and it has no noticeable odor. I wore mine in Idaho for 7 days and it performed well. That being said there were 2 things that stood out: it needs a zipper guard at the top, my beard kept getting hung up in it and was annoying and also when it got wet it had a strange smell to it. This was my first merino shirt so not sure if other brands have the same issue? Other than those two items I think it's a good product. I will be buying their super down coat and bino harness soon.

i have the bino harness, chose kuiu over the badlands.  After the hunting season I found that the kuiu does NOT completely protect your glass from debri like pine needles and water.  On a real wet day I had water in the bottom of my case.  I don't dislike them enough to get rid of them but kinda wish I would have went with the badlands. 

[haugenna]

I love my 185 zip. It's comfortable and light weight and as a few have said you can wear it for days and it has no noticeable odor. I wore mine in Idaho for 7 days and it performed well. That being said there were 2 things that stood out: it needs a zipper guard at the top, my beard kept getting hung up in it and was annoying and also when it got wet it had a strange smell to it. This was my first merino shirt so not sure if other brands have the same issue? Other than those two items I think it's a good product. I will be buying their super down coat and bino harness soon.

I think the Merino line of Kuiu is their weakest line compared to others.  First lite and REI make great merino wool products.  Fit is right, they are soft on the skin, dry quick and insulate well.   Kuiu makes some great products but I am not a fan of their Merino Wool. 

[Slimdog350]

I love my 185 zip. It's comfortable and light weight and as a few have said you can wear it for days and it has no noticeable odor. I wore mine in Idaho for 7 days and it performed well. That being said there were 2 things that stood out: it needs a zipper guard at the top, my beard kept getting hung up in it and was annoying and also when it got wet it had a strange smell to it. This was my first merino shirt so not sure if other brands have the same issue? Other than those two items I think it's a good product. I will be buying their super down coat and bino harness soon.

I think the Merino line of Kuiu is their weakest line compared to others.  First lite and REI make great merino wool products.  Fit is right, they are soft on the skin, dry quick and insulate well.   Kuiu makes some great products but I am not a fan of their Merino Wool.

I have a buddy in the military and he swears by smart wool. I will probably look in to other brands. I have been curious about first lite. I will have to check them out.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I like the kuiu as well, although I got rid of mine and run smartwool, 30 degree, or FL as bases. They are made well, and often half the price of sitka and kuiu. Early season when its hot I run kryptek or core 4 because the mothwing camo matches my pants. My disclaimer: I know they make great products and I own some of it myself that works great.  That said my sitka 185 merino was JUNK!! It was one of the biggest letdowns in hunting gear aquisitions next to kenetrek boots. Perhaps I got a faulty piece, but they would not warranty it or replace it. ( at least kenetrek took them back  ) Congrats on your system, and sounds like regardless of manufacturer your on sombodies NICE list.