Kuiu owners, which jacket? Guide dcs or Chinook?

[trophyhunt]

With taxes coming soon I am going to purchase a good quality hunting jacket, kuiu is my first choice.  My question is, is the chinook too heavy to use as a early season jacket?  I have all the layers for a lighter jacket like the guide, but if you could only pick one, which would you choose?  I hunt all three weapons so, early to late season. Thanks guys.

[sagewalker]

I own the Guide DCS. Love this jacket, take it everywhere I go. I run the Kuiu Down underneath if it is super cold. Stay plenty warm and dry!

[trophyhunt]

I own the Guide DCS. Love this jacket, take it everywhere I go. I run the Kuiu Down underneath if it is super cold. Stay plenty warm and dry!

did you try on the chinook at all?

[sagewalker]

I own the Guide DCS. Love this jacket, take it everywhere I go. I run the Kuiu Down underneath if it is super cold. Stay plenty warm and dry!

did you try on the chinook at all?

No, I have a buddy who has the Chinook. He absolutely loves that jacket as well. From what he says, it is more like a rain jacket. No experience with the Chinook myself though. He and I could be wrong about the Chinook.

[BIGDOG253]

I wear my Guide DCS jacket almost everyday. I run their merino wool base layers underneath my guide gear and stay plenty warm on those cold days.  The Jacket holds off the rain pretty well but I have soaked through it on a downpour day.

I highly recommend the guide gear, but if you are looking for rain gear, Yukon line is probably better.

[trophyhunt]

I'm not looking for strictly rain gear, I have the firstlite stormfront combo.  bump for the evening crowd, thanks for the input guys.

[MacAttack]

Tag, in the same boat...I was thinking about the Teton softshell and possibly one of their rain jackets.

[Wolfdog2314]

Similar to what everyone else said. I went with the guide and layering underneath

[whacker1]

I look to the Chinoook as more of a rain jacket and the DCS jacket as the all purpose.

I too use the super down underneath for warmth when needed.

[northwesthunter84]

First question are you expecting it to be <40 degrees. Second question is are you moving alot.  The guide jacket is awesome around 40 and lower but if your moving even with zips it gets warm. My recommendation is running light merino base layers and the pelton 200 hoodie. I was comfortable all day between 40-70 degrees. Another excellent option is the chugach jacket, light, breathable, durable and warm for its weight plus waterproof.

[Bmcox86]

I love my guide jacket, I pair it with the kenai if it's cold and I'm glassing.

[trophyhunt]

First question are you expecting it to be <40 degrees. Second question is are you moving alot.  The guide jacket is awesome around 40 and lower but if your moving even with zips it gets warm. My recommendation is running light merino base layers and the pelton 200 hoodie. I was comfortable all day between 40-70 degrees. Another excellent option is the chugach jacket, light, breathable, durable and warm for its weight plus waterproof.

I'm usually moving when I hunt, slowly but move all day.  Temperatures are across the board but mostly I sweat no matter how cold it is.  My layers are firstlite and kuiu merino wool, with a firstlite puffy.  It sounds like from what you guys are saying that the guide jacket is enough with the layers.  It also sounds better to pack around when it's too warm to wear.

[whacker1]

First question are you expecting it to be <40 degrees. Second question is are you moving alot.  The guide jacket is awesome around 40 and lower but if your moving even with zips it gets warm. My recommendation is running light merino base layers and the pelton 200 hoodie. I was comfortable all day between 40-70 degrees. Another excellent option is the chugach jacket, light, breathable, durable and warm for its weight plus waterproof.

I'm usually moving when I hunt, slowly but move all day.  Temperatures are across the board but mostly I sweat no matter how cold it is.  My layers are firstlite and kuiu merino wool, with a firstlite puffy.  It sounds like from what you guys are saying that the guide jacket is enough with the layers.  It also sounds better to pack around when it's too warm to wear.

yes, exactly.  unless it drops below 15 degrees, then possibly more layers

[trophyhunt]

Does firstlite have anything that matches up with the guide jacket quality wise? 

[whacker1]

Does firstlite have anything that matches up with the guide jacket quality wise? 

I don't own either of the following First Lite, but I think the First Lite north branch soft shell feels like it is a lighter version of KUIU's Guide DCS, and the Boundary Stormtight Jacket is probably closer to the Guide DCS jacket and possibly even a slight step above the Guide DCS jacket with the water resistant technology.

[trophyhunt]

Thanks

[whacker1]

I noticed that the First Lite is marked down in the neighborhood of 30% right now on their web-site, which leads me to believe that they are going to introduce new products that were probably out at the various shows in the last few weeks.  SHOT Show, Sheep Show, SCI, or ATA.

So you could get a smoking deal on either of those jackets from First Lite.  $275  marked down to $19? something and $250 marked down to $175 are super cheap.

[jjhunter]

Guide jacket is a great piece of gear.

Most of the time, I hunt in my guide vest with a merino layer that is suitable for the conditions.   If it is under 35 degrees or cold/windy, I will wear my guide jacket over my merino/vest.   In the late season, I always pack my super down jacket as it is extremely light, packable and warm when you need it.   I only pull mine out of the pack when I sit and glass.   I don't wear it when I am mobile as I will sweat, even in below zero temps.

I also have a Kenai hooded jacket, but if I had to choose between that and the super down as a insulation layer/jacket, I would choose the super down.

[ipkus]

I have both and find myself using the Chinook most of the time.  Part of that is because my internal thermostat runs hot.  I always wear a base layer and the vest.  I often wear both base layers under the vest and am good to about 25 F.  If I'm sitting behind a scope, the down comes out.  Both the Guide and the Chinook are softshells, the Chinook is the lighter version...not sure why guys are calling it a rain jacket?

So, it really depends on what level of warmth you are looking for and how you want to achieve it.  My Guide jacket rarely gets used before November.

[bradslam]

I ordered the Chinook, but ended up sending it back because I did not like the fit.  I seemed to have way too much room through the mid-section in relation to the fit in the shoulders and arms, like it was made for someone with a huge beer belly.  It's strange because the fit was completely different than other Kuiu tops that I've worn. 

I'm also not sure why people would be saying they think of it as more of a rain jacket…it's just a lightweight softshell.

[sirmissalot]

I have two guide dcs jackets, one in verde and one in brown I wear around town. I love them but the downside is they are not wind proof, makes for a cold day hunting if you don't have a rain jacket in your pack to cut the wind.

[trophyhunt]

like it was made for someone with a huge beer belly. 

Sounds like it was made just for me!!

[popeshawnpaul]

I got the Yukon jacket and pants for my sheep hunt.  Lived in them for 6 days and it rained all 6 days.  Very breathable and yet waterproof.  It did become saturated during constant heavy downpours and was cold/damp inside but with appropriate layers, no water got through and I stayed warm.  Anything short of a rubber or plastic bag that is breathable is going to have some issues.  It's way better than any gore tex I've owned.  I use it here too and when I'm in the mountains.

If you get the other jackets, the problem you have is if it rains.  There is always a tradeoff but around here it rains.  It's light enough that it would be good for early or mid season hunts as well.

[Rb1]

I sold my guide and now run the 240 peloton and merino. Throw on a rain jacket or puffy when needed. Very versatile. The guide is too warm,bulky and heavy for me most of the time. I have the chinook pants and love them. They're lighter than the guide. Slightly warmer than attacks. Good wind and rain protection. The chinook jacket would be a bit warmer than peloton and give you some rain protection too. Neither are rain jackets. Not even close. I have the chugach nx for that.  Might be my favorite overall piece. Killer 4 way stretch. Light and pack able. Doesn't feel cold and plasticky on the inside or outside.   Hope this all helps.

[trophyhunt]

I sold my guide and now run the 240 peloton and merino. Throw on a rain jacket or puffy when needed. Very versatile. The guide is too warm,bulky and heavy for me most of the time. I have the chinook pants and love them. They're lighter than the guide. Slightly warmer than attacks. Good wind and rain protection. The chinook jacket would be a bit warmer than peloton and give you some rain protection too. Neither are rain jackets. Not even close. I have the chugach nx for that.  Might be my favorite overall piece. Killer 4 way stretch. Light and pack able. Doesn't feel cold and plasticky on the inside or outside.   Hope this all helps.

i also love my chinook pants, I looked at shawns Yukon jacket and its performance on his hunt makes it almost impossible to pass up. 

[Rb1]

My buddy has yukon set and decides every morning if hes wearing that or his attacks. Its amazing gear. Bombproof! He'll pack the jacket on and off as conditions change and wears the pants all day. It makes sense cause even if the rain ends, the brush and grass are still gonna soak you. I might look into a pair of yukon pants and do the same. Personally I like the flexibility of the chugach on top. Very similar to yukon but much lighter and rolls up smaller than a nalgene bottle.

[Firing Pin]

Yukon, hands down!!

[wooltie]

I roll in a 145 merino, guide and chugach if sitting a lot and temps down to 40.  Rains a lot on the westside so I'm almost always in the chugach..the guide gets hot on the hike in even at those temps.

I regulate body temp with the chugach...on or off, vents open or closed..that piece of gear is indispensable for me..

The Tiburon pants freaking rock in warm weather...you feel the slightest wind on your legs.

Now if its super windy, sitting and below 35-40 I'll don the full getup--superdown, guide, chugach..

I just bought the Teton jacket for something lighter to wear with no rain.

Also consider if you want a hood or not..

[Rb1]

Looking back at your original question, guide or chinook?  Considering you already have nice rain gear and puffy, I would think the chinook would be best. That would be much easier to layer. Much lighter and packable. I choose the pelotin 240 because i wanted a hood. Easy to layer over or under it. I go on the high hunt every year, and theres no way the guide would ever make my kit. Nice all-around jacket, just a bit heavy and bulky imo.