Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 14, 2013, 06:12:29 AM
But.
I had gotten my attack pants in the mail a week ago, and while I've been told they are similar in feel to the Sitka Ascent pants (haven't worn them, can't compare), these pants were the most comfortable pants I've ever worn. In any facility. It's difficult to explain their material that they use. They call it 4 way stretch or something, which might lead you to believe it's elastic-like.
Not the case.
The best way I can describe it is that it moves with you. You don't feel restrictions on seam points when you rotate into different positions, etc. Anyways, I'm a big fan, figured I'd pass the word. Nothing else to do this offseason except buy new gear and test it out...
Post by: jjhunter on March 14, 2013, 06:59:09 AM
I ordered and received the hooded super down jacket and will be sending it back. The shell would be ripped on the first day of a CO mule deer hunt, creating an instant blizzard on my $250 jacket. It already is "leaking" down, much like a down pillow would.
The other annoying thing about KUIU is that they NEVER have inventory. After a few years in business, they should have this figured out by now. If I need replacement pieces, I need them now. :twocents:
Post by: jackelope on March 14, 2013, 07:26:43 AM
The other annoying thing about KUIU is that they NEVER have inventory. After a few years in business, they should have this figured out by now. If I need replacement pieces, I need them now. :twocents:
That's been the deal breaker for me. Ive finally decided to buy some, go to purchase and its not available. Not interested in waiting months for a jacket or a pair of pants. I went the other way and bought the Sitka stuff.
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 14, 2013, 07:30:14 AM
As far as warmer weather, I plan on wearing my 185 with attack pants. I have no idea why you couldn't wear that? My layering system is 185-230 zip-guide jacket, and I plan on adding the down and rain gear when funds cone available.
Don't know about the down yet. Its meant as an insulation piece in my mind, out an outer layer while glassing. So far everything I've ordered has impressed me, but the real test comes this fall!
Post by: fillthefreezer on March 14, 2013, 07:58:44 AM
if im near the truck ill use my guide jacket but it doesnt come on backcountry trips.
Post by: brocka on March 14, 2013, 08:16:21 AM
As for the superdown, Its not meant to be worn as a outer layer. Its an insulating layer. KUIU is built around a layering system which should be understood before you buy it and make a decide you don't like the company. Also mine "leaked" some down for the first 2 times I wore it. It was a tiny amount and i am guessing it was the little bit of leftover from production. It now does not "leak" any and doesn't seam to have lost any insulation value. This is now the best coat I have ever hunted with. I am debating If I want to buy a 2nd for an everyday coat.
Also, with a recent change in their manufacturing they now have a MUCH better stock.
Just my opinion on this great company. Your already seeing a few of the bigger name companies following suit on the superdown idea. I think given a chance and done properly you will love the KUIU lineup.
Post by: halflife65 on March 14, 2013, 08:18:12 AM
Anyway, the Attack pants are REALLY good. I spent 30+ days in the woods last year wearing them, including weekend hunts and a few longer ones where I wore them for days at a time) and, while I sort of wore the face off of them and they are pilling a bit, they are still super functional and very comfortable. Definitely my favorite pants.
For shirts, I have similar weights of First Lite merino shirts that I wear. I wear the 185 as a base layer and the 230 as a layer over it if I need it. I then use the Kuiu Spindrift and generally carry rain gear for both rain and wind and as the final outer layer for longer trips - this is for weather ranging from mid-20s to 60s. (On longer trips I also carry merino long john bottoms, stocking hat and gloves for cold weather.) I also have the Guide jacket, which I like, but only use it for short trips and/or day trips. I haven't been taking a soft shell on long trips because I don't want to carry it.
I also have Sitka 90% jacket and, for me, the Guide jacket is better (which isn't to say that the 90% isn't good - it is). But the Guide is more waterproof, I think a little lighter in weight, and I like the hood - although that's just a preference.
Post by: brocka on March 14, 2013, 08:28:01 AM
I'm guessing that the owner will build the company up and sell it off again, like Sitka. A good businessman, I guess.
Doubt that,
He explains in one of his earlier blogs. He was one of several partners in the company Sitka. The vision of Sitka wasnt going the way he wanted (Them selling out to Gor-Tex) so he started KUIU.
Also if you read his blog about the reason for his move to China, it will change your view on them being "just more China crap". While most hunting companies are just that, KUIU isn't.
This is from what I understand. To each their own I guess. There is a reason they are successful company in such short order.
Post by: halflife65 on March 14, 2013, 08:37:01 AM
Maybe I shouldn't have made that first observation - I don't have a problem with capitalism. If they guy wants to sell it then he should sell it. Or not. Keep it. Just keep making good gear.
If it was my company and someone with the right price came along, I would probably sell it and retire when I was 40. Then I would buy a bunch of the gear and go hunting.
Anyway, this is probably straying from the original topic - Kuiu gear is good and, in my opinion, slightly better than Sitka (although, as I mentioned above, Sitka is still good and I still wear the 90% pants and mountain pants quite a bit.)
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 14, 2013, 08:41:50 AM
http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/Huntings-Big-Comeback.html?page=1 (http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/Huntings-Big-Comeback.html?page=1)
I'm guessing that the owner will build the company up and sell it off again, like Sitka. A good businessman, I guess.
Doubt that,
He explains in one of his earlier blogs. He was one of several partners in the company Sitka. The vision of Sitka wasnt going the way he wanted (Them selling out to Gor-Tex) so he started KUIU.
Also if you read his blog about the reason for his move to China, it will change your view on them being "just more China crap". While most hunting companies are just that, KUIU isn't.
This is from what I understand. To each their own I guess. There is a reason they are successful company in such short order.
Post by: jackelope on March 14, 2013, 08:47:13 AM
Post by: brocka on March 14, 2013, 08:48:32 AM
Definitely not saying that the Kuiu stuff is crap and, while I would prefer it to be made in the US (or N.A., at least) it doesn't mean that I won't still buy it. Hands down, it's my favorite gear.
Maybe I shouldn't have made that first observation - I don't have a problem with capitalism. If they guy wants to sell it then he should sell it. Or not. Keep it. Just keep making good gear.
If it was my company and someone with the right price came along, I would probably sell it and retire when I was 40. Then I would buy a bunch of the gear and go hunting.
Anyway, this is probably straying from the original topic - Kuiu gear is good and, in my opinion, slightly better than Sitka (although, as I mentioned above, Sitka is still good and I still wear the 90% pants and mountain pants quite a bit.)
I pick up what your layin' down! Bottom line: Great stuff!
Post by: jjhunter on March 14, 2013, 09:11:06 AM
The only piece that I really long for in my Sitka set-up is a hooded, lightweight jacket. I hear that Sitka will drop a light-Jetstream this year and I am looking forward to that.
I do love the Vais pattern and am anxious to see how the line developes.
Post by: brocka on March 14, 2013, 09:59:07 AM
Here is an article that explains it a little, but Jason was one of many partners, and he hated the deal so he left to start kuiu the way he wanted it done. Not defending anything, its just interesting.
http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/Huntings-Big-Comeback.html?page=1 (http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/Huntings-Big-Comeback.html?page=1)
Great article!
Post by: MuleySniper on March 14, 2013, 10:07:55 AM
MS
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 14, 2013, 10:11:49 AM
I love mine. I heard one of the reasons inventory was so low was the tsunami in Japan where they were getting their fabric. But that's been two years so :dunno: . I'm not some super loyal follower to any particular clothing brand so I could care less if I can't find a replacement jacket in two years. I'd just try another manufacturer. So many guys get stuck on a certain brand they never have any personal experience comparing and go off of website opinions. Its the same old Ford Chevy Dodge topic half the time with guys. I've had Browning, Sitka and others over the years. Right now I'm liking KUIU.
MS
Post by: ellensburgpo on March 14, 2013, 10:44:03 AM
Post by: jjhunter on March 14, 2013, 11:22:08 AM
I have carried Swarovsion, Zeiss RF, and Leica Geovid HD during the past 3 years. I am not stuck on one brand - I want the best gear that suits my hunting style. For now, that happens to be Sitka. Perhaps I am just a little down (no pun intended) on my first piece of KUIU. If I would have received the contrail windshirt as my first piece of Sitka, the same could have been said there.
Appreciate the reviews. May have a 185 and a pair of attack pants, yet!
Post by: huntnnw on March 17, 2013, 11:45:03 PM
Post by: huntnnw on March 17, 2013, 11:48:03 PM