Post by: 7mmfan on October 25, 2024, 08:31:38 AM
I've been using KUIU and Firstlite for many years. Both have had pluses and minuses. My KUIU Yukon pants have been great, but haven't necessarily been thrilled with the jackets. My Firstlite jacket has kept me dry, but the overall quality of construction was suspect. I'm in the market for a new coat, and I'm really looking for ideas outside the big 3 (KUIU, Firstlite, Sitka). I don't care about camo, I'm more of a solids guy anyway.
Looking at OR, Arc'teryx, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, it looks like for similar money to the big 3, you can get a pretty stout jacket. Does anyone have any suggestions on brands, or even specific jackets to look at?
Post by: HikerHunter on October 25, 2024, 09:25:39 AM
Post by: ljsommer on October 25, 2024, 10:27:10 AM
I'm going to do it. I'm going to start another thread on raingear.
I've been using KUIU and Firstlite for many years. Both have had pluses and minuses. My KUIU Yukon pants have been great, but haven't necessarily been thrilled with the jackets. My Firstlite jacket has kept me dry, but the overall quality of construction was suspect. I'm in the market for a new coat, and I'm really looking for ideas outside the big 3 (KUIU, Firstlite, Sitka). I don't care about camo, I'm more of a solids guy anyway.
Looking at OR, Arc'teryx, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, it looks like for similar money to the big 3, you can get a pretty stout jacket. Does anyone have any suggestions on brands, or even specific jackets to look at?
I've been somewhat underwhelmed by my Kuiu rain gear, but when I spoke with their customer service team they shared that their rain gear is designed with active hunting in mind, vs long stationary sits. Apparently it's designed to use the heat of the body to basically push the moisture out, and as long as you're moving then it should be very effective.
I'm not convinced, personally, but it's what I've got and it wasn't cheap so it's what I am going to stick with. I think the lesson I learned was that if I plan on doing long extended sits in the rain, I should either find shelter or create my own with a small tarp or something.
Post by: Roslyn Rambler on October 25, 2024, 10:30:26 AM
Post by: Tbar on October 25, 2024, 10:36:10 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on October 25, 2024, 10:38:15 AM
I'm going to do it. I'm going to start another thread on raingear.
I've been using KUIU and Firstlite for many years. Both have had pluses and minuses. My KUIU Yukon pants have been great, but haven't necessarily been thrilled with the jackets. My Firstlite jacket has kept me dry, but the overall quality of construction was suspect. I'm in the market for a new coat, and I'm really looking for ideas outside the big 3 (KUIU, Firstlite, Sitka). I don't care about camo, I'm more of a solids guy anyway.
Looking at OR, Arc'teryx, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, it looks like for similar money to the big 3, you can get a pretty stout jacket. Does anyone have any suggestions on brands, or even specific jackets to look at?
I've been somewhat underwhelmed by my Kuiu rain gear, but when I spoke with their customer service team they shared that their rain gear is designed with active hunting in mind, vs long stationary sits. Apparently it's designed to use the heat of the body to basically push the moisture out, and as long as you're moving then it should be very effective.
I'm not convinced, personally, but it's what I've got and it wasn't cheap so it's what I am going to stick with. I think the lesson I learned was that if I plan on doing long extended sits in the rain, I should either find shelter or create my own with a small tarp or something.
I've learned that lesson as well. That's really how all the lightweight "breathable" raingear is designed to perform. If you're sitting, rubber beats everything. For the first year or two my KUIU raingear performed fairly well, as long as I was moving, then it just failed and I was wet all the time.
Post by: Bareback on October 25, 2024, 10:45:48 AM
Post by: highcountry_hunter on October 25, 2024, 08:44:56 PM
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Post by: Buckhunter24 on October 25, 2024, 10:12:14 PM
Post by: freshgrease on October 26, 2024, 01:16:26 AM
I have a first lite jacket that is good for downpours but it's loud for going through brush nor do I really want to abuse it too much while bushwhacking.
The redhead jacket has been much quieter, the outside shell layer gets wet but I am bone dry on the inside and doesn't hardly snag on anything.
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 26, 2024, 07:09:25 AM
Buddy in Montana swears by Forloh.
Most of my gear is still Kuiu but like all other hunting based stuff it has its limits.
Post by: MtnMuley on October 26, 2024, 08:52:00 AM
Post by: Westside88 on October 26, 2024, 09:15:35 AM
Post by: hughjorgan on October 26, 2024, 04:17:48 PM
Post by: jrebel on October 26, 2024, 04:44:04 PM
That said, I have been a sitka guy for a decade now and have had great success with their lightweight rain gear. I have an old set of mothwing ultralite pants that are a little baggy and made to just pull over your boots.....but they are super light and flat out work. Had them for a very long time and have never gotten wet in them. I don't hunt the west side though?
Post by: 7mmfan on October 26, 2024, 08:50:47 PM