KUIU vs Sitka Gear-Which is Better

andrews1958

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Sep 17, 2008
Messages
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I am getting ready to buy a complete outfit for deer hunting in Maine and Georgia. Temp vary from 70- 0. 100% waterproof Most hunting is from stands . I want the best from base layers to out wear. This will probably be my last new outfit as I am getting up their in age.

They both look like the best product money can buy but not sure which one will work best for me.

Your thoughts

Looking to spend around 1500 for everything.
 
I have no personal experience with
Kuiu, but from what I understand, it is geared more toward the western hunter, i.e., no tree stands. I personally have several pieces of Sitka gear in the whitetail line, everything from early season to late season and feel that it is some of the best one can buy. I prefer merino for a base layer, First Lite merino is my favorite, but Sitka and kuiu have great merino as well. In order to have warmth and waterproof the Sitka incinerator (goretex and down/primaloft mix) set would be the best but very pricey (about $1200 retail for jacket and bib. I am able to run the fanatic jacket/bib with mid or heavyweight merino layers and a fanatic hoody comfortably into the teens for all day sits. Any colder and I have to add an insulation layer up top. The berber fleece on the fanatic sheds snow and light rain fairly well but is not waterproof. You might need to add a lighter weight set for your warmer hunts such as the fanatic lite or the equinox pant and just the hoody. Len is running some specials on Sitka combos currently, you might want to check those out and possibly stay in your budget.
 
Sorry for the long post. PM me if you have any more questions about Sitka gear in Elevated 2. I have, or have had experience using most of the pieces and will be glad to answer any questions about them. I neglected to buy expensive hunting clothing for a long time, but now I wonder why I waited so long.
 
I have the Cold Front goretex and some of the base layers. They are more the western/mountain type where you will move more often. That said they are not super warm. Definitely need a puffy underneath so think about that as you buy becuase they seem to fit "snug or for athletic fits".

I also have the Mountain pants and was disappointed in them. I live in VA and the vegetation is much like GA. Those pants are essentially a softshell with camo. Great of there isn't stickers or thorns. Mine have a few tiny holes in them from last season (first time worn).

If I was hunting out west I would definitely carry them as they are lightweight amd work. That said I have no expirience with the whitetail/elevated line.

I too have hunted Maine and that veg is similar.

Sorry for the long winded post. Just hoping to let you live through my frustration so you make the informed buy. Definitely would want to touch them and try them on before I bought.

Sitka is still great gear.
 
I have some of both and would say buy whatever fits your body and budget the best. One point on Kuiu is that it runs small, so you likely would need to go 1 size up from what you normally wear.
 
I am getting ready to buy a complete outfit for deer hunting in Maine and Georgia. Temp vary from 70- 0. 100% waterproof Most hunting is from stands . I want the best from base layers to out wear. This will probably be my last new outfit as I am getting up their in age.

They both look like the best product money can buy but not sure which one will work best for me.

Your thoughts

Looking to spend around 1500 for everything.

i was under the impression that the designer/owner of Sitka sold the brand to Gortex because he had a newer and better brand aka KUIU ?

I been building up on KUIU since that point and love it!
My cousin turned me on to it when he went to Alaska drop off hunt for a week and ran into several people on their way in and out who their lives depended on the clothing for a week!
 
I have more Sitka than kuiu, and have been happy with both. Generally speaking neither is well suited to any heavy brush hunting. I started chasing elk in Wyoming and Montana about 8 years ago with Sitka. I can say that from watching my buddies go cheap has been interesting. I have no regrets. You can save some money on base layers. I've found that if you have both the light and heavier out layers you can adapt to most conditions.
 
I have the sitka gear fanatic lite bibs and jacket, and the fanatic bibs and jacket. I used to wear mossy oak coveralls, but I love the Fanatic setup when it gets cold. I used them last year in Missouri with 15-20mph sustained wind and 20deg temps and the fanatic gear kept me reasonably warm. They both have windstopper, and I can honestly say that made a for rear different in warmth. I'd recommend any of the fanatic line for deer hunting.

I also have several pieces of the Kuiu, and as far as outer wear, it wouldn't be the first thing I reach for when deer hunting. I wear the Kuiu super down jacket with my Sitka fanatic lite and it's a very good combo for cold mornings and warmer days. I have the Kuiu Yukon Rain coat and it is better than the Sitka Stormfront that it replaced. It keeps me dry all the time no matter what.
 
Neither of these would be best for you unless you are looking at sitkas whitetail line or First lites whitetail line. It doesn't make much sense to me to spend that amount for a stand hunting setup.
 
I'm with midnight ^^. I love kuiu but it's not what I would spend money on to hunt from a stand. Sitka makes clothing geared more towards that purpose but it's expensive. I'd go with some thermals, a cabelas (or similar) brand bib and heavy jacket along with a lighter outfit for when its warm. I think you'll approach your $1500 budget very quickly with sitka and still not have everything you need for a wide range of temps.

But sitka over kuiu for still hunting in real cold stuff.
 
I have about a half dozen pieces from both, and just got back from a black bear hunt in N.C. and basically used all the pieces last week.

First, I would say you can't go wrong with either company, they are both phenomenal hunting clothes. Light years ahead of cotton crap I grew up with. That being said, they are definitely different from each other.

The thing that separates kuiu from all the rest (to me) is the weight. The stuff is freaky light. For example, I switched over from the cabelas rain suit to the kuiu and I shaved 2 lbs off my pack. That's almost 10 percent! from just switching manufacturers. I also carry my kuiu puffy layer in my pack, and it kept me in the stand all day because it weighs next to nothing, and I had it with me.

The down side to the kuiu (from what I've read) is the customer service, and their sizes. I've never had a problem with their products, but from my research, it can be tricky trying to return things and/or use any warranty on their products. I've got absolutely no negative personal experiences, just gleaning from the various forums that some customers end up pretty frustrated with kuiu when there is a problem.

The kuiu sizing is kinda weird. I'm 6'2 225lbs with 34w and 32 inseam with a little bit of a belly. Everything in my closet is xl EXCEPT the kuiu. They're the only clothing company in the world where I'm XXL. Not sure why they do this, but they run notoriously small. I've triple checked the sizing charts after I've received stuff, and they don't seem to line up. Something to keep in mind when ordering, ESPECIALLY when ordering off the outlet (no returns or exchanges allowed)

The sitka stuff is fantastic. You can really see how much thought went into their products. Personally, I think the pricing on some their stuff is waaaay out of line, but you can definitely bargain hunt the Sitka stuff.

Also, the complaints on their customer service are pretty few and far between from what I can tell. If that's a priority for you.

I think that first lite, and archteryx are pretty much on the same level, quality wise. But they just don't have a Jason Hairston-type marketing genius behind them, so they don't get the recognition. Just my opinion.

Basically, I wear merino base layer, the sitka mock turtle neck, the sitka ascent pants and jacket, and I'm covered from the low 60s down to the 30s. Below that, i throw on the kuiu puffy from my pack and I'm good down to the teens.

Hope you get something you can use out of my manifesto. I've been lurking for over a year, feels good to contribute on something I have experience with! Lol.

Good luck!

Brb
 
The First Lite puffy(compaghre something) is much better than the KUIU. Washing the garment a few times and all the down settles on one side of the stitched area. I was unable to revive it.
Every other piece I have from KUIU is really good, the raingear has survived the ridiculous brush of Kodiak(West side) and the tundra as well.

I'll take the First Lite base layers anyday for anything.
 
I have both. I agree with the sizing on kuiu. I love their new water resistant down. Soooo light yet can keep me warm. But.. i barely fit in a 3xl. They say their a cut for athletic builds but. I normally fit in xl or 2xl if i need more room for my chest and shoulders. I have 50 inch chest and 36 waist. The belly portion of the kuiu is huge. I have lime 10 inches of room there. But barely fit the shoulder.
 
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