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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Mon Valley on January 23, 2014, 10:35:00 PM
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I would like opinions on which to go with. I am looking for a early to mid season outfit. I'm thinking the guide series from kuiu but would like to get some input from others.
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Kuiu every day of the week.
It's very technical but you don't get slammed as hard for being a gear snob
I like vias camo pattern much better as well
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Personally, I'd go with First Lite. Their Merino wool is top notch in a variety of camo patterns and their new outerwear line is awesome. The uncompaghre puffy jacket is excellent. The Boundary Stormtight jacket is the best breathable and waterproof jacket Ive worn.
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I just made the switch to Sitka because of availability and I bought most if it used. I don't care if I get called a gear snob as long as at the end of the day my legs aren't on fire from rubbing together. Good camo makes such a difference and I didn't believe it until I tried it.
The others are probably just as good if not better, Sitka is just what I chose
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I only own kuiu. It's all I need for active hunting. Cooler temps on a stand I wear something else.
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My son has Kuiu and I have Sitka; both are superior quality. I can't fit into the Kuiu-it is made for a young hard body. We like the stuff and the patterns and both brands are great in bad weather. Most of the time we are stalking and if need to be whitetail quiet we wear MicroTex. The other stuff has a bit of a 'swish' to it.
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I just switched to Sitka this year a love it !
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I have had Sitka for several years now and very happy with the product. Just bought the Jet Stream Jacket this week. The 90% pants and jacket have been a main stream for me for the last six years on my Western Hunts.
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I have all three, plus First Lite. All our very nice, however for me it's KUIU or Sitka. Main reason is b/c of fit. Both these companies, especially KUIU have a better "cut" more athletic fit. Which fits me better.
Core4 Element is nice stuff, however it's very saggy/loose fitting. Especially the pants.
chris <><
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Mon Valley,
I think you're looking at the top product in its category.
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I have been wearing kuiu the past two years and have really enjoyed it. I too wear the guide series with all of the layering items. From a whitetail stand point it works great for most of the season hear in SC. However on the few really cold days that we have here I tend to turn to my heavier woolen wear.
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I live in Louisiana and Core 4 is plenty good enough for my base layers. However, as someone said it has a loose fit.
I don't hunt without my Kuiu Beenie and gaiter. I love that stuff and will probably get more as the Core 4 wears.
Never had anyone with Sitka except a buddy has the fanatic system for stand hunting. Also good stuff, but I prefer to layer.
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Kuiu, best fitting and comfortable clothing made. Its also cheaper than sitka. I do like my first lite shirt, but the pants dont hold a candle to the kuiu pants.
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I've owned a bunch of Sitka and now have quite a bit of Kuiu as well. I don't have a bad thing to say about either. I think each has a garment in their lineup that is a little better than the other but overall I probably slightly prefer Kuiu. I don't think you could make a wrong decision with either though. Like NBK, I use mine for active (mountain) hunting and use something else while deer hunting most of the time.
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KUIU, wear it year round. I'm with Shane on the first lite shirts, love em. Don't waste your money on the first lite pants.
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I really like First Lite as well.
don't have any of the others, but have been very pleased with the First Lite shirts and the Springer vest.
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You may want to check out some of the new Performance items From Predator Camo. They have two lines now and are adding more later this year.
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Well it looks like it is time to place an order with Kuiu.
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I am planning on ordering a couple pair Predator Adrenaline pants #241 from Bow Man. They look worthy to give them a shot.
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I have KUIU attack pants, guide jacket, and LS zip merino shirt. I thinks thats all I will ever need. I think Sitka, and others, are just as comparable but I like Vias camo and I like KUIU no complaints at all from me on KUIU but haven't tried anything else
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I own Kuiu, Sitka, Predator, First Lite and Asbell Wool. Been using Toray's (material provider to Kuiu) flourocarbon leader for almost two decades.
Generally when I hunt I will have a mish-mash of all different outerwear and base layers.
Living and hunting where I do it is not uncommon to hunt in multi-day terrential rain and I have found none of the above gear able to handle it day in and day out. The one observation on Kuiu outerwear that was exprerssed to me is that the Guide Jacket does not dry as fast as the Chugach. In remote regions primative camping that is a seriously important attribute.
Where I work and play I still have only found one garment that will handle multiple day downpours...Grundens. Swedish rubberized cotton.
Hands down!
(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu47/chromebuck/kingcrab2.jpg)
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I have mostly Sitka and love it. I have several pieces from the light stuff to fanatic and in between. I wear a lot of the core tops, zip and hoodies as outerwear during early season.
I just bought some KUIU on the 25% discount program offered before Christmas. I like it too although the selection for different weather is much more limited than Sitka Gear.
I use mine for all my bowhunting, most of which is from tree stands without any problems.
I really like bibs for colder weather and Sitka bibs are the best I've ever found.
I have no experience with the Core4.. items.
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Ahh... KUIU. Kuiu's Vias pattern is as versatile as it gets. I killed a whitetail with my longbow at 3 yds from a 12 ft ladder stand. I could say it "looked" right through me. It was a scene from the movie Predator... That deer and many after that hunt had no clue I existed in the woods.
Not to much the quality is industry leading!
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Wow Keith... Great to see you in a pic with a crab pot again!!! Thanks for the memories of a lifetime in Larsen's Bay!
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I'll throw a stone in for Core4 element, I've got some of their stuff and it has been very good for me. They're local and cheaper than Sitka and Kuiu. I spent about an hour with the developer of Core4 element the other day having the same conversation as this thread topic. The three companies mentioned above, are all based on the same or very similar designs, the merino wool that the companies use all comes from the same place in New Zealand. I guess it comes down to price, fit and personal preference (camo patterns); because these companies use the same ingredients in their materials.
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First lite is awesome. The merino wool is so nice and the fit is very good. I can go all season and the wool never smells and it regulates body temp so well. Also the asat camo is great all year around.
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Just started to wear Sitka gear after years of Goodwill purchased clothing. I tell ya, humping mountains all day sure makes a fella appreciate lightweight tuff clothing. I'll pay the money for the quality stuff.
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I really think the kuiu is a great product. But as I don't have a sponsorship (free product) and I'm not a lottery winner. I can't justify a house payment for a jacket and pair of pants. I have Sitka pants and I love them. I have core 4 pants and jacket and I love them. For 1/16 th the cost. I have a first lite shirt merino shirt and it's awesome. Bottom line for my $.02 is get what you like and can afford.
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Core4 is offered a lot on camofire.com. Just layer up until it's comfortable. I'll say this. I'm from S. Louisiana and spent 4 hours in a Nebraska tree at 19 degrees with two mid weight core4 merino tops, a wind stopper fleece vest and a rain jacket. That's a good testament IMO.
Good luck.
Had a kuiu neck gaiter and beenie along with a fleece beenie.
Only thing I couldn't keep warm was my hands and tips of toes.
Pants were windblocker fleece
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Core4 and FirstLite
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Matty, just curious were did you find core4element for 1/16 the price of kuiu? I will buy it if thats the deal. I have researching all 3 companies and have found they are all fairy compatible in price. Even if you buy at camofire.
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Matty, just curious were did you find core4element for 1/16 the price of kuiu? I will buy it if thats the deal. I have researching all 3 companies and have found they are all fairy compatible in price. Even if you buy at camofire.
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I've owned them all, I think. Stuck with the core4 merino base layers, I like the looser fit and have long arms and kuiu merino sleeves were to short. The core4 merino is the smoothest next to the skin out of all of em. But, I heard core4 was sold so that might not be the case anymore.
I have both the sitka ascent pants and kuiu attack pant, attack pant is better quality, period. Its warmer when its cold and cooler when its hot. Tough as nails, unlike the sitka that blew the seat out in a month. They patched the holes and fixed the blown out crotch but I had to pay for it... so much for a warranty.
I have two Sitka kelvin jackets that I bought on sale so I have not bothered with anyone elses primaloft jackets. I also have one of the kelvin vests that I bought on sale. I like this primaloft stuff.
I have some of the old kuiu chugach raingear and it puts any goretex outfit to shame, in my opinion.
Good Luck!
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I was thinking the same thing Matty. That's a screaming deal regardless of the brand!
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what is the exterior of the kuiu raingear like. I have been using helly hanson for a lot of my wet hunts but if you are on a steep hillside you might as well be wearing a set of skis on your rear.
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Originally posted by awbowman:
Core4 is offered a lot on camofire.com.
Pants were windblocker fleece
I've gotten the pants a jacket and a vest all for just over $100
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Originally posted by Matty:
Originally posted by awbowman:
Core4 is offered a lot on camofire.com.
I've gotten the pants a jacket and a vest all for just over $100 [/b]
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I just put hands and eyes on the Sitka Whitetail (ESW) pants yesterday at a box store. The design is terrific!
These will be what I open next season with here at home.
Fleece doesn't get along in the weed-seed world I walk through. I even spend lots of times getting those sticktites, beggar ticks, thistle, etc. off plain ole jeans!
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Thanks for all the input.