I like a lot of thinks KUIU but there Merino wool has not been one of them.  Now there Superdown vest is the warmest item I have every owned for it's weight.  It's will always be in my pack along with my space blanket in case of emergencies.

1.  I own not one piece of KUIU clothing so I can't compare. I'be studied it and touched a bunch of it and I'll just say I will stick with my Sitka.

2. I prefer the First Lite Merino to the Sitka merino. Seems to ME it is a hair warmer/cooler and dries quicker.

3. There is NO comparison to the on body drying of the merino I own to ANY of the new Sitka synthetics. Even the heaviest new synthetic dries more than twice as fast as the merino. And all my merino is lightweight. Ive compared the synthetics to merino for more than a decade...just about every other brand but Kuiu of each and this is the first time I've found the synthetics superior in every way. Yeah, I know I can melt myself in a fire--I'll live with the risk...

Now to get this back on track, I never wear my Fanatic stuff in or out. I put it all in my Toolbox. I'll wear my base layer and a light pant and maybe the Fanatic Hoody if it is frigid. Everything else gets put on once I'm set up on stand.


These photos show everything loaded for a full day on stand:

#3 is my opinion just based on 3 weeks wearing various sets of base layers in Alaska and 2 weeks of the same in Iowa. I'm going to be back in Iowa over Christmas and I'm not taking any merino.

Steve O just how many sets of rattling antlers do you need on a day hunt? I know, one set is in case you drop the other so you do not have to climb down and get it.

I am going to check out the Sitka base layer.  I'd like a base layer that dries a lot faster then my first Lite for those warmer fall days hunting elk in the Mountains.

I am absolutely hooked on ASAT camo...so I have leaned to those that make quality in ASAT.  First Lite being at the top of the list. I'd like to try on both the Fantastic and Sanctuary side by side to see if I'd give up ASAT.

Steve--I use 4 like Mitten taught me. I leave those at the base of the tree and run a cord up to me from them. He calls it "puppet rattling".

QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
Steve--I use 4 like Mitten taught me. I leave those at the base of the tree and run a cord up to me from them. He calls it "puppet rattling".

Awesome steve o gotta love the puppet fights!!I definately gets em coming to check things out i just cant seem to get one of those IOWA or ILLINOIS brusiers to show    

Good info! Always looking for better ways to stay warm in the woods!
Thanks!

chris <><

Great call on the puppet rattling Steve-O, been a secret my grandpa passed down to me. I like to have am extra long cord I can wrap around my boot to shake, makes it sound like something is moving in the underbrush, rather than 2 floating deer