New Kuiu

[Pac8541]

On the heels of my thread discussing clothing prejudice and at the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I replaced a bunch of Kuiu clothing in the last couple weeks and it all came in this morning. Last year I ran Chinook pants (which I loved), this year its the Alpine Pant. Last year I used a Patagonia Down Sweater for a puffy, this year it'll be the Kenai. I picked up a Tiburon 1/4 zip this year and it'll no doubt get used a ton this summer behind a fly rod.

 

The Kenai was my big deal. Last Nov I distinctly remember needing some extra warmth but with the ventilation to do some hiking and stalking. I regretted not picking this up then so it was high on my list this year. Online it looks like heavier fabric than it actually is. I was very surprised at how light the jacket felt in the hand and when worn. Its super soft and quiet. I was also concerned about how much it would compress down.

 

 

This is the Kenai stuffed into a med sized OR mesh ditty sack. The binos are Swaro 10x42s for scale. So, not only is it lightweight, quiet, and have great breathability and ventilation, but it stuffs down pretty small. Pretty happy with what showed up. Confirms to a degree, that my brain was pointed in the right direction.

[HuntHarder]

I too am in need of a puffy. I have been eyeballing the Kenai for a while now. I'm a fanboy too. haha Comfort is king while hunting, and often makes a guy's mind up on when to return back to camp and when to stay on the hills.

[Pac8541]

The down sweater definitely kept me warm even with its minimal fill weight. But let's keep things in perspective: this IS Arizona and although it does in fact get cold (it was 18* one morning north of Star Valley), it certainly isn't Idaho or Montana. What I lacked was versatility. This thing is reputed to breathe extremely well while also offering pit zips. And its synthetic so I don't have that problem with down getting wet. I was really close to ordering the First Lite Uncompahgre, and I still might just because, but I don't know that it'd do the same things I'm asking of it.

 

The Alpine Pants are pretty awesome too. LOVED the utility of the Chinooks; pocket layout, hip vents, and knee pads were all incredibly appreciated over rocky, hard ground. But 2 things told me I needed to replace them: 1) I bought them too big thinking I'd need to layer under them more than I did and, 2) they were a bit too warm for where I was and the activity level I engaged in. I figure with the Alpines I can be a little cooler with nothing more than a lightweight merino bottom on and by adding the new Peloton 200 zip on bottoms, I can now add warmth if I need it with the same ease as the merino layer. These zip on/off things are game changers for me. I even used them at work over the winter. FL may have a reputation for better wool but that doesn't trump the ease and utility the Kuiu's offer. I'll still buy some of that new Aerowool stuff though. Really wanna try that out.

[cjl2010]

Last year I ran the kifaru lost park parka. Perfect for glassing after sweating your nuts off on the hike in. Has a pouch on the belly and the arms and pouch are cordura so laying prone you don't have to worry about tearing your puffy. That puffy is phenomenal in the wind, only down fall would be that it doesn't compress as well as a down puffy. Also is definitely is not ment to be worn while hiking. Coors light decided I needed to type this.

[Pac8541]

Last year I ran the kifaru lost park parka. Perfect for glassing after sweating your nuts off on the hike in. Has a pouch on the belly and the arms and pouch are cordura so laying prone you don't have to worry about tearing your puffy. That puffy is phenomenal in the wind, only down fall would be that it doesn't compress as well as a down puffy. Also is definitely is not ment to be worn while hiking. Coors light decided I needed to type this.

LMFAO! YES!!

[cjl2010]

Sure is nice not smashin your boys because you are shaking from the cold.

[Viper]

The down sweater definitely kept me warm even with its minimal fill weight. But let's keep things in perspective: this IS Arizona and although it does in fact get cold (it was 18* one morning north of Star Valley), it certainly isn't Idaho or Montana. What I lacked was versatility. This thing is reputed to breathe extremely well while also offering pit zips. And its synthetic so I don't have that problem with down getting wet. I was really close to ordering the First Lite Uncompahgre, and I still might just because, but I don't know that it'd do the same things I'm asking of it.

 

The Alpine Pants are pretty awesome too. LOVED the utility of the Chinooks; pocket layout, hip vents, and knee pads were all incredibly appreciated over rocky, hard ground. But 2 things told me I needed to replace them: 1) I bought them too big thinking I'd need to layer under them more than I did and, 2) they were a bit too warm for where I was and the activity level I engaged in. I figure with the Alpines I can be a little cooler with nothing more than a lightweight merino bottom on and by adding the new Peloton 200 zip on bottoms, I can now add warmth if I need it with the same ease as the merino layer. These zip on/off things are game changers for me. I even used them at work over the winter. FL may have a reputation for better wool but that doesn't trump the ease and utility the Kuiu's offer. I'll still buy some of that new Aerowool stuff though. Really wanna try that out.

 

Do the pants fit true to size? I am in the market, but am hesitant to order without trying on. I prefer a stretch waistband that can adjust to my gut. I am 5'11" 170lbs with a 34" waist. I buy 35" jeans.

I have the Kenai jacket and the Super Down hooded jacket. I love them both, which serve different purposes. They are both very light weight and compressible.

[Pac8541]

These seem to fit very well. I normally fluctuate between 31-33 at the waist but ordered the 34 Chinook last year. Clearly too big but I was short on time when they arrived. This year I bought the 32's and they're very comfortable. I tried them on over the peloton zip on stuff and no problems. I'll still run a belt with them regardless but they feel true to size. I wouldn't go bigger unless you normally need room in the thighs.

[Viper]

Thats helpful info....thanks!!

[Pac8541]

Little update on the Kenai puffy in case some of you are still on the fence:

 

I just returned from 4 weeks in the CO high country. We camped at over 10K feet about half of it, the rest at around 7500. Temps ranged from low 80's to about 40 at night and we experienced a week straight of constant rain. At the higher elevations I literally slept in my clothes inside a pop up tent trailer. Maybe it was the moisture in the air but it felt quite a bit colder than the thermometer suggested. Sleeping like this included the Kenai jacket under a typical "at home" style comforter blanket. Sounds pretty warm, right? Maybe a bit much and I'd wake up sweating or stripping clothing off? Nope. Not a single time did that happen. From my perspective, this was not due to it actually being that cold but seems to reinforce the claims that the Kenai breathes incredibly well. I used this jacket more than any other insulation piece in my arsenal, including the 240 Peloton hoody that I fell in love with last year. The Kenai's comfort range is incredible. Its not going to block the wind like the Kifaru or FL puffys but it does a damned good job in just about every other condition. And its super light and quiet. Winner.

[Viper]

I recently received the Attack pants and Peloton 240 full zip. Seems like really good stuff, and quite comfortable. I got the 34 pants, which fit very well on my 34 - 35" waist. Haven't had a chance to try them out yet. I think the hip vents are going to help wth venting heat. Only wish the pockets were a little bigger.

PAC8541, have you worn your Kuiu pants in coues country brush? Wondering how they hold up in heavy brush, catclaw and such.

[desertmafia21]

The attack pants are the most comfortable pants that I've worn but they do not hold up vey well in brush like cat claw. They will get snagged pretty bad. For the brush I just use the Teton pants and they are solid and don't fray like the attacks

[HuntHarder]

Agree with the above. The tetons are best for catclaw, but still not ideal. Honestly, I do not think any of the higher end camo's will hold up very well in catclaw country. You might get a season or 2 out of them at the most. I am ok with this because they are soooo much more comfortable than jeans or 511 pants. Another that I wear quite a bit are the Prana zion's. They are solid colors only, but I think they are pretty sweet for rifle hunting.

 

Great review Pac: I am in need of a puffy in the hear future, and I am trying to decide between the Kenai or super down. How small does the Kenai compress to?

[Viper]

Agree with the above. The tetons are best for catclaw, but still not ideal. Honestly, I do not think any of the higher end camo's will hold up very well in catclaw country. You might get a season or 2 out of them at the most. I am ok with this because they are soooo much more comfortable than jeans or 511 pants. Another that I wear quite a bit are the Prana zion's. They are solid colors only, but I think they are pretty sweet for rifle hunting.

 

Great review Pac: I am in need of a puffy in the hear future, and I am trying to decide between the Kenai or super down. How small does the Kenai compress to?

 

I wear the Carhart double front pants for rifle coues. I can bust through any brush in those. I plan to use the Kuiu for archery.

I have both the Kenai and Super Down. They serve two different purposes and they are light enough to pack both. Of course the Super Down compresses more, but the Kenei compresses well too. Both are very light weight. As mentioned above, the Kenei is very breathable and quiet...and has pit-zips to let the heat out. This is best suited for active hunting. The Super Down is not breathable and noisy, but blocks wind well. This is best suited for sitting/glassing. It will be quieter if you layer a soft shell (Kenei) over the top.

I have both in large if anyone wants to check it out before you buy. I live in Mesa and work in west Chandler.

[Pac8541]

PAC8541, have you worn your Kuiu pants in coues country brush? Wondering how they hold up in heavy brush, catclaw and such.

Have not worn any of it in typical AZ country, only that found in CO between 7000-10K. Flora is quite a bit different there so I can't speak with any credibility about durability down here. However, the Chinook pant I used last season has an outer shell very similar but a little heavier I believe, to that found on the Kenai. It held up very well in the oak brush and manzanita I was neck deep in, and minor encounters with catclaw. That stuff is evil; its like a bush made of barbed wire. I avoid it whenever I can regardless of what I'm wearing and thankfully, the unit I was in last year and will be again this year, isn't overgrown with the stuff.

 

Agree with the above. The tetons are best for catclaw, but still not ideal. Honestly, I do not think any of the higher end camo's will hold up very well in catclaw country. You might get a season or 2 out of them at the most. I am ok with this because they are soooo much more comfortable than jeans or 511 pants. Another that I wear quite a bit are the Prana zion's. They are solid colors only, but I think they are pretty sweet for rifle hunting.

 

Great review Pac: I am in need of a puffy in the hear future, and I am trying to decide between the Kenai or super down. How small does the Kenai compress to?

The photo in my first post shows the Kenai stuffed into a size med. OR mesh sack. These are stretchy so it doesn't really show how small it'll get. I've since stuffed into smaller sacks that don't have stretch and it'll get smaller. I'm sure it'll easily fit into a small side pouch on my pack as well, probably with a little room to spare. Having said all of the above though, I'm still looking at picking up a warmer puffy with good wind resistance (Kifaru Lost Park or FL Uncompahgre). While I can easily imagine taking only the Kenai and leaving fleece at home (it's THAT versatile) I think having a super protective and warm option is a wise move.