Sitka or kuiu?

[slim jim]

Man you must be well off BB. You have all the best optics, clothing, gear, etc. and not just one of everything but multiple pieces. Haha Im just envious. I think that I'll just start asking you for advise whenever I get ready to purchase anything. Actually I plan on buying the new vortex razor 65mm spotting scope when it comes out. I'll start a new thread and see what you think when they come out.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Man you must be well off BB. You have all the best optics, clothing, gear, etc.

SJ,

You bet I am rich! Rich in life, love, and happiness that is. Wish I could say the same for the bank account!

No, a lot of horse trading led to my current gear list, and I was lucky to find a bunch if good deals too. I look forward to hearing about the Razor 65. I hope to get my hands on one too.

 

[BOHNTR]

I have both and I'd have to agree with BB......Kuiu is what I wear more often than my Sitka stuff. Good quality stuff.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Edelweiss,

What pieces from Sitka and Kuiu do you have?

How did the raingear fail for you in AK?

What and when were you hunting in AK? I can't wait to go back myself!

 

[DryFlyGuy]

I have a pretty substantial catalog of Sitka gear and I love it. I've had a few issues with a seam unraveling, a buckle breaking on a pack, and a strap stitch starting to tear away. All of those issues were handled in a manner that left me very satisfied with customer service. I love the athletic fit, the flexibility, and the technical features that are tailor made for our western back country hunts. Sitka was definitely pioneering this market for several years.

Now the market is filling up with competitors and I think that is great! KUIU is right at the top of those competitors. As they are starting to mature, they are dealing with a lot of the same issues that Sitka has been through. They have had serious productions problems that have caused long delays. They are no longer made in North America and they are experiencing those same quality issues that Sitka has dealt with over in China. I won't be surprised if their price point moves closer & closer to the Sitka stuff.

Either company puts out really good stuff. I like the products from Gore that Sitka incorporates into their garments and the broader catalog of products.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Edelweiss,

I am not looking for work right now, thanks. While I do love Alaska, I love my wife more, and she doesn't love Alaska.

Which model of Kuiu pant do you have? I am pretty sure Alaska-weather performance was one of the design goals.

The OP was asking about Sitka and Kuiu. I prefer Kuiu, and have used them both. I would never recommend rain gear that doesn't breath well to an active backcountry hunter. Waterproof clothing does no good if you are still generating your own rain on the inside.

Helly Hanson "marine grade" rainwear is too heavy and doesn't breath.

I like some other rainwear, and especially eVent fabric rainwear because it breathes remarkably well.

 

[Drhorsepower]

I own or have owned both, they are very similar besides price tag. I originally bought all kuiu hoping to support a striving company. I ended up selling most of my kuiu gear to fund my sitka addiction. The only reason I decided to make the switch was i originally pre-ordered all of my KUIU items last May. They told me over the phone that my attack pants would be in by my first hunt (August). I did not have them by that time. My second hunt came around,(october) still in communication with KUIU and having them tell me 3 weeks to next month. The emails and phone calls got more frequent as I was getting impatient on my pants. The answers varied by phone call with less and less hope each time that my pants would be here by my buddies late december hunt and my January hunt. When I cancelled my preorder, they told me my pants were were looking to be shipped sometime in December. I looked at their site today and they are still backordered. The whole situation rubbed me the wrong way. Preordering items and still not having it in 7-8 months just isn't acceptable. I also had to pay separate shipping on all preordered items from a 20$ item to 100$ item and all that adds up on multiple pieces. I will say I thought the KUIU items I own were very nice and would recommend to people. for me It boiled down to having my items and KUIU couldn't provide that for me.

As far as SITKA goes, quality gear with a wide range of selection for different needs. I am always prowling their site looking for my next item.

 

[slim jim]

Dr.
I'm with you on the Sitka. I was at sportsmans warehouse today trying on a lot of their items and love their athletic fit and how they stretch. Very high quality gear. I will be all Sitka'd out for next season with first lite underneath

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

BB,

You say that, but spend some time in South East or on the Penninsula/Aleutians.

I do not believe the rain is magic in AK. The Aleutians get about 80 inches a year while Tillamook, OR gets 90.

Still, in either of those areas special rainwear may be a good thing to look for.

Looking to by some new clothing! willing to spend the money! Im looking at sitka and kuiu. any insight?

However, this the OP. He lives in Boise, ID. I think wearing HH marine gear around there would be abismal, and is poor advice.

I think Kuiu or Sitka would be a great choice for him. I like Kuiu better as a product, but know also that DrH's experiences with supply are not isolated.

 

[llp]

Kuiu is a superior product to Sitka, and it cost less as well. The main drawback is not having it available in every retail outlet and periodic back order delays. This is a direct result of the lower price. If you want it all available on the shelf everywhere you go, you have to pay the higher retail prices.
I am happy with planning ahead and saving about 30-40% over Sitka, and getting a better product. I leave my Sitka home now and wear Kuiu. The Kuiu Guide jacket is lighter in weight than the Sitka jacket, and just as warm.

In the constant rain of SE Alasak, the Healy Hansen Impertec is a great lightweight rain gear. The Kuiu rain gear is great, but anything that breathes will never be as waterproof as a solid "rubberized" fabric. Ditto for Sitka rain gear. You can either be damp inside from the "plastic" rain gear, or eventually a bit damp from wearing a breathable fabric. Either way, after multiple days in constant rain you will at least be a bit damp on the inside... Change clothes often, and dry clothes out by a fire (in a cabin, preferably) and you will be fine, but it is very hard to stay dry indefinitely in constant rain anywhere.
llp

 

[THelms]

I have to agree with Eidlewiess on the fit of both lines of gear. It is made for an athletic fit and I am built more along the lines of, well let us call it short and stocky. I'm 5'11 and currently weigh 235. I wear 34" jeans and a 48 suit coat.... If I want to layer a KUIU or Sitka garment over my First Lite or KUIU Merino core shirt I have to buy the XXL and then things get tunic looking in a hurry. As for the pants? It is a good thing they stretch because the legs are made for dudes who run marathons not deadlift pickups. Oh well, I do like the gear and will continue to buy each brand. However, upon using both companies rain gear... I have sold it all and purchased the much cheaper and quieter Russel L5 Cyclone series.

Hunt Hard AND smart brothers and sisters.

 

[Montana]

I am going to go with Kuiu as well having owned both. I will say this and you have to find your own value. You can pretty much count on not ever being able to buy Kuiu gear when you need it. It took me 6/7 months to get all the gear I needed, which really bothered me, as you can tell. So for that I have not decided to make Kuiu my main gear line. Sitka is awesome and you can find it very reasonable if you carry the same patience as Kuiu.

I only use either for archery season as when rifle rolls around i mainly use climbing gear for the superior performance products (not needing the camo pattern). Mountain Hardware, Patagonia, Rab etc... High quality, light weight cold weather stuff.

 

[John G]

Minus33 has 100% merino wool in 3-4 5 and 6 x and it every bet as good as anything in the market