Soft Shell Jackets, who uses one, and which one?

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
Staff member
Feb 3, 2014
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As the title says. I am hoping to try out the North Branch from First Lite this year. I have two Guide Jackets from Kuiu. How about you guys?

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NVBird'n'Big

Veteran member
May 27, 2011
1,138
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Reno, NV
Would love a guide jacket, it's further back on my list after the guide vest and attack pants for this year but depending on my draws I may go in on one. Ive got a kings camo fleese'ish jacket but it's time for an upgrade. I'll be down in the Dixon area later this month and look forward to stopping by the showroom to check the jacket out.
 

mnhunter

Active Member
Aug 23, 2011
226
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Andover, Minnesota
Not to be unsupportive of all of the new hunting clothes companies, but I have been defaulting to buying my late season outerwear from the REI Outlet. My softshell jacket is a gray Patagonia that cost about $80-90 on clearance a couple of years ago.
 

hoshour

Veteran member
I will probably switch over to KUIU from Kryptek because while I like the Kryptek Cadog jacket I bought late last fall, I didn't like the cut of the pants and returned them. Too bad, because I love the Highlander camo pattern.

I'll probably go with the Attack pants and Guide pants and jacket.
 

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
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Feb 3, 2014
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Not to be unsupportive of all of the new hunting clothes companies, but I have been defaulting to buying my late season outerwear from the REI Outlet. My softshell jacket is a gray Patagonia that cost about $80-90 on clearance a couple of years ago.
I have nothing against finding a good deal. I rarely pay full price by waiting for sales. I believe that Sitka is on sale now at Linton Outdoors, and if you watch for clearance items Sportsman's has some pretty good deals. I have found Kryptek there on sale for much lower than retail. Kuiu usually does a Black Friday sale, and some one off sales that tend to be pretty significant, sometimes as much as 40%.
 

mnhunter

Active Member
Aug 23, 2011
226
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Andover, Minnesota
I have nothing against finding a good deal. I rarely pay full price by waiting for sales. I believe that Sitka is on sale now at Linton Outdoors, and if you watch for clearance items Sportsman's has some pretty good deals. I have found Kryptek there on sale for much lower than retail. Kuiu usually does a Black Friday sale, and some one off sales that tend to be pretty significant, sometimes as much as 40%.
Scott-

I guess my thinking may have less to do with money and more to do with who I believe are truly the experts on technical clothing. I think in the last few years Sitka, Russel, Kuiu, Kryptek have all made huge bounds in technical outerwear for hunters, but during rifle season I see much less need for camouflage, and think that for 1/3 the cost I can probably get a better piece of gear if I look at companies like Arcteryx, Patagonia, OR, etc. It might even be in one of those other colors the hunting clothes companies sell, like Lead Gray. Plus I can use it skiing, snowshoeing, out and about, without my city slicker wife giving me a hard time for wearing camp. :rolleyes:

I should add, I own some Sitka, Russel, Firstlite that I use a lot during archery season and rifle season when it is warmer. I just have a hard time spending 250-300 on a jacket just because it is camo.
 
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marcusvdk

Veteran member
Dec 13, 2011
5,396
1,662
Michigan
Not to be unsupportive of all of the new hunting clothes companies, but I have been defaulting to buying my late season outerwear from the REI Outlet. My softshell jacket is a gray Patagonia that cost about $80-90 on clearance a couple of years ago.
I do a lot of the same i wait till the off season when stores are doing discounts and clearance. helps me afford to get more of the clothes i need from some of those big hunting clothes companies. Last month or so Cabela's has been pretty good for me.
 

7stwluver

Member
Mar 27, 2014
95
0
Piedmont america
I have an older kuiu Canadian made Guide jacket. And love it so much I bought another one used to have a spare. Great performance and the Dcs will repel some water. Not rain gear by any means but a light mist is fine.