Best KUIU setup for Elk

[fngTony]

This is my clothing system for what I use for backpack bow hunting in Colorado.

Shirts
Merino 125 SS
Merino 145 Zip T
Tiburon Zip T

Outerwear
Guide Vest
Guide Jacket
Alpine Pants

Insulation
Super Down Zip T

Rain Gear
Chugach Rain Jacket
Chugach Rain Pant

Accessories
Tiburon Hat
Merino 145 Beanie
Guide Beanie
Tiburon Glove
Guide Glove
Bino Harness

Kuiu products I'd like to invest in
Super Down Hooded Jacket - to replace the Super Down Zip T on later season hunts. The Zip T works great for backpacking!
Chinook Jacket - to replace the Guide Jacket, it is a little warm for September in Colorado
Merino 145 Zip Off Bottoms - to replace my nike combat ones
Yukon Gators - to replace my Kenetreks
Yukon Pro Glove - to replace the Guide Glove, I love the Guide Glove, but want something water proof
Merino Crew Sock - to replace UA merino socks
Peloton 130 Briefs - to replace UA vented briefs
Peloton 200 Neck Gator - to have for later season hunts
Climbing Belt - to replace my REI one

Conclusion
If I eventually invest in a few things, I would feel like I can handle almost anything Colorado weather throws at me. This system I have used for one full season and didn't have any issues with it. I look forward to putting it to use this upcoming season!

I had the same thought to use the Chinook jacket but found the guide with just the 125 merino can be worn most of the time if all the pockets and pit zips are open. Also like the durability of the guide jacket when in sage brush on my later hunts.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[bern0134]

Here's my gear list all in Vias
September:
Alpine pants or Attack pants if you don't like the knee pads in the Alpine pants.
Peloton 135 short sleeve
Ultra Merino 145 long sleeve
Peloton 240 full zip up
Chinook Jacket
Tiburon Gloves

November:
Chinook Pants
Ultra 210 Merino bottom and top
Peloton 240 full zip hoodie
Chinook Jacket
Kenai Jacket for extra insulation
145 Merino Gloves
Guide Gloves.

 

[Aventus]

Here's my gear list all in Vias
September:
Alpine pants or Attack pants if you don't like the knee pads in the Alpine pants.
Peloton 135 short sleeve
Ultra Merino 145 long sleeve
Peloton 240 full zip up
Chinook Jacket
Tiburon Gloves

November:
Chinook Pants
Ultra 210 Merino bottom and top
Peloton 240 full zip hoodie
Chinook Jacket
Kenai Jacket for extra insulation
145 Merino Gloves
Guide Gloves.

How do you like the Chinook? I've been leaning towards the Guide Jacket/Pants.

Also, regarding the Kenai, does that fit under your Chinook, or do you have to wear it over?

 

[Brendan]

For September hunting, I had the Chinook, sold it. Had Guide Jacket and pants, and sold both. I kept the Kenai, plus Chugach NX jacket and pants. I swapped out Attack pants for First Lite corrugate pants. Add in zip off merino bottoms - and you're good to go.

I did like the guide jacket, but in the end I still had to have rain jacket and a puffy.

 

[fngTony]

when I contacted kuiu cs they said all their pieces can be mixed (teton with guide etc) however their insulation is cut to fit under a shell. You could up size the kenai to wear over a shell but it just wouldn't be comfortable. If you want to just add a puffy without removing a shell look for something with a fuller cut like the FL umcompagre. Or the peloton 240 being a mid layer would work under a up sized kenai.
I considered exchanging my guide for the Chinook until an unexpected wind storm came in and was happy to have the hood

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[fngTony]

For September hunting, I had the Chinook, sold it. Had Guide Jacket and pants, and sold both. I kept the Kenai, plus Chugach NX jacket and pants. I swapped out Attack pants for First Lite corrugate pants. Add in zip off merino bottoms - and you're good to go.

I did like the guide jacket, but in the end I still had to have rain jacket and a puffy.

Curious why you switched to the FL pants? Not trying to highjack the thread but have been strongly considering them and haven't owned pants from either company.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[Aventus]

For September hunting, I had the Chinook, sold it. Had Guide Jacket and pants, and sold both. I kept the Kenai, plus Chugach NX jacket and pants. I swapped out Attack pants for First Lite corrugate pants. Add in zip off merino bottoms - and you're good to go.

I did like the guide jacket, but in the end I still had to have rain jacket and a puffy.

Ya, I am not really interested in a rain jacket. I don't need to spend large amounts of money on one. If it's raining, we won't be hunting. So, I am just going to have a couple of those cheap plastic rain ponchos. Won't need anything more than that for shedding the raining.

I am thinking about the guide set plus the Kenai. Thinking maybe the superdown instead of the Kenai. Just trying to figure out if they go under the guide/chinook or over it.

 

[Aventus]

when I contacted kuiu cs they said all their pieces can be mixed (teton with guide etc) however their insulation is cut to fit under a shell. You could up size the kenai to wear over a shell but it just wouldn't be comfortable. If you want to just add a puffy without removing a shell look for something with a fuller cut like the FL umcompagre. Or the peloton 240 being a mid layer would work under a up sized kenai.
I considered exchanging my guide for the Chinook until an unexpected wind storm came in and was happy to have the hood

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

I have no preference whether the Kenai goes under or over. I am just trying to figure which is it designed for. If the kenai is designed to go under the Guide, does that mean I should get a size down on the Kenai and or size up on the Guide? But, I don't want to get a size up on the Guide, because I want it to fit without any heavy duty insulation jacket underneath.

 

[Brendan]

Curious why you switched to the FL pants? Not trying to highjack the thread but have been strongly considering them and haven't owned pants from either company.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

Short answer was that I lost weight and my Attack pants were too big. I'd heard great things about The corrugates so wanted to give them a try. They are one of the most comfortable pairs of pants I've ever worn, a little lighter weight and cooler than the attack, which I liked for the weather of archery season.

 

[Brendan]

Ya, I am not really interested in a rain jacket. I don't need to spend large amounts of money on one. If it's raining, we won't be hunting. So, I am just going to have a couple of those cheap plastic rain ponchos. Won't need anything more than that for shedding the raining.

That's where we differ, if it's raining, I'm still hunting short of a downpour. I've only got 10-12 days so I want the gear to stay out. Plus, last year I got rained on what seemed like daily and good rain gear was a godsend. It also blocks wind better than the guide, and with the Kenai (very comfortable as an outer layer when not wet), the guide setup just wasn't going to get used.

 

[fngTony]

I have no preference whether the Kenai goes under or over. I am just trying to figure which is it designed for. If the kenai is designed to go under the Guide, does that mean I should get a size down on the Kenai and or size up on the Guide? But, I don't want to get a size up on the Guide, because I want it to fit without any heavy duty insulation jacket underneath.

I have the Teton version of the kenai (similar minus pitzips and pocket, kenai has mor insulation in the body) My guide is a large and teton is a medium. they layer perfect ( guide on top) When not wearing the teton my guide sleeves come down a bit far on my wrist other wise I don't notice a fit difference. My experience with kuiu sizing is more torso and sleeve length than torso girth. Definitely kenai under the guide. Kenai doesn't block wind but unless there is an actual wind chill its not a big deal. Also wearing both I have no issues with drawing my bow. The kenai and teton also have a good dwr, I walked for 2 hours in just the teton with wet rain snow mix and stayed dry.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[fngTony]

In short the kenai will get you through 80% of the time. kenai plus guide will do 90%. kenai plus chugach will do 99%. I agree with the poncho idea, Thats all I take when not gone for long. Have you considered the Yukon?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[warrior80]

I have no preference whether the Kenai goes under or over. I am just trying to figure which is it designed for. If the kenai is designed to go under the Guide, does that mean I should get a size down on the Kenai and or size up on the Guide? But, I don't want to get a size up on the Guide, because I want it to fit without any heavy duty insulation jacket underneath.

The Kenai is designed to go under the Guide. I have size large in both jackets and the Kenai fits under just fine.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[LightFoot]

Teton Rain jacket and pants
Merino 145 LS and gloves
Super down Jacket
Chinook jacket
Merino 210 Zipoff pants
Tiburon hat and gloves
Peloton 200 top and beanie

That's my list for September in Colorado. . . I think . . . as of now . . .

Thursday (kuiu sale) may yield a different answer.




Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[Davebuech]

Thursday (kuiu sale) may yield a different answer.




Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Kuiu is having a sale Thursday?

 

[fngTony]

memorial sale, discounts very on total purchase

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[bern0134]

I personally enjoy the Chinook Jacket. You really can't go wrong with either the Chinook or Guide Jackets. I am personally more fond of the athletic fit of the Chinook Jacket.=. As for my Kenai wear it under my Chinook. it a bit snug so if that is your plan, you may want to up the outer jacket a size. The ONLY bad thing with the Kenai was the outer material is thin and so its prone to small tears and rips. Which is another reason whi I wear the Chinook over.

 

[Aventus]

In short the kenai will get you through 80% of the time. kenai plus guide will do 90%. kenai plus chugach will do 99%. I agree with the poncho idea, Thats all I take when not gone for long. Have you considered the Yukon?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

Yah, my hunt this year is for November in Colorado. So, it will be a bit colder than the september hunts this thread is touching on. I have First Lite Llano short sleeve and First Lite Chama quarter zip. It will then be my Guide Jacket (which I haven't purchased yet) that will go over it. I am hoping those 3 layers + hiking in elevation all day will be just enough. But, along with my guide, I am either going to purchase a Kenai or a kuiu superdown. Or should I consider the Chugach instead of the superdown if I go that route? Then on the bottoms, merino wool boxers, First lite Allegheny, wool socks and my Lowa Tibets. I am hoping that will be sufficient. And if it ends of getting too worm, I can take the alleghenys off and just be in the guide. Was also thinking about adding a lighter attack-esque pant to have in the pack if it happens to be too warm of a day for the guide. And yah, then have a cheap rain poncho in my pack along with a backup merino or peleton long sleeve.

We are staying in a cabin. We are hiking out each morning and hiking back each evening. So, there will be plenty of room in my pack for back up layers.

I feel more comfortable on what to get on the Kuiu line, but now what I am having trouble with is do I go Verde or Vias? I was all in with Verde, but Vias is starting to grow on me. Opinions?

 

[fngTony]

the vias blends in with aspen trees. Verde blends the green of the forest. They both break up your outline which is more important than blending in. Go with what is in stock in your size even if its a solids color ( major brown looks good outdoors and in town)

Out and back from a cabin would leave plenty extra space in your pack. Bring more than enough and you will find what works for you.

I vote for the kenai over superdown. You could hike in your ss shirt and kenai, open pit zips as needed. Or guide jacket if warmer. Adding the kenai and guide to what you have should handle anything but severe cold snap. Like you said a cabin isn't far away. About the only thing you will regret with the poncho is if it gets torn up in a hail storm which will also soak through the guide in short time.

Kuiu is having a sale starting Thursday. At 25% off the yukon jacket would be a deal. Its been described as quite enough for stalking but still being a rain/wind shell.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[Aventus]

the vias blends in with aspen trees. Verde blends the green of the forest. They both break up your outline which is more important than blending in. Go with what is in stock in your size even if its a solids color ( major brown looks good outdoors and in town)

Out and back from a cabin would leave plenty extra space in your pack. Bring more than enough and you will find what works for you.

I vote for the kenai over superdown. You could hike in your ss shirt and kenai, open pit zips as needed. Or guide jacket if warmer. Adding the kenai and guide to what you have should handle anything but severe cold snap. Like you said a cabin isn't far away. About the only thing you will regret with the poncho is if it gets torn up in a hail storm which will also soak through the guide in short time.

Kuiu is having a sale starting Thursday. At 25% off the yukon jacket would be a deal. Its been described as quite enough for stalking but still being a rain/wind shell.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

Thanks for the help. My issue right now is that this is my first big game hunt. This is actually my first ever hunting trip. So, my upfront costs are going to be pretty darn high, which is why this first go-around, just order what is absolutely needed. Then next year, I can add a couple more pieces to the arsenal.

I am not going to get an absolutely cheap $5 rain poncho. More like a $20-30 one that has a bit more durability.

I do like the solid colors. I like the solid kuiu brown pants with a camo jacket. I got my FL llano and chama in their solid pine. Still a coin flip for the vias or verde. I will sleep on it the next 2 days and pick up the guide set thursday along with the kenai.