Comparing Sitka 90% and kuiu chinook

[freediver111]

I bought the new Sitka 90% last week. Had a gift cert for cabelas for $200 so I went for it. Paid $289 with free shipping.
Buddy of mine bought a kuiu chinook a few weeks prior. He paid $200 and maybe added some shipping fees but I'm not sure.
I was comparing both and I have to say they are very similar. I don't know exactly what's different, but looking at them side by side they seem to be very comparable.
One of the things I REALLY like about the chinook is pit zips! Why the heck doesn't the 90% come with pit zips! Major oversight in my opinion.
So there you have it. Maybe someone knows why Sitka charges $90 more, but my eyes couldn't see the difference.
If it wasn't for $200 in free cabelas cash I would have returned the Sitka and bought a kuiu.
Not a rant or complaint, the new 90% is awesome, I just feel it's a little overpriced compared to the chinook......unless I'm missing something. Note to Sitka: pit zips!

 

[doverpack12]

How does the noise level of the two compare? I have the new 90% but mostly because the KUIU was backordered and like you I had some sale/points/gift cert combo to spend on the jacket. How does the stretch on the two and size if they are the same size compare?

 

[freediver111]

Well my buddies is a little small for me to try on but overall I can't say one is quieter over the other and both seem to have equal stretch.
Like I said, it's tough for me to see any big difference. The Kuiu may be a little heavier with a little more fleece on the inside but it's tough to judge.
Overall I would rate both as equal, and if it wasn't for the gift certs/points I had, I would have been very happy saving $89 and just getting the Kuiu if I had to pay full price.
Looking at the specs online, the 90% is about 2 ounces lighter, but I thought the Kuiu had a fair bit more fleece inside and the pit zips were a big plus.

 

[conhawa]

I recently purchased the new 90% jacket. I was also torn between the 2 jackets...but I went with the 90% mainly because the Chinook was on backorder. I will have to say though...I really like the 90%. I'm going to guess that the 90% might be more windproof, but I would have definitely preferred having pit zips on the jacket. I haven't hiked in it yet...so i can't say for sure if they will be needed.

 

[HJ Handy]

I had the 90% jacket and pants at one time, and now having the Chinook jacket and pants, I much prefer them over the 90% I had. Overall, most of what Kuiu makes has been great for me personally and performed well. The Chinook set breathes very well and the hip zips on the pants and pit zips on the jacket really help cool things down when on the move.