Hate to admit it but...I like the new Underarmor Ridge Reaper stuff

Joined
May 11, 2015
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40
Location
currently Maryland until I can get back to AK
I know most mountain hunters are kinda loyal to their brands, and most of us stick to just one, and scoff at other stuff, but I decided to get out of my shell a little and try out something new.

I recently went back to AK for a moose hunt in Unit 20A. I was expecting to be hunting valleys mostly and lower areas like swamps and what not so I had left all my Kuiu gear at home, thinking I'd just hunt in my whitetail gear I use around here. But once I got to Anchorage, and we'd gotten closer to the hunt I decided to grab some new stuff, just because. I've got a closet full of camo, so what's a little more going to hurt. I grabbed a pair of the Underarmour ridge reaper pants, one of their light hooded jackets, a pair of gloves and a ballcap. We hunted for 8 days, I wore them all 8 of the days. I've got to say, it really surprised me. The pants were nice and stretchy, the breathed really well, and the pockets were very well made, and placed well. The only complaint I had on them was there is no back pocket to hold my wallet. The survival tips sewed into the pockets were a little cheesy but they're inside so who cares. We had 20 MPH sustained winds for a few days, I had merino base layers, but my legs never did get cold.

The Jacket (more of a zip up hoody) was very well made as well, I combined it with my Kuiu spindrift, and I was nice and warm the whole time. We did get some rain here and there, and dumped on by snow one night. Both the pants and jacket dried out really fast. The jacket had really good pockets, large enough to hold my 10x42 binos when I threw them in there, and no issues with anything falling out. An inside pocket would have been nice, but not mandatory for me.

The only issue I had with any of the clothing was the gloves. I've got some pretty big mitts, I bought the biggest pair they had, but they still were almost too small. My hands stretched them to the max.

During the 8 day hunt we were bush whacking through willows, walking through marsh, and lots of sitting in high places with binos. I had no holes, or tears, or any problems at all. The camo pattern works really well too, my buddy said he had a hard time picking me out when he was glassing areas where I was sitting. Overall, I was pretty impressed with their new line and will recommend them to friends.

Anyway, if anybody is interested in the new stuff by UA, I figured I'd write up my findings. I had an any bull tag and did end up getting a 39 inch moose as well.

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daddie63

WKR
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Feb 2, 2013
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Ca.
That's good to hear and congrats on the moose. Nothing wrong with more solid choices in clothing I think.
 
Joined
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Thanks for sharing your insight. UA doesn't get a lot of attention around here. Nice to see it worked for you.


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fngTony

Super Moderator
Staff member
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Jan 18, 2016
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I compared the top shelf ua stuff with Sitka at Cabela's, it looked very comparable, some personal preferences on both sides. Glad to hear a field review. More options is great.
 

KHNC

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Jul 11, 2013
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3,648
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NC
Congrats on your bull! While I have a ridge reaper suit I bought the first year it came out, I will never purchase UA products again as long as I live. Plenty of other companies that support hunting much better than they do, and have quality gear. Again, glad you got a nice bull! Hope to do a moose hunt one day.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
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Feb 27, 2012
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Colorado Springs
I know most mountain hunters are kinda loyal to their brands, and most of us stick to just one, and scoff at other stuff

I'm a perfectionist, so I use what I use because I haven't found anything better......that's where my loyalty ends. I wouldn't make a good staffer because I'll use whatever I find that is best for me. But that doesn't mean that I don't spend $1000's every year searching for something better in all my gear, I just haven't found it yet......so continue to use what I use until I find something better.

Congratulations on the bull.
 
Joined
Apr 9, 2012
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Fishhook, Alaska
I know most mountain hunters are kinda loyal to their brands, and most of us stick to just one, and scoff at other stuff....

Boy, really? This hasn't been my observation at all. In what I think is a fairly extensive circle of friends and acquaintances up here, I don't recall a single person that sticks to a single clothing brand. Same with the random people I've met in the field. Only guys I can recall meeting in the field that were "head to toe" were a few of guided sheep clients.

I'm sure there are some loyalists that I just don't happen to know, but based on my experience (outside the internet), I would guess it's a pretty small minority.

Or were you being sarcastic, and it's just too early in the morning for me to tell?
 

Manosteel

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Jan 24, 2013
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Alberta, Canada
Boy, really? This hasn't been my observation at all. In what I think is a fairly extensive circle of friends and acquaintances up here, I don't recall a single person that sticks to a single clothing brand. Same with the random people I've met in the field. Only guys I can recall meeting in the field that were "head to toe" were a few of guided sheep clients.

I'm sure there are some loyalists that I just don't happen to know, but based on my experience (outside the internet), I would guess it's a pretty small minority.

Or were you being sarcastic, and it's just too early in the morning for me to tell?

My experience as well, the only time I see someone head to toe in one companies garb are new hunters or truck hunters (why they wear camo is beyond me). My circle of friends and family use what is best for them, usually a combination and it changes regularly.

Congrats on he moose and nice to hear the UA stuff works, I use a lot of UA workout/gym clothing, sports undergarments (nothing hunting related thou).
 
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