Help me settle on a clothing line

[big10hunter]

Im absolutely drivging myself crazy! Trying to figure out the best clothing line for Elk hunting. Weighing price vs performance. Not concerned about base layers, just outer layers and rain wear. Please weigh in.

 

[wncbrewer]

I consider the big thee to be Sitka, first lite, and kuiu. It seems to me like most people are happy with those companies. I have heard from a few people that kuiu' customer service isn't great but being a first lite guy, I haven't experimented that myself. My uncomphagre puffy is my favorite article of clothing period, and I'm gonna by a solid color one to wear around town. I also feel like the fusion pattern is one of the most versatile available today.


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[Muttly]

Gotta say it, as far as customer service goes, 1st Shot Gear has been somewhere between exceptional and awesome, in my experience!.
They,'re a sponsor here, they have two out of the three brands you,'re looking at, couldn't hurt to give them a call, let them know what you're looking for, see what they suggest?..

That being said, I,'ve got some first lite stuff, anytime I get more of there stuff, wish I,d gotten it sooner. About wore out a pair of their wool long johns wearing them almost every day last winter.
Got some Kuiu stuff, dig it, more on the way. Haven't had any problems with their customer service..

 

[RdRdrFan]

I've got some Kuiu, some Sitka and some First Lite. Go with what fits best. All three make quality gear. I prefer the Kuiu and Sitka fit FOR ME.

 

[erocs_88]

I had the same debate a few years ago. I finally settled on Kuiu and have never looked back. I have been extremely impressed with everything I get from them. I feel like they make the best quality for the best price. I have never had an issue with customer service and they have always been very friendly and helpful when I talk to them. The hardest part about Kuiu is trying items on or looking at them before you buy them. I have found other people with items that I want that have been willing to let me look at them. I think Sitka and first lite are good as well but Kuiu gets my vote. I have turned a lot of my buddies onto Kuiu and they have all been as happy as I am.


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[5MilesBack]

I wear Cabela's Microtex Lite and Microtex every year for elk hunting. These other companies could give me clothes, and I'd still use the Microtex and Lite. Love that stuff. Light, comfortable, breathes, dries super quickly, and quiet. Also hard to beat the price even new, let alone when you pick it up for $20/piece on clearance.

As for rain gear, I sold my Stormtight jacket and still use my Walls 10x rain jacket when needed.

 

[operator449]

I like to have the best gear possible, best value and love a good deal like the next guy. That being said there is no need to be strict with a line, just get the best pieces you can at each layer or level unless you absolutely just have to match head to toe. Solids work great as well and usually lend the best deals. Animals wont care and you will get more use out of your gear if cost is a consideration. Kuiu is hard to beat for value and dont overlook the non-hunting companies either.

 

[Obi-wanshinobi]

Kuiu is hard to beat for value and dont overlook the non-hunting companies either.

Yup, Outdoor Research gets my vote. They make awesome stuff and their warranty is the best I have ever used.

 

[kodiakfly]

Same as these last two guys said, 1) don't gotta settle on one brand and 2) Outdoor Rearch gets a lot of my business. They have great stuff and a lot of it is available in coyote or earth tones and their customer service is insane. Great company to deal with direct.

 

[LostArra]

I wear Cabela's Microtex Lite and Microtex every year for elk hunting. These other companies could give me clothes, and I'd still use the Microtex and Lite. Love that stuff. Light, comfortable, breathes, dries super quickly, and quiet. Also hard to beat the price even new, let alone when you pick it up for $20/piece on clearance.

As for rain gear, I sold my Stormtight jacket and still use my Walls 10x rain jacket when needed.

Did Cabelas bring the Microtex back?
Two years ago we stopped at the Sidney store on the way to Wyoming and not a single employee had even heard of Microtex which was an early warning sign that the pencil pushers were running the show.

 

[5MilesBack]

Did Cabelas bring the Microtex back?

They never got rid of the regular Microtex, but they did discontinue the Lite version unfortunately. They still sell the regular stuff. If the employees never heard of Microtex, then it was their first day on the job and they knew nothing about Cabela's before they started working there.

 

[jspradley]

Don't be loyal to any one brand. All of the "big three" make good gear so get what you can afford and what fits.

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[big10hunter]

What about Kryptek?

 

[moxford]

Here's what works for me...

Rain gear: Kuiu Chugash (Yukon if you want heavier/more durable)
Mid-puffy: FL Uncompahgre
Mid top: FL Chama hoodie
Pants
First choice: FL Corrugate
Second choice: Prana Stretch Zion

I have Yukon but it's heavy to pack. Bomber kit though. If you need raingear that'll stay in your pack a bunch, Chugash. I haven't tried FL rain gear but I hear it's really nice.

Light merino + mid-weight merino + Uncompahgre I was comfy sitting around in the snow (no wind) at 20F. Throw the raingear on top for more protection as needed. Uncompahgre is pretty amazing - it's a bit on the delicate side in some places but ... yeah ... it's great.

Corrugates are great, have pockets. Zion are a little cheaper, less pockets. Both work great.

 

[coachjdub]

I don't think you need a "clothing line" Buy what works for you. I will wear different items from First Lite, Kuiu, Cabelas and Sitka. Does not need to match, it just needs to fit your needs.

My choices:
Base layers - First Lite
Pants - Kuiu Attack
Top - Cabelas Microtech
Vest - Sitka
Rain gear - Kuiu
Socks - FL and Kuiu
Gloves - Cabelas

 

[rhendrix]

Prana zion pants (6pm.com), FL llano (look at the classifieds, with them releasing their new stuff you should be able to find some for cheap), Whatever military grid fleece you can pick up on amazon or ebay for cheap, decent puffy on sale from backcountry.com or similar sites, and cabelas space rain gear. Should be all set man. You can get two llano's and swap them out to reduce wear and tear and funk. Undies and socks are a personal preference, but I prefer merino wool for both. Just steer clear from cotton socks and underwear. Trust me on this.

All together, for a couple hundred bucks you should be set, if you just wanna run a rain jacket for weight savings, pick up a decent pair of gaiters, just make sure they're full length so you can keep water out of your boots. You don't need expensive clothing to hunt in, just stuff that fits right, drys fast, and feels good on the skin. I've spent a small fortune on clothing and came full circle. First year was budget stuff, second year all Sitka, last two years have been a mix of FL gear, this year I bought what was comfortable and what I liked, just so happened that it's also fairly inexpensive.

 

[rhendrix]

And I'll second the FL puffy, if you're watching funds, any 800 fill down puffy will work, my FL puffy is freaking awesome though!

 

[elkyinzer]

Whichever choice you make, just know that there is about .000001% chance it will affect your chances of killing an elk. I say good baselayers are most important. Insulation + raingear, you get what you need for the conditions to stay safe and comfy, and typically more $ equals lighter weight, but not necessarily "better" at doing it's job.

First Lite, Sitka, and Kuiu is Ford vs. Chevy, all make good stuff. I support First Lite as a company for reasons outside the scope of your question.

For more budget friendly gear, I have had good luck with limited pieces of Kryptek and King's Camo (bought the Russell line), worth checking out.

Core4Element is another cheaper option. I liked their merino but a couple pieces had funky fit for me. They don't make it anymore, from what I heard a new company called Sylo has management or designers in common with C4E, maybe worth checking out.

As others said, non-camo is good too. Especially for raingear, I don't use it a lot hunting so I prefer it to do double duty and try to stick with grey or dark green raingear. I have several good double duty pieces from OR, Simms, and Marmot. They all make good stuff and are at least neutral to hunting from my understanding.

 

[Whaledriver]

It is a hunt not a fashion show. I use mil surplus, cabelas, marmot, sierra designs, mountain hardwear, rab and everything in between. Do not limit yourself to a clothing line. You will be much happier with value and performance.

 

[handwerk]

I don't think you can overlook how certain items fit you, I have some FL things that work great, but much of my stuff is kuiu as it just fits me better....goodbye to big, heavy bulky stuff.