Kuiu Guide fit vs Sitke Jet Stream fit

[stevevan]

Hello: I tried Kuiu Guide Jacket but the "athletic" fit didn't work for me. I'm now thinking the Sitka Jet Stream would meet my needs. Question on fit. Does the Jet Stream have more room to allow for layers than the Guide and a bit less athletic? Thanks

 

[Stwrt9]

I would say the jetstream is a bit roomier. For instance i wore a medium guide jacket and a large jetstream. The fit of the 2 is completely different. While the kuiu is advertised as athletic fit the stika is performance fit, which is basically the same thing. To be honest the guide jacket fit me better than the jetstream. But i sold my guide for the jetstream and it is way more wind resistant. Both are nice jackets and you wont be dissapointed one way or another.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I am 6'3" 240. 48 long coat and 38 jeans. I wear 2xl tops mostly but some XL works for me.

The guide 2xl fit but was overall very snug and would have left no room for a puffy or realty much in the way of layers. I reurn d it for the 3xl.

I later bought a jet stream in 2xl.

The guide is shorter and snugger but moves quite well.

The jet steam is longer. A bit more room and moves very well also.

I no longer have the 2xl guide but comparing the 3xl kuiu to the 2xl Sitka, the jet stream has more room.

Btw - I agree with the above, the jet stream is warmer and more wind proof. I don't really notice a difference in waterproofness. Both seem to shed lightish rain and I haven't worn either in anything more. Jet stream has more features but costs quite a bit more. If I only had one, I would preference the jet stream but both are great jackets.

 

[Trial153]

The Jetstream jacket is the only Sitka in recent memory that I sized up.

 

[SHTF]

I am 6'3" 240. 48 long coat and 38 jeans. I wear 2xl tops mostly but some XL works for me.

The guide 2xl fit but was overall very snug and would have left no room for a puffy or realty much in the way of layers. I reurn d it for the 3xl.

I later bought a jet stream in 2xl.

The guide is shorter and snugger but moves quite well.

The jet steam is longer. A bit more room and moves very well also.

I no longer have the 2xl guide but comparing the 3xl kuiu to the 2xl Sitka, the jet stream has more room.

Btw - I agree with the above, the jet stream is warmer and more wind proof. I don't really notice a difference in waterproofness. Both seem to shed lightish rain and I haven't worn either in anything more. Jet stream has more features but costs quite a bit more. If I only had one, I would preference the jet stream but both are great jackets.

I own both and Desk Jockey nailed it. Im his size also. I went with 3xl in kuiu and 2xl in Jetstream. 2xl was just a bit tight for my broad shoulders My favorite of the 2 is the Jetstream. Its warmer and more features and blocks wind better.

 

[fngTony]

I own both and Desk Jockey nailed it. Im his size also. I went with 3xl in kuiu and 2xl in Jetstream. 2xl was just a bit tight for my broad shoulders My favorite of the 2 is the Jetstream. Its warmer and more features and blocks wind better.

Curious what extra features does the jet stream have vs the guide? Besides windstopper

 

[SHTF]

Curious what extra features does the jet stream have vs the guide? Besides windstopper

Sure,

First off I like how the cinch around waist system works with the sitka. its inside the pocket where it doesn't get hung up on branches and such. The Guide is on the side and hangs out.
Forearm Pocket for me is a better place for a sleeve pocket where as the guide jacket has it up on the higher end of the arm. The forearm pocket is easier to get to for me then reaching around my side. Those are a few things that come to mind off the bat that Ive noticed between the 2. The Guide jacket is less noisy but I have had some snags in the material where as the Jet stream hasn't seen a snag 1. This could be relative to the terrain Ive been in both though.
Also for me the Fit and finish of the Sitka Jetstream seems much better.

Hope that helps.

 

[fngTony]

Sure,

First off I like how the cinch around waist system works with the sitka. its inside the pocket where it doesn't get hung up on branches and such. The Guide is on the side and hangs out.
Forearm Pocket for me is a better place for a sleeve pocket where as the guide jacket has it up on the higher end of the arm. The forearm pocket is easier to get to for me then reaching around my side. Those are a few things that come to mind off the bat that Ive noticed between the 2. The Guide jacket is less noisy but I have had some snags in the material where as the Jet stream hasn't seen a snag 1. This could be relative to the terrain Ive been in both though.
Also for me the Fit and finish of the Sitka Jetstream seems much better.

Hope that helps.

It does help. Better thought out details. Any preference for either hood? I liked the one on my guide, if I buy another soft shell the hood will be a big factor.

 

[SHTF]

It does help. Better thought out details. Any preference for either hood? I liked the one on my guide, if I buy another soft shell the hood will be a big factor.

I found the Sitka Jet Stream hood more form fitting to my melon then the Kuiu Hood. They both have about the same cinch down but the Sitka form fits better for me. That is going to depend on how you like your hood to fit your head.

 

[SHTF]

I guess its also worth noting that I have a 2015 model Kuiu Guide and the 2016 Jetstream. So they may of made some advancements on both sides in 2017

 

[Desk Jockey]

Curious what extra features does the jet stream have vs the guide? Besides windstopper

I bought both last year and I am positive my jet stream is the latest version because it is subalpine. The Guide I suppose is the latest also.

Here are some key thoughts:

Jet stream
Forearm pocket vs sleeve pocket
More room in arms and shoulders
About 2" longer in the front, same length in back
Hood offers more coverage, could even fully close around my face and cinch down, and has a stiffer bill part up front
Napoleons pocket on outside vs inside
Inside of front zipper is white and shows on left side when unzipped = pet peeve

Guide
Hood basically covers from hairline and ears back
Velcro cuffs
Chest pockets don't lay as flat when empty
Tighter in sleeves and shoulders
Liner that forms pockets is like a mesh basketball jesters type material and it snags (probably my most significant peeve about this jacket)

Keeping in mind that mine is an 3xl kuiu and 2xl Sitka, they weigh the same. The Sitka is a bit more roomy. Based on use, which is about 3 trips with each, I think the Sitka is more windproof and warmer as a result. I haven't used them enough to really appreciate a performance difference apart from that.

The only real difference for me comes down to liking the liner and hood of the Sitka better and probably a preference for the fit as well. Being honest though, it isn't as though the kuiu is light years behind. It is also starting to show up in my fall street wardrobe because it is a solid color. I had the guide jacket and used it last year. I bought the jet stream on a bit of a whim to get a nice piece of subalpine kit and have really ended up liking it. I think they are both great and if I really thought about it my slight preference for the Sitka wouldn't be enough to justify the ~$100 price difference if I was choosing between the two.

 

[fngTony]

I bought both last year and I am positive my jet stream is the latest version because it is subalpine. The Guide I suppose is the latest also.

Here are some key thoughts:

Jet stream
Forearm pocket vs sleeve pocket
More room in arms and shoulders
About 2" longer in the front, same length in back
Hood offers more coverage, could even fully close around my face and cinch down, and has a stiffer bill part up front
Napoleons pocket on outside vs inside
Inside of front zipper is white and shows on left side when unzipped = pet peeve

Guide
Hood basically covers from hairline and ears back
Velcro cuffs
Chest pockets don't lay as flat when empty
Tighter in sleeves and shoulders
Liner that forms pockets is like a mesh basketball jesters type material and it snags (probably my most significant peeve about this jacket)

Keeping in mind that mine is an 3xl kuiu and 2xl Sitka, they weigh the same. The Sitka is a bit more roomy. Based on use, which is about 3 trips with each, I think the Sitka is more windproof and warmer as a result. I haven't used them enough to really appreciate a performance difference apart from that.

The only real difference for me comes down to liking the liner and hood of the Sitka better and probably a preference for the fit as well. Being honest though, it isn't as though the kuiu is light years behind. It is also starting to show up in my fall street wardrobe because it is a solid color. I had the guide jacket and used it last year. I bought the jet stream on a bit of a whim to get a nice piece of subalpine kit and have really ended up liking it. I think they are both great and if I really thought about it my slight preference for the Sitka wouldn't be enough to justify the ~$100 price difference if I was choosing between the two.

I'll agree with you on the guide. I loved mine for being active and not overheating while busting brush. I had to sell it because I just didn't need what it was good at very often. The mesh pockets are annoying at times. I still kick myself as I had a chance to buy a jetstream new for $220.