Kuiu Guide Jacket vs Axis Jacket

[BigDawgWill44]

I want to get a Softshell jacket from Kuiu. If I already have a Kuiu Yukon Jacket (rain jacket), would the Guide or Axis make more sense? Just thinking the axis might double as a rain jacket? Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lyle_destroys]

How worried about wind are you? I've been running the guide jacket and I love the fit and breathability but higher wind cuts it pretty bad. I've heard the axis is much better in the wind. I'm really thinking about getting one.

 

[Fonkie]

Kutana

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I have a Guide jacket but use it solely for work travel; use an ULTRA down as well. I have never had wind "blow" through the Guide jacket. I have had the wind push the Guide jacket against my skin or shirt sleeve and then felt the cold. As a comparison, I have never had that issue with the Peloton 240 (not had an opportunity to test my StrongFleece 260). That combo has server me very well for work, as I never know where I will be or what the weather will be.

I've been toying around with grabbing a soft shell for hunting. The Axis did nothing for me as I always have rain gear and my Peloton 240; Chugach or Yukon depending on where I am (if I am wearing Kuiu on that hunt). I did pick up the Katana recently for those times I do want a soft shell while hunting.

 

[Warren]

I've used Guide, Axis, Yukon, and Chugach (even the Jetstream by Sitka). If I was to only pick 1 soft shell from KUIU I would go with the Axis. The fit is a little better than the Guide (IMO) and it does a much better job of wind protection. I wouldn't use it as primary rain piece by any means but it will handle a quick shower, and if your moving it drys quick. I do wish it was slightly more insulated but I'm sure thats coming. Windproof/Windstopper is nice in really cold conditions but I'd assume you'd use that Yukon if that was the case. To the me Axis has more stretch than the Guide as well.

Here's a pic of my Axis getting a "rain test", this jacket wasn't meant for this type of rain but like it mentioned it dry's quickly if you're on the move and can generate some heat. Don't buy the access thinking you'll leave your rain gear at home. You may be able to get by with dry snow, light drizzle followed by sun/heat, but defiantly not protecting you from a major shower.

After using both Sitka Jetstream and the KUIU Guide and Axis soft shells I always come back to my Arcteryx Gamma MX. (IMO - If it had pit-zips it would be perfect)

 

[BigDawgWill44]

I've used Guide, Axis, Yukon, and Chugach (even the Jetstream by Sitka). If I was to only pick 1 soft shell from KUIU I would go with the Axis. The fit is a little better than the Guide (IMO) and it does a much better job of wind protection. I wouldn't use it as primary rain piece by any means but it will handle a quick shower, and if your moving it drys quick. I do wish it was slightly more insulated but I'm sure thats coming. Windproof/Windstopper is nice in really cold conditions but I'd assume you'd use that Yukon if that was the case. To the me Axis has more stretch than the Guide as well.

Here's a pic of my Axis getting a "rain test", this jacket wasn't meant for this type of rain but like it mentioned it dry's quickly if you're on the move and can generate some heat. Don't buy the access thinking you'll leave your rain gear at home. You may be able to get by with dry snow, light drizzle followed by sun/heat, but defiantly not protecting you from a major shower.

After using both Sitka Jetstream and the KUIU Guide and Axis soft shells I always come back to my Arcteryx Gamma MX. (IMO - If it had pit-zips it would be perfect)

Awesome, thank you for the response. I will go with the Axis.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[corncob]

I've used Guide, Axis, Yukon, and Chugach (even the Jetstream by Sitka). If I was to only pick 1 soft shell from KUIU I would go with the Axis. The fit is a little better than the Guide (IMO) and it does a much better job of wind protection. I wouldn't use it as primary rain piece by any means but it will handle a quick shower, and if your moving it drys quick. I do wish it was slightly more insulated but I'm sure thats coming. Windproof/Windstopper is nice in really cold conditions but I'd assume you'd use that Yukon if that was the case. To the me Axis has more stretch than the Guide as well.

Here's a pic of my Axis getting a "rain test", this jacket wasn't meant for this type of rain but like it mentioned it dry's quickly if you're on the move and can generate some heat. Don't buy the access thinking you'll leave your rain gear at home. You may be able to get by with dry snow, light drizzle followed by sun/heat, but defiantly not protecting you from a major shower.

After using both Sitka Jetstream and the KUIU Guide and Axis soft shells I always come back to my Arcteryx Gamma MX. (IMO - If it had pit-zips it would be perfect)

I’ve picked up both the Axis and the Jetstream, and will only be keeping one, but won’t really be able to compare them for wind stopping and functionality until the fall.

How did you like the Jetstream vs the Axis, beyond any fit and warmth differences (I’ll layer underneath as necessary. More worried about wind-proof and general functionality. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Warren]

I think your use-case/purpose for this piece will help you decide on which jacket as well.

If your wanting total wind protection the Jetstream would be my choice. The WindProof membrane will block wind 100%. Which is nice at low activity levels or when layered properly.

I'm 6ft 180lb 33-waist and wear a Large. It gave me room for a Kelvin Light hoody in the picture below and a heavyweight hoody underneath (little snug in the forearms but not uncomfortable). That's in CO in mid-October, 11k ft, 20-30* temps.on the move throughout the day and back to a basecamp at night. I'd shed the Kelvin in the afternoon and singe down the Jetstream. If I had to do it over - and had to have a soft shell - I would've got a Medium Jetstream, added another light base-layer, and just took a heavy puffy to fit over the Jetstream when I was stationary and ditched the Kelvin altogether. It would've gave me more mobility, and I'd find myself constantly messing with pit zips and the front zipper to try and regulate my temperature with that Kelvin under the Jetstream.

Going with something that isn't 100% windproof would really help regulate your temperature more and allow that heat out without constant venting.

Another question you may want to consider is if you plan on packing rain gear when you're running this softshell.
IF YES:
If you're expecting rain/wet snow for an extended period I wouldn't consider a soft shell at all. It's redundant to your rain gear/shell.

IF NO:
The Axis will get wet faster regardless of the panels (I've tested this). BUT it will dry faster.
The Jetstream will protect your layers from becoming saturated longer BUT it will take longer to dry out.

I've worn the Jetstream in thunderstorms and gotten it completely saturated on the outside but that WindProof membrane does a great job at keeping water out. Keep the pockets zipped up (especially the one on the sleeve) and you'll be surprised at how long it will keep you dry.

 

[corncob]

Thanks, great comparison. And you're spot on that it depends on use case/purpose. I'm looking for a windproof outer layer that can hold up to small, brief snow showers or quick-moving mountain rainstorms. If extended rain is in the forecast, I'm bringing a hard shell.

I'm 5'11", 195#, and the Jetstream XL and Axis XL both fit perfectly for me as an outer layer. I can get a puffy over it as an outside layer for glassing, but I can also fit a puffy underneath it without feeling like a stuffed pig if it's really windy. And I don't mind the fit when wearing just a thin baselayer. I don't mind a tad extra in the body as long as it cinches down at the waist. I'll have my bino harness on anyway and a pack, so it's not like a tad extra in the body will be flopping around. The sleeves are still relatively slender.

I'm not AS worried about heat retention when moving, even with wind. I'm a furnace when moving, so generally strip down pretty good before that. If needed, I can vent with the front zipper open and the pit zips, and unless it's 15 degrees or lower I'm fine moving in just heavy wool baselayers.

I just found a Timberline jacket and had high hopes for it because I read it was similar to the Jetstream but lighter weight. Unfortunately it's a whole lot louder, and I was hoping it would do double duty as a wind layer for close encounters like turkey hunting and muley stalking, plus late season NE whitetail hunting.

What I'm REALLY looking for is a thinner version of the Jetstream without the lining - being that warm, it's just not as versatile. I want to be able to change layers underneath and use it across more seasons and scenarios. This is why I'm steering away from a hard shell in this use case. A Jetstream without the lining would get me exactly what I'm looking for, honestly.

 

[Warren]

What I'm REALLY looking for is a thinner version of the Jetstream without the lining - being that warm, it's just not as versatile. I want to be able to change layers underneath and use it across more seasons and scenarios.

Buy a Jetstream and take it to a tailor and have them remove the lining from the body of the jacket. Maybe leave it in the neck and hood. That would be a badass jacket!

Have you looked at the Sitka mountain jacket? It won't have the pockets of a jetstream but it would give that think windproof layer without a liner. No hood option either.

Here's another awesome piece that you may like.

A4 - Wind Shirt

Designed for layering over a baselayer or fleece for protection against wind and light rain. The A4 Wind shirt is built out of super lightweight nylon ripstop for compressibility, Tweave® Durastretch LT® underarm gussets for added mobility and breathability, and a DWR coating to shed rain. If...

beyondclothing.com

 

[corncob]

I've heard the Mountain jacket is louder than the Timberline, which is why I went that route. I'll have to see if I can find one in person to test out. I'm not as worried about pockets or lack there-of.

I'm not sure the lining on the Jetstream can be removed. It appears to be some sort of glue or bonding that sticks the fleece to the outer layer - I definitely can't pull it apart like you can some jackets.

Thanks for the recommendation on the wind shirt. That might be exactly what I'm looking for in the mountains. Probably won't work well for close encounters though, generally "super lightweight nylon ripstop" equates to "this sounds like my 90's gym teachers wind pants"

 

[kamcgraw]

Axis