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Lil-Rokslider
- Joined
- May 6, 2020
- Messages
- 155
No in field experience yet, but just recieved a Kuiu Haven jacket/bib set for November northern MN and WI rifle hunting.
I was looking for something more packable, and preferably quiet, than my old Gander Mountain brand blaze set that I’ve been sporting for 10-15 years. I pack my suit and heavier layers to my stand, and only wear my bibs while walking if it is damn cold out and I am still hunting.
Initial thoughts:
Bought an XXL. I am 6’1 240 lbs, built like an American, not a nfl linebacker. I know Kuiu tryically is cut for athletic fit, so not surprised it wasn’t as roomy as something I would pick up from fleet farm in XXL. It fits like my current set in XL, which is acceptable if not a bit snug for stated size/ purpose. I do think the bibs could offer some more belly room (they have an elastic mid section which seems unnecessary , but not sure if I’d want to size up.
The sleeves are too tight, which is noticeable even while wearinrg a t shirt. I layered with an FL kiln, a furnace, Pendleton wool shirt and puffy vest (so really the furnace is the only bulk).. I still had some range of motion, but realistically I couldn’t see wearing a jacket type layer underneath. Vests only. Others have commented on this. Likely done for clearing a bow string.
The uninsulated lower leg is silly but not that important to me. I hunt in swamps, so do wear rubber boots (Lacrosse 1600). The only time I am wearing the bibs is on the stand or if it is damn cold while still hunting. If it is that cold, there is probably snow, and you don’t tuck in your pants in snow. It might come in handy if you are into water, but for me I’m not wearing my bibs while on the move while the swamps aren’t frozen over as it is likely too warm. Also don’t tuck in pants if it is raining.
I can get the bibs on/off while wearing boots. Huge upgrade.
The fabric is very similar to my current bibs. It is decently quiet, but it does “pop” like it has a waterproof laminate coating underneath (which I don’t think it does). That sucks if you are trying to be quite moving through the woods every time a twig snaps back at you. It also makes a muffled crumple sound when moving arms (think bow hunting). Better than the zip-zip-zip of nylon. I would call it acceptable for rifle hunting.
A selling point to me is that it is down insulated, so should be more packable Than my old thinsulate. Eh, packs down about the same, likely driven by the outer fabric choice. Better loft retention, of course.
Can’t speak to the warmth but seems warm. The access to the bib hand warmer pockets from the jacked could have me leaving my muff behind.
Overall, nice but I am unsure if it is worth the cost. I would also need to pack an oversized blaze vest to wear over the jacket. Thinking there is money better spent elsewhere. I’m not sold that the Sitka incinerator is actually warm given physical lack of loft, so I guess continuing to use el-cheapo jacket/bibs is the way to go.
I was looking for something more packable, and preferably quiet, than my old Gander Mountain brand blaze set that I’ve been sporting for 10-15 years. I pack my suit and heavier layers to my stand, and only wear my bibs while walking if it is damn cold out and I am still hunting.
Initial thoughts:
Bought an XXL. I am 6’1 240 lbs, built like an American, not a nfl linebacker. I know Kuiu tryically is cut for athletic fit, so not surprised it wasn’t as roomy as something I would pick up from fleet farm in XXL. It fits like my current set in XL, which is acceptable if not a bit snug for stated size/ purpose. I do think the bibs could offer some more belly room (they have an elastic mid section which seems unnecessary , but not sure if I’d want to size up.
The sleeves are too tight, which is noticeable even while wearinrg a t shirt. I layered with an FL kiln, a furnace, Pendleton wool shirt and puffy vest (so really the furnace is the only bulk).. I still had some range of motion, but realistically I couldn’t see wearing a jacket type layer underneath. Vests only. Others have commented on this. Likely done for clearing a bow string.
The uninsulated lower leg is silly but not that important to me. I hunt in swamps, so do wear rubber boots (Lacrosse 1600). The only time I am wearing the bibs is on the stand or if it is damn cold while still hunting. If it is that cold, there is probably snow, and you don’t tuck in your pants in snow. It might come in handy if you are into water, but for me I’m not wearing my bibs while on the move while the swamps aren’t frozen over as it is likely too warm. Also don’t tuck in pants if it is raining.
I can get the bibs on/off while wearing boots. Huge upgrade.
The fabric is very similar to my current bibs. It is decently quiet, but it does “pop” like it has a waterproof laminate coating underneath (which I don’t think it does). That sucks if you are trying to be quite moving through the woods every time a twig snaps back at you. It also makes a muffled crumple sound when moving arms (think bow hunting). Better than the zip-zip-zip of nylon. I would call it acceptable for rifle hunting.
A selling point to me is that it is down insulated, so should be more packable Than my old thinsulate. Eh, packs down about the same, likely driven by the outer fabric choice. Better loft retention, of course.
Can’t speak to the warmth but seems warm. The access to the bib hand warmer pockets from the jacked could have me leaving my muff behind.
Overall, nice but I am unsure if it is worth the cost. I would also need to pack an oversized blaze vest to wear over the jacket. Thinking there is money better spent elsewhere. I’m not sold that the Sitka incinerator is actually warm given physical lack of loft, so I guess continuing to use el-cheapo jacket/bibs is the way to go.
