KUIU KENAI Hooded Jacket live field review **Updated 2/2/22**

[Ross]

Now that the temps are getting into the 30's I will be running the Kenai Hood Jacket and Vest through November on my hunts in North Idaho...I've been a fan of Kuiu since it started a decade ago, running it's clothing line during both archery and rifle season with great success. I will be posting up its use and compare this Jacket to my Super Down Pro that I have been running for several years...

Initial thought is it beads up like a fresh waxing on my car which will be nice in a very wet part of the country. Yesterday when I put it on it was 39 degrees and had been raining all day.

As with all my Kuiu gear I run a large on tops/jackets and this fits nicely. 5'7" 160 old man stature...one photo before it gets used thoroughly

**Update** KUIU Kenai Hooded Jacket Review

 

[Yard Candy]

A few antlers in the basement there!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Ross]

I like elkies yes! Been 41 years of fun so far...........................

 

[Dennis]

Trying to decide between the new Kuiu hooded Kenai Jacket and Sitka Kelvin Aerolite hooded jacket. Has anyone compared the two side by side? Which is the more packable of the two? Trying to find a light weight jacket for layering while active.

 

[fngTony]

Is this your first kenai or have you tried the older generations too?

 

[Ross]

Is this your first kenai or have you tried the older generations too?

Is this question for me? If so this is my first Kenai jacket….I currently have an original guide, the super down pro and Axis hybrid jacket

 

[fngTony]

Is this question for me? If so this is my first Kenai jacket….I currently have an original guide, the super down pro and Axis hybrid jacket

Yes for you. Was wondering if you had used the older one to compare to. If not I’m still interested your thoughts. I found the first generation a little bulky to layer and pack, this looks more streamlined and getting my attention.

 

[Ross]

I will post up some photos of the other jackets in comparison…can say it rolls up pretty small and when wearing it does not feel bulky.

 

[Brian Fahs]

A few antlers in the basement there!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Antler disorder.
Yep me too.

 

[Ross]

Had another chance to do some brush busting last weekend doing some scouting for next week…so far the jacket has faired very well in the jungles with no tears or holes…the stretch of the fabric likely helps with this which is one of its key design highlights…..the morning started in the low 30s…..the weather will get a lot colder next week to see how it does in the low 20s…..compressibility is very similar to my super down pro……with fit being very similar and may use both if the weather hits as expected……

 

[mtnhunt]

Had another chance to do some brush busting last weekend doing some scouting for next week…so far the jacket has faired very well in the jungles with no tears or holes…the stretch of the fabric likely helps with this which is one of its key design highlights…..the morning started in the low 30s…..the weather will get a lot colder next week to see how it does in the low 20s…..compressibility is very similar to my super down pro……with fit being very similar and may use both if the weather hits as expected……

What are you wearing underneath it and whats been your activity level in the mornings when its in the low 30s?

 

[Ross]

3 days out looking for elk mixed bag of north Idaho weather rain little snow and one night under 20….so far been wearing one first lite mid weight layer under the jacket…impressed by how quick it dries…day 2 on north side it was in the low 20s needed another layer as did get cold

 

[5MilesBack]

I've had an XL Kenai for several years now in graphite color I believe it's called, but it's always been a little tight. So I bought an XXL in Verde from someone on here this last summer. It fits well with a little room for a fleece underneath it. I like these jackets for even around town, and are about all I wear for a coat through the winter.

 

[Ross]

Had over a week wearing the jacket during elk season in mixed conditions several days of rain a small amount snow and plenty of brush abuse….yet to have any damage to the jacket, the zips help get rid of some heat and just an overall nice jacket to wear….I had the Mrs wear it one day and she said “it is hot” additionally it seals out the wind nicely for something built as a mid layer…..I’m not a vest guy so the boss has been wearing in a lot taking Odin for hikes and she has been a kuiu fan for many years loving her guide jacket…she says the inside pockets are awesome it provides good coverage and like the jacket wind in blocked nicely…now on to deer season

 

[Ross]

About 20 days now in this jacket and the only tear or abuse seen is by a bear wire on a tree….north Idaho collects bear hair for studies….don’t touch your coat to barb wire it may tear….had a chance to get it fully saturated on my deer hunt when the temps warmed up for a pleasant 34 degree rainy afternoon, on my sits at 15 degrees ran a heavy wool shirt and superdown pro under it to help stay warm…a versatile jacket that packs small is very lite and dries so fast…

 

[crich]

I have an original kenai and its easily my favorite jacket. Its not the warmest, not the lightest/most packable or most durable but it does all of those things well. Its warm when stationary but does well when on the move too. I'm probably going to pick up a pair of pants to replace my uncompaghres. Thanks for the continued updates

 

[Blockcaver]

Wondering how it compares to the 9 year old KUIU Spindrift jacket I still use? Can’t wear the old one out but do like the looks of the hooded Kenai.

The old Spindrift has excellent breathability, is fairly warm, packs down ok. I do use my Superdown hooded puffy (original) more than the Spindrift due to 4 oz of weight savings plus the hood. But it doesn’t breath.

 

[Ross]

@Blockcaver breathability is excellent on this jacket….can’t comment on the old spindrift comparison, but can say it is durable, a very good active layer, dries very quick, water beads up good, very breathable and compressibility is solid….here is a comparison of my super down pro and the kenai rolled up..

 

[pawlyb]

Hi Ross, have you had a chance to run the kenai as a midlayer under your axis? What kind of cold could you deal with sitting if you had just those two layers (+ light baselayer) do you figure?

@Blockcaver breathability is excellent on this jacket….can’t comment on the old spindrift comparison, but can say it is durable, a very good active layer, dries very quick, water beads up good, very breathable and compressibility is solid….here is a comparison of my super down pro and the kenai rolled up..

 

[Ross]

Morning @pawlyb i did run it as a mid layer on a few days in October in to the 20s and got cold…….the majority of my time wearing the Kenai was as an outer layer to test durability, breath ability and the water resistance aspect…..for most would say comfort would be in to the 40s and 30s and once you get into the 20s you will need another insulating layer…in November I ran it over my super down pro into the low teens once I got to elevation as another insulating layer when sitting then wore as my out layer when moving…..