Kuiu Kenai Insulated jacket

bwlacy

WKR
Joined
Feb 11, 2015
Messages
424
Location
West Michigan
Curious what are your thoughts on the Kuiu Kenai insulated jacket. I only archery hunt elk. We will be in Colorado September 8 thru the 22nd. Looking for an insulating light weight layer.
 

Brendan

WKR
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Messages
3,875
Location
Massachusetts
I love that jacket for those purposes - have used it 4 years in Montana and Wyoming for Archery Elk. Quiet exterior, huge pit zips, even a little bit of DWR. Sold most of my Kuiu gear, but that's one piece I haven't found a great replacement for yet.
 

robie

WKR
Joined
Mar 7, 2013
Messages
887
Location
Houston, TX
I've been looking at it as well since the price dropped won to $119.

Seems like a good piece for when cold and you are moving.
 

mcseal2

WKR
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
2,726
I love them, the most breathable puffy I've ever tried. I have a hooded and non-hooded one I like them so much. I have the pants also and use them a lot, it's great to be able to skip long underwear and just put those on at a glassing location. I use the Kenai stuff up until it gets really cold and then go to a Kifaru Lost Park puffy jacket. Being so breathable they don't stop wind very well compared to some of the others so I would have a rain jacket or wind breaker of some kind to layer over it.
 

Hoyts n Mulies

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
173
Location
Spokane, WA
Just ordered one and the sizing is very different from anything I've worn. I'm 6' and 180lbs and the Large is small on me. I wear a large in everything but this jacket in a large is short in the front, tight in the shoulders and arms.
 

pods8 (Rugged Stitching)

WKR
Rokslide Sponsor
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
4,603
Location
Thornton, CO
Light and quite material, breathes well too which is nice if you need to be active with it. It doesn't block wind as well as the ripstop nylon puffys so pick your battles there (rain gear can block strong wind).

Just ordered one and the sizing is very different from anything I've worn. I'm 6' and 180lbs and the Large is small on me. I wear a large in everything but this jacket in a large is short in the front, tight in the shoulders and arms.

Weird, I find it plenty roomy same height/weight. I also have the Teton version in a medium which is slim fitting but not restrictive.
 

mcseal2

WKR
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
2,726
I went up a size when ordering mine and it fits well. The same size (1 size bigger than normal) guide jacket I have has really long sleeves, but the Kenai fits right.
 

fngTony

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
5,746
I hated how the hood fit me, left too much of my cheeks exposed and the adjustments were not streamlined enough. Loved how quiet and breathable it was. For a synthetic I found it one of the warmest for it’s weight. You will find yourself using your rain or wind layer more often than a traditional nylon fabric puffy. I thought the chest pockets would be handy but ultimately settled on keeping my solid color “active” jacket and selling the kenai.

I used for archery elk and deer in Colorado and would recommend it for that. I also like the pants.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,174
Location
Colorado Springs
Just ordered one and the sizing is very different from anything I've worn. I'm 6' and 180lbs and the Large is small on me. I wear a large in everything but this jacket in a large is short in the front, tight in the shoulders and arms.

Well, it is a KUIU so you need to up-size like with everything else they sell. I had to get the XXL.
 

BlackTail

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
185
Location
SW, Wa
I haven’t used my Kenai yet but for sizing purpose I bought into the up-size, like everyone keeps saying, and ordered an XL and it was way too big. Should have just stuck with my normal sizing. Exchanged it for a L and that fits perfect. I’m 6’1” 175lbs for reference.
 

Brendan

WKR
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Messages
3,875
Location
Massachusetts
5'11", 175 - 180 lbs, Pants are 32", 44" Chest, and the Large is perfect for me. Not designed to layer a bunch under it, it is a bit more of an "Athletic" cut.

My only complaint - I wish the wrists were a hair bigger or had a neoprene-like stretch to them. Have to take off my watch and release to take the jacket off, can't just pull it off over.
 

bhylton

WKR
Joined
Jan 28, 2015
Messages
604
Location
-MT-
i think the kuiu sizing is about at true to size as anything i have ever bought.. i wear a large in all my regular shirts/ jackets and a large kenai is perfect. i wear 34in jeans and 34in kuiu pants fit perfect. i dont lift or anything, just regular 6ft 175-185lbs.

the cut in the sleeves and wrist is a but snug, but when your only wearing a base layer under it during archery season its no issue for me. no baggy sleeves to get caught in the string either.
i would advise that this is not a great option for sustained under 20 temps. but sounds like you wont be using it for that.
 

pods8 (Rugged Stitching)

WKR
Rokslide Sponsor
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
4,603
Location
Thornton, CO
I'm not on the upsizing band wagon for this piece as already noted. 6' typically 180lb, 42 suit jacket is my size. The large kenai fits me just fine and I can layer it over a medium Teton insulated jacket (what is now the "active jacket") which also fits me bit in a slimmer fit (which is fine for my uses). I tend to use the Teton version more often (not as warm and simpler configuration).
 

Hoyts n Mulies

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
173
Location
Spokane, WA
Man, I wish I knew somebody else with one of these close by to compare sizing. Like I said, i’ve always been a large but not in this specific jacket. I wonder if they have some qc issues with labeling...
 
Top