KUIU Kenai ULTRA Vest breathability

[colobow]

I'm looking for an insulated vest to use in archery season for early morning and early evening active hunting. I have the super down ultra but that is too warm for me.

I see the Kenai ULTRA Vest is "body mapped" and the back panel has lighter insulation which, is great when wearing a pack.

Anyone have experience using this piece in an active manner?

Thanks
Mike

 

[OutdoorAg]

For active hunting, you may want the Peleton 240 vest. The weight of the material plus wind cutting makes it a nice piece when the temps drop and wind blows. I think all of KUIUs insulated stuff is too warm for true active hunting.

 

[ianpadron]

I hunt in my regular hooded Kenai all the time. 3dfx insulation breathes unbelievably well.

I use it more than my down jackets, because I am lazy and hate taking a break to strip a layer and take my pack off every time I go from stationary to active.

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

 

[mcseal2]

I find the Kenai jacket to warm for being very active. Same with my First Lite Uncompaghre vest that is somewhat similar to the Kenai, less breathable though. I do not have the Kenai vest.

For active insulation I often use some combo of the Peloton 240 hoody, a vest, and Kuiu insulated snap shirt. The snap shirt is just right for active insulation for me a lot of times. It fits under the 240 hoody if I plan to leave it on for most of the day, or it's likely to get torn up on brush. It fits over it if I'll be in open country or layering up and down.

Often times I like a Sitka mountain vest or Jetstream lite vest over the 240 hoody and insulated snap shirt. It blocks the wind and has handy pockets but still lets sweat escape.

The snap shirt and mountain vest are lighter and more versatile in my opinion than most softshells. They fit more places in my layering system. My puffy goes over that whole set-up when I stop for a while to glass, my rain jacket can go over all that or whatever part of it I need also.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

I think a lot of guys overestimate the need for a jacket while hiking. I found if it’s over 40 degrees and I’m doing any sort of climbing, and ultralight merino LS is all that’s needed. Anyone who runs or mountain bikes knows that if you’re comfortable when you start you’ll be sweating in 5-10 minutes.

That being said, I was impressed with how breathable my Kenai jacket is. For freezing - 40 degrees, it’s awesome for walking on a relatively flat trail and I didn’t end up sweating in it. I think it really shines for stuff like stalking through timber where you’re alternating moving slowly for 5-10 minutes followed by calling or glassing for 20-45 minutes and temps are 30-60. It keeps the chill from setting in and you dint have to take it off every time you move.