Kuiu Layering system feedback

[Poboy]

Building a Kuiu set and would like feedback from anyone who has used any of the items on my list. Let me know if you would remove any items, or replace any items with something else.

Currently in Alaska, but my wife is active duty so hunting location will change


Tops:

Base: Ultra Merino 145 Zip-T (already have)

Mid Fleece:
Peloton 240 Full Zip Hoodie
OR
Strong fleece 275 Full Zip Hoodie
(can't decide between the two)

Mid Insulation:Kenai Vest
Outer: Guide DCS Jacket
Insulated Outer: Super Down Pro Hooded

Bottom:
Base: Ultra Merino 145 Zip-Off
Outer: Attack Pant (already have)
Insulated Outer: Super Down Pro Pant

Rain Gear:
Chugach TR Rain Jacket
Chugach TR Rain Pant
Yukon HD Gaiters

Accessories:
Ultra Merino 145 Beanie
Proximity Neck Gaiter
StrongFleece 220 Glove (hoping these would also work as liners for the Guide X Gloves)
Guide X Glove
Super Down pro Glassing Glomitt


Any and all feedback is welcomed! I am new to Kuiu, so please give me your experienced opinions!

The 240 and 275 hoodies have different purposes for me. I find the 240 is more breathable so use when more active. The 275 is better when static. I find the 275 to be a bit more durable as well

Kenai jacket never leaves my pack. Super packable, lightweight and packs a punch when needed.

Chugach rain gear has worked great for me whitetail hunting, very lightweight and packable, keeps me dry. That said the Yukon is more durable so depends on your situation (also louder)

 

[Eaton Hill]

Northeast active and stand hunter here. Mostly rifle.

Have the guide dcs in xl, axis in L, kenai in xl, and an old Kutana soft shell in L. Also a kenai vest in L. Love that thing.

Axis in XL and Kenai In L would be my choice of a do over. You can cover a lot with just those two and I bought the sizes backward. Size up in axis and down in kenai. The old Kutana is nice with calm winds and a dry day. Doesn’t tear at all. The guide is great in steady cold, even some wind with other layers.

The magic pill is walking in wearing whatever combo works best for the walk/still hunting and pack in a First Lite Solitude vest in your normal size. Don’t size up. That thing works great and not that bad in a pack. You won’t be choking your arms either. Covers any temp and lets in zero wind.

For me, one size up axis and attack pants, sized down kenai pants, 145 zip off bottoms, down pro pants sized down for my Barney Rubble build covers everything for the bottom half.

 

[nagibson1]

My 2 cents is that I like the 200 merino zip offs with the attack pants. I hunted that into the 20's. And with the Attacks, you can zip off the merino if it gets over 50 or so.

I was also thinking your second layer is too warm if your first is short sleeved. I don't regulate well- I get hot fast and cold fast. So I use a 3 layer system for base-mid instead of 2. I wear a merino blend T and something like a 145 fleece hoodie as my "base". Then I run a Rab zip fleece that's pretty light and a King's camo vest. That allows me to get the right insulation level for the daily changes in temp while moving. Then I have the thin synthetic jacket and puffer if it gets real bad. I also have a real light rain jacket to cover up if needed or if I think I need a camo outer. IT also reverses white if I'm in a lot of snow and need to do a stalk. It's no extra weight to have 2 pieces serve as one that are half the weight.

I have also opted for a military woobie instead of down or synthetic pants. It's a bit more weight, but a lot more versatile and a ton cheaper. A woobie will double cover your legs, or cover your legs AND BOOTS. Down pants cant' take the edge off your freezing toes if you've sweated up your socks.
IT keeps your legs warming each other, and double layered, it cuts wind better. You can also poncho it and use it as a 3/4 body insulation in a pinch. It also adds insulation at night. It's also easier on and off while glassing if you need to get-up-and-go. I carry a 1oz belt to help me wear it as I want to.

 

[prm]

Base layer
240 Peleton
Insulation and/or rain protection as required.

The 240 is my favorite single piece.

 

[LightFoot]

My 2 cents is that I like the 200 merino zip offs with the attack pants. I hunted that into the 20's. And with the Attacks, you can zip off the merino if it gets over 50 or so.
[…]
I have also opted for a military woobie instead of down or synthetic pants. It's a bit more weight, but a lot more versatile and a ton cheaper. A woobie will double cover your legs, or cover your legs AND BOOTS. Down pants cant' take the edge off your freezing toes if you've sweated up your socks.
IT keeps your legs warming each other, and double layered, it cuts wind better. You can also poncho it and use it as a 3/4 body insulation in a pinch. It also adds insulation at night. It's also easier on and off while glassing if you need to get-up-and-go. I carry a 1oz belt to help me wear it as I want to.

Brilliant with the woobie. I’m gonna try that out instead of puffy pants next year.

I’m thinking (Kuiu) 145 merino base, peloton 97 mid, guide jacket, Superdown puffy, 145 merino zip off bottoms, and Kutana pants… and the woobie. That would get me through any “active” hunt down to 20-something. May add a vest if super windy and rain gear, of course.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[nagibson1]

Brilliant with the woobie. I’m gonna try that out instead of puffy pants next year.

I’m thinking (Kuiu) 145 merino base, peloton 97 mid, guide jacket, Superdown puffy, 145 merino zip off bottoms, and Kutana pants… and the woobie. That would get me through any “active” hunt down to 20-something. May add a vest if super windy and rain gear, of course.


>>>——JAKE——>

yeah, I was surprised how cold I could hunt in the Kuiu attacks with the zip off wool and the woobie. My feet were always the coldest thing, and only because of sweat. I ony took out my rain gear once for a little extra. The 5 layer top- is super versitile and doesn't entail much more changing since the bottom layers are the same as the normal thicker layers. Taking binos on and off is still the biggest pain.

The only think I didn't like about the Kuiu attacks is that something about their inner leg seam really irritated my legs on horseback, esp if I was not wearing the ling johns. I mean, rubbed me raw. My Browning pants didn't do that. But the Pockets and heat dump zip on the Attacks are way better. I imagine the Kutana's are similar.

 

[gfreidy]

I agree with most everyone, but my set up is a little different. 145 Merino base, 190 Strong Fleece mid, Kenai jacket active insulation, Kutana shell for wind/rain, and Super Down Pro passive insulation for cold sits. To me the Strong fleece durable enough to wear as an outer in most moderate conditions. Lower I go with the 145 zip offs, Attack Pants, Kutana Rain Shell. Been debating for added insulation and was going to get the SDP since I love the jacket, but love the woobie idea, especially for the extra sleep insulation.