Kuiu/Sitka/first lite....best breathable shell for all day hiking in winter

[Vtsheddog]

I'm not partial to any one company, whoever makes the best piece of any one item is what I'm going with, that being said, first lite gives me a very generous military discount. Kuiu gives 10% also I believe. So what would you recommend for all day hiking in winter northeast US conditions, snow and 10-30F......and snow


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[zeroforhire]

Outdoor research ferrosi beats them all.


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[Vtsheddog]

Wow, hadn't thought of that but price isn't bad either! What if I were to throw in a caveat and say I wanted it to be quiet for still hunting whitetail? I know that's not necessarily what these companies are aiming for but it could get used for that also.


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[zeroforhire]

My ferrosi is quiet enough. Very thin and almost too breathable at times.


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[Lawnboi]

FYI, Leo adventures offers significant discounts on both Sitka and outdoor research to government agency employees. Worth the 25 dollar fee.

 

[Vtsheddog]

FYI, Leo adventures offers significant discounts on both Sitka and outdoor research to government agency employees. Worth the 25 dollar fee.

No kidding? I saw that they went through that LEO adventures page but didn't think it would be worth $25, maybe I'll give it a shot. And I didn't really expect any company to make what I was looking for in a jacket that was also quiet. But it's worth a shot


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[Davesphizikal]

No kidding? I saw that they went through that LEO adventures page but didn't think it would be worth $25, maybe I'll give it a shot. And I didn't really expect any company to make what I was looking for in a jacket that was also quiet. But it's worth a shot


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I like Kuiu. A friend of mine told me to go with Sitka, but I decided against it for several reasons.

Here is a small review for the pieces I bought, which would be applicable to your needs.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/clothing/57574-kuiu-dcs-guide-top-attack-bottom-simple-review.html


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[lkwoolsey]

I use the OR Ferrosi pants and they are very quiet, I imagine the jacket would be the same. That said, unless its snowing, you can usually get away without using a shell layer. I have a kuiu Yukon shell system, but I only put it on if there is actually stuff falling out of the sky. I usually just where a Peleton layer from Kuiu on the outside, and throw the shell on when I'm stopped to glass (cuts the wind) or when its raining/ snowing. Yukon is decently quiet if you want a do all shell.

 

[Vtsheddog]

It rains a lot here during our moose seasons, which I guide. I have been looking at the Yukon or SEAK jackets, leaning towards the SEAK now but still completely open to opinions


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[FreeRange]

I've been a huge fan of the Ferrosi this past season which included two backpack hunts in the snow. On the later hunt in November, when temps were down to 10 degrees with wind, my brother who was using a Kuiu guide jacket was breaking a sweat with just a light merino layer underneath, I had the ferrosi with just a Sitka core lightweight underneath and fared better. This was blasting straight up some seriously steep terrain for hours but even I was surprised that in that cold of conditions with almost nothing underneath the Guide was too warm. I'd actually bought the jacket for him with that trip in mind, thinking it'd be better weather protection than the Ferrosi, which it is.

But for all around all day shell I think the Ferrosi is great. I keep hearing rumors of a new Sitka wind shirt coming out and that may be worth holding out for, as anything they make I'm sure will be acceptably quiet. The Ferrosi and Guide both are quiet enough I'd say.

 

[charvey9]

If you need a jacket at all, I'd say FL North Branch over a light base layer. It will also give you some protection from the elements and keep you dry if you get into some rain or snow. A nice piece to have.

Honestly though, I bird hunt a lot in those conditions all the time and am usually just in my merino (and maybe a Springer vest) as long as the weather is fair. I have a Ferrosi jacket, but rarely use it. It offers a some wind protection, but little else.

 

[halg]

I'm a huge fan of the current Sitka 90%. Use toss abs bottoms for winter activities of all sorts. Just be sure to have a puffy for when you're resting

 

[cgippe]

It rains a lot here during our moose seasons, which I guide. I have been looking at the Yukon or SEAK jackets, leaning towards the SEAK now but still completely open to opinions


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Yukon is bomb proof, love it for the snow!! PM for more details and I will tell you my set up and feedback. I own a lot of KUIU so may be biased.

 

[TheCougar]

I get the same discounts... I have the first lite, and I am happy with it. I tried on the FL and Sitka and went with FL, mainly on subjective preferences and the fact that even with the discount Sitka is way more expensive than FL. I think the kuiu rain gear is quieter, but the price pushed me to FL. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I did a LOT of research before I bought and the breathability and permeability of all three are probably so similar that you won't notice it. I went for features that mattered to me: leg and pit zips, weight, durability, camo pattern, supporting a particular company, made in USA, etc. I think you'd be better off using these criteria rather than permeability and breathability ratings.

 

[Brendan]

I really like the look of the SEAK, but you said for still hunting whitetail in the northeast - temps below 30. I would not look at any hard shell based on that requirement - too loud, and you don't need the waterproofing of jackets like the SEAK or the Yukon / Chugach in cold temps. Shot ranges here in the east are equivalent to bowhunting ranges in the west, and it's generally thicker with more brush, briars, etc. I think softshell with DWR and a windblock layer would be good. North branch might be the ticket, but it doesn't have a hood if that matters to you.

If you want dual duty for rain (warmer) - Chugach, Yukon, SEAK are great jackets, but a hard shell isn't the best for still hunting in cold / quiet conditions. You could do dual duty with a hard shell - and then wear a wind shirt with a wool outer layer to keep quiet in colder conditions.

I have a Chugach NX from Kuiu - I've worn it a grand total of once while whitetail hunting, and it was raining steadily so nothing was going to hear me anyways.

 

[Obi-wanshinobi]

For the conditions you listed, I would buy a solid color KUIU Guide jacket. Solid color so you can also wear it around town.
My second choice would be the new Sitka 90% jacket.

 

[Vtsheddog]

For the conditions you listed, I would buy a solid color KUIU Guide jacket. Solid color so you can also wear it around town.
My second choice would be the new Sitka 90% jacket.

Is there a difference between new and old 90% jacket? As far as the hunter is concerned?


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