Kuiu sleeping bags/expensive gear

[dangerousD]

1. Don't delay going on a hunt by saying "one of these years" when I have the money... Do it now and don't look back! My regret is not starting years ago.

2. Establish a budget. My rule is not to go into debt to support a passion/want or hobby. If money is the hindrance, develop a strategy to earn more.
2a. Share your passion and budget with your wife. If she loves and supports you, she will WANT you to have nice things and pursue your passion and vice versa. If not, get new wife...

3. Build a spreadsheet or list of all the items you need for the hunt.

4. Buy the best you can afford of each item and adjust the quality of each to fit your budget. I tried to get the best of a few things and went with adequate for other items I would upgrade later. I started in January and acquired the things I needed throughout the year up until the hunt.

5. Develop a long-term strategy to have at least one hunt every year. Begin applying for points and permits in states that allow for this. Eventually, you will be hunting in quality regions. Until that time, buy OTC or general permits and get out there and hone your skills. You will learn a lot!

This is only my second year. I'm so addicted that I dream of it every day! I've bow hunted the Midwest for over 25 years and was one of those guys that always said "I'd sure like to go elk hunting someday" and someday never materialized... Then last year I finally said enough is enough! I'm doing this! Now it's what I'm living for!

 

[Nick Muche]

I can't remember the last time I have spent money out of my disposable income on something that was not related to hunting in some way.

 

[SHTF]

I pretty much get to know the market. Whats hot, whats not. and I buy and sell and trade to get what Im after. All my gear has been purchased this way and not much cash has come out of pocket for the gear I own. If it does its to make money more then just buying gear straight up. Im an old Gypsy. Buying and selling is in my blood. I cant help but do it.

 

[tipsntails7]

Edit…my previous post was combative and that's not what me or this site is about....too many sites like that already.

Trust me I do see your point. Call it brainwashed, but I do think KUIU tries to build the best quality gear they can. Without actually knowing what their margin is no one can say if we are getting duped. Of the 5 piecses of KUIU gear I own, I felt like the price I paid was well worth it.

Thornton, I didn't find anything you said combative and this post was in no way directed at you, or really anybody on this site. I've just talked to numerous guys in person and on other sites that they come across as if your not wearing Kuiu your success is just luck. The only Kuiu purchase I'm unhappy with the the pack frames. There's no doubt they make good stuff.

 

[Bob]

Sticker shock for sure...4.5 oz more and a $300 savings on my synthetic bag I just purchased.

 

[drthornton]

Thornton, I didn't find anything you said combative and this post was in no way directed at you, or really anybody on this site. I've just talked to numerous guys in person and on other sites that they come across as if your not wearing Kuiu your success is just luck. The only Kuiu purchase I'm unhappy with the the pack frames. There's no doubt they make good stuff.

I deleted the combative part out of the post you just quoted and rewrote it...sorry. No bashing or name calling but I just felt like it might take you and I down a path neither of us really wanted to go.

 

[tipsntails7]

I deleted the combative part out of the post you just quoted and rewrote it...sorry. No bashing or name calling but I just felt like it might take you and I down a path neither of us really wanted to go.

no worries man, and my posts were not directed at you in anyway.

 

[jquarnberg]

I dont make enough money to have a ton of disposable income but have a lot of nice gear.. Funny but for me fantasy football has gotten me 2 pieces of 600 dollar (retail) gear in the last two years that I never would have been able to justify spending money on... The last two years I have won my league and gotten $800 or more.

-Kifaru Pack (Well it got me an MR Longbow in 2012, that I traded into a KUIU Icon 2013 that I traded into a kifaru 2014)
-Hardy Zenith Fly rod

If I happen to win another year I have promised my wife it goes towards a cruise. So that well may run dry...

I am like many who have commented. I try to not use "earned" income for gear. Besides fantasy football winnings. I sell off gear to help fund new gear, if it doesnt get used I sell it off for stuff I currently am sure ill use. Christmas and birthdays are pretty much strictly gifts that are for gear or money for trinket fund. I do antler mounts, sell sheds, makes flies, ebay, do taxes... lots of little odd jobs I mostly put into my trinket fund. I keep it all in paypal and when I got what I need in there then I purchase what im after. And I almost never pay retail... wait for sales, find sources, or buy used.

 

[bigfish b.c]

yes really think think kuiu has gone to far with pricing on these,pricing seems to be growing as they become more popular. it seems they are using a strategy of make some product see if it sells out then make a little more.you basically have to buy a year ahead with them now or be on back order for 6-8 months most of the times these days.i was really looking forward to these bags,but now looking at a zpacks or wm bag less weight & less money & i have a 15+ year old wm bag thats still going strong.i really have like most kuiu stuff to this point but see things are changing due to popularity.i have allot of high end gear but iam like a few others & keep my stuff for long periods,20 year old zeiss binos,15+year old wm down bag,10 year old kifaru longhunter pack,10 + year old mtn smith tipi tent,i have never been the i need the newest, greatest,best just good stuff that works for me.

 

[parshal]

I'm like most of the guys posting here. I've got a good job and good disposable income and I try to buy good stuff the first time. If I don't like it I don't lose much money when I resell it. I usually sell something else to fund a large purchase so the sticker shock isn't so tough.

I have a Feathered Friends Lark 10* 900+ down bag that I have yet to use. It weighs exactly 32 oz. on my scale with the stuff sack. It's a lot of money to be sitting there unused. I can't imagine spending even more to have a bag sit around. I want to find out more about the stretchy fabric in the KUIU bags. I'm curious if it's like their Attack Pant. I wore those for the first time two weeks ago hunting chukar and they were fantastic. They truly made climbing those hills easier than with Carharts. If the material on their sleeping bag isn't as slick as the Feathered Friends or Kifaru I think they'll have something. Try to put a blanket over those bags and they slide ride off.

The KUIU bags are bit more roomy than the FF Lark as well and are couple ounces less for the 15* bag. It will be interesting to see if they are as warm as claimed. The WM and FF bags are known to be conservatively rated.

 

[Aron Snyder]

The Kuiu bag is basically a Marmot Plasma with 2 extra inches in the chest area. It also has treated down and is sewn in the same factory as the Marmot Plasma bags.

I would guess that the temp rating is accurate, as they were tested by a 3rd party ( EN rated).

See link for info on EN testing/rating http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/sleeping-bag-backpacking.html

 

[shaun]

The Kuiu bag is basically a Marmot Plasma with 2 extra inches in the chest area. It also has treated down and is sewn in the same factory as the Marmot Plasma bags.

I would guess that the temp rating is accurate, as they were tested by a 3rd party ( EN rated).

See link for info on EN testing/rating http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/sleeping-bag-backpacking.html

I was waiting for this to come out

 

[Ramcam]

Great thread lots of sensible perspective .The new Kuiu bag is way overpriced i see no Direct to Consumer savings here or superior product advantage to whats available elsewhere for less.

 

[parshal]

The Kuiu bag is basically a Marmot Plasma with 2 extra inches in the chest area. It also has treated down and is sewn in the same factory as the Marmot Plasma bags.

I would guess that the temp rating is accurate, as they were tested by a 3rd party ( EN rated).

I figured the rating would be reasonably accurate given the EN rating.

Do you know much about the stretchy fabric? Have you had one in your hands?

 

[Aron Snyder]

I figured the rating would be reasonably accurate given the EN rating.

Do you know much about the stretchy fabric? Have you had one in your hands?

Yes and yes.

The bag does not offer stretch like the Montbell SS, but it does stretch.

 

[JWP58]

I'm like most of the guys posting here. I've got a good job and good disposable income and I try to buy good stuff the first time. If I don't like it I don't lose much money when I resell it. I usually sell something else to fund a large purchase so the sticker shock isn't so tough.

I have a Feathered Friends Lark 10* 900+ down bag that I have yet to use. It weighs exactly 32 oz. on my scale with the stuff sack. It's a lot of money to be sitting there unused. I can't imagine spending even more to have a bag sit around. I want to find out more about the stretchy fabric in the KUIU bags. I'm curious if it's like their Attack Pant. I wore those for the first time two weeks ago hunting chukar and they were fantastic. They truly made climbing those hills easier than with Carharts. If the material on their sleeping bag isn't as slick as the Feathered Friends or Kifaru I think they'll have something. Try to put a blanket over those bags and they slide ride off..

Now we have a discussion...I've got to ask, in CO?

 

[Matt W.]

The Kuiu bag is basically a Marmot Plasma with 2 extra inches in the chest area. It also has treated down and is sewn in the same factory as the Marmot Plasma bags.

I would guess that the temp rating is accurate, as they were tested by a 3rd party ( EN rated).

See link for info on EN testing/rating http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/sleeping-bag-backpacking.html

Why should a guy buy the KUIU over the Plasma? Any compelling reason?
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacking-Sleeping-Bag-Reviews/Marmot-Plasma-15
The review here states it is already cut to wide in the body. ?? Bummer deal for the thinner dudes..
Usually KUIU is known for more of a slimmer fit, so curious about the new bags and fit.

 

[bighouse31]

Retail on the Marmot Plasma 15 is $559 and Kuiu 15 is $579 so not very over priced for high end gear
Marmot 1lb 15.96oz
Kuiu 1lb 14.7oz

Marmot 900fill power
Kuiu 865 fill power

Marmot 10d pertex quantum
Kuiu 12d (stunner stretch with Kudos DWR)

so overall pretty similar but with Kuiu you are supporting a pro hunting company

 

[Matt W.]

The KUIU fabric is probably well worth the $20 difference, just curious on the fit. Only other plus for the Marmot is you can find them on sale pretty often.. But, I think I am going with the Quilt movement... As an ounce counter, I can't ignore the weight savings...

 

[bighouse31]

The down is also treated in the Kuiu bag