Kuiu Super Down Haven

[Jake_B]

Looks like Kuiu released something new for the whitetail hunters when it’s cold. Says its using Synthacell Windproof technology, never heard of it

Super Down Haven

The warmth of down insulation is unmatchable, but it’s never been a viable option for whitetail hunting because the fabrics that have always contained it have never been dead quiet—until now. The first of its kind, the Super Down Haven series of hooded jacket and bib combine KUIU’s legendary...

www.kuiu.com

 

[Ho5tile1]

Saw this last night I’m 100% gonna try it out. It shows that this new down jacket weighs more then the proximity jacket by about 7 ounces. The new jacked is 2 pounds 7.9 ounces the proximity is 2 pounds I would think the down jacked would be lighter. I have the proximity and really like it but it’s not enough when it gets what I call cold it’s good for 35-50 if it’s colder then that I use the fanatic as I get cold easy up in the tree…


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[tim tarras]

I wish they would tell you the amount of down in each piece.

 

[7LRM]

It is in on my bucket list this year

 

[bozeman]

Like the Sitka Fanatic? I can't tell if they are comparable??

 

[supernova35]

Saw this last night I’m 100% gonna try it out. It shows that this new down jacket weighs more then the proximity jacket by about 7 ounces. The new jacked is 2 pounds 7.9 ounces the proximity is 2 pounds I would think the down jacked would be lighter. I have the proximity and really like it but it’s not enough when it gets what I call cold it’s good for 35-50 if it’s colder then that I use the fanatic as I get cold easy up in the tree…


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I agree, the proximity line is not fit for temperatures below 35…especially if there is any wind. My bibs tore in the crotch within a few weeks of receiving. Kuiu replaced them, but still disappointed in the marketing of the item. Sitkas whitetail line is far superior for colder temps. This new jacket could be interesting though.

 

[LIWolverine]

Now this finally looks like an actual innovative change. This looks like a winner for the whitetail woods.


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[SloppyJ]

Durability is going to be key. Puffy stuff isn't extremely popular in the deer woods for more than just the sound of the fabric.

 

[Maverick1]

Looks like an interesting combination of several options out there. (First Lite's kit-link pass through system, Skre Guardian's down insulation, and Sitka Stratus' brushed face outer fabric)

As mentioned above, it would be good to know the amount of down fill in the jacket and bibs. Would be an interesting comparison between this series and the Skre Guardian jacket and bibs. Looks like the weight of the jacket is comparable. The Skre guardian bibs appear to weigh a pound more than the Kuiu. (Wonder if that is fill weight?)

Have to laugh at Kuiu: "As the first of its kind, the Super Down Haven combines an innovative down-proof, windproof, and ultra-quiet knit fleece with our legendary Quixdown insulation, making it the warmest and lightest late-season whitetail hunting jacket on the market."

The Skre Guardian: "With premium 850 fill down, you will be comfortable, calm, and collected when the moment of truth arrives. Our lightly brushed face fabric and anatomical fit allow you to draw a bow or shoulder a rifle with minimal noise, and a full range of motion."

@Kotaman - would be good to hear your perspective.

 

[Kotaman]

Looks like an interesting combination of several options out there. (First Lite's kit-link pass through system, Skre Guardian's down insulation, and Sitka Stratus' brushed face outer fabric)

As mentioned above, it would be good to know the amount of down fill in the jacket and bibs. Would be an interesting comparison between this series and the Skre Guardian jacket and bibs. Looks like the weight of the jacket is comparable. The Skre guardian bibs appear to weigh a pound more than the Kuiu. (Wonder if that is fill weight?)

Have to laugh at Kuiu: "As the first of its kind, the Super Down Haven combines an innovative down-proof, windproof, and ultra-quiet knit fleece with our legendary Quixdown insulation, making it the warmest and lightest late-season whitetail hunting jacket on the market."

The Skre Guardian: "With premium 850 fill down, you will be comfortable, calm, and collected when the moment of truth arrives. Our lightly brushed face fabric and anatomical fit allow you to draw a bow or shoulder a rifle with minimal noise, and a full range of motion."

@Kotaman - would be good to hear your perspective.

I like the looks of this. Hoping the set is quiet. I’m a fan of the Proximity set and switch to Skre Guardian when it gets really cold. I’d like to handle them before I buy. Hoping to get my hands on them at one of the shows this winter.

 

[whaack]

Posted this on AT, posting here too in case fellas are curious.

Ok, I picked up the jacket and the bibs. This is more of initial thoughts than a review since I've not used it in the field yet.

Fit
Definitely buy the size you 'normally' wear. In other items such as the Proximity I went a size up to allow for layering. With the Haven you can wear a base layer and likely a mid-weight mid-layer just fine. Like all Kuiu it's fit athletic and not sized for plus size dudes. Sorry fellas. Like other jackets, the forearms are fitted which I know has been a complaint of some. I like it and it keeps the jacket out of the way of the bow. The waist hem is longer than the Fanatic. If you're taller like me that is a nice addition.

Shell
Best I can tell the outer shell is the same fabric composition as the Proximity. I got the Valo pattern and it looks nice.

Build Quality
I've read some reports of folks not liking the durability of the Proximity fabric. Given that this is the same fabric it will need to be seen how durable the suit is. That said, I never wear a suit like this to my stands. I wear a basic pant and mid layer shirt, then put the pants/jacket on at my tree. In the Haven unless you're walking 100 yards you're going to sweat out before you can get any further.

Compact-ability
One of the reasons I wanted to get this is the ability to pack it down small vs. other options like the Sitka Fanatic. No doubt the Fanatic is a great late season suit, but it is super heavy and bulky IMO. This packs down like you would expect a down filled jacket and bibs would. It also feels much lighter than the Fanatic even though the specs only state it is a couple oz lighter. Not sure why, maybe just because it compresses so much.

Noise
I would say it is completely acceptable. It's not loud, but it's not as quiet as the Fanatic. Some guys I think are ultra paranoid on fabric sound. I'd say I'm moderately paranoid and I'll not be concerned with suit.

Overall I think it'll make a nice piece. It's a bit more expensive than the Fanatic, but I am really looking forward to the compactness and lightness of it compared to Sitka's offering.

Hope that helps anyone looking. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Jmiller_outside]

Posted this on AT, posting here too in case fellas are curious.

Ok, I picked up the jacket and the bibs. This is more of initial thoughts than a review since I've not used it in the field yet.

Fit
Definitely buy the size you 'normally' wear. In other items such as the Proximity I went a size up to allow for layering. With the Haven you can wear a base layer and likely a mid-weight mid-layer just fine. Like all Kuiu it's fit athletic and not sized for plus size dudes. Sorry fellas. Like other jackets, the forearms are fitted which I know has been a complaint of some. I like it and it keeps the jacket out of the way of the bow. The waist hem is longer than the Fanatic. If you're taller like me that is a nice addition.

Shell
Best I can tell the outer shell is the same fabric composition as the Proximity. I got the Valo pattern and it looks nice.

Build Quality
I've read some reports of folks not liking the durability of the Proximity fabric. Given that this is the same fabric it will need to be seen how durable the suit is. That said, I never wear a suit like this to my stands. I wear a basic pant and mid layer shirt, then put the pants/jacket on at my tree. In the Haven unless you're walking 100 yards you're going to sweat out before you can get any further.

Compact-ability
One of the reasons I wanted to get this is the ability to pack it down small vs. other options like the Sitka Fanatic. No doubt the Fanatic is a great late season suit, but it is super heavy and bulky IMO. This packs down like you would expect a down filled jacket and bibs would. It also feels much lighter than the Fanatic even though the specs only state it is a couple oz lighter. Not sure why, maybe just because it compresses so much.

Noise
I would say it is completely acceptable. It's not loud, but it's not as quiet as the Fanatic. Some guys I think are ultra paranoid on fabric sound. I'd say I'm moderately paranoid and I'll not be concerned with suit.

Overall I think it'll make a nice piece. It's a bit more expensive than the Fanatic, but I am really looking forward to the compactness and lightness of it compared to Sitka's offering.

Hope that helps anyone looking. Let me know if you have any questions.

Appreciate these thoughts man. Once temps drop, I would love to hear your follow up on this performs. I'm tempted to sell my fanatic setup for the Haven mainly due to your last point of compactness for carry-in.

 

[whaack]

Appreciate these thoughts man. Once temps drop, I would love to hear your follow up on this performs. I'm tempted to sell my fanatic setup for the Haven mainly due to your last point of compactness for carry-in.

For sure. We should get some temps here in the next two weeks, especially in the AM, that I can suit up. I do know the Fanatic is VERY quiet, but I'm not sure at what point it's a diminishing return. As someone who hunts public quiet a bit, and also have some longer walks on my home piece the idea of a jacket/bib that really packs down is ideal. More to come.

 

[Mountain_Life]

My jacket showed up last week and I've been wearing it everyday since in the tree. I haven't worn the skre or fanatic so I can't compare it to those. Prior to this I wore a down jacket with a fleece over, and before that Cabela's berber fleece.

So far it's everything they advertise. Warmest jacket I own. Quiet enough (has a shell layer somewhere inside that makes a little noise but not enough to concern me) Great pocket size and layout. Nice fit, not too bulky in arms and not too tight in chest/shoulders. Removable hood is awesome, I don't like hoods in a stand. Packs down as expected, not quite down jacket size but significantly smaller than my Cabela's berber fleece jacket.

It wasn't cheap, but I'd do it again.

I pair it with my under armour down pants, probably won't buy the bibs.

 

[CMF]

Durability is going to be key. Puffy stuff isn't extremely popular in the deer woods for more than just the sound of the fabric.

like whaack said, I don't see it as a jacket to wear while hiking, just for sitting...
I don't have, but I'd like to try eventually

 

[adamm88]

Anyone that has it how much can it compress? With it being down it would be nice if it compressed down smallish when hiking in.

 

[Mountain_Life]

Anyone that has it how much can it compress? With it being down it would be nice if it compressed down smallish when hiking in.

I can try to get a photo, but it's about what you'd expect. A down jacket with a fleece exterior. Compresses nicely but has a bit more material. I use a Kuiu 2300 for stand hunting and I can easily fit the jacket, puffy pants, bino harness and snacks into the main bag.

 

[Mountain_Life]

Durability is going to be key. Puffy stuff isn't extremely popular in the deer woods for more than just the sound of the fabric.

This jacket is way too warm to hike in. You put it on once you get there. The exterior fabric feels very durable, but will collect weed seeds like any brushed fleece exterior.

 

[Texasbuckeye]

Noise
I would say it is completely acceptable. It's not loud, but it's not as quiet as the Fanatic. Some guys I think are ultra paranoid on fabric sound. I'd say I'm moderately paranoid and I'll not be concerned with suit.

Overall I think it'll make a nice piece. It's a bit more expensive than the Fanatic, but I am really looking forward to the compactness and lightness of it compared to Sitka's offering.

Hope that helps anyone looking. Let me know if you have any questions.

This is the primary focus of mine. Most of the cold days I hunt are dead quiet type super still mornings where I can hear a pin drop before the world wakes up. If I am in a tree stand and make little bits f noise from shifting or just moving my foot a little, it can spook deer that are staging for a feeder to go off or making their way to a food plot for the AM sunlight.

I sat this past sunday in a dead calm uber quiet morning and was able to shift in my seat, move a little (who can stay absolutely still for 60-90 minutes) and stay perfectly quiet with my stratus bibs and jacket on. This is my gold standard for archery hunting quietness, and it is needed far more often than not in the cooler morning hunts when the world is asleep and the wind is too. I was able to take my target deer this hunt due to being quiet and not spooking deer while in stand.