Kuiu Super Down Pro Layering?

[Whip]

Does anyone use the Super Down Pro underneath an outer layer other than a rain shell? I understand that the Super Down is designed as an outer layer but am thinking it would be too loud in many situations. Rain gear is not exactly a silent layer either, so wondering about other options.

Edited to also ask whether the Super Down LT might be the better option with an outer layer? But again, would be looking at something other than rain gear as the outer layer.

 

[FAAFO]

Does anyone use the Super Down Pro underneath an outer layer other than a rain shell? I understand that the Super Down is designed as an outer layer but am thinking it would be too loud in many situations. Rain gear is not exactly a silent layer either, so wondering about other options.

I can’t comment on the noise but one should never walk or hike with the super down pro. You’ll get soaked. It’s damn warm

 

[Geewhiz]

the only layer I ever wear over my super down pro is a rain shell. Not sure why you’d ever need another insulation layer over it and if you did you’d have to size up x3.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I can’t comment on the noise but one should never walk or hike with the super down pro. You’ll get soaked. It’s damn warm

Not necessarily, I hiked all over last week in my SDP and never took it off until time to pack meat. It was very cold and windy, needed it on 95% of the time.

 

[FAAFO]

Not necessarily, I hiked all over last week in my SDP and never took it off until time to pack meat. It was very cold and windy, needed it on 95% of the time.

How cold was it? I couldn’t imagine walking around in it unless it was -20 or below. I have a solid layering system tho. I could see if someone was missing a mid layer

 

[WeiserBucks]

How cold was it? I couldn’t imagine walking around in it unless it was -20 or below. I have a solid layering system tho. I could see if someone was missing a mid layer

I'm not sure how cold it was, but the wind was murder. I had a KUIU 97 base, SG grid fleece, Sitka ambient pullover, KUIU 240 vest and SDP as top layers and I was still cold once I stopped moving. Rare but not impossible circumstances.

 

[Whip]

the only layer I ever wear over my super down pro is a rain shell. Not sure why you’d ever need another insulation layer over it and if you did you’d have to size up x3.

More because I an concerned about the noisy fabric. Maybe the Super Down LT would be better option with an outer layer?

 

[FAAFO]

I'm not sure how cold it was, but the wind was murder. I had a KUIU 97 base, SG grid fleece, Sitka ambient pullover, KUIU 240 vest and SDP as top layers and I was still cold once I stopped moving. Rare but not impossible circumstances.

Wind chill is no joke that’s for sure!

 

[THLR]

I bought the Superdown LT. Very uneven down filling (3 baffles underfilled) and the hood is a helmet hood, not fitted as the Kuiu website states.

It is not possible to shut off heatloss around neck or gett any reasonable fit around the head. It has a chimney effect around the neck. Thermal efficiency is lousy, Norrøna Trollveggen is vastly superior in that weightclass.

Being an international customer, cost of return for all practical purposes means customer service doesn't exist. My version of this jacket is textile trash.

 

[fngTony]

I bought the Superdown LT. Very uneven down filling (3 baffles underfilled) and the hood is a helmet hood, not fitted as the Kuiu website states.
View attachment 798905
It is not possible to shut off heatloss around neck or gett any reasonable fit around the head. It has a chimney effect around the neck. Thermal efficiency is lousy, Norrøna Trollveggen is vastly superior in that weightclass.
View attachment 798904
Being an international customer, cost of return for all practical purposes means customer service doesn't exist. My version of this jacket is textile trash.

Wow! I have the previous generation which has a Velcro adjustment on the back and draw strings on the front. The coverage is a little less than the Rab (second photo) but not terrible. Rab has the draw strings on the inside of the collar.

 

[THLR]

I suspect my jacket is a manufacturing error and not representative for the product. This is what happens when I tighten my hood

I am not manipulating the fit in any way, this is how it looks when I tighten the shock cord to fit the head. I doubt anyone intended that result on a thermal jacket...

 

[Tod osier]

More because I an concerned about the noisy fabric. Maybe the Super Down LT would be better option with an outer layer?

I sometimes wear them under a pair of super quiet medium weight bibs and over merino when stationary like a pair of down long underwear. They are very quiet that way and very comfortable because of the fabric slides well on the bibs and merino.

 

[EdP]

I wear mine under a soft shell rain jacket. That works fine and helps reduce the noise of the SDP and protects it from brush and thorns. Only one time have I been able to tolerate the SDP when moving and it was in brutal conditions, mid teens and 40 mph wind.

I will say that although the SDP is noisy, it is no where near as noisy as the Sitka down puffy. The Sitka got sent back. The Sitka was a great jacket and would be fine for glassing but just too noisy for stand hunting IMO.

 

[Snowhunter11]

I suspect my jacket is a manufacturing error and not representative for the product. This is what happens when I tighten my hood
View attachment 799249
I am not manipulating the fit in any way, this is how it looks when I tighten the shock cord to fit the head. I doubt anyone intended that result on a thermal jacket...

Not sure how international shipping works.. but I would try them for a replacement. Kuiu brand is to be the best fabrics and fit. They had better stand up to that reputation.

 

[THLR]

I did. I can return the item at my own cost (appr $60 from here) and I suspect my import tax would be lost ($79) unless their shipping agent do the tax return (which has never happened except with Amazon). So considering a Rab, Arcteryx or Mountain Equipment would be around $200 picked up locally with free returns...

Their first response was "Based on the photos, the hood is correctly made and the cinches are correctly pulling the hood down." They have now refunded me $30 for shipping.

 

[Whip]

Thanks for all of the responses. I ended up going with the Super Down LT without the hood, which happened to pop up on a Cyber Monday 50% off deal today. Proof that procrastination pays. The Guide Jacket was sold out in my size & preferred color, so I also ordered an Axis jacket to use as an outer layer when needed.

 

[545fitter]

Good choice. I have a super down pro and picked up the axis on BF to wear over it. I actually got it in time to hunt a little with it. Upsized my Axis and it fits over my SDP. Cuts the wind, adds rain protection, and most importantly protects my $400 SDP from thorns and such. I also am an active PRS competitor so I plan on wearing this combo for super cold PRS matches. Same idea, Axis to protect my down.