Kuiu vs Sitka vs kryptek

[mattstanton]

Ok so I have the Sitka ascent pants, core shirt, traverse shirt and jet stream vest. I love the system! However it seems that I can buy a full set of kuiu or kryptek for the price of pants and a jacket from Sitka. I am going to buy a full set this spring but need some input. How does kuiu and kryptek compare in quality, comfort and durability to Sitka for mountain hunting?

 

[Justin Crossley]

I feel that both are as good or better than Sitka.

 

[Stid2677]

Based on my experience with the brands I would rate them Kuiu, Kryptek, Sitka, all being very good choices and coming down to personal preference, body type and type of hunts that they are being used for. If I were considering buying several pieces I would wait and see what the new spring line up brings. There was a HUGE difference between the first gen Kryptek stuff and the current line up, but IMHO I still prefer Kuiu to the current Kryptek gear, I really like the Highlander Camo and have hunted with folks using it, it works very well, but the clothes are not quite there yet to me. Even if you decide on the current gear, the prices should come down once the 2014 line up hits the market.

I'm sure the Ford, Chevy, Chrysler debate will follow.

Happy Holidays

Steve

 

[Aron Snyder]

You're a big boy, so check with other big fellas for sizing too.

I would also look at the First Lite Merino and puffy jacket.

I used the FL puffy this year and its pretty hard to beat.

 

[tipsntails7]

I have pieces from all of them and like them all. Just depends on what your lookin for. I plan on having a lot more kryptek when they come out with mandrake. The fort lite puffy is the best piece of gear I have bought in a long long time.

 

[mattstanton]

I've heard the kuiu runs smallish and aron is right, I'm what you would call largish so that may rule them out. I like the first lite stuff too just question the durability of the pants. All the Sitka XXL stuff fits me well. How's the kryptek sizing vs Sitka?

 

[tipsntails7]

I cannot speak to kryptek tops but the pants run true to size for me I wear a 36 in carhartts and tend to size up to 38's in hunting pants In case of baselayers, I have a large backside and thighs and have had no problems with either. In Kuiu the xxl is just barely big enough, my guide jacket has good stretch so It is not noticed as much but anything more then a t shirt and it is to tight. I have a 49 inch chest and in all honesty the baselayers are to tight, and I will probably be trying a 3xl, just wish the. Would stop adding length to the dang sleeves.

I'm 6'2 230 not fat but do have a few extra lbs 34 inch inseam

 

[Kotaman]

Based on my experience with the brands I would rate them Kuiu, Kryptek, Sitka, all being very good choices and coming down to personal preference, body type and type of hunts that they are being used for. If I were considering buying several pieces I would wait and see what the new spring line up brings. There was a HUGE difference between the first gen Kryptek stuff and the current line up, but IMHO I still prefer Kuiu to the current Kryptek gear, I really like the Highlander Camo and have hunted with folks using it, it works very well, but the clothes are not quite there yet to me. Even if you decide on the current gear, the prices should come down once the 2014 line up hits the market.

I'm sure the Ford, Chevy, Chrysler debate will follow.

Happy Holidays

Steve

My sentiments exactly. I have owned every piece of Sitka made and currently own all of the KUIU and all of the Kryptek pieces. Though the Kryptek is very nice I just feel the materials KUIU uses are second to none. That, and I sweat a lot more in my Kryptek than I do my KUIU. Something to me about the Kryptek retains moisture and makes me sweat in a lot of their pieces. I have pretty much relegated my Kryptek to be my whitetail clothing and my KUIU my mountain clothing. Don't get me wrong many use Kryptek successfully in the mountains, but for me KUIU works better. I agree with the way Steve rated them but in reality, you can't go wrong with any of the three. We currently have some great choices.

 

[Kotaman]

As far as sizing goes...KUIU does fit the most athletic of the three. I am also 6'2, 230 and wear a 38 pant and XXL tops in KUIU. And everything including the base layers fit me perfect. My Kryptek tops are all XL and fit great and the 38 pants in Kryptek fit me well also. With Sitka I seem to fall between an XL and XXL in their tops, but XL/38 fits me good on their pants. For me, there seems to be consistent sizing on the pants between these three, but the tops are different sizing in all three companies.

I hear you on the sleeve length tipsntails7. The original Canada stuff fit me a whole lot better in KUIU. It wasn't nearly as long and skinny.

 

[Nick Muche]

No one says you have to "match"... Find the items you like from ANY company and use them to best fit the situations you plan to be apart of.

In terms of the durability of the First Lite pants... Give them a try and see for yourself before you question their reliability. For me, they work great and I have put them through the wringer....

 

[n2horns]

No one says you have to "match"...* ah yes you do....

In fishing you always match the hattch.

In holywood you always metrosexual match.

 

[mattstanton]

Nick I would love to just try stuff but I value the limited gear money I have and want to make the best choice. That's why I opened the thread. Matching camo is secondary on my list. I think I've killed 2 animals in matching gear? I just want to try and buy a full set of functional mountain worthy gear. I will admit that the highlander pattern is the baddest thing I've seen to date but if my money is better spent for something that is head and shoulders above in quality and fit, that's the route I'll go. Right now according to reviews on fit, the kryptek is in the lead.

 

[mattstanton]

Pretty sure that first lite puffy is on the list. Along with the red desert boxers and allegany base layers. seriously thinking of the stormtight jacket and hopefully pants if they offer them in 2014

 

[7mag.]

I would take a look at the Kuiu Chugach rain gear or maybe the Kryptek. I had all Sitka gear, and wanted rain gear, but when I tried the Sitka rain gear on, I hated it. That is when I started looking at other options other than Sitka. Right now, I am really happy with my Kuiu gear, especially the Attack Pants and the Chugach rain gear. I haven't tried Kryptek yet, but I plan to. As far as matching goes, I wear Vias, Verde and Optifade together all the time. My advice is to buy each piece of gear according to performance and longevity, not brand or camo pattern.

 

[fillthefreezer]

matt: what items are you interested in for your "full kit" and maybe guys can chime in on each piece brand vs.

 

[kaboku68]

Kuiu XXL is only 48 in chest. They don't make things bigger. Pants are fine its just that they don't make bigger jackets. I have Sitka Dewpoint top and pants, the Poseidon top, the Koldo top and the First Lite stormlight. I didn't have that whole range of gear when we went out this year because it hadn't gotten up to Fairbanks at that time.
I would argue that for pure rain gear I would run with Koldo pants(you could use Kuiu attack pants because they do have larger pants) and a Koldo highlander jacket. However, it is heavy. I am probably going to run the FL puffy and shell in ASAT even if I prefer the highland camo pattern. The Sitka is not as water resistant as the Kryptek or the FL with the zippers not keeping the water out(as saturation points). They, the sitka, are the least durable for abuse in the brush. The Kryptek stuff is extremely durable but its not as quiet in my opinion. I also notice that I am wearing the FL stuff more than the other stuff so that might be indicative of comfort.

I think whichever set you wear more than the other without thinking about it establishes which you prefer.

Sincerely,
Thomas

 

[Kotaman]

Kuiu XXL is only 48 in chest. They don't make things bigger. Pants are fine its just that they don't make bigger jackets. I have Sitka Dewpoint top and pants, the Poseidon top, the Koldo top and the First Lite stormlight. I didn't have that whole range of gear when we went out this year because it hadn't gotten up to Fairbanks at that time.
I would argue that for pure rain gear I would run with Koldo pants(you could use Kuiu attack pants because they do have larger pants) and a Koldo highlander jacket. However, it is heavy. I am probably going to run the FL puffy and shell in ASAT even if I prefer the highland camo pattern. The Sitka is not as water resistant as the Kryptek or the FL with the zippers not keeping the water out(as saturation points). They, the sitka, are the least durable for abuse in the brush. The Kryptek stuff is extremely durable but its not as quiet in my opinion. I also notice that I am wearing the FL stuff more than the other stuff so that might be indicative of comfort.

I think whichever set you wear more than the other without thinking about it establishes which you prefer.

Sincerely,
Thomas

KUIU does make 3x in most of their jackets...

 

[Travis1984]

I run kuiu and FTF ruins mostly kryptek and we both run a little first lite. I think they are all close. You won't be disappointed in any of them.

 

[Jay03]

I have kuiu, kryptek, and first lite. The kuiu is highest in quality in my opinion but kryptek and first lite are also top notch! but sizing is tough on the kuiu because its all online mail order... no way to try it on. I dont live near a cabelas so I could'nt try on kryptek either but at least there is that option. First lite is easier to find and try on. Pieces from all 3 make up a very nice clothing system, each of them have something I like for a particular use best.

I only own sitka downpour rain gear but no other sitka stuff. The downpour is good for day bowhunting trips but not backpacking!

Oh and if first lite continues to complete the clothing system with other gear(not just wool) as they are on that path with the puffy and stormtight jacket they might be in the running or tied for top spot with kuiu! Haha.. very nice stuff. Of course these are just my opinions

 

[Matt W.]

What is your particular question? Which one to go with? If so I say a guy is limiting himself by totaling going with one. I'd cherry pick the best items from each and run with it. Each company typically has a product or two I like over the others.