Kuiu Year round Early-Late Season Layering system Questions/recommendations

[cambo0420]

Hey guys decided to start running Kuiu, was running Sitka and a few other odds and ends but decided to get the whole shebang and treat myself for the holidays. Some people I've talked to said forget the soft shell like the guide jacket and just get the Yukon rain jacket as your outer layer. What do you guys think I should get to for a full system protection from early season to late season? Also I was thinking about getting the packable Chugach rain jacket and pants and getting the new axis hybrid jacket for my outer layer than if it rains switch it out to the chugach, attack pants for early season, axis pants for mid to late season, merino base layers and peloton zip up. Any recommendations for my year round kuiu system and what merino or peloton options I should run? Also the puffy super down pro or the puffy super down ultra for cold weather. Gonna be using this for and October Wyoming elk hunt next year and a late season cow elk hunt in Montana and hopefully and archery deer hunt in Idaho so I need a complete all season system. Any recommendations would be awesome. Thanks

 

[gdavis]

Not an expert, just stating my experience. Live and hunt in Alaska, which is a broad term because you hunt various climates and terrain here. I am a minimalist and only take what I know I will need and save weight because a lot of the hunting is out of a pack climbing mountains. Heres my line up that has done well in temps down to 20degrees. Any colder I might start looking for another layer. Mind you I run very hot so if I am moving I have little to nothing besides pants and a T on even in the 30s.

Top:
Merino 125 T
Peloton 97 zip hoody
Kuiu Orignal SD hoodless
Chugach NX Rain Jacket (I bring my Helly Hansen if I expect a lot of rain or not backpacking in)

Bottom:
Kuiu Alpine
Peloton 200 zip-offs (base)
Chugach NX Rain

I have considered switching to the Yukon top and bottoms for the sole reason of added durability. But the mileage Im usually putting in the old rule of "oz=lbs, lbs=pain" comes into play. Iv also been thinking about adding the kenai vest, just out of pure curiosity. Hope this helps.

 

[gdavis]

Depending on the situation, but the majority of the time skip the softshell. Yukon or Chugach, same waterproof rating, difference is Yukon is heavier, tougher, and warmer. Chugach is lighter and more packable, but still pretty tough and blocks the wind well. Slightly cheaper too. I have no input on the Axis. Looks like a guide jacket with the water proof paneling. Might get you through a bit more rain, but either way, in a real down pour your need rain gear either way. Cool idea, just don't know if its something I would go for. If I was you, if I had to beat brush a lot, go Yukon with either Super Down or Kenai jackets. If you above tree line a lot and packing a long way, maybe think of the same setup just with the Chugach instead.

 

[doverpack12]

Here’s what I use in western Montana. Beginning of September up to 90 plus through December in the negatives and then again March through May.

Merino short or long sleeve in the 145-185 weight range. Some of it is temperature and some is personal and how warm you run and how active you will be. This year I used a firstlite wick short sleeve and feel it’s the best merino I’ve tried and dried fast enough synthetics are not worth using. Previous first lite merino didn’t really separate itself to me but this shirt does.

Peloton 240 hooded is my outlet layer in dry weather until it’s too cold then my mid layer when it gets 30 and below.

SKRE Ptarmigan hooded (superdown Pro) equivalent at a much lower price point especially on sale. Previously I used the Sitka UL down earlier season and a Russell L4 later season

Kuiu Chugach rain jacket.

When it’s really cold or snowing or windy I feel you need a soft shell to hunt quietly and not wait out the snow in shelter. I use the Sitka Jetstream because the kuiu guide does not stop nearly enough wind. The Axis might do better but no one knows yet.

Pants I use kuiu attacks early until late September or early October. Then I switch to kuiu guides which for some reason do stop most of the wind compared to the jacket. If either of those aren’t enough on a particular day Merino 145 zip off bottoms solve that. The hip vents and breathability really separate the pants from anyone else out there. ( I have not tried SKRE but they do have vents). I did buy a pair of kuiu tiburon pants but it wasn’t warm enough to use them this year. Attacks work In hot weather but ideally 70-75 and above the tiburons are better.

I have a pair of women’s outdoor research zip off rain pants I got on sale for $30 that are lightweight and have lasted 5 seasons.

Sitka gore socks, Kuiu Peloton 240 beanie, kuiu air mesh hat, Sitka traverse gloves and kuiu Yukon pro gloves. Yukon gaiters.

This will cover about any possible weather scenario 90+ to below zero, sun, rain sideways or blizzard and a foot plus of snow I don’t have to sit out storms I can and do hunt right through them dry and warm. Wind is the major factor for me and I’m not satisfied wearing my rain jacket or puffy anytime I’m cold from the wind as I feel they are not great pieces to hunt in the majority of the time.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I’d consider the Kenai jacket over the soft shells - it’s a really nice piece for colder weather when you’re moving, and has a wide temp range it’s good for with fleece underneath. It’s a good complement to the down stuff they do.

Super down pro vs ultra I can’t contrast - but the ultra is a nice piece for backpack hunts - I’d like one of those pro jackets, but I just don’t understand putting out zips on a heavy down jacket.....

 

[cambo0420]

Thanks guys for the input

 

[cambo0420]

Gonna skip the axis and go with the Yukon thanks for taking the time out to school me in all things kuiu

 

[cambo0420]

That's why I'm against the puffy. Wanting to do a mountain lion hunt in weather that can be in the negatives can I just layer a lot of merino and skip the puffy?

 

[silverbullet555]

Merino is heavy. Better weight warmth ration with synthetic.

I like my soft shell and I already had chinook pants and jacket so I added the chugach n rain gear as packable rain gear. My buddy runs the yukon as his outer layer and likes it. It's too heavy to pack around in the backpack imho so either wear it as your outer or go lighter.

I've been building out kit. Right now it looks like this.

First lite Merino boxers and kuiu t-shirt
First lite merino base layers (kiln)
Kuiu peloton 97 second layer. Synthetic to help pull moisture out. Wanted zip off for easy on off.

If I need a next layer, peloton 200.

For an insulating layer
Active: Kuiu kenai synthetic puffy. I wanted pit zips.
Sitting
Kuiu super down puffy pants
Skre ptarmigan hooded

Outer layer is Kuiu chinook pants and jacket

If I need rain protection I have chugach nx that I just ordered.



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