Morning hike: Helios top & Tiburon pants

[tstowater]

Went for my normal Saturday morning hike. It was about 50 degrees when I started and usually make the 6.2 miles in about 1hr 25 minutes with a 45 lb pack with boots on. Good exercise, but really not pushing it. Since I was getting some of the new warmer weather gear, I thought it would be a good time to give it a run when it isn't as warm. I put on a Helios top from Krytek and Tiburon pants from KUIU. Don't have the Alios and Valhalla pants yet for the reverse comparison, but will do the same with a Tiburon top and one of the Krytek pants when they arrive soon.

Assessment: Tiburon breaths. Wow, almost thought I needed something a little heavier when I first started as the breeze could be felt easily through the pants and a little through the top. Both are very comfortable to wear. BTW, both the Helios and Cerdic hoodie are very comfortable for shooting a bow. I stayed comfortable on the whole hike, but I did notice a sustantial difference when I got done and dropped the pack. I sweat a lot and the Helios top was soaked (not surprised) and the Tiburon pants were dry (impressed and surprised). I don't think this is necessarily a fair assessment as to the Helios top as I won't pass judgment until I do the reverse setup. As I see things so far, once KUIU deals with the sleeve issue, both are going to be dynamite setups for people to consider, and, if you are like me, may have a real option for breathability.

BTW, I paid full tilt for everything.

 

[Buster]

Thanks for the review, looking forward to the reverse assessment. I'm a big time sweaty guy too, and knowing what works the best will definitely help.


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[doverpack12]

How is the Tiburon material versus the Helios or Cerdic material for noise? In addition to fit and function noise is a major factor in my clothing. Most high end stuff available is too noisy for me.

 

[tstowater]

I really haven't done the "noise" test yet, but my guess is the the Kryptek should be quieter. I won't view either of them as loud, but the type of material used on the Helios and Cerdic lend themselves to being quieter. The Kryptek material feels softer and obviously more stretchier than the Tiburon. The Tiburon pants also have a different comfort feel to them relative to the tops.

 

[Slim Jim]

I wore my tiburon pants for scouting elk this past week. All I can say is these pants are awesome! They are lightweight, perfect fit, tuff as nails fabric, nice stretch, breath very well and stay dry. I like them much better than my Sitka mtn pants and my FL kanabs that I recently sold. Worth every penny IMO

 

[Aron Snyder]

Went for my normal Saturday morning hike. It was about 50 degrees when I started and usually make the 6.2 miles in about 1hr 25 minutes with a 45 lb pack with boots on. Good exercise, but really not pushing it. Since I was getting some of the new warmer weather gear, I thought it would be a good time to give it a run when it isn't as warm. I put on a Helios top from Krytek and Tiburon pants from KUIU. Don't have the Alios and Valhalla pants yet for the reverse comparison, but will do the same with a Tiburon top and one of the Krytek pants when they arrive soon.

Assessment: Tiburon breaths. Wow, almost thought I needed something a little heavier when I first started as the breeze could be felt easily through the pants and a little through the top. Both are very comfortable to wear. BTW, both the Helios and Cerdic hoodie are very comfortable for shooting a bow. I stayed comfortable on the whole hike, but I did notice a sustantial difference when I got done and dropped the pack. I sweat a lot and the Helios top was soaked (not surprised) and the Tiburon pants were dry (impressed and surprised). I don't think this is necessarily a fair assessment as to the Helios top as I won't pass judgment until I do the reverse setup. As I see things so far, once KUIU deals with the sleeve issue, both are going to be dynamite setups for people to consider, and, if you are like me, may have a real option for breathability.

BTW, I paid full tilt for everything.

I agree with your findings. Been testing the T's and V's a bunch, and I would say the T's are better in really hot weather and the V's are a little note versatile.

When I was glassing at 12k, the wind ripped through the T pants, but the V cut it pretty well. On the hike in, I sweated a bit more in the V pants, while the T's let the wind through.

Can't comment on both tops (forearms don't fit in Tiburon).

 

[tstowater]

I agree with your findings. Been testing the T's and V's a bunch, and I would say the T's are better in really hot weather and the V's are a little note versatile.

When I was glassing at 12k, the wind ripped through the T pants, but the V cut it pretty well. On the hike in, I sweated a bit more in the V pants, while the T's let the wind through.

Can't comment on both tops (forearms don't fit in Tiburon).

Can't comment on the 12K, but I'm guessing this morning would have been about the same on an open hill top. Tiburon would have been cold and where a puffy or Cerdic hoodie would have really made the difference. I'm not as muscular as Aron in the forearms, but I'm not happy that there is no give in the Tiburon tops. I would really like something in the middle of the Tiburon and the Helios, now, that would be damn near perfect. Since the Valhalla tops were not available when I ordered, I don't know how that compares other than my discussions with Aron. Looking forward to the reverse trial of this mornings to give the Tiburon top and Kryptek pants (Alios or Valhalla) the run. If someone has a preference, let me know as they are supposed to be here hopefully this coming week. I might ask Aron also. Hopefully the weather cooperates like it did this morning. Humidity here is probably a lot higher than in the high country. Probably in the 80's and 90's for humidty when I was out this morning.

 

[tstowater]

I see that the Valhalla pants are supposed to be here today. Aliaos still on back order. If weather works out, will do a Tiburon top and Valhalla pants tomorrow. I will see how I feel in the morning as to what gear to wear.

 

[tstowater]

Did the reverse today: Tiburon top and Valhalla pants. Not sure if that would constitute a perfect switch, but is close. The weather was reasonably similar: 54 degrees and a little less breeze, but close enough. Again, the clothes performed as would be expected. The Valhallas are surprisingly light, I would consider them similar to Nike Dri-Fit pants. The Valhalla has more "give" than the Tiburon and breathed fairly well. The Tiburon top breathed well and was soaked when I got back, similar to the Helios, but dried much quicker. Would be curious as to the Valhalla top (didn't get that ordered) vs. the Helios top. This was not a test of durability or toughness, but how the clothes handled the weather (heat and cool) and how they dried after a workout. Overall, both lines are impressive and each had advantages and disadvantages. Each took a different angle towards lightweight/warm weather gear. I'm going to took both to New Mexico and Wyoming in September with some merino wool baselayers and a pair of Attack pants in case of colder weather. As neither of the hunts are backcountry, I can have the variety if needed. I will have Vias, Verde and Highlander patterns to use if wanted. Looking forward to trying the warm weather out on the hunts.

 

[mt hunter22]

so as a tiburon vs valhalla ,what were your likes and dislikes for both and which one is your favorite,, these are the 2 i am trying to pick from,,i will mostly br hunting warmer weather and sweat a lot..

 

[tstowater]

Sorry, I've been busy.

Tiburon:
Likes: lightweight, very breathable, dries fast
Dislikes: stretch (lack of), Arms are definitely tight on shirts, PITA to get off, not comfortable to wear (stiff feeling), price and availability

Valhalla:
Likes: very light, better stretch (helps with fit), more comfortable to wear
Dislikes: Less breathable, takes longer to dry, availability may be an issue

Colors: your choice---I can see advantages to each of them

Preference for warmer weather: Caveat: I didn't check durability or pockets and some of the other bells and whistle that may make the personal diference. Generally, I would choose the Tiburon, so far. It would be a superior warmer weather product based on breathability with the trade off of stretch, fit and comfort. The ideal product would be the stretch and fit of the Valhalla and the breathability of the Tiburon. I will assure you that you will sweat in both, but the Tiburon will dry faster and provide more comfort in the heat in my experience. I don't like the price of the Tiburon and frankly not the Valhalla either as I am concerned about longterm durability in a tough environment. Really you can't go wrong with either and when KUIU gets the sleeve issue addressed, the bar will be set pretty high. This is just my opinion only based on the limited time I have had in both lines. I look forward to using all of them.

 

[mt hunter22]

thank you..