Puffy jacket comparison

[JDZ]

At least they publish how many oz's of down fill (KUIU doesn't, and I have even called and asked) so you know what you're getting.

Kuiu now plainly lists the weight of down fill on their website. 1.4 oz of 850 fill for the vest, 2 oz for the jacket, and 2.5 oz for the hooded jacket.

 

[luke moffat]

I can only compare the Kuiu to Sitka's synthetic Kelvin and man oh man, what a difference. Still hunting in 40 degree weather I was shivering like a kicked puppy in the Kuiu. Glassing in low 30s wearing the Kelvin I was warm and relaxed. MUCH WARMER. Consider the temps when selecting your insulation layer(s) and decide which is worse...being to cold or too warm?

Did you have the Kuiu Kenai Bruce?? Which model Kelvin? Usually the Kelvins are heavier than the Kenai too so not exactly apples to apples.

 

[luke moffat]

My shell is the Chugach set from Kuiu. I am leaning towards the Kenai for a puffy. It seems like it would work well here in the Midwest as well. I will probably over pack, for my first backcountry elk hunt. I really like my guide jacket and just can't imagine leaving it behind. But I will learn and hopefully make better informed decisions next season I appreciate everyone's input.

Well this is the "just one guys opinion" from the article.

I think the Kenai is a great jacket and one of the 2 I am keeping from the article. The other two are getting sold.

Soft shell jackets are not needed on most backpack hunts IMO. They don't keep you warm like a puffy and don't keep you dry in the rain like a regular rain jacket. I had a guide jacket and used it a bit before I realized I never really used it and its 2 pounds I can take it out of my pack. Now soft shell jackets are left for winter activities when rain isn't an issue and around town.

 

[freediver111]

I used a hooded Kenai on a late season cow hunt this year. Temps were way low, like -5 in the am and a balmy 15 during the day. I hiked up very steep country all day and had the Kenai on 90% of the time. Breathes well and even with sweat and moisture kept me warm. We didn't camp out overnight and there wasn't hours upon hours of sitting still, but I really liked that jacket.

 

[Dos Perros]

Kuiu now plainly lists the weight of down fill on their website. 1.4 oz of 850 fill for the vest, 2 oz for the jacket, and 2.5 oz for the hooded jacket.

Cool! Thanks for posting that. Believe it's a new development, wasn't up there when I was last in the market.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Did you have the Kuiu Kenai Bruce?? Which model Kelvin? Usually the Kelvins are heavier than the Kenai too so not exactly apples to apples.

Oh I know it's not apples to apples. My experiences are with the Super Down jacket versus the original Kelvin vest (not Kelvin Lite). The Kuiu jacket just confirmed what I suspected when I placed it in the pack...too little fill to work. Packs great but I'd rather not freeze so now I have the Kelvin jacket and Kelvin Lite pants too! I've never sat on the mountain in the cold wind and been too warm.

 

[justin davis]

My favorite is the KIFARU!!

 

[dotman]

My favorite is the KIFARU!!

X2.... and by a large margin.

 

[justinspicher]

I think you need to go out with what you think you'll need and figure it out for yourself.

 

[Nuke Man]

Luke I hope you know I meant no disrespect by that statement! I just wanted others opinions as well.

 

[Nuke Man]

I'm apprehensive about wearing my rain top primarily and the possibility of tearing it up. My thoughts are a tore up rain coat won't keep me dry and a soaked puffy is going to get cold.

 

[Bughalli]

Soft shell jackets are not needed on most backpack hunts IMO. They don't keep you warm like a puffy and don't keep you dry in the rain like a regular rain jacket. I had a guide jacket and used it a bit before I realized I never really used it and its 2 pounds I can take it out of my pack. Now soft shell jackets are left for winter activities when rain isn't an issue and around town.

Thinking through my setup and experience last year during my Sept backpack hunt, I would agree with this statement. The soft shell jackets just weren't needed. Even on the coldest mornings I was okay with a puffy vest and long sleeve wool shirt. Even then, usually only wore it 30 min before I heated up. The rain jacket would easily layer for warmth if bad weather (rain or just cold) came through.

 

[crmiller84]

Just as a heads up if you hadn't considered it, Kryptek Kratos II is on camofire right now for $69.99. Deal is there for 3hrs and 45 minutes longer.

 

[luke moffat]

I'm apprehensive about wearing my rain top primarily and the possibility of tearing it up. My thoughts are a tore up rain coat won't keep me dry and a soaked puffy is going to get cold.

If you are worried about tearing up your rain jacket you need a better rain jacket IMO.

I have run many different rain jackets over the years through loads of Alaska alder, brush, and devils clubs and everytime its the pants that get tore up not the rain jacket.

Just my experience.

 

[luke moffat]

My favorite is the KIFARU!!

I am torn between the Kifaru and the Kuiu Kenai for my favorite two puffy jackets.

Love the Kifaru cause its warm. But dang it can be a PITA to get on compared to the Kuiu or any other full zip jacket and the sleeves pull through the inner liner and you slide your hands through especially when wet. That and the Kifaru with its no pocket I feel Kifaru missed the mark there. That said it is a dang warm puffy jacket albeit heavy, but dang warm.

 

[Nuke Man]

Just ordered the kenai. Thanks for the help gents!

 

[sneaky]

sneaky,
The hood on the Kifaru is removable if you're thinking about going that route. So far, I'm really impressed with the warmth of the Kifaru. It packs down pretty small too if I stick it in a compression bag (Not close to a Superdown, but pretty small and a ton warmer).

When they make one in a full zip I'll consider it. I have no desire to own a pullover puffy jacket with no real pockets. Kifaru might have nailed the insulation on that jacket, but they screwed the pooch on the design elements.

 

[dotman]

When they make one in a full zip I'll consider it. I have no desire to own a pullover puffy jacket with no real pockets. Kifaru might have nailed the insulation on that jacket, but they screwed the pooch on the design elements.

Neither the pullover or pocket features seem lacking to me, easy to pull it on and the kangaroo pocket is perfect for hands. I could see if you used zippered pockets wanting them but I can't think of anytime I have ever used a zippered pocket for anything other then my hands in all my puffy's and the kangaroo is a better position for hands plus you can run you belt through it and still use it for your hands.

I'm a big hoody fan so maybe that is why I don't mind it at all as it really is an insulated hoodie in function. The zip is more of a 1/2 zip and is easy to put on. I wish my first lite had a good zipper that didn't snag, that jacket is a pia to zip and the pockets depth is fine but they could be a tad wider.

 

[Nuke Man]

The 1/2 zip was a deal breaker for me too. I have a heavy fleece outer coat that's 1/2 zip and it plain sucks putting it on and taking it off.

 

[Jeff Martin]

Luke,
I have the KUIU down (with out hood) and the original KUIU synthetic (discontinued). How does the Kanai compare to these 2 in warmth? Any thoughts?