Puffy Pants: Sitka vs Kuiu vs Stone Glacier

[thegoosano]

I like down because it's warmer for the weight and more packable. I also always have rain gear along so they won't get wet. I was on a moose hunt in Alaska last fall where it rained nine of the eleven days we were out and I was able to keep them dry. Of the hunting brands (not as familiar with the hiking side), I think the KUIU Pros are the best down pants.

That’s also saying something for your cloudburst pants…pretty impressive


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[thegoosano]

I have the Super Down Pro and have looked extensively at the SG Grumman, and felt like there wasn't much of an upgrade.

I've had an eye on the Kenai pants but only for treestand bowhunting, but don't know that they'd be a huge upgrade on the Super Down from a quietness vs warmth standpoint.

If you end up trying the kenai or Grumman let me know!


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[Kevin Dill]

I just came off a 12 day moose hunt in Alaska, and it was one of the colder hunts I've been on. My buddy actually suffered 2nd degree frostbite on his feet. I brought First Lite Uncompahgre Puffy Pants and used them every cold morning. I personally loved them. Zip-to-hip = easy on/off. Full length = max warmth. Zero bells and whistles so nothing to go wrong. I kept them in a Kifaru 3-string small compression bag in my pack. I consider them essential for extended glassing in cold and windy settings. One of the nicer things is they aren't huge and over-stuffed, which means you can move in them and not feel like some type of clown.

 

[S.Clancy]

I have the OR Refuge pant because I wanted synthetic. They are good and warm, no complaints. I'm not gonna be archery stalking in puffy pants, do if they are a little loud, who cares?

 

[stdeb11]

Started looking at puffy pants as well, anyone have experience with the kifaru puffy pants?

 

[thegoosano]

Checked in with stone glacier on the out of stock Grumman’s. Won’t be back in stock until January 2022!!


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[AKDoc]

You're getting some great sharing of experiences from others thus far, and it's obvious that you are doing some thorough checking of your own...so many options, down vs synthetic, full length vs three-quarter, compression/bulk/weight factors, quietness, etc., etc.

I'll simply add that I think it kind of comes down to when you might need your puffy pants most often in your chosen adventures, i.e., under what conditions. For me as an active Alaskan it's two conditions: (1) primarily under my waders in colder conditions or under my rain gear if I'm going to be in the cold rain all day, and (2) if I need an additional and quick on/off layer when glassing or sitting outside when it's cold without rain.

Given the above...for me, I need two...and those two most often used puffy pants every year over the years have been my original KUIU Kenai pants and my KUIU Ultra-down pants. I've also have Sitka puffy pants as well as the KUIU Pro-down pants, but the two that I mentioned previously have the most miles on them and are still always with me every year...because of the conditions under which I typically need those layers.

 

[mcseal2]

I have the original kenai pants, and both versions of the superdown pants. I tried and sold the Kifaru LPP pants and the FL Uncompaghre pants.

The kenai are quiet but not wind resistant and the least warm. They are nice to move in due to breathability. Also the most comfortable next to skin if you use them in place of a base layer

The superdown ultra I have the least time with. They seem like they will be a great layer for sitting in wet environments under a pant or rain gear. They have a harder slicker shell, less comfortable than the kenai next to skin. Significantly warmer than the kenai and more wind proof but less breathable. I would not hike far in these.

The superdown pro I have used most. They are warm and have been durable enough. I have the matching jacket and they work for my late season rifle hunts for whitetail plus western hunts. The set I’d have if I was to only have one. I have oversize Chugach rain pants that have enough stretch to be comfortable hiking in despite being a bit baggy, but plenty of room to fit over the superdown pro pants. In some conditions this is perfect. I use the pro pants like many would use the ultra.

The kifaru are great, just not a great fit for me. They fit more like a regular pant for me and I’d prefer a bit baggier fit to go over other layers. Very durable seeming and well made. I have the LPP jacket and it’s been great. Used in AK twice and several other states. I also use a Kifaru Slickbag. The best synthetic in my opinion.

The First Lite just did not seem warm enough to me to beat out the others. I rated it as only slightly better than my original Kenai pants, not as warm as the superdown ultra. Not close to as warm as the LPP or superdown pro. Less wind resistant than any but the kenai also. Well made, light, great fit, but just not for me due to warmth.

Hope this helps. That’s the one’s I’ve used and my thoughts.


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[j33]

Spent a few days sheep hunting with my Black Ovis puffy pants. These are my first and only ones so can’t compare to other brands. For the money they are great, more durable than I thought after hours of glassing on some pretty damn sharper rocks (with 1/8” Eva foam) and no rips. There are some feathers that have worked their way through though and I don’t think they are as warm as others, you can see the large gaps of down with their baffle design. After buying these I sure won’t be spending on more expensive brands that will get trashed as bad.

 

[thegoosano]

Man great feedback thank you all. I’ve done quite a bit of high country hunting the past several years and I think having some puffy pants to make the cold mornings and early glassing sessions more tolerable will be awesome. Plus with a few buddies having late season deer hunts this year I think they’ll definitely get out to use. Just need to sift through the info now and pull the trigger…


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[Blockcaver]

I have the original KUIU Super Down pants which are similar to the Ultra version of today. They have held up well for glassing, camp wear and augmenting warmth in the sleeping bag on cold nights. Even wore them 11 straight days without taking them off on a polar bear hunt in Feb 2018.

They got used everyday on a recent NWT Mt Caribou hunt….wouldn’t be without them. No issues sleeping in them either…day napping or nighttime in the bag. Haven’t used any of the others but sure endorse the KUIU Ultra. And they pack down tiny for what they offer.

 

[Montana Craig]

I have the original kenai pants, and both versions of the superdown pants. I tried and sold the Kifaru LPP pants and the FL Uncompaghre pants.

The kenai are quiet but not wind resistant and the least warm. They are nice to move in due to breathability. Also the most comfortable next to skin if you use them in place of a base layer

The superdown ultra I have the least time with. They seem like they will be a great layer for sitting in wet environments under a pant or rain gear. They have a harder slicker shell, less comfortable than the kenai next to skin. Significantly warmer than the kenai and more wind proof but less breathable. I would not hike far in these.

The superdown pro I have used most. They are warm and have been durable enough. I have the matching jacket and they work for my late season rifle hunts for whitetail plus western hunts. The set I’d have if I was to only have one. I have oversize Chugach rain pants that have enough stretch to be comfortable hiking in despite being a bit baggy, but plenty of room to fit over the superdown pro pants. In some conditions this is perfect. I use the pro pants like many would use the ultra.

The kifaru are great, just not a great fit for me. They fit more like a regular pant for me and I’d prefer a bit baggier fit to go over other layers. Very durable seeming and well made. I have the LPP jacket and it’s been great. Used in AK twice and several other states. I also use a Kifaru Slickbag. The best synthetic in my opinion.

The First Lite just did not seem warm enough to me to beat out the others. I rated it as only slightly better than my original Kenai pants, not as warm as the superdown ultra. Not close to as warm as the LPP or superdown pro. Less wind resistant than any but the kenai also. Well made, light, great fit, but just not for me due to warmth.

Hope this helps. That’s the one’s I’ve used and my thoughts.


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Will the Kuiu super down pants rip if I'm sitting on rocks or on a downed tree or do I need to always sit on a pad or stool? What if I need to walk a 100 yds, do I need to worry about what I'm walking through?

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[Poser]

Will the Kuiu super down pants rip if I'm sitting on rocks or on a downed tree or do I need to always sit on a pad or stool? What if I need to walk a 100 yds, do I need to worry about what I'm walking through?

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I’d treat them the same was you would treat your puffy jacket.

 

[Blockcaver]

The super down Ultra pants won’t rip easily. But barbwire, catclaw, black berries etc would likely tear them. As mentioned previously, they have the same outer layer fabric as the super down Ultra puffy jacket. I’ve had my pants since they came out….6 years ago, can’t remember for sure and they are holding up fine. I do a lot of mountain hunting each year where they are along in the pack and get used as needed. My SD puffy jacket is even older and no tears or issues with it either.

 

[mcseal2]

I agree with the other answers. The Pro pants are tougher than the ultra I’d say by feel. The ultra is meant to go under a pant, the Pro over.

From having both the outer material of the Pro feels tougher than the FL pufffy oants, but not near as tough as the Kifaru. I think those are durable enough I’d not be scared of much in them.

 

[Montana Craig]

Thanks guys I had the Kifaru Lost Park Pants ordered but got an email yesterday saying they were over sold and won't be available until end of November which is too late. Just trying to figure out the next best option for durability.

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[mcseal2]

Superdown pro would be second for durability on my list, at least from the ones I tried.

 

[thegoosano]

Seems like a lot of guys really like the kuiu. To be honest I’ve had hit or miss experiences with kuiu over the years which always makes me hesitant to buy from them. However it does seem like their newer stuff has been getting great reviews and feedback.

The kenai and superdown ultra pants have my attention right now mostly for their weight. I live in NM and really don’t need some super warm down pant, just something to take the edge off when temps drop below freezing.

Really appreciate all the shared experiences everyone.


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[fngTony]

Looks like Skre just came out with some https://skregear.com/product/ptarmigan-down-pants/

 

[thegoosano]

Looks like Skre just came out with some https://skregear.com/product/ptarmigan-down-pants/

Dang those don’t look too bad. 17.4oz with what look to be heavily reinforced knees and seat and 5.2oz of down. That’s more than the kuiu superdown pro, Sitka, or SG Grumman pant. Weight is about on par with the Kuiu Pro/first lite/SG too. I’m impressed


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