Bluto
WKR
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2014
- Messages
- 533
Haven't seen much on here, so I thought I'd say what I think to share what I've learned. Obviously they're recent to the game, and a bowhunting shop I stopped off at in Flagstaff, AZ in my cross country military move pointed them out.
-Idea
Give western hunters a bit more affordable option using manufacturing sources that are exactly the same or equal to the well known brands. Take a camo idea and apply some actual concealment science to produce a durable, effective camo for nearly all varieties of terrain we find muleys and elk out west. And, frankly, take on Kuiu/First Lite/Kryptek.
-Camo
Fracture....Cracklature.....words words words - they put some science into naturally occurring themes and made a camo out of it. Marketing or effectiveness is up to the user, more on this later.
-Fit
True to size. They offer two pants, for example (and my only personal experience) and both fit exactly the same with different weights.
-Features
Details to follow, but the most impressive thing was cargo pocket placement. Genius and comfy.
-Customer service
Legendary. Seriously. I talked back and forth with Mike Ward for well over a week and couldn't be more impressed. These guys are Utah based, love the life and are as dedicated to the craft as anyone in the industry. Not to mention, as personable as it can get - especially if you consider the industry and competition they're in to. It's impressive - I cannot overstate that.
-My experience
I'm a Kryotek guy, at least what I'm outfitted with. I'd had some recent issues with their customer service and regardless of my thoughts, I was ready to pull the trigger on new camo. I was leaning hard towards Kuiu, but was thinking more open minded since First Lite dropped the Corrugated Guide pants to jump into the tech pant game. I had stopped on a cross country military move in Arizona at a local bow shop since they were listed as a FL dealer. (Sidebar: the corrugated guide pants are the real deal - very impressed with fit an finish. Anywho, he mentioned Skre, so I followed up.
Mike answered emails, questions, prodding and general annoyance with grace and excitement. I've been increasingly excited abut their gear for a bit, and decide to order. I go with Kryptek Alaios pants, so I couldn't decide which of their pants to get: the Hardscrabble (think softshell Kuiu Attack or a lighter Kryptek Dalibor) or the Uinta Early Season (think heavy Kryptek Valhalla-ish.) So, I ordered both. Today, they showed up...
On that aforementioned cross country trip, I stopped in Dixon, CA to the Kuiu showroom. I tried on everything they make. I own Kryptek. (Just for background.) Fellas....I'm impressed. The Hardscrabble is much like the Kuiu Attack, but slightly lighter. Multi-stretch, hip vents, VERY well designed and placed cargo pockets. This pant is awesome, not gonna lie. Fit? Well, it's fit - as individual as anything gets. I cants wear Attack pants as they come, but the Alpine fit like a dream. Can't tell you why. Just that it's true. The Skre? They're kind of in the middle - which to me honestly means a really good fit. When I opened both packages I thought the Uinta early seasons would be my choice, but damn - unless you're hunting some warm weather, I think the Hardscrabble is as good, and as versatile, a pant as you can get. The stretch is perfect with still feeling durable, pocket placement is perfect, and the weight is awesome combined with the hip vents. The Uintas, however - great pant. Super lightweight with a rip stop design, stretch, and same pocket placement. Both pants also have a nice feature of a rubber-like grip strip in the waistband that is super effective but non-intrusive. Haven't seen it in a pant before but well thought out and executed. Just sticky enough to hold a shirt in but not to be annoying. The pants are light, seem super durable (at a minimum up to industry standard), well designed pockets, great camo pattern, and as good as customer service that exists.
In the end, I can't rave about em enough. Which is weird, because I'm sending them back. I'm the weird dude - I like the Alaios pants and specifically e parts that others complain about. I like the top and side zip 3D cargo pockets; I love the "annoying" lower calf pockets; and since I'm already outfitted and don't actually have to deal with Kryptek customer service I can deal with getting the gear I need. (I already have it.)
Of note - it's a newer company so they're developing merino base layers, and who knows what else. They're also developing even more camo patterns with the same scientific background to serve everywhere on the planet. So if it doesn't float your boat now, it probably will.
Oh by the way? Brand new, no discount price on their gear is WAY lower than the industry leaders - and they will happily tell you that Kuiu and Kryptek are their direct competitors. I'd take that seriously - these guys are all in and making fantastic gear. (Either pant weight, $109. Vest $99. Softshell jacket with hood $169. Standby merino everything....)
Did I mention the camo is awesome?
Http://www.skregear.com
PM me and I'll text you what else I know and pics of the pants/camo if need be while I have them.
In the end, for this season, I'll probably keep my Alaios pants. I'm the weirdo (remember?) that likes the lower calf pockets that everyone else hated; and the 3D cargo top and side zips, and the coated knees. I don't think the Skre pants are a bit lower level product that anything out there - I've just already got these, they work, and mostly I'm curious for what's to come from the guys at Skre. Honestly - if I hadn't just dropped large coin for Kifaru gear (for the first time) I'd probably be switching. It's definitely worth a look for top tier gear with a great camo and Kuiu/FL/Kryptek level performance.
-Idea
Give western hunters a bit more affordable option using manufacturing sources that are exactly the same or equal to the well known brands. Take a camo idea and apply some actual concealment science to produce a durable, effective camo for nearly all varieties of terrain we find muleys and elk out west. And, frankly, take on Kuiu/First Lite/Kryptek.
-Camo
Fracture....Cracklature.....words words words - they put some science into naturally occurring themes and made a camo out of it. Marketing or effectiveness is up to the user, more on this later.
-Fit
True to size. They offer two pants, for example (and my only personal experience) and both fit exactly the same with different weights.
-Features
Details to follow, but the most impressive thing was cargo pocket placement. Genius and comfy.
-Customer service
Legendary. Seriously. I talked back and forth with Mike Ward for well over a week and couldn't be more impressed. These guys are Utah based, love the life and are as dedicated to the craft as anyone in the industry. Not to mention, as personable as it can get - especially if you consider the industry and competition they're in to. It's impressive - I cannot overstate that.
-My experience
I'm a Kryotek guy, at least what I'm outfitted with. I'd had some recent issues with their customer service and regardless of my thoughts, I was ready to pull the trigger on new camo. I was leaning hard towards Kuiu, but was thinking more open minded since First Lite dropped the Corrugated Guide pants to jump into the tech pant game. I had stopped on a cross country military move in Arizona at a local bow shop since they were listed as a FL dealer. (Sidebar: the corrugated guide pants are the real deal - very impressed with fit an finish. Anywho, he mentioned Skre, so I followed up.
Mike answered emails, questions, prodding and general annoyance with grace and excitement. I've been increasingly excited abut their gear for a bit, and decide to order. I go with Kryptek Alaios pants, so I couldn't decide which of their pants to get: the Hardscrabble (think softshell Kuiu Attack or a lighter Kryptek Dalibor) or the Uinta Early Season (think heavy Kryptek Valhalla-ish.) So, I ordered both. Today, they showed up...
On that aforementioned cross country trip, I stopped in Dixon, CA to the Kuiu showroom. I tried on everything they make. I own Kryptek. (Just for background.) Fellas....I'm impressed. The Hardscrabble is much like the Kuiu Attack, but slightly lighter. Multi-stretch, hip vents, VERY well designed and placed cargo pockets. This pant is awesome, not gonna lie. Fit? Well, it's fit - as individual as anything gets. I cants wear Attack pants as they come, but the Alpine fit like a dream. Can't tell you why. Just that it's true. The Skre? They're kind of in the middle - which to me honestly means a really good fit. When I opened both packages I thought the Uinta early seasons would be my choice, but damn - unless you're hunting some warm weather, I think the Hardscrabble is as good, and as versatile, a pant as you can get. The stretch is perfect with still feeling durable, pocket placement is perfect, and the weight is awesome combined with the hip vents. The Uintas, however - great pant. Super lightweight with a rip stop design, stretch, and same pocket placement. Both pants also have a nice feature of a rubber-like grip strip in the waistband that is super effective but non-intrusive. Haven't seen it in a pant before but well thought out and executed. Just sticky enough to hold a shirt in but not to be annoying. The pants are light, seem super durable (at a minimum up to industry standard), well designed pockets, great camo pattern, and as good as customer service that exists.
In the end, I can't rave about em enough. Which is weird, because I'm sending them back. I'm the weird dude - I like the Alaios pants and specifically e parts that others complain about. I like the top and side zip 3D cargo pockets; I love the "annoying" lower calf pockets; and since I'm already outfitted and don't actually have to deal with Kryptek customer service I can deal with getting the gear I need. (I already have it.)
Of note - it's a newer company so they're developing merino base layers, and who knows what else. They're also developing even more camo patterns with the same scientific background to serve everywhere on the planet. So if it doesn't float your boat now, it probably will.
Oh by the way? Brand new, no discount price on their gear is WAY lower than the industry leaders - and they will happily tell you that Kuiu and Kryptek are their direct competitors. I'd take that seriously - these guys are all in and making fantastic gear. (Either pant weight, $109. Vest $99. Softshell jacket with hood $169. Standby merino everything....)
Did I mention the camo is awesome?
Http://www.skregear.com
PM me and I'll text you what else I know and pics of the pants/camo if need be while I have them.
In the end, for this season, I'll probably keep my Alaios pants. I'm the weirdo (remember?) that likes the lower calf pockets that everyone else hated; and the 3D cargo top and side zips, and the coated knees. I don't think the Skre pants are a bit lower level product that anything out there - I've just already got these, they work, and mostly I'm curious for what's to come from the guys at Skre. Honestly - if I hadn't just dropped large coin for Kifaru gear (for the first time) I'd probably be switching. It's definitely worth a look for top tier gear with a great camo and Kuiu/FL/Kryptek level performance.
Last edited:
