Western mountain v kuiu bag

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I don't think anyone implied their bag was junk, its just not worth the premium price they charge (esp. since the middle man is supposed to be removed). Its on par with the other imported down bags from the reputable manufacturers (marmot, mountain hardwear, etc) and isn't supposed to have the middle man cost yet its price doesn't reflect the claimed savings. They charge $25 more for their 0deg bag (with less fill) than WM does for their microfiber Kodiak bag. Again not crap and a free bag is great. Its just other than when heavily on sale I can't see why anyone other than ones that want that logo would choose a kuiu bag against other things in the market place.

 

[1signguy]

Bought a Kuiu zero degree bag on a flash sale or something they offered a few months ago- it’s tight in the shoulders for sure. Performance wise- it’s great. Used it on a recent elk hunt where we had snow, rain, wind and temps down into the 12-15 degree range. It was right at home... IMO, on sale they are worth the cost. I do wish the cut was bigger in the shoulders.
At full pop I would get a WM bag over the KUIU.

 

[Kevin Dill]

Based on KUIU's objectives (mountain gear, light weight, etc) one would reasonably expect to see bags cut/sewn a little slimmer... smaller... snugger. Less internal space means less air volume to heat, and that means increased efficiency along with a better temp rating for a given size/weight/fill. Bigger bags are more comfortable but come at additional weight and reduced efficiency. I knew that when I bought my Sequoia which is more than enough space for my 6-0 / 200 lb body. I also knew I wouldn't be backpacking it for sheep or goats. I also own a WM TerraLite which is a far lighter (weight) bag and rated 15-20 degrees warmer than my Sequoia. Both bags hit their temp rating squarely on the head for me. The TerraLite is a great bag for (example) caribou or spring bear hunts where temps will seldom drop below 25F.

I have owned a good many down garments from Feathered Friends and they are 100% excellent in design and quality. I would absolutely recommend their sleeping bags based on reputation. Maybe I'll buy one some day. If their bags are as good as their garments then I'd rate them just as good as Western Mountaineering.

Count me as one of those NOT down on KUIU bags. For almost equal money I will spend mine on a sleeping bag made by an acknowledged top-end company specializing in their manufacture and having multiple decades of experience to draw on. For reference: I was around back when Jan Sport, Marmot Mountain and North Face were high-end boutique builders of backpacking and mountaineering gear. My first good bag was an original NF Ibex built in California and I had it 35 years before selling it (and another) for more than I paid new. Those companies (and KUIU) make good stuff today but they're definitely at least a notch or 2 down from premier companies like WM, FF and very few others.

 

[Skeeter]

I think the Kuiu sleeping bags are a good bag at 30% off flash sale prices. Just used their 15 degree bag on a South Dakota trip with temps down to 19 and was pretty comfortable. Their shoulder circumference is reported as 64” which is still bigger than many, but tight on my shoulders. I would like to try a WM Badger and see how the extra shoulder space feels.

 

[jm1607]

Top bags IMO; Vallandre, WM and Feathered Friends

Marmot and Montbell are right behind.

It seems I see these bags on sale in that Jan-Feb time frame...

X2

Stay away from Kuiu with a 20' pole

 

[Skeeter]

Is this Kuiu products in general, or just your experience with their sleeping bags?

 

[Shrek]

You will never regret a Western Mountaineering bag ! I sleep somewhat cold and my WM Kodiak will take me down to zero in comfort. A quality pad goes hand n’ hand with a great bag. They don’t work without each other. You can have the best Western Mountaineering bag but it will do no good if you throw it down on cold hard ground. Get a well insulated pad to go with your bag. Kuiu is cheesy Chinese with a ton of hype !

 

[AXEL]

Based on KUIU's objectives (mountain gear, light weight, etc) one would reasonably expect to see bags cut/sewn a little slimmer... smaller... snugger. Less internal space means less air volume to heat, and that means increased efficiency along with a better temp rating for a given size/weight/fill. Bigger bags are more comfortable but come at additional weight and reduced efficiency. I knew that when I bought my Sequoia which is more than enough space for my 6-0 / 200 lb body. I also knew I wouldn't be backpacking it for sheep or goats. I also own a WM TerraLite which is a far lighter (weight) bag and rated 15-20 degrees warmer than my Sequoia. Both bags hit their temp rating squarely on the head for me. The TerraLite is a great bag for (example) caribou or spring bear hunts where temps will seldom drop below 25F.

I have owned a good many down garments from Feathered Friends and they are 100% excellent in design and quality. I would absolutely recommend their sleeping bags based on reputation. Maybe I'll buy one some day. If their bags are as good as their garments then I'd rate them just as good as Western Mountaineering.

Count me as one of those NOT down on KUIU bags. For almost equal money I will spend mine on a sleeping bag made by an acknowledged top-end company specializing in their manufacture and having multiple decades of experience to draw on. For reference: I was around back when Jan Sport, Marmot Mountain and North Face were high-end boutique builders of backpacking and mountaineering gear. My first good bag was an original NF Ibex built in California and I had it 35 years before selling it (and another) for more than I paid new. Those companies (and KUIU) make good stuff today but they're definitely at least a notch or 2 down from premier companies like WM, FF and very few others.

Excellent commentary, as usual, and I would only add that the current "top" bags, IMO, are mostly differentiated by certain minor features of design. I have found some details I prefer on each of WM, FF, Valandre and the orginal Integral Designs bags made in Calgary, Canada as well as my old, original Marmot Mtn. Works bag made in Grand Junction, CO, one of the earlier, hot cut ones.

Right NOW, I tend to prefer the WM bags due to that superb stiffener behind the zipper, a brilliant feature, IMO and the wider models offered as standard, more so than FF or especially Valandre. I asked Niels of V. for a "wide" model, std length "Bloody Mary" as I had suggested a bag of this level of "warmth" and called it the "Riotous Red", but, no luck......

Sooo, for now, WM is top of my list, all issues considered. That said, go on PHD's site as they offer some interesting models and will build as you choose. They have the "rep" and some of their stuff is VERY attractive.

 

[tracker12]

I bought a WM bag almost 20 years ago on a recommendation from a mountaineering friend. Best advice I ever took. I would buy a WM and never look back.

 

[C Bow]

If you buy a WM Badger You will NOT BE SORRY It is AWESOME and the shoulder room is GREAT