Who makes the best clothing?

[DenRuyter]

So, if everything were to cost the same, which company makes the best outer gear-pants, jackets, puffy? I've got some Kuiu, FirstLite, Sitka, etc gear and I'm a fan of all. My FL is all next-to-skin and a set of Kabobs I haven't even tried yet, but it sure is some great stuff for a smelly beast like me I'm looking at dropping some major coin on possibly the Sitka outer gear though, so is it the toughest for a cro-magnon knuckle dragging monkey like me and worth it, or does someone else make better or have better experience with another? I'm really looking mostly for durability over weight reduction or features.

Also comparing the Sitka Stormfront, FL Boundary Stormtight, and Kuiu Yukon raingear. Leaning towards the FL right now, so whats the popular opinion on those? Can I really go wrong with any of them?

I just want some personal experience and opinions before I drop this kind of money. It's getting hard to hide money away from the wife with all the stuff I've bought the last 2 years-WAY too hard.

 

[michaelc10]

I own most of the sitka gear , I dont neccesarily think its the toughest , but it is very high permormance gear , I like the whole layering sytem as hunting in the rockies the temperature fluctuates so much . I wouldnt hesitate to buy it again.

 

[chenger]

Here's a comparison of some of the choices from a few years back:

http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-...let-it-rain-light-weight-rain-jacket-shootout

 

[doverpack12]

I don't think you can go wrong with the 3 you listed. In my opinion there are several other companies out there with good stuff but it's a notch below the 3 listed and those are the 3 I prefer

 

[Hungarydog]

Wow,that's like asking who has the best mother . There's guys on here that would fight to the death for all 3. Personally I was a sitka guy and still will not give up my 90% jacket but when kuiu came out I decided to support my local company because I live down the road. A decision I do not regret. By the way nothing goes on my ass but fl red desert boxers. I guess what I'm saying is they all make great clothing and you really can't make a wrong choice between those 3.

 

[jmez]

I have some Kuiu, Sitka, and Kryptek. I don't think there is a measurable difference between any of those three.

 

[Zackmioli]

I love my Sitka mountain pants, traverse jacket, merino 1/4 zip and cloudburst jacket/pants system. The best clothing I've owned. I do want to check out the kuiu tiburon system for those hot summer days.

 

[md126]

All quality clothing. You can also find some great quality in other "non hunting" mountain clothes like Marmot, Prana, North Face, etc..

Personally, I use Sitka almost exclusively. Aside from a great product and selection their customer service is outstanding.

 

[Josh Wright]

Dollar for dollar, I would say KUIU, followed by First Lite, and then Sitka. The Sitka seems made cheap compared to the others.

 

[SHTF]

I have some Kuiu, Sitka, and Kryptek. I don't think there is a measurable difference between any of those three.

I would agree with jmez here although custom service is where some differences are but for quality they are all great and yes I have and wear some of all brands. The cabelas new mountain hunting clothes they launched this year are also impressive.

 

[DenRuyter]

Well, after much deliberation I've decided to give Sitka the nod to start out with. They have given me great customer service when I called up and were really great just to chat with about their preferences of the gear.

Put my order in for a few items including the Kelvin Down Hoody, Kelvin Lite Pants, Timberline Pants, Sitka Beanie, Balaclava, the Stormfront Gaiter, and some Merino Gloves to use as a liner. I guess I'll see when it comes sometime in August and see how I like the gear.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

I don't know what size you are but I have two core crew shirts in medium I'm selling.

 

[DenRuyter]

I appreciate it, but I'd look like Chris Farley putting on the jacket in Tommy Boy with a medium.

 

[Trial153]

I tend to look a things piece by piece ...all three brands make quality clothing.

 

[LBFowler]

I tend to look a things piece by piece ...all three brands make quality clothing.

quite right. While you can make sweeping generalizations about quality, design is quite another. I tend to find all companies have a core competency and it is best to mix and match. My base-layer brand of choice totally craps the bed on outerwear, my sock brand of choice doesn't make as good of a baselayer, and I wasn't overly impressed with the midlayers from my shell brand(s) of choice.

 

[MattB]

I personally like Kuiu. But the guides I have talked with tend to prefer Sitka for durability. Kuiu is lighter as a system, but IMO not as durable. As a weekend warrior, I chose Kuiu but if I had to wear it for weeks each season my choice might be different.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I own most of the sitka gear , I dont neccesarily think its the toughest , but it is very high permormance gear , I like the whole layering sytem as hunting in the rockies the temperature fluctuates so much . I wouldnt hesitate to buy it again.

Sums up my opinion too. Unbeatable customer service as well, never a problem.

 

[Kevin Dill]

I like them all. I don't think one brand is clearly and convincingly better than all the others, but there are enough differences in the garments to warrant a closer look. I've had many successes and very few failures with Sitka clothing. I haven't had any failures with the KUIU clothing I own. I tend toward KUIU because I prefer their camo patterns over Sitka which is of course a personal thing. I also can't ignore the price difference, all other things being equal...and Sitka is very high on the retail end unless you catch a close-out sale.

 

[rodney482]

I own quite a bit of Sitka, Kuiu and FL.

85% of the time I use my FL as base layers and the Kuiu for outer garments.

The Sitka gear does get used but its mostly for really warm weather hunting.

I really want to add some FL outer garments (puffy for sure)

You really cant go wrong with any of the 3 brands.

 

[DenRuyter]

Alright guys, great info. I'm completely redoing all my gear so I've got a pretty big list of stuff I'm getting/just ordered.

I'm rocking a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Guide 400's and Darn Tough socks- so far i love my socks, but the boots just aren't broken in yet.

So, I've already received the First Lite base layers-red desert boxers, llanno SS, llano, crew, Springer vest, uncompahgre for a synthetic puffy jacket, and the Stormtight top and bottoms. Tried the original Kababs, but couldn't get them to fit right for some reason. One size was too small and the next up too large so they were sold.

After everything, I have a bunch of Sitka on preorder too. I put the Kelvin down jacket, Kelvin lite pants, and Timberline pants on order. I've seen the 2013/2014 stuff, so I'm excited to try this stuff out.

I really wanted to order Kuiu, but every time I've ordered something its been put on back order for months. The last item from them I ordered was on back order for 2 1/2 months and I just canceled it because the customer service said it was looking like another 2 months before it came in. I didn't want to wait anymore for it. If I find the guide pants or jacket in stock, I'll probably get it ordered up, but I'm going to try this stuff for the season and see how I like it.

I do see the Kifaru Lost Parka in my future, but probably not this year with all the money I've spent already. I think I'm going to throw in some Kryptek and try some pieces as I find different stuff on sale, but I think I've got a good start for this fall already. Now I just have to wait for the rest of it to come in....