Last fall, I was the lucky owner of two very fine soft-shell jackets, the Kuiu Guide Jacket and Sitka Jetstream Jacket. These seem to be discussed often, so I thought my observations on the two may be of some benefit to others.
Disclaimer: I'm on nobodies' pro-staff and both jackets were bought with my own hard earned money. The observations below are my own and I've been known to be wrong from time-to-time.
Insulation: As typical of most soft-shell jackets, neither has significant insulation. However, the fleece lining on the Jetstream is a bit thicker and it felt warmer overall.
Pockets: The Guide has (2) hand and (1) interior chest. The Jetstream has (2) hand, (1) small left sleeve, (2) large and (1) small chest, and (1) interior chest. I REALLY REALLY wish the Guide jacket had a chest pocket. Personally, I would rather have chest than hand pockets. Half of the pockets on the Jetstream I never used.
Wind: The Jetstream uses a laminate (aka Windstopper) to provide the wind resistance. The Guide relies on the fabric. On paper the Jetstream would seem to be more wind resistant due to the laminate, and it probably is, but I never really noticed any significant difference in the field between the two.
Breathability: With everything closed up (front and pit zips) the Guide breathed better. This is likely due to the Jetstream's use of a laminate. With everything opened up, the difference was more subtle.
DWR: Kuiu has killer DWR.
Sizing: The sleeves and body of the Guide were approximately 1-1/2" longer than the Jetstream. I like the longer body length, especially with wearing a pack or sitting down. I'm still not sure about the sleeves. At times I find myself rolling the Guide's sleeves up and have thought about having them altered.
Weight: Both jackets were XL with the Jetstream about 4 oz heavier than the Guide.
Fabric: The Guide exterior fabric feels softer and quieter to the touch. Both are lined with micro fleece. If I had to choose one to do a stalk in it would be the Guide. Both stretch well.
Hoods: Both have very good hoods and collars, but the Guide fits my particular head better. YMMV.
Price: MSRP Jetstream $329, Guide $199.
Overall: Both are great jackets. In the end I ended up selling the Jetstream and keeping the Guide.
One final observation, during a fall hunt I wore the Jetstream during a rain storm for a couple of hours just to see what it would do. The DWR didn't last long as I was wearing a pack and pushing thru some dense foliage. But what surprised me was how well the laminate kept out the water. I know it's mainly intended for wind, but it did well at keeping water out as well. In fact, when I got back to camp and took it off the only areas that were wetted out inside were the seams (which BTW, there are a lot of on the Jetstream). Also, it seemed to take forever to dry out. Never did get it dry again in camp and took a solid day at home airing out to get completely dry.
Disclaimer: I'm on nobodies' pro-staff and both jackets were bought with my own hard earned money. The observations below are my own and I've been known to be wrong from time-to-time.
Insulation: As typical of most soft-shell jackets, neither has significant insulation. However, the fleece lining on the Jetstream is a bit thicker and it felt warmer overall.
Pockets: The Guide has (2) hand and (1) interior chest. The Jetstream has (2) hand, (1) small left sleeve, (2) large and (1) small chest, and (1) interior chest. I REALLY REALLY wish the Guide jacket had a chest pocket. Personally, I would rather have chest than hand pockets. Half of the pockets on the Jetstream I never used.
Wind: The Jetstream uses a laminate (aka Windstopper) to provide the wind resistance. The Guide relies on the fabric. On paper the Jetstream would seem to be more wind resistant due to the laminate, and it probably is, but I never really noticed any significant difference in the field between the two.
Breathability: With everything closed up (front and pit zips) the Guide breathed better. This is likely due to the Jetstream's use of a laminate. With everything opened up, the difference was more subtle.
DWR: Kuiu has killer DWR.
Sizing: The sleeves and body of the Guide were approximately 1-1/2" longer than the Jetstream. I like the longer body length, especially with wearing a pack or sitting down. I'm still not sure about the sleeves. At times I find myself rolling the Guide's sleeves up and have thought about having them altered.
Weight: Both jackets were XL with the Jetstream about 4 oz heavier than the Guide.
Fabric: The Guide exterior fabric feels softer and quieter to the touch. Both are lined with micro fleece. If I had to choose one to do a stalk in it would be the Guide. Both stretch well.
Hoods: Both have very good hoods and collars, but the Guide fits my particular head better. YMMV.
Price: MSRP Jetstream $329, Guide $199.
Overall: Both are great jackets. In the end I ended up selling the Jetstream and keeping the Guide.
One final observation, during a fall hunt I wore the Jetstream during a rain storm for a couple of hours just to see what it would do. The DWR didn't last long as I was wearing a pack and pushing thru some dense foliage. But what surprised me was how well the laminate kept out the water. I know it's mainly intended for wind, but it did well at keeping water out as well. In fact, when I got back to camp and took it off the only areas that were wetted out inside were the seams (which BTW, there are a lot of on the Jetstream). Also, it seemed to take forever to dry out. Never did get it dry again in camp and took a solid day at home airing out to get completely dry.