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bwinters, maybe you mentioned it but I missed it. What do you think of the Kuiu 130 vs the Capeline and the aerowool?

It wasn't insulated at all. It seemed like a lightweight soft shell without a hood. A jacket w/o a hood isn't much good to me..................

Spot on with the 240 and snags. I snagged mine within the first 10 minutes of wearing it. Nothing major but a snag nonetheless. I'm looking into the Kuiu Peleton 200 hoody.

I haven't bought the 130 yet. To be honest, I really, really like the Aerowool - all the comfort of merino, very close to the drying capability of pure synthetic. I'd like to buy a 130 and try it. Its on my to-do list this winter.

Interesting. So, the 240 snags and has no DWR. That may not be right for me. Although it sounds like a nice piece for hiking when I'm not going through brush or out in the rain. The Chinook, if no real insulation doesn't seem to fit in either. Back to eyeing a Kelvin Active.

Edit:
Used as a layer over base when hiking and doing some slow hunting in thick timber. Temps could be 15-40s. What I think I want is:
1) Moisture management
2) Some insulation
3) Wind resistance
4) Minor water resistance (think snow falling/melting off trees, light snow, very light or quick rain..)
5) Durable for hiking in Rockies (lots of deadfalls, branches, willows)

Need to consider Kenai jacket as well.

I could like the Kelvin Active.

Unlike most here, wool itches the crap out me, and intended to switch back to synthetics before this thread for that reason alone. By the end of the day my skin is crawling in the wool. Think I will play it safe and go pure synthetic. Bases I will try are the Capilene light (2) and Kuiu Peleton 130. Mid layer with be R1 or 200 like you.

Sitka Kelvin Active or similer with Polartec Alpha, and a wind shirt when it's windy.

I own both the Kelvin Active and the KUIU Kenai and they look quite different to me. The Kenai has more loft, and is warmer and stretchier. It has pit-zips and does not pack as small as the Kelvin Active. For me, it is more suitable for colder temperatures, probably too warm while hiking except in the coldest conditions, and more the sort of jacket I use when I stop to glass.

The Kelvin Active feels lighter and not so warm.

Good info. I've never had the Kelvin Active in my hand.

So decided to stop in to REI to check out a Patogonia R1 and see what all the fuss is about. Ten minutes later I walked out with one! What a great piece. First of all, I really appreciate that they make them in grown man sizes. This skinny clothes trend has been driving me nuts. Heavens forbid if a guy is tall and actually works out, pass the 3XL usually. Well a XL fit PERFECTLY. I'm 6'4" 220 lbs and it actually has long enough sleeves, fits great throughout the body, and is long enough on the torso. I can't remember the last time I found something with a great fit. It is very soft and comfortable. Wore it around town today with just a T shirt on. We are experiences a really bad winter cyclone storm here in Vegas and it was a chilly 64 degrees. I was plenty warm, in fact was getting hot quick. Will wear this in AZ next week and alternate it with the Peloton 240. The R1 also looks great, not overly granola and doesn't scream hunting shirt either.

You can hold a Kelvin Active up to a light and see through them pretty easy. Light doesn’t have to be all that bright either.

I picked one up after hunting season, so I haven’t had a chance to try it out. But I’m guessing it won’t much warmer than a mid weight fleece. Certainly doesn’t have the level of insulation that Primaloft or down jacket has.

I’m anxious to see what it will do, but I’m betting I won’t quit carrying a Kenai or down jacket.

Sweet! I think you are going to like it in cooler weather, for sure.

Definetely, the Kelvin Active is a second base layer and not an insulation layer. Nothing to do with KUIU`s Kenai or Super Down Ultra jackets. It cannot even be considered a mid weight fleece. Just my two cents.

I have just bought Sitka's Fanatic Hoody http://www.sitkagear.eu/products/solids/next-to-skin/fanatic-hoody to use as a second base layer over their Core Lightweight Crew and can't wait to use it! I believe this, or their Core Midweght Zip-T and a Peloton 200 or a R1 over it for colder temperatures, may be the optimate first layer system.

Very interesting thread. Thank you to all contributing, specially to bwinters.

Full geekdom on display....................

I added base layers to my puffy information and a couple heavy insulated pieces. I'm re-designing/evaluating all my hunting clothing. I'm mostly just tweaking at this point but have discovered I really like the First Lite products - alot. I also wasn't aware Patagonia made so many good pieces - I'm gonna need to sell my truck and buy a Prius next <G>

I still like Kuiu but I've never cared for the fit of the Guide jkt. I have a large but when I layer under it, it gets tight in the chest and arms in a hurry. I'm certainly not Arnold. I tried an XL and all it did was look like a dress on me. I bought a pair of FL North Branch bibs this fall and really grown to like them. If FL would add a hood to their North Branch jkt, I'd make the switch. Rumor has it, its going to be introduced in the next few days. We'll see.

I have this on a spreadsheet if anyone is interested.


Base Layer - tops Weight (oz) Price Material
Sitka Core Lightweight Crew 5.32 $69.00
Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody 7 $119.00
Sitka Core Midweight Zip T 9.46 $89.00
Sitka Ascent shirt 4.7 $169.00
Kuiu Peleton 97 Zip T $95.00
Kuiu Peleton 97 hoody 5 $100.00
Kuiu Peleton 130 Crew 6.2 $60.00
Patagonia Daily Crew 5.5 $39.00
Patagonia Lightweight Zip 4 $59.00
Patagonia Midweight Zip 7.5 $69.00 4.4 oz Polartec Grid
Patagonia Thermal Zip 6.2 $99.00 3.8 oz Polartec Grid
Patagonia Thermal Zip w/ hood 7.7 $119.00 3.8 oz Polartec Grid
First Lite Minnerett Aerowool 7.2 $80.00
First Lite Wilkin half zip Aerowool $115.00
Outdoor Research Sequence 7.2 $60.00


Base Layer - bottoms Weight (oz) Price
Sitka Core Lightweight bottoms 4.27 $69.00
Sitka Core Midweight bottoms 8.85 $99.00
Kuiu Peleton 130 Zip bottom 5.8 $70.00
Kuiu Peleton 200 Zip bottom 7.5 $80.00
Outdoor Research Sequence bottom 5.9 $60.00
Pataogonia Lightweight bottoms 3.4 $49.00 2.3 oz Polyesther
Patagonia Midweight bottoms 6.8 $59.00 5.2 oz Polartec Grid
Patagonia Thermal weight bottoms 4.7 $89.00 3.8 oz Polartec Grid


Mid Layer - tops Weight (oz) Price
Sitka Core Heavyweight hoody 13.13 $149.00
Sitka Traverse Zip T 14.4 $149.00
Sitka Traverse Cold weather hoody 27.17 $199.00
Sitka Kelvin Lite hoody 16.9 $249.00
Sitka Kelvin Active Jkt 13.7 $289.00
Patagonia R1 11.9 $129.00
Patagonia R1 hoody 12.85 $159.00
Patagonia R2 14.3 $169.00
Patagonia R3 hoody 18 $199.00
Kuiu Peleton 200 Zip T 9.3 $90.00
Kuiu Peleton 200 hoody 11.3 $100.00
Kuiu Peleton 240 full zip 12.4 $140.00
Kuiu Peleton 240 hoody 15 $150.00
First Lite Halstead Fleece 13 $125.00


Mid Layer - bottoms Weight (oz) Price
Patagonia R1 bottom 12 $119.00
Patagonia CrossTrek bottom 9.3 $99.00
Patagonia Thermal weight bottom 4.7 $89.00
Patagonia midweight bottoms 6.8 $59.00
Outdoor Research Radiant bottom 13.3 $80.00


Insulating Layer - tops Weight (oz) Price Insulation (gms/m2)
Kuiu Active Insulated jkt 11.4 $130.00 90
Kuiu Snapo Shirt 8.3 $130.00 40
Kuiu Teton Insulated jkt 11.7 $130.00 90
Kuiu Kenai jkt 13.4 $180.00 90/60
Kuiu Kenai hooded 15.8 $200.00 90/60
Sitka Kelvin Lite hoody 16.9 $249.00 80
Sitka Kelvin Active hoody 13.7 $289.00 80
Sitka Kelvin 24.8 $269.00 170
First Lite Cirrus 13.5 $200.00 60
First Lite Uncompaghre 17 $250.00 100/60


Insulating Layer - bottoms Weight (oz) Price Insulation (gms/m2)
First Lite Uncompaghre pants 18 $225.00 100
Cabela Stand Hunter pants $130.00 100
Patagonia Nano Puff 11.7 $179.00 60
LL Bean Insulated Long Underwear $99.00 60



Outer Layer - top shell Weight (oz) Price
Sitka Flash Pullover 7.8 $229.00
Sitka Mountain Jacket 12.4 $269.00
Sitka Jetstream Jacket 25.43 $329.00
Kuiu Chinook jkt 18.7 $210.00
Kuiu Guide DCS 24 $220.00
First Lite North Branch jkt $275.00



Outer Layer - bottom shell Weight (oz) Price Density (gm/m2)
Sitka Ascent pants 12 $189.00
Sitka Mountain pants 27.5 $199.00
Sitka Timberline pants 35.3 $229.00
Kuiu Guide pant 19.5 $170.00 274
Kuiu Tiburon pant 12.5 $140.00 149
Kuiu Alpine pant 17 $160.00 210
Kuiu Attack [ants 18.5 $140.00 225
Kuiu Chinook pant 17.5 $220.00 215
First Lite Obsidian pant 22 $190.00
First Lite Corrugate pants 17 $170.00
First Lite North Branch bibs 33.5 $325.00


Outer Layer - Top Insulated Weight (oz) Price Density (gm/m2)
First Lite Woodbury jkt 55 $325.00 120/60
First Lite Sanctuary jkt 55 $400.00 200/160
Sitka Incinerator jkt 44 $600.00 162



Outer Layer - Bottom Insulated Weight (oz) Price Density (gm/m2)
First Lite Sanctuary bibs 60 $345.00 100
Sitka Incinerator bibs 47.2 $500.00 192

People actually pay those prices? I couldn't afford to hunt and shop there......

Don, I ordered one of them "lost parkas." If it's not as good as you say, I'm gonna load a few rifles in my truck, drive out there, and shoot up all your steel.

As a guy who has been working on my western hunting wardrobe, and experimenting with laying at home since we have the weather to need it right now, this thread has been very helpful and useful. Thanks to all those who have contributed.

Right before Christmas, Midway / First Lite had their annual clearance sale going on and I picked up their Stormtight pants and Seak jacket…I have since ordered a few more pieces, including some Aerowool stuff to try out.

A few other posts brought up a similar concern that developed for me.

Besides rain, I also bought the Seak jacket as a wind block shell. When I tried it on, it fit well in the chest and midsection, but the sleeves were surprisingly tight. Not sure how much “layering” I am going to be able to do with this jacket. This made me worry that I may have made a mistake in my purchase and wondered if I should have just saved and bought the Sitka Stormfront instead.

Over Christmas we drove from AL to ID and I got to stop at a few places and tried on a couple of different pieces at Cabela’s and Sportsman’s Warehouse. I got to try on several different Sitka tops and NONE of them fit me. Of all the outer layer pieces I tried on, ALL were really tight in the arms, in the forearms specifically. I was wearing a t-shirt and a light fleece when I was trying all of these on and most of them would actually pull my fleece sleeves up because the jacket sleeves were so tight.

In the words of Randy Newberg, “I drive a desk for a living.” I am not a muscle head but I am not a chicken wing nerd either. 6’4” with a little extra around the midsection. I usually wear 2XL and usually have no issues with room in the sleeves—as long as they are long enough! What gives with the tapered arms though? My only guess is they are trying to taper for bowhunters but this seems a bit extreme. Any thoughts or suggestions?

The arms are my issue with the DCS Guide jacket. I'm not popeye but it is difficult to layer under. Body is fine but the arms are relatively thin. I've tried layering the Kuiu Super Down under it (with a Patagonia silk weight capilene layer) and it is compressed. I also tried layering the Super Down under a Mountain Hardware wind stopper jacket and it worked better as a result of not being compressed at all. In fact, it worked so well I'm looking for something like that Mtn Hardware jacket but with a hoodie. The hoodie of the Guide jacket was nice vs. beanie with Mtn Hardware. Temps are 10deg and very windy.

bwinters,

That is a great list. Could you share it in spreadsheet form? PM sent