Excuse me if this thread exists, but its cyber Monday and I am planning on buying some new gear. I love the patterns, I love the versatility with the air vents etc for walking style hunts. Which I do understand is what it is really designed for. But that being said my hunting is a big mix. For one I am north of the border so early season for me is already close to freezing, but can have warm spells in the 50s. Late season.... basically Fahrenheit and Celsius join at a temperature that is just sickening lol. So one question is warmth? is this gear warm? I know the layering system is the key, and I am less concerned about this. I know how to dress myself. More importantly, noise. How noisy is the Guide line? Can you draw a bow without having the slush pant sound?
Apologies for the delayed reply. I'm hoping you are able to return your Kuiu gear if you've already "pulled the trigger". I've purchased some Kuiu items in the past and ended up returning most of the outerwear. Way too noisy for treestand hunting. Especially in colder climates. I would highly recommend Sitka Gear's fanatic or Stratus systems for cold climate/tree-stand hunts.
Yes I was doing a lot of reading last night and read that for some reason in colder weather the material is louder. Not sure how but it was enough for me to say no. I do like the UA gear, my old gear was the ridge reaper. You can see me in the pic in my avator. I like it, but it could be warmer. The new UA stuff is supposed to be much warmer and is still super quite. I just not crazy about the pattern. I love the digital camo and my military clothes don't fit me anymore as I am much fatter now lol
I have used the Guide line for early season deer hunting in the past, although that was not what I bought it for, and I never noticed any noise issues. Kuiu is designed for mountain/backpack style hunting and has not made the jump into offering a treestand line like Sitka and First Lite. However, I would strongly suggest looking at other options for colder temps. While an efficient layering system is the key, Kuiu is not designed for long hours of motionless sitting in cold temps IMO. Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk
I'm not a fan of UA gear at all!! Overpriced and under-designed IMO. If you're looking for cold weather clothing (I'm talking real cold, not Kentucky-cold), there are only two options: Sitka & First Lite. The Sanctuary Jacket is amazing, but the bibs aren't the greatest and I don't like mixing up my camo patter too much. I do prefer the first lite base layers and next to skin options over Sitka's, but when it comes to outer layers for really cold climates, Sitka is King! I know its really expensive stuff, but you get what you pay for. Once you've had a full day sit in late November in Vermont or Alberta wearing Sitka, you'll never look back.
So the times you do walk though. Do you find it too warm? Cause I do some stalking. Not nearly as common. I mean I could always use my UA stuff for those more rare hunts. But would you walk in a fanatic suit from Sitka?
Its fine to walk to and from your stands in. The bibs can be vented along both sides rather easily. But would I do a walk and stalk hunt in the fanatics? Probably not. In that case I would use my Stratus series. If you're looking for the "do-all-system", I would go for the stratus series. But are these rarities worth investing that type of money? Probably not. Like you mentioned, for those types of hunts, just wear your old UA gear you have. I'm usually wearing my older gear and stratus series through most of Oct and into mid November, but when Thanksgiving rolls around and the winds start to pick up in the treestand, coupled with all day sits...I need warmth, that's when the fanatic series performs!
I would concur go First Lite or Sitka. That is coming from a Scent Lok user for years and still currently. However, I've started a plan to slowly switch my outer layers to one or the other AFTER I complete switching all my baselayers over to Minus33. I cannot say enough about Minus33 as it is high high grade merino wool without the 'hunting industry' mark ups you see in First Lite or Sitka and others....still not cheap by any means though.
I currently utilize their boxer briefs, expedition socks, mid-weight baselayer bottoms and tops, and a headband. I really want to and before next year will buy the expedition (warmest) baselayers...but I've honestly been amazed at how comfy I've been in the mid-weight and than a thick (fleece like) scentlok layer and on top I'm just wearing a sleeveless vest on top and thin mildly insulated bibs over and it's been low 30's some sits and I've been just fine. The expedition layer should set me up to stay with the minimal bulk into the frigid times coming up soon. This year I'll have to add a full sleeved jacket but oh well. The headband I grabbed just due to having a touch leftover on a budgeted order and figured what the heck. That thing is basically two layers of the midweight weaved together (black/gray) and if I put that thing on and then my orange hat or just a thin beanie/cover I have yet to get a cold head. I do need to get their mid-weight socks as the Expeditions are too good. Yesterday sat all day temps were 38/39 at sunrise, rose to 44 or so and my feet were too warm and moisture did occur, but they remained warm, just don't like sweating still.
I really like the idea of a thick merino baselayer with hoodie...that would cut all neck wind out 100% and will most likely be route I go with expedition baselayer.
I'm sick of bulky layers so if I only buy one thing for next season it's a set of base layers and Minus 33 is at the top of my list so far. This is exactly what I am shooting for. What do you use for wind?
Currently I have a neck gaiter from Scentlok for neck...I'll toss a handwarmer up there if really bad. As for the rest of me the outer layer I use most is a bib from Native Species (no longer in business, was like Scent Lok's non-scent line) and they are water/wind proof...for the top that vest I said is their windbreaker fleece type and truly does a great job of cutting the wind. The expedition Minus33 layer I suspect will keep wind from cutting into your skin for sure as well, as I've noticed on a few hunts in the upper 40's with wind I was wearing my mid-weight in to stand and than throwing a thin fleece lined jacket on and heading to stand the wind didn't faze me with just the mid-weight on top. Minus33 does have a balacalva I think i'll grab at some point too. I'm also hopefully going to experiment with cutting their gloves to a fingerless style....I despise my fingers being covered but desire the warmth of merino on my hands....we shall see.
Bibs have quickly become a must for me when temps drop and winds cut...something about that added lower back/kidney area pants simply cannot replace. I actually LIKE some of my higher dollar Scentlok pants more but do not stay as warm and I feel this is the reason....even my heavy fleece (matches vest) pants just don't offer the same warmth the cheaper bibs do.
Ty how do their mid weigh baselayers compare to UA 4.0? That is what I have now but after looking at their site and seeing they offer tall sizes, they definitely jump up on my off season to buy list. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I have a buddy who uses underarmour baselayers that I've held but that is as far as my UA experience goes. I will saw last I knew UA utilizes synthetic more than merino no?
Yeah it’s all synthetic another reason why I’m looking for new base layers Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
After feeling and now using high quality merino wool baselayers I will NEVER even consider another kind personally.
I have the UA 3.0's which I bought for skiing initially. I have used them while hunting too and they hold up pretty well. I do prefer Marino for a next to skin baselayer during the late season especially. But I don't have anything terrible to report from the UA 3.0's.
