I'm trying to budget a list of gear for a Colorado elk hunt next year. While I probably don't NEED to buy a new wardrobe, I'd like some high end clothing to make my hunt as enjoyable as possible. Right now Sitka and Kuiu are at the top of my list.....and if I had caught on early enough to take advantage of the sales Kuiu had, it would of been a no brainer...but I digress. Not only do I not have any experience hunting in a mountain setting, I also don't have much knowledge on these high end lines other than what I have read. So please fellas educate me! Would a Merino long sleeve shirt, under say a Sitka Kelvin Lite or Kuiu Guide Jacket be enough for hiking up and down mountains all day? Too heavy? I'm open to any and all suggestions on a combination of any of these lines.
I have the merino and kelvin vest. As well as pants of each. They are warm, extremely warm. I tried doing a little stand moving with the kelvin over jeans and was burning up in 30°+ weather. I don't hunt out west but if on the move, I imagine the merino base would be great as well as the traverse zip t and stratus pant and jacket. I will say the kelvin is loud. It's not really a good outer layer. Really depends on what you're going to be doing and what the weather will be like. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Merino for base layers for sure. The stink factor alone rules out synthetics for back country. After 4 days Under Armour smells like a hog's ***... same time frame with pure merino wool and it smells the same as when it started. It is faster drying than synthetics too once sweat soaked. I have/use several of the Kuiu bases (favorite weight is the 185) but to be honest First Lite and C4E merino bases are just as good of quality for cheaper IMO. If you are hunting really warm weather the Tiburon line is amazing by Kuiu. Literally sweat gallons and it is dry to the touch in like 30 seconds. Amazing how well it stays dry and cool. I bought two pairs of the pants and they remain my favorite hunting garment made (since I only bowhunt and that usually equates to warm season hunts). The Tiburon shirt is junk though. material is awesome but it is 2 way stretch, not 4... and for whatever nimrod reason, Kuiu made the sleeves stretch lengthwise. Translation, even with skinny arms you won't be able to roll up your sleeves. Heck even flexing stretches my forearms to an uncomfortable level. I wore it for my Caribou hunt a few days but often reverted back to just merino instead. I like this material better than a merino base layer only because it is much more durable, but they need to fix the sleeve issue. The Yukon Gaiters, Guide Beanie, Merino Beanie, and Icon Hats are all awesome. Very water resistant or water proof materials (except for the merino of course). I like the guide jacket but am not completely sold on it for a pack in hunt. Not convinced the weight is worth it over a pure waterproof layer and a puffy for warmth. During archery type temps, I usually hike in only the base layer, and put on a puffy whenever I settle in to glass. I use the spindrift currently because I don't trust down completely for moisture reasons, but have heard the super down is great stuff. If I was starting over from scratch since I have used most every garment they make... I'd get two pairs of attack pants, two 185 merino shirts, a 230 merino shirt, a puffy of your choice (spindrift or super down), and a waterproof jacket and pants. Chugach is supposedly superb raingear, but I went with C4E torrent rain jacket and pants instead. Basically identical weights, C4E is quieter, and C4E I got on camofire for $190 for both where as Chugach set is more like $5-600. I couldn't justify the cost difference even if Kuiu is more durable... Love the C4E rain gear so far. The Attack and Tiburon pants I wouldn't trade for any garment made. I think most companies make comparable merino bases, and I love the Guide jacket. Basically, use merino for base layers, and avoid the softshell by using a puffy for warmth and packable rain jacket for wind/rain. If you aren't backpacking in, bring the softshell jacket as a much quieter and more comfortable option while moving around. As with all things for backpack hunting, you have to balance lightweight with comfort. It's easy to go too extreme in either direction.
I am at the point where all my under layers are merino. Except for a set of lite weight core top and bottoms I use in mid season. I have some Sitka merino but I like my first lite pieces better. For really cold hunting i have a set of filson merino tops and bottoms, these are almost too warm except for stand hunting. All my outer wear is Sitka eat right now.
Sitka has the better looking camo pattern, but I don't dislike Kuiu's like some do. I have no doubt either would work, but any experience between Kuiu's two options?
I been seeing some First Lite base layers on Ebay at decent prices. Also, as far as patterns... Take a look at this website, there are 10 videos its pretty detailed and seems objective. Take a look and draw your own conclusion. High Caliber Gear / ProLite Mountain Sports, LLC -- Videos
Can't speak for everyone, but in my case because I wear the base layer as my only layer for most of the early season. My go to outfit is a merino 185 Quarter Zip T with tiburon pants. For thicker base layers or pants I don't worry about it though.
All the camos are personal preference IMO. I like the Vias better than any camo out there but have a set or two of Verde now as well for early season stuff.
I have bought quite a bit of gear from here on sale, always had good service High Mountain Outfitters | Hunting Gear\
Some good advise here. Check out Minus33 for merino wool base layers. Look at their clearance page. I'm a big fan of Kuiu and I think they make some great fabrics and camo pattern but for now Sitka is much better all around IMO.
