Sitka vs KUIU Comparison Conclusion

The accessory comparison concludes my Sitka vs KUIU comparison.  Hopefully the previous comparisons and reviews will be helpful for people trying to decide what to add to their hunting clothing arsenal.  KUIU and Sitka aren’t the only brands out there for technical hunting clothing.  Some others worth checking out are First Lite, Russel Apparel, Kryptec, and I believe Badlands is even coming out with a clothing line as well.  However, I think Sitka and KUIU are the ones others strive to be.
From my use of Sitka and KUIU clothing, both are great options and a person can’t really go wrong with either one.  I sometimes find myself pulling more KUIU out of the gear tub than Sitka, but maybe that is just because I have some trophy pictures while wearing Sitka and I would like some while wearing KUIU.  Both companies are great at putting out top of the line technical gear and both strive to have great customer satisfaction.
 

Just for grins, here is a comparison between KUIU Vias camouflage pattern and the Gore Optifade Open Country that Sitka uses.  I am on the left wearing Vias, and my friend Chris is on the right with Optifade pants and a Sitka Mountain Mimicry shirt. 
 
 

I have recently picked up some Sitka Stormfront Lite pants and a KUIU Chugach jacket.  I will be putting both these through their paces on scouting trips and next season.  I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Chugach series from KUIU, so I don’t think I’ll be disappointed.  My previous experience with Gore PacLite material and the weight and features of the Stormfront Lite pants give me confidence in these rain pants.
Working on the KUIU vs Sitka Comparison
Hopefully the previous Sitka vs KUIU comparisons have been helpful and if there are questions that I didn’t answer, please feel free to leave a comment or email me.  Thanks goes out to Jay for many of the pictures used in this review.

Here are links to the different posts in the KUIU vs Sitka Comparison Series:
Introduction
Base Layer Comparison
Pants Comparison
Jacket and Vest Comparison
Accessories Comparison

Comments

  1. where is the comparison???

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    1. I know this is old, sorry! But when I read "but maybe that is just because I have some trophy pictures while wearing Sitka" that was enough for me to decide!

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  2. Sorry for the confusion. I've added links to the other blog posts in this thread (see above). I spread the comparison over a series of consecutive days posts.

    Thanks,
    Ron

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  3. I live in Colorado and hunt the high country so I backpack a lot and i want something that will keep me warm in the cooler temperatures. In these circumstances do u see either sitka or kuiu having the advantage?

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  4. As of the current offerings from both KUIU and Sitka, I'd say Sitka has the warmer options. However, KUIU is coming out with some new 'waterproof' down products that should increase the temp rating of KUIU gear.

    I've worn my KUIU gear down to 15-20 degrees or so and have been comfortable. I wouldn't sit all day in those temps wearing KUIU, but for brief glassing periods between exertion, KUIU would work. I think Sitka would be slightly warmer, but also slightly less breathable.

    Ron

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  5. My brother and I tested out some KUIU gear in some really cold northern canada sheep hunting in october and KUIU by far won for us. With proper base layers the light weight KUIU gear was good to go. 'like hiking in pajamas' as my bro said!

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  6. Well Congratulations , that was a wonderful comparison, with everything and thank you for doing so. I made up my mind with the pics and dialogue. Great review. I am going no doubt with the Kuiu for sure. Ill do the kuiu Guide vest coat and pants and some accessories, Filson wool gloves still hard to beat. I currently am running the Russell apx or g and like it just not content with the camo, Kings mountain shadow. I have always worn Predator camo and this is the closest thing, again thanks for the solid review. hope to have em soon, take care,
    Beau Olson

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  7. Glad you liked the comparison Beau. Good luck with your future purchases!

    Ron

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  8. Very curious of your thoughts about Vias vs Verde.

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  9. So far I only have a Merino 185 shirt in the Verde pattern. I have the Tiburon (warm weather) pants on pre-order in Verde, so I'll be giving those a try as soon as I receive them. I think the Verde might 'blob' a little more, but for here in AZ where I do most of my hunting, I think it will blend in very well. The pictures I've seen of Verde make it seem like it blends in very well.

    I don't have any complaints regarding Vias, but my plan will probably be to wear Verde earlier in the season when it is greener, and Vias later in the season as it browns up. That way I can justify owning both... ;)

    Thanks,
    Ron

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  10. Your whole series of comparisons has been most helpful. Thank you for posting them. Any way we could convince you to do a 2015 update? Thanks!

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    1. Glad it was helpful! I'd love to do a comparison of all the 2015 kuiu vs sitka clothing, but unfortunately, it is somewhat cost prohibitive as I was just comparing what I've purchased myself. I'm pretty well set on camoflage for now, but depending on what tags I draw, I may be updating some clothing for the 2015 fall seasons. Thanks for reading!

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  11. Great review! I am an experienced whitetail hunter in the southeast. However, I am new to elk hunting. I am going on an early September elk bow hunt in southern Colorado. It is in the flatlands at the base of mountains and mostly sage grass and heavy brush. Spot and stalk so besr camo is important to me. Temps range from 50-80 degrees. I would appreciate your opinion on the KUIU Camo choices of preference- Verde or Vias? Or Sitka? Thank you again for your post and I look forward to your response and thoughts.

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  12. Bobby, thank you and sorry for the delay in responding. In regards to camo for the type of terrain you are describing, I think you'd be good in any of the above (kuiu verde, vias, or sitka optifade). I like the verde for earlier season and where there is more green, with maybe the exception of heavy aspens, where vias also works well. I tend to wear vias in later season after the grasses brown up more.

    I've been wearing my kuiu a lot more than my sitka lately. I feel my sitka still has a place in my kit, but for whatever reason tend to pull out my kuiu most times. I'd look at what clothes have the features you want (proper weight material, venting options, etc) and see what you can get in the pattern you like best.

    If your hunt is truly in temps 50-80 degrees, the tiburon pants work great in those temps. They are very lightweight and breathable. Then the Sitka Ascent pants are probably the next breathable option. If cooler, Attack and/or Alpine, but I haven't worn the Alpines yet.

    Good luck on your upcoming CO elk hunt!

    Thanks for the comment!

    Ron

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  13. pretty much informative post about
    best sitka ascent pants.
    i like your images.thanks

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