KUIU Kenia VS Down Jacket
Equipment
I'm looking for a Mid Layer piece to use on the days when I need extra warmth and trying to decide between the Kenai Jacket and the Super Down. In the advertisement they highlight the Kenai is good for strenuous activity. I don't plan on doing much activity with this jacket. Will be used on stand or those times when I stop to glass and need to keep the chill off me.
I had the old kenai jacket and now own the super down hooded jacket. The latter is considerably warmer than the former. On stand it's an easy choice , the super down. Although it is not the quietest and definitely better as a layering piece. Hope this helps. D
if you want the super down in concept you can fine very comparable units at a significant reduced price on line at places such as eastern mountain sports. a light puffy does not require the expense of KUIU and camo is irrelevant as it is covered anyway
Bou, Kuiu jackets are actually priced right in line with any other good brand that has weather-resistant insulation, Patagonia, North Face, Marmot, Eddie Bauer, etc...might as well get camo because it looks way cooler than fluorescent orange or blue!
I got a patagonia nano-puff from Backcountry.com, on sale for like 60 bucks or so, its lime green though :-)
I use my super down for my winter coat in MN. Also use it for a layer bowhunting late season. I got the one with the hood. Very nice fit and really light.
Check out down tech jackets at Eastern Mountain sports they are half the price of the kuiu
Eddie Bauer is a good spot to watch for deals on down puffy coats. Recently got a 700fill, non treated down, for 75$.
At the sale price I think the Kuiu is about in line with other top mountaineering brands. I have a RAB puffy jacket I bought on sale from Backcountry for around $130.00. As far as camo midlayer I do realize it's a waste but you never know I may get on a celebrity hunting program and might need one.
I have the Kenai and it is fairly warm. I do, however, wish I had gotten the Super Down.
There's an elevation down jacket with 700fill water repellent down , (by core4element) on sale now on camofire. Its $112 w/$1 shipping.
Sale price for KUIU..... now that's funny
Mid 5252- I think he's referring to the 30% off sale KUIU is having now.
Hooded super down will be around $175 when the sale starts today.
Yep MD5252. 30% sale started today 8AM PST. My order for the Guide Jacket (Brown) and Superdown Vest is in. Sale is while supplies last which may not be long.
Since I recently bought a RAB puffy I decided to go with a Vest. Decided to scape the idea on the Kenai after talking with other owners. Most like to wear it as an outer layer and that was not was I was looking for. I have my Sitka 90% and now my Kuiu Guide for that application.
"Check out down tech jackets at Eastern Mountain sports they are half the price of the kuiu"
The cheapest EM one is $189, Kuiu Super Down is $229, Kenai is $179...and still in stock at sale prices for even less...
That 189 is on sale now for 132 online at EMS.
I really like the EMS down tech I just got for the $132ish
The EMS down tech says it absorbs 30% less water than regular down. Doesnt seem like much less. Not sure about the Kuiu as they do not say, just list it as virtually waterproof.
The EMS are currently on sale for half price. No black left. Heck of a deal for $94.75!
Tracker to your comments
I don't plan on doing much activity with this jacket. Will be used on stand or those times when I stop to glass and need to keep the chill off me.
Based on that I would recommend the SuperDown
I own both the SD and just picked up a Kenai during the sale
SD super light packable warm loud blocks wind
Kenai light quiet breathable
owning both I think I will get more use out of the Kenai, its just super soft quiet and comfy
I really like the primaloft stuff for hunts. I've gotten pretty wet in down and syn and the syn does perform better.
The main thing I like in a syn jacket is the breathability. Some of the down jackets have a treated shell and don't breath well. It really depends on what you want out of your jacket. I like mine as a light mid layer or camp jacket.
If you want warmth but expose it to moisture a lot- treated outer is probably the ticket. I think the Kuiu down jacket is purposely NOT treated...so it will breathe.
I hit the clearance racks at REI and usually save a bunch over the hunting specific clothing, but make sure you are comparing apples to apples. The fill rating will make a big difference on price and warmth in a coat. I believe the coatings on down are relatively new, so I don't know if there are long-term effectiveness studies on the product - the idea sounds good, but so does a lot of marketing.
You get wet from sweat if you are exerting in a Superdown hooded jacket. I did a test when I I bought one versus my Spindrift. Shoveling snow or cross country skiing was fine in the Spindrift, and i got wet from sweat in the Superdown. That said, the Superdown jacket is my sheep hunting jacket of choice for a glassing, camp use and in the sleeping bag on a cold night. (Just don't hike with it). I wear it on occasion on the whitetail stand too. It is a very light and comfortable piece, especially given it will stuff into one of it's pockets that is smaller than a softball.
Kurt nailed it...
Just bought the Kenai...should be here in a "KUIU week."
Mark
