Kuiu vs SKRE

Seems like everyone asks questions comparing Kuiu to something.....that should tell all you need to know.....
 
I started off buying Sitka but now I buy almost nothing but Kuiu. in my opinion it's a great product that gets better every year.


















Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
Dont sell SKRE gear short. For the short time they have been in the game their stuff is top notch. Equal quality and way better availabilty to Kuiu. Both are great products but SKRE is a lot more bang for the buck in my opinion. Try it, you wont be disappointed.
 
It is great to have so many options.

Both these companies are producing top notch gear and both beat the big dog in price.

I had the chance to test the Skre Hardscrabble jacket on a recent 7 day, 3 hunt trip and man did it perform. Held up to two days steady downpour and dried out super fast once the rain stopped on a elk hunt. The only dry part of my body was my core covered by the hardscrabble.

Next up was a goat hunt at 9,000+ feet with morning lows in the 30's. Blocked the wind well and shed the light snow we ran into.

Raced back to town, loaded up the kid and headed out for a bear trip. Tried to post the picture of his bear but not sure how. This hunt was warmer and with the large pit zips and front pockets open this coat breathes very well. The pockets are mesh lined to promote ventilation and it works.

Having an outter layer that sheds water and dries out quickly allowed me to hunt all seven days thru wind, rain and snow. This jacket compresses small and has earned a spot in my pack year round. It is just a great piece of gear that covers the wide range of weather conditions Montana throws at you.

Just thought I would relay my recent experience with Skre. I'm impressed. This stuff is built to hunt!
 
I used to buy Sitka but stopped buying it due their outrageous prices . Researched KUIU & decided to give them a try I bought the guide pants misc shirts gloves hats back pack etc !! Love their gear .. Last year I called to order some more pants & misc & everything I wanted was on back Order !! Than here a few months ago I called to get some stuff & same thing BACK ORDERED !! I was put on their call list a month went by NO call so I called still on BO another month goes by & still NO call. Again I call & still on BO So I bought a pair of Firstlite pants . Don't really care for the fit of them . But I had also been seeing & hearing some good reviews on SKRE gear I just bought a pair of their Hard Scramble pants should be here today . Will give them a try this weekend chasing screaming bulls !! If their gear is even close too the reviews I will stop buying KUIU these pants were less than $90 !! KUIU $150 Sitka $260 Not a hard one to figure !!!
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-22-16 AT 02:06PM (MST)[p]Let me know what you think of the pants Oldhorn. After using the jacket I am seriously considering ordering the pants.
Side vent zippers would be so nice I think.

I think both of these companies will have a heck of a time keeping products in stock. Hopefully it levels out for them - setting the number to order from the factory would be a tough decision $$ I bet.
 
Will do I will write up a review !! I got an email from SKRE they are coming out with some new gear here in a few months also will have to keep tabs on them . If they stay online Only it will save us a ton of $$. The KUIU pants are Damn tough but as long as they have been in business they should have their ordering down too a science by now !!
 
I recently purchased SKREs complete line of gear and am very impressed with the product. In all honestly all I had to compare it to was online reviews and seeing gear at the big chain stores, meaning I have been a jeans and t-shirt kind of hunter. Although I have done well, I have recently started to become more dedicated to hunting. Specifically bow hunting, which involves having the right equipment to breed success. I feel SKRE has the clothing side of things covered without a doubt.

What really made me pull the trigger on their gear was a single in-depth review that I had read online in combination with a price point I could not pass up. I mean I got their entire line up including two sets of base layers for approximately $700 delivered to my front door fedex next day. I was in direct communication with Michael Wand (co-owner) and he went above and beyond. I called their customer line on a friday and he answered the phone personally. Our conversation led to him shipping my order the next day so it would get to me by monday for a trip here in California.

When I opened the box I was immediately impressed with the aesthetics of the pattern. Initially I was worried about how the pattern would match up to the terrain I would be hunting, i.e. California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona. Fast forward to opening the box, all worries erased. FYI the pattern even got better as I walked through the woods of northern California.

As I stood in my living room trying everything on and layering the clothing like it was meant to be. I kept trying to convince myself that things felt wrong and didn't fit perfectly. Just like with other clothes before, I was trying to find something wrong. I walked around the house all layered up, sweating my ass off and to tell you the truth the clothes fit great. Not perfect but great, I mean what did I expected, custom tailored gear?

The short an sweet of the deal is that in the field the gear performed beyond expectation. I hunted in weather from 40-85 degrees and was able to vent myself accordingly. I never touched my hardscrabble jacket or vest, I would have overheat even in the 40 degree weather. I do look forward to putting this gear through the paces on my upcoming nevada hunt were the temps should be well into the 20's if not colder.

It encompassed durability and the brush/manzanita I walked through made sure to test it. It is semi stretchy material that allows for proper give when snagged, ultimately avoiding ripping. The amenities to the pants such as the the zippers, pockets, vents etc were more than adequate.

Although I have limited time in the field with this equipment I have plenty of time planned in the woods to test it the rest of the year. I will for sure follow up with a more in-depth review once my trips are over.

I do have several cons and they revolve around fit. First I am 5'8" 180 lbs wide at the shoulder narrow at the hip. More of an athletic build with a slight beer gut. What do you expect, 36, married, three girls under 8? All joking aside I wear a 33/34 in wranglers and levis, end result I should have order 36 inch waist instead of 34. Secondly I ordered xl base layer and should of ordered L. These problems are made irrelevant due to the fact that SKRE will handle the return shipping until you get the fit correct.

In closing I was about to purchase KUIU gear but had a hard time springing for gear at their price. I am sure I would be beyond happy with their gear, the truth of the matter is I believe I am more happy with the SKRE gear I purchased.
 
Just an update got my SKRE Hard scramble pants in the mail Saturday . tried them on fit was good feel was good . 1st thing I noticed I wear a 34 34 I talked with Mike & he suggested going up a size to allow room for a base layer . Glad I did I ordered the 36 36 I am 6'2" 190 # the waist fit was good . The camo pattern is similar too the KUIU Verde , it blended in great in the surrounding rocks & sage brush I was hunting in temps were in the mid 70s never over heated . Hunt was a success dirt napped a 7x5 bull 5.5 miles from the truck . After boning & packing 5 packs we walked out. Was a stinking unit covered in blood by the end of the hike . Threw the pants in the washing machine the next day ALL the blood & dirt came out 1st wash NO smell period . I am 100 % impressed with the fit the feel the performance & the price !! I will be ordering more gear from SKRE in the near future !!!
 
Thigh zips & pit zips are a MUST!! I am having them sewn into all my previous gear that doesn't have them.....
 
LAST EDITED ON Oct-24-16 AT 09:54PM (MST)[p]I saw a post of price from earlier that was incorrect or maybe they changed the prices since then. Here is what I've pulled from their websites.

SKRE Hardscrabble pants $110
Kuiu Attack pants $130
KUIU Guide pants $150

SKRE Hardscrabble jacket $170
KIUI Guide jacket $190
KUIU Teton softshell jacket $100

KUIU Super down jacket $230
SKRE Ultra down jacket $230

Kuiu is not a whole lot more money like SKRE likes to make it seem. I like SKRE's stuff but I don't know how they sleep at night with a straight up copy of the KUIU line. Look at the material, the zippers, the cinch ropes on the hood and bottom of the coat. It's an exact copy.
 
You are correct on the prices, but try ordering online or calling in to place an order with KUIU . The reason I went else where was the last 4 orders I called in & the last 2 orders In tried to place online they were OUT OF STOCK or were on BACK ORDER !! That was 2 years in a row for me !! Don't get me wrong KUIUs gear is great but their availability is NOT !! I called SKRE & they helped me with my order, had it in Stock shipped it the next day FREE !! Hard to beat that service . I guess if you want too wait a couple of months to get your KUIU gear & want to pay more $$ for it & the shipping Also if there is something that doesn't fit or you don't like the SKRE gear they PAY to ship it back .. just my 2 cents
 
Thats because the demand for KUIU is ridiculously high. If SKRE catches up they will have their own issues. Also don't buy in the fall or late summer. Even Vortex sells out of everything in the early fall.

I just don't think anyone has the drive for innovation like Jason does.
 
I agree. Kuiu orders more inventory every year and still sells out fast.

I looks at some SKRE gear last week a friend has and it seems okay, I'm sure it will do the job but it's not Kuiu in my opinion or even Sitka.

He bought it because he couldn't get Kuiu in time for hunting season, I asked him when he applied for the tag and he said May. I told him if you had ordered your Kuiu in May you'd probably be wearing it.


Plan ahead.











Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
I don't agree I have ordered different times of the year & had the same issue ! this year I called in June they were out of stock called back in July Still out of stock put my name on their back order list never heard back from them. Called a month later they Forgot to call me was their reply !! I was on 2 peoples call back list finally in Sept I got a call ?? If it took them 3 months to get a pair of Guide pants in 34 waist made They have a Serious issue !!
 
Don't know really anything about SKRE, looks like good gear. I switched to KUIU two years ago and couldn't imagine wearing anything else. Their stuff is unbelievable. With that being said, I agree with some of the comments regarding customer service or lack there of, I have experienced some of the same issues as well. However, when I wear their gear in the field I tend to forget about it.
 
SKRE will do good !! these companies are all using almost the Exact same materials in their gear . I have a pair of the Hard scramble pants & they are as Good if not better than the KUIU Guide pants . They have the side vents KUIU does NOT they have the no slide rubber on the waist band like Sitka KUIU does not . I ordered my Pants from SKRE in Sept during hunting season & it was in Stock & was shipped the next day !! I got to wear them on a couple of bow hunts !!! New Company New gear & has their stuff on hand .. KUIU is an established company & I called them in June to order one of their TOP selling items & they were of stock & took them 3 months to get them !! & they were cheaper pretty cut & dried to me
 
Definitely don't rule out First Lite and Sitka Gear. Both are solid companies with incredible patterns, and a solid commitment to supporting conservation.

The material/textile is one thing, fit is another, but paying close attention to the pattern attributes in a variety of environments, is also incredibly important!
 
I've actually sold most of my KUIU gear. Over 12 items so far on ebay. Honestly, wasn't that impressed with them and their durability or camo patterns. I have mostly been buying SITKA lately, love their timberline pants and Thunderhead jacket in the Subapline pattern. What I did keep of KUIU was my guide DCS jacket that matches up nicely with some gray Sitka pants I own for later season and I still have their icon pro pack.

For western patterns, I have always liked Kings, but the quality was lacking. KUIU, I jumped on that bandwagon for a while and owned a good majority of their items. I have moved away from them and only kept the items I liked. In reality,their camo patterns aren't that good, Easy to pick out on the mountain. The last post hit the nail on the head regarding looking at patterns that can be used in lots of places and scenarios. The subalpline patter Sitka came out and I have loved it. Wasn't much of a Sitka fan until that pattern came out and I was able to find some items that fit me.

I haven't used SKRE, but they sound like a good brand. Hopefully they have a good selection of patterns...
 
Just spent some time comparing the Kuiu Attack pants versus the SKRE Hardscrabble pants side by side. Very similar in material quality and seem pretty identical in design including the pockets and vents. Both run on the smaller size, SKRE maybe a bit smaller that Kuiu. If you wear a size 34 or 35 waist in normal pants you'll need the size 36. The belt loops are a little more stout on SKRE. Although the zippers look the same, Skre adds nice rubber pull tabs on theirs and the SKRE zippers seem to open and close easrier. SKRE adds something around the waist band to keep shirts tucked in. KUIU seem to fit me a little better and ride higher around the waist. I'm 6'-1" 210 lbs with a small beer gut. I've only worn the KUIU product hunting/scouting so I can't make a comparision on how they'll hold up, but KUIU impressed ne enough to buy a third pair.
 
I love the Kuiu line. However, I tore the pants my first season of using them, so we'll see how their return policy is. I've heard from friends that the return policy is great.
As far as their clothing goes, amazing comfort, warmth, and moisture wicking can't be matched. I'm very happy with what they offer. A bit hard to spend that much, but you get what you pat for. Hope that helps
 
>I love the Kuiu line. However,
>I tore the pants my
>first season of using them,
>so we'll see how their
>return policy is. I've heard
>from friends that the return
>policy is great.
>As far as their clothing goes,
>amazing comfort, warmth, and moisture
>wicking can't be matched. I'm
>very happy with what they
>offer. A bit hard to
>spend that much, but you
>get what you pat for.
>Hope that helps

Interested to hear how it goes.... if you're returning em now keep us posted.

My biggest worry is that after I'm dead my wife will sell my hunting gear for what I told her I paid for it!
https://GearLobo.com
 
LAST EDITED ON Feb-06-18 AT 07:17AM (MST)[p]Ordered a Ptarmigan Ultra Down Jacket off CamoFire and it is great. Sleeves are long enough, lightweight and warm as hell. Was in 2 degrees this past fall glassing, and a base layer/mid shirt/Ptarmigan/Soft Shell and I was toasty.

Was kicking back and forth between that, KUIU and Sitka insulation layer and am very pleased. KUIU and Sitka are nice (have all Sitka stuff otherwise) but had a hard time spending $200 for a down jacket that will be stuffed most of the time. CamoFire had the Ptarmigan for $100.



"...I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six..."
 

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