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.