KUIU Shirts - Which One - Elk Hunting

[DarkTimber]

Looking at buying some KUIU shirts for elk hunting and need opinions if you prefer the 185 or 230 weight.  I would be wearing it as my primary shirt.  I would use a light weight merino wool baselayer shirt under it and a jacket over it as weather dictated, but 90 - 95% of the time it would be worn alone.    

I've been wearing the Sitka Core Zip T for the last 4 or 5 elk seasons (not the same one) and while I've been very pleased with the comfort and weight of it, it gets pretty rank smelling after 5 or 6 days in a spike tent. I'm hoping since the KUIU is merino wool it won't get smelling as bad (for my sake, not the animals)

So I guess what I really want to know is, if any of you guys have owned both Sitka and Kuiu which KUIU weight is most comparable to the Sitka Core?

[Preston Lay]

I have both, but my Sitka is synthetic not merino wool. The 230 KUIU would probably fit your needs, could go either way as under or outer layer. It is well made and good fit. Yes can be worn days without wash and no smell at all.

[sneakybow]

That 230 will be WARM if you're active, which you will be since you're elk hunting lol. Personally I wear the First Lite merino, and the Kuiu 230 would be equivalent to the midweight stuff in FL and that stuff is plenty warm. The 185 would probably serve you plenty well as a primary, a 230 would be good to add as an extra layer. You going with Kuiu because of the patterns?

[Hummer3T]

I have the two kuiu 185 styles, love them both as the only layer and as a base layer.  Stink is less for sure, I wore one elk hunting last season, 5 day without changing, shirt never really picked up any scent, but I still smelt. I hunted most of the day with it as my only layer but nights and evening used as a base layer under my guide jacket.  I both sat and walked and my 185 worked well.  I think I like the zippered shirt mock neck a little better than the normal shirt, and I was going to return it because I thought the opposite before using.  having your neck covered is great in bugs and cold, and being able to open when hot is an big asset to get rid of excess heat and moisture.  My elk hunted spanned mid Aug to mid Sept. +30c to -5c.

[blakeschack5466]

I think the 185 is more versatile because you can always layer over it.

[awbowman]

185 better, and zippered front is a good feature if its hot

[gnihsifnamk]

185 is an awesome weight, will comfortably cover a wide temp range. The 230 has fleecy interior so would be a good bit warmer.

[neargeezer]

The smaller the micron the, the less itch and greater the comfort. Zip T's are very versatile.

[TubbsTru]

I've got the 230. I love it. As was mentioned above, though, it has a fleecy, polyester inner lining. I'm curious how that will handle the stink factor. Pure merino is the way to go if you're primarily concerned with smell. Also, while the 230 is warmer, I'm not sure that there will be a major difference. Remember, KUIU is built to be layered. They designed the 180 stuff to be first layer, followed up with the 230 in colder temps. I myself am wearing an Ibex brand pure merino 190 baselayer with the KUIU 230 over that (I'm treestand hunting in WI, though). So, my suggestion is to go with the 185, pure merino as your first layer. As far as KUIU vs. Sitka, I like both but have gone to KUIU. But when it comes to merino vs. synthetic, no contest: merino all the way!!! Hope that helps!!!

[vernon]

been drooling over KUIU for a year now and I have one question that some of you might be able to answer.  I was also thinking of getting the 185 for a base layer and normal hunting and hopefully down the road buy the 230 to layer up.  With that being said if you were to buy both for the layering system would you get the 185 in the crew neck?  I love the zippered front but was wondering if I had both layers on and both were zippered fronts if thats caused any issues.

[TubbsTru]

vernon- crew neck all the way. don't want that "zipper-stack." 185 weight merino is light enough IMO that you don't need to ventilate.

[Steve O]

Aaron,

Not sure if you have ruled out the Sitka, but they have an excellent Merino base layer as well.  I have been very happy with it in elk country.

[TubbsTru]

Steve O, good point! I guess I'm a sucker for the KUIU Vias pattern. I know there are tons of good patterns out there (I'm really looking forward to hunting in plaid this coming fall), but for whatever reason I just love that Vias. If I thought I'd be going deeper into Sitka (I still use their fanatic series), I'd definitely use their merino. I'm totally converted to it as a material!

[DarkTimber]

Thanks for the info guys.  I didn't realize the 230 had a fleece type interior.  That definately rules it out for me...at least for elk hunting.  


Steve O.  Thanks for pointing that out.  I have definately not ruled out Sitka. I just checked out their website and saw the Merino baselayer shirt.  I didn't realize that was offered in camo until just now.....that may be just the ticket....I'm already pretty heavily invested in Sitka anyway.

[NBK]

I love the 185 with the zipper neck as when it comes time to pack meat and you're really working zipping it all the way down to vent is a nice option.  The Vias pattern in the merino is just a hair darker overall than their outerwear and is a great pattern.

[Shane C]

I like the fact that Kuiu's a lot cheaper than sitka's. I would go with the 185. The sitka one is a heavier Merino so it'll have more itch. The zip is a personal preference, but you don't need to worry about zipper stack.
The idea behind the 230 is that the blend is warmer and there still isn't any stink because the Merino won't allow the bacteria to grow in the first place. So, I wouldn't completely rule it out.

[187BOWHUNTER]

the 185 is a very lightweight base layer or can be worn as your primary in summer 100 degree weather