Tell me about the new "techie huntin' clothes"...

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Ok, I'm an old school guy, but I'm going to be involved in some trips over the next several yrs where weight will matter.  Specifically looking at pants options for Alaska so I don't need to fly in 7-8 lbs of wt for 2 prs of wool pants.

I hesitate to ask, as brand loyalty might lead to "Yeti fan cooler-like" discussions... .... But here goes....with the techie high dollar hunting clothes brands marketing their stuff like mountain hiking gear, even in some cases directly...what is the real difference?  I doubt anyone reinvented the wheel, and I don't pay for "brand".

Non camo stuff definitely preferred...any real insight on differences between this stuff and hiking gear?  Looking for real info, not what I could read in advertising hype by doing a Google search.

I'm testing a pair of lined softshell hiking pants now and pretty impressed so far, and at 20% the cost of high tech camo.

Educate me 
Thanks!

Ryan

[Orion]

Hmmmm.  I don't have a lot of high tech outerwear. However, I can recommend something to put under it, regardless of whether you go high tech or wool.  And that would be mid-and or heavy weight merino wool long johns and tops.  The three brands I have are Minus 33, First lite and Ufrotte.  Feels good, doesn't retain odor or stink and won't melt like most of the synthetics if you get too close to the campfire.

I recommend you invest in good rain gear.  It's quite possible you could end up living in it.  Doesn't make much difference what you wear under it.  A set of merino wool and perhaps a wool shirt under a good set of rain gear is all you need in most situations.

I've only done a few trips to Alaska and weight was a concern, but I didn't forsake my wool pants or jacket for lighter gear.  If I ever get to go back, I'd still use wool and cut weight somewhere else. Good luck.

P.S. To at least address your high tech question, check out Sitka rain gear. I also have some very good River's West rain gear, but I don't know if they're still in business. 

[Warchild]

I love KUIU guide pants and First lite gear. I used both in Idaho on a high mountain mule deer hunt and was impressed. All of KUIU and First Lites gear is made for weight conscious hunters, all high quality also. I love wool as much as the next guy and wear it exclusively hunting whitetails in Michigan but you cannot go wrong with the light weight modern materials. The 4 way-stretch pants are perfect for climbing around and they breathe too. The gear is actually pretty affordable also, my mountain boots cost me as much as my KUIU pants, shirt and First Lite pants and a hat combined.

[Warchild]

If you don't like camo pants, I would look into the First Lite corrugate Guide pants. They are a dark shade of tan and as I said, the 4 way stretch is awesome. Not sure if KUIU attack pants are all camo or if they make a plain earth tone color. I like the KUIU VIAS pattern for the mountains so I bought those in camo. I wore the First Lite as many days as the KUIU and saw little if any noticeable difference.

[Manitoba Stickflinger]

I’ve had a couple of the popular tech brands and can honestly say you’re better off with 1 pair of wool pants than 2 or 3 of those. That said, they’re nice in the warm weather but leave you begging for your wool if it gets cold. They’re also louder than the wool. Good luck finding what you need

[Wudstix]

KUIU shop in the bargain or sale section.  You might get lucky, this is amazing gear.  Even their packs are super light weight.

[meathead]

I have tried quite a bit of the tech stuff and like some of it a lot. There is quite a bit that I wouldn’t give a nickel for though.  One of the biggest faults is durability. The lightweight stuff just doesn’t take a beating very well. I don’t care for the feel of plastic pants and shirts. I would stick with wool or fleece. You really need to see it in person to find what you like. Merino wool is hard to beat for a base layer and there are a lot of good merino base layers out there.

[Bigriver]

Ryan,
Im not a fanboy of any gear. I own Grey wolf wool, KOM wool, first light, sitka gear, and Kuiu,Helly hansen, with some other wool, Cabelas fleece sprinkled in. They all have features I like, for different purposes.

I think in your situation I would be mostly be using Kuiu outer ware,  they have lots of options  in non camo. I love the attack pants, they have a really non reflective finish, dry real quick, relatively quiet, and my favorite part is the fact that the material has stretch to it. I simply love their material. I have had really good luck with it, and I put stuff through the paces. Im also pretty damn particular, and brutally honest about my purchases.


All their gear,along with Sitka,  is full of great features for hunting. I think therein lies the difference with them and just hiking apparel.

Padded knees, zipper placement and features, things like that with hunters in mind.

Couple that with merino wool undergarments, things like ultra lightweight super down vests, you can have a modular setup, brave some pretty extreme elements, and keep your weight to a minimum.

The thing you will like least is the weight that will be lifted out of your bank account.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Thanks for the replies so far. I should clarify a bit, this will be my 4th trip to AK and have hunted wilderness situations elsewhere too.  All AK trips including this one were beaver or 206 type fly ins and 2 week hunts.  We (me + buddy) are looking towards 3 week minimum, likely 1 month in the bush, several years in a row, and may be on a supercub down the road.

Have top line raingear and good thermals etc. Won't leave the wool jacket behind, but wondering about the hype for some of the tech stuff as I'm looking at pant options. To put it bluntly, are they just using the same manufacturers in China as all the hiking companies use, but adding camo and good marketing to drive brand pricing to access the niche hunting market?

Just came in from working livestock for an hour or so in AK type weather (36 degrees rain blowing sideways) really impressed with the softshell pants... marked 96% ploy 4% spandex, polyfleece lining.  What do the tags on the kuiu and Sitka say?  I'm interested in the comparison.  Amazingly windproof, and 95% of the water shook off with no wet spots at all inside. Warm. Not mature whitetail hunting quiet but good for caribou for sure, maybe moose.  Ive seen lots of talk on here that Sitka\kuiu can be noisy too.... is that true?

The world has changed since I shopped for AK gear, 25-30 lb "bombproof" type 2-4 man tents were the norm, and wood stoves a fantasy....kifaru type stuff didn't exist... got my eyes opened on modern camping gear.

R

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Bigriver - I crossed posts with you, what is the material of construction?  It makes sense they would add pockets etc. too, along with camo.

Trying to guard my wallet a bit....nothing's cheap up north.

 

[PistolPete]

Costco and Walmart both sell stretch hiking/soft shell pants that are as good as anything else hi-tech I’ve tried, and are around $20!

I haven’t found anything the luxury brands make that is any better than the hiking clothes except for noise. Some of the backpacking brands are very noisy and won’t work.

[Hummer3T]

I have kuiu clothing,  and many other brands of mountain or adventure gear.  I find the biggest differences are in the pants and outerwear and their flexability and ability to limit fatigue of muscles.   gussets, brushed linings, articulation, stretch fabric all really assist in this.  I see stone glacier have pant with a new waist system...  other features over others are more thought to being in and dealing with unique situation with weather and situations that only hunter would recognize (Kuiu, stone glacier etc.) are made and designed by people that have experienced these condition.  I will grab these garments 1st all the time over my other brands for these reasons plus they just feel and fit better.

[Bigriver]

Attack pants are made from Toray Primaflex, I believe it`s made for them, I concur with Hummer, there is less fatigue on your body wearing the high tech stuff.  Very light and flexible, and as far as I have beat the stuff, pretty damn tough.

Some guys who I know and respect, and put this stuff through extreme use, use it. Knowing these guys, they dont use it because their reps or fanboys, they use it because the stuff really is all that. I am glad to know this ole poboy has some luxury duds though, who knew

I have no axe to grind, Im not in the business of swaying someone to use what I use, just relaying my experiences. It isnt for everyone Im sure.

[bucknut]

I'm a Kuiu fan also.  I currently own the Guide DCS set and love it. It is better suited for bucking the wind and light rain than others. However, I would most likely just go with the Yukon rain system and not have to carry another outfit, just wearing it daily.  Especially in AK. I would still have to bring my favorite Woolrich merino shirt though.  Never leave home without it.

[Tedd]

Kuiu. The best and lightest clothing I have worn. I own a lot of it except the down. Just the weight and bulk reduction in your duffle bag are enough to use it.  One tupperware bin holds my entire wardrobe for 100 degrees to below -0, hike in tree stand hunts. You can wash it as often as you want. It took a year or two to get the right combination of pcs.  I have never been as warm and comfortable as I have with Kuiu.
My favorite pcs - Peleton 200 top  https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/peloton-200-zip-t/20024.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_20024_color=Verde2.0

This thing is thin but warm - Peleton 240 jacket     https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/peloton-240-full-zip/20022.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_20022_color=Verde2.0

Insulated snap shirt - I don't know what the heck is in it but it is incredibly warm for it's thin-ness!   https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/insulated-snap-shirt/14007.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_14007_color=Slate

I also like the attack pants and own 3 pair. And the guide pants too. I would like the down pants for tree stand sits.

 I was no lager able to carry enough wool clothing to stay warm in a windy tree stand in the mountains of Pennsylvania.

Tedd

 

[Tedd]

Kuiu. The best and lightest clothing I have worn. I own a lot of it except the down. Just the weight and bulk reduction in your duffle bag are enough to use it.  One tupperware bin holds my entire wardrobe for 100 degrees to below -0, hike in tree stand hunts. You can wash it as often as you want. It took a year or two to get the right combination of pcs.  I have never been as warm and comfortable as I have with Kuiu.
My favorite pcs - Peleton 200 top  https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/peloton-200-zip-t/20024.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_20024_color=Verde2.0

This thing is thin but warm - Peleton 240 jacket     https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/peloton-240-full-zip/20022.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_20022_color=Verde2.0

Insulated snap shirt - I don't know what the heck is in it but it is incredibly warm for it's thin-ness!   https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-mid-layers/insulated-snap-shirt/14007.html?cgid=shirts-mid&dwvar_14007_color=Slate

I also like the attack pants and own 3 pair. And the guide pants too. I would like the down pants for tree stand sits.

Their soft-shell jacket is too noise for bow hunting but it's great for everything else.

I prefer Firstlite socks over Kuiu.

 I was no lager able to carry enough wool clothing to stay warm in a windy tree stand in the mountains of Pennsylvania.

Tedd

[Tedd]

Not sure what happened there, I tried to edit my post but copied it instead.
Anyhow - The Kuiu soft-shell jacket is too loud for bow hunting but great for everything else and the Firstlite socks are better than Kuiu.

Tedd

[KentuckyTJ]

Ryan, I am an old school wool guy as well but at the beginning of this season I had a friend offer me 65% off any Sitka gear I wanted. So I got a bunch of it and want to pass along my findings. The cold in the past few years has seemed to affect me more and the wind is what you want to stop getting into your layers. In the past I would have to wear so much wool but the wind would go through most of it rendering it worthless bulkyness. A outer shell with goretex or some other type of wind stopper is key. As the season progresses I would get thicker underneath with heavier weight Merino wool long handles. The new clothes are thinner/lighter weight and when you stop the wind from getting in they really work to keep you warmer.

They also wick the sweat away and I found this year I didn’t get that cold chill 30 minutes after I would get settled into my stand from the sweat. That was the beginning of keeping me comfortable longer. As always keeping your neck and head covered is essential as well. Good luck and hope your trips are safe and successful.

[Hud]

FutureLight is a new waterproof fabric that has gone through rigorous testing, and will be out sometime this fall.  Other articles I have read, say the big difference is you do not sweat inside regardless of the energy expended and you stay dry.  It is from NorthFace, I would try to get it regardless of the color, maybe.

https://www.adventure-journal.com/2019/01/the-north-face-says-new-futurelight-fabric-is-waterproof-gamechanger/

[mec lineman]

I have finally shifted to some of the newer hunting clothes.  I have sitka fanatic line. I Really like Kuiu Atack pants and the merino base layers. The Kuiu line is extremely packable and dries almost instantly.