Kuiu vs First Light

[wtpops]

Looking to buy some wool. Relocated from Cali to Arkansas. Wow this stuff has a price tag but i need to stay warm and not BULKY. Put on a bunch of layers and a coat, went out to the back yard and could hit the broad side of a barn, took half the stuff off and bingo back on target.

Im looking to stay warm through late December, January and February.

Has any one tried both of these and do you have a preference.

Kuiu has a sale right now and has a few things im looking at in stock but don't want to save money on something that wont work as well as something else.

Thank you for your input.

[el chupa nibre]

Both are great choices for base layers. For me, it just come down to the colors/price since both use NZ Merino wool. I really like the Fusion camo from First Lite. Don't mind supporting either company, but I'm interested in trying Duckworth for their base layers because they're using a unique American Merino wool (sourced and made completely in the USA).

But with KUIU's pre-Black Friday sale going on, I would jump on that  deal.

[pdk25]

I am not expert, but I love the first lite wool as base layers, and think it is a step above kuiu wool garments, IMHO.  I don't rely on wool to keep me warm without bulk beyond base layers.  I have been wearing the chama with a Labrador on top during the coldest of weather.  One product that I have tried on from others is the superdown jacket from kuiu, and it is awesome.  Not bulky at all and shines as an insulation layer, then with a light shirt or jacket of fleece over the top.  Not too bulky, very warm, and not too noisy as long as there is a soft layer under and over. YMMV.

[pdk25]

Oh, and a pair of insulated bibs with fleece pants makes a big difference for me as well.  Bibs don't cause me to make much noise on stand, and don't get bulky enough to affect my sot.

[DaveT1963]

First lite for my base layers and I love their vest as well

[buckster]

Originally posted by pdk25:
Oh, and a pair of insulated bibs with fleece pants makes a big difference for me as well.  Bibs don't cause me to make much noise on stand, and don't get bulky enough to affect my sot.

X2 what my hunting buddy Pat said.  Also I sent you a P.M. Rick.

[Dirtybird]

From a quality standpoint u would suggest the firstlite.  The garments are just seen together tougher than kuiu.  I own both and my KUIU is falling apart.  Just my two cents.

[German Dog]

Never had kuiu but have had smartwool, minus33, tried on filson merino baselayer, and now this year got some firstlite tops.I got the firstlite balacalava last year and really liked it so went with the LLana shirt, and chama shirt this year. I'd been wanting new merino to replace my old smartwool stuff for about the last two or three years but just held off. One thing I noticed with firstlite is that the garmets have pretty much stayed the same where as kuiu has changed materials.  hate it when you buy something and like it and then the next year you can no loger get it. Kind of makes ya wonder why kuiu is having another big sale right now.
As far as the garmets go that I've had or tried.....

Didn't like the fit of the filson.

The minuss33 is junk compared to my smartwool stuff i had.

The firstlite stuff is super nice and I plan to buy more of it as soon as I can. The genius part of the firstlite tops is the extended lenght cuffs with the thumbhole. I also like the ASAT camo.

[Ryan Sanpei]

I've tried both and I'm really happy with my First Lite wool products.

[johnnyk71]

Originally posted by DaveT1963:
First lite for my base layers and I love their vest as well

same here. I'm getting close to fully outfitted with First Lite in the lighter weight stuff, and couldn't be happier with it.

[beendare]

I've used the Kuiu old and new, FL, Core 4, icebreaker and red ram [ same mnfr], smartwool

All of those are very good except for the older Kuiu stuff was a bit scratchy- but they have fixed that now.

Price wise the Red Ram on Sierra trading is up to 75% less than some on the others and pretty decent quality though not quite as tight a weave.

[screamin]

I've used the older kuiu, firstlite, terramar, smartwool, and core4. Core 4 is my favorite but I do wear solid color smartwool and terramar in the winter around the house.

[pdk25]

Core4 not so good for tall people with long arms as far as size goes.

[jonsimoneau]

For wool base layers check out the stuff that Sitka Gear makes.  I love it.  I wear the wool base layer top by itself during the early season (it is camo) and then add layers appropriately for the rest of the year.

[Ryan Sanpei]

First Lite has solid colors (dry earth, pine, black) in their merino selection, but if you're a "camo guy", they also came out with their new "Fusion" pattern this year.

 

[screamin]

Originally posted by pdk25:
Core4 not so good for tall people with long arms as far as size goes.

It's funny that you say that, must be the new stuff from easton. Mine is the old stuff from core 4 and thats why I got rid of my kuiu. It drove me crazy how short the sleeves were. Core 4 is perfect and has long tails too.... well, at least the old stuff did.

[pdk25]

Got mine from camofire.  Not sure what year.  I normally wear xl, and had to get the 3xl for sleeve length.  Sometimes they list the sizing chart, and you have to get at least 2xl to have 36 or 35/36 inch sleeves.  Glad your stuff I working out for you.

[Izzy]

A thin merino sweater of any brand will make a biiiiiig difference in helping you tolerate the cold. You can get killer sales this time of year at big stores like Macy's here in NY, like a 100.00 sweater for 20.00. They be made abroad but if you can stomach that, consider that route.

[German Dog]

Ryan,
 
 The photo of the fusion looks great. I considered some on my recent purchase but the color on firstlites website almsot made the light color look white. Is it more of a grey or is it a white?

[johnnyk71]

Ryan, i like that Fusion. i am a diehard ASAT guy, but sometimes, a little darker base pattern might be nice.

how does it do in the shadowy areas that you guys hunt?