First Lite or Kuiu...what's better overall?

[tipsntails7]

X2...Jason has publicly stated his support for SFW and how great of an org he believes them to be, can't support that line of thinking.

Dot seriously?? That's an F--ing joke if that's true. If I already didn't have enough qualms with the way the do things. No matter how nice their gear is, it's getting near impossible for me to willingngive them any money.

 

[hunter4christ7502]

A little out of the loop on SFW are we talking about the sportsman for fish and wildlife? Aren't they pretty crooked?

 

[COlineman78]

The SFW founder called the current hunting model "Socialism" implying that it should be reserved for landowners. http://www.adn.com/article/20120303/state-considers-hunting-rights-alaska-landowners

Post #28 in this discussion is helpful: http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=266974&page=2

 

[hunter4christ7502]

Forget that!!

 

[hunter4christ7502]

Its funny I just about answered my own question. Gonna fully go with First lite other than the Kuiu Guide DCS jacket. Hopefully over time the soft shell from first lite will soften up or maybe they will make it quieter in years to come. After doing a little research I couldn't be more impressed with First Lite and what they stand for. As well as I am a pretty aggressive spot n stalk hunter and can't account for other complaints about the durability of First Lite clothing. I've been pretty impressed with them all together with durability.Like I said, the only complaint I really have is the NB line is a little noisy. Definitely going to be fully supporting Kenton and First Lite as well as Steve and Lenny at EXO Mountain gear. Those guys made a pack that blows my Kuiu Icon Pro 5200 out of the water.

Thanks for all the advice and info. Defiantly sense First Lite is much more than just for the "performance" of hunting but for the conservationism, community and overall practice for good sportsmanship for all hunters for generations to come.

 

[sneaky]

I think you made a good choice. SFW likes to prattle on about socialism, yet they have their hand out for govt money more and more. Jason and Don Peay run in the same circles, although Jason caught a lot of flack once he came out in support of SFW. FL puts their money where their mouth is and walks the walk. I'm glad they're finally making pants in tall sizes for this year. I have, or have had, almost all of their pieces and was a dealer for them for a few years as well. Great company to associate with.

 

[MuleyFever]

X2...Jason has publicly stated his support for SFW and how great of an org he believes them to be, can't support that line of thinking.

If this is true I think I am done with KUIU.

 

[dotman]

Dot seriously?? That's an F--ing joke if that's true. If I already didn't have enough qualms with the way the do things. No matter how nice their gear is, it's getting near impossible for me to willingngive them any money.

It's all over bowsite with quotes Jason posted on his forum about how great Don P and SFW are for hunters. After the backlash there I think he deleted quickly of his forum but the copy and paste is still on bowsite.

 

[Shrek]

It's all over bowsite with quotes Jason posted on his forum about how great Don P and SFW are for hunters. After the backlash there I think he deleted quickly of his forum but the copy and paste is still on bowsite.

Too f'n funny ! He killed the forum because of all the bad publicity and having to edit it constantly and now he has to edit his own words to clean up his stupidity. He ran away from here because he couldn't edit the forum and did his best to screw Ryan , Robby , and back then Aron on the way out.
As to First Lite , I've loved everything I've gotten from them and I've never met anyone who knows Kenton who has anything but good to say about the man and I've stopped by their office and the people there were great although Kenton was not in so I didn't get to meet him personally. Jason and Kuiu not so much. Everyone I've met who knows him has nothing good to say when his name is mentioned.

 

[dotman]

Funny thing about FL, I have only used the customer service a few times and I have talke with Kenton twice as he was the first to answer the phone. A good standup company that makes excellent clothing.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Like I said, the only complaint I really have is the NB line is a little noisy.

I agree, I had the NB Jacket and sold it. More than being noisy, I think soft shells occupy a very odd place in the functionality spectrum of hunting clothing. Not waterproof, semi-heavy, noisy, etc. The jacket was pretty warm but really didn't get much use from me. I still use an old Mountain Hardware windstopper fleece jacket that has all of the benefits of a softshell but is quiet to boot. If FL put a Cocona layer in their Labrador sweater I'd be all over it.

 

[handwerk]

I've got 7 pieces from kuiu and a couple from FL and have been happy with everything. From my experience both good companies to deal with; for the most part kuiu fits me better but I'm happy to send business to each of them when they've come up with a product that works for me...lots of great choices out there nowdays.

 

[Gobbler36]

Just sold all of my kuiu for first lite because of support of the SFW can't support anyone that stands behind those snakes in the grass. Wish I would of known this before I purchased a couple items new from them. Gotta get into the habit of researching where companies send their write off dollars

 

[Jeff Martin]

I will admit, I got a small fortune in KUIU clothes. The quality is top notch but they are not the only game in town. I have tired to stay away from the KUIU bashing and politics and go on my personal experience with KUIU which has been good. With that said, too much stuff is adding up and this might be the end for me (if this is true) Again, I try to judge companies for myself, not what others say.

So, has anyone used the corrugate pant? Compared to the attacks? Every discussion on this topic is wishy washy.... I need someone that has put them on and hunted hard in them. I am most concerned about Nylon being HOT and NOISY. Anyone? Perhaps, I need a KUIU Attack replacement

 

[ChrisS]

I love my attack pants. I have a pair of kanabs to try out this season. I'm not a huge of fan of FL's solid colors, though. The green is an odd shade and the brown makes you look like a deer.

 

[joshkaywood]

I have a ton of all three. KUIU makes some great gear, however their customer support and sales are a complete nightmare to deal with. I have ordered several things that came months after the order (which were marked in stock on their website). I have also worked to get some products in before last season, they kept telling me we will have it in stock soon which was apparently a direct lie, this started 4 months before season opened and by the time it did, I never actually got it, so I canceled my order and picked up Sitka's version out of pure spite. (FL didn't really cary anything comparable at the time I don't think)

As a guy who has built multiple businesses, I know how difficult inventory management can be, however customer support and transparency is massive for repeat business. It is clear that KUIU is struggling to operate as they scale, and they are in no way showing grace under pressure. Because of Jason's complete failure on this, I have limited my KUIU purchases to almost nothing at this point.

I don't know anything about his support of SFW so I don't want to speculate on that.

I'm going to be running FL for the majority of all my new backcountry purchases, and Sitka for my waterfowl gear.

As a BCHA member I love the support I see from the FL team, and to be honest it gets me amped to support a group of good guys making great products.

 

[elkyinzer]

Nothing but good things to say about FL, no experience with Kuiu for me. I've seen nothing to the contrary but I hope FL has studied the perils of a companies outgrowing their roots. I can say that the design/cut of the new Halstead fleece isn't quite up to par with other stuff I have from them, but that is nitpicking as it's my only complaint. Their merino is just awesome, most comfortable and durable of the 5 mfgs I've tried.

Honestly speaking, in a weird kinda way, I liked it more when I first started wearing FL's stuff and no one else knew what it was except other hardcore hunters. Now it's all over the place. Like the hipsters that stop liking a band when their singles hit the radio.

 

[Trial153]

I sold all my KUIU. A couple of bad CS experiences with them and supply issues was enough to push me away for good. I have some first lite bases and( Chama hoody is a must own ) and all outerwear is Sitka Gear. I don't plan on changing anytime soon.

 

[larryschwartz]

hunter4christ7502,

Many hunters wear a mix of products from different manufacturers and different camo patterns and are very successful with it. My kit is a total hodgepodge but it is comfortable and it works for me. I don't see any need to wear stuff from only one or the other or in one camo pattern or the other. Use what works best for its purpose and sell or give away the rest.

BTW, mixing camo patterns often makes the overall system even more effective. And, if your baselayer camo is covered up does it really matter what pattern it is?

Larry

 

[Marshmstr]

I have both, wear both and like both....but once you wear some attack pants, you'll love kuiu for making them.