North
FNG
I had the chance to use a full 11 piece set of Kryptek Altitude clothing for 2+ weeks in Montana from late September through early October. Conditions ended up being very rainy, snowy, and occasionally pretty windy, with temps running from 15 degrees to 60. Here is my experience.
I've used mostly Sitka/First Lite in the past, but I discovered the Altitude system when searching for quality raingear, which was one piece I did not have in a real "hunting" brand. Around home, I've always used an ill-fitting set of US military surplus GoreTex raingear, and for backpack hunting (which I just started doing last year, but don't worry, I've been wearing clothes most of my adult life so I feel qualified to write this review) I just carried a set of Marmot Precip nylon raingear. I was torn between buying a lighter, packable set of raingear with possibly suspect durability and waterproofness, or a more bombproof, but heavy, hardcore set of Alaskan-grade stuff. It was a tough decision because I live in Wisconsin where it can get pretty wet and the thick, underbrush-laden woods can tear gear apart, but in Montana where I elk hunt it's usually pretty dry and the woods are easier to maneuver without too much damage to clothing. With even the lighter, more packable raingear such as First Lite's Vapor running a few hundred bucks, I didn't love the idea of spending that much on something I wouldn't be comfortable wearing regularly or that wouldn't serve all of my needs.
At one point I must have made the mistake of searching "best hunting raingear" or something, and Kryptek's Takur raingear set started popping up. Of course, along with the discussions of how this stuff was the most fantastic, technologically-advanced raingear around, there was also always a mention (often with expletives and audible gasping) of the high price point; $700 for the jacket and $600 for the pants.
Well, once I went down the research rabbit hole, I eventually convinced myself that I wasn't going to be happy with anything but the Takur jacket. Luckily, (or possibly unluckily, depending on how you look at it) Kryptek was running a sale where if you spent a certain amount (I'll be keeping that amount a secret in case my wife stumbles across this) on Altitude gear you could get a large discount on the purchase price. Initially, I decided I could get by with just the Takur jacket and gaiters, but after receiving my first order and falling in love with the stuff I received, I was back on the phone with Kryptek begging to have my discount extended to a second order....and then a third.
The set I ultimately ended up with is as follows with weights and retail prices. I am 6'1" 180 lbs with 32/32 pant measurements and a 44-inch chest. Despite not having too big of a frame I generally wear a large shirt/jacket due to shoulder/back width. Weights are mine, not Kryptek's.
Ghar Jacket (Large) 1 lb .9 oz $299.99
Arma Fleece Beanie 1.3 oz $34.99
Arma Fleece Neck Gaiter 1.7 oz $34.99
Arma Fleece ½ Zip (Large) 14.1 oz $129.99
Arma Hoodie (Large) 1 lb 5.7 oz $169.99
Takur Gaiter (Medium) 9.3 oz (pair) $189.99
Takur Pant (Med Reg) 1 lb 3.3 oz $599.99
Takur Jacket (Large) 1 lb 8.9 oz $699.99
Tora Ball Cap 2.5 oz $59.99
Tora Gloves 3.0 oz (Large-pair) $89.00
Tora Pant 32/32 1 lb 3.5 oz/1 lb 4.1 oz with kneepads) $299.99
The Good
Everything I got with the set fit me perfectly. If anything, the jackets were slightly long, running well past my waist and partially over my hands. In my opinion, this is perfect, because if there is any shrinkage down the road the arms won't get too short and my tramp stamp won't hang out when I bend over. I could see a guy a few inches taller than me fitting into this stuff fine, and Kryptek does offer tall sizes as well. Sorry, but if you're short, it appears Kryptek hates you.
The camo pattern and colors on the set are awesome. The Altitude set is designed for above-treeline sheep hunts, something I likely will not be doing anytime soon as my finances will be tied up in paying off all of my new Altitude gear, but the mix of dark greens and stone greys are perfect for the somewhat rocky evergreen woods I hunt in Montana. Kryptek uses a different process for applying the camo print to the Altitude line than most hunting clothing manufactures, and the result is the coloration seems richer and more vibrant somehow. Will it be the perfect camo for fall and winter treestand hunting in Wisconsin? Probably not, but I'll still look cool as hell up there!
The entire set, when worn together, was not constrictive or bunched-up feeling at all. Kryptek calls the cut "athletic," but on my frame, it wasn't super form-fitting, but not billowy or square-looking either. If all of the pieces were hugging me like a wetsuit I doubt they would have layered as well; even when layered up like an onion with a base layer, 2 fleece jackets, a puffy and a rain jacket over the top I felt perfectly comfortable.
The Arma pieces are a grid fleece with a blend of a small amount of merino wool with synthetic fiber. It's not the lightest material (compare the Arma Hoodie in large at 1 lb 5.7 oz to my Sitka Core Heavyweight Hoodie at 14.8 oz) but it's comfortable, warm, and fast-drying. It even blocks the wind pretty well for a fleece. My one complaint on my Sitka Core Hoodie is the lack of handwarmer pockets, so the huge zippered pockets on the Arma hoodie are quite welcome. The zipper zips to right under the chin but does not offer any facial concealment. The Arma 1/2 Zip is the same material, and the omission of pockets and hood give it the benefit of reduced weight and cost but make it a less versatile piece. Having both, I'd likely only use the Arma 1/2 zip as a layering piece, whereas the hoodie would be something I'd throw on by itself in moderately cool weather for a trip to the store or for working outside. The Arma beanie and neck gaiter offer no game-changing features, but they're made of the same grid fleece as the rest of the Arma set. I've never used a neck gaiter much before but on this trip I found it to be a fast and simple way to increase or decrease warmth while on the move without having to stop and remove my pack to drop a layer, almost as much so as the beanie hat.
The Takur pieces are everything people have been saying about them and lived up to the hype for me. Had the trip turned out to be less wet they probably would have sat there in my pack taking up space and leaving a hole in my checking account with no benefit, but luckily (or unluckily, depending on how you look at it) this was one of these trips where having real raingear paid for itself on the first day. Could I have stayed dry with my Precip nylon raingear? Maybe, but the Takur material is so breathable that I just ended up wearing the jacket every day, rain or shine. While it's not like I didn't sweat, I never once had to stop to remove it because I felt like I was getting too stuffy or overheated.
Kryptek recommended I wash it 2-3 times to start breaking it in and quieting it down, and after 2 washes I didn't feel it was unacceptably noisy whatsoever. Now, there's no doubt a trad bow guy out there who thinks hunting in nothing but a moleskin loincloth is too noisy, but for the level of rain protection you're getting I can't imagine the volume level disappointing most bowhunters.
I wore the gaiters daily as well, and they are easy to get on and off and did their job. The webbing which is supposed to hold down the loose end of the bootstrap is placed too high for the strap to actually reach it, which is a little weird, but I didn't have any problems with it. I did wear the rain pants several times, and I didn't notice any breathability issues at all. In fact, on warmer days I wore them directly over my synthetic longjohns as my only pants. My only complaint on the pant is that you only get 2 zippered front pockets with no back or cargo pockets, but you're lucky to get any pockets at all in rain pants, so I found it acceptable. I experienced no snagging, stitching issues, or obvious abrasion of any kind on any of the Takur gear. After a wash, it all still looks new, including the gaiters, which were covered in mud and kicking brush and tree limbs for 150+ miles. The material takes on no water at all, so the surface stays completely dry, requiring no hang time at the end of the day to be ready for more in the morning.
The Ghar jacket is the one piece I didn't get to use since I had a different puffy on hand for doing camp chores and cooking at night when the weather was the coldest. I love the fit and feel of the jacket. It has a DWR and CIRE finish (which is a waxy coating making it silky smooth to the touch) and uses insulation mapping with synthetic material in areas likely to get soaked with water and real down everywhere else. The Puffy Police have already issued an arrest warrant for Kryptek for not including a hood on the Ghar, but I don't miss having a hood. I'd consider this a midseason puffy and I already have a beanie plus the hoods on the Arma hoodie and Takur jacket, and no hood means less bulk and weight making it an easier decision to pack this puffy "just in case." The only days I got cold enough to wish I had the puffy along I'd left it back at camp to have more room for air in my pack.
I've used mostly Sitka/First Lite in the past, but I discovered the Altitude system when searching for quality raingear, which was one piece I did not have in a real "hunting" brand. Around home, I've always used an ill-fitting set of US military surplus GoreTex raingear, and for backpack hunting (which I just started doing last year, but don't worry, I've been wearing clothes most of my adult life so I feel qualified to write this review) I just carried a set of Marmot Precip nylon raingear. I was torn between buying a lighter, packable set of raingear with possibly suspect durability and waterproofness, or a more bombproof, but heavy, hardcore set of Alaskan-grade stuff. It was a tough decision because I live in Wisconsin where it can get pretty wet and the thick, underbrush-laden woods can tear gear apart, but in Montana where I elk hunt it's usually pretty dry and the woods are easier to maneuver without too much damage to clothing. With even the lighter, more packable raingear such as First Lite's Vapor running a few hundred bucks, I didn't love the idea of spending that much on something I wouldn't be comfortable wearing regularly or that wouldn't serve all of my needs.
At one point I must have made the mistake of searching "best hunting raingear" or something, and Kryptek's Takur raingear set started popping up. Of course, along with the discussions of how this stuff was the most fantastic, technologically-advanced raingear around, there was also always a mention (often with expletives and audible gasping) of the high price point; $700 for the jacket and $600 for the pants.
Well, once I went down the research rabbit hole, I eventually convinced myself that I wasn't going to be happy with anything but the Takur jacket. Luckily, (or possibly unluckily, depending on how you look at it) Kryptek was running a sale where if you spent a certain amount (I'll be keeping that amount a secret in case my wife stumbles across this) on Altitude gear you could get a large discount on the purchase price. Initially, I decided I could get by with just the Takur jacket and gaiters, but after receiving my first order and falling in love with the stuff I received, I was back on the phone with Kryptek begging to have my discount extended to a second order....and then a third.
The set I ultimately ended up with is as follows with weights and retail prices. I am 6'1" 180 lbs with 32/32 pant measurements and a 44-inch chest. Despite not having too big of a frame I generally wear a large shirt/jacket due to shoulder/back width. Weights are mine, not Kryptek's.
Ghar Jacket (Large) 1 lb .9 oz $299.99
Arma Fleece Beanie 1.3 oz $34.99
Arma Fleece Neck Gaiter 1.7 oz $34.99
Arma Fleece ½ Zip (Large) 14.1 oz $129.99
Arma Hoodie (Large) 1 lb 5.7 oz $169.99
Takur Gaiter (Medium) 9.3 oz (pair) $189.99
Takur Pant (Med Reg) 1 lb 3.3 oz $599.99
Takur Jacket (Large) 1 lb 8.9 oz $699.99
Tora Ball Cap 2.5 oz $59.99
Tora Gloves 3.0 oz (Large-pair) $89.00
Tora Pant 32/32 1 lb 3.5 oz/1 lb 4.1 oz with kneepads) $299.99
The Good
Everything I got with the set fit me perfectly. If anything, the jackets were slightly long, running well past my waist and partially over my hands. In my opinion, this is perfect, because if there is any shrinkage down the road the arms won't get too short and my tramp stamp won't hang out when I bend over. I could see a guy a few inches taller than me fitting into this stuff fine, and Kryptek does offer tall sizes as well. Sorry, but if you're short, it appears Kryptek hates you.
The camo pattern and colors on the set are awesome. The Altitude set is designed for above-treeline sheep hunts, something I likely will not be doing anytime soon as my finances will be tied up in paying off all of my new Altitude gear, but the mix of dark greens and stone greys are perfect for the somewhat rocky evergreen woods I hunt in Montana. Kryptek uses a different process for applying the camo print to the Altitude line than most hunting clothing manufactures, and the result is the coloration seems richer and more vibrant somehow. Will it be the perfect camo for fall and winter treestand hunting in Wisconsin? Probably not, but I'll still look cool as hell up there!
The entire set, when worn together, was not constrictive or bunched-up feeling at all. Kryptek calls the cut "athletic," but on my frame, it wasn't super form-fitting, but not billowy or square-looking either. If all of the pieces were hugging me like a wetsuit I doubt they would have layered as well; even when layered up like an onion with a base layer, 2 fleece jackets, a puffy and a rain jacket over the top I felt perfectly comfortable.
The Arma pieces are a grid fleece with a blend of a small amount of merino wool with synthetic fiber. It's not the lightest material (compare the Arma Hoodie in large at 1 lb 5.7 oz to my Sitka Core Heavyweight Hoodie at 14.8 oz) but it's comfortable, warm, and fast-drying. It even blocks the wind pretty well for a fleece. My one complaint on my Sitka Core Hoodie is the lack of handwarmer pockets, so the huge zippered pockets on the Arma hoodie are quite welcome. The zipper zips to right under the chin but does not offer any facial concealment. The Arma 1/2 Zip is the same material, and the omission of pockets and hood give it the benefit of reduced weight and cost but make it a less versatile piece. Having both, I'd likely only use the Arma 1/2 zip as a layering piece, whereas the hoodie would be something I'd throw on by itself in moderately cool weather for a trip to the store or for working outside. The Arma beanie and neck gaiter offer no game-changing features, but they're made of the same grid fleece as the rest of the Arma set. I've never used a neck gaiter much before but on this trip I found it to be a fast and simple way to increase or decrease warmth while on the move without having to stop and remove my pack to drop a layer, almost as much so as the beanie hat.
The Takur pieces are everything people have been saying about them and lived up to the hype for me. Had the trip turned out to be less wet they probably would have sat there in my pack taking up space and leaving a hole in my checking account with no benefit, but luckily (or unluckily, depending on how you look at it) this was one of these trips where having real raingear paid for itself on the first day. Could I have stayed dry with my Precip nylon raingear? Maybe, but the Takur material is so breathable that I just ended up wearing the jacket every day, rain or shine. While it's not like I didn't sweat, I never once had to stop to remove it because I felt like I was getting too stuffy or overheated.
Kryptek recommended I wash it 2-3 times to start breaking it in and quieting it down, and after 2 washes I didn't feel it was unacceptably noisy whatsoever. Now, there's no doubt a trad bow guy out there who thinks hunting in nothing but a moleskin loincloth is too noisy, but for the level of rain protection you're getting I can't imagine the volume level disappointing most bowhunters.
I wore the gaiters daily as well, and they are easy to get on and off and did their job. The webbing which is supposed to hold down the loose end of the bootstrap is placed too high for the strap to actually reach it, which is a little weird, but I didn't have any problems with it. I did wear the rain pants several times, and I didn't notice any breathability issues at all. In fact, on warmer days I wore them directly over my synthetic longjohns as my only pants. My only complaint on the pant is that you only get 2 zippered front pockets with no back or cargo pockets, but you're lucky to get any pockets at all in rain pants, so I found it acceptable. I experienced no snagging, stitching issues, or obvious abrasion of any kind on any of the Takur gear. After a wash, it all still looks new, including the gaiters, which were covered in mud and kicking brush and tree limbs for 150+ miles. The material takes on no water at all, so the surface stays completely dry, requiring no hang time at the end of the day to be ready for more in the morning.
The Ghar jacket is the one piece I didn't get to use since I had a different puffy on hand for doing camp chores and cooking at night when the weather was the coldest. I love the fit and feel of the jacket. It has a DWR and CIRE finish (which is a waxy coating making it silky smooth to the touch) and uses insulation mapping with synthetic material in areas likely to get soaked with water and real down everywhere else. The Puffy Police have already issued an arrest warrant for Kryptek for not including a hood on the Ghar, but I don't miss having a hood. I'd consider this a midseason puffy and I already have a beanie plus the hoods on the Arma hoodie and Takur jacket, and no hood means less bulk and weight making it an easier decision to pack this puffy "just in case." The only days I got cold enough to wish I had the puffy along I'd left it back at camp to have more room for air in my pack.