I have the kuiu guide pants, chugach rain jacket, and a pair of gaiters. I use the Gaiters to keep the pants from getting wet or torn up. Nothing some super glue can’t fix. Best rain coat I’ve ever had, and I’ll wear it as a shell if it’s snowing. I bought it a size bigger than normal so if I layered up I can still move freely. I’ve probably had all over 6 years. Now if I’m sitting in a tree stand in December, I’ll take my carhart bibs.

I’ll agree with what Ed P said also, minus the old part, but I’m working on that

I used to love the Cabelas gear and still use some of my MT050 from time to time, but compared to the Kuiu gear the Cabelas stuff feels like it is filled with lead. Absolutely no comparison in weight. The Kuiu Super Ultra Down is phenomenal when it comes to warmth to weight ratio. I believe the pants and jacket combined weigh less than a pound and can be wadded up small enough to fit in your pocket. It also is water/wind proof. I always wear it as an under layer as I feel as an outer layer it would be noisy and not durable. I did most of my more strenuous hunts before Kuiu, but have been a long time user of First Lite merino base layers. In a layering system the Kuiu will really shine on hunts where there is a lot of walking over multiple days in reducing cumulative fatigue. If I were to ever go on another elk or caribou hunt where a lot of walking was in order, Kuiu would definitely be my go to because of the warmth to weight ratio along with the engineering/thought that has went into the system for venting to regulate body temp, pocket design, fit and it is down right comfortable with the no binding design. I scoffed at the price as many have, but using sales, discount codes, the used market etc have started to accumulate some of the most useful pieces I need.

On another not I never wear a Kuiu outer layer to tree stand whitetail bow hunt in WV as I feel it is not quiet enough.

In my opinion its worth the money. If you're the kind of hunter who sits in a blind shack or spends a lot of the time in a truck, sure it's not worth it. I bet most of the people saying the expensive clothing is for those who just like to spend the money couldn't hang for a couple miles in the mountains. I run Sitka clothes. They are awesome. The fits are great and sporty, and there is something for all conditions. The rain gear is top notch. I think its worth it for what its worth.

I wear old school camo from the 90's

Mostly Mossy Oak brand camo in different patterns

I have nine full sets ( 6 pocket pants , short sleeve t-shirt , long sleeve t-shirt , button up long sleeve ) to run a full week of archery hunting .

I keep them in a heavy duty tote , with fresh cut sage .

Some guys I know run one or two high dollar outfits all week long , sweating like pigs ......do pigs sweat ?

To each their own

Just layer up with some good old outdoor everyday workclothes.
All that other stuff is just gimmicky junk to get your money.

That outfit will most likely result in your death where I hunt and trap. A good recipe for hypothermia.

Cotton Kills. Still abusing 20 year old Cabela's gear but I agree the new stuff is junk. Layers are the ticket to comfort and safety and a pack large enough to hold it when you shed some of those layers. 38 years of experimenting in Alaska will shorten your list of what's acceptable. A friend brought Sitka gear up here but it went into the trash rather than the luggage back to the lower 48. Complete tatters on a very moderate hunt. Wool is fine if you aren't putting on miles or sliding down avalanche chutes on your rear end. Under Grunden's on an ATV all day in the rain is nice and cozy.
Sounds like you need lightweight layers and a good shell for wind / rain. Fleece is my go to for layers.

Lots of good info in here. Oh, Boco…..don’t ever change. Lol.

USMC, I'm not sure if you know but you can sign up with Sitka and receive 40% off of their clothing for your service. You have to do it directly through them, its called their pro program

First Lite also has a program similar to this but I'm not sure what their discount is

Kuiu only offers 10% off to veterans and law enforcement

Noah, good info, buddy. I’ll check it out.

Been awhile since I hunted elk. 40 years or so. None of that stuff you guys are talking about was even invented. Elk season was in Oct. in CO. Far from arctic conditions. Never been to AK. Trapped and camped in some WY Jan and Feb weather. Was a bit chilly a few times but got by. Instead of walking 17 miles a day we used horses and mules to hunt elk. Set up a camp. Hike 3-4 miles tops. Used binoculars more than boots or saddles. Trapping in WY used an argo a lot. If your going to pack out antlers and meat on your back , your going to earn your groceries no matter what your wearing.

What country is on the tag of Sitka or First Lite or Kuiu?

Cotton is rotten..need wick dry tee shirts...and wick dry socks

Same here on the Cabela's clothing, the old stuff was good and practically indestructible. I still have a lot of it that's twenty-five years old, well-worn and still very serviceable.

Good advice you give.

It wasn’t many years ago I would have agreed with the car hart crowd but I gotta tell ya their is no comparison between today’s hunting gear and what was available just a few years ago . Today’s clothing is lighter warmer and quieter than anything available just ten years ago. I don’t know how many dry plus jackets I have that only work if it does NOT rain , lol. Just kept trying different weight jackets and non of them worked. That being said they were a lot lighter than carharts and warmer.
Today I have a 3 piece set of Browning ( jacket outer parka and bibs ) that are warm , dry , quiet and weigh about a third of what the old clothes weighed. I bought the entire getup 50 percent/off for about $150 and wish I had listened to my son a long time ago .
Yea it’s made in China but the price was right and the wearability ( is that a word ) is great . I can’t speak for using it on a 10 to 17 mile hike , I start heading to the truck after 3 or 4 when I’m in the mountains.
Good luck John, let us know what you end up with .
P.S. also bought this on clearance after season.

I bought some KUIU stuff last year and will be buying a bunch more this year. It’s all really nice but I defiantly like some pieces more than others. It light weight dries fast and keeps you warm

Check out Camofire and Black Ovis for deals. This time of the year they put older styles on closeout and get ready to roll out new pieces, deals can be had on some items.
Forums like Rokslide will have clothing for sale, you can get some good deals.
I've bought new items on Ebay.

Lots of military discounts out there.
If you pop on over to a western hunting forum like Rokslide they have manufacturers come on with new products and new manufacturers too.

The skiing and snowboarding stuff is good but not quiet.

Warm , lightweight clothing for mountain hunting is a game changer. No heavy pants to weigh down your legs in deadfall, quick drying materials when it gets wet and warmth with light weight.

not USA.

I am still using 20-year old Mil Issue gore tex jacket and pants in original woodland camo. Tough stuff, no broken zippers, still waterproof including seams. Too noisy for some close in hunting, but quite functional. If you might have to live in it for a week, without dying out indoors, you'll appreciate it.

Try mountain hunting in that getup you just described. You'll have a stroke. Usually the people I see commenting on high end hunting clothing have never actually tried it, or don't hunt in the same conditions and can't justify it. Carhartt sold their soul to China and are good for riding 4 wheelers around, and that's about it around here.