Looking to get some new stuff this year as I have not bought anything the past 7 years. Looking for opinions on Kuiu,First Lite and Sitka clothing.

Durability, warmth and functionality. What's your pick if you're using it.

FL stuff is great, Sitka Core base layers are as well. All pretty expensive stuff, but you can get good deals if you shop around.

I have pieces of the three brands you mentioned. IMO it is all excellent stuff. However, I don't use it all the time. When I am hunting at my place in Texas, I rarely use it. I got it for specialty hunts like fly in trips when light weight gear is essential and can easily be dried when wet. Also IMO, it may not be as durable over the long haul if you wore it all the time. First Lite merino wool is amazingly warm, does not stink and is very light weight. FL rain gear is excellent especially when you are in it all day long. All very light weight and I have never torn or ripped any of it while using it. Just saying it may not be as durable as old fashioned materials over the long haul and daily usage. It is pretty pricy but like Damon says you can get deals if you shop around.

First lite stuff is great. I like their wool the best but also have a Woodbury coat and Sanctuary bibs. All good.

I like First Lite, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of those three.

All good but they all run small. Make sure you try it own before you buy.

I have First lite merino base layers. Excellent stuff. Kuiu also makes merino base layers. Sitka I believe offers one merino base layer. Most of its base layers are synthetic.

Have some first generation First light light wool pants with the ripstop weave. Not very rip stop. In fact not very durable at all. Maybe they've improved the product since then.

Have several pieces of Sitka outerwear. Very good stuff. Light and tough. Not as quiet as wool or fleece, of course, unless it is one of their fleece items. Mine are not.

Don't have any KUIU, but the First Lite and Sitka Gear I have runs true to size.

All three are great out west and back east. I've used the Kuiu and Sitka the most, don't like how dark the First Lite pattern is. Sitka seems to wear better and fit better, Kuiu fit me baggy compare to Sitka. Kuiu has so many layering options, with Sitka and First Lite about the same. If I was switching companies, I'd go with Kuiu.

Kuiu,First Lite and Sitka seem to be made primarily for mountain hunting or high country hunting. I mainly stand hunt now and the couple sets of Sitka I owned weren't warm enough for me and I didn't like the material. They were sold

Yes this is all great stuff for what it was designed for. Active mountain hunting. The eastern tree stand hunters might not like it for all day stand hunts where temps are freezing. But yes it’s all good stuff. Can mix it with more trad wool and have best if both worlds. Imo

Personaly I like traditional garb

I would say commercial camo has been around long enough to be called traditional. As a matter of fact, most bowhunters have been using it since the 1960's well before non-traditional archery bows were made and sold to the public.

I have several Kryptek shirts from merino wool to the newer fabrics. I like them a lot. They have a athletic cut so they fit tighter than normal. Got mine on clearance for a great price. Looking at Black Orvis now for a merino wool hoodie, its not Camo but would make a good base layer.

Even before the 60's George, this is my wife and I in 1958

Even before the 60's George, this is my wife and I in 1958

I was thinking more about the outer wear than base layers simply because I can find less expensive base layers of merino and such.

Maybe a light weight wind resistant jacket and pant and heavier jacket and pant for real cold weather.

cool pic ron

I’ve tried less expensive base layers but generally it doesn’t hold up as well. Outer layers will probably come down to what camo you want. All 3 make good stuff. The thing I always look for is will it breathe. First Lite does. Can speak for the other 2 haven’t tried them but most people really like them.

Most high performance clothing don't "breath". With the materials used I then, they were designed for a good, non baggy fit, more athletic type fit. Most pants and shirts have zippered vents in them. If the material "breathed", they won't be waterproof. Love how guys complain about the high performance clothing being noisy. If you're bulying your way through brush, of course they are noisy.

I used a two sets in the Arizona desert two years ago for over 30 days. Morning temps in the low 30's, afternoon temps in the high 80's. Loved being warm without the bulk and weight, but taking off a layer or two was enough to keep you cool. The granite in the desert is like any I've never seen, and I wore out a pair of boots without putting any holes or runs in my clothing. And yes,the clothing was quiet enough to get me within 20 yards of a bedded cous buck.

I've used the same clothing system to sit in tree stands in November in Ohio without shaking and shivering, and had the puffy jackets if I need them. The layering systems some carry is designed to keep you extremely warm. And the water and wind proofing in second to none.

With many places selling Sitka at very low prices to clear out the 2018 line, picking up some is easy and a lot cheaper.

For stand hunting in really cold weather, it's hard to beat the Sitka Gear Incinerator jacket and bibs. Wind and waterproof and warm. A bit noisy, but not enough to ever cost me a shot. I usually wear wool, but when it gets windy and cold, I wear the Sitka Gear. It is a bit pricey though.

There are all kinds of options out there. Many of which are just as good as or better than this years flavor of the year and they sell for less.

I've worn Patagonia stuff a lot when I was guiding winter steelhead/salmon flyfisherman and neer had a complaint. Coldpruf, Terramar, Hot Chilly's and others. They ain't trendy but they work.

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