2020 Sitka Kelvin Lite Down Jacket Review (vs KUIU Super Down Pro + why I'm not keeping either)

An in depth review of the 2020 Sitka Kelvin Lite Down Jacket and comparison to the KUIU Super Down Pro (and Sitka Kelvin Lite).
Full review: www.baxterbowman.com/sitka-ke...
Hunt Elk in 2020 Series: www.baxterbowman.com/hunt-elk...

[@McCoymiked]

I’m looking into this exact category of coat for rifle elk hunting and am intrigued by the down primaloft mix in the kelvin down hoody. But the the fact that it’s so new to the market makes me hesitate spending that kind of dough. So I appreciate you having tried it out and reviewed it so quickly! The price of the older kelvin hoody and the and the fact that it is time tested and still well liked is appealing. And from what I learned here I think that’s the one I’m going with. Thanks!

[@baxterbowman5590]

Thanks Mike! Yeah the older is definitely a goodie. The Lite Down is definitely a bit warmer and a bit more wind proof, but certainly isn’t cheap. But if you put a rain layer over the older kelvin anyway that won’t matter. Probably could find some great deals on those too. Either are great jackets by a solid company

[@joshuareed3999]

Thank you for your insight on these options! I am trying to put together a system that works for multiple scenarios and might even allow me to integrate a down layer for off-season use. I plan to add the down as an intermediate layer so camo is not as important on that. My hunting consists of long sits in cold weather so I need options! Thanks again! Good luck this year!

[@baxterbowman5590]

That’s a great system, I throw a black Arcteryx down vest as a middle layer when it’s truly cold, like you said the color doesn’t matter (and I can use it at work/in town). Best of luck!

[@jakedeeble8999]

Great video! I’d love it if you would show us what you wear for your elk hunts and talk about the pros and cons of your kit! Thanks!

[@xmrbones9577]

Really like how you touched on the “new” coated down because the more I’m looking the more I agree with you that the whole thing starts to feel a little sketchy. For the high end $$ stuff I think longevity of the piece should be a top priority and have no failures for years. Sub’d!

[@sonsofliberty3081]

You won't have an issue with the kuiu down. You have to wash it in the dwr treatment and not reg detergent. Down is NOT an outer layer ment to used in rain and snow. It's for cold. The treatment is incase you get stuck. None of these are water proof.

[@armedmindset6778]

Good video, you are good on camera. Good lighting, good sound, good content.

[@readyme]

Good review. I am seriously considering the Sitka Kelvin Lite Down Jacket. I am a hiker and not a bow hunter, so sound isn't a concern. Thanks for the review!!

[@HuntFishColo]

I never would have considered the noise element; great review!

[@baxterbowman5590]

Thanks! Yeah, such a great layer, and would work perfect for rifle hunting, just not a great option for close range archery

[@fnhoutdoors8262]

If you throw on a soft shell over either of these it greatly reduces the noise. I have the super down pro and wear my guide jacket over and it is significantly quieter and extremely warm

[@jhford1234]

Enjoyed the video! Hope you post more content

[@sondremoen628]

I am 182cm about 6 feet, would you recon the medium size would fit me if I wanted it not to be to bulky and to be worn under a stormfront. I am a Large size in most Sitka gear. Great video!

[@ishootamathews]

If you want something for archery season thats warm and quiet, I have both the Kuiu Kenai which I absolutely love and the Uncomphadre jacket from First Lite. But for those colder hunts I would still want that Super Down Pro as it is lighter than the Chamberlain. Also interested in seeing the new Super Down Pro LT.

[@HidinRebel]

My kelvin areo-lite down took some real abuse this winter i was super surprised. i took mine to the sledding hill not thinking I was gonna sled but i ended up sliding and was dragged on the ground , not a mark on the jacket.

[@tz444]

Nice review. Unfortunately I am not sure there is a puffy that is wearable as an outer garment during archery season. Mine is always underneath my Sitka Jetstream Jacket. About the beach for decent warmth as well as quietness in a RAB for a non hunting company.

[@mattgarner1234]

Hey Baxter, which jacket is warmer? From the specs and website it seems like the Down Pro is supposed to be exponentially warmer?

[@createthiscom]

I came here because I saddle hunt in late season 20F mountain weather in TN. I have a set of first lite sanctuary 2.0 bib and jacket, and it's definitely warm enough in the saddle on those cold mornings with just a heavy weight merino base layer. It's quiet enough too. However, the sanctuary set is exhausting to hike in. It's just so heavy and bulky. I'll often take the jacket off and put it in my pack, but then it fills my entire pack. I'm spoiled by arc'teryx light weight layering when backpacking. It's a shame no one has figured out how to make these down layers quiet.

[@carlosmohedano]

Hi. Did you get the chance to try out the First Lite Uncompahgre 2.0 ? The noise is also an important factor for me. Thanks!

[@baxterbowman5590]

Ran it all all last season and it's much quieter! Not quiet as warm as these but I bring a down vest to put under it if it's truly cold.

[@sonsofliberty3081]

Something to add. The kuiu pro is light years better than the Kelvin. No down is ment for rain or snow, you should use a shell. Kuiu has a proximity line now that is warm amd ment for quiet. But again, even though it's synthetic, you have to have a shell in bad weather. Don't get me wrong, Sitka is good stuff, but kuiu definitely has the edge. I really put gear through the ringer because I use it all the time, not just for hunting. I hate 2 long sleeve layers. So I use a ss base, then a long sleeve mid of multiple weights, pending on Temps. Anywhere from 97, 200, and 280. The 280 I use almost every day from fall through spring. It has a hood but the sides and pits are thinner and the 280wt is front and back. I then put an extremely lightweight synthetic (keni) no hood. This is not warm at all if you have wind. This is a breathing insulation so you do not sweat it up hiking. I use a kutana storm shell as my outer. (Rain coat but way more breathable and durable) to stop wind. Then the insulation does warm you. Both have pit zips. Standing around with with the keni and shell only, you're good to 30. Add the 280 and you can get to low 20s. If it's down to mid teens, I can add a super down ultra vest (4.8oz) under the keni. As light as that vest is, I never thought it would be that warm. It's not warm if you just use it, but by adding it under that keni. It's crazy. If it gets below and I'm going to sit, I'll opt for the 280, super down pro, and the kutana shell. The shell quiets the down. Then colder add the ultra vest. You can be well below 0 at that rate. You'd be definitely intrigued by the kuiu proximity. Synthetic insulation, about double the keni. You could put the keni under it also. It's dead quiet. They have a foam spray they used to block the wind. They also have polartec wind pro coat, hat and gator. I use the hat and gator, you can't hike in it up hills because you'll get too hot.

[@brianseals9511]

Great video, Thanks!

[@baxterbowman5590]

You bet! Appreciate the comment

[@rudyelizondo1935]

I just ordered this jacket so I’ll see how good it is😄

[@miqaeliqavtaradze3429]

What size is the sitka gear jacket used in the video?

[@Lazzoboy]

First jacket, whats the name of the camo pattern? Stunning!!

[@baxterbowman5590]

Sitka Optifade Subalpine. They claim it's best for close range vs Open country but I've had great results with that too (and heck KUIU Verde + First Lite Fusion) as well. They also say green in subalpine is supposed to match green environments, which is funny b/c ungulates see green/red as a gray spectrum... good marketing

[@HankShivers]

Could you wear the jacket as a mid layer without it being too bulky? To cut down on the noise.

[@baxterbowman5590]

For sure, although I'd definitely size up your out layer to not compress it and kill the warmth. Alternatively I've been using a down vest under a First Lite Uncompahgre 2.0 and that's been awesome

[@Mudinyeri]

That's how these are intended to be worn.

[@kevinp2561]

I don't think that they every really intended it to be used as a outer walk around hunting layer. It's more of a glassing, back at camp layer. For tree stand hunters the stratus line is awesome. Super warm and nothing out there that quiet. I use a core light base, Kelvin vest, and Apex or heavyweight and if needed a traverse hoody for outer layer then rain gear.

[@baxterbowman5590]

Agree, I don't think they designed it for archery but if you watch all their videos their rifle hunters use it as an outer layer on active late season hunts. For that application it's an awesome purchase, just don't think it's great for archery elk since quiet is important... I've been pretty pleased with the First Lite Uncompahgre 2.0 but that's another video. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@miqaeliqavtaradze3429]

I am 177 cm Weight 78 kg Recommend size Sitka down jacket

[@hawkbabby]

What’s your height weight so I can compare sizes? And what size was the Kuiu super down?

[@baxterbowman5590]

About 170 and 6’1”. The kuiu was a large since it was all they had in stock, I definitely would have gone medium, bulkier fit

[@cagle82]

What about the Stone Glacier Grumman? It’s about the same specs.

[@baxterbowman5590]

Hey Tony, I took a look at the SG but passed since it doesn't come in camo... yep, I know it's all about motion etc, but I want every advantage possible and I've have phenomenal results with Sitka patterns. If I went non-camo I'd probably open it up to Arcteryx (one of my favorite midlayers for cold hunting is the Cerium LT vest), mountain hardware, etc etc too.

[@groundcontrol5365]

Took a look at Stone Glacier and it was slightly thicker/ bulkier but therefore warmer. I prefer non camo stuff so i can use it around town too

[@SonoranDesertPrepper]

Thanks subbed

[@baxterbowman5590]

Appreciate it!

[@michellestahl704]

I don’t understand your issue with the noise your so concerned about. If your hunting the backcountry insulated layers like those 2 jackets are designed for stationary glassing sessions looking over big /long distances not sitting in a treestand and both pieces would be way to warm to hike around in unless in severe winter conditions. What am I missing here?

[@baxterbowman5590]

It’s pretty specific to my style of hunting: archery elk. I definitely wear my outer layer in hunting situations where I need to draw my bow at really close distances (sitting wallows, trails, “still hunting” and stalking early/late). For example, I shot my elk last year with jacket on at 34 yards. Even in september it’s 20-30 degrees in morning/night in the steep stuff. If that’s not your hunting style or type, totally agree it’s a non-issue and you’ll love it!

[@baxterbowman5590]

Thanks, will check it out

[@carlmelillo8293]

Nice valuable review. I have the Kuiu Ultra down hoodie and it is much too loud for hunting smart deer. Kuiu could use a confusion mitigation lesson on naming their gear too. Both companies seem to exist in a parallel universe with their sizing.

[@baxterbowman5590]

Spot on about the sizing and naming of KUIU stuff. A warm/windproof, light, and insulates-when-wet layer... but that is a pretty small niche. Been enjoying the First Lite Uncompahgre 2.0 although it isn't as warm as these options.

[@wolverinekut]

👍💯

[@3565891]

SKRE has both of these beat. But all these puffy jackets are designed to be worn under another jacket that provides protection for down jacket while stopping the noise.

[@justinlough9057]

Sitka and kuiu were created by the same guy. Goretex bought sitka from him and he went on to make kuiu.

[@FishinOnaMission]

there is the face to the voice.

[@TheIrfanxz44]

Jacket is not quite If you hunt with bow you will get busted when you draw bow or stand up Doesn’t matter how slow you move

[@steveroberts619]

I don't know dude that Sitka jacket looked pretty damn tight and too small.

[@baxterbowman5590]

It's definitely very tailored (like all sitka gear) but I actually love how well it fits. Easy to size up if you don't!

[@MrChulaFreak]

Just wear a JetStream over it! Problem solved!

[@baxterbowman5590]

Hahaha good point, although it's pretty heavy/bulky! I've started taking an arcertyx cerium vest to put under my First Lite uncompaghre 2.0 and that's a great strategy for lightweight and warm.

[@PKImagery]

If you wear ANYTHING Not 10xl over it it will compress ANY puffy jacket, less loft is left insulating...........you guys are not making THAT much noise.......Jesus Christ

[@baxterbowman5590]

Agree that nothing is totally quiet but these things are LOUD. If my wife can hear it easily when I'm walking at 30 yards, you can bet an elk or deer will.