Unboxing the NEW Kuiu Encounter

[@nathankimbro2639]

I'm curious how that encounter 200 fits compared to the peleton 200. Or compared to any of their garments. I'm back and forth between XL and XXL in the their garments.

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

@@nathankimbro2639 I found the bottoms to run the same as all the other pants I’ve got. 32” with no layers and 34” with. The top was roomy in the chest but like must Kuiu it’s narrow in the sleeve cuffs (elbow to wrist). I had a large and I could wear any layers I needed except for a puffy layer like keni….FYI I sold my encounter jacket and pants…. I personally found them to not be very warm (no wind protection at all). The pocket layout is great and it’s not a bad garment. But, if the wind blows cold you might feel it and if it rains they wet out quickly too.

[@nathankimbro2639]

@@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907 Thanks for the feedback. I was primarily interested in the Encounter 200 which is the waffle top tee. My Peleton 118 zip tee I'm XXL vs Merino 120 in XL. Its always a guessing game with fingers crossed when I order.

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

@@nathankimbro2639 ah…sorry. I find the 200 to be as expected. It’s warm and fits as normal. I had a peloton 190 hooded too. In my opinion the encounter is better worn over a merino or any other next to the skin layer. The peloton is more suited as a mid layer over the encounter if needed. That’s how I used them last season.

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

@@nathankimbro2639 AND! In my experience with Kuiu…the merino clothes run bigger than the synthetic clothes.

[@nathankimbro2639]

@@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907 absolutely. Except the Merino short sleeve then I'm back up to XXL

[@seansiefert9879]

If you had to pick Encounter or Proximity as the warmest outer layer, which would it be?

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

The Proximity jacket is hands down the warmer of the two. The Prox jacket is a parka and the Encounter is a shell. Hope that helps and thanks for watching.

[@adamrecon]

How do they compare to the Stratus line from Sitka? @@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907

[@Darianparsi]

Hi Jimmy, i want to get a set of hunting clothing. Since you had sitka and now you have kuiu , why did you switch to kuiu and are you happy with kuiu. Is it better than sitka?

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

@@Darianparsi both companies make legit clothing lines. I prefer the Kuiu camo patterns. What is your method of hunting, species and geographic location?

[@flushot6513]

I have the pelton 200 xl and love it the vias camo wanna buy the 240 so i assume i would get that in xl as well

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

@@flushot6513 I find one size up gets you midlayers and two sizes up gets you room for a puffy layer.

[@whitedoutdoors]

Jimmy, thank you for the great videos! I’m looking to get some KUIU gear for this season, and you have been instrumental in helping me make my decision. Since you are a KUIU junky, I figured you would have an opinion for me. I’m looking at getting the Attack pants, 145 ultra merino, maybe the 240 peloton, and trying to decide between the guide dcs or the encounter. I live in SC, so eastern whitetail hunting is what I do the most. I’m looking to take a couple of trips elk hunting in the near future, so I want something that can be dual-purpose. Also, I am 6’5, 250 lbs, to make this more fun. What are your thoughts?

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

Glad you like the vids!!! That’s why I do this…don’t need to be famous but I like being of service. My opinion is that if you primarily hunter deer from a stand, the encounter jacket is perfect for that. The peloton 240 will layer up good under it for added warmth. Now… as for the guide. If you were looking for a more weather resistant outer shell. The axis hybrid is hands down the jacket to go with. I’m not sure really why Kuiu continues the guide line. As for size, I’d start by looking at XXL. Kuiu clothes are better slightly larger than fitting perfectly. Thanks again and watch for more new content!

[@whitedoutdoors]

Thank you, good sir! You’re welcome on my podcast anytime. Whited Outdoors: The Lodge.

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

I would love to be on a podcast! I’m fixin to do a info back ground vid on me/channel. I’ve got a college back ground in wildlife management, ecology, and forestry. I was also an infantryman in the army for 14yrs. I’ve got lots of tactics that cross over to hunting very effectively. Just hit me up when ever👍🏼

[@fx4fxnytro]

Inner pockets in the hand pockets are for hand warmers.

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

That makes total sense! Some how I bet that’s in the description on their website…prolly missed. Thank you👍🏼

[@Mr.J345]

One thing I hate about good hunting gear I can’t ever figure out what I need. Northeast can go from 70f-40f in the fall.

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

It’s all about layers and a good plan. I hunt the Adirondacks so I get the temp swings. I plan on doing a layering vid soon. Basically you know you will always need a base layer. Then any system should have a mid insulation layer. The next mid layer would be a puffy layer of some material. Last would be a shel that is appropriate to your weather patterns. If you get the right items in your kit you’ll have the ability to wear all the items at some point during the season. Kuiu is pretty good about providing enough info and clothing line options. Go through their webpage and do some home work and build a kit that suit early to late season. I’ll get that layering vid out soon. Thanks for watching!

[@Mr.J345]

Oh good deal Adirondacks aren’t far from me. I just ordered the encounter jacket and pants along with strong fleece 235 and attack pants we will see where that gets me as I already have base layers. It’s hard to tell the thickness or bulkiness of any of there clothes with the pictures provided. Thanks for the videos as you give more detail then any other videos I’ve found 👍

[@mattkern4457]

What is your size? You look similar in size to me. Im have the proximity in large and it fits perfect for layers. I would assume a large encounter jacket should be what I want.

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

Sorry for the delay. You are correct about the sizing. I’ve been wearing the encounter with layers during this current cold snap. To be honest, it’s not as warm or wind resistant as I had hoped. I hope they update it next year. Maybe I should sent them a hint…wind proofing and maybe some water proof layers. Similar to the axis hybrid.

[@Westkyguy]

After getting to use this some, would you say the encounter or guide pants are warmer?

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

I’m planning an up coming video on this very subject. In my opinion the encounter line is a little disappointing. I’ve read some reviews where guys were very impressed with the warmth. I was not really happy with the warmth factor. It is supposed to be an outer soft shell layer. I found it to have absolutely no wind blocked ability. The only thing redeeming is the quietness, pocket lay out and the treestand harness port. Now for the guide. Good garments for hunting without a treestand harness. I’ve had guide and axis hybrid and with the water proofing I just go with the axis. Hope this helps.

[@Westkyguy]

@@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907 Very much, thank you.

[@philcrewse9828]

How do you think the encounter pants would hold up to walking through brush?

[@jimmytimeoutdoorz4907]

They seem to have a fairly tight weave. I would be confident that if you are walking in and out to hunt they are fine. If you are recovering a deer a couple times a year they should last. But if you were driving deer they would prolly get torn up. Hope this helps.