KUIU Kenai Hooded Jacket – Awesome, Lightweight, and Quiet
Luke Cunningham
One piece of gear you will find in almost every closet in Colorado is a puffy jacket. In mine, you will find multiple different versions. When I first saw the Kenai Hooded Jacket, a mid-layer puffy, I knew I had to get my hands on it.
KUIU Kenai Hooded Jacket review
Immediately upon getting my hands on this lightweight jacket I noticed a few things that stood out compared to all the others in my closet. That feature is the pit zips. Normally I only see this on my hard shells so when I noticed this, I was excited to try it. As many of you may know it can get toasty quick if wearing a puffy jacket on intense hikes, especially those with a good amount of vertical gain or with weight on your back. The ability to vent excess heat is a game-changer.
The other feature that jumped out was the quilt-free design used to construct the jacket. This technique eliminates most of the stitching on the outside of the jacket. To some, this may not be a huge feature that sticks out.
For someone who has spent many hours scouting and tracking animals through brush and thickets, it makes a difference. No matter how hard I try to avoid it I always manage to snag a piece of thread on a branch or thorn as I walk through the timber. The hood of the Kenai has a built-in drawstring that is adjustable from the back to ensure a proper fit without slipping of in the elements.
When I received the KUIU Kenai Hooded jacket we were in the middle of a cold stretch in Colorado with temps at or below zero in the evening. This gave me a good opportunity to test out the features of the jacket while conducting a night OP.
Remember this is a mid-layer jacket so it’s going to work best in a layered system with base layers underneath and if you are going to be sitting still glassing an area or just taking a break on the hike you will want to put on a down parka or whatever the outermost layer in your system is. Knowing I would be moving frequently I wanted to put the Kenai to the test with just a t-shirt underneath.
The Kenai exceeded my expectations to include how quiet this jacket is. If you’re a late-season bowhunter or hunting in the high alpine I highly recommend giving this jacket a shot. I ran a few arrows through my bow and the noise was very minimal when drawing back.
Coming in at 15.5 oz and made of stunner stretch nylon this insulated, wind and water-resistant jacket is a perfect match for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. From simple camping trips to grueling hunts in the alpine regions of the world. The Kenai comes in 6 different colors including the highly sought-after Ash. If you’re in the market for a new jacket I would highly recommend looking at the KUIU Kenai hooded jacket.
Luke Cunningham
36-year-old outdoor enthusiast. I spent seven years in the Army as an infantryman, obtaining the rank of SSG. While in the Army I spent 27 months deployed to Iraq. Awarded bronze star for valor and Purple Heart.
Post military life I attended the University of Central Oklahoma, graduating with a degree in industrial safety with a minor in criminal justice. I am currently a physical security consultant.
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