KUIU Kenai Hooded Jacket – Awesome, Lightweight, and Quiet
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.
KUIU Kenai Hooded Jacket
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.
KUIU Kenai Hooded Jacket drop pocket
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.
KUIU Kenai Hooded Jacket
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.
KUIU Kenai Hooded Jacket
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.
KUIU Kenai Hooded Jacket
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.
Luke Cunningham
