![]() Product lines differ some with Kuiu focusing the ultralight end of the weight/insulation spectrum and SG offering lightweight plus heavier/insulating end maybe. So, Kuiu will be a competitor to Sitka Gear now, with the 2 companies (Kuiu & SG) each led by the 2 former founders of SG? Sort of the new Arc'teryx vs Mtn Hardware of camo activewear. Truly better? Tough enough? (REF: "Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: An Emerging Revolution in Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – It’s Not Just Gore-Tex Versus eVENT Anymore!" at: (membership req'd). Be interesting to see how these new fabrics do in the field the next few years - the claims aren't new. Several other companies also have new wp/b fabrics which are supposed to outperform older fabrics. Gore isn't sitting still though launching a new fabric called "Active Shell", based on Gore Activent fabric. Kuiu's Primeflex fabric sounds like one of the new generation of waterproof/breathable (wp/b) tech fabrics based on brand new fabric technology (or applications). It sounds like Hairston plans to stay focused on (very) lightweight, comfortable (hiking/backpacking hunters) high-performance clothing only, doesn't it? Kuiu, new company being launched by Hairston mentioned in this link, titled "Building Kuiu". SG seems to have diversified their product line to meet the needs of cold-weather stand hunters now as well as the lightweight, comfortable gear for climbing/backpacking hunters as before. It sounds like Jonathan Hart continues to lead SG after merger with Gore and SitkaGear will be WL Gore's channel for high-tech hunting outerwear. Informative radio interview with Jonathan Hart of SitkaGear and David Dillon of WL Gore on their merger from Petersen's Bowhunting Radio, 10May10. I guess Jonathan Hart and Jason Hairston, founders of Sitka Gear and have now split. Kuiu, new company for 2011įound more stuff on the topic. New: Sitka Gear forges ahead merging with Gore. I keep an eye out for end-of-season sales. As new,better (esp raingear) materials begin to replace GT ProShell (and similar), SG will probably lead the hunting apparel market with these new materials too. I'd say they learnt pretty quick and pretty well. If it's true that SG began with two cold, wet hunters who figured hunting clothing should benefit from better materials and features available to other sports, but knew little about the tech and business aspects, then the ups and downs aren't surprising. The 2007, 20 SG lines have improved each year - and by 2010 was a much better value, similar in quality/construction (and price) to other high-end hiking/climbing tech apparel companies. Then for the 2010 season, Barney's carried a bunch of SG. They picked up the SG line again in 2009 (?). ![]() I noticed that Barney's carried 2007 SG line, then dropped it after some disappointments. Hodson, from comments he's made the few times I've seen him in the store, pays close attention to how his inventory (SG and all others) is doing for his customers. ![]() Their 2010 top-end outerwear, the $500-plus raingear pieces for instance, are made of GoreTex Pro Shell same materials/construction and similar prices as other gearmakers' top end rainwear. By and by, SG's quality/durability began to improve. Maybe he saw something in those guys at SG. but on a couple visits to Barney's Sports Chalet (Anchorage) during those years, Bob Hodson mentioned he was continuing to talk to SG owners at trade shows. I know SG's had some growing pains - they outsourced production when they upscaled (the year they were picked up by Cabelas) apparently complicated by some quality control issues between SG and the new factory. Big improvement overall from the 2007, 20 lines. By 2010 their gear included many high-tech, well-made items, most of which fared well in field reports. To me, it seems that Sitka Gear ( ) - sorry, Sayak ! - has come a long way since the 2007 season when I first noticed their stuff.
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