When it comes to high-end hunting apparel, two brands stand out from the pack – SKRE Gear and Kuiu. Both companies make premium gear designed to keep hunters concealed, comfortable, and lethal in the field.
But with innovative fabrics and features galore, it can be tough deciding which brand truly comes out on top.
This comprehensive guide compares SKRE and Kuiu head-to-head across key metrics like materials, weather resistance, scent control, and more.
We’ll also overview some of their most popular product lines so you know exactly what you’re getting should you choose either brand. Time to find out if SKRE Gear or Kuiu hunting equipment is the better buy.
Key Differences At-A-Glance
| Metric | SKRE Gear | Kuiu |
| Popular Lines | SKRE Extreme, Timber, Alpine | Ultra, Attack, Tiburon |
| Key Fabrics | Polartec Alpha/Neoshell, Pertex Quantum Air, Toray Primeflex | Toray Primeflex, Toray Dermizax NX, Polartec Alpha |
| Weather Resistance | Extremely water/wind resistant with durable water repellency coating | Extremely waterproof/breathable via Dermizax NX membrane |
| Scent Control | Activated carbon liner | Interchange zip-in carbon liner |
| Fit | Athletic cut | Ultra-athletic tapered cut |
| Cost | $$$ | $$$$ |
SKRE Gear Overview
Founded in 2013, SKRE (pronounced “scurry”) Gear takes a hardcore minimalist approach focused exclusively on high-octane hunts rather than all-around use. Based out of Bozeman, Montana, their gear is field tested tough by elk guides who need reliable concealment and weather protection out West.
SKRE currently offers three main hunting apparel lines:
SKRE Extreme – Their flagship line built for maximum warmth, weather protection, and concealment via advanced fabrics likePolartec Alpha insulation, Pertex Quantum Air, and micro ripstop face fabrics.
SKRE Timber – Mid-weight merino hunting layers optimized for highly aerobic timber hunts with features like knit merino outer face fabric.
SKRE Alpine – Ultralight mountain hunting gear for rapid high-altitude stalks in extreme environments. Think removable hoods, strategic grid fleece, and GORE-TEX INFINIUM.
No matter the line, all SKRE hunting apparel focuses on keeping hunters deadly quiet, concealed, and insulated against the most extreme weather mother nature can conjure up.
Kuiu Overview
Founded by former Kenetrek Boots founder Jason Hairston in 2011, Kuiu took the hunting world by storm with its direct-to-consumer ultralight hunting layering system. What began as a small Kickstarter project quickly morphed into one of the most well-known technical hunting gear manufacturers on Earth.
They now offer several distinct hunting apparel lines:
Kuiu Ultra – Ultra-lightweight and breathable gear for mountain runners, backpack hunters, and endurance athletes. Features premium 30D Japanese Toray Dermizax NX waterproof/breathable construction.
Kuiu Attack – An athletic-fitting mid-weight hunting system built with moisture wicking, quick-drying Toray Primeflex stretch woven face fabrics.
Kuiu Tiburon – Kuiu’s warmest layering system features body-mapped merino insulation, micro-grid fleece, and windproof breathable reinforced shoulder areas.
Much like SKRE, Kuiu hunting apparel is built for high-output Western hunts where silently stalking prey means braving the most extreme terrain and weather imaginable.
Weather Protection
When it comes to keeping hunters warm, dry, and concealed in foul weather, both SKRE and Kuiu excel but in different ways.
SKRE Gear uses highly water repellant Pertex Quantum face fabrics coated in durable water repellent finishes to prevent moisture saturation while letting sweat and heat escape.
The Polartec Alpha and Power Grid insulation provides excellent heat retention even when soaking wet. For pants and bibs, they turn to soft-shell Toray and Polartec fabrics mated to durable water repellent coated 4-way stretch woven face textiles.
Kuiu takes a decidedly high tech approach to waterproof breathable construction in garments like their rain gear, packable down items, and Ultra layers by using the 30D Japanese Toray Dermizax NX membrane. This waterproof, windproof, and breathable fabric keeps hunters bone dry without trapping heat like a swamp cooler. But Kuiu doesn’t rely on DWR coatings which degrade over time.
Both brands stand up admirably to torrential downpours but Kuiu’s proprietary waterproof breathable membrane holds up better over years of sustained use. But SKRE seems to have an edge when it comes to highly aerobic cold-weather hunts that soak hunters in sweat while blocking wind.
Scent Control Technology
Controlling human odor while hunting is crucial regardless of weather conditions or season. Both SKRE and Kuiu address scent management but take decidedly unique approaches.
The majority of SKRE’s hunting layers use an activated carbon grid liner that adsorbs and neutralizes odorous human sweat and skin cell compounds. This lightweight, low-profile liner leaves no sound-producing texture behind. But it lacks the versatility of removable/replaceable carbon panels.
All Kuiu garments are designed for use with their removable, stuffable, snap-in carbon liner integrated torso panels that zap human odors. You get better modularity and the ability to remove/refresh the liner. But the zipper interface and stuffable carbon panels can create unwanted sounds and bulk while hunting.
When it comes to odor elimination technology, this round ends up being too close to call. Both produce excellent results but the needs of individual hunters will dictate which approach fits their hunting style best.
Those adverse to added bulk and noise might prefer SKRE’s pared down low-profile build while DIY-minded hunters who enjoy modular gear may like Kuiu’s snap-in carbon liner ability.
Also Read: Maxx Dri Vest 3.0 Vs. 4.0: Which Body Armor Is Right For You?
Hunting Apparel Fit, Features & Functionality
Both brands design their hunting apparel specifically for high-octane Western style hunts where covering extreme distances quickly by foot is paramount. So athletic cuts, range of motion, noise reduction, and packability play pivotal roles.
In terms of fit, Kuiu gears more towards ultra-lean endurance athletes with an almost skinny fit through the torso and sleeves. This keeps their garments silent with little excess material to grab foliage or gear but leaves less room for additional insulation layers.
SKRE splits the difference with garments cut to lay close to the body while leaving room for a next-to-skin insulation layer. So while not overtly baggy, SKRE gear accommodates more customization and entropy with body size/proportions.
When it comes to decoy defeating camouflage, SKRE Gear currently offers more concealment pattern options from familiar true timber arrangements to unique variations like Subalpine that help hunters blend into stormy grayling backgrounds above treeline.
Kuiu instead focuses on continually updating and perfecting their proprietary Vias pattern featuring specialized layering zones and color density gradients.
Both companies integrate sound absorbing micro-fleece and gridded insulation paired to near-silent textiles like Pertex Quantum Air. But SKRE seems to use more micro-grid refinement throughout their layering pieces.
This further dampens sound emissions when gear brushes against foliage and equipment. However, Kuiu’s ultra-athletic patterning means less excess fabric to grab gear while maneuvering.
For late season turkey hunting or dangerous game defense where odor control matters less than silence, Kuiu’s Toray Primeflex synthetic stretch woven face textiles verge on almost completely noiseless.
When it comes to specialized functionality for rifle and bow hunters, both brands deliver. You’ll find tailored range of motion paneled insulating pieces designed specifically for shooting positions and drawing bows along with chest pockets for gear like range finders. [1]
Hunting Gear Cost Comparison
In terms of price point, Kuiu commands a visible premium over SKRE hunting apparel across equivalent layering pieces. Since SKRE adheres more closely to a direct-to-consumer model with limited retail distribution, they bypass middlemen markup and inventory carrying costs. However, Kuiu often runs sales and closeout deals not typically seen from SKRE.
Pricewise, figure spending roughly 30% more choosing Kuiu over roughly equivalent SKRE jackets, bibs, and pants. However, by eschewing brick and mortar operations, SKRE lacks discount outlet sales.
But Kuiu’s specialty lightweight and packable mountaineering equipment gives them another advantage for high altitude hunts where every ounce matters. SKRE instead focuses more exclusively on highly specific concealment and insulation garments customizable to various regions and seasons rather than do-it-all gear.
Also Read: KUIU Divide 1200 Vs. 1500 Backpacks: A Detailed Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
SKRE Gear stands right alongside brands like Sitka when it comes to premium performance hunting apparel. Built on a technical mountaineering lineage combined with Western big game experience, they offer concealment and insulation on par with the industry gold standard.
All SKRE hunting apparel is proudly made in the USA with fabrics from elite suppliers like Polartec, Pertex, and Toray.
Sitka and other technical hunting brands compete directly with Kuiu. But smaller direct-to-consumer companies like SKRE, First Lite, and Stone Glacier also vie for the high-performance hunting gear market.
With whisper-silent textiles like Pertex Quantum Air and insulation refined into micro-grids that mitigate noise, SKRE Gear lives up to its tight-lipped promise. Hunting apparel simply doesn’t get much stealthier.
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Conclusion
When it comes to premium Western hunting apparel, both SKRE Gear and Kuiu rise as apex predators using advanced materials to create specialized layers. Kuiu pioneered the lightweight mountain hunting gear concept while SKRE brought concealment technology to new heights.
Ultimately deciding between the two brands comes down to your specific style of hunting and gear preferences. Bowhunters may appreciate Kuiu’s ultra-athletic range of motion while rifle hunters stalking the steep and deep will welcome SKRE’s roomier fit for additional insulation without compromising silence.
But no matter which brand you choose, their obsessive attention to fabric tech, field testing, and staying steps ahead of old school gear makes selecting either a win for serious hunters. Because if you’re not wearing Kuiu or SKRE out there, the animals surely are.