Whitetail Hunting in Iowa with the KUIU Super Down Ultra Jacket

It’s December and for me and a few friends, that means our annual trip to Iowa to hunt Whitetail Deer. Every year, I study the weather leading up to the hunt to determine what type of clothing I need to pack. This year, I was fortunate enough to be given a Super Down ULTRA Jacket from KUIU to test out on this particular trip. The weather was forecast to be unseasonably warm with daytime highs near 50F. This was a bit concerning with an 850+ fill Quixdown jacket. But with the morning and evening lows in the 20’s, I knew this would be an essential jacket to have on hand.

“KUIU is obsessed with engineering the world’s most innovative performance hunting gear. Our founder, Jason Hairston, had a vision for hunting gear that pushed the boundaries of performance, ultralight weight, and technology development. KUIU lives that vision every day with our customers and employees.” ~kuiu.com

Packing was super easy as this ultra lightweight 7.9 oz puffy jacket stuffs into its own pocket. That’s no typo either…the Super Down Ultra Jacket weighs less than 8 ounces. To put that into perspective, my iPhone 12 weighs 9.6 oz. I also packed a few additional KUIU items that I purchased during their Black Friday sale. A pair of Attack Pants, the Axis Hybrid Jacket, Pro Hat and a previously reviewed Ultra Marino 145 base layer. With my bag packed, I headed to Southwest Iowa to link up with the crew.

Party Hunting

Back home in Michigan hunters sit and wait patiently from their blind for an eligible deer to wander in front of them. A method I have no patience for. A few years back, I was introduced to Party Hunting in Iowa. A much more pro-active method where you hunt as a collective group. After selecting viable hunting grounds, half the party lines up to the south and prepares to slowly walk the property. Driving the deer out of their well chosen hiding spots. Meanwhile, the other half of the party heads a mile north as that is the direction the deer will be driven by the “walkers”. They post-up and await the action.

From a clothing perspective, walking is obviously more active and requires managing body temperature and moisture. I used the Axis Hybrid Soft-Shell Jacket when walking for it’s stealth and durability. There are some pretty woolly sections of thorny brush than need to be navigated and the Axis Hybrid did the trick. Brushing off a lot of pointy things with ease. On the other hand, the more delicate fabric of the Super Down Ultra Jacket would have been shredded. The Attack pants worked all day and were comfortable from 20-55 F with no base layer needed. When it was my turn to hide and wait, the Super Down Ultra was the hot set-up. Pun intended. As the wind picked up throughout the day, that ultra lightweight jacket and hood kept me very comfortable.

KUIU Super Down Ultra Features:

• FIT- Mid-layer fit with room for a base and mid-layer
• Face and lining fabric- 12D Stunner Stretch ripstop
• Insulation- water resistant Quixdown 850+ FP
• 95% down cluster | 5% feather
• IDFL certified (International Down and Feather Laboratory)
• Cinch hood for better fit & visibility
• Packable in self-stowing left pocket
• YKK zipper hand pockets – 2
• Stretch binding-finished cuffs
• Adjustable hem
• MSRP: $299

KUIU Technology

KUIU is at the forefront of material and insulation technology. And the Super Down Ultra Jacket is no exception. Featuring Quixdown, a process that applies a DWR coating to the down preventing water absorption. And Stunner Stretch fabric by Toray. A heat treatment process that prevents feathers from poking through the material without requiring an additional down-proof layer. And topped with K-DWR. A durable water repellent that is applied to non-waterproof material to further protect the insulation and breathability of the jacket. This jacket is a versatile piece any hunter should consider.

KUIU creates full layering systems designed to work with one another. Outer waterproof fabrics that remain quiet yet stretch with movement. Articulated pants that shed weather, don’t bunch up and provide just enough insulation for the activity at hand. Base layers that manage sweat and move moisture away from the body. All while limiting clothing bulk and allowing you to concentrate on the hunt.

Through out the weekend, I witnessed several hunters burdened by common bulky, overweight jackets and pants. Constantly adjusting their clothing to manage both the climate and activity. In total, I wore 1 pair of Attack Pants and a thin base layer top. Then rotated between the Super Down Ultra and Axis Hybrid Jacket depending on activity. 3 pieces of clothing at any given time not including socks and underwear. All my hunting clothes easily fit into half of my carry-on luggage. While the other half contained my street clothes.

Is there room for Improvement?

The Valo camouflage offered by KUIU excelled in the dry exposed parts of Southwest Iowa. This area also has some gnarly briars and burrs that tear up pants. The Attack Pants I chose to bring did fine but I was being very careful on my lines and while crossing barbwire fences. I would love to see a pant from KUIU with a heavily reinforced chap area. Additionally, a lot of areas require a hunter to wear some blaze orange. A hat and jacket that incorporates KUIU’s unique camo pattern in blaze orange would be a great touch.

And by the way, our group from Michigan tagged out with 7 corn-fed Whitetails on opening day. Now I find myself already looking through the KUIU catalog for next season. Be sure to click here to be directed to our KUIU affiliate page and see what suits you for the next adventure. Thanks for your support.