Best Ultralight Hiking Fleece Jacket - KUIU Peloton 97 (2,200mi Review)

Описание: After 2,200+ miles of long distance thru hiking with the Kuiu Peloton 97 fleece sweater, has it stood the test of time? It is certainly super ultralight weight at 5.8oz for the Large, but has that meant it isn't very durable?

Kuiu Peloton 97
Hood - http://tinyurl.com/bdhc5jnv
No Hood - http://tinyurl.com/y2vt3z4u

Decathlon - http://tinyurl.com/pphxn2h5

v COMPARISONS v

Compared to the VERY popular Melanzana, which weighs between 10 - 13 ounces, the Kuiu is half the weight, with roughly the same features and function. At the weight of something like a Melanzana, I personally would rather bring a puffy jacket instead, which often will be lighter weight, pack down smaller, and have more function in colder weather.

Compared to Appgearco, another great fleece on the market, and a company I would much rather support. The Appgearco sweater weighs 10oz so again, the kuiu is half the weight.

Compared to the Senchi Designs sweater. The Kuiu is indeed heavier this time! Senchi comes in at 3.8oz for a size Large, while my kuiu is 5.8oz. Though I have not used the Senchi, again it is a company that I would rather support anyway. Still with it being so incredibly light, and using a fabric that is newer to the market, I do question its durability and long term viability.

Same goes for the High Tail Designs sweater, which uses the same materials (or extremely similar) as the Senchi, and yet weighs 7.7oz for the Large. The kuiu is lighter, and again I've used it for 2,000+ miles so I can speak on its durability. The Senchi and High Tail, I have no idea if they will stand the test of time.

v MY THOUGHTS v

The KUIU Peloton 97 has indeed stood the test of time and has PROVEN to be more durable than any of us had expected. After nearly 4 years I only have one small hole on the arm, which given how that happened, there isn't a jacket in the world that wouldn't have had the same problem.

At 5.8 ounces(164grams) it is still to this day, one of the lightest and most ultralight jackets on the market. Unfortunatly it is made by a hunting company that not everyone would want to support. So by all means, check out Senchi, High Tail Designs, Decathlon, or Appgearco if you want a smaller more friendly backpacking company to send your money too.

I have used this jacket for 600 miles on the Pacific Northwest Trail across the state of Washington through the Cascades and Olympics, I have hiked 100 miles across the Uinta Mountains in Utah, 170 miles across the Green Mountains in Vermont on the Long Trail, I have circumnavigated Lake Tahoe on the 170mi Tahoe Rim Trail, and I have hiked thru hiked the 1,100 mile Florida Trail through the swamps and alligator infested waters.... all with this jacket. Next year, I even plan on bringing it as my primary insulating layer for my planned thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.

This is definitely a unique piece of gear, and something I have greatly enjoyed using. If I were to be hiking in colder climates, colder seasons, I would surely want a puffy jacket instead. But for those of us who have the hike all day mentality and style where a lot of our heat is generated through movement this is an awesome piece of kit. For those who do enjoy hanging out more at the campsite, taking more breaks through the day, and spending more time not moving on backpacking trips, I would recommend a puffy jacket instead.

Hiking Essentials Shirt! http://jupiterhikes.com/product/hikin...

THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
http://www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/

Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/wfwdjs

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