Attention whitetail hunters! KUIU has entered the chat by introducing their new Proximity line-up of insulated pants and jackets. I recall a conversation several years ago in which KUIU did not have intentions of making an exclusive whitetail line-up and for years, they stuck by that game plan. However, in 2022, KUIU introduced a new product line-up that cold weather whitetail hunters are going to love.
It took me several months, but I finally got my hands on the Proximity Hooded Insulated Hooded Jacket and Pants and I immediately fell in love. I’m a gear junkie who loves to test new products and help others find great deals on hunting gear, but I’m a whitetail hunter to my core. From the opening day of hunting season to the final day, you’ll find me in the whitetail woods putting my gear to the test and sharing those experiences with you guys. This past season, I closed out my late-season archery hunts in the KUIU Proximity Hooded Jacket and Insulated Pants.
Traditionally, we’ve seen KUIU develop industry-leading hunting apparel for western hunting conditions, as well as the diehard sheep hunters in the harshest conditions. I’m excited to see them embrace the whitetail market with their industry-leading fabrics and materials to enhance the hunting experience. Here’s my review of the KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket.
KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket
Attention Whitetail Hunters. KUIU has entered the chat with the new Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket. The Proximity line-up combines industry-leading technologies to ensure you remain undetected during close-encounter situations and warm in cold weather conditions. The Proximity line-up is built to be quiet, yet warm by providing excellent wind protection and warmth retention.
Price: $299.00
- Weight: 1 pound, 15 ounces (879 grams)
- Extremely Quiet
- Outer: 100% polyester knit, brushed face, 160 g/m²
- SynthaCell wind-resistant bonded coating
- Body-mapped insulation: Toray 3DeFX+ 90/60 g
- Liner: 100% polyester knit, 97 g/m²
What conditions are best suited for the KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket?
The KUIU Proximity Insulated Hooded Jacket is built for cold to frigid conditions. The closest comparison would be an in-between the Sitka Fanatic Jacket and the Sitka Stratus Jacket. Surprisingly enough, the KUIU Proximity line-up is a much more affordable option. The Proximity line-up excels when silence is essential. Those up-close encounters where you can hear a pin drop often define success and KUIU may have the quietest hunting camouflage on the market. I’m putting the KUIU Proximity line-up when temperatures drop in the 30’s and lower. Base layers are still important, but this outer shell is ideal for blocking wind and keeping you warm.
Features: KUIU Proximity Insulated Hooded Jacket
- Outer: 100% Polyester knit, brushed face, 160 g/m2
- Wind-resistant membrane: SynthaCell open-cell foam coating
- Body-mapped Insulation: Toray® 3DeFX+ 90/60 gram
- Liner: 100% Polyester knit, 97 g/m2
- Silvadur AM anti-odor treatment
- YKK zippers
- Zip-off hood with magnetic connection points (patent pending)
- Back cinch hood adjustment for improved visibility
- 2 zippered chest pockets with interior accessory loops
- 2 zippered hand pockets with hand warmer holders
- 2 interior drop pockets
- 2 pit zips for ventilation
- Hem cinch with drop-back hem
- Treestand safety harness port
- Stretch gasket wrist cuffs
- Streamlined forearms for bowstring clearance
Is the KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket Comfortable?
Absolutely! One of the first things that I noticed is that I didn’t overheat walking to the treestand. I’ve hunted with the popular Sitka Fanatic Jacket in recent years and found myself breaking a sweat on the shortest of walks. The Proximity line-up didn’t seem to bother me one bit, in fact, It retained heat, but wasn’t too bulky or too hot like the Sitka Fanatic series.
I would always recommend stripping down to your baselayers on long walks to reduce sweat and odor but to each their own. Once I got to the stand, I threw the jacket on and slid my harness through the slit in the back before tieing and settleing in for the evening hunt.
What makes the KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket Special?
To oversimplify things, the weight-to-warmth ratio really makes a difference to me. I own heavier hunting clothing that might be a little bit warmer, but the Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket excels by not being too bulky during, yet plenty warm enough for most hunting scenarios. This is not achieved by accident though. You must appreciate the technology incorporated into these pants to fully appreciate them.
If you manage to overheat walking to or from the stand, be sure to utilize the ventilation zippers in the armpits to allow cooler air into the jacket and prevent sweating.
Understanding the Technology Built-in to the KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket
- SYNTHACELL Wind-Resistant Technology
- SILVADUR Anti-Odor Technology
- DWR Water Resistance
- Outer Material: 100% Polyester Knit Brushed Face, 160 g/m²
- SYNTHACELL Foam Coating
- Insulation: 3DeFX+ Insulation
- Lining: 100% Polyester Knit, 97 g/m²
Dual Entry Pockets
Let’s face it, we all play with our cell phones too much while in the treestand or ground blind. Fortunately for us, KUIU was thinking about us when they optimized the pockets to be utilized in the seated position. Don’t worry, you can still get to your phone and other essentials as needed because the leg pockets have a dual-entry design that allows you to open them while standing or seated.
Also, the chest pocket is ideal for quick and easy access to your rangefinder. A must-have feature for bowhunters.
Customized Fit and Feel
The KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket has a unique fit that retains heat without adding bulk to weight. Let’s start at the hood. The hood on the jacket has a drawstring that can be tightened to tighten the hood to the head, preventing the cold air from getting in and keeping the warmth of your body inside.
The cuffs of the jackets are fitted and equipped with a stretch gasket wrist cuff that prevents snow and debris from entering from the sleeve, keeping your hands warm in the process. Little features like this make a big difference. Finally, the streamlined forearms help to keep your bowstring from coming into contact with your string.
KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket Sizing and Fit
The fit of the Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket is just as described. I would consider it athletic, but not fitted, yet true to size. In recent years, my size medium tops are busting at the seams, and the size large fits me just right, with a little room to spare for a quality base layer and mid-layer.
KUIU states that the Proximity line is designed to fit over the top of an insulation layer, but I found myself utilizing a quality baselayer and a vest to compliment the Proximity outer layer. KUIU also states that the Proximity line-up runs true-to-size, with its outer layers sized up for layering, so order your standard size.
KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket Review Summary
So far, I’m really impressed with KUIU’s Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket. My expectations were very high when they initially released the Proximity line-up because I know how much work and effort KUIU puts into designing their extensive hunting apparel line-up. We’ve seen hunters from across the world trust KUIU gear in the harshest conditions and on the most exquisite hunts of a lifetime. Now, a whitetail hunter like me can be prepared for whatever the hunt throws my way.
The only hindrance to the KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket is the lack of waterproof protection. There’s give and take in clothing fabrics and you’re not likely to find extremely quiet fabrics that are waterproof. However, wind resistance (which the KUIU Proximity line-up is equipped with) is a must-have for cold temperatures and most of the precipitation that you’ll encounter is snow when hunting in cold weather.
I have no hesitations in recommending the KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket. For me, it’s the perfect compromise between the Sitka Stratus and Sitka Fanatic, both of which I love, but if I were going to buy only one set, it might just be the new KUIU Proximity line-up! Be sure to read our full review of the KUIU Proximity Insulated Pant.
For a detailed comparison between Sitka Gear and KUIU, check out this blog post: KUIU vs Sitka Gear: Which Hunting Camo is Best for Me?
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Ready to buy? KUIU sells consumer-direct to avoid typical retail markups. You can buy the KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket only at KUIU.com.
Thanks to KUIU for providing their product for evaluation. Hunting Gear Deals is funded by affiliate commissions. We may receive a small commission when you buy from our partners using the links provided. There is no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting us by using our links when making your purchases.
AUTHOR BIO
Hi, I’m Camron the owner of Hunting Gear Deals. I’m an avid bowhunter with a knack for finding good deals on hunting gear and love to help you save money on hunting gear. I’m also the owner of the popular Bucks, Bulls, & Bears email newsletter that’s built to educate and entertain hunters. If you haven’t subscribed, you’re missing out! Last but not least, I’m proud to say that I work for Whitetail Properties as a Land Specialist in Ohio. If you’re in the market for hunting property, shoot me an email and I’d love to help you find your dream property.
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