By Ron Dan
Reaching into your can of ALP to realize you’re not going to have enough to make it through the night. Checking GunBroker to see you were outbid, yet again, on a bucket list gun. Being told by the lady at McDonald’s that the ice cream machine is still broken. There are only a few feelings quite as terrible as being cold and wet on a hunt when you’re miles and hours away from warm clothes and a campfire to thaw you out. It should only take one time, but once you experience it, you’ll never find yourself without good foul weather gear again.
When I was shopping for the best possible rain jacket, I looked at several factors. I wanted a jacket that was packable, compact and lightweight. Given that I would also be using it as a potential lifestyle piece on the tail end of a hunt, I wanted a jacket in a solid color for more versatility. Given that the main purpose would be for hunting, I needed a jacket that was durable enough to go through thick brush without tearing immediately, and I needed a jacket that was both quiet and non-reflective. The Kuiu Kutana Storm Shell Jacket was the best option across all categories.
A decent rain jacket is fairly easy to come by. If your only goal is to stay dry, you could really get by with cutting a hole in a garbage bag. Some jackets will give you similar performance to this. A truly perfect rain jacket is very rare, and it will have details incorporated into it that you may never notice but you certainly appreciate.
Kuiu Kutana Storm Shell Features
The Kuiu Kutana Storm Shell has overperformed as an active rain garment. If I’m using it as a wind layer while hiking up a mountain, it still allows moisture to be pushed out, so I don’t have a muggy ecosystem happening underneath. When we talk about the trash bag effect with a jacket, that’s one of the biggest improvements you see with modern waterproof membranes. This isn’t your grandfather’s jacket that feels like you’re inside a plastic/rubber bag. As a top layer, this shell will shield you from water and wind while keeping you very comfortable during a mountainous trek. If things get extra muggy, you can open the pit zips to give extra ventilation.
For pockets and utility, the Kutana works very well as a lone outer layer when needed. I have often used this as my primary rain jacket in everyday use, and it’s both comfortable and low profile. Even being used in the dead of summer in the humid Southeast, this jacket keeps me comfortable in hot weather while protecting me from the elements. The wrists can be cinched up or loosened to fit over your watch while still being easy to adjust on the fly. The ability to adjust the hood gives this jacket the perfect fit whether or not you’re wearing a hat or beanie.
Field Performance
For durability, I have used this jacket breaking through thick brush, crawling on rocks, and rushing in and out of hunting trucks. I haven’t had a single tear in the material, and I can’t even spot a single wear point on the garment. Whatever material Kuiu is using for this is meant to be tough while still being lightweight and quiet. It’s very easy to pack this into a pouch or backpack without taking up much space.
Overall, the Kutana Storm Shell is the best rain shell I’ve ever had. After five years of use, I don’t know if I’ll ever have to replace this jacket, but I know it’s the only rain jacket I’ll buy again.
Price: $359.
Pros: This is an extremely durable and versatile rain shell that keeps you dry from the inside and outside.
Cons: I would like to see Kuiu offer this in some more solid colors as it’s just a great piece of gear for more than just hunting.
