Gear Review: Elements Hooded Jacket by KUIU
The KUIU Elements Hooded Jacket is a lightweight, breathable softshell designed for hunters and backcountry adventurers. With quiet, weather-resistant fabric, a helmet-compatible hood, and excellent mobility, it’s a versatile layer for unpredictable conditions.
When the weather turns unpredictable, having the right softshell can make or break your hunt, hike, or backcountry adventure. The KUIU Elements Hooded Jacket is built to handle wind, light rain, and active pursuits where breathability and stretch matter just as much as protection.
Designed for hunters but versatile enough for any outdoorsperson, it’s a rugged yet lightweight softshell that transitions easily between seasons! I have been testing it out on short backpacking trips and alpine adventures and have been really pleased by how it performs!
Standout Features
- Weather Protection: Made with Primeflex® softshell fabric treated with a durable water repellent (DWR), the jacket sheds light rain and blocks wind.
- Breathability for Active Use: Double-weave construction allows airflow during high-output activities while still keeping the chill out.
- Quiet Fabric: Designed with hunters in mind, the fabric is soft and quiet: perfect for stalking or moving through brush without noisy swishing.
- Athletic Fit: Streamlined cut with articulated elbows and stretch for freedom of movement.
- Helmet-Compatible Hood: Adjustable and snug-fitting for extra coverage in wind and light weather.
- Practical Storage: Zippered chest and hand pockets keep small essentials secure and accessible.
Trail Tested
On backcountry trips and high-mileage day hikes, the Elements Hooded Jacket has held up against shifting mountain weather and high desert shenanigans. It blocked wind on exposed ridgelines and shed light rain without soaking through, while remaining pretty breathable during steep climbs.
What stands out most is how quiet and flexible the jacket feels. Unlike many traditional shells, it moves with me instead of against me, and it never gives off that noisy “crunch” that can ruin a wildlife moment, or just distract on a peaceful hike. The softshell construction made it a solid outer layer in cool, dry weather and a great midlayer when paired under a heavier shell during big storms.
Pros and Cons
Here’s how the KUIU Elements Hooded Jacket stacks up:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and highly breathable softshell design | Not fully waterproof: best for light rain and wind |
| Quiet fabric ideal for hunting and wildlife use | Athletic cut may feel snug if layering bulky insulation underneath |
| Durable with good stretch for full mobility | No pit zips, so venting relies on breathability of fabric |
| Versatile across seasons as both an outer and midlayer |
Packing It Out
The KUIU Elements Hooded Jacket is a versatile, high-performance softshell that’s ideal for hunters, hikers, and anyone who needs lightweight weather protection without sacrificing breathability or mobility.
It’s not a full-on storm shell, but for most backcountry conditions, it’s exactly what you want: quiet, flexible, and protective enough to keep you moving comfortably.
This article is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
