SKRE — Local services in Hurricane

SKRE didn't solicit a review but I wanted to share my experience with the company. The main reasons I chose to go with a smaller company like SKRE over competitors was the focus on the customer service , price point and performance/durability. I have no experience with other main top tier brands except for a pair of gloves so I can't give you reliable feedback in that realm. But I'd confidently venture to say that this gear isn't 70% of the quality because it's 70% of the price. You get the same attention to detail and quality without the having to refinance your mortgage.

Tried to purchase some items on a Sunday during COVID quarantine. There was a website glitch so I emailed the company figuring I'd hear back in a few days. Nope, just a few hours later I got an email then a phone call from one of the managers. They corrected the issue and sent me my new gear promptly.

Picked up the: Wasatch Crew Top Merino wool base layer pant Hardscrabble pants Hardscrabble jacket Hardscrabble vest (my size on backorder) Neck Gaiter

And after trying all of it on, I immediately ordered a second pair of hardscrabble pants, a merino wool baselayer top and one of their belts. Got all of it in Summit pattern. Personally, I think it's a bit darker than the website shows (which I like).

I haven't been able to hunt in it yet so I'll leave an update below once it gets through a season of turkey, whitetail, small game and archery Elk.

But what I can tell you is that this line seems to be well thought out and their fit on my body type is perfect (6'2" 180lbs, 33 waist/34 inseem, 42 chest). If you're stocky or have a large gut I don't know if these would fit you well. The sizing guides were dead on for me and they have a risk- & cost-free sizing guarantee. The material is very quite (can draw my bow back without a whisper), excellent one handed zippers without material hangup, warm/insulated without weight or bulk (this was the most surprising feature to me).

Wasatch Crew Top - lightweight with a small zipper pocket on left arm (not sure what I'd put in there). Zipper doesn't have a small cord on it like all others no their line so it makes noise as it moves. Not a big deal since that's an easy fix but something they should consider addressing. Has thumb hooks that seem to be comfortable and non-restrictive.

Merino wool base layer pant - very comfortable, snug fit, has "fly" section of overlapping fabric, seems non-bulky

Hardscrabble pants - these are great. midweight for sure. Even with the vents open I don't think I'd wear them in 80 degree Georgia weather with direct sunshine. Probably would need to go with the early season pants for early September eastern/southeastern hunts. With the baselayer I think they'd keep me comfy down to 30s (I get cold fast in stands/blinds so I may not use these for long idle hunts). Material is quiet and stretches with crouching. Non limiting/restrictive. Waistband has rubber-like strip to keep pants seated well. Low cut without low hanging zipper. Feel well made and durable but we'll see after an Elk hunt. I got a 34 and they site perfectly for me. Will be adding the belt to make sure they don't sag and already bought a second pair to take into the backcountry.

Hardscrabble jacket - great outer layer. Lots of little pockets with good zippers. warm and seems like it would repel water well. Great vents under armpits. Tail of jacket slightly longer than front so you get coverage when leaning over. non restrictive and quiet with bow draw. Not bulky or heavy for the warmth you get. Hood is a good fit and feels windproof. Although I'll be packing in my rain gear I'm not sure I'll need it much.

Hardscrabble vest - my size on backorder so no review here.

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After significant amounts of research and analysing all of the premium gear providers, i chose SKRE gear to supply me with all the gear i need for an upcoming trip to NZ chasing Tahr and I am extremely happy with that decision. I picked up the Rocky Mountain Elk bundle and the guys at SKRE were brilliant helping me out with selecting the right pieces, double checking sizing and shipping down to Australia. Thanks to Covid travel restrictions here it has taken me a while to get out there and try this new gear out but thankfully I was able to spend a few days recently in the Australian alpine region where temps were cold in the early morning at -5 Deg Celsius and up to about 10-12 deg C in the day. I was comfortable in all of those temp ranges with the kaibab base layers and hardscrabble pants and jacket, all I had to do was remove my insulation layer once it started warming up and I was fine. The only thing I would add is a pair of inner gloves to wear inside the deadfall gloves when it is really cold. I have never owned premium gear like this, the fit, comfort and freedom of movement was downright awesome thanks to the 4 way stretch. The base layers were so comfortable I barely knew they were there and no itch which is a good indication of quality – I have cheaper merino base layers from a general hiking company and they don’t fit right and itch like crazy. After 4 days of wearing them the kaibab top and bottoms barely smelled at all. Luckily we had pretty good weather so I haven’t really tested this gear in the wet yet but I have no doubt it will perform exceptionally. I personally chose the MTN Stealth pattern and I felt like it melted in to a number of different terrain types including the Australian native scrub. Overall, I am extremely impressed and can recommend SKRE to anybody out there trying to decide which brand they want to go with, give SKRE a go, I am pretty sure you will be...

I won't start this review off about the clothing, I would rather talk about the customer service I received from SKRE. I placed an order for the Elite Essentials Bundle in anticipation for an upcoming bow hunt for elk in Colorado. Order was placed in August knowing I would receive the product in enough time to make any replacements if the gear didn't fit.

Things happen in a persons life (passing of family) that can distract you from checking on orders and following up on them. As the time on the calendar flew by, I was 10 days out from the hunt when I hadn't received anything from SKRE. Made the call to find out where it was and was told it was on the way. 5 days out from leaving I made the call again explaining the situation and a gentlemen by the name of Nate jumps on the phone profusely apologizing for their lack of attentiveness in getting me my product. I told him I was leaving that day and could he forward the product to the hotel where I was staying. To say Nate made it happen is an understatement. Staying in a remote location that is far off the beaten path, I received my gear a day before my hunt started. Nate went so far as to throw in an additional pair of trousers because he understands that the product is usually one size to small. Everything fit perfectly and I was very impressed with the way Nate handled himself and his representation of SKRE.

I do own a few pieces of gear from a competitor company and can honestly say that SKRE is "AS GOOD" if not better than the competition.

To top things off, I managed to harvest a nice bull elk with the bow and the help of SKRE gear.

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