Most hunting gear conversations eventually get to the brands with the biggest marketing budgets — KUIU, Sitka, First Lite. These are genuinely excellent brands. They’re also genuinely expensive. A KUIU layering system can run $600+ before you’ve added anything above the waist.
Kings Camo exists in the conversation as the answer to “what’s genuinely good without the flagship brand prices?” And based on what hunters across multiple forums and review platforms consistently say — they’ve largely earned that position.
Quick Highlights
- ✅ XKG line specifically praised as “rivals top brands in quality, pricing, and practicality”
- ✅ Value is the defining brand strength — comparable performance to KUIU at meaningfully lower prices
- ✅ Extended inseam and tall sizes available — a specific differentiator for hunters over 6’2″
- ✅ Distinctive camouflage patterns including Desert Shadow, Mountain Shadow, and XK7 for North American hunting
- ✅ Full layering system — base, mid, and outer layers all available in coordinated patterns
- ✅ Free shipping on US orders over $200, Canada orders over $300
- ❌ Return shipping policy and restocking fees have generated documented complaints
- ❌ Rain jacket described as insufficient for extreme wet conditions by at least one reviewer
- ❌ Sizing inconsistent across lines — Field Gear runs small, XKG line runs true to size
- ❌ Less brand cachet than KUIU or Sitka in the premium hunting community
- ❌ Newer technical gear lines have less long-term durability data than established brands
Best for: Hunters who want genuine performance gear — particularly for Western big game hunting — at prices that allow building a complete system without a significant financial commitment. Strong for tall hunters who struggle to find extended inseams elsewhere.
About Kings Camo
Kings Camo LLC was founded in 1995 in Utah — starting in the camouflage industry before expanding into full technical hunting apparel. Current headquarters is in Lindon, Utah, under the ownership of Kevin Pritchett.
The brand’s founding philosophy is direct: not every hunter is the same, so their gear shouldn’t be either. The product lineup is calibrated by terrain — Desert Shadow for arid environments, Mountain Shadow for mid-elevation Western hunting, Snow Shadow for winter, and the XK7 pattern specifically developed for North American environments that cover multiple terrain types within a single hunt.
The XKG line is the technical performance tier — four-way stretch polyester, high breathability, water resistance, and construction designed for the specific demands of Western big game hunting across multiple seasons.
Kings Camo Review: Full Breakdown
The XKG Line — Where the Brand Lives
The Huntin’ Fool’s field review of the XKG Preacher Pant, Elevation Hoodie, and Paramount Rain Pants is the most detailed independent assessment available. The verdict after testing across Utah dedicated hunter, archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons plus a Colorado antelope hunt: Kings has earned a place alongside the top brands in the category.
The Preacher Pant specifically is praised for hip zip ventilation — the ability to unzip ventilation panels during the midday heat of a 30°F swing between morning and afternoon temperatures is described as the feature the reviewer “cannot go without.” The Elevation Hoodie is described as a go-to upper piece because the hood cover provides UV protection during extended glassing sessions while the hoodie functions as a standalone mid-layer or as part of a layering system.
The XKG Field Pant review from GearJunkie — tested specifically on upland bird hunting in South Dakota — describes them as “striking the perfect balance” between durability and breathability in a category where most options sacrifice one for the other. Hip vents, polyester-weave chap panels, and 4-way spandex stretch eliminate the stiff brush-pant sensation while maintaining actual protection. The reviewer describes them as “perfect for any upland hunt” after a full season of testing.
Value vs KUIU — The Honest Comparison
Rokslide forum discussions — the most substantive hunting gear community for Western hunting — consistently position Kings XKG as “really good — not on par with KUIU but for the money it’s quality and functional.” One buyer who specifically bought Kings because their tall sizes with 34-inch inseam fit his 6’4″ frame describes multiple XKG styles as his go-to all year long, holding up better than pants from more expensive brands.
The consistent frame from experienced Kings users: for the money, you cannot beat the XKG line. Multiple pieces at 50% or more off MSRP through Kings’ direct site and clearance events represent genuinely exceptional value for functional performance hunting gear.
The rain jacket is where the brand receives the most specific criticism. A Rokslide reviewer who returned a Kings XKG rain jacket describes it as not suited for the extreme wet conditions he hunts in. He acknowledges it looks good in-store but doesn’t meet the waterproofing demands of sustained Pacific Northwest-style rain. For buyers in drier climates or hunting in conditions with occasional rather than sustained precipitation — the jacket performs adequately. For buyers who need serious waterproofing in genuine wet environments — compare with more expensive dedicated rain gear before buying Kings.
Sizing — Know Your Line
The XKG line runs true to size per consistent buyer accounts. The Field Gear line (budget tier) runs small — multiple buyers document this and it’s documented on the individual product pages through review comments. Knowing which line you’re buying from before ordering is the practical guidance.
Tall sizing is available in the XKG line with 34-inch inseams — a genuine differentiator for the significant portion of hunters who are tall and consistently frustrated by brand-standard 30–32-inch inseams.
Best Kings Camo Products Worth Buying
Best for: Western big game hunters who want a primary hunting pant that handles temperature swings, active movement, and multi-day use without wearing out.
Top Features:
- Four-way stretch polyester with spandex blend — moves naturally without the stiff restriction of traditional hunting pants
- High breathability for active hiking approaches to stands or glassing positions
- Water-resistant construction handles light precipitation without full rain gear requirements
One Honest Drawback: Not the heaviest-built pant available. For hunters who spend significant time in dense brush, the XKG Field Pant’s chap panel construction provides more abrasion protection.
Verdict: The most popular individual piece in the Kings lineup for good reason. The value-to-performance ratio is the clearest in the XKG Ridge.
Best for: The versatile mid-layer that works as a standalone piece in moderate temperatures or as the primary insulation layer in a layering system.
Top Features:
- Hood provides sun and UV protection during long glassing sessions — the specific feature the Huntin’ Fool reviewer describes as “impeccable” for extended hot-day hunting
- Works as standalone piece or layers efficiently under outer shells
- Long-sleeve hood-integrated design provides coverage without carrying a separate hat
One Honest Drawback: Not a heavy insulation piece — this is a mid-layer designed for active hunting, not for sitting in a stand in below-freezing temperatures where a heavier insulated piece is appropriate.
Verdict: A core piece in a Kings XKG system for active Western hunting. The sun protection function specifically earns it a place in the daypack even on warm hunts.
Best for: Upland bird hunters specifically — the chap-panel brush pant design that GearJunkie tested across a full South Dakota upland season.
Top Features:
- Polyester-weave chap panels on the lower leg provide brush protection while remaining more breathable than canvas alternatives
- Hip zip ventilation handles temperature swings from cold morning starts to warm midday active hunting
- “Barely-there” feel despite providing genuine brush protection — the specific achievement that sets them apart in the upland category
One Honest Drawback: At $159.99, this is the most expensive pant in the lineup. The protection-breathability balance justifies the price for serious upland hunters; for general big game hunters, the Ridge pant is sufficient at a lower price.
Verdict: The best upland hunting pant for buyers who move through heavy cover. GearJunkie’s full-season endorsement is the strongest available in this specific category.
Best for: Hunters who need a packable insulated mid-layer that transitions across temperature ranges without adding significant weight or bulk.
Top Features:
- Thermolite insulation provides warmth-to-weight ratio appropriate for active hunting where full puffy jacket warmth is excessive
- Compresses into a packable format — fits in a daypack without occupying significant space
- Multiple Rokslide users describe this as a favorite mid-layer alongside KUIU equivalents
One Honest Drawback: Not the warmest option for extreme cold temperatures. Purpose-built for the mid-season and transitional temperature range rather than late-season stand hunting in sustained cold.
Verdict: One of the most praised specific Kings pieces in the hunting community. The warmth-to-packability ratio at Kings pricing makes it an exceptional value buy.
What Customers Actually Think
The hunting community review picture for Kings Camo — across Rokslide, Hunt Talk, ArcheryTalk, and Tennessee Deer forums — is consistently positive for the XKG line specifically. Hunters describe buying one piece and coming back for more because the quality-to-price ratio is compelling enough to build around.
The specific points of praise from real hunters: the tall sizing that fits people who can’t find properly fitting gear elsewhere, the XKG wind defender anorak and bibs for late-season stand hunting, the zip-off merino base layer that compares favorably to major name brands, and the general quality improvement in the XKG line over what Kings was known for ten years ago.
Real accounts paraphrased:
- “I am 6’4″ and the Kings Camo tall inseam pants are my go-to all year long. Quality and price point are a great value. They’ve held up better than pants from more expensive brands.”
- “Kings XKG is really hard to beat. Their transition jackets are top of the line for insulation without bulk.”
- “I’ve bought many Kings XKG pieces at 50% or more off MSRP. For the money you cannot beat them.”
- “I returned the rain jacket. For what I do in serious rain conditions, it never would have survived.”
- “New pants on a recent elk hunt. Still holding up well two to three seasons later despite getting snagged on briars throughout the years.”
Is Kings Camo Worth It?
For hunters who want genuine XKG performance at prices that leave budget for more pieces: yes, clearly.
For hunters who need the absolute best rain performance in sustained wet conditions: compare the rain gear specifically with Sitka or KUIU rain solutions before committing.
For hunters building a complete system on a budget: Kings XKG is the brand most consistently recommended in hunting community discussions as the value alternative to the premium tier.
Kings Camo vs KUIU
Kings Camo XKG | KUIU | |
Quality level | Very good | ✅ Excellent |
Price point | ✅ Significantly lower | Premium |
Value for money | ✅ Strong | Good for premium quality |
Tall sizing availability | ✅ Strong | Inconsistent |
Rain gear performance | Good for moderate | ✅ Better for extreme wet |
System completeness | ✅ Full layering available | ✅ Full layering available |
Brand community prestige | Good | ✅ Higher |
Best for | Budget-conscious serious hunters | Performance-priority hunters |
Where to Buy
kingscamo.com — full range with direct pricing and periodic sales. Free shipping on orders over $200.
Hunting gear retailers — various authorized dealers including Camofire for discounted clearance pricing.
Final Verdict
Kings Camo has built genuine respect in the hunting gear community — specifically among Western hunters who’ve tried the XKG line and found it consistently performs above what the price suggests it should. The value argument is legitimate, the sizing for tall hunters is a real differentiator, and the brand continues improving its technical performance year over year.
The rain gear limitation in extreme conditions and the return policy frustrations are real. But for most hunting scenarios and most budgets — Kings XKG represents the most defensible value in serious hunting apparel.
Overall Rating: 8.2 / 10
Category | Score |
XKG Technical Performance | 9 / 10 |
Value for Money | 9.5 / 10 |
Tall/Extended Sizing | 9 / 10 |
Rain Gear Performance | 7 / 10 |
Return Policy | 6.5 / 10 |
Camouflage Pattern Selection | 8.5 / 10 |
Overall | 8.2 / 10 |
