Many things can be "said", as so many of the posts here sadly demonstrate, however, such comments seldom have any factual basis.....
My comments were specifically concerning the Kuiu issues and the propensity for many to become "conned" into spending $$$$$ on gear that is not a real improvement over more commonplace and less costly "kewl" items, as my examples demonstrated. I do not care if someone wants to buy, wear or even "market" Kuiu, or some other apparently problem-plagued brand, go for it, knock yourself out.
The rifle issue is not really relevant as there has been a definite improvement in "mountain rifles" since I bought my first in 1964. While a wooden stocked .30-06 certainly will work, there have been more functional models available since I put together my first Brown-stocked .280Rem. in 1985. I found my then wooden stocked .280Rem. on a VZ-24 with a lovely handle from the Biesen shop in Spokane, was far less stable in wet conditions than the Brown stocked P-64-70 was and that made a big difference.
The Kimber MA I bought over a year ago, is lighter than any custom I have/had on a std. length action by at least 10-12 ozs. and while I did NOT ever have a .280AI, I find it the best overall round, now Nosler, has standardized it, for a really light rifle. I get 3000 fps-mv from a 160 NP with good groups and that is pushing 175 fps more than any of my standard .280s have ever given, a slight advantage, IMO.
There is NO factory rifle in a std. cartridge, that is as light and also CRF as the KMA and I have had enough highend and full custom pieces over 50+ years to know. I agree, the MA stock IS "marketing", but, the overall rifle is simply outstanding and worth the comparatively moderate cost.
My last two customs, both largely by Mitch Kendall, were a slightly lighter 7-08 he built as his own personal sheep shooter and it is about 4 ozs less overall than the KMA. It also cost quite a bit more and is not CRF, which I much prefer.
The next, is built on a HVA action, Krieger tube, Bansner, Wisner, the works.....it is light, shoots better than I now can and is a std. 280, BUT, while a super piece, it is STILL heavier then the KMA. I did not spend a lot on it as I have been at this for a long time and know where and how to find/buy the pieces for custom guns at good prices, but, it was not "cheap".
So, I did not follow any "herd" and would have much preferred that the KMA stock be just as the regular Montana one is, however, I bought for practical reasons and took what they offered as I am an old pensioner and did/do not have megabux for gear. That stock is certainly "marketing" which is, rather sadly, a large aspect of the current hunting gear scene.
There ARE some real improvements in gear now, especially in light and U/L rifles, good for we geezers, in backpacks most definitely and in some tent fabrics and sleeping pads. I also find that Neoshell, especially from top makers such as Westcomb, absolutely rocks in shitty weather.
However, much of what we had when I started was as good and OFTEN superior to a lot of the hyped "kewl" gear we see now, for example, have you ever seen/worn Galibier boots, Kastingers or the original Raichles, ValDor Eiger Darbelles and/or FGL serious mountain boots? NO pos GT boots made now come even close in fit, longevity or real performance in the mountains.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!