Sitka Outerwear

[gregr]

Not that I`m likely to ever really take that plunge, but...

Does anyone here have Sitka outerwear? I`ve read online about the Sitka Incinerator jacket. Man it`s expensive, but the reviews are really good. Anyone here have any experience with Sitka? Is it worth the cost?

 

[Tactically Fat]

I don't hunt... And I don't spend a lot of time outside in the elements...

But oh lordy I want a complete set of Sitka gear. LOL

 

[ws6duramax]

Not that I`m likely to ever really take that plunge, but...

Does anyone here have Sitka outerwear? I`ve read online about the Sitka Incinerator jacket. Man it`s expensive, but the reviews are really good. Anyone here have any experience with Sitka? Is it worth the cost?

I don't have any first-hand experience with it, but a lot of people swear by it.

I went to Colorado on a late Elk hunt and that was all the guides wore. They usually had several layers of undergarments, but their Sitka outer garments looked very thin and Light weight. They seemed more comfortable than me dressed in Red Head gear. I know they were a lot less bulky. It was some dam cold/snowy weather. They also raved about Crispi Boots .

 

[BoilerWes]

I don't have any first-hand experience with it, but a lot of people swear by it.

I went to Colorado on a late Elk hunt and that was all the guides wore. They usually had several layers of undergarments, but their Sitka outer garments looked very thin and Light weight. They seemed more comfortable than me dressed in Red Head gear. I know they were a lot less bulky. It was some dam cold/snowy weather. They also raved about Crispi Boots .

Love my Crispi boots. I have a few Sitka items…seem to be good quality. Advantage seems to be less bulk with equal or better insulation than other brands.

 

[Dirty Steve]

No experience with Sitka but I have a lot of experience with KUIU gear. Jason Hairston started Sitka gear, sold it and then started KUIU. If Sitka is anything like KUIU, it is incredibly light, very well thought out and very well made.

Dirty Steve

 

[hooky]

I don't have any Sitka gear, but I remember reading/watching this and thinking if I ever head out west to hunt that I would make the investment.

The Darkroom: A Navy SEAL Rewarming Drill | SITKA Gear

"The deal is, if you spend enough time out there, you’re going to get wet on a brutally cold day. And how are you going to keep warm? How are you going to get everything dry and keep going?” - Big Game Product Manager John Barklow<br />

www.sitkagear.com

 

[Magyars]

I don't have any Sitka gear, but I remember reading/watching this and thinking if I ever head out west to hunt that I would make the investment.

The Darkroom: A Navy SEAL Rewarming Drill | SITKA Gear

"The deal is, if you spend enough time out there, you’re going to get wet on a brutally cold day. And how are you going to keep warm? How are you going to get everything dry and keep going?” - Big Game Product Manager John Barklow<br />

www.sitkagear.com

Impressive. Ive had my share of wet-cold-miserable experiences.. Worth knowing but I'll pass on the rewarming

 

[gregr]

I don't have any Sitka gear, but I remember reading/watching this and thinking if I ever head out west to hunt that I would make the investment.

The Darkroom: A Navy SEAL Rewarming Drill | SITKA Gear

"The deal is, if you spend enough time out there, you’re going to get wet on a brutally cold day. And how are you going to keep warm? How are you going to get everything dry and keep going?” - Big Game Product Manager John Barklow<br />

www.sitkagear.com

I would guess it`s key that you have the total system under conditions and circumstances that extreme. Not just the outerwear, but the mid layers and base layers too. I don`t have unlimited resources and I can`t drop several thousand dollars on a complete system. I was hoping that just the Sitka jacket with decent base layers would get me through a sit on a deer stand. And that`s even if I could ever afford the Sitka incinerator jacket. That`s not in my immediate future, and so, at my age, I`ll probably never have Sitka.

 

[roscott]

I’m not an expert, but I’ve spent some time in the cold and snow, both locally and out west.

I have some expensive gear, but not Sitka. In my experience out west, you spend a lot more time moving than sitting still. Even in the bitter cold, if you can be windproof and dry you can survive.

Ambush hunting in the winter in Indiana is a different animal. A heavy set of bibs and parka is a must, but that gear is way too heavy for out west.



Sitka gear would probably be warm enough for Indiana and light enough for out west, but so far I have needed one or the other, not both.

 

[hooky]

I would guess it`s key that you have the total system under conditions and circumstances that extreme. Not just the outerwear, but the mid layers and base layers too. I don`t have unlimited resources and I can`t drop several thousand dollars on a complete system. I was hoping that just the Sitka jacket with decent base layers would get me through a sit on a deer stand. And that`s even if I could ever afford the Sitka incinerator jacket. That`s not in my immediate future, and so, at my age, I`ll probably never have Sitka.

I bit the bullet and bought Moreno wool base layers and still use a synthetic mid layer with a Cabelas Zonz gortex outer layer. It's been a great system for foul weather.

 

[gregr]

I bit the bullet and bought Moreno wool base layers and still use a synthetic mid layer with a Cabelas Zonz gortex outer layer. It's been a great system for foul weather.

Apparently those base layers are pretty pricy?

 

[two70]

Apparently those base layers are pretty pricy?

Midway has very well priced Moreno wool base layers. They're typically only available in the fall but frequently on sale. I don't think they are quite as well made as more expensive brands but mine have held up well for the past 4-5 years.

 

[Tactically Fat]

Let the mission dictate the gear...

 

[hooky]

Apparently those base layers are pretty pricy?

I trolled steepandcheap.com and sierra.com for quite a few months until I was able to find a deal. I think I'm in for right around $100 or so for a long sleeve top and a bottom. If memory serves I bought both from steep and cheap in the spring of '20.

Edited to Add: I just went and looked to find these options. https://www.steepandcheap.com/mens-underwear-baselayers?fl=true

Prices are up, but a guy could still do mid weight wool base layers for under $150. Some of the color options are goofy looking, but who is going to see it anyway?

 

[gregr]

I trolled steepandcheap.com and sierra.com for quite a few months until I was able to find a deal. I think I'm in for right around $100 or so for a long sleeve top and a bottom. If memory serves I bought both from steep and cheap in the spring of '20.

Edited to Add: I just went and looked to find these options. https://www.steepandcheap.com/mens-underwear-baselayers?fl=true

Prices are up, but a guy could still do mid weight wool base layers for under $150. Some of the color options are goofy looking, but who is going to see it anyway?

It sure get`s awful expensive to try to kill a deer, doesn`t it?

 

[hooky]

It sure get`s awful expensive to try to kill a deer, doesn`t it?

Yes it does. I try to also spread it across cold weather fishing trips and some backpacking too. LOL

 

[Tryin']

Sitka and the rest of the like got their start in technical treeline gear where layering and mobility are king. Realizing the commercial potential of the midwest whitetail hunter, they branched into warmer primary garments with heavy insulation.

I've used a lot of stuff out there, and spent a lot of money doing it. For ambush hunting in cold temps, nothing beats a bag. Heater body suit or IWOM, you can't go wrong. HBS is a bit warmer, IWOM has better mobility. Either will beat the magical fairy dust stuffing out of any bib/parka combo I've tried.

 

[rooster]

I’ve owned some Sitka and other high end hunting camo. All of the fancy western camo is meant to be employed as part of a system. That means even though you get the heavy weight jacket don’t expect to wear that over at shirt and be good.

Sitka makes good gear. If you want American made though look at forloh or origin hunt. Want cheaper look at cabelas. Not a fan of Sitka because for the price they charge they should be made in America.

 

[Hookeye]

I dont look at is as a deer expense.
Prefer to consider it a vacation away from work/ home.

Staying comfy and out longer.

I got a First Lite solitude bib last yr on sale. I was between sizes and they were out if XL so tried the L. Nice but I want a little more room. So will order an XL soon. Close to 300 bucks. Got the L.last yr on special for under 200.

Too L too big to fit any of my kids.

 

[gregr]

Sitka and the rest of the like got their start in technical treeline gear where layering and mobility are king. Realizing the commercial potential of the midwest whitetail hunter, they branched into warmer primary garments with heavy insulation.

I've used a lot of stuff out there, and spent a lot of money doing it. For ambush hunting in cold temps, nothing beats a bag. Heater body suit or IWOM, you can't go wrong. HBS is a bit warmer, IWOM has better mobility. Either will beat the magical fairy dust stuffing out of any bib/parka combo I've tried.

I have no idea what iwom is...

But I wouldn`t use a bag. It`s just one more thing to have to carry and I`m trying to minimalize. It`s gotten crazy how much stuff it takes anymore to kill a deer.