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Cold weather out layer...what’s worth the $$?

Warthog HJ said:
With snow coming this weekend here in MI, what does everyone like as an outer layer? Is the Sitka stuff worth the price? Hard to swallow $900 for a coat and bibs.
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Worth it IMO. Not just because it keeps you warm when it gets cold but because of all the other features. The high end Sitka gear is designed not to interfere with the shot and has many purpose built features to enhance your hunting experience. There are almost endless options if you're just trying to stay warm but not many if you want to stay warm and easily make a shot with your bow.
 
Jason Wandling said:
Old woolrich wool pants and a wool sweater. If it’s super cold I have an old Natural Gear insulated bomber jacket. View attachment 19550
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Wool is tremendous. I tend to look to nature for the best solution to everything. But for sitting in a treestand saddle thing its awful because wool has zero wind resistance. I have a heavy columbia suit I suffered in for many years; I wouldn't even sell it here for fear someone might die of hypothermia. It has its time and place but its not the type of hunting I usually do, its some Lewis and Clark expedition stuff.
 
elk yinzer said:
Wool is tremendous. I tend to look to nature for the best solution to everything. But for sitting in a treestand saddle thing its awful because wool has zero wind resistance. I have a heavy columbia suit I suffered in for many years; I wouldn't even sell it here for fear someone might die of hypothermia. It has its time and place but its not the type of hunting I usually do, its some Lewis and Clark expedition stuff.
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I’ve never had a problem with it in the wind or cold. I’ll take my thrift store wool any day over a $900 suit.
 
Another option is to buy regular cold weather outerwear and get your self Camo coveralls.


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If you want to save coin on your entire system, I recommend down as your main insulating layer. Obviously you can't get it wet but that's what the outer layer is for. Last year I wore a down puff jacket under my sitka stratus series which is not insulated but does have wind stopper. Those weren't my only two layers but without the down there would have been no way I could have hunted a few of my sits in mid November. High teens with 20+ mph wind is no fun when you're not moving. You can buy much cheaper, less technical clothing but the issue is getting your bow drawn when you look like the Pillsbury dough boy. The last thing I want to do after freezing my butt off all week is miss a deer because of string contact. That's why the high end stuff is a bargain in my opinion.
 
weekender21 said:
If you want to save coin on your entire system, I recommend down as your main insulating layer. Obviously you can't get it wet but that's what the outer layer is for.
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I'll add a note here - if relying on down to stay warm, not overheating/sweating becomes even more critical - to the point of a safety concern. Put it on once set, or at least keep it unzipped.
 
Hit up an Army/Navy store and see if you can find the Extreme Cold Weather shell and pants that was available to all branches I'm pretty sure. There have been different camo patterns throughout the years, but they use a Goretex outer layer, and multiple water resistant/water proof layers inside. Coupled with a fleece liner that can zip in, this is what I use for snowblowing in Southeastern CT in blizzards, so I think (haven't actually worn it for hunting yet) it would work great on a really cold day pretty much anywhere, I heard the jungle pattern that came out in early 2000's was designed and built by Columbia, but who knows.
 
weekender21 said:
If you want to save coin on your entire system, I recommend down as your main insulating layer. Obviously you can't get it wet but that's what the outer layer is for. Last year I wore a down puff jacket under my sitka stratus series which is not insulated but does have wind stopper. Those weren't my only two layers but without the down there would have been no way I could have hunted a few of my sits in mid November. High teens with 20+ mph wind is no fun when you're not moving. You can buy much cheaper, less technical clothing but the issue is getting your bow drawn when you look like the Pillsbury dough boy. The last thing I want to do after freezing my butt off all week is miss a deer because of string contact. That's why the high end stuff is a bargain in my opinion.
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I’ve never heard Sitka and bargain in same sentence lol. I’ve been using the Stratus set for last three years, last year I sold my pants when the bibs were released. This is the first system That’s made it more than one season for me. Imo you get what you pay for and where the high end stuff shines is managing bulk and Sitka is probably the best I’ve seen at engineering the layering into the system. Their garments have different cuts and sizing so that different layers work together which is key as a bowhunter. I don’t miss the doughboy days at all...
 
Not going to get into the debate on whether scentlok works or not but they make nice hunting clothes for the money.. My primary go to is scentlok bibs, couldn't tell you the model I have had it for years with scentloks late season jacket with the removable vest, again have had it for years and couldn't tell you the model. My backup if for some reason I sweat or it gets really wet and dont have time to wash it is just the redhead silent hide coveralls. Both are more than adequate for an outer layer if you are layered properly underneath for a couple hour sit in down to bout single digits temps, beyond that temp couldn't tell ya never hunted in colder temps.

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I’ve had Sitka and First Lite. Both very high quality but I just like the way FL wears better. Not as restricting to me as Sitka. I’ve sold most of my Sitka stuff and switched over the FL exclusively. Subscribe to the website, watch Rokslide, you can put a very nice kit together way off of retail if you’re patient.

Not cold weather, but if you buy nothing else, get a pair of Corrugate pants. I bought a few pair (pants and shorts) in dry earth and I haven’t worn khakis to work since. They are seriously like wearing pajamas to work every day, but without the whole “dress code” hassle. Lol


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Flee said:
Love my Cabellas whitetail extreme. It’s probably 10 yrs old now. Any quality clothing with a higher end Primaloft insulation will be above and beyond wally world gear.
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^ this. I totally get that Cabela’s brand stuff is not Sitka. But I’ve found I destroy my hunting clothing no matter what in short order due to how thick our Tennessee woods are. So I like this mid range area. Way higher quality than Wal-Mart for sure but of course not as good as Sitka. I just wish Sitka stuff knew how to take a punch from a Tennessee thicket.
 
philsanchez76 said:
^ this. I totally get that Cabela’s brand stuff is not Sitka. But I’ve found I destroy my hunting clothing no matter what in short order due to how thick our Tennessee woods are. So I like this mid range area. Way higher quality than Wal-Mart for sure but of course not as good as Sitka. I just wish Sitka stuff knew how to take a punch from a Tennessee thicket.
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I think many don’t realize that quality insulation is quality insulation. It’s the same stuff in middle upper gear as high end. Now the Shell material may be great stuff in the Sitka. Maybe it will hold up to your neck of the woods. But for me the Cabela stuff is nice and it’s warm so good enough has well been good enough.
 
SemperFlightMedic said:
I use a all seasons outer layer, and as the weather changes I change my base layer(s). Much more cost effective.


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That's a solid plan for most conditions. I thought I could get away with layering under my older Sitka Stratus all year until a sit in the high teens with a 20mph north wind. I had as many quality layers as I could possible fit under the jacket and still got cold after about 8 hours. I've been fine with the same set up down to about 25F, after that I personally need something more.
 
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