Sitka gear.......to buy, or not to buy?

[kyler1945]

Get high merino wool content socks and base layers. Keep yourself dry by not sweating on way to your set. Cool off before putting layers on at your set. Lace up boots loosely for good circulation to your feet. Wear a neck gaiter and a beanie of some sort.

after you’ve done these things, then consider shelling out money on outer wear.

if you do the things above, you can get by with Wally World cheap stuff usually. It might not fit great, but you won’t get cold if you layer Properly.

Sitka makes great stuff. But if you sweat, you will freeze while wearing it just like you will if you wear cheap stuff. Most important is pulling moisture away from your skin. That’s done by base layers.

having said all of that, I use a lot of Sitka open country clothes both out west and whitetail huntjng. The clothes fit me well, and hold up nicely. Don’t wear anything with a high loft through briars or hitchhikers. Pack that stuff in.

 

[kyler1945]

If you are buying the stuff for retail cost. I am not sure I could say it’s worth it. A bit overrated IMO… I have had almost every piece.

All of the outer layers except the fanatic lite are pretty noisy. I like their mid layers, kelvin, Celsius, some baselayers and accessories. Their merino bugs my skin makes me itchy. My minus33 doesnt do that.

I personally like the scentlok outers better. Way quieter and I think the divergent might be warmer than the incinerator but doesn’t pack down nearly as well.

Also, I have moved to Kuiu for my early season stuff. I think the Kuiu Tiburon stuff is way nicer than the Sitka ESW stuff.

After seeing myself on trailcam pics in my Sitka. I am a little concerned about the material. It seemed to give off a bit of a bluish hue. Kinda bugs me…

With all that said... i can’t bring myself to sell any of my Sitka. The fit is better than the others, the quality is great but perhaps the biggest thing for me is their warranty and repair. After having my Stratus bibs for 2 years I got a puncture hole in them. I sent them out for repair. They didn’t charge me a dime… it did take nearly 3 months to get them back though. Honestly, that’s the only thing that would make the Sitka worth it. Other manufacturers you are SOL and will probably have to toss it or pay to get it fixed somewhere.

sitka open country camo is probably the most versatile color I’ve found across all brands. It comes in second to mossy oak bottom land as my favorite to look at. But first for usefulness.

the forest pattern looks cool and you’d think be good for early season with green. But being skylit, it’s almost black.

elevated is just like you said - the white is almost blue. I have one piece in that color, I’ve debated shading the white with a tan or brown sharpie.

 

[MIPublic]

With all that said... i can’t bring myself to sell any of my Sitka. The fit is better than the others, the quality is great but perhaps the biggest thing for me is their warranty and repair. After having my Stratus bibs for 2 years I got a puncture hole in them. I sent them out for repair. They didn’t charge me a dime… it did take nearly 3 months to get them back though. Honestly, that’s the only thing that would make the Sitka worth it. Other manufacturers you are SOL and will probably have to toss it or pay to get it fixed somewhere.

I think badlands warranty would be equally as good, but I also believe there is a distinct quality difference between most of the Sitka pieces and badlands gear.

 

[shamus275]

It’s worth it if you’re a veteran or first responder because the discount is pretty good. That’s the only way I can afford to buy it. I had the original elevated forest and the fanatic series was my favorite. The elevated II series seems warmer to me, usually around the last week of October to first week of November I’d put on the heavy Fanatic bibs and jacket. I haven’t needed to do that with the new Stratus line being so warm. I’ll buy the Fanatic for next year and some early season lighter stuff. I’ll also grab some subalpine for spring.

 

[NimbleTimbo]

I can't speak much to the Sitka stuff, but there is a lot to be said for being able to be warm yet maintaining maneuverability and not feeling like Randy.
I do have a fair amount of FL stuff. In the backcountry, I appreciate the full zips and being able to add or subtract layers without taking boots off. I have the Furnace base layers, the Uncompahgre pants as insulating layer, and the Seak Stormtight pants as a wind and water shell. It felt like an investment, but now I no longer feel like I am suffering. In my mind, I could be dropping serious coin on a newer truck like some of my buddies, or just keep driving my 20 y/o beater and be a little more comfortable/last longer in the woods. I know which one might help my success as a hunter.

 

[SkeeterJackson]

I have been a KUIU guy for the last 5 years or so. I live in northern MN and sit in a tree stand or saddle for most of my hunting. I do go out west and chase elk around, but that is only 10 days a year if I'm lucky. KUIU is designed for mountain hunting when you are on the move so to sit in a stand or saddle with it at 20 degrees it underperforms. Very comfortable but it's just the wrong stuff for that type of hunting. You can buy the warm KUIU stuff but it is very puffy and limits mobility. I have one of their puffy jackets that I wear around town and have hunted with it a couple times. I think it is the old version of the Kenai jacket. It's warm but only down to about 30 degrees.

So, this year I took the plunge because I was sick of being cold when november and december hit. I purchased the new Sitka Incinerator jacket and bibs. This is their new line of incinerator with the aerolite technology. I believe the incinerator line has been around for years, but the real game changer is the aerolite synthetic filling. I believe this line came out around september of 2021. They are unbelievable. My dad has the fanatic set and I have hunted in them a couple times. The incinerator is so much better. It's almost unbelievable how thin it is vs. how warm it is. The coldest I hunted this year so far was around 0 with a 5-7 MPH wind. Windchill was maybe -5. I didn't even get a little bit cold. It is by far the warmest clothing I have ever owned. And all I had on underneath was a military waffle top and long johns under the bibs. There is no limit to mobility whatsoever. It very much feels the same as wearing my KUIU guide jacket with a sweatshirt underneath. It is also very quiet. I have saddle hunted with this set several times now and I dont have to adjust anything or squeeze into the belt or anything. It is not very bulky. There is also an integrated strap system in both the jacket and bibs so when you need to pack them up, you roll them up and buckle it down. I believe there is a picture of this on their website. When you are wearing them, there is a small sleeve in each where the strap and buckle go. I really like the packability of it.

CONS

The first of 2 cons that I can think of is the price. The set is $1300 bucks. I have a military discount so I got it for cheaper but it was still pretty expensive. I honestly do not need another garment under the set except for long johns when I'm hunting in them. That means if you can piece together a system for cheap to get you to 30 degrees or so, you can use the incinerator the rest of the season and don't need to buy other expensive gear. If I had to purchase again, I would without hesitation, even at full price.

The other con is the warmth of this set (let me explain). This set is extremely warm. If I am walking out to a set up that is more than like 200 yards away and it's over 25 degrees, I cant wear this set until the base of the tree. I will be sweating by the time I get there. That problem goes away when it's around 20 or below. Now, this hasn't become annoying for me yet, because I still love putting it on, but I could see this being just another step before I put my first stick up that could get old. I like to get up in the tree quickly and in order to put this suit on you have to get it out of your pack, put it on, then put your saddle on, then start working on the sticks. Not a huge deal, but it adds a couple minutes. For everyone that lives in a central or southern state I don't think this would be a good purchase. I don't think it gets cold enough down there to make it worth while. Maybe it does, I don't know what the winter temps are in Kansas for example.

At the end of the day, I was kind of a sitka hater for a long time just because everyone seemed to hype them up so much. After this purchase, I will gladly say that this is the best suit I have ever owned for late season. It doesn't even come close.

 

[Hall17]

Sitka has me all in. I own a lot of their stuff and have not found one piece that I didn't like or didn't think was worth it. I bought most of my stuff on a pro deal or discounted/sale so I would try and keep and eye out for their sales or discontinued items. The Stratus bibs and jacket are my favorite set. I had no idea how much I would like these but well worth the money. I used them this yr in 20 degree weather WITH GOOD LAYERS. I am not saying I would have been as warm with the layers.

Sitka pieces I would highly recommend depending on how you hunt of course
Stratus bibs and jacket - with good layers I've used this outer set in the 20's
Midi pant - I wear as a layer in cold weather and as an outer layer if walking
Midi jacket - another great cold weather layer or an outer if walking - would not walk through briars with it
Fanatic hoody - an amazing piece all around

like @kyler1945 said get yourself a good set of merino base layers. They'll do wonders for you. My next set will be the Stone Glacier merino wood base layers just to try and see how they hold up.

 

[enkriss]

Sitka has me all in. I own a lot of their stuff and have not found one piece that I didn't like or didn't think was worth it. I bought most of my stuff on a pro deal or discounted/sale so I would try and keep and eye out for their sales or discontinued items. The Stratus bibs and jacket are my favorite set. I had no idea how much I would like these but well worth the money. I used them this yr in 20 degree weather WITH GOOD LAYERS. I am not saying I would have been as warm with the layers.

Sitka pieces I would highly recommend depending on how you hunt of course
Stratus bibs and jacket - with good layers I've used this outer set in the 20's
Midi pant - I wear as a layer in cold weather and as an outer layer if walking
Midi jacket - another great cold weather layer or an outer if walking - would not walk through briars with it
Fanatic hoody - an amazing piece all around

like @kyler1945 said get yourself a good set of merino base layers. They'll do wonders for you. My next set will be the Stone Glacier merino wood base layers just to try and see how they hold up.

The fanatic lite bibs with stratus jacket has been my go to the past 2 seasons.

 

[98XJRC]

I'll be an outlier and recommend Kryptek. I have the Njord pants and jacket and couldn't be more pleased. With a set of long johns and thermal shirt I've been able to sit all day and I typically get cold easily. If I'm dragging a deer out I've had to ditch the jacket due to overheating.

I can't speak to the longevity as I'm only in my second season with them but I'm a fan so far. I use the Valhalla line earlier in the year and pack in the jacket for mid season. Allows me to find a nice balance and keep comfortable throughout all temps I've hunted in so far.

 

[Squirrels]

Sitka has me all in. I own a lot of their stuff and have not found one piece that I didn't like or didn't think was worth it. I bought most of my stuff on a pro deal or discounted/sale so I would try and keep and eye out for their sales or discontinued items. The Stratus bibs and jacket are my favorite set. I had no idea how much I would like these but well worth the money. I used them this yr in 20 degree weather WITH GOOD LAYERS. I am not saying I would have been as warm with the layers.

Sitka pieces I would highly recommend depending on how you hunt of course
Stratus bibs and jacket - with good layers I've used this outer set in the 20's
Midi pant - I wear as a layer in cold weather and as an outer layer if walking
Midi jacket - another great cold weather layer or an outer if walking - would not walk through briars with it
Fanatic hoody - an amazing piece all around

like @kyler1945 said get yourself a good set of merino base layers. They'll do wonders for you. My next set will be the Stone Glacier merino wood base layers just to try and see how they hold up.

Funny, I absolutely could not stand the fanatic hoody. It's the one piece I just scratch my head, especially at the price. It's the hand muff things, I wanted to take a pocket knife to the them the first time I wore it. If you weren't using them they created to much bulk around the wrist for me. Lots of people love it though, so take my opinion with very small grain of salt.

 

[enkriss]

Funny, I absolutely could not stand the fanatic hoody. It's the one piece I just scratch my head, especially at the price. It's the hand muff things, I wanted to take a pocket knife to the them the first time I wore it. If you weren't using them they created to much bulk around the wrist for me. Lots of people love it though, so take my opinion with very small grain of salt.

I hated it too. The mittens are a brain fart of an idea. Best part about the fanatic hoody is the facemask. Otherwise I would save the extra money and get a heavyweight 1/4 zip instead.

 

[bowhuntr09]

I hated it too. The mittens are a brain fart of an idea. Best part about the fanatic hoody is the facemask. Otherwise I would save the extra money and get a heavyweight 1/4 zip instead.

I see so many people talk up the hoody as a must have. Definitely not. They only thing I can see it being good for is early season as a single layer. Certainly not something I would want to pay full retail for.

 

[GeoFish]

I have the Fanatic coat & bibs. Anything below 32 I may get cold. This is somewhat dependent on how long it takes for the temp to break 32. One day at 24 I was OK because it warmed up quickly. First to get cold is my legs from the knees to pockets. Since my legs are cold, then my feet get cold and the upper body is next. When my feet get cold with Iceman boots, it ain't the boots. I have wore these boots down to 16 with my Stand Hunter and stayed warm for 5 hours with the temp never getting above 23.
I regret the purchase. Sitka gives this set 5 bars for warmth, there highest rating. The sleeves in the jacket are tight limiting your ability to layer. The inside material makes it hard to put on when I get to stand.
$900 for a pile of polyester is over priced.

 

[GCTerpfan]

Funny, I absolutely could not stand the fanatic hoody. It's the one piece I just scratch my head, especially at the price. It's the hand muff things, I wanted to take a pocket knife to the them the first time I wore it. If you weren't using them they created to much bulk around the wrist for me. Lots of people love it though, so take my opinion with very small grain of salt.

I see so many people talk up the hoody as a must have. Definitely not. They only thing I can see it being good for is early season as a single layer. Certainly not something I would want to pay full retail for.

I hated it too. The mittens are a brain fart of an idea. Best part about the fanatic hoody is the facemask. Otherwise I would save the extra money and get a heavyweight 1/4 zip instead.

I was beginning to think I was the only one that wasn't impressed with it.

 

[Irishman]

I agree that if I had to do over I would get the equinox hoody over the fanatic

 

[Hall17]

I can get on board with the what you are all saying for sure. For some reason it doesn't bother me. I agree if it didn't have that it would be better.

 

[weekender21]

Funny, I absolutely could not stand the fanatic hoody. It's the one piece I just scratch my head, especially at the price. It's the hand muff things, I wanted to take a pocket knife to the them the first time I wore it. If you weren't using them they created to much bulk around the wrist for me. Lots of people love it though, so take my opinion with very small grain of salt.

You’re probably aware but the heavyweight zip T is the same layer as the fanatic minus the hoody, mask, “hand muff things” and front pouch. It’s a good option if you’re using it for a mid layer. I personally like the fanatic hoody as an outer layer.


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[weekender21]

Hey guys, I have been thinking about buying a set of sitka bibs and jacket, but the price tag is insane. I saddle hunt in east Texas mostly and winters are nit very cold here, I am a candy*** in the cold, but it only gets to 30 or so around here during prime time. I would like to hear from some of you guys who have shelled out the coin for sitka, first lite, or nomad who would be able to tell me if the gear is really worth the price tag. Thanks in advance

At 30 or so I’d recommend the Stratus jacket and pant or bib. I use the Stratus pants but I’m sure the bib would make it more comfortable when you dip below 30. I’m usually transitioning to the Fanatic at that point.

The Fanatic is great but it’s really warm. I don’t consider reaching for it until it’s 32F or below as a low.


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[Squirrels]

I agree that if I had to do over I would get the equinox hoody over the fanatic

And the gradient is the same as the equinox hoody but comes in 2 different variations. One being the hoody is a 1/2 zip pullover with a kangaroo style front pocket or in a hoodless full zip version.

 

[Squirrels]

You’re probably aware but the heavyweight zip T is the same layer as the fanatic minus the hoody, mask, “hand muff things” and front pouch. It’s a good option if you’re using it for a mid layer. I personally like the fanatic hoody as an outer layer.


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Yes sir. I actually prefer the FL Klamath over SITKAs heavyweights.