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Sitka Setup

Interesting thread, I posted KUIU my system earlier in the thread. I a enjoying how light weight the gear is. KUIU was my first “High end” gear purchase. I am anxious to see how it fares in the cold during the late season. I have a tendency to get a little cold when I’m out there, and if it doesn’t work I’ll be selling it and trying out Sitka . But I did have a question I notice on the forms in the classifieds that there’s lots of Sitka bibs and jackets gear being sold?


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I have sat with my kuiu system down 0 in Michigan. I could only do it for about 3 hours. This was before I got heavy merino layers, or the Sitka vest. For more comfort I would add the Kenai or super down pant I was running zero insulation from the waist down. I can’t speak to why others maybe selling their Sitka layers but the fanatic is awesome for noise and warmth, but is bulky and heavy from my perspective. But being 5’6” and a buck 50 I probably looked like the Michelin man, lol.


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It probably pales in comparison with the heavy, bulky, crappy clothes I wore as a kid. Lol


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I have the fanatic hoody and it is an awesome piece of clothing. Almost killed me to spend that kind of money on a “hoody”, since it’s not goretex or some other expensive material, but I like it so much I bought a second one when they went on sale and squirreled it away for when I wear this one out.

I didn’t think I would like the face mask but I find it adds warm and don’t have to wear face paint anymore. The zip is long enough that you can really dump some heat if you are walking/hiking.The built in “gloves” are awesome too when it starts to get chilly and you didn’t pack real gloves.
 
I wore my stratus jacket/pants down to 25F this weekend. With layers it’s doable but chilly. Below 30 is fanatic territory if you don’t mind packing in the bulk.

Pant layers:
Core base
Midi pant
Stratus pant

Top layers:
Core base
Fanatic hoody
Midi jacket
Stratus jacket

Also used Arctic shield over boots (hand warmer in each) and incinerator hat


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Nice set up. I have the Pro pants (knee pads) Guide Jacket, base layer is the ultra 145 top & bottom. Mid is the 125 SS, peloton 240 Beanie. I also run a 145 quarter zip as a mid layer. I got a great deal on a Super down pro hooded jacket. I plan on seeing if I can use it as an insulation layer when the temp drops.


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@Mr. Vince How did the Pro pants work out for you? I was curious if the knee pads and material around them were able to stand up to saddle hunting and how you felt about the noise level.
 
I think the stratus set is the most versatile. I have the stratus jacket and pants, fanatic hoodie, and the fanatic bibs and jacket. 95% of the time. I'll make the status work from the 50s down to 20 degrees. Under 20, I'm mixing and matching stratus with fanatic bibs. It needs to be really cold for me to go full fanatic set.

I use good base layers in first lite mid and heavy weight wool. I think the base layers make a big difference. I hope this helps. I spent a bunch on sitka last year and wish I would have done it sooner.
 
I have never owned Sitka. With a $1,000 dollar budget would the Stratus Jacket, Fanatic Hoody & Stratus Bibs be a good stetup for mid-to-late season? Hunting temps typically 35 - 40 degrees? I hunt in WI and mid-season it seems most mornings around the 30-35 degree range. I want to make sure the setup is warm enough to handle temps around there (or possibly lower). Any help would be great!

I bought the entire Sitka Whitetail lineup, what I sent back was the Fanatic bibs and jacket. In my opinion it was just too bulky. You will be fine with the Stratus, just use some good base layers beneath them. It dont have to be Sitka under Sitka. Use some good warm layers that at least wick away moisture. The next pieces I would advise you to purchase would definitely be a USED Celcius Midi jacket and also a pair of Equinox Midi's. Happy hunting pal :)
 
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