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The New, New Gear. 2025 Edition

Jordan121787 said:
What makes you hate Sitka now? Just curious. I will say their pants are the best. The kuiu attack pants look nice too
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Wouldn't say I hate it, they've treated me well with warranty.

I don't like the cuts and if I size up it's way to sloppy. I wear a large top and everything is too restricted in the chest. Their camo patterns, I only like Timber which is a waterfowl pattern. Since it's not designed for a bow hunter, pieces lack simple bow hunter features like a tether port. So if I get in a regular harness I either have to wear it external and render my pockets useless or internal and lose the hood. Kuiu has similar issues in tops and Im not a fan of their patterns either. Firstlite and UA fit the way I expect up top.

I've been in all the big brands and never really tried UA till last year. While I have their base layer tops too, they need washed almost every hunt cause synthetics unless treated stink, that's why I came back to firstlite for most hunts on base layers. If there's a chance of being wet I skip wool because I hate the way it smells when wet. This wick blend I'm hoping solves both issues.

My UA is in the all season black 2.0 camo. The wick stuff I grabbed on sale in cipher. I matched the bottoms with khaki colored wranglers so in tan environments I have that color scheme covered. Those $25 pants are as nice as anything else I've tried. I own every color made, wear them every day.
 
I got my new assault yesterday and got it on a tree…I think I may be selling my .5. This thing is super solid. Just comparing it to the rubicon which I had and sold last year, this is a far superior product..built like a tank. Bites the tree great, absolutely no noise or creaking around.

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_Dario said:
I got my new assault yesterday and got it on a tree…I think I may be selling my .5. This thing is super solid. Just comparing it to the rubicon which I had and sold last year, this is a far superior product..built like a tank. Bites the tree great, absolutely no noise or creaking around.

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What's that stand weigh, I havent looked yet.
 
I have a helo, other xop stands, and a .5 to compare to and this one is by far the most premium offering in that market of cast stands. The platform level bolt goes effortlessly in the slots which I’ve had to fiddle with on other stands that use a hollow tube. The thumb barrels for that leveling are not cheap either, they feel premium. Just a great stand from what I can tell so far.
 
_Dario said:
I have a helo, other xop stands, and a .5 to compare to and this one is by far the most premium offering in that market of cast stands. The platform level bolt goes effortlessly in the slots which I’ve had to fiddle with on other stands that use a hollow tube. The thumb barrels for that leveling are not cheap either, they feel premium. Just a great stand from what I can tell so far.
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Do you have the seat height measurement? They are marketing this to Saddlehunters, but one of the aspects of the .5 (other than lightweightness) that makes it great for saddlehunting is the 18” seat post offering a knee rest option for those tall enough to enjoy it (like me).

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_Dario said:
I have a helo, other xop stands, and a .5 to compare to and this one is by far the most premium offering in that market of cast stands. The platform level bolt goes effortlessly in the slots which I’ve had to fiddle with on other stands that use a hollow tube. The thumb barrels for that leveling are not cheap either, they feel premium. Just a great stand from what I can tell so far.
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What makes you like it better than the .5? Considering the .5 is half the weight.
 
Jordan121787 said:
What makes you like it better than the .5? Considering the .5 is half the weight.
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I think a better comparison is the .75 (which is 1” longer and .5” narrower…but runs the cables to the outside so nearly equal usable width). That one’s 7.5lbs bare.

Cast is historically more damp sounding and usually has nice smooth edges.

I’m interested to hear what other aspects he prefers as well. I‘ve always said a wider V on the .5 would be nice. So I like that about the new cast stands.

But a 10.5lb stand isn’t mobile enough for me to think twice about.
 
Plebe said:
Do you have the seat height measurement? They are marketing this to Saddlehunters, but one of the aspects of the .5 (other than lightweightness) that makes it great for saddlehunting is the 18” seat post offering a knee rest option for those tall enough to enjoy it (like me).

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Does this help? Looks like 21” to bottom of seat pad from platform

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Jordan121787 said:
What makes you like it better than the .5? Considering the .5 is half the weight.
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Obviously only got it yesterday so more to come but initial thoughts on this are:

1/ with a waist belt, which I do run, you can basically not tell a difference in weight. If you don’t run a waist belt this may matter to you

2/ I’m primarily a stander and it’s nice to have the extra length dimension to put my feet farther out and lean my back against the tree

3/ it’s nice to have a little extra platform space to attach sticks

4/ knowing what I know, if I had to buy today, for my personal use, the weight savings is not worth double the cost ($300 vs $600). If I lived in the mountains and was trekking to my spots this could be a consideration.

At the end of the day this is a high quality stand with great foot room and not much perceivable weight penalty for me (waist belt)
 
At the risk of hijacking this thread, just want to throw this comparison out there for those thinking about the new assault…2.9lb difference on my luggage scale (11.1 vs 8.2).

With a waist belt supporting the weight you might be able to tell a difference blind folded..

Half the price and more foot room…idk the answer is clear to me!

Plus same shelf lock and gear hook features

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NATHAN said:
Am I the only one trying to NOT buy anything? A few years ago I was buying and trying everything. Now I don't even shop or go into stores. I'm getting old.
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I’m the same way. I bought a saddle to try but if I sell it or the one I have I’ll break real close to even.

I’m trying to find stuff too sell. Stuff takes up too much room
 
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