Nothing wrong with wool, the stuff is bullet proof. It's only drawback is its weight to warm ratio. The stuff can get heavy, especially when packing long distances or if it gets wet. Prolly works very well in the midwest, where long hikes arent the norm.So think I still jst wear my 25 yo merino wool longjohns and gortex jacket and save myself several hundreds of dollars. Lol
Wish my dad years ago knew of some wool clothing that shed wind and water, stayed warm if wet, and you could work in all wk like a mule then wear it hunting that weekend, and lasted for decades.
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Or we are the ones that have been using gear like this way before Sitka existed and don’t like to see our friends spend more money than necessary.
Bowhunter
Well-Known Member
So what Sitka pieces have you owned, or even used for that matter?
Also, what is this mystery gear that you say is as good as Sitka just cheaper?
Have I not made it abundantly clear that I don’t buy Sitka Gear? As far as what I’ve used: gloves, jacket, shirt. I don’t know the model numbers - sorry. My best friend showed up in Alberta last year wearing a brand new Sitka wardrobe and another friend wore a bunch on one of our NZ trips. They were happy with what they wore, but so was I - and mine was much cheaper.
My outer shell is a Wild Things Gear eVent jacket. My outer shell pants are RAB eVent alpine pants. I have an assortment of merino wool under garments made by various companies: Patagonia, icebreaker, ll bean, kuiu, etc. I have a kuiu down sweater and down pants made by a small, independent company I can’t remember the name of. I have a SAR primaloft jacket made by Patagonia before they got out of the Search and Rescue business. I have a MSR 4 season alpine tent. My pack is a Kifaru.
If I’m sitting in a deer stand, I wear merino wool socks, insulated muck boots, merino long underwear, Filson wool pants, and whatever of the above upper body items I need to stay warm.
There is no doubt in my mind Sitka makes good gear, but they charge a premium for it because it comes in sporty looking camo and they’ve done a good job marketing themselves. If you are ok with similar quality gear that is not camo, it’s out there. All you have to do is shop around and talk to a different market: backpackers, mountaineers, and ultralite aficionados. They’ve been using this stuff since way before we (hunters) jumped on the train.
I’ve bought a lot of high end gear over the years - I hate being cold. I always end up on the Sitka website, and I never end up buying anything because I can’t justify the price.
dogghr
Well-Known Member
So true but I'm quite sure my dads response to its weight, over the years of backpacking the Appalachians and Rockies, white watering, and hunting would be "don't be a p**** and get your ass moving". LOL. Again, I like technology, but I like my money more. Same layering with just a good light weight cool and warmth can be had without a fortune. Funny how wool comes and goes depending on the advertising convincing companies can do. We can be like sheep for sure. Now for me, microfibers for working in the heat is a game changer. That, I love.
Triple C
Well-Known Member
Interesting thread and a subject with which I have limited experience. But, I've been an observer through my sons for well over a decade. Youngest son has chased critters for over a dozen years in CO, AK and Canada. When he started he wore his old school camo that we're all familiar with. I've watched the transition from the old school camo to full-blown modern day fabrics (his favorite is KUIU) that he began using in 2014. I never saw or heard of KUIU until he started wearing it. I'd say it's very similar to Sitka and First Lite. He's leaving first of September for his annual trek to CO and he's fully loaded in modern synthetics and down from KUIU.
Last Christmas, he gave me a very light KUIU down jacket, more like a shirt really, that weighs just ounces. Holy Cow! That was a game changer. I couldn't believe something so light could provide such warmth in late winter weather. Only other modern synthetic I own is the KUIU warm season pants. Dry quickly with 4-way stretch. I love the darn things and the down jacket/shirt is awesome.
Last Christmas, he gave me a very light KUIU down jacket, more like a shirt really, that weighs just ounces. Holy Cow! That was a game changer. I couldn't believe something so light could provide such warmth in late winter weather. Only other modern synthetic I own is the KUIU warm season pants. Dry quickly with 4-way stretch. I love the darn things and the down jacket/shirt is awesome.
I don’t like much on anything marketed to hunters anymore. I found the diagonal zipper on the Sitka jackets kinda innovative for folks like me that enjoy handmuffs, but I never bought one.
Help me find some hunting pants that can handle briars like my old Mossy Oak 6-pocket heavy cotton ones. I have a heavyweight base layer Sitka pullover that I love. I wear it like a sweatshirt on cold days. But if that polyester saw the flora that my pants get dragged thru, it’d be expensive rags in one season. I’ve read the Kuiu material doesn’t handle briars well. What’s a good pair of hunting pants???
Oh and someone could probably make a viral video (R-rated) filming a dude showing up in camp wearing hunting pants with freaking knee pads. That goes for ANY hunting camp I’ve been to in the Deep South. Lmao.
Help me find some hunting pants that can handle briars like my old Mossy Oak 6-pocket heavy cotton ones. I have a heavyweight base layer Sitka pullover that I love. I wear it like a sweatshirt on cold days. But if that polyester saw the flora that my pants get dragged thru, it’d be expensive rags in one season. I’ve read the Kuiu material doesn’t handle briars well. What’s a good pair of hunting pants???
Oh and someone could probably make a viral video (R-rated) filming a dude showing up in camp wearing hunting pants with freaking knee pads. That goes for ANY hunting camp I’ve been to in the Deep South. Lmao.
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Kuiu is a spin-off from Sitka. When Gore bought Sitka, the founder of Sitka left and started Kuiu.
This discussion has inspired me to revisit Sitka. I’m not in the market for any cold weather gear, but deer season starts here in SC in 4 days and it’s going to be HOT (as usual). Anyone have experience with the warm weather products?
A little trick I learned with camofire. Their employees are often outdoor people themselves, so I just call them up and ask what they have for your application. They will give you a run down of what is currently in stock and what they would recommend. No reason to try and catch an email.
Wool is wool. It will have the same insulation properties. There can be a difference in the way that the wool was spun into yarn. The two I have noticed are a fluffy spin ( like what kuiu uses) and then the traditional. There is likely more ways to spin wool into yarn but I don't know. The kuiu stuff gets you better weight to warmth ratio, but at the expense of durability. I have owned both the kuiu stuff and the traditional stuff from kryptic. Neither was durable enough to justify the price.
Another difference is the size of the fibers. The smaller the fibers the less itch and higher the cost. Cashmere wool is the best in this department and you prolly have seen the prices on that.
To be honest kuiu wool does have some nice features and are the only ones that can maybe justify the extra cost, but you do have to baby the stuff a bit. I basically only use my wool for long hunts so I don't have to deal with the stink and I to get more mileage out if it.
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First Lite has some amazing warm season gear. I run their wick shirt all year as a base layer at least. Come in a short sleeve, long sleeve and even a hoody. When it’s cold and used as a base layer it really wicks the sweat and keeps me warm. It’s also my go to in dove season when it’s 80-85 degrees normally and I’ll just wear the shirt.
As mentioned, on camo-fire does have some deals come up on it. Also, google "sitka clearance gear" and you will be able to find some good deals as well. I've gotten most everything 50-60% off...it just takes time and continually looking. Heck, I even picked up some off Amazon that was a good deal.
Heck, there are Facebook pages that you can join and get it slightly used or even new for 30-60% off sticker price.
Heck, there are Facebook pages that you can join and get it slightly used or even new for 30-60% off sticker price.
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So most of my buddies who shell out for gear get the attack pant from Kuiu for warm weather. Is it worth it....ehh...prolly not. I would just go to Costco and get their 4 way stretch pant unless you need camo. If I needed camo I would go XKG from Kings camo, but to be honest I am not sure what features you actually need for warm weather. No of them have a built in AC unit.
Mennoniteman
Well-Known Member
My Dewalt XL camo heated jacket has been a favorite for cold weather gear the last few years. At $150 this heavy duty well made jacket is a good deal even without the battery and charger. I didn't see an air conditioned model yet, probably just a little engineering needed on that one yet.
dogghr
Well-Known Member
I've got a super light weight pants and shirt by redhead thats like wearing pajamas. I get to wear them maybe 2 days a year with hot weather but I love them. Like sitting naked in a tree. I know TMI. I also have a UA heatgear shirt that is very cool. I know, some boycott them but good regardless. In your area Cut, I'd have to have a generator hooked to a window AC screwed into the tree blowing on me. Heat no like. Hope you get that bigun.
weekender21
Well-Known Member
Yes, it's HOT in Hawaii too! I wear the Sitka ascent shirt and pants all year out here. Great for the early deer season and turkey season in the south too.
I’d need to gain 100 lbs to fit into the smallest size I see in stock.
