Sitka worth it?

[Wyo67]

Just trolling for opinions... I entered into the performance clothing last season and really liked how the Kryptek line kept me cool and comfortable during bow season.  Last year was a little warm, but we did have a heavy wet snow during the last couple of days and the clothing handled that with no issues.

My question is will the Sitka 90% series help maintain warmth during October/November rifle seasons, when I do more sitting around and glassing?  I did catch a chill during deer season.  Worked up a sweat walking in and when I cooled off, I got cold. 

Any thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[buglelk]

Wyo67,


I love Sitka and am a little biased, but I will give you my opinion from a layering standpoint. I don't feel the 90% pants and jacket will be enough to keep you warm in November/December...at least not as a stand-alone system. The beauty of a layering system is that you can add or subtract pieces from the system to help micro-regulate your core body temperature, regardless of activity level.


The Open Country pattern is used on gear that is designed to keep you comfortable when you are active (wick moisture, breathe, etc.). The Elevated pattern is used on gear that is designed to keep you comfortable when you are stationary (sitting in a treestand - insulation, wind blocking, etc.). The quandary has always been, how do you mix the two characteristics for late season hunting where you will likely be moving, but then sitting for periods...if you focus on the insulation, you overheat when you are hiking. If you focus on the breathability and moisture wicking, you get cold when you sit. Enter the layering concept.


For late season hunts, I would suggest a solid base layer that will wick moisture away from your skin (both tops and bottoms). The bottoms will also provide a layer of insulation for when you stop to glass, etc. For an outer shell, you'll want something that is going to block wind with some insulation, but still very breathable so you don't overheat when hiking (I really like Sitka's Jetstream Jacket - and the 90% Pants are a great choice for bottoms here as well).


These pieces alone won't be enough though. When you stop to glass for extended periods, there is a good chance you will get cold. That is where a good Primloft type vest or jacket comes in. Carrying this extra insulation layer in your pack will enable you to convert from active hunting to stationary hunting. I really like Sitka's Kelvin Vest or one of the Kelvin Jackets/Hoodies. And be sure to keep something warm on your head as well.


In summary, I feel Sitka has done a tremendous job of bridging the gaps that exist between the two styles of hunting, allowing us to find a system that will work in any situation and in all conditions. I hope this is helpful, and if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask.


Also, just a reminder, all Sitka is 20% off right now. AND, the new gear in the SubAlpine pattern will be available in the next 6-7 weeks... 

 

[backcountry_hunter]

My question is will the Sitka 90% series help maintain warmth during October/November rifle seasons, when I do more sitting around and glassing?  I did catch a chill during deer season.  Worked up a sweat walking in and when I cooled off, I got cold. 
Any thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Here's what I do, it's by no means scripture but aside from archery hunting I'm also an avid muzzleloader hunter and I'm never afraid to have a late season rifle tag either. I generally hunt sept through january and have set ups for just about everything weather can throw at me. without getting into a sitka/kuiu/first lite debate, I'll try and answer with just my clothing from sitka that I have. I have full or almost full "systems" from all three and all have their pros and cons. I admittedly use kuiu the most because it's lighter and performs well during extended trips in the wilderness, which is really what I try to do the most of. That said most of the time I have cherry picked pieces from all three companies with me. I also recently have been using alot of arcteryx/montbell/patagonia/mountain hardware/etc.... with as good (if not better) results when it comes to adverse weather....


In regards to the 90% jacket/pants question.... My impression of the jacket itself is it's good but the sitka line has better value'd pieces. I have the ascent, 90, jetstream and stormfront. I would echo buglelkand buy the jetstream.... good all-around jacket. If you're looking for late season only i've been impressed with my hunting parteners coldfront but it's definitely a late season piece of gear and with the hefty price tag you'll likely want to wear it for more than just Nov.


The pants from sitka I have are the ascents, stormfronts & timberlines . Honestly the ascents are (across all manufacturers) probably my favorite or go to pants of all time, boarderline tied with the kuiu attacks. If I only could pick one I don't know which one I'd go with. I've worn them all the way to early nov. with a good base. The timberlines for me are tough but I can get warm in them, even in late oct. It should be noted I tend to run a little hot anyway so others might have complete 180 degree opposite opinions.


I have the kelvin vest that buglelk mentioned, fantastic lightweight piece that doubles as my pillow when counting ounces. Keeps you warm when glassing. If I need a heavier puffy I bring a down hoody with from kuiu but that's generally much colder conditions. Kuiu's down is fantastic stuff but is like being in an incinerator if you don't absolutely need it. These puffy's might get retired though, I have some stuff from montbell that has been nothing short of incredible.


My typical 7 day wilderness mid to late october rifle clothing looks like:
base bottoms: firstlight or icebreaker
base tops: icebreaker or first lite, generally this is what I wear in for a top, I'll also have something like a 1/4 zip with me if weather warrants it, prefereably wool but sometimes a synthetic. Then, between my base layer and my insulater I'll throw in/on a lightweight 100% wool sweater from LLbean.

**none of kuiu's, sitka's, etc... merinos impressed me**


3 pair of socks (1 worn in and two in pack) are from smartwool or darn tough
3 pair of boxer briefs from a number of different companies (1 worn in 2 in pack)
outer shell pants: sitka ascent or kuiu attacks, I wear these in, I have both the sitka timberlines and kuiu guides and they stay home more often than not
outer shell jacket: kuiu guide or sitka jetstream
Insultater: sitka puffy or kuiu down jacket,



*I often substitue my rain gear as my outer shell but more recently I've been packing in lightweight packable rain gear in hopes of not needing it vs. wearing it everyday when its sunny and warm.


as far as deer, all these work for S&S mule or whitetail deer but if you're talking about getting cold stand hunting for whitetails I abandon pretty much everything outlined here and wear wool from bemidji wool co, filson, king of the mountain (except its ridiculously priced), llbean or woolrich.


this is just what i do

 

[Wyo67]

Wow... Thanks for the response guys.  Greatly appreciated. 

I guess the gap I'm trying to fill is for the mid-October to mid/late November antelope, deer, and cow elk seasons.  I usually don't hunt much past Thanksgiving as the hunting grounds I'm most familiar with here in south/central Wyoming are usually not accessible due to winter road closures.

I'm really leaning towards the Kelvin vest as that is an article of clothing I don't yet have and when I get chilled, it's usually starts from the core due to sweat and exertion. 

buglelk: Email sent with a couple questions.  Thanks again!

backcountry:  Thanks for the detailed response.  I've got a lot more research to do on some of those companies you mentioned...

 

[backcountry_hunter]

I will be the first to admit I haven't spent much time in south central Wyoming past september but knowing the state and what it can toss at you that time of the year if I had to guess you probably deal with fairly cold temps and plenty of wind?


A good down puffy jacket might be your best friend when the mercury drops and winds start to blow. I'm biased towards down and wool over synthetics like primaloft but recognize they all have their place. The primaloft stuff I do have is great for that 40sih-30ish degree range where it's not crazy cold but you still like to have an insulator to take the chill out. Down is the absolute, without a shadow of a doubt, best if you're hunting really cold weather and sitting to glass. Generally it's accompanied with a synthetic noisy shell which makes it very inconvenient while archery hunting, especially from a stand, but for S&S glassing late season down is a life saver.

 

[Wyo67]

Can be fairly cold and may or may not be windy.  I'm not much of a stand hunting kind of guy.  For antelope and the late season cow, it's spot and stalk.  Moving and glassing.  Antelope is usually early October and temps aren't an issue - other than trying to make sure the meat gets cool.  My elk tags are usually good until 12/31, so there can be a myriad of temps/conditions.  Those are usually only 1 or 2 day trips (sleeping in a small tent or the truck) as archery elk in September usually burns up what's left of my vacation time.

Starting to look into the base layers.  I have a set of the Icebreakers from last year.  Might be worth the trip down to the Montbell store in Boulder next time I'm down in the Denver area....

Thanks again!

 

[backcountry_hunter]

as an FYI the sitka kelvin down puffy jacket is on camofire for the next 4 hours at a pretty attractive price