sitka gear questions

[deermaster1]

i am really interested in getting some high quality clothes this year.  i am looking at the sitka gear 90% pants and jacket.  will they keep me warm at 10-20 degrees with a good baselayer?  are the durable enough to wash 3-4 times a season?  and finally, are they quiet?  thanks for any help!

[swp]

I wore mine with a silk & wool base layer, wool shirt and down vest under the 90% in low 20's with a wind chill in the teens this year, they kept me warm enough. They are quite but not as quite as wool. If you are looking for something versatile and light weight this is it, if you are looking for something really warm you might want to keep looking. I washed mine several times this year and they look new. I love the way the sleeves fit tight, nothing baggy to catch a string.

[Herdbull]

Deermaster1, I have been testing some of the Sitka gear this year. It depends on what type of hunting you will be doing. If you are going to be walking and stalking, then the base-layer, mountain shirt, and 90% jacket will work fine at that temperature range. If you want to sit and glass you will need to put on the vest or some other additional layer. If you are planning on sitting in a deer stand for a long while, then you will certainly need to add additional layers since the 90% jacket alone won’t keep you warm enough. If you are planning on stand hunting, then you may want to get it one size larger to add additional layers. The original intent was to have a stream-line garment with low bulk for ease of stalking and slipping through the brush. Sitka is planning on introducing a new cold weather line this year and it will be out very soon. You may want to give that a try, as we are all anxiously waiting to try it as well.

As to your question of durability; the 90% jacket and pants is water resistant, quiet and stands up very well to brush and thorns. It is originally designed for mountain hunting and has a couple of vents and additional pockets. It washes well and most importantly dries very fast should you get soaked. However, the addition of the down pour rain gear will prevent that. The 90% material is very light in weight, which I like as well.

Most trad hunters are known to try a little bit harder, stay out a little bit longer, and get a little bit dirtier, but this 90% stuff stays pretty clean and will keep you looking sharp. Ha!
My point is, it will maintain its integrity and the camo pattern will hold up well. I have been very close to many game and non-game animals this year during hunting and filming, and I am very pleased with it. It worked very well for my needs this year. This is my opinion and my first impressions of this new gear.  Mike

[Alex.B]

I have the pants in loden green. Great for hiking in cold/wet weather, awful to sit quietly in the cold/wet weather

[East Coast archer]

I bought the mountain pants, base layer shirt, vest and 90% pants and jacket when they were all discounted in late Dec/Jan and used it exclusively for the late season in NJ which just ended last week.  I hunted on stand in weather from 60 to 9 degrees and sun to a snow storm.  With the right base layers, boots, hat and chemical hand warmers and neck warmers I was good once I had the base layers figured out.  Alone, their system is great for still hunting and stalking but not warm enough for stand hunting IMO.  The camo worked great as I had deer and a fox not make me out from 10 yds.  Even had a squirrel almost jump onto my arm til I turned and looked at him. Less bulky then wool but I found that I needed a heavier base layer then when I wore wool.  Plus was it did not soak up water and weigh down.  Looking forward to using it in CO in September chasing elk, where I think it will really shine.  Since I got it all discounted/ on sale, I was not disappointed.  I really was impressed with the Mountain Mimicry camo and think if they expand their cold weather line it might be the best out there for all types of hunting.