Sitka gear?

[Covey]

Is this stuff all it's cracked up to be? I've been looking at the pant's and was curious as to how they fit, are they durable and are they worth the money? opinion's welcome! Thanks, Jason

[rappstar]

I have the 90% bought specifically for bivy elk hunting.  Great stuff.  Wore it for 10 days from 30 - 70 degree weather just with a base layer.  Perfect for active hunting.

Got home from Colorado and tried it in some cold/cool stand hunting for deer.  Froze my you know what.  Layered up as well...

They have other/heavier stuff as well but it adds up quick b/c nothing is inexpensive.  

The 90% was worth it b/c I didn't have to pack other clothes on my elk hunt.  But I don't see any advantages of having it for deer hunting here in MO...

[robtattoo]

I'llbe keeping up on this one myself. Cabelas have the Celcius Jacket at half price.
Does anyone know how good this is in the cold?

[Herdbull]

I like the Celsius Jacket because it is a little heavier than the 90% and can add a little more versatility to stand hunting. Again you will need to wear addional under layering in temperatures below freezing. Wether is Sitka, that's up to you. The Kelvin jacket is what I use because it is very light and packable, but when temps reach teens or below zero in a stand you will need additional options. I hear guys say if you have to put on 4 layers of cloths to sit in stand in sub-zero weather than why bother with it. But I can tell you, I won't sit in a tree in subzero weather with less than four layers nonmatter what it is. So if I can get close to that with lighter and less bulk, I will give it a try.
 I bought a King of the Mountain Jacket and pant for $700 over 15 years ago that I can still find uses for. Will Sitka have this kind of longevity, durability and versatility? On some levels I think yes! Ha!  Mike

[Mark Baker]

My sons and I have been using the 90%, and the lighter stuff for three seasons now, and we love it.   Like has been said, it needs "extras" in cold, cold weather, but we've found it very versatile and usable for most of the season, and especially in active hunting.  It is pricey, and that has limited my ability to try out some of the newer stuff, but most of the "made for hunting" gear is pricey these days, just like any specialty gear for any sport or activity.

[Zmonster]

I have the Acent pants and the core zip-t for the September Colorado Archery Season. Its awesome as a light weight camo when its still warm out, but nothing will take the place of my wool when the temps drop. The Sitka durability is okay in my opinion, but I still think wool is the way to go for the longest lasting material.

Kind Regards

[Wolfkiss]

Hi Casey,
         Have you had the chance to see how the optifade performs on our fury friends?

Andy.

[Covey]

Looks like I might as well go ahead and get the KOM pants! that was my original plan but man there expensive!! Thanks everybody, Jason

[Herdbull]

If you are in a treestand and don't move, I think anything should work; however, I like to film when I hunt so I don't want to be detected as much by birds either. I've gotten very close to hawks and eagles as well have had great close experience with many song birds and woodpeckers. I have been wearing the Optifade all season. I took a bear wearing it in Sept and this buck in October. Is it Optifade or did I just get lucky? Ha! Mike
 

[Bill Carlsen]

If you are thinking about cold weather stuff read the review in the Cabela's website. My impression was that for cold weather it got low scores. For bowhunting in mild weather or if you are an "active" still hunter it got much better reviews. It seems to depend on what kind of hunting you plan on doing whether it is worth the $$$$$.

[George D. Stout]

An active hunter in mild weather doesn't need much to keep them warm; I get uncomfortable with too much wool when it's over 25 degrees.  Below 25 I just carry a heavier wool jacket to add when standing.  My biggest issues are feet and head and good wool socks...a light pair under a heavy pair does the job for the tootsies.  

A wool stocking cap will keep your upper body from cooling down too rapidly as well. I really can't spend several hundred dollars for something that won't do much better than what I already have.  And, as a Pro Staff member of GoodWill Industries, I must remain loyal 8^).

[Covey]

I've been saving my pennies for some time now planing on buying KOM pants, just looking for a little cheaper route! I guess if I buy them now I have them for several years so I just need to get it over with! Thanks again guy's, Jason

[George D. Stout]

Covey....I have a pair of Woolrich malone style wool pants that I've had for fifteen years and they are still going.  They cost about $79.00.  I would expect KOM's to last a lifetime at least for the amount you pay.  They can only keep your bottom half warm you know 8^).

[wapitimike1]

FYI KOMs wool is made by Pendelton. They are good cloths but they moved to foreign assembly plants. I've bought some items and there's been some issues with it lately. I would think about GreyWolf the wool is much tighter. Thats what I wear when it's gets bitter cold. Sitka for me is great early to mid season.

[coaster500]

I have used it for better than three years. I've hunted for Elk in September and Deer in stands with 2 degree weather. Sitka was made to be layered. Sitka holds everything tight to the body and is really light for packing. I have not had so much as a snag in the material so far. I love this stuff.

[Covey]

I like pockets, are the filson six pocket? I also like 7 belt loops, I don't like my belt riding up over my pants! I like the look of the graywolf but it seems like everything is an option! back pockets, cargo pockets etc... Thank's for all the input fella's, Jason

[LV2HUNT]

I was going to get it but it does not come in plaid  

[lt-m-grow]

I have the 90% jacket only.   None of the rest of the system.   I bought it because it was on a big sale.  A close-out sale so I don't know if that means anything.

I am glad I tried it.  It is interesting stuff,  but I don't think it is worth the current price of it, and if something happened to it, I would not replace it.

[snag]

The lighter stuff for August/Sept. elk hunting works great. The 90% comes in handy when the temps drop. Then wearing some Merino wool longjohns up them works for the colder times. I hunt in the rain for the blacktail season so the Downpour is perfect...stay warm and dry.  All of it wears really well. I'm glad I invested in it.

[Zbearclaw]

In my opinion the 90% jacket is about worthless.  My windshear fleece shirt from Cabelas is just as warm.

Their Ascent pants are the cat's meow, and the celcius vest is one of the best hunting buys I have made.

I just found a celcius jacket for sale cheap so I will be selling the 90%.  Thier traverse shirt (the thicker one if my names are mixed up) is a great item as well.  I have mistakenly hunted with that in July in CA for hogs and though it is not designed for hot weather at all, I was comfortable with UA heat gear under it.

I think it is worth the price if money is liquid, but their heavier stuff ($500 for a heavy coat) is insane.

Thus far, I have

Ascent pants
2x traverse shirts
celcius vest
90% jacket (will sell)
Celcius jacket (inbound)
and old mtn pants.

None were paid retail for, but all are great.  I think the 90% jacket with windproofing (which I believe they have in the jetstream jacket) would be good.

I nearly froze my arse off in August in CA wearing the above, but only till the sun hit me.  It packs well and wicks better than anything around.

But I think the Optifade is 99% marketing.  Flannel has still been worn by more successful hunters.  

My camo is a mix of the mtn mimicry, and realtree as that is what I could get on sale.

Good luck