First Lite Sanctuary vs. Sitka Fanatic, oppions please.

[jeffroa2001]

Hello all,

I am in the market for new camouflage and I would like to get my fellow trad archer's opinion. I have narrowed it down to First Lite and Sitka, specifically the Sanctuary and Fanatic series. Being in Indiana, it gets fairly cold here in late season and I was wondering if anyone has owned both and felt that one was warmer than the other. I have been able to shoot with the Fanatic and the ergonomics were amazing, but I was not sure if it would be warm enough for the long day sits. Thank you in advance for your input!

[Longbowlogan]

I have the Sanctuary jacket and love it! It's very warm with only a base layer and a fleece, when it's really cold I use my First Lite puffy vest under it and it's awesome. I can shoot my recurve with it on because of the tapered sleeves, it's the best late season jacket I've ever owned. The First Lite Sanctuary jacket runs big, I normally wear a medium but have a small in this jacket and it fits great. Can't help with the Sitka Fanatic but I think I've found the best jacket for me already! Good luck

[md126]

The Fanatic is an extremely well designed and functional jacket. I find it to be plenty warm and quiet. If you liked the Fanatic and are just concerned with warmth, don't be. It's toasty

[tradlab]

i have the sanctuary jacket and bibs and they are very nice but I pack them in as I'm not sure the material will hold up to the thorns and briers in our area , their customer service wasn't sure they would either.That said they are warm ,comfortable and fit well.

[Arrowcraft]

i bought the sitka fanatic jacket and bibs not only is made well and toasty warm and comfortable but also extremely well thought out and designed pocket placement and zipper easy and function. i have worn this in 17 degree weather with 20 mph north wind with just a cotton long sleeve tee and was absolutely toasty ! Hope this helps

[Steve O]

I've sat all day in the Fanatic in Kansas. 13F was the high. I'd not be concerned about being cold in Indiana with it.

[pdk25]

I have the fanatic, and it is a great jacket.  Very warm, soft, and a great fit for me.  About as quiet as it can be with a windstopper lining.  Can't comment on the Sanctuary.  The only thing that I would say is that the pockets on the fanatic are designed for a right handed bowhunter, and they may get in the way of the string if you have something in those pockets and are a left handed shooter.  I am actually going to send the jacket to an embroidery shop that Sitka Gear recommended(Rainy Pass Repair)  after the season, and see about having the pockets moved onto the other side.

[jeffroa2001]

Thank you for the input guys, it seems as if the Fanatic is the way to go.

[Bowwild]

I gave my Fanatic Jacket to my son because for a lefty the "gear" pocket on the right side would interfere with my bowstring. It works great for him as a RH archer.

I just bought the Sitka "Shacket". It is fantastic!  It will be great under other garments in the cold without bulking up my arms.

I will wear it over a light long sleeve in mid-season when it is only cold, rather than hot.  It is better than a vest because it has short sleeves and a hand warmer pouch.

[jonsimoneau]

When I first got my Fanatic coat and bibs in the mail I thought "No way this is going to be warm enough for all day sits in Northern Illinois." Wrong! It's absolutely the best thing ever made for a treestand Hunter. Down to about 10 degrees here is what I wear. Sitka merino top and bottom. Traverse top. Fanatic coat and bibs. Stratus beanie. That's it. That works for me from 50 degrees down to about 10 degrees. My buddies were impressed by how little I was able to wear and still say warm so they all got the exact same setups.

[Steve O]

Jon--not sure if you have tried the newest Sitka base layers but I am finally ready to give up my merino. They are better in every way. New Fanatic hat is 10x better than the Stratus for warmth as well.

[jonsimoneau]

Steve, really you like the new base layers better? I'll have to try them out. But man they would have to really be good to beat out the merino. The Fanatic hat is on my Christmas list!

[Stykbowslim]

Originally posted by Steve O:
Jon--not sure if you have tried the newest Sitka base layers but I am finally ready to give up my merino. They are better in every way. New Fanatic hat is 10x better than the Stratus for warmth as well.

Originally posted by jonsimoneau:
Steve, really you like the new base layers better? I'll have to try them out. But man they would have to really be good to beat out the merino. The Fanatic hat is on my Christmas list!

I agree with Steve, Jon... I have merino base layers from Sitka, Kuiu, and Ice Breaker, and I also have the new Sitka lightweight, midweight and heavyweight base layers with the Polygiene odor control. I also like the new Sitka base layers better than the merino. The new base layers are very comfortable, warm and don't stink up as quickly as my merino. I put a lightweight and midweight shirt to the test by wearing them for three days straight in forty degree weather - the Polygiene technology works very well, just like it's advertised.

I also have the new Fanatic beanie and the older stratus beanie, and the Fanatic beanie is unreal - super warm, windproof, and the hat didn't muffle my hearing.

[pdk25]

I am lucky.  I have first light merino (chama and Labrador). They work very well under the fanatic.  Doubt that I will need more than that here in Oklahoma, but interesting to hear about the new Sitka gear.  A little surprised about the smell you are noticing with the Merino.  That hasn't been my experience.

[Steve O]

Originally posted by jonsimoneau:
Steve, really you like the new base layers better? I'll have to try them out. But man they would have to really be good to beat out the merino. The Fanatic hat is on my Christmas list!

Jon--yes.

Tried all 3 weights. Each one outperforms the merino in every way. Pretty amazing. I don't get rid of much but the merino will be at the bottom of the crate. A couple guys I know got Fanatic sets this week and the both texted me from the stand yesterday with it windy and in the low 20s--all smiles.

[jonsimoneau]

Thanks for the info guys. I was going to order 2 more sets of the merino stuff but I will definitely look into the new offerings.

[Kevin Hansen]

Great information here!
I'm curious what you Sitka users are wearing under your Fanatic (or Incinerator) bibs? Is it just the base layer bottom, or are you wearing pants also?
Thanks.

[jonsimoneau]

Kevin I wear the merino top and bottom and a traverse top. That's it. That gets me down to 15 degrees or so with no problems. I don't know if they are still offering the traverse top but the knew fanatic hoodie is basically an updated version of that.

[jonsimoneau]

Also I've got both the Fanatic bibs and the stratus bibs. I wear the Stratus bibs most of the time with my Fanatic coat.

[Steve Chappell]

I am intrigued with Sitka’s new base layer, but skeptical…no offence Steve O;-) Why am I skeptical? KUIU came out with their new fancy ULTRA merino they stated is far superior to other merino in just about every characteristic.  I had to see for myself so I bought one.  I can honestly say I cannot tell the difference from my other merino in the same wright range…other than the KUIU has mesh sides. Thankfully I just bought one!  They are very good marketers at KUIU.

How does the Sitka dry time compare to merino?