Just a note to say I am impressed with the people of Sitka gear. I purchased a 90% jacket this summer with "high hopes" of warmth, and water repellency, good layering under some other clothing. Well...I froze in the jacket, even in mid 40 temps! Seemed like the material was cold on the outside and the cold crept right into me!
Wore it in a drizzly day and was soaked to the bone!
The coat was very comfortable and I wished it would have performed better.
I called the customer service dept. at Sitka and they said send the jacket back for a full refund!
They have a warranty policy that states if you are not fully happy with there product please return. They stood behind there word!!
As I said to the customer sevice lady, "The 90% jacket let me down, but Sitka Company did not"!
<><
I'm very sorry to hear that the 90% jacket did not perform as well as expected.
Sitka is continually working to provide the hunting/outdoor industry with the most advanced technical clothing available.
Thank you for the kind words about our service. I hope as we continue to develop our product line, you will allow Sitka the chance to satisfy your demand for a high performance product.
Best of luck to you and again Thank you for the positive remarks about our guarentee and service.
Sincerely,
Peter Iacavazzi
Pro Staff Director Sitka Gear
Kudos to Sitka Gear for standing behind their product and staying true to their warranty. :clapper:
Sitka is great stuff, I have basically the whole line, but I will say that it is not as warm as advertised. The Celcius bibs and jacket are awesome but you really need to layer underneath it. All in all, I love it once you know its limitations
No one outfit will work for all season unless you live in the south. My Sitka gear performs very well for what was designed for. No complaints here, good stuff.
Warmth and temperature ratings can be misleading because everyone has a different body mass and tolerance. Sitka gear is designed to be used as a system, and I think that the vest is a very important part. For me I sat in a tree stand all day this past weekend. Temps started out at 13 degrees and warmed to 25 throughout the day, but the winds picked up. I wore the base layer, mountain shirt, vest, Celsius jacket, with the 90% jacket overtop. On the bottom I wore the base layer pants, Celsius bibs, with a pair of 90% pants over that. I think what you wear on your head is very important. I wore the Celsius hat with my favorite wool stocking cap and a balaclava face masked pulled down over that. The Celsius hat stops the wind, but it also does not let me hear as well as I like. Overall I think it went well for me with wind chills in the single digits. It did not seem to bulky, but I will most likely need to add more under garment of light wool when temps get much colder like they do in late December when I seem to have most of my success from stand in recent years. I don't know if this will work for everyone at these conditions, but this worked for me. Mike
Mike,
I think you are right in saying that one has to use the whole system for best results.
Unfortuantley I don't have the resources to replace my entire hunting "wardrobe" at this time.(my wife and I just had our second daughter on friday!!!).
I do think I will take some of the return money and purchase some of Sitka's base layers.
<><
When it gets down in the 30's I put on my merino wool longjohns and then the 90 degree on top...very warm yet breathable. Then when the rain comes throw on the Downpour jacket and you're set! Living in the western part of Oregon I have put this stuff to the test. It works if you use each piece for it's intended for and if you layer properly for your specific body temp.
Onions,
Please contact me at piacavazzi@sitkagear.com
I have something that I would like to give you, that I think will help.
Peter Iacavazzi
I have been wearing my Sitka gear the past several weeks hunting in Iowa. Temps have been lows in the upper 20's with highs in the 40's. I'm wearing the base shirt with two other polypropylene long sleeved under shirts, the vest, and then the 90% jacket. With KOM wool pants and good hat I have been staying warm.
Good on you Peter...Sitka will continue to improve as a company with people like you involved. Speak to you soon and thanks again..
Christian
i only use mine in Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia. i have most of the pieces with the exception of this years cold weather bibs and jacket. i love mine...i'm cold natured, but it works great layered down to the mid 20's here and works great in the rain...
Peter
I sent you a e-mail to your personal account.
I have trouble with my e-mail sometimes b/c I have to go through my company's server.
Let me know if it did not go through.
chris <><
The last couple weeks I have been able to test out the Celsius gear. I am very happy with it; there is nothing out there that can keep you as warm with that little bulk.
One thing I have noticed is if you want one extra layer, the 90% as the OUTERMOST layer works better than on the inside for cutting the wind.
I am looking forward to a Sitka Balaclava/Facemask...
I'll add yet another amen: This stuff flat works when used as a system. I am cold natured so I typically had to wear so many clothes to stay warm it became difficult to shoot accurately later in the season. Core zip-t, Traverse shirt, Clesius vest and 90% jacket have done an excellent job at keeping me warm with far less bulk than I have had before. Since my Celsius Bib and Jacket are not in yet, I substituted a fleece bib and coat (without the 90%) on Saturday...dawn temps were around 16deg with 70% humidity. That's about as cold as it gets here in N.GA on a regular basis..I can only imagine the Celsius gear will do just as well as the final outer layer.
Used as a system, with the appropriate layers, I'm still amazed at how well it insulates AND gives me excellent freedom of movement. Replacement for wool? Probably not for most, but I sure am happy with it under the conditions I've used it. I think you'd be hard pressed to find anything that has a higher breathability and insulation to weight ratio.
Pete, you mean I can get rid of my underarmour facemask now? :rolleyes:
Chris,
I didn't recieve your e-mail? Try sending me a PM here instead. Thanks.
JC...yes...get rid of your under armour mask...if you'd like. Or keep it as a back up. But as handsome as you are...you don't need a mask...
Pete, I have used the Sitka (in ASAT) for the last two years, mainly elk hunting in NM. It works great in the heat in terms of wicking away sweat but I was wondering what your experience has been in terms of drying it out. I find that after the first hot and sweaty day the base layer (and outer layers once they sweat through), never really dry. In contrast, I picked up one of the FirstLite merino wool base layers and it seemed to dry completely overnight and performed about the same in terms of wicking...
I love the flexibility of the pants and the warmth of the beanie hat...
Pete,
I don't know what PM means or how to go about doing it??
chris <><
I agree with alot of what is being said. I had the 90% outfit and it was great when I was moving but I got really cold while sitting. Great product and definatly has it's place in the hunting world!
Peter, flattery will get you no where :saywhat:
Onions, the PM icon looks like two people shaking hands...to the right of each person's screen name. Select this icon and it allows you to send a private message to the person. You can access private messages sent to you (and those you sent to others) by selecting "my profile" near the top of each page.
Beach bowhunter,
I haven't tried the first lite but Rob at ASAT is a friend of mine and I have seen the product. It looks very good and I am sure its excellent. As for drying the Sitka? I've never had a problem with that. Here in MT after I sweat it up, I just hang it over night and its always been dry when I put it on the next day. How wet was your Sitka? If its really wet, you may have to "wring" it out, or maybe hang it near the campfire. But other than that I'd expect it to air out quickly.
I'm glad you like the pants. I really love the new ascent pants. They are great for all day elk hunts!
Best to you! Peter
JC...will flattery get me a Georgia hog hunt invite??
Chris...got your PM!
Norbert,
I found that to be the case with the old thick Mountain shirt; I have not found any other piece that did not dry out quickly. I have poured a LOT of sweat into every layer and combination of these things!
Specificallly I never cease to be amazed by the mountain/ascent pants. You walk thru a dew covered meadow first thing in the morning and are soaked...10 minutes into the climb up the mountian, they are dry :thumbsup:
Peter, you set the date and I'll find the spot. You know you're welcome anytime.
JC,
Sweet! When is the best time...(I'm a hog novice and virgin)...
Peter
I'll email ya...
Peter,
Make sure you make that hog hunt!! I have been to Arizona twice hunting javelina and Texas once for hogs and javelina. ABSOLUTE FUN!!!
JC > where is Ranger,Ga? I used to do a lot of work in south Georgia (Vidalia Onion area). Great people, with great hunting opportunities.
<><
Dang, I got to get me some Sitka Gear to get in on this GA hunt :) Doc
I'm very excited to hunt hogs in GA...Maybe JC and Biggie will teach me thier "Ninja" tricks...
In lieu of sending it back for a refund I would have encouraged you to try another jacket. Even the most stringent quality control sytems miss one once in a great while.
I have hunted in the 90% gear exclusively for the past two seasons in Indiana and elswhere with great results. I have sat through hard rains, long steady rains and cold days on the stand in my gear and stayed warm and dry. I tracked a wounded deer for four hours last season for a friend of mine in a steady rain and stayed dry as well.
I really encourage you to give another 90% jacket a try. It really is good equipment that I trust now everytime I get a chance to hunt.
What tippit said! One of these days I will be able to afford it but I am sure it is worth every penny. I have heard lots of great stuff about it.
One thing to keep in mind is that the '08 90% jacket is a much different garment than the '07 90% jacket.
The '07 version of the 90% jacket is very water resistant and fairly warm and has a hood and pockets that open up to mesh with the '07 interior vest. The '08 version seems to me to be more for warmer weather or higher exertion (mountain) hunts. Can't say what it's like when it's wet. I like it also.
(By the way, I bought an extra '07 90% jacket last year, but now realize it'll take many hard seasons to wear out the first one, so if anyone's interested I might be able to make you a deal...).
I hope I'm not out of line by saying this as a Sitka staffer, but if any of you are still considering the Celsius bibs, you should know that while they are warm and I really like many other features, they do NOT have the zippers that many of us want/expect/are used to in a bib. I will soon offer my feedback directly to Peter and the others on this garment (love the Celsius coat by the way), but I think it needs full side zippers as well as a front zipper or something so it can be put on or taken off easier in the field. So if you're weighing a decision on what to buy this year and what to purchase next, perhaps, I'd maybe get a first-hand look at the bibs and decide if they are for you or not.
That said, I'd like to follow up by adding that I LOVE the system. While I'd tweak the bibs a little bit, I consider Sitka Gear to be high quality clothing that should last a decade or perhaps much more. That puts the price tag into proper persective.
This company isn't resting on its laurels, values hunter feedback, and is working closely with cutting edge products to make the best clothing items out there.
Steve O, I don't know if my Mountain shirt is an old one (two years) but it is the hardest to dry. The base layer mostly dries but is always clammy after the first day. Of course, it doesn't get much of a chance to dry when you are out of camp for around 18 hours a day...
The thing I haven't figured out yet is at the end of a long day, all of the layers have wicked up sweat and when the sun goes down you can get really chilled. I've taken to bringing a change out shirt for the hike back to camp.
Yes, regarding what "Wary Buck" (Bryce) said. Please feel free to send me any comments/feedback/(negative or positive) about your Sitka and your experience with it.
Sitka is continuing to develop/design and if need be, to improve on the "Sitka System".
Your feedback is welcomed and it's what will continue to help us develop clothing/gear that will stand above all others.
Please feel free to contact me directly at piacavazzi@sitkagear.com
Thanks! Peter Iacavazzi
how about more vertical grey for us guys that still hunt in the timber? There aren't very many leaves in dog-hair fir patch's
S-N-S bow, Sitka and it's new partner have come up with a whole new camo concept for '09...it's exciting stuff!
Sitka works very,very hard to improve every year.....
Who is Sitka's new partner??
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Dressing for cold weather is always a trade-off between being warm enough and still being able to draw your bow effectively and quietly. This past weekend, I put in a long morning on stand in about 22-degree weather in Sitka Gear, and felt while I was on stand that this was the fewest layers of clothing (or least amount of bulk) that I'd worn in that weather and still was warm. And certainly could've pulled off a shot with no problem.
Had on Sitka heavy core bottoms, traverse bottoms, '07 90% bottoms, and '08 Celsius bibs. On top, core top, '07 Mountain shirt, '07 vest, '07 90% jacket, '08 Celsius coat. In colder weather I might've opted for a layer of Winona instead of the 90% layer, but for 20 degrees and no wind, this was perfect and I was able to sit for close to 4 hours before deciding to get down with no problems.
Also should be noted that I took a leisurely 3/4 mi. walk back out of the woods and reached the truck not feeling overheated or clammy.
Wore Beanie and Celsius hat on top. Handwarmer in each pocket with last year's gloves. Only thing cold was my feet and that's because I need new boots and didn't put foot warmers in or bring Boot Blankets. :)
Bryce,
Thanks for the update. I find it interesting that you wore the 90% pants with the bibs. Seems like a lot to wear. I always figured a layer or two underneath and you would be fine. Most importantly you stayed WARM!
Staying warm is something I have not been able to do this year. I keep trying new combinations of clothing and I am getting closer to what I need. I have on order a Sitka core shirt and Traverse shirt. I figure these with my Ulfrotte 400gram sweater, then my jacket should keep me warm???
I am looking closely at some of Sitka Nimbus raingear. Do you have experience with these?
I am planning on a moose hunt in Alaska next Sept. Hopefully these will be the ticket.
Thanks
chris <><
Beach- have the same problem with my mountain shirt-it seems to actually dry slower than cotton. I love the 90% pants. Sitka is good stuff, but I wouldn't even consider wearing it under 30 degrees if you're sitting as there are much better and less expensive options for stand hunting in colder weather and the sitka just isn't very warm.
Is Sitka Gear quiet?
I see all kinds of hunting clothes advertised as silent, and they seem silent when I brush'm around in the store, but in the deer woods they sound like crumpled paper.
Is this gear quiet enough for recurve close?
Thanks Robert
My Sitka Gear is really queit. I primarily hunt from the ground and I've never had a problem with it spooking any animals.
Stalked both of these within 15 yards with a recurve.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/sleeves034.jpg)
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/sleeves021.jpg)
In Hawaii, I've never had a problem with my Sitka Gear drying and I sweat like a pig, and hunt with a pack on my back all day long.
Ryan
Sitka Gear is EXTREMELY quiet. On the question (Chris) about it seeming like an awful lot to wear...the Sitka gear Celsius line is very warm with minimal bulk. Thus layering under it is not problematic (within reason). I get cold easily so would rather be a little overdressed than underdressed.
I only broke out the Nimbus (raingear) twice this season, but I'm so darned impressed with it I almost hope it rains just so I can validate my purchase! :) Honestly, the stuff packs down very small and yet is full-featured with nice ventilation ideas...and it stretches like nobody's business. A hefty investment, but I can't imagine you'd ever even think about owning another kind of raingear again. I can't wait for an Alberta hunt I have planned in '09.
As for the '07 Mountain Shirt, it does dry slowly, but as a middle layer or on days when you're not working up a sit...it is my favorite piece of all these items (the Ascent pants are a close second). Extremely comfortable. I don't hae the Traverse Shirt, but I gather it is everything the Mountain Shirt is but with some technical improvements for the active hunter. It's on my wish list for '09.
Bryce,
Thanks for your input on the raingear.
I went to a local store today that carried the Sitka line.
I can see why you could wear the 90% pants, plus bibs, stuff is very light. It is hard to believe that the stuff is warm. Like you I get cold easy, so I am skeptical. I have on order a core shirt and traverse shirt. I will start with these items.
I am surprised you like the Ascent pants. They seemed so flimsy. Just don't seemed very rugged or warm, even in warm weather.
I did like the looks of the 90% pants. Looks like they could be used under a lot of different hunting situations.
Unfortunately the store had only the 2007 rainwear jacket. A pullover. Looked decent, but I like the new style look better.
Thanks again.
chris <><
I've been testing various mid-layers to wear over my Traverse Tops and Bottoms and under my Celsius Jacket and Bibs. I tried a number of things before I found a Polartec Wind Pro pullover from LL Bean that works great. Most wind block fleece is noisy and doesn't breath due to some type of polyurethane lamination (i.e. Under Armour). The Wind Pro fleece is a non-laminated, tightly woven fleece that still breathes but blocks 90% of the wind and holds more heat in than regular fleece. (It is called 200 Super Fleece in their catalog.) There may be some wools that will work just as well, however, I like the easy care of fleece. The Traverse Top, Wind Pro pullover and Celsius Jacket have kept me warm in the windy 20's with no problem. I add a layer of 200 level fleece pants (also from LL Bean) and I can hunt into the teens without a problem by adding the Celsius vest over the Wind Pro pullover. I'll get some Wind Pro pants if I can find them. I wear the Celsius hat above my ears and an Under Armour neck gaiter pulled up over my ears. It provides warmth without blocking too much sound.
Add the mid-layer to the 90% Jacket and Pants and you have a setup that will take you through all the seasons and every possible situation.
Sitka Gear is the most comfortable camo clothing I've ever worn. I could sleep in it (I actually did for a while last Saturday morning). It also seems to work with you, rather than against you, when you shoot your bow. It is as quiet as anything I've ever worn and it is really tough. I wore my last camo for 12 years and it wasn't half the quality of the Sitka stuff. It should last a long - long time.
On the Ascent pants, I don't think they're advertised as being warm. But they are actually quite rugged despite appearances. The 'stretch' of the fabric will make them your favorites in no time.
Again, on the 90% pant, there is the '07 and '08 models and they are different. I don't have the '08's so can't comment. I do have the '07's and have worn one pair probably 50 times now and it shows almost no wear whatsoever. They are not heavily-insulated by any means, but warmer than they look. Last year, I'd wear core bottoms, the Mountain Pant, a layer of Winona, and the 90% pants and be warm down to maybe the teens.
This year, with the Celsius bib over top of the 90% pants, I've been getting by without the Winona layer.
I think Jay Kidwell above is dead on in his assessment of how long the Sitka gear should last.
I bought the Traverse shirt and core shirt today. I have been wearing them around the house and they are comfortable. A little tight under the arms, but I think that will stretch a little.
I will layer these two shirts with a layer of 400gram Ulfortte long underwear, plus a vest under my jakcet. I should be able to stay warm with all that on.
The 90% pants do look nice, and I think would work good on my alaskan moose hunt. However, I am in more need of raingear. So now I am going to save my money for those items
Thanks to all for your comments, suggestions, and recommandations!
Bryce, I apperciate your honesty on the bibs. Even though you are a Prostaffer, you aren't afraid to admit that improvements can/need to be made.
chris <><
I wore my Sitka gear almost exclusively this fall, and really like the quiet and flexibility I get with it. I don't have the new celsuis stuff, but the 90% worked well for me as an outside layer. The pants over heavyweight fleece long underwear, and the jacket over a light, insulated windproof jacket. That, coupled with my KOM vest over top, and I was good to single digit windchills for a couple hours. I still give the wool the edge for warmth, but have learned to utilize the benefits of the Sitka a bit better. A great line of hunting wear, and great camo pattern too, for us western guys, I might add.
There is no question about Sitka gears quality.My 90% jacket which I purcased in 2007 initially in a size large,which I returned for an XL.I am 175 pounds and 6' 1" tall.The large didn't permit any layering under it for me.I didn't find it to be warm beyond the low thirties even with layering and for woods and mountains that primarily have conifer tree's I was a little concerned with the sound that comes with movement in the 90% material.
I have the mountain pants and really like them,I also have the summitt shirt and beanie,I don't find the summitt shirt or beanie to be particularly unique in regard to what they offer.
I get cold easily and the majority of my hunts involve long hikes followed by long sits,so a lot of my layers are in my pack.
The solutions for me have been the combination of merino wool,down or synthetic loft garments,fleece and wolf skin and Dutch Harbor rain gear or goretex rain gear.
I bought a full set at the end of 2007 (Most of it was discounted). My experience was that for elk hunting it was the best I ever used. Layering worked awesome, I was never dryer and I stayed very comfortable using some extra insulation. That included spiking out at 11,000-13,000 feet. But I did not find it nearly as warm as my wool for stand hunting in November, December and January. From what I saw of their 2008 line it had warmer garments in it (Celsius bib and jacket). Unfortunately I don't have the funds for it. So for me it is primarily used for early season and elk, where it truly shines. If you can afford the entire lineup, I am sure you would be warm in all weather. Only wish it was made in the USA.
We will have a demo booth at the Trad. Bowhunter Expo this weekend (Jan 30th) in Kalamzoo Michigan in case folks what to see and get fitted for themselves. Mike
Well....I started this post back in Nov. when I was disappointed in my 90% jacket. However, I was very impressed with the people at Sitka and there commitment to customer service.
Since that time and b/c of the kindness of Peter Iacavazzi, I have been able to obtain a Traverse shirt, base layer shirt, 90% pants, Celcius vest and hat.
A combination of the baselayer shirt, a 400g. Ullfrotte wool sweater, and the Traverse shirt on top is very warm. I esp. like the "slickness" of the Traverse shirt, it does not catch on the inside of my fleece jacket!
The Celcius hat is the BOMB!! I have small head so it is a little big, however, with the addition of a fleece skull cap underneath, I have a very windproof and WARM combination!!
Unfortunately, the 90% pants and Celcius vest arrived after the Michigan deer season was over.
I have worn the vest snowshoing, XC skiing and yesterday, I wore it with the above mentioned attire, while standing in the river flyfishing at 16 degrees with a steady breeze. the vest was a very nice addition for warmth.(Yes, the fishing was excellent!)
I would now say I am a Sitka "convert". I am now saving for some Nimbus raingear, which I have heard is VERY nice stuff.
I do have one small complaint and that is with the base layer shirt. I did some testing on its "stinkproofness". I wore the shirt 4-5 times before washing. By the fifth time wearing it the shirt really became ripe! Maybe, my "stink" is too powerful (LOL)!!! None the less, a very nice shirt!
Hopefully, I can make it to "the show" this weekend. I would love to meet some of the Sitka guys who have posted on this post!
Peace
chris <><
I've had a peek at the 2009 catalog and there are some really cool new additions for this year's line. It's good stuff for sure. This outfit will not sit on its laurels but is constantly working to better an already great product.