Hey Guys, Just a head's-up to check out the new line-up for Sitka Gear '09 that will available this month....www.sitkagear.com
Teaming up with W.L.Gore has lead to some exciting changes...
Optifade camo...."The science of nothing"...check out the videos...good stuff!
Click on "Products" to see all the new clothing products...some awesome additions....especially the addition of some serious cold weather gear.
Anyway, check it out and if anyone has any questions there's plenty of us around to help out any way we can......
Thanks Curt....already got some "booked"...can't wait to see how it compares to last years. Being in the south in the heat, i was more interested in the light weight stuff. Last years was "lighter" than the previous year and it appears maybe some of this years will be also. Am i wrong?
Randy, not sure about lighter, I'll let you know when I get mine in the next couple of weeks.
As Curt said, some pretty cool stuff in this year's additions/changes to the line. Sitka Gear new products (http://www.sitkagear.com/Products.aspx)
While always pushing the edge on development, Sitka Gear also really applies the input from the field. For instance, they've added leg zippers to the new storm front/cold front pants and the celsius bibs. Numerous changes this year have been brought about through real world testing of the previous products.
I was sold while using the Mountain Mimicry pattern during season. Previously I had been a Predator man but MM proved to be just as effective and on far better clothing than I had previously owned. I'm really interested to see how the new Opti-fade pattern does with all the research that's standing behind it.
As you've already found, for those of us that hunt in the heat, the light products are the bomb. I soak my traverse beanie and core zip-t, wring them out and stay cool no matter what the heat. The great wicking properties of Sitka gear make the evaporation quicker than off your skin which is a huge plus when you hunt high heat like those of us down here do. I showed Bob Walker in Texas and he was floored how well it worked.
I'm also looking forward to the balaclava; I like to wear face covering and think this one will stand out as the other products do. The new insulation layers and the Dutch Oven/Ardica vest should really improve the cold weather system for those that hunt in seriously low temps or those like me that get cold easy.
The Mountain mimicry is way too blue for me in the west. I have it in ASAT and look forward to seeing the Optifade.
I have some bunny hugger gear that I use as a survival/safety tool in my pack when I am up in the mountains. It uses Primaloft for insulatulation as do the new Kelvin pieces. They are going to be WARM, light, and pack down to next to nuthin'
I can't wait to sit in November!
Randy, Yes last year the 90% gear was a thinner/lighter material than the '07 gear. But I thought it was a superior fabric and didn't give up anything while being a little lighter.
Also the Traverse line was a different thinner material than '07. But again I found it to be as nice against my skin, just a warm, and had a very superior dying time than it's predecessor. Again, while being lighter and easier to pack.
Not sure if that's what you meant..but that was my experience....
Norb, I always thought that MM was very good for the west. I don't think there's any "blue" in it at all. But the Optifade looks to be even better! I can't wait to use mine here and in TX next year.
Yes Curt, that is what i meant. I bought the 07 & 08 series...loved the 08 better than 07...got some of the lightweight stuff ordered for this year in Optifade & one of the heavier pieces. Can't wait to "see" how it works!
Thanks!
Now that is a pattern I can relate to. The other pattern did not appeal to me, not dog'en anyone, it looked too much like everything else out on the market. But this new pattern looks great to me! :thumbsup:
Where do I find a price list?
The prices will come up when the products are available....should be in about another week :clapper:
I the looks of the new pattern.
Wish they could Predator camo in their line as well.
Will there be any samples at Compton's?
I'd bet yes....but let's see if any of our mid-west Sitka guys chime in...
Mike Mitten and I will be at Compton...
The "dummy" is supposed to be dressed with:
Celsius Bibs
Dutch Oven Vest
Cold Front Jacket
Traverse Shirt
Jetsream Beanie and gloves
I figured this would give an excellent cross section of the new gear.
Sure would be nice if you guys could come to Denton...Doc
That's a great idea Jeff...I'm gonna work on that bud!
Geez Doc, I know I've told you I can send you any of my stuff to try out if you can't find it anywhere close. We are not selling at Compton, just showing off. BUT ACS Bows/Aboyer Broadheads are a Sitka dealer now and will have a PILE of Sitka Gear there for sale :thumbsup: .
Great!
I would like to see you all at Dent Hill also. It would be nice to see and try on before buying.
Jack
Well Jack, We can look at the catalog together going up the chair lift :) See ya at Denton...Doc
I wish that stuff were a little more affordable...I would be all over it!
In addition to what Steve listed, I plan to bring my new Jetstream vest with wind stopper and a few other items to Comptons for you all to look at. Mike
hey Curt you going to make it to Denton Hill? looking forward to it this year and seeing the new stuff from Sitka. biggest problem is what I bought 3 years ago still aint broke in good yet. this stuff last for ever. Mike any chance you will have some sneak preview of the new video? If I remember hearing right, uncle Gene and Barry are not going to make it this year.
paleface That's right. Gene and Barry will not be at Comptons. The video editing and filming is going slow due to personal family issues the brothers have experienced this year. We do not want to put out an inferior product and we want the message to be clear. I may be able to bring a pro loop of some of the footage we have compiled. Thanks for your interest. Mike
But is the new gear QUIET???
How about ATAR, any chance of getting a look at this new gear there? Mike, what about Denton Hill, you going to make it this year?
Looking foward to it doc.
Jack
No Denton Hill this year. I hope to go next year.
I will be at Comptons and the Odd Year gathering for PBS in New Berlin, Wis (Ojibwa Bowhunters). I will have Sitka Gear to demo at the shoot, July 17-19. Mike
Seriously guys, the gear looks absolutely awesome, but I really want to know how quiet it is. Is it as quiet as wool? Does it remain quiet when the mercury dips below 15F?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated, I am always on the lookout for some seriously high quality gear that performs well at spitting distance :D
Kevin.
I really, really like the logic behind. as well as the looks of the Optifade camo. The quality of Sitkagear products are already a given, so no worries there. Dang, it looks like I'm gonna have to make some room in my hunting closet for some new hunting duds.
I have not seen the new GoreTex stuff, but I have no complaints on the quietness of any of the Sitka Gear. All the layers I have are wool quiet in any temperature. Even the raingear, while not wool quiet is amazingly quiet for as dry as it keep you.
Mike, Steve O, Guru...Maybe you can get Whip to bring some to Denton as he'll have a booth there this year?
Doc, Not sure Whip a dealer for Sitka?
Thanks Steve, I will definately be checking out this new line up of gear!
When is Denton Hill? If it is after the PBS Odd Year gathering, that might work. I am planning on staying with Joe there. I don't know how Gray Wolf would feel about him carrying enemy contriband :biglaugh:
Denton Hill is July 23-26. I sure hope someone can make it there. I would like to try some on before buying.
Jack
The Mountain Archery catalog...seen at www.maketheshot.com (http://www.maketheshot.com) has the prices. The prices are scary...but yeah..some of the new products are awesome looking... $400 more awesome than a $40 wool shirt?? Not sure :0)
I am all over Sitka... but its definitely a "life style" choice...
Yikes! just took a look at the new sitka gear at the above site. looks like $1,000. will get you the pants & jacket. Sitka Gear Coldfront Jacket Optifade $549.95. & $469.95 for the pants.
I truly can' t believe people can be brainwashed into believing all that hype, I'll keep the thousand bucks and buy 5 sets of hunting clothes!!
By the way, the Stormfront stuff is the most expensive model out there and probably not needed by most folks here. There is no doubt that Sitka Gear is an investment, but I would not be surprised to see one suit of Sitka Gear outlast five standard suits of mediocre stuff. I hunt close to 100X per year, sometimes more, and this stuff wears like iron. With each piece of Sitka Gear I buy, I am able to replace/get rid of/give away several other pieces of hunting clothes that are now obsolete. By the way, that also makes packing for trips much easier (and lighter), and also makes for much more space available in your closet.
luv2bowhunt, yes the stuff is quiet. Quiet enough for me, and most of what I do is stand hunt for whitetails with close-range encounters the target.
One thing I will add is something I wish I'd put on my Alberta Bear Hunt thread here. Many of those outings I would help my brother freshen up several baits, which really required some heavy lifting and uphill climbing and scrambling in and out of boats. In other words, working up a serious sweat sometimes 15 mi. from camp. Then...I'd sit for bear for 7-12 hours. Ten years ago, doing this with the standard cotton t-shirt next to your skin, etc. and you'd have been soaked (and stinky)...and then later chilled. Today with Sitka Gear's next-to-skin technology, the sweat is transported away from your skin and the silver lining makes scent retention often unnoticeable even after wearing the same base layer shirt two or three days in a row.
Sitka isn't the only company doing some nice things with base layers (but I do think they're doing it best), and anyone who still is wearing the cotton or cotton-poly t-shirts or heavier insulated pieces top and bottom is missing the boat. Keep your current outer layers and try some of the base layers first and I think you may join the 21st century clothing wise even while still shooting a weapon more common several generations ago! No reason to be uncomfortable when you don't have to be.
Sitka Down Pour did not help me sneak up on this musky, but it kept me in the boat on a rainy day. Ha! Any rain gear will work in this situation, but Sitka fits nicely and can be vented as needed.
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/P1030652-1.jpg)
$$$ ouch! 1K for the new rain gear set? Yowza!