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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: BMN on August 28, 2009, 06:04:00 PM
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I received my first piece of Sitka gear this week, a celcius jacket. I must admit that after opening the package and seeing the jacket I'm highly skeptical that this thing can be very warm. I fully understand that the Sitka line is a layering system and must be used as such to realize its full potential. So, what are you Sitka users wearing under your celcius jacket to stay warm on stand when the temps drop? I doubt if the jacket alone will do much good. In reviewing some past posts it appears that most people are at least wearing the core layer and the traverse layer under the jacket along with a vest. Is that enough when the temps reach the single digits? I will say that the jacket appears to be of the highest quality and I love the fit. But man is it light for a cold weather garment.
Bill
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Bill for stand sitting in single digit temps you will need to wear garments similar to what you have stated core, traverse, vest as well as the Kelvin jacket or similar loft. I think you will like the Celcius for mid-November hunting with temps in the 30 and 40 F. It has low profile sleeves and the dimpled finish makes it quiet yet durable. Mike
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Bill,
Everybody handles cold weather differently. With that said, for me to sit still in a stand for long periods (all day) of time in single digit temps, I use the following system; Sitka Core base, Traverse layer, Celsius bibs and jacket, and some KOM wool. I tried to use just the Sitka system in single temps and damn near froze my n**s off :eek:
-Don
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Got to see some of it in person this week. Looks awful thin to me, but then again maybe it works as well as advertised ? If I had to wear everything listed above underneath it then I tend to think it does not work to well ?
Stykbowslim, if I counted right and one of the layers was not a vest you had on 4 sleeves !!! How could you move, much less shoot a bow with your 4 layers on your arms ?
I have also heard about the price and with that many layers I would be heading to my stand with $1000 on my ragged butt. :scared:
Nocams :campfire:
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Nocams... forgot about the vest!!! :) The layers are form fitting, so shooting was no problem.
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I do well in cold weather with Sterling woolies (underwear), a light wool turtleneck, and a heavy wool shirt. It would have to be really cold before I get uncomfortable. In addition, I can move quietly and easily to shoot my bow.
Realize, of course, that I am cheap and brands mean nothing to me; however, warmth and comfort does, and it isn't all that expensive.
George: GoodWill Stores, Pro Staff Member.
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The whole deal with the Sitka stuff is to get the MOST heat retention with the LEAST weight and bulk. You'll notice there are different weights of fleece on the jacket. Those are "body mapped" to give you the most insulation where you need it. With the core, traverse, vest, and celsius bibs and jacket I have hunted all day in the 20s. With that said I've added the Kelvin vest and jacket for different conditions but I know I will be WARM in any weather adding most likely onlythe vest to the above. A good hat is KEY for all this along with boots as well.
The thing I like most about the Sitka System is even with all the layers it stretches with you and is not big and bulky.
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Go with wool for really cold.
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Even when I wore wool, I was wearing many layers for all day stands in single digit temps. There is big difference for me between that and 20s and 30s.
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Hey Mike....where is Illionois? I'm guessing next to Indioana? :saywhat: :biglaugh:
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Why do they make it in China? Even being Made in China George can't afford it :biglaugh:
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Thanks for the info guys. The single digit temps around here are rare during archery season. I was just wanting to know what this stuff is capable of. As Steve O stated, I'm looking for the most heat retention with the least amount of bulk. I'm looking forward to trying it.
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You got me on that one George. :>)
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I wore mine for 4 hours last fall in a treestand....the temp was 8 degrees when I walked in...
I had on, and this is where I differ from some others....I wore the Traverse layer against my skin(I find it a lot "warmer" against my skin in cold weather).
Then went with two Mountain shirts('07 Sitka line) on top, and one Mountain layer on the bottom.
Then my Celcius vest and Celcius Jacket on top, and my Celsius bibs on the bottom.
Had my Sitka Celcius hat with the beanie under it on my head.
I was very comfortable for the first 3 hours, the last hour Iwas starting to "feel it" a bit...but I was just fine for the amount of time I was in my stand.
Like Mike said, even with the best wool, you have to wear layers.
The best part about Sitka it that it's so light and fits so well, that it doesn't wear you out just wearing it all!
Jimmy, You obviously don't hunt much in cold weather bud...
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Now maybe I am just acclimated to the weather a bit more but I wore the bibs and jacket with the Bass pro no name traverse style undershirt and run of the mill sweatshirt and jeans in a fenceline treestand facing a northwind in a blizzard and lasted 4 hours, I wasn't feeling tropical but I wasn't dying either, my feet gave in before the jacket. You made a good purchase I think. I don't know what the temp was that day in Farenheit but probably below zero with the windchill. I Tried on a traverse zip shirt recently and thought it to be very nice, I would think that in the climate you are in you could get away without the vest!
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HAH! Canada is not the only place it gets cold! :biglaugh: Kansas gets COLD! I'd wear the vest...
I was thinking about getting the heated Dutch Oven vest from Sitka. I still may...you would never be cold again.
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Well I must admit, living in a four season state like Pa., I relish the colder weather, and don't much consider it cold unless it's under 25f. Above 75f I'm looking for shade and a cool breeze. Being a gound-pounder, I move (although at a snail's pace) quite a bit so don't have to sit in the deep freeze on a tree stand like a pork roast 8^). I can stay comfortable with not a lot of bulk. Wool has always done it for me and I am a loyal cuss.
Steve O....maybe just a Dutch Oven period! 8^).
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Put a pair of merino long underwear on under it. That works for me.
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I have some sitka gear and some excellent wool. IMO the sitka excels in temps down to about 35 degrees. That's when the wool takes over.
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I use my Sitka 90% Jacket and Pants or Celsius Jacket and Bibs for all my cool to cold weather hunting down to single digits. What I do is add a pair of LL Bean fleece pants and fleece Windstopper pullover that I wear on top of my Traverse base layer and under the Sitka outer layer as needed. So far, it's kept me comfortable. Add some Muck boots with sock liners and one pair of SmartWool hunting socks and I'm good to go. I've been warmer on stand than ever before. It took years to get through my thick head, but most of my discomfort due to cold was from the chill resulting from the sweat (even slight) from the walk in. The liner socks make all the difference as does the Sitka base layer. Much better than the UA stuff I had been using. It's also the most comfortable hunting clothing I've had and easiest to shoot with.
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The Celsius jacket is a nice piece of clothing. In moderately cold weather, I'll wear one of their next-to-skin layers (wicks great--and that's actually one of the secrets to staying warm), the '07 Mountain Shirt, the vest and then the Celsius. But when it gets really cold, that's when you'll need another layer under the Celsius but on top of the underlayers. I hope to buy some of the Kelvin insulated line, maybe next year. In the meantime, I can either use the 90% under this or in super cold, I'll use some of my old Winona as an insulative layer. Nice thing about Winona is that it too stretches and form fits much like Sitka, as opposed to a lot of heavier stuff out there which is simply too bulky for what I want to do with it.
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I see they've changed the lineup since I last looked at the website. I've got to say, however, that I've found their clothing to be wonderful. I had the base longsleeved tee and vest on yesterday, but what has impressed me the most is the ability to wick away sweat. My son and I were on a scouting backpack several years ago in the Trinity Alps wilderness in CA when it had to be 90+ in the shade, and I was actually cool! I'm not a fan of their digital pattern, however.
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The synthetics does not seem to keep you as warm below 30 degrees especially once you sit still for 2 hours. It seems to feel very cold to the touch as layer after layer begins to get cold. You cannot beat the synthetics if you move a little as in still hunting. Sitka Gear is excellent for lightweight yet warm hunting clothes until the 20's or below. I'd layer wool under it to stay warm.
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In regards to Steve-os comments about Kansas being cold, yes it does get cold but being from michigan you should know its the humidity that makes it feel so much worse...I'll take -35f with 10% humidity over the crap we get.. Really I think people are underestimating the jacket with the suggestions of layering so much and wouldn't waste the money on the vest until you see what it feels like as the weather starts to get chilly, I was suprised at how warm it was all on its own
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Still kicking around trying the Sitka Gear. My mainstay for the last several years has been a base layer of Under Armour followed by a layer of thermastat and topped off with a layer of loose fitting cozy fleece. In real cold weather, and it can get darn cold here in Michigan, I top that of with a light weight Gortex jacket and a pair of Gortex fleece bibs. I'm afraid the tight fitting Sitka Gear will make my big beer belly a converation piece!!! At 53 skin tight isn't what it used to be.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
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i was thinking about getting the Celsius vest just as a good under layer for warm insulation, but without sleeves, and a good form-fit.
has anybody evaluated the vest as a good , non-bulky insulation layer in moderate temps?
what did you think?
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Johnny, It would be perfect for that :thumbsup:
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keep an eye out on camofire.com just ordered the celsius bibs for $120 to my door. looking forward to buying up other pieces as they become available.
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Yellow Dog,
TRUST me! If you don't do anything else, ditch those UA base layers for a set of Sitka Core. You can thank me later.
Johnny,
The Celsius Vest may be my favorite piece. It is VERY warm for its weight.
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I'll second Steve O on the warm of the Celcius vest. I love it.
I use the Core shirt, and Traverse shirt with the vest in moderate temps. When it gets colder I add a layer of Ullfrotte Woolpower 400 sweater under the Traverst shirt. When its real cold then I add my Dayone jacket over top.
I love the Sitka material under my jackets, b/c its "slick". The layers slide along with each other. No binding/catching when I am drawing my bow.
I also love the Celcius hat. For me it's quite big on its own (at least for my head), but when the temps drop I put on a fleece skull cap underneath. Perfect fit and VERY WARM!!
chris <><
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I'm going elk hunting Sept 19 to the 29th in Colorado. Plan on wearing acsent pants and celcius vest, 90% jacket along with core layer and Traverse top. Is this going to be warm enough?
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That sounds like a fine setup to me. :thumbsup: