Post by: Duckbutt on September 12, 2010, 01:13:00 PM
Question: Core base layer top, Celcius Vest and 90% jacket. For a 10 to 11k hunt in S.CO (temps from 20s to 70s possible, what additional layers, if any would you recommend? This is a bivy style trip so I'm trying to minimize weight but still have what I need.
Really stoked after seeing the reports come in from some of you guys. Stay safe and have fun everyone!
Post by: Onions on September 12, 2010, 03:00:00 PM
My personal experience with the core base layer was poor. I froze wearing it! It wicked moisture so well, if felt it wick the warmth away.
(This is all treestand based). A active hunt wear you are constantly moving like elk, might be different.
I personall like the Chama from First Lite much better. Wicks well, warm,even when wet, dries quick, and will not stink after many days w/o washing (trust me I have tested this to the extreme!)
If you are going to stay with the Sitka stuff, I would most definitley add the Traverse shirt.
This is a warm versitle shirt. Wear it over the Core shirt , or just wear it next to your ski I feel its warmst right next to your skin.
My two cents
chris <><
Post by: Steve O on September 12, 2010, 05:17:00 PM
I'd ditch the Celsius vest for a Kelvin vest and add a Traverse shirt, Mountain pants, and some OLD Downpour/Nimbus raingear or the new Stormfront Light raingear and you would have everything you need to be comfortable in any weather or any activity level for elk,muley, sheep or goat hunting out west.
Post by: Gehrke145 on September 12, 2010, 07:01:00 PM
Post by: Matty on September 12, 2010, 07:47:00 PM
It does get waayy down at night so be prepared for 20's in your tent..
Post by: Duckbutt on September 13, 2010, 12:56:00 PM
I'm buying the close outs for a reason...LOL.
Post by: kadbow on September 13, 2010, 01:48:00 PM
Post by: Duckbutt on September 13, 2010, 02:41:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by kadbow:That's kind of what I needed to know. I've got some non Sitka stuff I can add, but don't want to take in more than I need.
The 90% jacket is not that warm.
Post by: PowDuck on September 13, 2010, 04:29:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Duckbutt:I don't know about Sitka gear (Except it's way expensive) but I do know about carrying in more than you need. I always do it even trying not to. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, within reason of course.
That's kind of what I needed to know. I've got some non Sitka stuff I can add, but don't want to take in more than I need.
Good luck on your hunt. I'm not getting to go this year
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
Post by: YORNOC on September 16, 2010, 09:30:00 AM
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on September 16, 2010, 10:38:00 AM
I am not sure that Sitka gear is going to turn out any better than other synthetics for true cold or true wet weather. Time will tell. Lots of guys love it but the same was true of underarmor at one time.
I can say that when the weather is horrible and you get very cold or wet, every piece of synthetic clothing I have used in my years in the army and decades in the woods has proven to be essentially useless. Particularly when wet, and we get a lot of that where I live.
I hunt in wool thermals, wool pants, and a wool shirt when it is cold or wet. I always have a waterproof jacket in the pack just in case. When it is hot I hunt in cotton camo pants and a camo t-shirt with a wool overshirt for cold mornings. The cotton clothing is way cheaper than Sitka and works perfect in hot weather.
Give us a full report on your Sitka gear and what the goods and bads were if you would.
Post by: Guru on September 18, 2010, 08:35:00 AM
I think what you have is a good start for what you described.
What I've found it the Core base excels for active hunting. It wicks very quickly and will keep you cool while hiking and other times of high exertion. For that reason, it's great for warm weather hunts as well. I've hunt in 90 deg. weather and was way more comfortable than wearing "clammy" cotton.
I'd add a layer of Traverse for times when warmth is needed. This is what I wear against my skin when hunting in cold weather. It's cozy warm against the skin. Even in extremely cold weather, this is what I wear against my skin. I stay warm.
The Kelvin vest Steve spoke of is awesome! I have a Kelvin jacket. For warmth to weight ratio, there's nothing better than Kelvin! It weighs nothing, and is the warmest single piece of clothing I've ever worn.
Since you already have a 90% jacket, Celcius vest, And core base shirt....I would add...
Celcius pants, Traverse top and bottom, and for times when you're hunkerd down and need to stay warm...a kelvin jacket.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Post by: Duckbutt on September 28, 2010, 08:27:00 AM
Post by: Guru on September 28, 2010, 06:43:00 PM
Post by: highpoint forge on September 28, 2010, 08:03:00 PM
I still can't figure out how to stay totally toasty in Sitka Gear.....
Post by: Steve O on September 28, 2010, 08:53:00 PM
I don't know what to tell you...if you get cold wearing a Kelvin Jacket, you may have to put on a few pounds!
I went on a brown bear hunt last year. We sat from 7am to 6pm in a blind, with our feet in a salmon river, pretty much in constant, never ending relentless rain. I always keep a Kevin Vest or Jacket in my pack. One afternoon was extra chilly. I dug out my vest and slipped it on. In about 2 minutes, even my cold feet were fine.
Any of the rain jackets or a 90% Jacket as a outer layer to cut the wind and some Kelvin under that and over some base layers should do it.
I don't have any incinerator duds yesterday, but have handled them at some shows--they are WARM!
Post by: Guru on September 28, 2010, 09:02:00 PM
Post by: Duckbutt on September 28, 2010, 09:09:00 PM
Post by: amar911 on September 29, 2010, 12:19:00 AM
I love my Sitka Gear. I have three of their packs, three pieces of headgear, all of their long underwear including extras, the Ascent pants, 90% pants, 3 of the 90% jackets, two sets of the Celcius jackets and bibs, 3 Celcius vests, the Kelvin jacket and vest, and probably something I'm not thinking of. I also bought a bunch more for my son. I hate to think of how much money I have invested in Sitka Gear products, but it is way more than I initially thought I ever would. I got extra Sitka clothing so I could leave some of it where I do a lot of hunting and not have to haul it around every time, but still have the same clothing at home when I go elsewhere. If I had to limit myself to two pieces of the Sitka Gear clothing it would be the 90% jacket and pants because they really are that versatile. A Primaloft jacket, whether it is the Sitka Kelvin or some other brand, turns that outfit into something that works in colder weather. I don't have the Kelvin pants, but I bet they would work well too for those who sit in treestands a lot.
There is other good clothing on the market that is much less expensive than Sitka Gear. I just think the Sitka Gear is the best for many uses (but not everything).
Allan
Post by: John Havard on September 29, 2010, 08:24:00 AM
I used to do a bit of mountain climbing and some ice climbing when I lived in Alaska. One mantra to ALWAYS remember is this: start cool, stay cool, end cool. If you are leaving camp put all of your outer layers inside your backpack and have ONLY long underwear on your top. You work hard climbing and you will sweat. The key to staying warm after you stop is to get that inner layer next to your skin dry ASAP and then start pulling out warmer outer layers from your backpack. You need a big backpack anyway so why not use it intelligently?
Let's discuss the base layer first. And remember - I have underwear older than many of you young farts so my opinion is based on decades of mountain/western/cold/wet hunting/mountain climbing. Wool underwear, including merino wool (of which I have several sets), stays wet a LONG time if you perspire. I've used it extensively through the years and have lots of first-hand experience with it. Sure, it will help keep you warm even when wet. But who wants to keep a wet layer of insulation next to their skin? If you wear a Traverse top against your skin and sweat in it all you need to do is stop and give it a few minutes to dry as your core temp is cooling down. By the time you're ready to start layering up it will be dry, especially in the high country where the relative humidity is normally quite low. Wool is an okay base layer but a wicking/warm base layer like the Traverse is definitely better.
The outer layers of Sitka Gear are largely a matter of personal preference. They are all purpose-designed and fit different hunting situations. My personal use in Alaska calls for traverse bottoms & tops, the 90% pant, celcius jacket & kelvin vest, along with the regular (not the lightweight) stormfront rain gear. That combination has served me quite well in some nasty conditions.
Give Dan a call at the shop and he can get you fixed up with whatever you need.
John
Post by: Zmonster on September 29, 2010, 08:29:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by John Havard:Haha, Well said John. Same thing I usually say to my Soldiers or now Cadets about my socks and field time.
I have underwear older than many of you young farts so my opinion is based on decades of mountain/western/cold/wet hunting/mountain climbing.
Sitka is great stuff.
Casey
Post by: highpoint forge on September 29, 2010, 06:39:00 PM
Post by: highpoint forge on September 29, 2010, 07:17:00 PM
Post by: Guru on September 29, 2010, 08:17:00 PM
From I've found Alex, the Core layer is at it's best you're very active in cooler weather, and is very, very good keeping me cool when hunting hot weather. It really moves perspiration!!
But, When I'm not moving, and it's cold, I wear Traverse against my skin. It's cozy warm against the skin and dries extremely fast when you do sweat in it. It can't be beat in my opinion.
I think if you didn't wear the Core against your skin when you have to stay warm, you'd be better off bud.
Post by: Steve O on September 29, 2010, 10:45:00 PM
I'd try Curt's suggestion and wear the Traverse next to your skin. I'd also never wear that UA to hunt in anymore...I get the chills just thinking about it!
Post by: John Havard on September 29, 2010, 10:51:00 PM
If I'm really soggy after a tough uphill slog I might pull the tail of my Traverse top outside of my pants to help it dry out. But honestly, after only two or three minutes that stuff is pretty danged dry.
Post by: Shinken on September 30, 2010, 01:03:00 AM
I still prefer wool layers when I am wadin' through soakin' wet alder patches loaded with blow-down on steep mountainsides since one simply cannot stay dry under those conditions, period, and it gives a little more protection if you happen to slip and fall - rarely happens to me - but I hear that others are more susceptible....
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Shoot straight, Shinken
Post by: highpoint forge on September 30, 2010, 04:59:00 PM
Well, I shall experiment. I may sell my Celsius vest (still new in plastic unopened) and grab a Kelvin jacket in its place.
Alex
Post by: Guru on September 30, 2010, 06:23:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by highpoint forge:I believe that will certainly help!
Thanks Curt-
Well, I shall experiment. I may sell my Celsius vest (still new in plastic unopened) and grab a Kelvin jacket in its place.
Alex
Post by: wapitimike1 on September 30, 2010, 09:24:00 PM
Post by: highpoint forge on October 04, 2010, 06:20:00 PM