For hunting in 25-30 degree? What would be the best layers to use? Is it REALLY worth the money? How does it compare to wool? Thanks. BILL
There have been several good threads about sitka gear recently...use the search feature and you will get a wealth of info. How does it compare to wool? It is less bulky. What i finally figured out in using sitka gear for the last 3 years (i'm a slow learner!), is that it is a layering system that works great in cold weather IF you layer properly. i like the fact that you can layer 3 or 4 layers (if needed) and still have less bulk than you would have using wool or other company brands.
What works for me in 25 to 30 degree weather..traverse base layer, kelvin pant & jacket (or vest), ascent pant (or celsius bibs), and a traverse shirt or ascent jacket for the outer layer. Walk slowly to your stand & don't put your outer upper layer on until you reach your stand or you will be sweating! This is what works for me if i am going to be sitting in that kind of weather. If you are going to be still hunting, you wouldn't need this many layers.
Is it worth the money? It is to me.
I'm new to Sika Gear this season. So far, I love it. I was out this morning in a tree stand @ 28 degrees at 7:15AM. It was 30 degrees at 9:46AM when I climbed down. I was toasty except for my hands which was holding my metal-riser bow because 4 bucks bedded 25-35 yards from me.
I like the Bibs,Zip-T, Polyster jacket. I also have the Stratus Jacket but I haven't worn it yet. The clothing is well thought out with pockets, zipers, snaps in the right places.
One can probably stay warmer and as well hid for a lot less money. There are many opportunities for discounted pricing though. I have two other sets of insulated bibs that, after the discount I found, were only $20-30 cheaper and not nearly as well made.
If I were to owne one piece of Sika it would be the zip-top T as an outer garmet for 40+ days.
Much better then wool. New line of cold gear is great water proof with wind stop. My wool going up for auction!
I have also switched to Sitka this year. The Stratus and Kelvin jacket doesn't get much warmer than that. I have not purchased any core garments yet, but the traverse is next on the list.
I think it is worth the money. I wasn't to thrilled with the forest camo pattern, but I have had excellent luck this year with not getting picked off.
I have had wool and it is a good product, but the Sitka is very light weight packable, and if layered properly it is warm.
Give it a try I think you will be satisfied!
It looks like good gear. Unfortunatly I will probably never own any. At 6'5" and 290 I need 3XL-Tall. It's really hard to find technical-style clothing in "Tent and Awning" sizes.
It's heavy and smells like a gorilla's butt when it gets wet, but I will stick to my wool.
The hats and gloves might fit.
OkKeith
Posted on the other site you posted the question on... Thought I would add it here:
Don't have any.. soooo, this may not be worth a crap. I am a 64 year old post heart work guy. Ask around and see what that means. Circulation problems. I never got cold prior to the work. Different story now.
I grew up with wool and have used my share of down and the "high tech" stuff. I keep going back to wool and poly. Layers are the way to go. My poly on the skin and merano over work great. Then add whatever you like. For outer I use wool and/or fleece. Most all of my deer hunting is done in Southernmost Illinois. We see widely varied temps through out the season.
That being said when it gets down past 20 deg I think twice about going. Sometimes I even wait for it to warm up.
This Sitka stuff has gotten all kinds of press... The camo pattern looks neat. The cost to build a really efficient and all around set of clothing seems a bit high to me.... Not that wool, good wool, is not expensive. Who knows... If they were to say "here try this", I might change my mind. They won't cause I am an old guy and they are trying to establish a customer base with the younger crowd. I would if I was them.
JMHO
I've got a 90% jacket and a face-mask thingy and they are the cats meow for active hunting in mild to cool weather.
Core, 2- traverse shirts, Kelvin jacket and stratus jacket, with core bottom, travers bottom and stratus bibs. lets me sit all day in a treestand at temps as low as 17 dergrees with low wind less than 10 miles per hour.
I where 3 or four hats including Stika. Head gerar is very important , but often over looked.
Mike, Given the choice between the 90% jacket and the Celsius which one would would you choose? My temp range 25-30 to 70's where I hunt.
I spent Thanksgiving week in Kansas hunting in my Sitka Gear. For 25-30 you can get by with traverse top and bottom, 90% top and bottom and a Kelvin vest.
For more warmth, you could substitute stratus or Celsius as an outer layer.
We had a few days of 14 degree low and it was 19 when I would get out if my stand at noon. I wore traverse, Kelvin jacket and bottom, and stratus bib and jacket. I was toasty.
Like Mike said, a good hat or three is critical :D
I am asking that next year the Sitka boys add a hat and hand muff to the Kelvin line.
AND referencing above about sweating on your way in to stand; I have purposely worn everything and tried to get overheated as a test. That is one of the things I love about the Sitka Gear--no difference. After a few minutes you are comfortable and can sit as long as you want with no loss of performance.
We sell the Sitka Gear line of hunting clothing because we feel it's the best hunting clothing out there. We can (and all did at some point) hunt in cotton clothing or some other form of clothing that's not all that efficient or suitable for hunting. None of us absolutely have to wear the best hunting clothing in order to hunt. However, for hunting hard I've never found any purpose-built hunting clothing that's the equal of SG.
As much as 90% of a body's heat loss can come from the head and the neck area. Seal off the neck (avoid "the dreaded bellows effect"), insulate the head very well, and you're miles ahead of the game.
A bit later in the year, and definitely at Kalamazoo, we'll be having a sale on the 2010 gear we have left in stock (getting ready for the 2011 inventory!).
John
I don't own a lot of it but the traverse under layer is the best I've ever owned. The outerwear runs small, underwear runs normal size.
I've only owned a second hand 90% jacket. Its nice but not worth all the extra money in my opinion. I've hunted every province of Canada (except BC), the isle of Newfoundland, 13,000 feet in Colorado, and many other states. I've experienced alot of different climates and terrain and have done fine. I went the whole King Of The Mountain route for a while and realized how much money I had blown. Great stuff but way too much money. You can go cheaper, save some bucks and still brave the elements just fine. If you've got the dough to blow, go for it. But you definitely dont NEED it for the same comfort level.
Problem with those fancy high tech duds, next year they're going come up with something we want even more. Even the low tech stuff sellers like Filson will make you feel the same. Layer up and leave the cotton at home and you'll be fine. Besides, in alot of parts, 25-30 f is a nice spring day :-)
Love the Sitka Gear. Especially the Kelvin insulating layer which is REALLY warm. The Sitka system is made to layer. I don't have time this second to elaborate, but the Kelvin top and bottom are my favorite pieces in the lineup. Very warm with tremendous heat:weight ratio.
I can elaborate a tad for Bryce...
A lot of people walk up to the Kelvin pieces and brush their finger against it. It is loud. Well, it is not supposed to be worn as an outer layer. The same material that makes it loud also makes it slippery. When you put any of the layers over it, as you are supposed to and as you must do to use it properly, a 90% Jacket, Ascent Jacket, Stratus or Celsius Jacket slides like hot snot on a cold platter :D . That gives a SILENT combination with a freedom of movement like you are out shooting in your Tshirt. It is very hard to explain to guys used to wearing bulky wool that grabs at each other on each layer and pulls against itself. I guess I am just young enough to not be so stubborn I can't try new things and admit when there is a better mousetrap. I've got a closetfull of top end wool. I own no warmer jacket than the Kelvin, it weighs about the same as a can of pop and packs down to the size of a Naglene bottle.
I am sure Bryce has more, AND can paint a better picture, but he is probably in the middle of molding young minds right now :D
I would love to give the stuff a try Steve, it's just not made in a size that fits. It's made and marketed to a certian type of person. I don't see it as being stubborn and it has nothing to do with age.
Like I said, I will stick to my wools. Not because I think it's better, but because it fits.
OkKeith
Steve:
I think you are addressing me... Bruce...
Yep, I am moulding young minds.. Gotta get a pay check.
I don think I am being stubborn, well perhaps due to my Dutch ancestors...
My real point is the price and I guess the amount of it ya need to get the job done. Don't know if it would be more or less than other garments but from the way I have heard folks talk it seems like ya need a bunch of stuff. Heck, with this system I can't keep track of this jacket and that vest and these pants and then add this one to that one.... (Oh yea, this you may consider trite but I don't have any place near me that carries it. I really like to see it before I buy it.) I have built a selection of hunting garb that suits me. Some has been expensive and some has not.
I guess I hit a nerve with you and perhaps I was un fair in my statement because I have not bought any and tried it. Did not mean to piss ya off. Its the $$$. Years from now if you still have it and it still works then your investment was worthwhile. Good deal.
For me, I have spent my dollars and grown up with those expenduteres. I do use new stuff. Fleece and poly. I love my merino wool though.
But, I will stand on my comment regarding the marketing of the product.
No harm ment.. JMHO
Guys, I was addressing me. Not you guys at all. Never intended any negative. Rereading what I wrote, I can see how it could come across poorly. Like I said--I am no Bryce.
Bruce, Bryce is a school teacher, at the time I posted, I figured he was getting ready for class with the kids.
Again, no offense intended to anyone but me!
:campfire:
It is really good gear. I think they've covered all the bases with the line available.
Love my SG, and like Steve has said layering is the key. I don't think I've ever wore anything that can wick away moisture as fast as this stuff. Amazing!
i wasnt impressed by it and sold mine, and bought quality wool. i was disapointed in the fact it was just another chinese garment,but one that has been marketed heavily, and it wasnt made to the specs i was expecting,..I guess all the advertising had me expecting something really special, something my sleeping indian wool really is.....
Hey Steve,
Sent ya a PM. No worries.
OkKeith
I've been just overly impressed with how darn warm the Kelvin layers are. A little "history" (what I teach, by the way) about Sitka is that they were begun by guys who make their meat mostly on spot and stalk hunts. They climb mountains and kill big elk and muleys. Stuff I don't yet get to do being a flatlander and teacher in NE. When they began to appeal to bowhunters of all species, I did feel they were deficient in gear for the tree-stand man, the guy who is immobile for 2-4 hours or more. Then they came out with the Celsius line, which was a big improvement and a step in the right direction. And now they have Kelvin and other products that are perfect for the stand hunter. I've filled both my NE buck tags this season, but am anxious for Christmas break and a chance to see how the new lines perform in very cold weather. What little cold weather we got before December, I was totally impressed. And when I wear the Kelvin coat for around-town wear (it is comfy!), there are times when I'm roasting inside it...so I know it's gonna be great for the ultra cold weather. It's already performed great in the 20 degree stuff originally asked about, and I have no doubts with the proper layering done, it will perform in the really cold stuff too. And like Steve or Mike or someone mentioned, the good thing is if you buy the right size, you are not going to have issues with binding. The layering "system" works.
The other comment I might add is that I really do think this Sitka Gear will outlast by many times the other items I have bought over the last 30 years of serious bowhunting. I generally hunt 75-100 times for deer each season, and throw in the other stuff/scouting/etc. and my gear gets used. So far, totally happy.
I'm with Byce on the Kelvin undergarmets, incredible how warm and comfortable. I also like the fact that their slippery and don't bind your outgarmets.
Here's my setup for a 25 degree morning. 200 gr Ulfrotte merino wool on my legs with Kelvin pants and Stratus bibs. 400 gr Ulfrotte turtle neck on top with Kelvin top and Stratus jacket. Pack boots on my feet and two hats and I'll sit on stand for hours!
I purchased the Core, Traverse, and Stratus layers last spring. It has been used quite a lot. The core will cause you to be cool on a cold day if sitting in a treestand. I use the traverse layer next to skin most all the time. I think someone suggested putting it on top of the traverse. I will try that next time. Overall, I am very pleased with everything. I really like the way it fits. No movements are restricted and it is very comfortable. It is on sale now and I am going to add a Kelvin jacket.
I'm sure it's good stuff, but they do not make it in tall sizes, and therefore they will not get my money. In shirts and jackets I wear XLT. So I buy clothes that are made in XLT size. Large long in pants - same thing.
I know from experience that if I buy an article of high priced clothing that don't fit, then I will wear what does fit instead. I am not on old fart, but I have reached the age where it is more important to be comfortable than to be in vogue.
IMO fit is the most important thing in hunting clothes, and # 2 is that they are made of something that dries quickly, as I hunt out of a canoe a lot.
mrjsl, Sitka Gear does indeed make tall sizes. I'm 6'3" tall and use it, and in their tall sizes it would be good for folks another couple of inches taller than me.
I think we actually have some tall sizes in stock. I see you're from the beautiful bayou country but during the Kalamazoo sale we're going to be moving all of our remaining in stock stuff out at close out prices. If you want to check on tall sizes in stock you should give Dan a call at our shop.
The only other comment about the functionality of Sitka Gear clothing that I can add to what has already been said is the fact that it stretches four ways. In any kind of active hunting that's crucial.
I grew up rock and ice climbing in Alaska and when quality mountaineering clothing using four-way stretch fabrics from companies like Schoeller first came out I used them for hunting too. The wind-resistant/wind-proof, 4-way stretch, and layering capability of this stuff makes it the ultimate hunting clothing in my opinion. Sitka Gear simply took the best ideas from mountain climbing clothing and adapted the materials and uses to purpose-built hunting clothing.
Admittedly I do most of my hunting each year in the mountains of Alaska and it's high-stress, hard-work hunting. I've owned lots of the top name wool garments but for me the SG stuff is a better product for the way I hunt.
Nobody has to have SG clothing to hunt well or comfortably. But I can honestly say after nigh-on 4 decades of hunting in Alaska it's the best stuff I have ever found.
John
Its good stuff for milder temps or when you're moving, but junk for extreme cold. You can get much warmer (and better)clothing for cold temps siting in a treestand.
looking at getting some myself