Hello all,
I am in the market for new camouflage and I would like to get my fellow trad archer's opinion. I have narrowed it down to First Lite and Sitka, specifically the Sanctuary and Fanatic series. Being in Indiana, it gets fairly cold here in late season and I was wondering if anyone has owned both and felt that one was warmer than the other. I have been able to shoot with the Fanatic and the ergonomics were amazing, but I was not sure if it would be warm enough for the long day sits. Thank you in advance for your input!
I have the Sanctuary jacket and love it! It's very warm with only a base layer and a fleece, when it's really cold I use my First Lite puffy vest under it and it's awesome. I can shoot my recurve with it on because of the tapered sleeves, it's the best late season jacket I've ever owned. The First Lite Sanctuary jacket runs big, I normally wear a medium but have a small in this jacket and it fits great. Can't help with the Sitka Fanatic but I think I've found the best jacket for me already! Good luck
The Fanatic is an extremely well designed and functional jacket. I find it to be plenty warm and quiet. If you liked the Fanatic and are just concerned with warmth, don't be. It's toasty
i have the sanctuary jacket and bibs and they are very nice but I pack them in as I'm not sure the material will hold up to the thorns and briers in our area , their customer service wasn't sure they would either.That said they are warm ,comfortable and fit well.
i bought the sitka fanatic jacket and bibs not only is made well and toasty warm and comfortable but also extremely well thought out and designed pocket placement and zipper easy and function. i have worn this in 17 degree weather with 20 mph north wind with just a cotton long sleeve tee and was absolutely toasty ! Hope this helps
I've sat all day in the Fanatic in Kansas. 13F was the high. I'd not be concerned about being cold in Indiana with it.
I have the fanatic, and it is a great jacket. Very warm, soft, and a great fit for me. About as quiet as it can be with a windstopper lining. Can't comment on the Sanctuary. The only thing that I would say is that the pockets on the fanatic are designed for a right handed bowhunter, and they may get in the way of the string if you have something in those pockets and are a left handed shooter. I am actually going to send the jacket to an embroidery shop that Sitka Gear recommended(Rainy Pass Repair) after the season, and see about having the pockets moved onto the other side.
Thank you for the input guys, it seems as if the Fanatic is the way to go.
I gave my Fanatic Jacket to my son because for a lefty the "gear" pocket on the right side would interfere with my bowstring. It works great for him as a RH archer.
I just bought the Sitka "Shacket". It is fantastic! It will be great under other garments in the cold without bulking up my arms.
I will wear it over a light long sleeve in mid-season when it is only cold, rather than hot. It is better than a vest because it has short sleeves and a hand warmer pouch.
When I first got my Fanatic coat and bibs in the mail I thought "No way this is going to be warm enough for all day sits in Northern Illinois." Wrong! It's absolutely the best thing ever made for a treestand Hunter. Down to about 10 degrees here is what I wear. Sitka merino top and bottom. Traverse top. Fanatic coat and bibs. Stratus beanie. That's it. That works for me from 50 degrees down to about 10 degrees. My buddies were impressed by how little I was able to wear and still say warm so they all got the exact same setups.
Jon--not sure if you have tried the newest Sitka base layers but I am finally ready to give up my merino. They are better in every way. New Fanatic hat is 10x better than the Stratus for warmth as well.
Steve, really you like the new base layers better? I'll have to try them out. But man they would have to really be good to beat out the merino. The Fanatic hat is on my Christmas list!
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
Jon--not sure if you have tried the newest Sitka base layers but I am finally ready to give up my merino. They are better in every way. New Fanatic hat is 10x better than the Stratus for warmth as well.
QuoteOriginally posted by jonsimoneau:
Steve, really you like the new base layers better? I'll have to try them out. But man they would have to really be good to beat out the merino. The Fanatic hat is on my Christmas list!
I agree with Steve, Jon... I have merino base layers from Sitka, Kuiu, and Ice Breaker, and I also have the new Sitka lightweight, midweight and heavyweight base layers with the Polygiene odor control. I also like the new Sitka base layers better than the merino. The new base layers are very comfortable, warm and don't stink up as quickly as my merino. I put a lightweight and midweight shirt to the test by wearing them for three days straight in forty degree weather - the Polygiene technology works very well, just like it's advertised.
I also have the new Fanatic beanie and the older stratus beanie, and the Fanatic beanie is unreal - super warm, windproof, and the hat didn't muffle my hearing.
I am lucky. I have first light merino (chama and Labrador). They work very well under the fanatic. Doubt that I will need more than that here in Oklahoma, but interesting to hear about the new Sitka gear. A little surprised about the smell you are noticing with the Merino. That hasn't been my experience.
QuoteOriginally posted by jonsimoneau:
Steve, really you like the new base layers better? I'll have to try them out. But man they would have to really be good to beat out the merino. The Fanatic hat is on my Christmas list!
Jon--yes.
Tried all 3 weights. Each one outperforms the merino in every way. Pretty amazing. I don't get rid of much but the merino will be at the bottom of the crate. A couple guys I know got Fanatic sets this week and the both texted me from the stand yesterday with it windy and in the low 20s--all smiles.
Thanks for the info guys. I was going to order 2 more sets of the merino stuff but I will definitely look into the new offerings.
Great information here!
I'm curious what you Sitka users are wearing under your Fanatic (or Incinerator) bibs? Is it just the base layer bottom, or are you wearing pants also?
Thanks.
Kevin I wear the merino top and bottom and a traverse top. That's it. That gets me down to 15 degrees or so with no problems. I don't know if they are still offering the traverse top but the knew fanatic hoodie is basically an updated version of that.
Also I've got both the Fanatic bibs and the stratus bibs. I wear the Stratus bibs most of the time with my Fanatic coat.
I am intrigued with Sitka's new base layer, but skeptical...no offence Steve O;-) Why am I skeptical? KUIU came out with their new fancy ULTRA merino they stated is far superior to other merino in just about every characteristic. I had to see for myself so I bought one. I can honestly say I cannot tell the difference from my other merino in the same wright range...other than the KUIU has mesh sides. Thankfully I just bought one! They are very good marketers at KUIU.
How does the Sitka dry time compare to merino?
I like a lot of thinks KUIU but there Merino wool has not been one of them. Now there Superdown vest is the warmest item I have every owned for it's weight. It's will always be in my pack along with my space blanket in case of emergencies.
1. I own not one piece of KUIU clothing so I can't compare. I'be studied it and touched a bunch of it and I'll just say I will stick with my Sitka.
2. I prefer the First Lite Merino to the Sitka merino. Seems to ME it is a hair warmer/cooler and dries quicker.
3. There is NO comparison to the on body drying of the merino I own to ANY of the new Sitka synthetics. Even the heaviest new synthetic dries more than twice as fast as the merino. And all my merino is lightweight. Ive compared the synthetics to merino for more than a decade...just about every other brand but Kuiu of each and this is the first time I've found the synthetics superior in every way. Yeah, I know I can melt myself in a fire--I'll live with the risk...
Now to get this back on track, I never wear my Fanatic stuff in or out. I put it all in my Toolbox. I'll wear my base layer and a light pant and maybe the Fanatic Hoody if it is frigid. Everything else gets put on once I'm set up on stand.
These photos show everything loaded for a full day on stand:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2015%20Post%20Pics/7D6DCA63-4D4D-4389-B563-A05B1EF2EAA5_zpsa7dhp9xm.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/osminski/media/2015%20Post%20Pics/7D6DCA63-4D4D-4389-B563-A05B1EF2EAA5_zpsa7dhp9xm.jpg.html)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2015%20Post%20Pics/62A9BACD-A0A5-42A3-BB28-023359F59FE0_zpsafexngwl.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/osminski/media/2015%20Post%20Pics/62A9BACD-A0A5-42A3-BB28-023359F59FE0_zpsafexngwl.jpg.html)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2015%20Post%20Pics/8BEAF977-DF39-413E-A722-B9DEB3750E2B_zpsivpjwin8.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/osminski/media/2015%20Post%20Pics/8BEAF977-DF39-413E-A722-B9DEB3750E2B_zpsivpjwin8.jpg.html)
#3 is my opinion just based on 3 weeks wearing various sets of base layers in Alaska and 2 weeks of the same in Iowa. I'm going to be back in Iowa over Christmas and I'm not taking any merino.
Steve O just how many sets of rattling antlers do you need on a day hunt? I know, one set is in case you drop the other so you do not have to climb down and get it.
I am going to check out the Sitka base layer. I'd like a base layer that dries a lot faster then my first Lite for those warmer fall days hunting elk in the Mountains.
I am absolutely hooked on ASAT camo...so I have leaned to those that make quality in ASAT. First Lite being at the top of the list. I'd like to try on both the Fantastic and Sanctuary side by side to see if I'd give up ASAT.
Steve--I use 4 like Mitten taught me. I leave those at the base of the tree and run a cord up to me from them. He calls it "puppet rattling".
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
Steve--I use 4 like Mitten taught me. I leave those at the base of the tree and run a cord up to me from them. He calls it "puppet rattling".
Awesome steve o gotta love the puppet fights!!I definately gets em coming to check things out i just cant seem to get one of those IOWA or ILLINOIS brusiers to show :banghead:
Good info! Always looking for better ways to stay warm in the woods!
Thanks!
chris <><
Great call on the puppet rattling Steve-O, been a secret my grandpa passed down to me. I like to have am extra long cord I can wrap around my boot to shake, makes it sound like something is moving in the underbrush, rather than 2 floating deer :biglaugh: