Which pants do you feel would be more versatile and effective for treestand bowhunting from late October until early December, the Stratus pants or their new Fanatic Lite bib? I have the Fanatic jacket and Filson bibs for late season but looking for something to use more during the majority of the season. Thanks for any info. Mike

I don't have the Fanatic Lite Bibs yet, but I did use the Fanatic Lite Jacket last season and also the Stratus set. I believe because of the venting you will be able to do with the zippers on the bibs, they will be a bit more versatile in the time frame and terrain you are talking about. The Stratus is wind PROOF, the Fanatic Lite series is not. It is plenty wind resistant though, far more than your Filson bibs.

Steve,

I've been looking at the Fanatic lite line also. What's your opinion on it as an overall line for hunting down South?  Temps range any where from high 80's to low 20's from Oct - Feb.

Fanatic Lite set would be VERY versatile down south. It would work for all but the very extremes you would see.

It's hard to make one garment work for that big a temp swing. That is exactly why I like the Sitka SYSTEM.  It is made to layer up and all work together. For instance, you can basically make a Fanatic set out of a piece or Stratus plus a piece of Kelvin.

For 80 down to 20 I would get Equinox Pants/Fanatic Lite Hoody/Fanatic light jacket, Stratus pants and Jacket, Kelvin vest and pants

Bonus peiece would be a Fanatic vest and Fanatic Beanie nice comfy WARM pieces.

I've also moved from the merino base layers to the synthetics. I compared all last year between the two and the synthetics were more comfortable in every situation and had NO stink after a 2 week trip to Alaska.

Thanks Steve,

I know you have tested a lot of their line and would know as well as anyone.  I'll look at the pieces you suggested, thanks.

My Sitka stratus bibs are the most used item of hunting clothing in my pile. I've been using them for 5 years.

Steve, thanks for the note about the merino base vs. synthetic.  I have Sitka's merino base and have been wanting the synthetic.  You finalized my decision.

Thanks,

Jake

Go with the Stratus bibs if you want to keep the wind at bay. I love them. I have a Fanatic light jacket and I absolutely love it but it does not have the wind blocker in it so I use it more during earlier periods of the season than anything.

Thanks fellas