Sitka Gear Recommendation?

[DMiller6868]

Man I'm a bit overwhelmed with the options for Sitka Gear and was hoping you guys could let me know what works best for you.

I've already made the decision this is the gear I'll be using on a Colorado elk hunt the first week of September and would appreciate recommendations on exactly what "system" works best for the various weather that is to be expected.

I've got first lite merino wool long underwear and a filson wool vest and that's it so far. My camp is at 10,000 ft and I'll be heading up to 11,200 max.

I'm also hunting elk in Montana the first week for rifle season, so the ability to use some or all of this gear then would be great as well.

Thanks again!

[Triplebhunters]

Sitka traverse 1/4 zip. Awesome shirt, comfortable, drys quickly, layers well.
Don't forget a wind break of some sort, a rain jacket works well for wind break.
I have the Fanatic Jacket on my Christmas list, just a bit pricey.

[BMF11]

Sitka Ascent pants with you're First Lite merino will work well on the bottom. I would also recommend A Sitka Traverse hoody on top. I don't have a Sitka jacket so can't help you there. Good luck on the hunts.

[4araquiver]

I have a few pieces of sitka gear. I prefer different brands for different functions. I like first lite for my base layers and shirts. I have the sitka accent pants. They work very well. I also have the jet stream light vest that I wear over my first light shirt to keep the wind off of my core. This is a very light piece of gear that packs a real punch when it cools down and the wind picks up. It has an athletic fit and does restrict your movement or add bulk. IMO don't limit yourself to one company. Play off the strengths of different the different brands. Unless you have to match of course

[Indian Summer]

I love my Sitka Gear. For years I said there's no way they can justify their prices. Until I tried it. I still think it's over priced but I'm pretty serious about my hunting and I'm out there enough to make it a very worthy investment.

After reading the description of your hunt I'd recommend their Timberline pants. Ascent is some very lightweight stuff. it has it's time and place but for an elk hunt up high especially later in the month I think you'd be happy with the Timberline pants. They are the same as their Mountain Pants but have the addition of a waterproof seat and knees. They also have removable knee pads which I though I might take out but now I find them really handy so I left them in.

For up top I'm with you on the merino base layers. The best! I may wear a polyester shirt over that and the brand doesn't matter or I may just go straight to the Ascent jacket. Then I have options. The light version is just to add the Ascent jacket. It is their lightweight model for high temps and serious hiking. I wish it had pit zippers. If it's cooler out than that I go straight to the Jetstream jacket. I think every elk hunter should have that! Unlike the Ascent it has long pit zippers for ventilation as well as chest vent zippers and a hood. Very very nice. If conditions warrant it you could leave the Ascent on underneath the Jetstream. Layers is where it's at.

Then if it gets downright cold, but not to the point of adding serious outerwear such as wool, I'll put the Sitka Kelvin vest (they make a Kelvin jacket too) under the Jetstream jacket and I'm bulletproof. The Kelvin is insulated with Primaloft which is like synthetic down. Great insulation that unlike down still works when wet. The vest compresses down pretty good and I can jam it into a 1 gallon Ziploc bag which is why I chose the vest over the jacket.

I use that system all the way through gun if it doesn't get extreme and it is truly awesome in all of bow season.

[Csrbowhunter]

I have the mountain pants and 90% jacket plus dew point rain gear. I wear first lite base layers wool and love them so much I have three of each so I can change when I'm in the back country and can't wash them. I know the stuff is expensive but it is really nice and comfortable.

[G Posik]

For Colorado archery season the Sitka stuff I use is the traverse top and Ascent jacket. I bring Marino wool base layer(light weight) for pants I like the Kuhl Raptors in grey. I bring a puffy jacket and the KUIU rain gear. Not many really cold days (to me anyways)for elk season(bow). Just remember you will be moving a lot so layer up.

Glenn

[TetonStorm]

I run the mountain pant on bottom. On top I wear the merino base, traverse hoody, jetstream jacket. I also pack the cloudburst. jacket and pants for downpours. With this layering I can just remove and add as I need to. I would like to get the either the jet stream lite vest or kelvin lite vest to finish out the system. I agree with Indian Summer on the timberline pants. My brother got a pair and they are great for sitting and knealing in the woods especially with the kneepPads, which I do use with my mountain pants.

[danarnold]

I use a really thin minus 33 merino t-shirt (feels more comfortable than the First Lite I think) then First Lite zip T, Kelvin Lite vest, and a Jetstream Lite, outer layers are very packable

for bottom I have a pair of Mountain pants that are nice but find myself grabbing the First Lite Kanab pants most often

[Indian Summer]

For merino bases I'm using Core4 Element and Sitka and love both. Never tried First Lite but want to.

[pointysticks]

Can you get to a bass pro to touch the clothing? I find the descriptions confusing as hell. Telling me the jacket is made of primafleece or microX (fake names) doesn't help me. I like touching the stuff. It was a huge part of me going to Kuiu stuff. I have access to their store.

[mrbillbrown]

Some BassPro & Cabelas stores carry Sitka. I've had the best luck seeing it in person at Cabelas

[Screaming_btf]

For me I use the Sitka Core Long Sleeve shirts with the Ascent Jacket and Pants for a majority of the hunting time in early sept. I carry a Kelvin Lite Jacket and Jetstream Jacket as well for when it gets colder and at night when on the move. I like the core or merino gloves and core balaclava with a Hat for when I am getting close or calling in. I also pack their rain gear and Gators for damp weather. Works great for me. When I pack in I am using the Ascent Pants and Core Crew.

Good Luck.

[Jcberg26]

Used Sitka Ascent pants last year and absolutely loved them. I liked the roll up feature that turned them into shorts and the material is top notch. With that said, I ordered a pair of Kuiu Attack pants because I am a certified gear-aholic!

[pointysticks]

I want to try the Sitka pant. I love the attacks but half my hunts are in the thorny desert. I pulled hundred of fabric balls from my brand new pants. I'm wearing them now. Here is a pic of the knee. I don't know how many Arizona hunts these can handle. My shin area took the brunt of the desert hit.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1397060411.708742.jpg (161.31 KiB) Viewed 12591 times

[pointysticks]

This thread just jinxed me. Tore my pants going over a fence.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1397061104.364243.jpg (283.67 KiB) Viewed 12589 times

Haha. I was fetching a turkey and another was coming.