Sitka review

[foxvalley]

I just recieved some new sitka products, including the kelvin lite hoody and pants, and the fanatic hoody.

The kelvin lite hoody and pants I plan on using as an insulating layer for long sits. As usual with sitka, they are well made, and might be overkill for my sept elk hunt, as this is very well insulated, and very,very lite,the main reason for trying this out. Packs down very small,but the fabric is noisy,not enough to alert game, but just enough to drive you crazy every time you move.However, I will take being warm over dealing with fabric noise if the game doesn't hear it.

The next piece is the fanatic hoody,this is a real cool piece of gear.Has the hooded sweatshirt feel,but made with way better material.It is thicker than what I was expecting,a bonus,and is going to be very warm, paired with my merino wool next to skin tops and bottoms.This fabric is totally silent, is cut "long" has a facemast built into the hoody that doubles as a neck gattor,has a built in kangaroo pocket( muff) and the real cool thing, it has flip over mittens!

I also have the first lite,heavy weight EXP tops and bottoms comming that I will review also,and I think with the merino next to skin,EXP,and the fanatic hoody,along with my 90% jacket(which is awesome) and assent pants,this should cover any long sits in the mtns.,and the kelvin gear as backup.

[foxvalley]

I also just recieved the first lite heavy weight merino EXP tops and bottoms. This is the heaviest merino I could find I believe 330 weight.
The top is long cut with thumb hole in the sleeves, and a half zip.This feels a lot like a sweater in the thickness and heft of it.Being wool, it is totally silent seems to breath very well,and this will keep me warm! The bottoms are very comfortable,same material,and feel good next to the skin.
IMO,this is some serious gear for staying warm,and will be in my pack all the time for when I need it for those long chilly sits.

[ElkNut1]

Doug, good stuff! I'm looking into their light weight rain gear, have you tried any or do you know what's waterproof & light weight for packing?

ElkNut1

[foxvalley]

Doug, good stuff! I'm looking into their light weight rain gear, have you tried any or do you know what's waterproof & light weight for packing?

ElkNut1

Hey Paul,

I haven't had a chance to try theirs,as I did find an awesome set of raingear at core 4.a couple years back, and they are awesome. Super lite weight,packable,breathable,taped seams,very quiet,pants zip all the way up, and I got mine in Mtn. Mimicry. Very easy to hunt out of this raingear in drizzle, etc. as it is that quiet.Not sure if they had a name,but made by core 4 element.

[ElkNut1]

Yes, it does a nice job & it's called the torrent rain gear from camofire! I was just looking into the Sitka rain gear for grins! I like their products too.

ElkNut1

[foxvalley]

Sorry Paul,I have nothing on the sitka rain gear. I'm sure someone can chime in the has a set of sitka rain gear.

However,as I am writing this the ups man just left me a new sitka insinerator muff, and the traverse liner gloves. The gloves are a little thicker than my old sitka liners,but I can tell these will be warmer,and also have the sticky stuff on the fingers and palms.I am able to write this with them on,they are a real nice snug fit.
The muff, well, its for really cold weather,it has the windstop in it,and will work awesome in the nasty stuff.
I think i'm going to order a second set of these gloves, they are nice!

[ElkNut1]

No problem bud, I'll get some insight here shortly! I do have the same gloves & yes they are very nice! Thanks!

ElkNut1

[Chukarhunter]

Yes, it does a nice job & it's called the torrent rain gear from camofire! I was just looking into the Sitka rain gear for grins! I like their products too.

ElkNut1

Camofire has the torrent jacket on sale now...size medium is all they have left, in a couple of patterns.
http://www.camofire.com/index.php/Deals/6

[Csrbowhunter]

No problem bud, I'll get some insight here shortly! I do have the same gloves & yes they are very nice! Thanks!

ElkNut1

Paul,
I have the Sitka dew point rain gear. I love it! When I was in NM last year it rained all day for 5 days straight. The two guys I was hunting with had rain gear but not Sitka. They were wet everyday we got back to camp and I was bone dry. Both said they would have it for this year. The only thing I didn't like is it was loud when dry so I don't wear it if it's not raining. It packs up easy, small and light. It's worth it's weight in gold!!! Sitka knows that and you pay for it. lol For me I'm just used to whitetail rain gear where it has a soft shell over the gortex so it's quiet. Once you have to wear it for heavy rain and you don't get wet Trust me you'll love it!