Sitka Incinerator jacket... does anybody here own one?

[Indian Summer]

Looking for feedback. I want something I can sit in for long periods when it's freezing out and the wind is howling. My concern is bulk. I hate a big bulky item that takes up too much space in my pack.

[VT Sasquatch]

I don't have experience with this coat but at 2 3/4 pounds and a GoreTex shell, I don't think it is designed to put in a pack. It does not look to be very compressible compared to a standard puffy. I would imagine it would be really nice for long sits though.

If you haven't looked at the Heater Body Suit or IWOM, they may be worth checking out. They are bulky but are warm once you get to your spot. I have the IWOM and it packs into itself and has a strap and clip to wear it in like a fanny pack.

[Indian Summer]

I have a Heater Body Suit and love it. But it is huge! Bulky as can be. I'm more concerned about bulk than weight. I'm no ultra light backpacker.... is 2.75 pounds a lot? Lol

Some things are worth the extra weight. Staying warm no matter what is priceless. But I don't like my pack bursting at the seams.

Tell me more about options when it comes to a "puffy".

[Brendan]

Tell me more about options when it comes to a "puffy".

Is this for cold weather Elk Hunting? Day-hunt gear? Backpacking?

The problem is, like everything else there are a TON of options - sort of depends on how you want to use it. If you have a rain or outer shell jacket with you already to block the wind, the idea is that when you stop - pop off your outer layer, put on the puffy as an insulating layer, and sometimes put your outer jacket back on over it to block wind. Convenient, lighter weight, smaller - but not going to be quite as warm as an Incinerator or Sanctuary I'd think.

For packing in and compressibility - a down insulating layer is hard to beat. You don't want to get down wet or it won't insulate as well, so it's best in colder temps where you're not worrying about it. Synthetic insulation is usually heavier and a little bulkier, but can keep you warm if it gets wet. Also easier to wash synthetic (good for whitetail hunting where you're more worried about smell).

There are mountaineering companies that sell options, as well as all the hunting companies. Sitka Kelvin. Kuiu Superdown. Kuiu Kenai. First Lite Uncompaghre. Kifaru Lost Park Parka. The tough part is finding the one that fits what you want to use it for best.

The great thing about a Sitka Incinerator or a First Lite Sanctuary - Waterproof, windproof, insulated all in one. I'd pick those for conditions where I wasn't hiking a lot, or very far. Or really sitting all day. I'd pick the puffy (and potentially puffy pants too) for situations where I was alternating between hiking and sitting and covering more ground, or backpacking.

Me - I'm considering the Kifaru Lost Park Parka at some point. Reported to be one of the warmest of the hunting company layers. Removable Hood. Durable, some wind blocking and DWR. Synthetic insulation so it'll keep you warm if you get wet. When I whitetail hunt I already have the Sitka Fanatic series with several insulation layers, and some older cabelas MT050 stuff - heavy but warm.

Another option - Kifaru Woobie or Doobie (Poncho Liner). Get where you're going, and wrap yourself in this to help block wind - basically a hunting emergency / insulating blanket...
https://store.kifaru.net/woobie-p72.aspx

Sorry - just looked back and rambled on through almost my entire cup of coffee for that one

[VT Sasquatch]

[quote][/quote]

I have pants insulated with Primaloft Silver Down and the fill is very light and compresses well (just like pure down as far as I can tell). I think the Incinerator Jacket looks awesome and really warm. My point was only that the Goretex, the liner and the brushed outer layer will be bulky. There is 7.1 ounces of fill (quite a bit of insulation) but the rest weighs over 2 pounds. I have a couple of the MT050 Whitetail Extreme parkas and I think the Incinerator serves a similar purpose (but in a better/nicer and lighter package, most likely). I can carry it in by cinching it inside the batwings on an Eberlestock X2.

If you are going to be hiking in a long way and wearing a soft or hard shell for the walk anyway, you would save weight and bulk by bring a compressible puffy and putting it on under your shell when you get to your spot. I have a lot of puffies (mostly synthetic). Puffies with 7.1 ounces of down insulation are hard to find in hunting gear though. I am in the market for one if I can find it. KUIU's SuperDown Puffy has less than 3 ounces of down I think.

If you could get this in camo, I would buy one: http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.ph ... 5&gen_cd=1

[Indian Summer]

I guess I should be clearer on what I want to use it for. As you all know mornings in elk country can be frigid. Especially during rifle seasons into the end of October. Mornings and evenings usually find me way up high where it's windy and I'm glassing so not necessarily in or near much cover. In other words the coldest spot on the mountain. On occasion I've built fires but I'd rather not. I want to be able to sit there getting pounded by nastiness for as long as I want with absolutely no chance of getting cold. As a secondary but still very important purpose I want to use it for late season bow hunting for whitetails in Pa. That means sitting in a stand 20 feet up starting and ending in the dark in frigid temps with the wind howling. As you know if you are shivering it becomes all but impossible to draw your bow and make a good shot. For that purpose weight isn't an issue at all. Like I said I just want the warmest freakin coat money can buy but I don't want it to be the same size as my entire pack when I'm not wearing it. On late season hunts rain usually isn't an issue but if it is that usually means snow early and late with a cold mid day rain. Yuk! On those days I want to know I'll be bulletproof when I wake up in my sleeping bag and wonder if I'm actually going to enjoy my day and be able to hunt hard early and late.

Thanks for the really good feedback guys I appreciate it.

[Brendan]

The conditions you're talking about are really what the Incinerator or Blizzard are designed for. If you get them big enough (Bibs too if you need them) you can layer a puffy underneath for really cold conditions. Sorry that doesn't help on the packed size though. The Blizzard Parka I think is more targeted at Western Hunters - Open Country camo instead of the Whitetail / Elevated. And I think the exterior isn't "Brushed" like the Incinerator? The incinerator probably has a pass through for your tree stand harness too.

One thing - I bowhunt right up through the end of December here too, and know from experience you might have "clearance" issues with your string and arm and potentially front of the jacket, whatever you choose you'll need to be careful.

Great review on Rokslide of the Blizzard:

http://www.rokslide.com/gear/clothing/3 ... ine-review

[Tigger]

My buddy has the Incinerator and raves about how warm it is. He uses it for Minnesota late season bow hunting...you are going to find much colder than that. However, "cold" is somewhat subjective. My wife thinks cold is below 70 degrees! I have a Sitka Kelvin puffy and holy moly, that thing rocks! I am a big fan of Primaloft. I would love to own an Incinerator. Maybe you should buy 2 and ship one to me and we can then see if we both like them. that is the best solution I can think of. Size XL.

[jmez]

No experience with the Sitka but I have a Kryptek Aegis Extreme coat which is a similar piece to the Incinerator. Based on that it should work pretty well for what you are looking for. The thing is stupid warm, low bulk and waterproof. I really don't use it that much as it is too warm to do anything other than sit in. If it is bad enough out that I feel I need it, I usually just stay home.

[Dr. Rx]

I think it's like a walking sleeping bag...plus it's 100% waterproof... I think... your better off making sure you have key layers like merino or heavy weight core, with kelvin insulation and use the jet stream jacket over that...

Kris

[Indian Summer]

I think it's like a walking sleeping bag...plus it's 100% waterproof... I think... your better off making sure you have key layers like merino or heavy weight core, with kelvin insulation and use the jet stream jacket over that...

Kris

I already use Sitka merino base layers, Kelvin mid layers and a Jetstream. I'm talking for weather way colder than that can handle. Like "dark side of the moon" cold!