Help needed with Whitetail Bowhunting Outer Layer (Alternative to Fanatic)

[Primal-Understanding]

After a successful whitetail season bowhunting thus far, I am thinking through how to improve my hunting apparel arsenal. My layering system this year went as follows:

• Stone Glacier LS Merino
• Sitka Midweight Grid Fleece
• Stone Glacier Zenith Fleece Jacket
• Stika Jetstream Jacket

Now when it came time to actually throw the Jetstream on I realized how LOUD it was and I literally took it off and dropped it out of the stand. When temps got below 40 with wind I was pretty damn cold when only layered up to the Zenith Fleece Jacket. I am looking for a jacket to either replace just the Jetstream Jacket or replace both the Zenith Fleece Jacket and the Jetstream Jacket. I considered the Fanatic lineup from Sitka, but realistically it's just out of the budget for now.

Does anyone have any idea to help fill the void in my lineup - maybe a good budget berber fleece product with some wind protection?

(Picture just for fun - 2024 Buck)

 

[Bowtechassassin]

First lite solitude with them on sale right now would be a good option. I'd look for something that definitely has windstopper in it though. You have a good base to start on but the windstopper makes a big improvement.

 

[Primal-Understanding]

First lite solitude with them on sale right now would be a good option. I'd look for something that definitely has windstopper in it though. You have a good base to start on but the windstopper makes a big improvement.

Thank you, Ill check out the solitude. Have you used it?

Yeah I had the Jetstream for the windstopper, but thats a no go for bow hunting.


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[Bowtechassassin]

I've got the original and I wear it down to single digits. I've built a layering system that works for me everybody is different. The new ones suppose to have windstopper in them. My favorite wind jacket is the old sitka mountain jacket a lot of guys hated it cause it didn't have a hood but for whitetail it's perfect for me.

 

[98XJRC]

I have the Kryptek Njord. Extremely warm jacket. Stops the wind but not something I want to be doing a lot of hiking around in due to overheating. The pit zips help but not enough with high output. My only gripe is that there is no hood, but that’s what the base, mid, and winter cap are for. I’m considering their Vellus jacket for my son, but haven’t pulled the trigger on it.

The fleece is super quiet and great for bow hunting imo. Price particularly right now is hard to beat.

 

[Gwchem]

I bought the element squall jacket for this purpose. It's a good, quiet outer layer, shaped like the fanatic, but not super insulated. Roomy enough to wear over a puffy. It's wind proof, but haven't tested it in hard rain yet. Very happy with it, and the jacket and bibs were only about $200.

 

[MannyMedeiros21]

So I have bow hunted into the low 20s this year. This is my first season with a nice set of camo, and what a difference in comfort and warmth this season.
Base layer: Kuiu Ultra Merino 145 L
Mid layer : Kuiu Pro Merino 200 L
Mid layer: kuiu Pro Merino 200 XL
Mid layer: Super down LT Vest
Mid Layer: Kuiu Full Zip strong fleece hoodie 275
Outer layer: Encounter jacket
Outer layer: Proximity jacket
Base layer Pant: Encounter Fleece bottom 290
Outer layer Pant: Encounter Pant
Outer layer Pant: Proximity Pant

I would obviously layer as needed depending on the temp, but can say I have never got cold all season.

The encounter and proximity line is wind and water resistant which is huge.


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[Primal-Understanding]

So I have bow hunted into the low 20s this year. This is my first season with a nice set of camo, and what a difference in comfort and warmth this season.
Base layer: Kuiu Ultra Merino 145 L
Mid layer : Kuiu Pro Merino 200 L
Mid layer: kuiu Pro Merino 200 XL
Mid layer: Super down LT Vest
Mid Layer: Kuiu Full Zip strong fleece hoodie 275
Outer layer: Encounter jacket
Outer layer: Proximity jacket
Base layer Pant: Encounter Fleece bottom 290
Outer layer Pant: Encounter Pant
Outer layer Pant: Proximity Pant

I would obviously layer as needed depending on the temp, but can say I have never got cold all season.

The encounter and proximity line is wind and water resistant which is huge.


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Kuiu’s whitetail line has caught my eye. Part of the reason I havent gotten anything from Sitka’s whitetail lineup is I can stand the camo pattern. Im sure it works in a tree but Im not that specialized.

Im curious, did you go with the Valo?

Also have you had problems with getting stickers on anything and not being able to get em off.


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[MannyMedeiros21]

Kuiu’s whitetail line has caught my eye. Part of the reason I havent gotten anything from Sitka’s whitetail lineup is I can stand the camo pattern. Im sure it works in a tree but Im not that specialized.

Im curious, did you go with the Valo?

Also have you had problems with getting stickers on anything and not being able to get em off.


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I went with Valo. I feel like it’s a great color pattern for the whitetail woods. I haven’t had any issues with stickers or burrs with any of kuiu’s camo


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[Buckhead]

Sitka Stratus is quieter than the Jetstream, warmer also. Especially paired with the Stratus bibs.

That said, I also have the Solitude jacket/bibs and the Fanatic set. Bought the Fanatic set first, but haven’t used it in a couple years. Not really cold enough in N Georgia.

I do use the Solitude when temps dip into the mid 20’s. Definitely warmer than the Stratus set. Would probably break out the Fanatic if single digits were in the forecast.

 

[HoosierHunter07]

Hopefully the OP made his decision in time as it looks like the solitude is sold out. I've ran the original solitude bibs and jacket since 2020 I think. I was debating between the new solitude and sitka fanatic after a few windy days this season. I went with the solitude mainly due to the exterior fabric. I think I spend too much time on the ground for the fleece exterior of the fanatic. The solitude has held up well and doesn't pick up a bunch of stickers and doesn't cake with mud. The zipper on the fanatic looks weird too. I like to be able to unzip my jacket from the bottom as needed to adjust layers and such.

All that being said, I've never handled a piece of Sitka gear, so take my opinion for what it's worth.

 

[Mountain_Life]

I'm not sure how cold it gets where you hunt or how much you want to spend, but the warmest jacket on the market with a fleece face is the Kuiu Down Haven jacket. It's a down baffle jacket with a fleece face for stealth. Has some well thought out pockets and features as well.

I wore mine this season down into the teens regularly for 4+ hour sits. Underneath I wore a short sleeve T with a thin fleece jacket. You don't want to hike in it though, it's way to warm for that.

 

[Skerhunter]

After a successful whitetail season bowhunting thus far, I am thinking through how to improve my hunting apparel arsenal. My layering system this year went as follows:

• Stone Glacier LS Merino
• Sitka Midweight Grid Fleece
• Stone Glacier Zenith Fleece Jacket
• Stika Jetstream Jacket

Now when it came time to actually throw the Jetstream on I realized how LOUD it was and I literally took it off and dropped it out of the stand. When temps got below 40 with wind I was pretty damn cold when only layered up to the Zenith Fleece Jacket. I am looking for a jacket to either replace just the Jetstream Jacket or replace both the Zenith Fleece Jacket and the Jetstream Jacket. I considered the Fanatic lineup from Sitka, but realistically it's just out of the budget for now.

Does anyone have any idea to help fill the void in my lineup - maybe a good budget berber fleece product with some wind protection?

(Picture just for fun - 2024 Buck)
View attachment 797686

FYI this was the warmest deer season I can remember, so I wouldn’t plan for these exact conditions in the future.

I have tried various insulating layers and windstopper layers over the years. You simply can’t replicate what the Sitka fanatic or similar coat does. They are quiet, block 100% of the wind, and remove the need for wearing a bunch of layers, but cost a lot. By the time you spend the money on a crazy layering system you could pay for a fanatic jacket.

The heater body suits are another option that allow you to dress light, but stay warm in the stand. I haven’t used one but know people who swear by them.

 

[Primal-Understanding]

I'm not sure how cold it gets where you hunt or how much you want to spend, but the warmest jacket on the market with a fleece face is the Kuiu Down Haven jacket. It's a down baffle jacket with a fleece face for stealth. Has some well thought out pockets and features as well.

I wore mine this season down into the teens regularly for 4+ hour sits. Underneath I wore a short sleeve T with a thin fleece jacket. You don't want to hike in it though, it's way to warm for that.

I live in Nebraska so our bow season runs through December but my kit will likely get most of its use during the month of November. December is muzzleloader season here so having noisier outer layers wouldnt be too much a negative.

Ive been looking at the Proximity set from Kuiu. Seems like it would handle the temps/ weather Id be hunting but have heard some guys say the windstopper doesnt work very well. I think that Super Down Haven would be nice to have for December around here.


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[Primal-Understanding]

FYI this was the warmest deer season I can remember, so I wouldn’t plan for these exact conditions in the future.

I have tried various insulating layers and windstopper layers over the years. You simply can’t replicate what the Sitka fanatic or similar coat does. They are quiet, block 100% of the wind, and remove the need for wearing a bunch of layers, but cost a lot. By the time you spend the money on a crazy layering system you could pay for a fanatic jacket.

The heater body suits are another option that allow you to dress light, but stay warm in the stand. I haven’t used one but know people who swear by them.

I take it you live in Nebraska. It has been a warm season. Only mild cold fronts October into mid November.

Im still considering the fanatic set but the pattern is a turn off for me. Im sure it works well when elevated but wouldnt want to wear it in any other capacity while a tan/ green/ brown camo could be worn for other pursuits. Im torn because I would likely only use it static but not necessarily only for elevated.


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[Mountain_Life]

I have tried various insulating layers and windstopper layers over the years. You simply can’t replicate what the Sitka fanatic or similar coat does. They are quiet, block 100% of the wind, and remove the need for wearing a bunch of layers, but cost a lot. By the time you spend the money on a crazy layering system you could pay for a fanatic jacket.

Agree with this. Also, too many sleeves suck!

 

[Skerhunter]

I take it you live in Nebraska. It has been a warm season. Only mild cold fronts October into mid November.

Im still considering the fanatic set but the pattern is a turn off for me. Im sure it works well when elevated but wouldnt want to wear it in any other capacity while a tan/ green/ brown camo could be worn for other pursuits. Im torn because I would likely only use it static but not necessarily only for elevated.


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Yes I am from Nebraska and this year was tropical!

The camo pattern is dumb but it’s not going to cost you an animal. It’s super quiet, warm, and still breaks up your outline.

You definitely won’t be actively hunting in it - I carry mine into my stands/blinds so I don’t over heat.