Review of the Sitka Ambient 100 vest

[mtwarden]

I have to admit I was never much of a vest guy (I had a Filson vest I wore a lot but that was more for style than function). I've been using the Ambient vest quite a bit the last couple of months and have changed my mind on vests Won't be ditching any of my active insulation jackets, but I think there is definitely a niche that an active vest can fill very nicely.

Sitka Ambient 100 Vest Review

 

[thegrouse]

I am looking forward to it. I have a down vest and I find it is pretty useful. I have been looking for a synthetic to keep in my ski backpack for active wear.

 

[Fritz D]

Looking forward to it. I’ve one I haven’t even had a chance to wear outdoors yet?

 

[doverpack12]

I haven’t found the right application for mine yet. Will be interested to hear how you are using it in your system

 

[K_pem]

Spoiler alert: like the rest of the Ambient line, it’s pretty awesome.

Bought mine in September and wore it all the way through October into late rifle. Then I switched to my Ambient 100 hooded jacket.

It’s definitely a new staple in my early season kit and a great combo with the UL75 that offers more versatility than the 100 alone.

 

[Justin Crossley]

@mtwarden's review is live on the homepage. This looks like another excellent insulation piece from Sitka.

Sitka Ambient 100 Vest Review

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks for the review. I've been looking for something other than my down vest. The down is warm, but not breathable. I love my Ambient jacket and hoody. Guess I better watch for sales!

 

[Speaks]

I love a good vest, my arms are always hot. I am generally more comfortable in a t-shirt and a good vest than in a jacket. I ordered a sitka calvin vest this year and still have kind of mixed feelings about it. Have been toying with either one of these or the duckworth vest.

 

[mtwarden]

Thanks Justin!

One more data point. Got to use the vest under a rain jacket recently (rain and wet snow). The jacket has pit zips and the vest certainly has a huge advantage over a jacket when trying to dump heat (via pit zips).

 

[thegrouse]

Nice review, my use case for a vest is a 2nd mid layer. On ski days when it is colder than zero I put it over my fleece. Even with the down vest the lack of sleeves allows me to breath well. I have considered just a vest in lieu of a puffy jacket on fall hunts. I also walk with it sometimes in the hills and it breathes well

 

[wyosteve]

Fwiw, I found some on sale at Eurooptic and Midway. Got one from Midway since they had my size.