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.

 

[robby denning]

Every time I wear a vest, I like it. but for whatever reason, own very few.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I love the use as in the performance, I hate the length(short) and pocket depth(way shallow) .

I own the original release in blk though, not sure if it’s change in last year or 2, as I think mine is 2 years old?

 

[mtwarden]

I love the use as in the performance, I hate the length(short) and pocket depth(way shallow) .

I own the original release in blk though, not sure if it’s change in last year or 2, as I think mine is 2 years old?

They may have changed. Not sure what size yours is, but if happens to be a Large, my (pretty new) vest measured 29" down the center back which is in line with my other jackets and even with a long torso, thought it was just right.

Pockets could be maybe a little deeper, but I didn't find them too bad. Mostly use mine for gloves which fit fine (and there zipped too)

 

[cuerro viejo]

They may have changed. Not sure what size yours is, but if happens to be a Large, my (pretty new) vest measured 29" down the center back which is in line with my other jackets and even with a long torso, thought it was just right.

Pockets could be maybe a little deeper, but I didn't find them too bad. Mostly use mine for gloves which fit fine (and there zipped too)

Now you have me looking for a tape measure

 

[cuerro viejo]

Now you have me looking for a tape measure

Alright mines, XL and 29” from collar seam to bottom, but seems to ride up because of the elastic at bottom

The pocket size isn’t bad, I think is because the zipper goes all the way down, and there isn’t much of a catch for say, as in to “catch” things when pocket is unzipped, I would also move zipper out to where pocket starts has it has about inch access which makes opening bigger but more prone to fall out and shallower

So to make it perfect I’d add few inches to tail and modify bottom elastic to adjustable. I’d bring zipper bottom up so the pocket has more catch in it so things don’t fall out when open.


In use it probably the best active vest out there, I got blk so I can wear casual too. I rotate between it and Kuiu Keni. Keni is warmer but Ambient has better temp range

 

[cuerro viejo]

Alright mines, XL and 29” from collar seam to bottom, but seems to ride up because of the elastic at bottom

The pocket size isn’t bad, I think is because the zipper goes all the way down, and there isn’t much of a catch for say, as in to “catch” things when pocket is unzipped, I would also move zipper out to where pocket starts has it has about inch access which makes opening bigger but more prone to fall out and shallower

So to make it perfect I’d add few inches to tail and modify bottom elastic to adjustable. I’d bring zipper bottom up so the pocket has more catch in it so things don’t fall out when open.


In use it probably the best active vest out there, I got blk so I can wear casual too. I rotate between it and Kuiu Keni. Keni is warmer but Ambient has better temp range

Ok I measured the keni pocket- it’s 8x10 with a 3” catch. Keni back tail is 30” from collar seam to bottom, with adjustable hem.

Ambeint pocket goes from 5(wide deep)x10(tall)(top) to 7(wide deep)x10 (tall)(bottom) and only has a 1” catch.

 

[Fritz D]

Every time I wear a vest, I like it. but for whatever reason, own very few.

So you are saying that you don’t have a vested interest in this thread?

 

[BoilerBowHunter]

I have had the Arrowhead version of this vest for two years now. I mainly use it for running. My use case is temps below 30. I typically wear a Sitka core lightweight, a Patagonia R1 fleece, and then the vest over the top. It’s proven to be a fantastic combo in the sub freezing range for very active activities.

 

[Swamppirate]

This would be a great piece to layer under the Jetstream.