Santuary v Solitude

[KoolBreeze]

I'm a Southeastern stand hunter, where the only walking I usually do is in/out to the stand and scouting. I picked up a Woodbury jacket last year when they went on close out and absolutely love it. Just about perfect for my needs. I used it from 40ish down into the teens last year by just adding a midlayer fleece over my 200 gram Merino baselayers.

I'm looking to add a bib to compliment the Woodbury this year and I'm torn between the Santuary and new Solitude. I have a MidwayUSA Mckenzie Extreme bib that has 200 gsm of Primaloft in the body and 100 in the legs that I've had for a couple seasons. It's warm but I rarely use it until the temps dip into the mid-20s and below, due to the bulk and a few other things I dislike about it. The decision would be easier if I could run down to the local outfitter and get hands on them but I can't. So I'm left wandering if the less bulky Solitude is the better option for me or the warmer, bulkier Santuary is the ticket. I'm also a big guy and from I've read the Santuary bib runs really small. Is the same true on the Solitude?

I'm also tempted to wait until First Lite runs their Black Friday sale, but not sure the newer pieces like the Solitude will be included in that or not.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

The solitude and sanctuary are routinely sold out. They aren’t expecting stock in cipher until a couple more weeks if I remember right. I doubt they will go on sale with how much demand there is for them. Maybe though.

I have the sanctuary for northern Minnesota where is supposed to be 15-0 degrees for the week of whitetail season next week. I’ve been wearing it out scouting and it’s been in the teens and 20s with 10-15 mph of wind. It’s insanely warm. Like if you don’t like being warm do not buy it warm lol. I love being warm and it’s the best jacket and bibs I’ve ever owned by far. I wear them with their furnace long johns top and bottoms and a vest and that’s it. When the wind picks up I have their tundra balaclava and it’s a life saver on the snot and wind tears not freezing to my face.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I hunt NY / PA in about the same temps. Occasionally colder. I had the Woodbury coat and sanctuary bibs. Sold the bibs and went solitude. It was just not cold enough to justify the bulk. I plan to go heavyweight base layer and even put on puffy pants underneath to stretch the temp range out.

FYI - the Solitude bibs have a slightly slimmer but overall better fit than the sanctuary IMO. I ended up one size although I did so in order to be able to get enough room to pack the bibs to my hunting site and put them on before a sit.

 

[KoolBreeze]

Hearing the Solitude is slimmer is not encouraging since there are numerous complaints about the Santuary running small. My Woodbury is 2X and is just about right on me. I’d be caring the bibs to the stand and putting them over a base layer and pants, so I need them to be a little big not snug.

 

[Troyboy]

First Lite has a chat on their website that is helpful for size questions and which one to go with. I bought the sanctuary bibs for bow hunting in Iowa and have been very happy with them for stand hunting below 30 deg. I think they would be too warm to walk with any distance.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Hearing the Solitude is slimmer is not encouraging since there are numerous complaints about the Santuary running small. My Woodbury is 2X and is just about right on me. I’d be caring the bibs to the stand and putting them over a base layer and pants, so I need them to be a little big not snug.

I’m 6’1” 210 lbs. Athletic build but a little soft around the edges these days. The Large fits perfect over layers.

 

[Desk Jockey]

So I hunted mine today. Temps were 21 at first light up to 30 by mid AM.

Had on a mid weight base layer bottom, guide pants and the bib. Up top I had a base layer, halstead fleece and catalyst jacket under the solitude jacket. I hiked in and out them on at the stand. I was toasty with a pair of hand warmers in the front pockets for 3 hours.

They worked great and glad I sized up to wear them over other pieces.

 

[deerhunt1988]

I'm also a southeastern stand hunter who purchased a Woodbury last year and loved it. Like you, I wanted a comparable pair of bibs so bought the Solitude. Got to test for the first time this morning.

Temperature: 25 degrees
~3/4 mile walk in with climber on back - (Jacket, bibs,backpack attached to climber)
I wore heavy merino baselayers (First Lite Furnace) with a fleece pullover and Kuiu Attack bottoms. Put Woodbuy and Solitude bibs on right before I climbed up.

Results: With just the 3 total layers, I was comfortable all morning long. VERY pleased with the bibs. My last set of bibs (Drake brand) were mulch bulkier and noiser. I like the more 'fitted' style of the Solitude and the material is very quite. The pocket layout is nice, kept a grunt call in the thigh pocket.

The Woodbury + Solitude combo can definitely keep me comfortable in any conditions I'll face here in Mississippi. If it gets 'really cold' (temperature in teens with wind), I'd throw on a heavier mid-layer up top and probably put on a pair of lighter weight merino thermals (First Lite Fuse) on bottom.

 

[KoolBreeze]

Great info guys, thanks! I believe I'll try a set of the solitude bibs.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I have 3 days in my solitude set now. Temps were lows of 21*, 31* and 37*. The solitude was great at 21* with some mid level base layers and a halstead fleece under my guide pants and catalyst jacket. At 31* I was pulling off my hat and unzipping the jacket to vent heat. At 37* I opted for the jacket only and was a little chilled until the sun came up.

Overall very please so far with fit and function. Temp range from 20-40 is what I was looking to fill and it seems like these bibs and jackets nail it.

I haven’t worn them in high wind or any rain yet so still some questions to be answered but very pleased so far.

 

[KoolBreeze]

That's great, thanks. That is the temp range I'm looking to fill also. I've always added bibs as the last layer after my outside jacket would no longer cut it alone. Still under the jacket, but only after the jacket isn't enough, if you know what I mean. But maybe I've been doing that all wrong. It appears from what I've saw and read with these, the intention is to add the bibs before the outer jacket/coat is needed, then add the jacket after just the bibs isn't enough.

Anyway, I just pulled the trigger on a pair of the bibs to go with my Woodbury. Can't wait to give them a try.

 

[KoolBreeze]

Bibs came today and they appear to be just what I was looking for. Not too heavy, not to light, just about right. Can't wait to try them out.

 

[WannabeHunter]

Just the thread I've been looking for.

I guess I get colder than the average bear. The only thing I'm missing is the heavywt base.

Would you say the furnace baselayers are the key to getting the solitude to the below freezing mark?

 

[KoolBreeze]

Tried out my Solitude bibs for the first time in the field this morning. It was 34 degrees when I climbed up, with a calm wind. I had a 250 Smartwool base layer top & bottom, a pair of Browning HCS Javelin pants, a FL Klamath, and the bibs. My body core and legs stayed toasty for the duration of the 3 hour sit. My arms did get a slight chill until the sun hit me and I almost broke the Woodbury but ended not needing it.

I may have to adjust my layers slightly but I'm thinking adding the Woodbury will get me to 20 without any issue.

I'm really liking the full length leg zippers on the Solitude. Very nice feature. I also love the large zipper pocket on the chest. I can see where the kangaroo pouch would be great with the solitude jacket but it's not very warm alone. They also roll up in a nice tight package for strapping to the bottom of my pack.