Sitka Ambient active insulation

[Wapiti151]

Just saw the launch email and checked it out on their website. Seems like a really nice piece, I like how they added some solids and added sleeves to the hoody. Still no hood on the jacket though, and wish they came out with more solids in the jacket.

What are everyone’s thoughts? I like the jacket, but think my nano air is going to be every bit as good.

 

[Steve O]

I was at the Michigan Total Archery Challenge this weekend. Sitka had a booth and a couple samples of the Ambient. The hoody looks and feels like the Kelvin Active Hoody (with sleeves). I wore it for a while Sunday morning. It is definitely warmer than the KAH and felt like the same breathability. I will definitely have one asap. The jacket has 150g of insulation vs 100g on the hoody and also has a lining in it. Very similar in all ways to the Kelvin Active Jacket but warmer. Looks like another winner to me.

 

[Jwalmsley27]

Another solid design, but I don't think it's going to be enough of a game changer to make me add it to my rack personally. Plus I tend to run warmer than most anyway so the added insulation does me no good lol

 

[mtwarden]

Primaloft Evolve from a picture, looks very similar to Polartec Alpha Direct- no real need for a liner- you can just line it with the insulation. If it moves moisture as well as Direct, should be a solid piece.

The Nano Air Light uses a 40 g/m2 Alpha insulation so for very high aerobic activities it's going to do better than heavier insulations.

 

[Steve O]

 

[TheBootBowhunting]

 

[dank]

Be interested to see how this compares to just about every other companies high loft fleece type pieces. I’m thinking Patagonia R4, mountain hardwear monkey fleece, etc… seems like kind of a ridiculous hype train for fleece. I’d love to be proven wrong however.

 

[dank]

Personally, I love the core heavyweight for “active insulation”. Arguably my favorite piece of any system. Referring to the video, I’ve never felt like I needed more durability from the heavyweight hoody lol.. I can see some weather resistance but the price tag just seems silly!! Albeit, not surprising.

 

[Wapiti151]

Personally, I love the core heavyweight for “active insulation”. Arguably my favorite piece of any system. Referring to the video, I’ve never felt like I needed more durability from the heavyweight hoody lol.. I can see some weather resistance but the price tag just seems silly!! Albeit, not surprising.

I agree, the heavyweight is a bomb proof piece and one of my favorites as well. Interested how you use it in your system though when the temps get really cold, say highs in the 20s or so and you are active. Is it still your sole active insulation/midlayer piece for moving?

For 30s-40s temps, I'll use the heavyweight as my stand alone mid/active insulation over a LW core and then ill put a jetstream and/or a puffy over that for sits. But, when it dips into the 20s or below i will hike with a merino LW base, sitka heavy hoodie and my patagonia nano-air (this ambient piece would fit here too, or kelvin active pieces, etc). When I am static, i will then throw on a jetstream and a heavy puffy (kelvin lite or WS hoodie) over it all. What's your system look like for moderate temps compared to cold temps as it relates to the heavyweight hoodie and your mid layers?
Genuinely interested, the HW hoodie is one of the most versatile pieces in my opinion...always looking for new ideas.

 

[dank]

I personally keep it super simple. Some sort of performance T shirt, core heavyweight, high quality down puffy and rain shell.

Even in those lower temps if I'm working hard or going up hill I will be okay in just T and heavyweight. If I'm moving slower (still hunting or something) or going downhill I will run the heavyweight & puffy or heavyweight & rain shell if it's wind that's getting me. Sometimes I have a sitka jetstream vest that I will run in between these scenarios but it usually just gets in the way.

When I move slow I don't usually overheat with puffy.

It's not that I don't think an extra "active insulation" piece would come in handy I am just usually very weight conscious and don't consider it essential.

 

[StopMakingSense]

I would say that's simple and what most do or should do.

Base Layer (Core LW) > Mid Layer (Ambient) > Static Insulation (Seasonal dependant) > Shell (Seasonal/Location dependant)

Any hunt I'm on this is how I layer my top. Instead of the HW Hoody I'm going with the Ambient Hoody now at less weight. I hope it works out for me, August sheep to February goat will tell.

It's a more versatile piece than the HW Hoody IMO, but the versatility comes at a price. The Kelvin Active was great but didn't transport heat as well as the HW Hoody nor did it have a hood. It did have better wind resistance which was a moot point for me as I'll run a wind stopper.

 

[dank]

I would say that's simple and what most do or should do.

Base Layer (Core LW) > Mid Layer (Ambient) > Static Insulation (Seasonal dependant) > Shell (Seasonal/Location dependant)

Any hunt I'm on this is how I layer my top. Instead of the HW Hoody I'm going with the Ambient Hoody now at less weight. I hope it works out for me, August sheep to February goat will tell.

It's a more versatile piece than the HW Hoody IMO, but the versatility comes at a price. The Kelvin Active was great but didn't transport heat as well as the HW Hoody nor did it have a hood. It did have better wind resistance which was a moot point for me as I'll run a wind stopper.

Ya I think if I were to implement the ambient it would be in lieu of the core hw. I’ll definitely take weight savings with marginally warm fleece but I just would like to see these fancy “active insulation” pieces priced in the realm of fleece… instead you see marketing teeter the line hinting that these can handle full blown insulation duties and therefore price them as such. Regardless, sounds like your system will be sound!

 

[StopMakingSense]

Yeah, I really hope people don't think this will serve as your insulation layer. You will be cold AF on a ridge glassing in September if that's what you need it for.

For me, I find fleece usually just didn't breathe as well. Excited to try this one, might be my new uphill ski touring jacket. When out with friends we're constantly moving but always stopping and going depending on terrain hazards, transitions, etc..

 

[rideold]

I'm interested but I like the hood on my old Kelvin jacket (the generation with the stretch panel on the sides). I've been wanting to replace that because I get cold spots while glassing from the thinner sides. If the jacket had a hood like the women's version I'd be sold. I've got my 3rd season clothing dialed. Wool t-shirt, core heavy weight zip, Kelvin jacket and a hard shell. That takes me through anything 3rd season has ever thrown at me. I keep a vest on hand if it gets really cold.

 

[h2so4]

I'd like to continue in the rokslide tradition of passing judgement on new products before I touch them... this does not get me excited. its not made in the usa. I've never owner sitka and I think other stuff can be just at good or better.

PEOPLE- please read the sarcasm as intended.

 

[Wapiti151]

Yeah I have decided to keep running my current kelvin active hoody (sleeveless) for moderate temp hunts in lieu of the core HW, and when the temps look to be really cold I will transition to my Patagonia Nano-air w/hood in addition to core HW. That nano-air is hard to beat. If reviews are good on the Ambient line, i will eventually transition from the nano-air. Hopefully by then they will have a better lineup of solids in the jacket.

@rideold if you really need a new piece with a hood and you don't care about camo...I'd definitely look at the nano-air. IMO, it is not as versatile as the old nano-air lite...but it is still a great piece.

 

[TheBootBowhunting]

I ended up ordering the hoody yesterday at 10am, and it just arrived. Pretty quick turnaround time, and I just used regular ground shipping.

As far as fit, I am between l and xl on most Sitka pieces, and order up on mid layers and above. I ordered this in xl and it’s a slightly more generous fit than the KAJ and KAH. I wouldn’t go down to large though. I’d say this has more length than normal. Sitka usually is cut pretty short on length, but this one is more of a standard clothing xl length. Longer than both the kaj and kah for sure.

The outer material definitely has more stretch than the kah and kaj. Won’t be able to tell how it performs for awhile as it’s 148 degrees in LA, but looks like it has some potential. Could’ve used the kangaroo pouch though.

 

[Wapiti151]

I ended up ordering the hoody yesterday at 10am, and it just arrived. Pretty quick turnaround time, and I just used regular ground shipping.

As far as fit, I am between l and xl on most Sitka pieces, and order up on mid layers and above. I ordered this in xl and it’s a slightly more generous fit than the KAJ and KAH. I wouldn’t go down to large though. I’d say this has more length than normal. Sitka usually is cut pretty short on length, but this one is more of a standard clothing xl length. Longer than both the kaj and kah for sure.

The outer material definitely has more stretch than the kah and kaj. Won’t be able to tell how it performs for awhile as it’s 148 degrees in LA, but looks like it has some potential. Could’ve used the kangaroo pouch though.

excited to hear how it performs!!

 

[sneaky]

One day they'll figure out how to put a hood on their jackets like this. Imagine, a jacket with a hood AND sleeves

 

[strattonje2020]

So I got the jacket and hoody today.

The jacket is noticeably heavier than the hoody. I’m not saying they claim either to be a brush buster but neither face fabric is what I would consider durable.

The insulation is very comfortable and I’m interested in trying to sweat on it. I would think the insulation which feels like a soft shag carpet would cling on to more fluid and retain it.

Can’t really test these as I sweat my balls off in a tshirt and shorts already lol.

The fit is good bascally same as the jet-stream of similar size.