Sitka Ambient UL 60 Hoody Review

[mtwarden]

Yeah they're going to be very (very) close

 

[Hi-liner]

Yeah they're going to be very (very) close

Last question, but have you had durability issues with either your ambient or mdwi? I know not to wear one while busting thick brush, but I've seen a lot of people say that they’ll get ripped/damaged from wearing a heavy pack.

You seem like you get to use your gear hiking & hunting more than most, so I’d love to hear how yours are holding up.

 

[Grady.J]

How do you feel these compare to a windshirt/alpha hoodie two piece set up? I just picked up a BD alpine start for a decent price based on your recommendation, and am on the lookout for an alpha hoodie to pair with it, probably the farpoint 60gm when it comes back in stock. Looking forward to the versatility of a two piece, but not sure if it'll be more hassle than it's worth?

 

[mtwarden]

Last question, but have you had durability issues with either your ambient or mdwi? I know not to wear one while busting thick brush, but I've seen a lot of people say that they’ll get ripped/damaged from wearing a heavy pack.

You seem like you get to use your gear hiking & hunting more than most, so I’d love to hear how yours are holding up.

No durability issues w/ either; you can expect some minor piling under the shoulder straps- but it's minor and no way effects performance at all

How do you feel these compare to a windshirt/alpha hoodie two piece set up? I just picked up a BD alpine start for a decent price based on your recommendation, and am on the lookout for an alpha hoodie to pair with it, probably the farpoint 60gm when it comes back in stock. Looking forward to the versatility of a two piece, but not sure if it'll be more hassle than it's worth?

It's the only to fly IMHO

These breathable mid-layers (including the "non-naked ones" like the Ambient) do great on the move, but they offer little resistance to wind (or light precip for that matter), so having a wind layer to go over them when needed is almost mandatory. Even more so w/ "naked" Alpha. The "naked" versions are also a lot more prone to snagging, so again another place where the wind layer can help.

 

[Hi-liner]

No durability issues w/ either; you can expect some minor piling under the shoulder straps- but it's minor and no way effects performance at all



It's the only to fly IMHO

These breathable mid-layers (including the "non-naked ones" like the Ambient) do great on the move, but they offer little resistance to wind (or light precip for that matter), so having a wind layer to go over them when needed is almost mandatory. Even more so w/ "naked" Alpha. The "naked" versions are also a lot more prone to snagging, so again another place where the wind layer can help.

That’s great to hear regarding the durability. Thanks for all of your help and responses!

 

[bojangles808]

After a week in Canada this summer and whittail hunting in the south in January I sold my 100 I liked my ul 60 more. For the extra weight of the 100 I didn't think it was that much warmer.iirc the 100 was 5 oz heavier in an xl (10 vs 15 oz)

 

[Hi-liner]

After a week in Canada this summer and whittail hunting in the south in January I sold my 100 I liked my ul 60 more. For the extra weight of the 100 I didn't think it was that much warmer.iirc the 100 was 5 oz heavier in an xl (10 vs 15 oz)

Sounds like the ambient jackets (either the original 150 weight or the new 200) would be best for whitetail or even slower paced turkey hunting.

Depending on how much I like the 75, I might get the 200 to use for late season elk here in MT. I have to make sure my wife doesn’t get too angry about all of these fancy new clothes or she might bury me in them.

 

[Grady.J]

It's the only to fly IMHO

These breathable mid-layers (including the "non-naked ones" like the Ambient) do great on the move, but they offer little resistance to wind (or light precip for that matter), so having a wind layer to go over them when needed is almost mandatory. Even more so w/ "naked" Alpha. The "naked" versions are also a lot more prone to snagging, so again another place where the wind layer can help.

Excellent, thanks! I run pretty hot so I'd been thinking about a windshirt for early morning cold hikes with just a baselayer, but being able to ditch the grid fleece and combo it with a lightweight alpha layer when necessary seems pretty primo.

 

[mtwarden]

Yeah it gives you several different options

just base layer
base layer + windshirt
base layer + active mid-layer
base layer + active mid-layer + windshirt

 

[Carrot Farmer]

Excellent, thanks! I run pretty hot so I'd been thinking about a windshirt for early morning cold hikes with just a baselayer, but being able to ditch the grid fleece and combo it with a lightweight alpha layer when necessary seems pretty primo.

Mtn Evo is my 2nd most favorite piece, behind my puffy


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[Cavila99]

one of my favorite's from sitka.

 

[mtwarden]

Still rocking mine, from last weekend

 

[Cbass]

Mike thanks for the review.

For those of us out here that run hot, has anyone ran the vest? Too many layers on the arms can get restricting for mobility, especially in brush for archery, etc. I would think the wind shirt would do well for most Sep-early October 40-70 F days. I also like the option of the full zip for ventilation.

I’ve got an arctery’x atom insulated hoody (synthetic) and black diamond alpine start insulated (120g/s) so I’m leaning towards the vest for the quiver to have more options within the active insulation category.

For context I hunt elk archery and rifle in NW WY spot and stalk so it’s typically a lot of hiking with elevation. 1st gen hunter, having moved from the southeast a few years ago. So I’m learning a lot from friends and online communities like y’all

 

[cuerro viejo]

Mike thanks for the review.

For those of us out here that run hot, has anyone ran the vest? Too many layers on the arms can get restricting for mobility, especially in brush for archery, etc. I would think the wind shirt would do well for most Sep-early October 40-70 F days. I also like the option of the full zip for ventilation.

I’ve got an arctery’x atom insulated hoody (synthetic) and black diamond alpine start insulated (120g/s) so I’m leaning towards the vest for the quiver to have more options within the active insulation category.

For context I hunt elk archery and rifle in NW WY spot and stalk so it’s typically a lot of hiking with elevation. 1st gen hunter, having moved from the southeast a few years ago. So I’m learning a lot from friends and online communities like y’all

The vest is your typical very breathable, but still insulating ambient piece. Biggest issue with the vest to me is sizing and pockets. Sizing seems to run small and short, and pockets are extremely shallow. From a vest stand point I prefer the Kenai, longer and better pockets

 

[mtwarden]

I just started testing the vest in combination with a windshirt, so far looks to be a pretty nice combination

 

[cuerro viejo]

I just started testing the vest in combination with a windshirt, so far looks to be a pretty nice combination

How do you feel about sizing? I wanted to love it but can’t, I even got in Blk to wear casual since love ambient line so much.

 

[mtwarden]

I thought the sizing was pretty true. I wear a Large in most Sitka stuff and that’s what I got. It only goes over a base layer however.

 

[Fritz D]

Just received an Ambient Vest in the mail. Interesting fabric and I can see why it’s so breathable?
One thing I’m not too sure about is the durability of the piece? It looks like a stiff breeze would tear it to shreds.
Hope I’m wrong and though I’m planning on using a soft shell or rain jacket over it, generally speaking, for 200 bucks I’d like it to last a while?

 

[COJoe]

One thing I’m not too sure about is the durability of the piece? It looks like a stiff breeze would tear it to shreds?
Hope I’m wrong and though I’m planning on using a soft shell or rain jacket over it, generally speaking, for 200 bucks I’d like it to last a while?

I have been wearing the Ambient 100 hooded jacket for my last elk hunt and for the past 6 months or more on a fairly regular basis to work and around town with zero issues of durability and it has the same 20D face fabric as the vest. It's a wonderful jacket, might get another one sometime.

 

[Fritz D]

I have been wearing the Ambient 100 hooded jacket for my last elk hunt and for the past 6 months or more on a fairly regular basis to work and around town with zero issues of durability and it has the same 20D face fabric as the vest. It's a wonderful jacket, might get another one sometime.

Joe,
Good to know. I don’t have a lot of experience with Sitka long term other than a Jet Stream jacket that I have used as a daily wear jacket for several years and the thing has been bomb-proof. Absolutely one of the hardest-wearing coats I’ve ever owned.