Sitka Arrowhead Equipment MDWi Hoody Review, By Mike Moore

[HaydenLane]

I posted this in an other thread, but got an email from Sitka Arrowhead - sounds like they're dissolving Arrowhead and the military line and concentrating just on the hunting.

Someone saw a new piece coming out by Sitka that could be the MDWi in disguise- was called the Sitka Ambient, supposedly comes out tomorrow.

Well that didn’t last long. Fingers crossed that they start offering more solids in their normal line at least.

 

[Bump79]

@mtwarden with the MDWi jacket being 30d vs 20d face on the ambient, would you expect it to be more durable?

 

[mtwarden]

@mtwarden with the MDWi jacket being 30d vs 20d face on the ambient, would you expect it to be more durable?

On paper it should be; how much hard to tell- both are on the lighter side of jacket fabrics.

 

[TrapMessiah33]

Awesome write up!

 

[mtwarden]

danke

 

[SkeeterMcgiblet]

Great write up that sold me on a MDWI jacket as a gift to myself. Thanks for sharing this with us!

 

[Enr]

@mtwarden How would you compare the Ambient with the MDWi hoodies?
Breathability
Dry time
Moisture management
Thermoregulation
Durability

 

[mtwarden]

@mtwarden How would you compare the Ambient with the MDWi hoodies?
Breathability
Dry time
Moisture management
Thermoregulation
Durability

My Ambient still has the tags on it; it's on the mid-layer shootout list, so hopefully can address some of your questions when we get rolling with it

 

[Dobermann]

Guessing this might have been discussed elesewhere, but the Ambient uses Primaloft Evolve ... how different is that from Polartec Alpha?

Ooops ... this is already being discussed here: https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/q-a-a-rokslide-mid-layer-shootout.266239/post-2627369

 

[wnelson14]

My Ambient still has the tags on it; it's on the mid-layer shootout list, so hopefully can address some of your questions when we get rolling with it

Do you consider both the ambient and the arrowhead bow hunter quiet. And if so does the Mdwi get quiter with some washing I just got one and it definitely has some noise. Thanks!

 

[mtwarden]

I'm not an archery hunter, but both are reasonably quiet in my experience. Both get a little quieter with washing.

Neither are definitely not fleece quiet.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I have the mdwi. It is quieter than a soft shell bit not as quiet as fleece or a fleece faced jacket like the stratus. I wouldn’t have a problem bow hunting with it, though it wouldn’t be my first choice for brush busting.

 

[Valumpessa]

Thanks for the review, mtwarden. Intruiged me enough to order one and initial impressions are very good. I'm curious, after a year or two of use, how is the insulation and outer material holding up?

 

[mtwarden]

Thanks for the review, mtwarden. Intruiged me enough to order one and initial impressions are very good. I'm curious, after a year or two of use, how is the insulation and outer material holding up?

Mine is still in great shape. I wore it half of our 6 week hunting season (am testing the Ambient UL out so using it as well) and have been wearing almost daily on my local hikes. It's got a lot of miles on it now w/ no sign it's giving up anytime soon

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

My Ambient still has the tags on it; it's on the mid-layer shootout list, so hopefully can address some of your questions when we get rolling with it

Hi Mike,

After running the ambient, what’s your go-to midlayer now?

I get so hot when moving that I very rarely use my grid fleece under my bino harness, as can’t regulate temps. Seriously considering finally getting an alpha direct jacket with full front zip.

Have you ever tried adding out zips aftermarket?

Thx

S

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Hi Mike,

After running the ambient, what’s your go-to midlayer now?

I get so hot when moving that I very rarely use my grid fleece under my bino harness, as can’t regulate temps. Seriously considering finally getting an alpha direct jacket with full front zip.

Have you ever tried adding out zips aftermarket?

Thx

S

Steve,
I am similar to you in the fact that I run really warm, even in temps down to the teens. My favorite mid layer to wear in cooler temps is a naked Alpha Direct top, meaning no outer wind blocking layer. My favorite is the Farpointe Alpha Cruiser in 60 gsm weight. You might check them out as a good option for you, paired with a wind blocking layer to throw over when needed. This is a little more versatile than an Ambient.

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Steve,
I am similar to you in the fact that I run really warm, even in temps down to the teens. My favorite mid layer to wear in cooler temps is a naked Alpha Direct top, meaning no outer wind blocking layer. My favorite is the Farpointe Alpha Cruiser in 60 gsm weight. You might check them out as a good option for you, paired with a wind blocking layer to throw over when needed. This is a little more versatile than an Ambient.

Thanks, I’ve actually been trying that this year. I do like it as the air passes right through it when no shell on. However, when I tried wearing it for a pre-dawn hike in this spring I still got too hot.

It was super mild too before I had to take it off, at just 200ft elevation and half a mile. Temps probably about 40ish.

Will try again when colder.

I did get the Squamish wind shirt in orange, to test out during rifle season.

Thx

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Ps- At the Arrowhead jackets back in production ??

Sure looks new and they’re talking about a new color too. Let me add to the cart but haven’t had a chance to call and confirm, but seems open for biz.

Midlayers

Midlayers

www.arrowheadsitka.com

 

[mtwarden]

I’ve got the UL Ambient (65 Alpha) that I use in warmer conditions and still have the MDWi (95 Alpha) that I use in cold conditions.

I do have a “naked” Alpha pullover I use backpacking, but have been a little concerned with durability using it off trail hunting. I’m a little afraid it might be a little prone to getting snagged/torn.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I do have a “naked” Alpha pullover I use backpacking, but have been a little concerned with durability using it off trail hunting. I’m a little afraid it might be a little prone to getting snagged/torn.

I used mine on my last week long sheep hunt. I was careful about going through brush. It did snag a few times, but I didn’t put any holes in it. Any snags, I just cut off carefully. I’ll continue to use it a ton.