Sitka Core Heavyweight vs FL Furnace

[tthrasher]

I have a sitka heavyweight quarter zip, was looking to switch to all FL gear

How does the Furnace line compare for the sitka core heavyweight line

I do mostly midwest late season whitetail hunting

 

[aamir200]

I have the sitka core heavyweight as well. I have the firstlite kiln and my heavyweight is warmer then that. I think the furnace would be perfect though. You get the benefits of merino plus it's still plenty warm.

 

[Tom_]

I have both the old and new Sitka Heavyweights. The new one's are cut better than the old and warmer. That said, I think the Furnace is the warmest. For midwest temperatures I would recommend the furnace.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Sitka Traverse is better than both.

 

[davescarp]

Sitka Traverse is better than both.

explain please...

 

[Where's Bruce?]

The Traverse has the built-in mask, great pockets and superior construction. Works as a mid layer if stationary or outer layer if active. I like the versatility. Try one on. You'll see.

 

[davescarp]

The Traverse has the built-in mask, great pockets and superior construction. Works as a mid layer if stationary or outer layer if active, like the versatility. Try one on. You'll see.

ok you're talking about the traverse cold weather hoody, right? curious how the traverse zip-t compares to the heavyweight

 

[Where's Bruce?]

ok you're talking about the traverse cold weather hoody, right? curious how the traverse zip-t compares to the heavyweight

Apologies, meant the Fanatic, not Traverse.

 

[Mitten32]

I have the Sitka heavyweight core hoody, fanatic hoody, firstlite klamath hoody, and first lite furnace top... If warmth is your primary concern the furnace is the warmer than the others and it's not close. Most versatile IMO is the fanatic or klamath.

 

[davescarp]

Apologies, meant the Fanatic, not Traverse.

OK that makes sense. I have one and love it for treestand. I wish they had some more colors or even the big game camo options available

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I have over 100 pieces of Sitka I've picked up over the years...I get the names confused sometimes. I don't mind mixing patterns but now have so many options I can layer for virtually any hunt, any weather. The downside is I have to sift through six big bags of camos to find what I want. Not expecting a lot of sympathy here.

 

[Flipsyde21]

I have the Sitka heavyweight core hoody, fanatic hoody, firstlite klamath hoody, and first lite furnace top... If warmth is your primary concern the furnace is the warmer than the others and it's not close. Most versatile IMO is the fanatic or klamath.

Would you ever layer the Fanatic Hoody over the First Lite Furnace, or do these pieces kind of replace each other in a system? Building a whitetail hunting system. Thinking FL wick LS crew, furnace, then fanatic hoody, celcius midi and stratus jacket... for a full season system.

 

[Hondo]

I have the Sitka heavyweight core hoody, fanatic hoody, firstlite klamath hoody, and first lite furnace top... If warmth is your primary concern the furnace is the warmer than the others and it's not close. Most versatile IMO is the fanatic or klamath.

I have 2 of those and have been considering the other 2. Valuable info. Thanks

 

[Mitten32]

Would you ever layer the Fanatic Hoody over the First Lite Furnace, or do these pieces kind of replace each other in a system? Building a whitetail hunting system. Thinking FL wick LS crew, furnace, then fanatic hoody, celcius midi and stratus jacket... for a full season system.

You certainly could as the fanatic is a grid fleece and the furnace is dense merino so they are quite different. I do think the Klamath would layer bit better over the furnace as it is not as tight around the arms/forearms as the Fanatic hoody is. If you got the fanatic route you'll want to think about potentially sizing up in my opinion. One down side to the furnace is that it does not have a hood, but if its cold enough for me to use the furnace than I'm usually wearing the cold weather balaclava so its a non issue at that point.

 

[Flipsyde21]

You certainly could as the fanatic is a grid fleece and the furnace is dense merino so they are quite different. I do think the Klamath would layer bit better over the furnace as it is not as tight around the arms/forearms as the Fanatic hoody is. If you got the fanatic route you'll want to think about potentially sizing up in my opinion. One down side to the furnace is that it does not have a hood, but if its cold enough for me to use the furnace than I'm usually wearing the cold weather balaclava so its a non issue at that point.

Thanks for the info. I guess I chose the fanatic hoody for the great reviews and because it has hand pockets. Hopefully the fit is alright.

I was also debating between getting a kiln hoody or furnace QZ. Fanatic hoody and stratus would provide the hood though, I guess.

 

[H80Hunter]

I'm in the minority but I don't like the fanatic hoody as a layering piece because it feels bunched in the sleeves with those mittens. Hand pocket is nice though.

 

[Flipsyde21]

I'm in the minority but I don't like the fanatic hoody as a layering piece because it feels bunched in the sleeves with those mittens. Hand pocket is nice though.

Ya. Clever idea with the mitts, and may be beneficial to some, but I’d prefer it without also.