Sitka Flash Waterproof?

[JD1010]

Hello, first post. Been looking at site for long time, finally joined. Was curious as to anyone’s experience with the Sitka Flash pullover.
Is this jacket waterproof? Or water resistant? Looking to upgrade my rain jacket for my pack. Thanks

 

[slowelk]

The description and all of the reviews say it's "water resistant" and can stand up to bouts of rain, but not an extended downpour. I have used gore windstopper in short bouts of moisture, and it does a good job. I believe it would be a good layer to carry for archery in the rocky mountain west. I considered this jacket for my system, but decided to just stick with an arcteryx softshell that I already have due to the negative feedback on the Flash's breathability, and the lack of rain in the country I hunt.

 

[JD1010]

The description and all of the reviews say it's "water resistant" and can stand up to bouts of rain, but not an extended downpour. I have used gore windstopper in short bouts of moisture, and it does a good job. I believe it would be a good layer to carry for archery in the rocky mountain west. I considered this jacket for my system, but decided to just stick with an arcteryx softshell that I already have due to the negative feedback on the Flash's breathability, and the lack of rain in the country I hunt.

The description and all of the reviews say it's "water resistant" and can stand up to bouts of rain, but not an extended downpour. I have used gore windstopper in short bouts of moisture, and it does a good job. I believe it would be a good layer to carry for archery in the rocky mountain west. I considered this jacket for my system, but decided to just stick with an arcteryx softshell that I already have due to the negative feedback on the Flash's breathability, and the lack of rain in the country I hunt.

Thanks for feedback, was also consernd about breath ability. Most the country I hunt doesn’t rain that often, but have been stuck in a few pretty good down pours in back country.

 

[jwilson4425]

Sitka generally uses two different Gore products in their shells - Windstopper and Gore-Tex. Windstopper is water resistant, but not waterproof; enough for light rain or even a short downpour, but will eventually wet out. Gore-Tex is waterproof. You can tell if the product uses Gore-Tex because it will have this symbol:

 

[KurtR]

I have had the flash out in some decent rain and it kept me dry.

 

[JD1010]

Sitka generally uses two different Gore products in their shells - Windstopper and Gore-Tex. Windstopper is water resistant, but not waterproof; enough for light rain or even a short downpour, but will eventually wet out. Gore-Tex is waterproof. You can tell if the product uses Gore-Tex because it will have this symbol:

Thanks, for feed back. Yeah, I knew it wasn’t got-tex, just looking to try to get some input from those that may have had in out in wet conditions.

 

[JollyRoger]

I’ve been completely crapped on, for several days on end with the Flash as my only rain/snow barrier. It did a fantastic job in all honesty. Eventually the inside of the quarter zipper got wet but nothing too bad. The seams are taped... its perfect for typically dry archery season where you might come into an unexpected shower.

As long as I consider the outside temperature, my output, and the layers I’m wearing, I don’t find the breathability too bad. It’s far better than the trash bag goretex of yesteryears.

For me it’s been a great jacket. It’s enough to dry out my shirt when I stop to glass and keep nippy fall winds off me. It’s also shed heavy snow and rain quite well.


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[Desk Jockey]

Is the flash the same material and build as the mountain jacket?

 

[cuerro viejo]

Sitka generally uses two different Gore products in their shells - Windstopper and Gore-Tex. Windstopper is water resistant, but not waterproof; enough for light rain or even a short downpour, but will eventually wet out. Gore-Tex is waterproof. You can tell if the product uses Gore-Tex because it will have this symbol:

Windstoppers is just a stretched and mashed down goretex laminate. Windstoppers is waterproof also just not to same pressure as a non stretched goretex laminate.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Is the flash the same material and build as the mountain jacket?

It has the same windstopper laminate, but a “different” bonded outer face fabric.

 

[Desk Jockey]

It has the same windstopper laminate, but a bonded outer face fabric.

Thanks. I was thinking it would be a midpoint between the mountain jacket and the jetstream. Seems like it is something else all together.

 

[Ryan Avery]

It's not waterproof. but it takes quite a bit of rain before it wets out. I use it as my 'rain jacket' during summer scouting and early fall hunts

 

[cuerro viejo]

Thanks. I was thinking it would be a midpoint between the mountain jacket and the jetstream. Seems like it is something else all together.

They picked a good name for it. It’s perfect for the name put in on in a flash for flash wind and rain). “If” the original goretex laminate was 10k/10k the windstopper would be “like” 3k/40k. Theoretical numbers just to explain windstopper. It just won’t hold to even close to the same pressure as it’s unaltered form so it’s not near as waterproof if that makes sense.

It’s the easiest thing for me to consider to pack in sept. It’s a no brainer at its weight and stuff ability.

 

[nastynick]

I know this post is a little older , but how does the Flash run size-wise. I am 5’10” athletic build, 185lbs. I am unfamiliar with Sitka sizing. I’ve tried to find reviews but can’t find anything. I would wear over a puffy at times. I was thinking an XL but don’t want it to be a dress.
For reference an XL Kuiu Guide jacket fits me about as perfect as anything.

 

[BeaverHunter]

I’m 6’0” Approximately 170 pounds. Size large fits me perfect.

 

[danarnold]

I know this post is a little older , but how does the Flash run size-wise. I am 5’10” athletic build, 185lbs. I am unfamiliar with Sitka sizing. I’ve tried to find reviews but can’t find anything. I would wear over a puffy at times. I was thinking an XL but don’t want it to be a dress.
For reference an XL Kuiu Guide jacket fits me about as perfect as anything.

I pretty much use L in all sitka, for this I shoulda got XL to make it easier to put on and remove
6' 195#

 

[TravisIN]

I pretty much use L in all sitka, for this I shoulda got XL to make it easier to put on and remove
6' 195#

I’m 6’ 3/4 195. I went with an xl on this for that reason. I can throw it on over bino harness and everything easily.


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[mtwarden]

it's definitely cut a little on the slim side, if you're considering layering it over anything but a base layer, I'd size up one

I ended up selling mine as I was looking for something that was more akin to the wind shirts I'm used to- namely more breathability. I do see this as viable piece for not packing a rain jacket in fairer weather, it's also going to shed wind better than most wind shirts, so in really exposed terrains this might be a good choice

in the end, I use this type of layer as more of "on the move" layer and such, it has to breathe well- which the Flash didn't for me

 

[nastynick]

Thanks for all the replies, I am probably leaning towards XL.