Sitka for my Colorado elk hunt

[Rodman]

I will be in Colorado September 13-25 for my first elk hunt. I will be ordering subalpine for my camo minus baselayers as I already have two sets of firstlite. For those of you that have experience with Sitka and hunting out west at that time. What would you suggest?

Thanks

 

[mrbillbrown]

From Sitka....I use the Timberline pants, jetstream vest, and Traverse 1/4 zip when I hunt CO elk in Sept.

 

[MtnMuley]

That time of year I'd recommend the new Ascent pants and shirt. You can always add baselayers for the mornings if need be. I'm a big merino fan and always wear a light merino top on back country hunts. Keeps the stink away after several days. Anxious to see how the new Acsent shirt works after a few days. I'm guessing comfort and breathability are good, but I have my doubts on smell.

 

[Laelkhunter]

^^^^^ What he said ^^^^^ I have the ascent pants 'cause it's usually warm for the early season, but I also have a pair of Timberline pants in case of wetter weather or even snow (not really expecting snow).

 

[Rodman]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Here is what I was thinking of ordering keeping in mind I have two sets of merino tops and bottoms:

Core lightweight crew long sleeve
Core midweight zip t
core heavyweight hoody
Jetstream Jacket
2 pairs of ascent pants

Is that too much as far as warm clothes goes?

 

[Brightwhite]

From Sitka....I use the Timberline pants, jetstream vest, and Traverse 1/4 zip when I hunt CO elk in Sept.

This is a pretty tough system to beat. You're hunting mid-late sept, depending on where and elevation, it can get cold. Add a good puffy, I use the kelvin light hoody, and a good rain jacket (cloudburst or dew point) and you'll be pretty set.

This year from opening day to end of Sept I will be running the timberline pants, core Lightweight, traverse zip T, timberline jacket (the extra windstopper up high is worth the weight to me to carry), kelvin light hoody, and cloudburst jacket.

 

[Brightwhite]

That time of year I'd recommend the new Ascent pants and shirt. You can always add baselayers for the mornings if need be. I'm a big merino fan and always wear a light merino top on back country hunts. Keeps the stink away after several days. Anxious to see how the new Acsent shirt works after a few days. I'm guessing comfort and breathability are good, but I have my doubts on smell.

Personally, the ascent pants would be too light for me for that time of year, but the new pants are awesome.

I have been testing the ascent shirt, I have 3 day hikes and a 2 night trip on it with no stink so far. I will be wearing it this weekend for another 2 night trip. We'll see how it smells after that, but so far so good without a wash. Breathability is super, there's no other shirt like it that I've found. The thing weighs nothing and just kind of floats over your skin. The high collar is awesome for the sun too during these summer scouting trips. I still like the core hoody for hunting myself(quieter, softer, hood for concealment), but for a summer trip putting on miles in the hot sun, the shirt is perfect.

 

[mtfallon]

I used my Mountain pants with core lightweight underneath in Idaho from Sept 20-30th last year and it was perfect.

 

[elkduds]

Ascent pants in Sept. for me in CO, w light merino base layer that comes off midday. Switch to softshell (sylo) about mid Oct. most years.

 

[FlyGuy]

I love the ascent pants, but if I was only going to have one pair with me on a hunt like that it would be the timberlines. The problem is that you just won't know for sure what kind of weather you are going to have on your hunt until only a few days before it starts. Yes, the ascents with a base layer will probably work just fine, but I personally can't stand to wear base layer bottoms b/c I don't want to go through the hassle of taking them off when it warms up, then put them back on later that afternoon. (No problem with a base layer top b/c I don't have to take my boots off to change my shirt.). The timberlines cover a much wider range of temps, and to me they don't feel too hot even went the temps get up close to 70 at midday. I would say the safer bet is the Timberlines, with a base layer in your truck if the forecast calls for really cold weather, and a really lightweight and less expensive pair of solid color hiking pants (Pranas, Eddie Bauer, or whatever you already own) in the truck in case it's forecasted to be extremely warm. At the end of the day, I'd rather deal with being a little too warm than being too cold.

As for top layers, Not sure you need the heavyweight hoody and the jetstream. Maybe go with just a windbreaker outer layer that packs better/lighter (mountain, timberline), or go with a true rain shell.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[pew]

Personally, the ascent pants would be too light for me for that time of year, but the new pants are awesome.

I have been testing the ascent shirt, I have 3 day hikes and a 2 night trip on it with no stink so far. I will be wearing it this weekend for another 2 night trip. We'll see how it smells after that, but so far so good without a wash. Breathability is super, there's no other shirt like it that I've found. The thing weighs nothing and just kind of floats over your skin. The high collar is awesome for the sun too during these summer scouting trips. I still like the core hoody for hunting myself(quieter, softer, hood for concealment), but for a summer trip putting on miles in the hot sun, the shirt is perfect.

If you don't mind, how does it fit "sizewise" compared to the core? Are the arms any more stretchy than those on the core (in regards to sliding them up your firearms). TIA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rucker61]

Mountain pants, core lightweight shirt, core medium shirt, jetstream lite vest, puffy, raincoat

 

[excaliber]

Mountain pants if you have to choose just one pair of pants. They are perfect for all seasons with a base layer change. To me they do not get hot on early hunts at all. They are tougher than the Ascent pants by a good margin. They are just perfect for my style of hunting in Sept-late November.
I like a cheap baselayer top I got from STP. They work just as well as my Sitka tops and I like them better actually. They are a tan color.

I like my Kings camo long sleeve poly shirts over than and then a Sitka Traverse zip tee if it gets cold. This works down to 30 for me.

A Sitka Jetstream or Timberline jacket is my next piece I'll buy. If you need a Sitka puffy the Kelvin lite hoody might fit the bill but if it's just for sitting and glassing you can find a warmer lighter option.

Rain gear is another well discussed piece but the Sitka thunderhead Jacket seems pretty nice but on the heavier side. That could replace the Jetstream with the right insulating layer.

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

I think with the pants it is personal preference. I have hunted archery with the Ascents, Mountain, and Timberlines. My legs run hot so I prefer the Ascents and have a base layer bottom in my bag just in case. I like a light merino base layer on top with the Mountain vest, puffy, and rain shell. That is what I have found works for me over the years of hunting archery in CO.

 

[ericF]

I love the ascent pants, but if I was only going to have one pair with me on a hunt like that it would be the timberlines. The problem is that you just won't know for sure what kind of weather you are going to have on your hunt until only a few days before it starts. Yes, the ascents with a base layer will probably work just fine, but I personally can't stand to wear base layer bottoms b/c I don't want to go through the hassle of taking them off when it warms up, then put them back on later that afternoon. (No problem with a base layer top b/c I don't have to take my boots off to change my shirt.). The timberlines cover a much wider range of temps, and to me they don't feel too hot even went the temps get up close to 70 at midday. I would say the safer bet is the Timberlines, with a base layer in your truck if the forecast calls for really cold weather, and a really lightweight and less expensive pair of solid color hiking pants (Pranas, Eddie Bauer, or whatever you already own) in the truck in case it's forecasted to be extremely warm. At the end of the day, I'd rather deal with being a little too warm than being too cold.

As for top layers, Not sure you need the heavyweight hoody and the jetstream. Maybe go with just a windbreaker outer layer that packs better/lighter (mountain, timberline), or go with a true rain shell.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

That is what the Kuiu Ultra Merino Zip Off Bottoms are for. They completely zip off on each side and don't go under your boots. So when you are ready to put them on, just drop your trousers and zip them up. It is even quicker when taking them off. I love the feature and I can't believe nobody else has done this yet. It gives you options that didn't exist before because you don't want to take your boots off.

 

[FlyGuy]

That is what the Kuiu Ultra Merino Zip Off Bottoms are for. They completely zip off on each side and don't go under your boots. So when you are ready to put them on, just drop your trousers and zip them up. It is even quicker when taking them off. I love the feature and I can't believe nobody else has done this yet. It gives you options that didn't exist before because you don't want to take your boots off.

But... It's Kuiu....

HaHa, JJ. That's pretty cool indeed. Never heard of that feature before. You're right, surprised they are the only ones doing this? Might have to pick up a pair for late season.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro