Sitka jackets

[fulldraw1972]

For the guys that wear Sitka clothing. What is your go to jacket for September Elk.
I seen Sitka redesigned the 90% jacket. I am very interested in this.

 

[amp713]

It all depends on if you are a normally hot or cold person. I wear the the ascent (im pretty sure thats its name, its a very and is suppoed to be a base layer) zipped hoody and just add another layer underneath through the late season... I was hunting in my mountain pant and ascent hoody on the river bottoms in December here in Utah. Temps below freezing and breezy, had thermals, a long sleeve tee and wool socks, stayed warm while I had gloves on. Once my hands got cold though the body temp started to drop..... But I was constantly moving and had some weight in the pack....

 

[wapitibob]

Core and/or traverse shirt under a 90% jacket. Not long after heading in the jacket comes off. Wyoming in October most of it stays on for most of the day depending on weather/snow etc.

 

[Steve O]

I have been taking my Jetstream jacket more and more often. It is very versatile with the giant pit zips. I am going to be at a show next week where I can check out the new 90% stuff. From the press releases it sounds like they perfected an already good jacket.

 

[Rucker61]

For Colorado September elk hunt, I just carried the Ascent jacket and Jetstream Lite vest over a merino base layer. I had a dridown puffy for evenings and mornings sitting around and light packable raingear for the occasional rain I encountered. I don't think I even packed the Traverse shirt and the Jetstream definitely stayed home. In October and later, colder times I count on the Jetstream and Traverse as primary layers. I'm interested in the new, more windproof 90% pants.

 

[a3dhunter]

The Ascent jacket isn't heavy enough to do any good. IMO a merino wool shirt and a vest do better than the Ascent.
I would choose the 90% jacket.

 

[Lawnboi]

Traverse hoody for me. Not a soft shell but my traverse is my '90%'. Love that thing it's by far my favorite piece

 

[CaseyU]

Jetstream

 

[Rucker61]

The Ascent jacket isn't heavy enough to do any good. IMO a merino wool shirt and a vest do better than the Ascent.
I would choose the 90% jacket.

I use it as a shirt, not an actual jacket. This last September was fairly mild, and the Ascent handles potential snags better than the Traverse or merino base layer would as the sole top layer.

 

[craitchky]

I go Sitka merino as base Traverse over that then 90% as a finish. I carry the Kelvin for a little extra warmth when glassing or just napping. This is CO in late September.

 

[a3dhunter]

I use it as a shirt, not an actual jacket. This last September was fairly mild, and the Ascent handles potential snags better than the Traverse or merino base layer would as the sole top layer.

I can understand that, but I found it didn't provide enough warmth for the weight for me to carry it.
I went with the following:
merino base layer (First Lite or Core 4)
camo synthetic long sleeve shirt(Sitka core or similiar)
a fleece insulated zip jacket n(Russell)
then a rain pullover. (depending on temps, either the Cabelas ultra space or the Russell Raintamer)

A couple of trips I had a puffy vest stuffed in my pack, can only think of one morning that it was used though.

 

[DaveC]

I like the Ascent jacket quite a lot. The denier gradient fabric blocks wind well enough, and breathes exceptionally well. It also dries pretty fast. The factory DWR is better than most. For backcountry use, I prefer a lighter shell like this and the option to layer underneath for colder weather.

That said, its hard to say the Ascent if worth the cost. If you can live without camo, there are jackets from non-hunting companies which do the same stuff as well for only a little more than half the MSRP of the Ascent.

 

[InDeep]

I have the 90% and pretty much wear it year around. Combine it with wool base layers and a Celsius vest, and you have a cold weather option at least for the climate I live in . I have found that treating all my Sitka gear in nikwax really helps and makes it truly about 90% water resistant!

 

[CtP]

Jet stream over puffy and wool. Great shell for rain and wind.

 

[fulldraw1972]

Thanks guys for your help.
I was thinking a merino top, kuiu super down for when its really cool and glassing and the 90% coat.
I liked what I wore last year but I felt my cabelas merino wool jacket was a bit heavy. I know my rain gear was extremely heavy and that got me to thinking sitka.

 

[Brent1321]

90% for me. Warm enough for the CO mountains sure late August and into September. Later in the year not going to get it done though.

Brent

 

[krohboy]

I wear my jetstream if I need it. Otherwise traverse with a kelvin vest

 

[Matt W.]

Sure look forward to hearing more about the 2014 gear. They keep releasing bits and pieces. Would like to check out the changes to the 90% line.

 

[krohboy]

Sure look forward to hearing more about the 2014 gear. They keep releasing bits and pieces. Would like to check out the changes to the 90% line.

I know a lot of guys don't care for them but I love hoods. And would love to see a hooded 90%

 

[Rucker61]

I know a lot of guys don't care for them but I love hoods. And would love to see a hooded 90%

I'd wonder what the difference between as 3x windproof, hooded 90% and the Jetstream jacket would be, then. I love the hood on my Jetstream, and the windproofing.