SITKA Mountain EVO jacket, Review **Updated 9/20/23**

[Blandry]

True, I’m definitely not a product designer so I’m honestly not sure what the best options would be. I really do like the DWR and durability of the evo as primary layer. But the massive back panel can be a deal breakers in some cold windy situations as I don’t like to glass with my pack on.

What makes it so cool is that it's a high-activity piece. I vent a ton of heat out of my back when moving and sweating. If you stop, you should throw on a puffy or other shell/raingear anyway.

 

[mtwarden]

^ this is true; if the back panel goes out of the design you're not going to get near the breathability

 

[backcountryplatinum]

I spoke to Sitka, they are waiting on inventory for the Evo

Weird - Sitka CS responded to me this morning and said it would be discontinued and a new version would be available next fall.

 

[mtwarden]

Weird - Sitka CS responded to me this morning and said it would be discontinued and a new version would be available next fall.

Maybe the waiting on new stock is the new version????

 

[cuerro viejo]

I wouldn’t own it with out the back and side panels. That is the best part of the jacket you can wear it when you are going up the mountain not just glassing

 

[Blandry]

I wouldn’t own it with out the back and side panels. That is the best part of the jacket you can wear it when you are going up the mountain not just glassing

Not to mention the underarm vents all the way to the elbows. It saves weight because you don't need pit zips. I liked my camo one so much that I purchased a second one in solid green for daily wear. Glad I did now. It really fit a niche in my kit that nothing else could. I sold my jetstream once I got it.

 

[Miflatlander91]

Not to mention the underarm vents all the way to the elbows. It saves weight because you don't need pit zips. I liked my camo one so much that I purchased a second one in solid green for daily wear. Glad I did now. It really fit a niche in my kit that nothing else could. I sold my jetstream once I got it.

The only reason my jet stream didn’t go up for sale after I got mine was winter coyote hunting in and out of a truck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Desk Jockey]

A Sitka version of the OR ferrosi - thin, stretchy, high breathable, non insulated, handle a little wind and light rain - jacket would be a big win IMO. If they want to do some breathable panels under the arms, great. The back thing is less than ideal once you take off your pack.

 

[BoilerBowHunter]

Isn’t that basically what the Evo is if you replace the back panels with the same material as the rest of it? In this scenario they’re damned if they do, and damned if they don’t. Take out the back panels and guys will complain that it isn’t breathable enough with a pack on. Haha. I’m not saying anyone is right or wrong, but if you put yourself in their shoes you’re going to make some happy and others not. There likely isn’t a business case to make both types, and my guess is the current design is based on extensive feedback and testing from die hard hunters.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

totally agree on damned if you do/don't. I've personally never grabbed this piece due to weight and windstopper, would prefer a little more breathable biased version for that layer.

I think Sitka has a hard time because they really try to push the envelope on pieces, and some of them flop. Not because they "should" but because people aren't willing to try them out, or they don't fit the typical mold. These fringe pieces are for specialists or people with specific use cases. But the very best of them end up being universal in application, and those are all that end up hanging around....then they do the other thing Sitka does, which is make like 15 versions of it (ambient) in response to getting something really right. If they could just relax on camo'ing every thing out there and being so wound up about concealment and everyday stuff, and keep their big game line flushed out consistently, all moving in the same direction, that would be great......

Personally I think we should generally be applauding them pushing boundaries, because apparel has been playing catchup for a long time.

 

[Pramo]

The Evo is a niche piece but I use it non stop and even bought a solid for everyday use one they hit the close out rack. I go up the mountain in a merino t shirt and evo and hunt quite bit with that combo. If it gets cold I layer under it and if stopping I throw on a down vest to stop the wind

I sweat a ton and heat up instantly but also am tall and lean so I get cold quick especially on the wind.

Sitka try’s some strange stuff like their sleeping bag you wear all your clothes with to stay warm, but they do make some winners. I hope they keep trying things.

 

[Blandry]

I purchased a KUIU Ridgeline fleece zip T, and it arrived yesterday. They use the exact same pattern of full mesh on the back and underarms and fleece on the shoulders, arms, and chest. Full body map. Crazy, but it works. I'm sitting in it now on the computer and can feel the coolness on the back panel and underarms. It's almost as if they ripped off the Sitka mountain jacket design it works really well!

 

[mtwarden]

The outdoor clothing industry is like any other, I think a lot of "borrowing" goes on

 

[Hi-liner]

I wonder if Sitka discontinued the current EVO & is going to redesign it with less of an “athletic” cut. It seems to be a common complaint that there’s a lot of guess work and trial and error to get the correct sizing for different pieces within the same brand.

 

[Blandry]

I wonder if Sitka discontinued the current EVO & is going to redesign it with less of an “athletic” cut. It seems to be a common complaint that there’s a lot of guess work and trial and error to get the correct sizing for different pieces within the same brand.

I did find the Mountain Evo to be what I would call a 'super athletic fit'. It's a pretty close-to-body wind shirt, for sure. I typically go XL and went XXL in the EVO, and I'm super happy I did.

 

[Ditt44]

I wonder if Sitka discontinued the current EVO & is going to redesign it with less of an “athletic” cut. It seems to be a common complaint that there’s a lot of guess work and trial and error to get the correct sizing for different pieces within the same brand.

I generally think that is true but sometimes it feels like the user, me included, may try to use a specific piece 'out of spec'. I bought an EVO last fall and ended up with a Large Tall because it fit over an Ambient hoodie better than a regular Large, with more under-arm space. I guess in that way, it is not intended to fit over that piece in a 'like' size?? Over a Large heavyweight hoodie, no problem really. The XL for me was definitely more loose, but too loose without an underlayer. So I went LT.

When I bought my Stratus set I ignored online research and still bought an XL instead of a Large and while it fits fine enough and layers easily, I sometimes get annoyed that in mild temps, it's a big baggy. That's on me. I would prefer Sitka do one simple thing.... normalize/standardize their 'ratings' of wind/water/warmth/durability etc. They're still all over the place with those categories and it's really hard to get a straight comparison at times and would be much easier if EVERY piece had the same categories, even if one or two are zero rating, be consistent!

 

[mtwarden]

Yeah I had to size up a bit as well. We should know pretty soon if it's just being restocked as is or of they've tweaked it (or I guess possibly have $hit canned it???)

 

[Blandry]

I get the whole 'close fitting' layering thing, but as you said, it's inconsistent and can't fit perfectly for every body type. I'd rather wear a slightly baggy tech garment than something uncomfortable. I'd say if you're over 200 lbs and under 6'2", size up for sure. If you're comfortable large, go XL, if you're comfortable XL, go XXL. Don't worry about the sizing or how you will 'look' in it.

 

[Ditt44]

I cannot imagine they would drop the item, right? What else do they have to fill that role? And I am a HUGE fan of the thing in extremely limited use but it is fantastic under a pack and without. I would think something based off of it will be back, evolution is a Sitka hallmark and what they do well... maybe best.

I'm 6'2 190+ and most all clothing used to be XL tops and L bottoms for me / 44 chest 34 waist. But with the ummm "widening" and "rotunding" of America, who knows what size to get these days. A couple days ago I was in a Duluth Trading store and their wind jacket-like item fit me in a ....... MEDIUM....... da fa?

 

[Blandry]

If I ever sell my XXL Mountain EVOs (because I have two) on here, I would market them to a guy who is 6ft+ and over 200 lbs. That is an XXL in this jacket. At 190, you would do well in an XL.