Sitka pants inseam length issues

McDink

FNG
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Messages
13
Novel warning. Going to rant about significant inconsistencies from a premium product manufacturer.

I’ve used the search and perhaps I missed something, but haven’t been successful finding anyone else with this same issue.

The only pair of #50127 Ascent pants that I ever tried on were 40r and fit fantastic. The knee pad pockets were the perfect height for me. The inseam of the pant actually measured a 31.5” length with the material loose or 32” with the material tight. The overall fit throughout that pant was perfect and I was hooked.

Based on the experience, I ordered two pair of 40r Mountain pants #50104 direct from Sitka. Waist size was identical to the Ascent, but that’s where it stopped. The seat, thighs, and legs were huge like MC Hammer pants from way back in the day. The inseam measured 34” loose and 34.5” tight. The too of the knee pads were below the bottom of my knee caps when standing and beat against my shins while walking due to such loose fabric. I took out the knee pads and wore them a few times hopeful they would grow on me but I just couldn’t handle the swishy long huge pants. Couldn’t return them to Sitka because I wore them to the field so I sold them.

Fast forward to just before waterfowl season. At this time I still owned my Mountains pants. Went to local retailer to try on new waterfowl pants. Ended up buying Dakota pants #50153 in 38R. They fit amazingly. 32” inseam when measured loose 32.25” when tight. Slightly bigger than Ascent in thigh and calf, but these pants are designed to be a little bigger and looser due to intended layering. Even with that being said they were still substantially more form fitting than the mountain pants. I could actually put the mountain pants on over the Dakota pants they were so baggy and loose. This is what convinced me to sell the mountains.

February rolls around and I decide I’m going to find some more Sitka pants that fit, but instead or ordering I go to my local retailer. They have limited stock, but enough to try some things out. What I found really shocked me.

Traverse pants. They had 3 pair 40R in subalpine and 1 pair in open country. All 3 SA had an inseam length measured loose at 34” exactly or 34.25” tight. The open country measured exactly 32” loose and 32.25” tight. Overall fit was not nearly as trim as the Ascent, but was in no way baggy like my Mountain pants were. All of my camo is subalpine, so for now I left the open country pants on the shelf.

Apex pants. They only had one pair of 40R in subalpine. Waist, thighs, legs, were an amazing fit. Length and knee pads were a problem however with again the top of the pads being below the bottom of my knee cap. Inseam again at 34” loose and 34.25 tight. Amazing pant that is just too long for me.

They didn’t have any timberline pants for me to try so I can’t say anything to how they fit, but they did have a set of cloudburst rain pants. An XL in those fit like they were made for me. They also had a set of Grinder pants which I found interesting. Had to go 40R in those as the 38R I could get buckled, but would not have been comfortable with layers underneath. While the pant length and waist were great in the grinder pants, the thighs were enormous and pant bottoms were like bell bottoms. The grinders were considerably bigger throughout then the Dakota. Very odd given that the Dakota is supposed to be more of a layering pant for foul weather.

I’m not very tall. Sorta pudgy. 5’10” fluctuated between 235-245lbs for the last 15 years. Normally wear XXL sometimes XL shirts. Almost always wear XL or 38x32 in pants with the exception of dress pants being a 39x31 from the tailor.

According to Sitka sizing chart a 40R should measure a 33” inseam, but I’m yet to find a pant that even hits that mark. They are either significantly longer then that, or shorter. Obviously in my case shorter works out better for me, but I could make their pants that measure true to their own chart work. I just can’t make their pants that measure an inch longer work. Can’t believe for what Sitka charges for these products that I have to take a measuring tape with me to my retailer to buy pants. Walmart clothes have better QA/QC than this.

My question is this. Are all of Sitka’s line of pants this inconsistent, or is it just for the rounder guys like me? I would assume that the Timberline pants would be identical to the Mountain pants, but does anyone have a set of 40R timberlines they wouldn’t mind measuring the inseam on?

Really frustrating when a pair of Ascent, a pair of Open country Traverse, and a pair of Dakota fit amazingly, but everything else was way off the chart.


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Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
5,833
I am not sure it helps, but I have found certain manufacturers tweak their fit from time to time and you may have been buying the pants in different years, adding to the inconsistency. I agree though and Sitka isn’t the only one who does it. I own first lite and kuiu and find major sizing inconsistency garment to garment, even among ones that are describe to fit the same way, like ”athletic” or whatever. Size inconsistency was one of the key reasons I backed away from kuiu. More of an issue with tops than pants but I got tired of sending things back.
 
OP
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McDink

FNG
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Messages
13
I am not sure it helps, but I have found certain manufacturers tweak their fit from time to time and you may have been buying the pants in different years, adding to the inconsistency. I agree though and Sitka isn’t the only one who does it. I own first lite and kuiu and find major sizing inconsistency garment to garment, even among ones that are describe to fit the same way, like ”athletic” or whatever. Size inconsistency was one of the key reasons I backed away from kuiu. More of an issue with tops than pants but I got tired of sending things back.

Makes me feel better to know I’m not that crazy and someone else sees it.

Last time I bought any camo was in 2015. I bought 3 pair of cabelas instinct stalking pants at that time in 38 waist with 32” inseam. All measure and wore true. Half the price, equal or better quality. Wore like iron and still have them today. Honestly figured I was upgrading moving to Sitka after my great experience with the Ascent and Dakota. Just puts a bad taste in my mouth when I have to pay double but also have to try every pant on or measure them before I buy them.

I mean the company openly advertises and promotes that all of their fabrics are laser cut. If that’s true then why is there literally 3.5” of difference from the same model garment with the same size tag??

Thanks for taking the time to read my vent man!


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5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
15,601
Location
Colorado Springs
If they ever send you a pair that measures 36" waist and 38" inseam with a normal rise.......let me know, I'll probably buy them from you.
 

Swamp Rat

FNG
Joined
Apr 29, 2020
Messages
38
Location
Michigan
The knee pad issue being lower than your knee is a design. When you bend you leg to place your knee on the ground, the pant would ride up your thigh, making the contact point of your knee to be on the knee pad.

I am also super picky about fit of pants so, I feel your pain.
 

Hondo

WKR
Joined
Jan 2, 2020
Messages
368
My Timberline pants fit very much like my Mountain pants and are looser cut than all my other Sitka pants other than my Dakota pants which makes sense considering some allowance for layering. It makes no sense to me that Sitka describes all 3 of these pants as having Performance Fit as my Ascent, 90%, Traverse and Grinder pants all have a more trim fit than the Mountain, Timberline and Dakota pants. Sitka describes the Grinder pants as having a Standard Fit even though I could likely layer my Dakota pants over them.

The only Sitka pants that I have duplicates of are Ascents & Territory and all seem to fit the same except for one pair of Territory pants than run a slight bit more snug.

I have duplicates of some Kuiu and First Lite gear of the same size that fit different so the consistency issue is certainly not unique to Sitka. Like Desk Jockey I have found more inconsistencies with Kuiu than others including mid-layers being cut bigger than outerwear of the same size and duplicate piece size variances. It can be frustrating exercise getting your gear coordinated just right. It only sucks until it doesn't though.
 
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