Sitka vs. First Lite for Whitetails?

[Crazy Coot]

I'm considering some performance hunting gear and I've really narrowed it down to either Sitka or First Lite. Just between these 2 brands, which do you prefer and why? I am not interested in their base layers as I know which direction I'm going there. I'm curious to know which of the 2 are quieter and warmer. I'll be bowhunting from a stand in TN for whitetails for a majority of my hunting and I'll be going with either the Sitka Subalpine pattern or the First Like Specter pattern. Any input would be much appreciated

 

[KoolBreeze]

I don't know about Sitka, but the First Lite Solitude and Woodbury I have are dead silent.

 

[Agross]

I have a first lite Woodbury as well and love it. Most of my hunting clothing is first lite however I have a fanatic hoody and vest from sitka and love em as well. All three of the pieces are quiet and warm which is what I wanted for hunting Michigan

 

[toadmeister]

I don't know about Sitka, but the First Lite Solitude and Woodbury I have are dead silent.

Same here. I actually have a bit of both Sitka and FL and mix & match often as conditions require.

I’m a big guy and like First Lites sizing and cut better.

Sitka with Gore is great if you hunt in cold winds.


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[Squirrels]

Sitka for me when it comes to outer and insulation layers. I first bought all Sitka and sold it all after a couple seasons and went all in FirstLite. After a few seasons of being cold I sold the FirstLite outer layers and when back to Sitka for those pieces. I like some pieces from FL in regards to base layers and some pieces that I use for everyday wear during the cooler months. In short I use a mix, but IMHO Sitka beats the socks of FirstLite for stationary whitetail hunting.

 

[TN2shot07]

I think First Lite absolutely has the best base layer system, especially for whitetail. I have some Sitka pieces and they are all nice but this season (only a few cold days) I have been able to layer up and down with the First Lite catalyst bibs/jacket and it’s been pretty good. I also have the solitude but don’t feel it’s quite as flexible.

 

[KoolBreeze]

Sitka for me when it comes to outer and insulation layers. I first bought all Sitka and sold it all after a couple seasons and went all in FirstLite. After a few seasons of being cold I sold the FirstLite outer layers and when back to Sitka for those pieces. I like some pieces from FL in regards to base layers and some pieces that I use for everyday wear during the cooler months. In short I use a mix, but IMHO Sitka beats the socks of FirstLite for stationary whitetail hunting.

Which Sitka outer layers are you referring too? I like my First Lite bibs and jacket, but must admit I need to add an extra layer if it's windy and low 30s (or colder) for stand hunting. If I were buying again today, I'd probably step up to the Sanctuary or try something else because I always pack the Woodbury and Solitude bibs in to my stand and never wear them when moving.

 

[Squirrels]

Which Sitka outer layers are you referring too? I like my First Lite bibs and jacket, but must admit I need to add an extra layer if it's windy and low 30s (or colder) for stand hunting. If I were buying again today, I'd probably step up to the Sanctuary or try something else because I always pack the Woodbury and Solitude bibs in to my stand and never wear them when moving.

Fanatic bibs and jacket. Stratus pant and jacket. Celsius midi jacket and pants. My base layers are merino FirstLite and/or SmartWool. I determined the solitude and catalyst to be no better than box store camo to be honest. It was quiet but that’s all the technical advantage it had over box store stuff. At first I though the Kit Link was awesome, reality is that it allows tons of heat to escape your core. Just my observations, YMMV.

 

[CND_hunter]

I very much enjoy both my fanatic and stratus outer wear. I went up one size on the upper for added layering.

 

[Brendan]

Sitka Fanatic Jacket might just be the best piece of gear I own when thinking about treestand hunting....

I bought the stratus jacket in blaze orange for gun seasons and love it. Stratus bibs are perfect as I can wear in a lighter weight soft shell pant and layer up when I get to where I'm going.

I don't give a crap who makes my base layers. I have like 5-6 sets of under armor cold gear that always goes on first, and then various merino above that before I get to outerwear.

One of my favorite base / mid layers is a First Lite Merino Hoody. Love it.

 

[Thess87]

Sitka for me. Had the sanctuary and absolutely hated it. I have fanatic now and love it it’s so much more thought out. I’m not a fan boy I have all different stuff but in this category there’s no question for me.

 

[CND_hunter]

if possible, your best bet is to get a hold of both the sitka and FL whitetail gear in the appropriate size and try it on and see what you feel best in. I wasn’t prepared to drop the cash on either prior to doing that.

 

[KoolBreeze]

Fanatic over the Incinerator for stationary hunting?

 

[ttltown]

Frankly I have both FL and sitka whitetail setups and probably lean to FL... definitely as quiet or quieter than sitka. The berber on much of Sitkas clothes especially the fanatic set up is a Burr magnet. That being said you mentioned subalpine....you can't buy any of Sitkas whitetail line in subalpine so I think it's a no brainer go with first lite

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[Kbhillhunter]

I'm considering some performance hunting gear and I've really narrowed it down to either Sitka or First Lite. Just between these 2 brands, which do you prefer and why? I am not interested in their base layers as I know which direction I'm going there. I'm curious to know which of the 2 are quieter and warmer. I'll be bowhunting from a stand in TN for whitetails for a majority of my hunting and I'll be going with either the Sitka Subalpine pattern or the First Like Specter pattern. Any input would be much appreciated

I recently switched from FL to sitka primarily due to warmth and better fit. You might already know this but sitka subalpine is their designated 'western' line. I'm sure you could find some pieces that would work for you in TN (not sure how cold it gets there?). But their whitetail line has some really nice and well thought out pieces with functionality designed for stand / bow hunters.

FL - I used the catalyst and solitude systems but just couldn't stay warm in them. Love the corrugate pants for active hunts. Catalyst does breathe well but as many will point out, that also means it's not effective at wind blocking when temps fall.

Sitka - stratus and incinerator sets with a few other pieces had me comfortable from 70-15*.

 

[*zap*]

for weight to warmth the fl uncomphagre jck & pant are hard to beat.

 

[Stevendearden]

I'm considering some performance hunting gear and I've really narrowed it down to either Sitka or First Lite. Just between these 2 brands, which do you prefer and why? I am not interested in their base layers as I know which direction I'm going there. I'm curious to know which of the 2 are quieter and warmer. I'll be bowhunting from a stand in TN for whitetails for a majority of my hunting and I'll be going with either the Sitka Subalpine pattern or the First Like Specter pattern. Any input would be much appreciated

I’ve got the fanatic hoody and jacket with FL base layers and love it. Stratus pants is what I wear most of the season until it gets super cold then I wear fanatic bibs

 

[Crazy Coot]

I really appreciate all the responses. This helps tremendously. I really prefer the Subalpine pattern for the terrain that I’ll be hunting in instead of the Elevated if I do go with Sitka.
I realize the items in the Sitka Whitetail line is much quieter than that in the Big Game line, which has all the subalpine patterns.
For those of you that have used the big game items, how quiet were they? I think I’ll be able to layer enough to stay warm, but I am concerned about the quietness.

 

[Lowg08]

I really appreciate all the responses. This helps tremendously. I really prefer the Subalpine pattern for the terrain that I’ll be hunting in instead of the Elevated if I do go with Sitka.
I realize the items in the Sitka Whitetail line is much quieter than that in the Big Game line, which has all the subalpine patterns.
For those of you that have used the big game items, how quiet were they? I think I’ll be able to layer enough to stay warm, but I am concerned about the quietness.

I always see the wind discussed and quietness when there is a comparison between any of the two or three brands. In the type hunting i do. None of the whitetail lines make sense. I am bow hunting low density Appalachian mtn whitetail. I now bow hunt late season in a chamberlain puffy and alpine ops under armor pants. I only layer with kiln top and bottom, Klamath hoodie. Catalyst pants and kuiu 145 bottoms. I’ve been hunting down to 18 this year in the set up. I’ve handled a few items and think you could piece together for what you need and want. Sometimes. It’s just trial and error. It’s how I’m learning.

 

[bowhuntr09]

I have owned both. Started with FL and then bought Sitka. FL base layers are great but their outer garments leave quality and durability to be desired. My particular experience was with the FL Obsidian pants. They did not hold up through one season. I’m not particularly hard on pants, I have Mossy Oak pants I have worn many seasons and still don’t have a hole in them. The ass and knees wore out of the FL pants in no time.

The Sitka clothing is on an entirely different level for quality and durability than FL. They fit better, hold up better, and there are just small details with most all of the Sitka pieces that show someone really paid attention when designing them.


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