Sitka Vs. Kryptek

[EthanOfIdaho]

Hello fellow rokslide forum members.
I'm new to this forum and wanted to ask the common question of: Sitka vs. Kryptek. I know this topic has been debated but, hear me out. I live in southeast idaho and I Bowhunt in the mountains. My gear I'm using has not been up to standards, and it will wear out soon so I'm picking up some real deal mountain gear. I HAVE SAVED UP MONEY SO NO RANTS ABOUT THE PRICE!!! Okay anyway I like the sitka pattern but the kryptek pattern seems a little, well, gaudy I'd say. The gear sounds good but, I really like the Sitka camo and by what I've seen and felt trying on sitka it seems comfy I haven't tried on kryptek yet. I have friends who like sitka very much and have used it on many hunts. I've heard some questionable things about their raingear but I'm wondering if this has been fixed. I guess my main question is; Is Kryptek as good as Sitka

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I have only used Sitka personally but I have had hands on experience with kryptek. I have looked at all the whole line and tried it on. I love the pattern but if you asked me what my gear is, I will respond with Sitka.

 

[justinspicher]

I wear Kryptek exclusively, but only because I have gotten smoking deals on the classifieds here and at the local cabelas bargain cave. Otherwise, I'd be a first lite guy period. I am still on the fence and may sell all of my Kryptek and go to first lite anyway.

I used my highlander pattern for an early season elk hunt in Montana. I used the Valhalla pants and the Borealis jacket 90% of the time. (11 days) at night I'd add my Kratos puffy. If it were to rain I had the posieden jacket to keep me dry, but it never rained hard enough to test it. Everything did just fine with no issues. Now that I am back in Kansas I am using their bibs, Cerdic hoodie and Kratos puffy for treestand hunting. Works just fine and I'll stayed warm enough to function. I have the Koldo jacket to fend off precipitation and a set of their hat and gloves to round the set out. My hunting buddy has almost every piece of Sitka and it's quality stuff as well. It's like comparing fords and Chevys in my opinion.

 

[Xtorminator]

I have both and wear both. The Kryptek fits better so I prefer it. As far as patterns go they both blend well IMO.

 

[EthanOfIdaho]

Thanks for the great answers! I'm new to this forum and I like the welcome.Honestly I like the sitka pattern more so if they have the same quality. I guess Ill go with sitka although kryptek looks pretty good as well.

 

[MattB]

I think you might find the Sitka to be higher quality, but you will pay a premium for it relative to Kryptek.

 

[EthanOfIdaho]

Yeah I guess it all depends if I start to like the Kryptek camo. Subconsciously I started drifting towards a Kryptek Camo hoodie at sportsmans warehouse. I'm starting to like that camo. Any thoughts on either ones raingear?

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I have yet to find a rainsuit that is quiet, breathes well, is light and compacts well and has pit zips. Best I have found for quiet is Cyclone L5 but it doesn't breathe well. I also have the Sitka Dewpoint (packs to nothing but is noisy) and the Natural Gear (but it's heavy). Nobody makes the perfect rainsuit....yet. If it is very stormy then silence isn't as important but for a light rain Gortex is not your friend.

 

[EthanOfIdaho]

Your right about that. Rain gear is never silent. I thought about using my camo carhartt with a rain layer for bow just to save $. But it is way to loud. I'll just use it for rifle hunts and working at the farm. I've heard arcteryx is quiet but it's not in camo.

 

[jherald]

I've tried both in the past and would prefer Sitka over Kryptek. Sitka is overall better quality and more suited to hunting and they make nice solid color garments as well. Sitka sizing can be a tricky thing sometimes. Depending on their garment and cut you might wear your normal size or you might want to size up, that is the only issue I found with Sitka.

 

[EthanOfIdaho]

I've heard about issues with the zippers breaking as well as Seam problems. (With sitka) has this been fixed?

 

[EthanOfIdaho]

Also a problem I've heard of with kryptek is it is somewhat heavy and better for late season. This may be a problem for me while hunting. I need light gear.

 

[Matt W.]

I've heard about issues with the zippers breaking as well as Seam problems. (With sitka) has this been fixed?

I've tested Sitka pretty hard over the last year or two. No issues with zippers or seams. Did hear they had issues early on, but that was a while back, from what I can tell. The light weight Kryptek stuff just did not work for me, the Koldo stuff is more for base camp style hunting. Its heavy, burly, tough stuff though.

For light weight, high country pursuits, the Sitka Dewpoint stuff is great. Other options are the Westcomb Specter LT Hoody at 11-12ozs as well. I've never ran the Westcomb stuff but the Moffats are pretty happy with the stuff.

 

[primitive]

FirstLite

 

[Matt W.]

FirstLite

First Lite makes good rain gear, but if you are specifically looking for light weight rain gear then it makes it a bit tougher. First Lite is a great mid-weight solution, but there are lighter choices. If weight is not an issue then First Lite are a solid option. Particularly like the reinforced knees on the pants.

 

[justinspicher]

If you can find a place that has both, I would highly recommend going and checking them both out. For some odd reason clothing companies can seem to match sizes, regardless of cut so what you wear in Kryptek, will be too small in Sitka and too big in First Lite.

 

[EthanOfIdaho]

I like the first lite stuff and the asat camouflage.

 

[justinspicher]

I just got out of a treestand today here in Kansas and froze wearing my Kryptek. I'll leave it to early season only and buy first lite for the late season.

 

[EthanOfIdaho]

Have you had problems with Kryptek? Is that why you're selling it?

 

[Aron Snyder]

As far as LIGHT WEIGHT, BREATHABLE and WATERPROOF

The OTTE gear is the best on the market. Same material as Westcomb, but a bit more durable/user friendly for hunting. The pants are 13oz, but the jacket is a bit heavier.

Staying out of the camo argument.