What to think of Sitka?

[bullshooter]

I made the decision that I really wanted to get outfitted in Sitka gear this year to chase elk in. I never had any Sitka gear, but really like the way it looked and the description matched my sort of hunting. But now that I laid my hands on a 90% jacket and considering the cost, I'm not so sure it's the way to go. Seems very quite, and light, good pockets, good camo pattern, but seems awful slight. Like there isn't much to it. So my question is what do you think of Sitka gear? And what would you choose instead of Sitka?

 

[sk1]

a lot of that type of gear is lighter for active style hunting, so having various layering systems can become important if you plan to hike to the top of a mountain and then sit or something---but you still want light clothes for the way up so you dont sweat more than you have to. i know in just a long sleeve and the sitka ascent pants in 15 degrees and snow on the ground im hot in less than a mile into my hike. i carry various layers of clothes in my pack depending on the situation im in.

not sure what style of hunting you plan to do, sit and wait over water, spot and stalk, horseback, or what....this would dictate what type of clothes and layers you would need. i mostly use a mix of sitka, kuiu, and firstlite clothing.....ive had no issues with my sitka stuff to this point and have been happy with it.

 

[HJ Handy]

I've got both Sitka and Kuiu but my gear is heavy on Kuiu. I prefer the fit of most of my Kuiu. The only exception is my Timberline pants but i didnt like the stiff knee pads they came with plus the foam felt very cheap. I replaced the foam knee pads in them with the knee pads from a pair of 511 bdu knee pads which are thick neoprene. Move much better with you as you walk.

The fit of most Sitka ive tried on can be very different from the different models of clothing lines they have. For instance the fit between s, m, l, xl is all different from 30,32,34,36 sizing. So you have to go somewhere that carries sitka on hamd and try it on before you buy it mail order somewhere else or just buy it in store.

Kuiu on the other hand is mail order only. So spend a little time talking with them over the phone and they will get you sized up right. I found all the kuiu ive ordered has fit me just fine after talking with kuiu over the phone before ordering. The kuiu i have all seems to be put together as well as any sitka gear or kryptek ive got to see.

 

[Lawnboi]

If all you saw was a 90% jacket I wouldn't worry much. The 90% jacket is IMO their worst piece.

Kuiu, Sitka, both high quality stuff. Id have no problem wearing either.

 

[ckleeves]

The 90% is an odd jacket IMO. I personally really like it for early season but I can see why a lot of people don't care for it and find it kind of worthless. It's great for those mornings when it's a little to cold for just a under layer and too warm for a real jacket. That's about all it's good for but it does that well.

Nothing wrong with Sitka I think all the high end stuff is about the same quality. Just an odd piece is all.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

One of my hunting partners has the full Sitka line up I have the kuiu. My kuiu has held up much better that his Sitka has and we go on all the same hunts.

So in a nutshell the Sitka seems less durable to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[ckleeves]

I should have also mentioned that I think the 90% is WAY overpriced for what it is. If your wanting to go with Sitka I would look at the jetstream depending on your needs/type of hunt. It was by far my favorite Sitka jacket.

 

[HvyBeams]

This year I went back to Sitka gear from KUIU. Probably one of the few, if any. I can't stand KUIU camo patterns. I looked at Kryptek and may consider them in the future, but I really liked Sitka when I wore them in the past.

In the past, I owned the 90% Jacket, and it worked fine when layering. I went with the Jetstream Jacket this time. It also seems slight, but I am sure it will perform very well based upon reviews. I purchased the Kelvin Jacket, but I decided to send it back. I am replacing with the Kelvin Light as I think it will work better with my style of hunting. I am also sending back the Mountain Pant, because I do not much care for the knee pads. I think the Mountain Pant was pretty close to the Attack Pant. I am going with the Ascent Pant as I will be using them in September for archery elk. I did keep a pair of KUIU Attack Pants, in solid, for the later rifle season. As far as merino wool base layers, I use First Lite and will not be changing.

When comparing the durability of the 90% pants to the Attack pants (and I have had two pairs of Attack Pants), I think the 90% were more durable. The jackets were equal in durability. Gloves, I give the edge to Sitka for durability and warmth, but things may change with KUIU's new glove system.

I will admit KUIU is using better materials. Pricing, KUIU unless you get a discount from Sitka. Resale, KUIU again.

In the future, I will be watching Kryptek and First Lite. For me, KUIU is done unless they change their camo pattern.

 

[worx53]

I own pieces of both Kuiu and Sitka, and I've had most all the Sitka at one time or other. The best Sitka gear that worked for me was the Ascent pants (tried mountain and 90% and got rid of them), core 1/4 zip, and 90% Jacket. I usually had a merino t-shirt as first layer and when colder wore merino long underwear. A Kelvin jacket would fit under the 90% also for an insulating layer. The Sitka ultra light rain set sucked....too noisy and flimsy. The Stormfront Series fit was wrong, the hood covered your vision, and the pants were too tight or too loose, crotch hung too low. Their optifade forest Downpour rain set was the best for me, it fit perfect, was quiet , however the outer layer would eventually soak the rain (if out all day in it) and get heavy taking a longer time to dry with the interior being dry. You coudn't dry it out overnight in a tent elk hunting.
I now use Sitka Ascent pants Kuiu merino short T, a 230 merino quarter zip long t, then 90% Sitka Jacket. I ordered a Kuiu Superdown for insulation layer to replace Kelvin. I have the KUIU new Yukon waterproof jacket & pant and can tell you its awesome. Everything about it is right. Its not the lightest raingear but just what I was looking for.

 

[worx53]

I like the Kuiu merino better than the Firstlite. I've shredded two Firstlite merino shirts catching on brush. The KUIU seem tighter woven and doesn't catch as much. I haven't put a hole in one yet. The KUIU guide glove and Tiburon glove are awesome. My Ascent pants have taken 3 years of incredible use and are still going.

 

[SHTF]

Im super happy with my Scent Lock XLT Coat and my Cabelas Pants. I can layer up under these with no issues and both are super light weight and extremely comfortable.
I never have bought into all the hype of these clothing lines I mean 300$ for a lightweight jacket? I just cant seem to bring myself to doing it.

 

[belly-deep]

I haven't tried a bunch of products from sitkas line and I've never tried any of the kuiu stuff.

But I have tried a few pieces and will say this. The 90% gear has dried my soaking wet body off so many times I feel it is worth the money. Definitely saved me from a cold several hours on multiple occasions and possibly from near hypothermia a time or two. I haven't worn many of the new products and brands but I can say sitka is great at drying you out even when soaking wet from rain or now.

I also have the jetstream. A few years ago I hunted for a week in temps right around zero. I wore a jetstream and a UA shirt and stayed pretty warm. I was impressed. I've worn it since in colder, windier, and warmer weather and it is remarkably versatile.

 

[Steve O]

Sitka Gear is a layering SYSTEM. Guys that buy one piece are typically the ones who are not satisfied. I use it as a system and am comfortable in it from Arizona to Alaska.

 

[kamcgraw]

I wear Sitka year round and love every piece I own. I have been wearing the Ascent pants for 3 years now on my elk hunts and there is only one small hole in the bottom of the leg from a stick i walked into. Other than that I feel it is very durable. Granted I have never worn any of the other companies clothing, but I feel Sitka is a great product.

 

[Matt Palmquist]

I have worn the 90% jacket on the majority of my hunts for the last 4 or so years and have no complaints. Like has been mentioned, the key to Sitka is the layering system. On occasions when it was very cold I would typically have on a base layer or two and the Jetstream vest with the 90% jacket and stayed warm. Even though the jacket is light the durability has been exceptional for me.

I am going to add to my system this year and have the Jetstream jacket and the Kelvin lite vest on order. Late season hunts in Kansas can get very cold and these two pieces should fit the bill for adding more warmth when needed.

Matt

 

[Rucker61]

I found the following pieces to not fit my hunting style:
Core zip-t: picked up and held odor despite repeated washings.
Jetstream vest: too hot while moving, not warm enough for sitting.
90%: Never really found a time to wear it. Replaced it with the Jetstream, which will be used for late season.
Kelvin Lite: Nice insulating layer, replaced it with a Dridown hooded puffy for about the same price.

Kept:

Mountain pants, ascent pants: for me, the mountain pants are misnamed, as they'll see a lot more wear in the antelope plains of SE Wyoming. The knee-pads are a kneesaver in cactus country.
Traverse Zip-T. Pretty comfortable second layer.

Picked up: Jetstream jacket, ascent pants. I keep getting tempted by the Jetstream Lite vest, but I just don't need a vest. I probably will get the Traverse bottoms.

I haven't tried Kuiu, but the Sitka pants fit very well, much better than the Gen 1 Alaios pants I tried on from Kryptek. YMMV.

Disclosure: I do get a pretty decent discount.

 

[bullshooter]

Thanks everyone...you've given me plenty to think about. Appreciate the input.