The Sitka Gear and Rokslide fellas were kind enough to send me a Sitka Ambient 100 vest. I’ve reviewed several jackets over the last couple of years, but this is the first vest I’ve reviewed. I have been very fond of the Ambient line, so I figured I’d give the vest a go.
Check it out here.
From Sitka Gear
“Our flagship active insulation piece, distilled down to a full-zip vest. Built with Primaloft Evolve, this vest provides unparalleled breathability when on the move without sacrificing core warmth once you’ve slowed your pace.”
Sitka Ambient 100 Vest
The vest comes in three colors: two camouflage (Sub Alpine and Open Country) and one solid (black). Mine is black. It retails for $199.
I’ll be honest, I’ve never been overly fond of vests for backcountry (or front country) use. After using this vest for a little over a couple of months and 300+ miles, I’ve changed my mind.
The Ambient 100 vest is very much like the Ambient 100 Hooded jacket, sans the sleeves and hood. The same 100 weight Primaloft Evolve and the same 20d outer fabric. I believe that currently Primaloft Evolve and Polartec Alpha are the current kings of the mountain for active insulation—they breathe well, move moisture, and provide great insulation for the weight.
Breathable
The vest weighed 7.7 oz (Large) on my scale, which is exactly what Sitka says it weighs on their site. The outer nylon fabric has a soft hand, which is much appreciated when hunting. Not quite as soft as say a traditional fuzzy fleece, but close. The outer fabric is pretty breathable, which you want with an active piece. It blocks wind better than “naked” Evolve/Alpha, but in my opinion, you want a wind layer to use in conjunction with this piece when experiencing wind, that goes for all active layers in my experience.
Ambient Vest Pockets
The vest comes with two zippered side pockets and a zippered chest pocket. The chest pocket is roomy enough for a cell phone, couple of snack bars, etc.
The vest packs small, not much larger than a can of beer.
Sizing
I normally wear a large in most Sitka tops, and this one fits like I expect it to; I’m 5’11” 185 lbs, for reference. I have a longer torso, so I often find jackets (or vests) cut too short. This vest is not. It measures 29” in the center back and provides good coverage, front and rear.
My Use
I got to use the vest extensively for hiking for over two months. The Sitka Ambient 100 vest was comfortable over a base layer top (Sitka Lightweight Core hoody) from ~ 25-45°. This is with no to light winds. If the winds increased, I’d layer a light wind layer on the top. I also found that by adding a light wind layer, I could push those temperatures even further down. The outer fabric has a DWR finish, but if it’s rain or snowing, your base layer is going to get wet, which I think diminishes the need for DWR on a vest.
Just a recent example—yesterday morning I was wearing the vest over the base layer. Temperature was 35 at the trailhead. The climb was pretty steep and pretty windy, but I was on the leeward side of the mountain. The climb to the top of the ridge was perfect for those two layers. When I hit the spine of the ridge I was buffeted with 20-30 mph winds, too cold for that combo; I added a light windshirt and was golden.
Discussion
I see several potential uses for the vest (over a jacket). I think with early archery and early rifle seasons, the vest could be the perfect active layer. With a vest, it’s obviously going to breath better than a similar jacket—you have a large area of your torso that isn’t covered that can spill heat very effectively. At the same time you have your entire core surrounded with a warm layer.
I also see the Ambient 100 vest as a great active layer for high-output activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc. These high-aerobic activities often overwhelm a jacket (but are too cold for just a base layer) but much less likely a vest.
I’m not getting rid of any of my active layer jackets, but this vest has definitely found a place for me.
Comment or ask Mike questions here.
*Sitka is a Rokslide advertiser, but Mike is a freelance writer
