Sitka vs. Core4 vs. APXg2 vs. Kuiu

npaden

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Okay, I've got one season in with a full Core4 gear setup and a fully Russell APXg2 setup and a lightweight Sitka setup.

Trying to decide what to keep, what to sell and what to buy more of.

Out of all of it, I think I like the Core4 stuff the best. I had the element jacket and pants, and the pivot and assault base layers. The element pants were awesome with thigh zips for when it got warm and they were great busting brush. Just thick enough to keep from getting a ton of scratches and scrapes but not so thick that they were hot. The element jacket was good, but not as wind resistant as I would have hoped. It got a little chilly on an exposed ridge in the evenings even with the pivot and assault base layers on at about 50 degrees. If you are moving it isn't an issue, but sitting for a few hours I did get chilled in windy conditions.

I didn't get a chance to try out the APXg2 cyclone rain gear. I just don't hunt in the rain very often. I think for the price I'm going to keep it and I don't think I could justify the price to switch to Sitka or Kuiu for something that isn't going to be worn but once or twice a year maybe.

I was pretty impressed with the APXg2 Zephyr jacket and pants. The pants fit me a bit odd and I'm not sure what is up with that, but again for the price especially at 50% off that I paid for them they are probably worth keeping as a backup for my Core4 stuff. They are more wind resistant than the Element line too. The L4 Gale jacket is VERY wind resistant and sitting on that same windy ridge at 50 degrees I was downright toasty wearing it. The L2 Tundra layer was maybe the best surprise of all my gear, it looks pretty close to worthless, but it is wind resistant and toasty. I wore it under my Element jacket one evening and it was enough to keep me plenty warm. I have the L5 Whiteout jacket and bibbs, but not sure if or when I will wear them. Maybe if I'm planning on sitting in below freezing temperatures in the wind for hours at a time. The L1 lightweight base layer seem like it is pretty good. I never wore the bottoms, but the tops were a good change a few days into the hunt instead of wearing the Core4 baselayer every day.

I'm probably going to just hold onto all my APXg2 gear, I don't think I could sell it for enough to justify not keeping it. The only thing that I don't really like is the Zephyr pants and mainly that is a fit issue, not the quality of the gear or anything like that.

The difficult decision is my Sitka gear. I really like the Optifade Open Country camo pattern although I doubt any animals actually are going to notice the difference. My Core4 MM pattern held up well in the field with a cow elk staring me down from 65 yards with not a stich of cover between us but with a pinion pine tree to break up my outline. I still like the Optifade pattern better though.

I have a core zip T, ascent pants, and jetstream vest that I've worn on a couple outings. I also have a core layer pants and gloves and the traverse gloves. The zip T and jetstream vest did fine, but the ascent pants are almost too light for me. Very similar to wearing twill pants, every thorn, twig, etc. goes right through them and you can feel it. These also don't fit me exceptionally well as to get them to fit in the thighs I have to get the waist too big. I bought all of the stuff I have at pretty discounted prices, but I have struggled to find more at a price I was willing to pay. I thought I would need the traverse zip T and maybe the 90% set to really give them a chance but I could never find them on sale. I had them set aside to sell them on the classifieds, but now some of their stuff is going on sale and I find myself thinking about buying more of it mainly because I like the camo pattern. I'm curious if the 90% Sitka gear is going to be similar to the Core4 Element stuff in weight and being able to bust brush without it biting back as much as when wearing the Ascent pants.

I watch the Kuiu stuff as well and they have had some decent sales on them, but I am still not 100% sold on them. Seems that the attack pant and guide jacket would be something worth trying out, but I just haven't seen them cheap enough to pull the trigger on them.

If I sold the Sitka gear that I have I could come close to buying another set of the Core4 Element gear and that way I could swap them out for some fresh smelling clothes on the longer hunts, but I wish the Element gear was a little more wind resistant.

Probably more of a ramble than anything else, but I would love to hear other folks thoughts on the subject.

Thanks, Nathan
 
I'm not sold on the core element coat being waterproof. Also why put pit zips on the sides? I want them in my arm pit. The pants were a great except in 60 degree plus weather.
 
My element pants held up well walking through wet brush in the mornings. The outside did get wet, but it never made it all the way through.

I'm not expecting anything but raingear to be waterproof, but hopefully the jacket would qualify as water resistant, although the lack of wind resistance does make you worry about water resistance.
 
I'm always leary of in home gear tests vs field testing. But first thing I did with my Element jacket when I got my set in was fill up a bolt of water, wad up some paper towels, and weighed down one of the sleeves with the SEAM 100% submerged and left it there for 15 minutes. Came back and the papertowel on the inside was still bone dry.

Like you I wish it was more wind resistant, but for now it'll work! Sure does help the breathability of it and I love the camo pattern.

Mike
 
I have to admit I tried the core4 pants this year for a day they did not fit the pads caught below my knees if they work that out I think they would be fine. I loved the ascent pants for early season bow but I the more I wear the Kuiu Attack pants I like them more every time I come back. I will be buying more this spring I have heard that they are coming out with a more green camo pattern this spring. I have the older 90% jacket with the hood and I will never part with that coat. I have the kuiu vest and like it alot also the rain gear I got a lot of use out of it this year and it worked great and is light enough to carry in my pack. I think Core4 has a place I like their wool and shirts alot. Very similar to the sitika gear at a reduced price. I have not tried any fo the APXg2 gear so I can't comment on that.


If there is any proof of a man in a hunt it is not whether he killed a deer or elk but how he hunted it.
 
I prefer my Core4 over my Sitka! I were the Element jacket and pants, 90% equivelant this year and it beaded water pretty well until after a full day of rain and hail I was damp. The Merino is better than Kuiu and the price is great. I use them all mentioned as well the new Kryptek and I really like the Core4 stuff.
 
All I own of the core 4 is the merino base layers. It is without a doubt nicer than sitka, firstlite or kuiu merino base layers and I've owned them all. Made in China, but it is some sweet stuff.
 
Check out my review on the kuiu thread.
And if your worried about price on the kuiu, and you own sitka.. sitka is ripping you off. Buy the kuiu. It all rocks. I own just about every piece of clothing and the icon 3000 pack and used it in extream hunting conditions.
 
I used the Core4 Element pants and jacket along with the base layers on a 21 day backpack trip hunting sheep in Alaska this past fall. I absolutely love the pants. Especially the the knee pads. They sit low on your knees while you are standing, but when you kneel, they are perfectly positioned. I spend a lot of time skinning two lifesize Dall sheep, and deboning them for the pack out. We also took two huge moose and a grizzly bear on the trip, and the two other guys on the trip with me were wishing they had the Core4 pants with the knee pads.
The jacket looks cool, and is water resistant, but not water proof. It's great for hiking in cold weather, but not quite warm enough to wear alone in freezing temps with wind.

Definitely my favorite outdoor backpack clothing I've ever owned. I like the zips in the thighs too, it's good to keep you cool when packing.

Thumbs up for the Core4 stuff.
DeerBeDead
 
Here's when the Core4 pants were really nice! Those rocks were sharp, and I never even felt them on my bony knees.
Deerbedead





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Do the core4 pants come some kind of super assguard deflector/absorbancy system? Might be handy when you cramp up after gorging on unfiltered water lol. JK- good review.
 
Bill, No Assguard system, just a simple strainer w/filter. Thezips in the legs make it easy to change disposable filters, when the effects of the unfiltered water surface.
DeerBeDead,
 

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