Best All-Around Clothing- Sitka, ????????

T264

Active Member
Messages
726
I am looking to buy a complete set of hunting clothing that will work in south Texas in the 50 degrees as well as up in the mountains in single digit temps. Is there a "perfect" system? I have multiple types right now including a Cabelas bib and parka for really cold but it is a pain in the arse to pack and is very bulky. I have no experience with the new Sitka lines or other similar companies that make the newer slim fitting types of gear. Is it still as warm or do you need to buy it extra big for multiple base layers? Opinions please


T264
 
LAST EDITED ON Oct-30-12 AT 08:24AM (MST)[p]For my money, it is always wool. You can buy products of any thickness, and the new ones are as soft and comfortable, or even more so, as anything out there. I layer up with two 1/4 zip wool tops, and a wool vest. anything more on top of that will depend on if the weather is wet or dry. Any outer coat always has to have a hood. Head insulation is a must on cold windy days, when you are sitting, and if there is snow, the hood keeps it from falling off overhanging limbs and going down your neck. Lighter weight wool pants are comfortable even in 50 and 60 degree temps and they breathe well if you work up a sweat. A light weight rain pant can be added for wind break or wet conditions. I hate too much thickness on my legs, so rarely wear thermal bottoms under the wool pants. Wool doesn't pick up body odor. You will not even be able to stand yourself, with the newer products after a few days of hard hunting. That's my opinion. I'm sure others will post and disagree.
 
I've got both the Sitka Ascent pant and Kuiu Attack pant. The Kuiu Attack pant with thigh zips is much better for me than the Sitka. The Sitka has come apart in the thigh and there warranty dept did an ok job getting it fixed up.

I've also got Cabela's microtek and wool pants. They stay home now.
 
I am a big Sitka fan. I hunt from mid August to late November in Wyoming. I don't think you will need to buy extra big sizes for multiple base layers. The Sitka website has a system builder feature that is decent at helping you determine which layers make sense for your hunts. I've had one article that I returned because a seam starting coming apart. I was given a brand new pair in return right there in the store with no questions asked. I sent in a pack for some repairs after 2 years and they sent me a new pack entirely (free). I had a broke buckle and a waist strap loop that ripped off. Both were a result of some pretty heavy abuse from me.

I had another experience that has pretty much sold me on the clothing. I was in a pair of ascent pants and crossing a barbed wire fence. I straddled a t-post when the barbed wire gave way and slid down the t-post. That left my entire body weight suspended by the crotch of the pants. My feet were hanging off of the ground and there was literally nothing for me to grab. My partner had to lift me up and I was able to rake my pants off of the top of the t-post. I had two pin-holes in the pants. I was amazed. Went back to the store, showed them the damage, and left with a brand new pair.

A guy I work with really likes his Kuiu gear as well. It is my understanding that Kuiu has recently moved their manufacturing from Canada to China to keep up with demand. I know some people have complained about the long time their orders can be on back order. Hopefully moving the manufacturing to China will help alleviate that problem and keep their quality up.

My Early Season: Ascent Pant, Traverse Zip-T, Ball Cap

My Late Season: Mountain Pant, Traverse Zip-T, Kelvin Vest, Jetstream Jacket, Traverse Beanie

I wear a first lite base layer during both seasons.
 
Core4Element Merino Base layers, the softest smoothest merino I can find. Kuiu attack pants. Sitka kelvin vest and jacket. Kuiu Chugach raingear is the best I have ever worn, it breathes extremely well. I don't know if this system will be good to zero but it works for me in August and Sept down to the 30's.

I own the sitka acent pants, but not the new mountain pant, and they are not built as well as KUIU. The attack pants are a heavier material and are warmer and believe it or not on hot days they are cooler. It's nice to hear that some people have had good luck with sitkas warranty, unfortunately I cannot say the same.
 
>Core4Element Merino Base layers, the softest
>smoothest merino I can find.
>Kuiu attack pants. Sitka kelvin
>vest and jacket. Kuiu Chugach
>raingear is the best I
>have ever worn, it breathes
>extremely well. I don't know
>if this system will be
>good to zero but it
>works for me in August
>and Sept down to the
>30's.
>
>I own the sitka acent pants,
>but not the new mountain
>pant, and they are not
>built as well as KUIU.
>The attack pants are a
>heavier material and are warmer
>and believe it or not
>on hot days they are
>cooler. It's nice to hear
>that some people have had
>good luck with sitkas warranty,
>unfortunately I cannot say the
>same.

Sorry to hear you had warranty issues. In the five years I have been using Sitka gear, I've listed every warranty experience I have had in the post above. The stuff has been bombproof and the Wyoming wilderness has really tested it for me. I am not sure how many articles I have from Sitka (actually I just took an inventory in my head, currently 12 pieces), but definitely enough to establish a pattern of performance for me. Having said that, I do pick up a pair of shooter gloves every other season. I wear gloves almost all of the time I am out scouting or hunting to protect my hands and the gloves wear out after a full two seasons.
 
So, are you guys telling me that if my Sitka pants have some tears from branches and brush that Sitka will repair or replace them?
 
>So, are you guys telling me
>that if my Sitka pants
>have some tears from branches
>and brush that Sitka will
>repair or replace them?

The retail store I purchase from does (Rocky Mountain Discount) in Cody, Wyoming.
 
>I've got both the Sitka Ascent
>pant and Kuiu Attack pant.
> The Kuiu Attack pant
>with thigh zips is much
>better for me than the
>Sitka. The Sitka has
>come apart in the thigh
>and there warranty dept did
>an ok job getting it
>fixed up.
>
>I've also got Cabela's microtek and
>wool pants. They stay
>home now.

I noticed a couple guys compared the ascent pant to the attack pant. This is retarded. they aren't the same type of garment. A comparison between the Sitka mountain pant and the Kuiu attack pant is fair. If you don't own both then you really can't compare now can you you? And I own all three of the garments mentioned.

I love Internet hunters who feel free to comment on products they don't own nor ever used.

Kuiu is headed in the right direction and eventually will be the leader in this type of clothing. However, they are not there yet. The sitka products are still ahead of them in quality and availability. Do some reading and decide which Sitka products work for your situation. And watch the classifieds on websites and buy the stuff brand new as 70% of retail.
 
I've got Microtex, Ascent Pant, and the Attack Pant. The water repellent coating and four way stretch make Sitka and Kuiu a better all around pant than the microtek IMHO. All three get packed when I leave for an extended trip and microtek is much more affordable and perhaps tougher.
 
I have both Sitka and Kuiu. I jumped ship with Jason when my Sitka gear had wore out because of his customer service and sizing (tall guys)...great gear if you can afford it.



My favorite hunts are because they were with friends and family not just because "I got one".
 
>So, are you guys telling me
>that if my Sitka pants
>have some tears from branches
>and brush that Sitka will
>repair or replace them?

I don't know how in the world I missed this in Nov? But any way, no they will not. I had a pair of ascent pants develop a very small hole in the seat after 1 month of wear. They charged me to fix it and used the wrong color camo patch to boot.
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom