What Sitka Gear should I buy?

LCHC

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I'm looking at buying a set of Sitka Camo's for my Sept. elk hunt in NM and coues deer hunt in Nov-Dec in NM also.

Not looking for Kuiu info they might be as good or better but don't like their camo patterns for hunting NM.

What pants?
What shirt?
What tee shirt?
What coat?

What do you guys wear in Sitka camo's?

Weather will be cooler morning and warm up in the afternoon on the elk hunt. Deer hunt should be pretty cool.
 
I've had both and kuiu is the best, cheaper too. The only good piece of sitka gear is the kelvin jacket.
 
Don't listen to the KUIU groupies. Sitka is great gear as well and will do you fine. I used the Ascent Pants, baselayer top and 90% jacket in the mornings for my NM hunts a few years ago. Both my hunts were in Sept and those articles were fine for the temps. Not uncommon to get afternoon thunderstorms during that time of year though so some lightweight packable raingear is also advised. I carried the Cabela's Space rain which is fine for the application. The rain didn't usually last long and terrain wasn't extreme and you could easily avoid the brush which tends to tear the lightweight Space rain in other environments.
I used both the Mountain Mimicry and Optifade. Both are decent camo. I was a little worried about the Optifade but even my guide was surprised how well it blended in and broke up my outline in that terrain.
I had a 4 cow elk walk up to me within 10 yds. One was literally nearly licking my nocked broadhead. They didn't seem to mind the Optifade either.
 
When I use camo, it's usually Cabelas Microtech in Outfitters camo. It's silent, soft, comfortable, and best of all cheap.

When I'm not wearing camo, I wear Carhart pants, and a fleece jacket.

I believe expensive camo like Sitka, or kuiu is a joke. You're wearing $500-$600 worth of clothing, to run around the mountains in. If your wife came to you and said that she had just bought a pair of pants and a shirt that cost $500 you'd freak out. Just saying.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-13 AT 08:20AM (MST)[p]Kuiu is good stuff and ya might want to reconsider, but here is what I would suggest in Sitka.

Mountain pants - a little heavier than say the Ascent pant, but the knee pads are sweet and the built in belt is nice.

Gotta have a zip-t and a kelvin vest.

IMO the best jacket they make is the Jetstream; light, wind resistant, quiet, and works great with layers.

Might want to get a set of Traverse bottoms for the Nov/Dec hunt.

I haven't used any of their Core shirts so I can't help ya there, but I have used the above mentioned items.

Expensive camo is no different than expensive gold clubs, optics, bows, guns, UTV's, fishing rods, etc. etc. etc.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-19-13 AT 10:43AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-13 AT 01:20?PM (MST)

Thanks guys that posted what I had asked for. Info on Sitka Gear.

Nothing against Kuiu other than the pattern its just I want a set of Sitka and by the way I get a pretty good discount off Sitka Gear and 0% off Kuiu.

I think smitty is spot on. I would flip if my wife bought a $500-600 set of cloths. Even with the a discount off I'm going to have to think real hard before I make that purchase.

Thanks again for the info.
 
I've used the Sitka Jetstream jacket and liked it real well and would recommend it. Sold it on ebay though. Unless you're a guide or spend ALOT of time in the field (meaning 4+ weeks per fall), Sitka is overpriced unless money is no issue.

Example - let's say you've got a elk hunt planned and you plan on scouting for 4-5 days and then hunting your 7-9 days this fall. Really? A $1,000 outfit is justified? Because you'll have $1,000 in it with jacket, pants and shirt. I know it last many seasons but so does the other stuff. And I really don't think you're putting yourself in "danger" by using the other stuff. And you're going to baby your high dollar stuff and not want it bloody or torn up.

I'm 32 and make great money, but if I were to mention to my dad or grandad that I just spent $325 on a hunting jacket and $250 on some hunting pants I think they'd pass out. And that's probably the same scenerio for most of us here. Of course you could use this same scenerio for guided hunts, gear, scopes, vouchers, etc so maybe my above point has no validity.

That all being said - I do enjoy using the high dollar stuff when I get a chance to do so.
 
All, everyone makes good points. Can you get by with blue jeans and a cotton long sleeve shirt with a heavy Carhart jacket? Of course. The question is where are you going to be hunting? Many miles back in the woods is totally different than an hour from the truck. Most who buy the expensive stuff do it for a reason; it keeps them more comfortable, drier, cooler, warmer, what ever the case may be. I cannot speak for the others, but I do not "baby" my gear because of the cost. I can see where some folks might, and Smitty brings up a great point. Do not waste the money if you will not use it as intended.

I am a big Sitka fan because it works and keeps the elements at bay, which means it could save your life. Plus, as mentioned by LCHC, I get a great discount on Sitka, so I am partial to their gear. For pants, I have the Ascent, Mountain, and 90% pants. I use the 90% as my winter work pants in remote Alaska, and they work great. I have the Ascent Shirt, but wear it with Minus 33 Merino Wool. I do not care for Sitkas next to skin stuff. For jackets, I have the 90%, Coldfront, Stormfront, and Kelvin Jackets. I do not wear the 90% much at all and use the others much more, as needed.

I have heard great things about Kuiu, but have not tried their gear. Mostly, cause I would have to pay full price:).

This is just my 2 pennies, for what its worth.

Anyway, good luck on your choice and let us know how it went.

V/R
Garion33
 
Im a fan of Sitka. Good stuff. My hunting ward rope is a mix and match of varios brands and articles of clothing. Sitka gear that I use and like. Ive run my gear through the ringer on most hunts, had to send in some of the sikta gear in to be repaired from being ripped or torn. User at fault, not the gear.
90% Pants I use most of the time. If in wintery conditions. I also put on long underwear and gators. I use to wear wool pants in this senerio but have found this sitka combination is just as warm and easier to walk in.
90% coat, seldom wear it while hiking unless its very blistery out, if Im glassing for a while then it goes on.
Rest of the Sitka line I do not know much about.
 
I have been using my Sitka gear for about 5 years now. I love it. I have the Ascent and Timberline pants. I wear the Ascent most of the year until end of Sept and then use the Timberline. The ascent pants are the most comfortable pants I have ever worn. I have the 90% jacket and use it year round when I need a jacket. It sheds water pretty well if you get caught in a brief storm. I also have the Core zip, traverse zip, kelvin lite jacket, Celsius vest, and traverse beanie. I like it all. I haven't tried the Kuiu stuff seems pretty comparable, but like you I get a better discount on the Sitka so for me it's an easy decision.
 

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