Jacket recommendations

[Hammer]

I apologize if this has been hashed out in a different thread - I tried searching but couldn't find what I was looking for. For bottoms I wear Sitka timberline pants in open country pattern. For tops I usually run a Sitka lightweight base layer and an older, heavier coat that is great for sitting, but with any sort of activity I turn into a damn human furnace in it. I only rifle hunt for deer and usually find myself in either a spot and stalk situation or sometimes I may need to walk in after a bedded deer by walking thru buck brush, cattails, etc so I'm hoping to find something that works in 20-40 temps that I won't overheat in but won't freeze in either. I've heard good things about the stratus jacket but admit that I'm really not too familiar with all of the Sitka lines, and the differences between them. Anybody got something they can recommend?

 

[Longtine]

I apologize if this has been hashed out in a different thread - I tried searching but couldn't find what I was looking for. For bottoms I wear Sitka timberline pants in open country pattern. For tops I usually run a Sitka lightweight base layer and an older, heavier coat that is great for sitting, but with any sort of activity I turn into a damn human furnace in it. I only rifle hunt for deer and usually find myself in either a spot and stalk situation or sometimes I may need to walk in after a bedded deer by walking thru buck brush, cattails, etc so I'm hoping to find something that works in 20-40 temps that I won't overheat in but won't freeze in either. I've heard good things about the stratus jacket but admit that I'm really not too familiar with all of the Sitka lines, and the differences between them. Anybody got something they can recommend?

I have Sitka and Kuiu. Much prefer Kuiu. Kutana shell over Super Down Pro.......silly good.

 

[Achucker]

Sitka jetstream over merino sweatshirt

 

[CatDaddy]

Scheel's has hunting clothes on sale:

First Lite: https://www.scheels.com/search/?q=first lite

Sitka: https://www.scheels.com/search/?q=sitka

 

[1850reata]

Sitka Jetstream over the Sitka puffy jacket.

 

[NodakBob]

You have two different needs…sitting in the cold or working up a sweat. Need to dress in layers, and take off a layer while walking. I’ll put a down vest or jacket in my pack for when I sit. I use a thin merino wool stocking cap while walking and put another heavier head gear on while sitting.

 

[zoops]

Would second the jetstream. Light enough that you can walk with just a t shirt under it in 50-60 degree weather (I wear it often in the summer even for boat rides at sunrise), cuts the wind well enough to layer a sweatshirt or whatever under it in 20-30 degree weather. Wouldn't be great for longer sits in cold weather.

 

[Tymurrey]

I carry a sitka jetstream vest and i think it's the really lightweight mountain jacket which is basically just a shell that helps cut wind down. I will put them on when i stop to sit for awhile but then take off when hiking and wear just some base layers and i think it's the sitka fanatic hoody. I can't remember for sure.

 

[Whisky]

I'm a big fan of some of these "active insulation" pieces that have been coming out the last couple years. For what you described I'd look at the Ambient 75 hoody or the 100 hooded jacket for your active layer/insulation piece, and then add the Stratus (or Jetstream) over top when sitting for wind/moisture protection and additional warmth. I think you'll overheat in the Stratus or Jetstream while hiking (I do), and it won't be warm enough on it's own for sitting in sub freezing temps.

 

[CatDaddy]

Anyone run the heated vests or jackets? A buddy of mine bought a heated vest and swears by it in the tree stand.

 

[Hammer]

Anyone run the heated vests or jackets? A buddy of mine bought a heated vest and swears by it in the tree stand.

I have the Pnuma heated vest. Works pretty well. I won't say that it's "toasty warm", but it definitely takes the edge off. Has 3 heat settings which drain your battery at different rates. In cold temps you can run on high but only maybe for a couple hours. Run on low and you get prolly 5-6 hours. The battery is small and lightweight - I don't even know it's there when wearing it, and you can even charge your phone off it if needed but will drain battery. It can be worn directly against your skin but can feel a little too warm where the coils are. I usually wear on top of a skin tight base layer and I'm just fine. I opted for the vest instead of jacket with the idea being to keep the heat close to the body and insulate with layers on top instead of losing external heat with the jacket, but I also haven't tried a heated jacket to see how it performs.

 

[Whisky]

Anyone run the heated vests or jackets? A buddy of mine bought a heated vest and swears by it in the tree stand.

I don't, yet. But I've been looking into them. One brand keeps coming up weather it's hunter recommendations, hikers, snow skiiers, etc.... Ororo....Most experienced people also say you need something with lower back heating, which a lot of products don't offer lower back. Ororo has one vest with lower back:

https://www.ororowear.com/products/mens-heated-softshell-vest?variant=42488951931062

It's on sale now, i'm probably going to order one to finish out late season archery with. And I will get an extra battery to carry for longer sits.

 

[johnr]

When I started hunting for the first time, a broke kid, I purchased some long sleeve shirts, fairly heavy cotton ones. I couple of flannel long sleeve shirts with the pockets for my smokes. Now 37 years latter they still oddly fit, and have never upgraded any of it. Never been cold, I have been too hot, but I just peal a layer off and I am good to go.

I hunt with several different groups, and when I get to the season ending pheasant blast down in the Regent area, the fellas that attend this excellent hunt are all showing off their nifty fancy outfits, and parading around like they are on a runway. Always makes me laugh, as I stand there in almost 40 year old hunting clothing, having spent nothing in decades. I feel as though they are buying some of this stuff just to be in the fancy pants club... It almost has a gay feeling to it all.

To be clear, I am not saying there is anything wrong with spending a months wages to get a new outfit. It just isn't important to me, and I also don't go on extravagant hunts requiring long hours and potential over night stays.

 

[Allen]

Anyone run the heated vests or jackets? A buddy of mine bought a heated vest and swears by it in the tree stand.

I bought one for an ex a few years ago. She LOVED it and wore the thing pretty much every day, all day from Nov through April. There are a number of them on the market, so you will want to look them over pretty good before choosing one as the location and quantity of the heating pads vary a little bit (a neck heater is nice). When it comes to the battery...I'd suggest getting one that will allow you to use those spare batteries you can also use as a phone charger, that will allow you to carry a spare.

I think I spent about $150 on hers about 5 years ago.

 

[Tikka280ai]

I bought one for an ex a few years ago. She LOVED it and wore the thing pretty much every day, all day from Nov through April. There are a number of them on the market, so you will want to look them over pretty good before choosing one as the location and quantity of the heating pads vary a little bit (a neck heater is nice). When it comes to the battery...I'd suggest getting one that will allow you to use those spare batteries you can also use as a phone charger, that will allow you to carry a spare.

I think I spent about $150 on hers about 5 years ago.

If a guy has fallen down the milwaukee rabbit hole it would be hard to pass on their stuff due to having multiple batteries on hand. Both m12 and m18 batteries can be used with the appropriate adapter