Sitka gear…..$$$$

[FightingSioux]

Were you warm? Dry? Besides looking good, sell me on why I should spend tons of $$ on Sitka......

I’ve never been warmer than in my Sitka waterfowl gear. The stuff is made to perform in the cold temps! Warm and breathable while still being able to move around east to shoulder a gun is a must!

For backcountry hunting I wouldn’t wear anything else. The flex and breath ability of the pants is a must for walking miles in harsh terrain with burrs and snags galore. The clothes fit like a glove and there is no unnecessary bulk. The clothe breathe and cut the wind at the same time all while keeping you warm and not drenched in sweat. I wouldn’t wear ordinary clothes in the backcountry any day. It’s not about the brand name or camo color, it’s about the functionality. I think most of my Sitka gear was 40-80% off so price really wasn’t bad

 

[Tymurrey]

My Sitka gear performs amazing but I just don’t get the guys that wear it everywhere. I own quite a bit of it but make fun of the guys that show up to the bar in the evening decked out from head to toe in it. I understand if you are stopping in right from the field but usually I just seen the same guys at the hotel where I went in and changed so I didn’t look like a 6.5 creedmoor with a vortex scope drinking a Starbucks latte and Sitka camo wearing douche. For sure great gear that is well designed but I don’t like the guys that seem to wear it to brag or think it’s cool.

 

[FightingSioux]

My Sitka gear performs amazing but I just don’t get the guys that wear it everywhere. I own quite a bit of it but make fun of the guys that show up to the bar in the evening decked out from head to toe in it. I understand if you are stopping in right from the field but usually I just seen the same guys at the hotel where I went in and changed so I didn’t look like a 6.5 creedmoor with a vortex scope drinking a Starbucks latte and Sitka camo wearing douche. For sure great gear that is well designed but I don’t like the guys that seem to wear it to brag or think it’s cool.

I wear my Sitka jackets to the bar or work because they are better jackets than my non hunting clothes. They are the best I own for keeping me warm and cutting the wind. I wear mine ice fishing too!

 

[Tymurrey]

I wear my Sitka jackets to the bar or work because they are better jackets than my non hunting clothes. They are the best I own for keeping me warm and cutting the wind. I wear mine ice fishing too!

I don’t have a problem with that, I’ve jus never understood the guys who go back to the hotel and don’t change and wear it to the bar or restaurant a decked out head to tail. I do my best to not look like the outsider or nonresident when I’m on my hunts.

My carhartt jacket probably keeps me as warm as my Sitka stuff except for when I start sweating and would rather wear that to the bar and get it all stunk up like deep fryer grease and Budweiser. The carhartt just isn’t as comfy or well designed for hunting situations. Or I’ll just toss a sweatshirt on if I’m only going from the pickup to a building and back.

 

[Kurtr]

My Sitka gear performs amazing but I just don’t get the guys that wear it everywhere. I own quite a bit of it but make fun of the guys that show up to the bar in the evening decked out from head to toe in it. I understand if you are stopping in right from the field but usually I just seen the same guys at the hotel where I went in and changed so I didn’t look like a 6.5 creedmoor with a vortex scope drinking a Starbucks latte and Sitka camo wearing douche. For sure great gear that is well designed but I don’t like the guys that seem to wear it to brag or think it’s cool.

I wear solids pretty often just because it’s comfortable. I’ve also killed more shit than the plague the last decade with my 6.5 topped with a vortex.

 

[Tymurrey]

I wear solids pretty often just because it’s comfortable. I’ve also killed more shit than the plague the last decade with my 6.5 topped with a vortex.

I don’t doubt that, I just couldn’t believe how many guys thought they could buy a 6.5 creedmoor and top it with a vortex scope and instantly shoot to 1000 yards without practice when the 6.5 first was popular. No problem with guys wearing the high dollar camo, I understand it’s comfortable and good gear as I own way more than I probably should and their fanatic jacket is crazy good for late season bow hunting but I will take my $50 dollar carhartt any day for general wear as I can’t afford to trash a $300+ Sitka jacket. Maybe I’m just a poor.

If you can’t tell there is some sarcasm in my posts about the 6.5 and guys wearing Sitka/kuiu gear in the bars and that a select few people (Washington state guys mostly it seems) have created a few stereotypes for me I apologize.

 

[Allen]

That buy once cry once deal is true.

There is something to be said about this, especially when we are talking about winter wear. I am still using a winter coat and bibs I bought some 10+ yrs ago. I don't even remember the brand name of it, but it was some of the higher priced stuff at Scheels back then (not sure it's still available) costing me around $350=$400 for the jacket/bibs combo.

I still can sit behind a twig at 10 degrees with a brisk wind for several hours wearing that gear before I get chilled. It's been well worth the coin at this point.

 

[Allen]

p.s. I own neither Sitka or Kuiu gear, so I have no opinion on their products.

 

[Allen]

The Walmart and flannel guy don’t venture very far from the truck!

Oddly, a light quilted flannel is my go-to for above zero temps if I am planning on being active. Love that quilted flannel so long as it is relatively thin.

 

[deleted___account]

Some day ile have that big boy sitka money. some day. sigh. jkjk i just brewed a huge batch of apple pie tonight. Sitka has a purpose. Wheres the fn tylenolo!

 

[shorthairsrus]

Yep worth every penny to me. I get to spend more time in the field comfortably. Lots of times I’m going hunting while Walmart camo guy doesn’t even get out of bed because the weather sucks. Fit function and quality is top notch. It lasts longer so if you run it it’s probably cheaper over the years than lower price and quality gear

Get out of the fkn truck and walk you will warm up trust me. Same with that 10k spotting scope hangin on your truck window eyeing my every move waiting for me to kick out a big buck. Ha

 

[shorthairsrus]

Ps they do sell sitka on some of chinese sights alliexpress i dont know if they are real or not. But if u want to brag at the bar have at em.

 

[shorthairsrus]

There is something to be said about this, especially when we are talking about winter wear. I am still using a winter coat and bibs I bought some 10+ yrs ago. I don't even remember the brand name of it, but it was some of the higher priced stuff at Scheels back then (not sure it's still available) costing me around $350=$400 for the jacket/bibs combo.

I still can sit behind a twig at 10 degrees with a brisk wind for several hours wearing that gear before I get chilled. It's been well worth the coin at this point.

I bought a columbia waterfowl jacket that had 700 goose down in it from scheels. Now we all know how hot that bstrd is setting up deeks and what would happen if it got wet

But a go to for ice fishing

 

[Kurtr]

Get out of the fkn truck and walk you will warm up trust me. Same with that 10k spotting scope hangin on your truck window eyeing my every move waiting for me to kick out a big buck. Ha

Says the guy who talks about road hunting pheasants with his dog. Lay off the booze

 

[Kurtr]

I don’t doubt that, I just couldn’t believe how many guys thought they could buy a 6.5 creedmoor and top it with a vortex scope and instantly shoot to 1000 yards without practice when the 6.5 first was popular. No problem with guys wearing the high dollar camo, I understand it’s comfortable and good gear as I own way more than I probably should and their fanatic jacket is crazy good for late season bow hunting but I will take my $50 dollar carhartt any day for general wear as I can’t afford to trash a $300+ Sitka jacket. Maybe I’m just a poor.

If you can’t tell there is some sarcasm in my posts about the 6.5 and guys wearing Sitka/kuiu gear in the bars and that a select few people (Washington state guys mostly it seems) have created a few stereotypes for me I apologize.

I do only wear solids out and about so it’s really no different than any other hoodie or what not. I’m not a full camo into the bar guy unless it is directly from the field but that is a very rare case.

 

[guywhofishes]

I do only wear solids out and about so it’s really no different than any other hoodie or what not. I’m not a full camo into the bar guy unless it is directly from the field but that is a very rare case.

I feel like a dork even going into a gas station wearing full camo.

 

[SDMF]

Rule #1: Manage self-created moisture (sweat), get it away from your skin and evaporating/drying as quickly as possible. I don't bird hunt early-season in cotton T-shirts anymore, I usually wear a long-sleeved vented lightweight "fishing" shirt that dries fast and cools me as it does. If a person is moving late-season in the cold and you keep the moisture moving off your skin, you'll get by with a lot less overall insulation.

Rule # 2: Manage wind penetration. If you're hunting Sharps @ 75 degrees on opening day, you probably DON'T want windstopper. If you're hunting something late in the single-digits w/a breeze, you probably do.

Some wind-proofing laminate materials stop wind very well while also breathing fairly well. Some wind-proofing laminate materials breathe only slightly better than a bread-sack over cotton socks. In that vein, Gore-Tex Infinium's breathability-to-wind-stopping ratio is worth the $$ from whatever manufacturer puts it into the piece of gear that fits your need whether it's gloves, hats, coats, pants, whatever.

By managing moisture and wind penetration effectively, a person can get by with less than 1/2 the bulk you needed even 10yrs ago to stay comfortable.

 

[riverview]

I dont mind buying spendy gear as long as it lasts more than a few years. Most of the spendy gear i have bought is actually cheaper in the long run because it last longer.

 

[guywhofishes]

I bought Arc’teryx Alpha mountaineering rain gear 20 years ago for fishing because kickass fishing raingear wasnt a thing yet. $200 for jacket, same for bibs. On sale at Scheels.

Still own them - still incredibly comfortable and effective.

They’re $650 each now.

 

[jr2280]

I’m a Sitka guy. Laugh if you want, most of my hunting buddies do. You can get the stuff for 60% off retail easily and once I started trying it I would never go back. My hunting buddies get all sweated up guess what I don’t. Last night I was out for over 8 hours in sub zero temps and only thing that got cold was feet. Never got sweaty. I would wear it every day if I could. Not saying you can’t get by, but I hope to never have to. If I can ad hours upon hours of hunting in comfort I guess I’m in. If you’re going to hunt in a blind drinking your coffee and have your Mr heater cranked up well then it’s probably a waste. I’m busting through 4-5 ft drifts chasing coyotes in snowshoes and it’s worth its weight in gold.