Buying Sitka - outerwear or base layers???

[piercebronkite]

I just bought a Fanatic jacket for 40% off for the same reason you're looking for one. I have read the same thing the members are posting on here.

I like Kuiu as well but for mountain hunting as they have pants that can dump heat (side vents).

[Pistol]

I'd suggest Sitka's outerwear as a primary focus.

You basically want to look at two options they offer:

Fanatic - A little bulky, quietest outerwear I've ever used, extremely warm.

Incinerator - Much thinner than the Fanatic line, highly water resistant, but a little louder when moving around. Slightly warmer than the Fanatic, especially if there's any precipitation.

For me:

I wear the Fanatic when hunting close range(30 yards or less)

I wear the Incinerator if there's precipitation or I'm hunting further range(over 30 yards)

If bulk is restricting you, you may want to sacrifice the noise and go with the Incinerator. But, I will say the Fanatic can be successfully bow hunted in without any issues.

Either way, it's going to be a big upgrade over most of the sold weather camo offered out there. Kuiu is a great product too. But, they won't give me 40%+ off their products so I don't use them.

If you're in the Dallas area I suggest visiting whichever brands store you plan to buy and trying the outerwear on before buying so you can determine if they're too bulky for your comfort or not.

Thanks! This is exactly the review I was looking for!

[Pistol]

How are y'all getting 40% off?

[kry226]

How are y'all getting 40% off?

Certain occupations can join Sitka's Pro Program... guides, outfitters, first responders, military. Same with First Lite. Kuiu will only give those groups 10% off. Agree with SB09, that's a big hit against Kuiu, so I'm staying Sitka/First Lite. I do have a pair of Kuiu brush pants on order as they seemed to be more highly rated than anything else by Sitka/FL- and the only reason I'd go with Kuiu... to fill gaps that Sitka/FL don't cover, or at least don't cover well. I also think Camofire occasionally will have Sitka for good discounts as well.

[BTLowry]

Windblocker layer is a must

Kuiu just came out with a quite outer layer for bowhunters, Encounter series

I buy most of my stuff from the end of season sales to make my $$ go a little farther

[Throwin Darts]

Buy the outer layer. I have the Fanatic and the Stratus and the Fanatic is too much for Texas hunting. Stratus is the all around ticket for around here.

When you do buy base layers, First Lites are way more comfortable than Sitkas. I always go light on base layers. The First Lite Wick quarter zip and the Kiln Zip Off Long John is the combo you want.

[Texans42]

Polortec base layers and Cabelas Windproof berber worked great sitting in tripods for years. Windproof stuff is gonna be a little loud. 100% 250gr wool base layers required in that cold wind! Maybe a windproof mid under thick fleece for quietness

Kings has a a windproof system that looks pretty nice also

I picked up the kings wind defender(pants and pull over) last year for tree stand hunting. Its not water proof, but very quiet, well thought out and warm.

It wouldnt be Sitka Incinerator aerolite warm but would be a touch less warm then Fanatic and is a touch warmer then Cabelas Berber/windblocker and with better features

OP I would go outerwear. Sitka’s base layers is always going to be active base layer, you can find warmer.

[Bullseye07]

Buy the outer layer. I have the Fanatic and the Stratus and the Fanatic is too much for Texas hunting. Stratus is the all around ticket for around here.

When you do buy base layers, First Lites are way more comfortable than Sitkas. I always go light on base layers. The First Lite Wick quarter zip and the Kiln Zip Off Long John is the combo you want.

This man speaks the truth. I have the stratus bib and they’re perfect for TX.

[Jackal]

How are y'all getting 40% off?

If you can wait till Black Friday, last year Sitka ran 40-60% off on most items on their website.

[Pistol]

That's a great idea! Thanks!