Sitka Gear - good fortune decision to make.

[WTNUT]

Okay, I have looked at Sitka Gear for a few years but refused to pay the price. It does not matter whether you have 10 dollars or 10 million, that is a heck of a lot of money for hunting cloths!!! However, last week I ended up with the Whitetail Fanatic Jacket $399, the Whitetail Fanatic Bib approx. $229 and the Whitetail INCENERATOR BIB $499 70 percent (70%) off. Long story .... they did not have the Fanatic Bib.

I am thinking of selling the INCENERATOR Bib on E-bay or Craigslist and buying the Fanatic Bibs. I kind of like the INCENERATOR, but I am not sure. It seems a little noisier and maybe not as comfortable, but it is waterproof and burr resistant.

Have you used either of the bibs and what did you think?


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[Diesel5610]

I would sell the Incinerator and get the Fanatic bibs. You are exactly right on the noise issue. I was looking for late season clothing and ended up finding some Raven Wear on ebay, the incinerator clothing is not silent IMO. The fanatic bibs are going to cover most of the hunting you do unless you are looking for really cold weather stuff. If so I would look for used Raven wear on ebay, unfortunately they went out of business last year and are no longer making it.
Sitka is some great stuff but the prices are ridiculous. I have been wearing it for archery elk since it came out and it is just the ticket for that style hunting. I really like the lighter stuff designed for mountain hunting where you are not sitting for long periods. I also have bibs and a jacket I use for whitetail but I can't remember what model. It was an early line that I believe has been discontinued. I am very happy with it. I have been looking at the Fanatic line and it looks like good whitetail archery clothing. I am trying to score a set.
I have purchased almost all of mine at Cabelas in the bargain cave. They were running a 50% off the bargain cave prices on clothing and I bought all the Sitka gear they had. I sold everything not my size on ebay and paid for all the clothes I kept. I really like their gear and have used it extensively but still can't pay what they are asking for it. I have a line on the Fanatic jacket and bibs at a pretty good discount, hoping it pans out.

 

[swat1018]

I got the fanatic jacket/bibs last year for my birthday from my wife. It was 40% off, plus got giftcards back for every $100 you spent. Ended up being over half off factoring in the gift cards. It is great clothing. Quiet, warm, and windproof. I just hate that the weather doesn't get cold enough anymore..

 

[buckdeer1]

I know some guys that really like the first lite but for late season I wear Cabelas wooltimate,it is very nice and quiet

 

[hesseu]

Fanatic is what i've got. They are fantastic and quiet. I've also got the Ascent combo for early / midseason. Both the Ascent and Fanatic series are fantastic in my book.

 

[j-bird]

All I know is that good gear tends to be expensive but if it's good gear....it's worth it. Now, not all expensive gear...is good gear however. I am not familiar with the brand in question, but I know I bought some gore-tex garments nearly a decade ago now....and I am still using them. Well worth the price in the long run. A bit of a chunk up front, but spread out over several seasons of use and I can't complain. It sounds like I will certainly look into Sitka for future needs...... Nothing will chase me off a stand faster than being cold.

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

I got the fanatic jacket/bibs last year for my birthday from my wife. It was 40% off, plus got giftcards back for every $100 you spent. Ended up being over half off factoring in the gift cards. It is great clothing. Quiet, warm, and windproof. I just hate that the weather doesn't get cold enough anymore..

Book yourself a muzzleloader hunt in Minnesota if you want cold weather. Last year early December was below Zero and thus the reason I rely on standing ag beans. NOTHING draws in deer like beans when the temps are cold. The deer spent every night in my beans until they were gone. Then they went to the neighbors for the standing corn. I just wish my beans would have lasted through antler drop season. Shed hunting was a tough go last season without enough winter food.

 

[hesseu]

All I know is that good gear tends to be expensive but if it's good gear....it's worth it. Now, not all expensive gear...is good gear however. I am not familiar with the brand in question, but I know I bought some gore-tex garments nearly a decade ago now....and I am still using them. Well worth the price in the long run. A bit of a chunk up front, but spread out over several seasons of use and I can't complain. It sounds like I will certainly look into Sitka for future needs...... Nothing will chase me off a stand faster than being cold.

There are some good gear companies out there for sure, that I would have confidence in. I went the Sitka route on my outerwear, and am very pleased. Kuiu is another good one that was started by the original Sitka guys. First Lite is another quality gear company.

It was a personal preference of the Sitka gear for me, as well as the fact that if you keep your eye out, you can find some great deals on it.

The Fanatic series is great once November hits here in the Midwest. The Ascent is great early season, and you can easily layer under it to last you through October.

 

[WTNUT]

Book yourself a muzzleloader hunt in Minnesota if you want cold weather. Last year early December was below Zero and thus the reason I rely on standing ag beans. NOTHING draws in deer like beans when the temps are cold. The deer spent every night in my beans until they were gone. Then they went to the neighbors for the standing corn. I just wish my beans would have lasted through antler drop season. Shed hunting was a tough go last season without enough winter food.

Since it is my thread I will highjack it. You are right about the beans and cold. Do we know why they do that?


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[S.T.Fanatic]

It's the high fat content


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[WTNUT]

It's the high fat content


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I think I am going all beans next year planted early enough that I can broadcast brassicas in them as they start to turn. I may need a shorter maturity bean than normal but that will be okay.


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[S.T.Fanatic]

If you go to short you may run into the pods shattering and the beans being left on the ground.


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[WTNUT]

I will pose another question - for you guys in real cold states would your prefer more or better insulation in your bibs where it protects kidneys and lower core, or in your jacket?


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[John-W-WI]

I will pose another question - for you guys in real cold states would your prefer more or better insulation in your bibs where it protects kidneys and lower core, or in your jacket?


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IMHO your core is key. If you can keep your "mid section" warm, your extremities will follow. If your core is cold, all bets are off. There is no way you will ever be warm.

Just my $.02

-John

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

IMHO your core is key. If you can keep your "mid section" warm, your extremities will follow. If your core is cold, all bets are off. There is no way you will ever be warm.

Just my $.02

-John

X2

My legs seldom get cold. Even in cold climates like MN i dont even wear gloves. I have good circulation and I find my hands stay warmer in my pockets anyway.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I will pose another question - for you guys in real cold states would your prefer more or better insulation in your bibs where it protects kidneys and lower core, or in your jacket?


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Bibs make a huge difference - if you want to sit for a long time in cold weather they really help. So does a neck warmer. Nothing cools you down like cold air going down your neck. Lacrosse Iceman boots are worth their weight in gold as well when it is below zero.

This conversation makes me want to fill my tag in October so I don't have to freeze my butt off in December.

 

[swat1018]

I struggle the most with my feet.

 

[John-W-WI]

I struggle the most with my feet.

Me too... I have had the big boots that you put over your boots for a long time but honestly forgot I even owned them until recently.



I'm going to give them a try this season if I hunt in the real cold stuff.

I think even if I had to wear a lighter pair of boots in so these fit over them I would be better off. Part of my problem is sweating them up on the way in. Once your feet are wet, you are doomed.

-John

 

[Booner21]

Me too... I have had the big boots that you put over your boots for a long time but honestly forgot I even owned them until recently.

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I'm going to give them a try this season if I hunt in the real cold stuff.

I think even if I had to wear a lighter pair of boots in so these fit over them I would be better off. Part of my problem is sweating them up on the way in. Once your feet are wet, you are doomed.

-John

I only wear liner socks on the way in no matter how cold. I also dress the top two layers + heavy socks once in the stand if it is below 20. If you have trouble with sweaty feet try using a healthy dose of zeolite or similar powder in your boots and socks it will help with keeping your feet dry.

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[S.T.Fanatic]

My buddy has a problem with his feet sweating. He carries an extra pair of socks with and changes them once he gets into stand. He said it makes a world of difference.