re: Sitka gear

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Give me your thoughts?

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Much like Simms, Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and others there are two things you need to know.

1. Goretex fabric is goretex fabric regardless of the garment manufacturer

and

2. You are paying for the warranty for premium outdoor brands. Chances are it is going to last but if it doesn't you want to be able to send it in and get it repaired or exchanged for a new model regardless of why it got damaged.

With that in mind buy the product in your budget with the fabric technology you want with the best fit and best warranty. You will probably use it for the rest of your life. In my mind that makes it worth it for these kinds of things if you know you are going to use it

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pimps that jacket if it's 70 or 30 outside

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I just really don't care for the look of the optifade camo. It's quality stuff though. I own the cheapest thing they offer....the Dakota beanie.

heading to montana the first week in November and just ordered my KUIU!

I feel like a kid at Christmas waiting for it to get here.

2 jackets, 2 pants and some gaiters for under $500.

One jacket of Sitka cost almost as much.

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KUIU

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Looks like they use "Toray" as their waterproof/breathable membrane fabric. It may be great but there isn't much info out there. On the plus side they do have a lifetime warranty. That's a lot of gear for the money though and I hope it works well for you.

I would rather get something that is proven like goretex, event, or neoshell but you certainly do have to pay for it. They all do the same thing basically with slight give and take on breathability, windproofness, and durability.

Personally I will stick with goretex pro. Never has failed me. Luckily I have friends in the industry who get prodeals. Would be tough to pay retail for sure.

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The YETI of hunting gear. Buy it so you can use the stickers in good conscience.

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And because it works, and the warranty is legit.

I have a couple pieces. In fairness, all have been gifts and I don't think I'd pay full price for it...ever. I have the shell jacket that's not insulated, a vest, a pair of pants kinda like sweatpants, and the beanie. It seems every year someone close to me gives me a piece for Christmas. Not mad about it.

Anyway, the shell jacket is awesome. It's Gore and I wear it on probably 90% of my hunts. I've had it for several years and it looks the same today as it did when I bought it. I hunt often and hard, and I'm not easy on my shite. I'm really impressed with how well it's held up. I also don't hunt in blinds, so it hasn't been sitting on a bench for its whole life.

The vest is okay. I wish it were warmer, but the model I have isn't insulated very well.

The pants are super warm. Almost too warm. I got them last year and only wore them like twice when it was freezing or below, but they always kept me warm. The way that fabric is made doesn't seem like it would hold up very well to external abuse though, so take that for what it's worth.

The beanie is cool because it's windproof, but that isn't too hard to find from other companies for cheaper. I have warmer beanies, but they don't do anything to stop the wind and that bothers me.

The bottom line is that it's more gear than clothes to me. It's really quality shite for people that abuse stuff. You can stay just as warm and dry for cheaper, but the difference is how well that stuff is going to hold up, and how well the company will take care of you once it fails. I'm sure there are some great companies out there that will stand behind their products the same way, and I've never had to deal with Sitka directly. My friend owns a hunting store though, and he says their warranty is second to none.

Would I buy it for myself? Probably not, except for that shell jacket. I think it's worth every penny it costs. Is it high quality gear? Absolutely.

That I actually did buy for myself. I haven't gotten anything new in a few years though so I don't know how their new stuff compares to the old stuff. All my deer camo is ASAT and they offered that, so I tried them out.

I have two merino base layer tops and a merino base layer bottom. I love all three of them. One of the tops is heavier than the other. I think one is a Llano and the other is a Chama.

I also have the pants in ASAT. I'm not sure what the equivalent model is now, but they were like $150 and I think they're great. Only issue with them is they're not windproof or waterproof. They're really quiet though. I've gotten to where I don't deer hunt much during duck season, but during bow season, I pretty much always wear that lighter base layer and those pants. I think they're great.

Ive used Sitka and Kryptek I like my Kryptek stuff better.

I have used one their shell jackets for 2 hunting seasons...and any other typical cold/rainy winter days. Love it and doubt I'll ever need another jacket unless I lose this one. I've owned browning, drake and Mcallister waterfowl jackets. This is by far my favorite. You won't be disappointed.

My Drake shell was garbage.