Sitka gear must haves?

[jackelope]

I like my sitka handsdown better than my firstlite merino. Just me. The first lite os too short amd wide in the torso for me. I dont care for the core series much... mine has the synthetic permastink...

Wha'   Reason I did not like my Sitka wool, besides the fact it's wool, was the short cut.  Could never get it to stay tucked.

Kuiu will fit. Sleeves are long...I'm long in the arms and a 21" torso...plenty of room.
Sitka is too short for me, as is FL.
FL could probably make a killing if they had tall sizes....just sayin..

I've heard good things about Kryptek merino, and I've also heard it's cut long in the arms. I might try some of their stuff at some point too.

[RadSav]

im just the opposite rad. My sitka stays put and tucked and my firstlite barely gets to my waste. I wouldnr complain if all the shirts amd pants were a inch or 2 longer tho.

I wear XL.  Maybe it is a size thing

[Magnum_Willys]

I've gravitated to kuiu outers,  firstlite base layer.   Sitka stuff is comfortable tho.
Cant go wrong with Firstlite wool base layer, kuiu down puffy, kuiu chuchach rain gear, and flavor of choice pant / shirt. 

[jackelope]

im just the opposite rad. My sitka stays put and tucked and my firstlite barely gets to my waste. I wouldnr complain if all the shirts amd pants were a inch or 2 longer tho.

I wear XL.  Maybe it is a size thing

XL sized Core long sleeve shirts are really the only problem I have. They're too short in both arms and length.

[TylerMulie]

I have been using Sitka Gear for the past 2 years, I can say that they have figured out technical/athletic fit. I have tried Kryptek and Kuiu. I like Kuiu merino wool but Sitka has the best pants. I currently run, Ascent pants, mountain pants, Core shirt (on hot days) Traverse zip t, Jetstream vest and ball cap. I have Kuiu Gaiters which in my opinion are the best gaiter on the market. I recently bought kryptek Valhalla pants and hoodie, Great camo pattern. If I could rate the 3 main companies in order it would go. Sitka, kuiu, Kryptek.

[longwalker]

I'd just leave kryptek off the list all together. All they did was price there gear up le Sitka and kuiu in a clever marketing ploy to make you think there on par. There not in the same class

[WAcoyotehunter]

I like the Sitka gaiters and the mountain pants.  the Ascent pants are too "grabby" in the brush and I tore several holes in them the first week I wore them hunting.

[Smossy]

Here's one more question Ill add to his thread, Is the clothing ACTUALLY worth the price tag? Or are there closely matched equals for less damage to the wallet?
ATM Im rocking all Kings gear and I like it, I like the patterns, I like the variety of whats available, and I really like polyester.

[jackelope]

Here's one more question Ill add to his thread, Is the clothing ACTUALLY worth the price tag? Or are there closely matched equals for less damage to the wallet?
ATM Im rocking all Kings gear and I like it, I like the patterns, I like the variety of whats available, and I really like polyester.

I think if you compare Sitka, Kuiu and the like, Sitka is more expensive by a little. The new Kuiu stuff coming out seems to be more expensive than it used to be but I admittedly don't pay much attention to the Kuiu clothing and prices. No experience with Kryptek so can't comment on that. I always thought that was less expensive than the others. If you're running King's polyester stuff, you're doing better than the folks in cotton if you're out in the weather...that's a fact. This stuff all has it's place.....some scenarios it's great to have good quality gear, other scenarios you don't need it and it's waste of money. I chose to spend the $ on one clothing setup so when I go on big hikes or otherwise outdoors where I need good clothing, I wear my Sitka gear. I even climbed Mt Adams in my Sitka gear because I only have the 1 setup.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I got my first couple pieces of Sitka gear a couple weeks ago. Looking at getting their merino series, a couple vests, and some other stuff over time as well.

Who else wears Sitka gear and what pieces do you like the most and why? Any items to stay away from?

Thanks.

My experience with their Merino was less than desirable. Fit was great but durability was a huge issue. When it would get wet it would litterally rip under pressure. Like taking it off was a chore because if you didnt peel carefully it would tear. I have used ice breaker, sitka, minus 33, smartwool, and kryptek merino. IMO Minus 33 is the best bang for the buck, icebreaker and Smartwool are the most comfy and "wool like". Kryptek was good and if I wanted matching camo it fit the bill.

I think the sitka ascent pants are great, like the pocket layout, and material and build is good. Traverse I have the traverse 1/4 zip and like it. The Timberline pants are another fave.  I may be in the minority but I LOVE the core tops. Dry very fast, and surprisingly never stunk up after several days in the back country. On me the wrist fits a little short on the 1/4 zip top and fits snug but not tight. I prefer this as it doesn't interfere with my release/survival bracelet/watch etc... overall really like.

Here's one more question Ill add to his thread, Is the clothing ACTUALLY worth the price tag? Or are there closely matched equals for less damage to the wallet?
ATM Im rocking all Kings gear and I like it, I like the patterns, I like the variety of whats available, and I really like polyester.

We should just start an " Is it worth it" thread and sticky it to the top  

All have their pros and cons. Sitka is arguably the most expensive, kuiu is arguably the best, kryptek is arguably nearly as good for less, firstlite is arguably better than all three just no variety, cabelas instinct is arguably trying to keep up. Etc.... So many factors play a role in what makes something worth it or not that its nearly impossible to say. Personally I may have never bought as much sitka as I have, had I not got a full ensemble plus, for a good deal used from a member on here. From there I new I wanted some more and purchasing a few more pieces was easy due to sales, and ebay. No problem. If I were to be objective I would say I believe KUIU is a better product head to head. BUT... Being I seem to be litterally the most sought after size on their site, actually purchasing items means I have to become a slave to their system. Something I don't really have a desire to do currently, for the small possible benefit. For me to completley outfit in KUIU would cost me 4 times what sitka did, due to the fact that sitkas availability makes shopping for deals easy. Not something I can do with KUIU. My best value in hunting clothes new has to go to Cabelas Microtex pants. For the money those pants were awesome and durable. If your kings fit well, I think they have a nice product as well. For me their pants did not work so I moved on.