Sitka gear on sale

[actionshooter]

Just thought I would let anyone interested know. Cabelas in Lacey has all Sitka gear in mountain mimicry on sale at %50 off, and they had a ton.
 I couldn't bring myself to do it, but its a good deal if you want some.

[joebear]

thanks man but I am on there guide and prostaff. Bottom line is though is it is the best gear bar none we have used and well worth it!!!!!

[actionshooter]

thanks man but I am on there guide and prostaff. Bottom line is though is it is the best gear bar none we have used and well worth it!!!!!

I agree, I have the 90% and love it. BUT, the Stormfront gear is killing me!! $500 for the jacket. Sorry even at 1/2 price I couldn't do it.

[halflife65]

That's awesome.  I need to go look at that stuff.  It's expensive but great stuff.  At 50% off, I might actually to be able to afford a bit.

[littlebuf]

i just picked up the cold front jacket and storm front pants, got them both for the price of the jacket at normal price. yeah its wicked expensive but your not going to get it cheaper than half off.

[PacificNWhunter]

Might have to make a trip down there, thanks for the heads up.

[M_ray]

Saw that the other day and even at half off I was puckering!!!  I couldnt do it either not now at least.

[Tony 270WSM]

Never really looked at their gear before, way too expensive. Keep hearing about it, but whether it really is that good or not I can't afford it - even at half off.

But seriously... how can a price of $460 be justified for a pair of pants??? That's the regular price. $460? For pants???

Are they trying to market their gear towards some elite group of hunters who have money to burn?

[yajsab]

If you want the Gore-Tex (not optifade) stuff, go get it.  They're 1/2 off.

[steeleywhopper]

If you check camofire.com daily you can find it on there quite often. I have outfitted myself quite well for quite a discount.

[joebear]

Just to. The price that is at Cabelas at 50%off is the same price we get on the prostaff deal. This gear is exspensive but werth its weight!!

[bow4elk]

Just to. The price that is at Cabelas at 50%off is the same price we get on the prostaff deal. This gear is exspensive but werth its weight!!

Granted I have not used it, but I've studied it well and for the price, I'm not seeing the value  .  I'm wanting somebody to explain why it's so great, from an in-the-field perspective.  I'm a product designer and while I can identify and appreciate the "design" aspects, I'm not seeing the huge value in performance for most hunting conditions.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with it.

[joebear]

Just to. The price that is at Cabelas at 50%off is the same price we get on the prostaff deal. This gear is exspensive but werth its weight!!

Granted I have not used it, but I've studied it well and for the price, I'm not seeing the value  .  I'm wanting somebody to explain why it's so great, from an in-the-field perspective.  I'm a product designer and while I can identify and appreciate the "design" aspects, I'm not seeing the huge value in performance for most hunting conditions.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with it.

Bow I guess I would have to start with the design it is light weight but hold the warmth well. The water proof gear is great I never liked gortex but this is really working. The fit and finish is better then other camos I have used. I like the idea of being able to buy gear built like mountaineering gear but focused at the hunter. This gear is for the hunter that is hard core and always willing to go the extra mile regardless the weather or the terrain. Sitka works from the 100 degree hunts in Arizona to high hunts in Wyoming and up in the glaciers hunting Dall's sheep. But it is not for everyone and most hunters might never even use it to its fullest.

[bow4elk]

Joebear, thanks for your detailed information.  Sounds pretty nice.  I don't care much for GoreTex either.  It doesn't (and never has) breathed like the nifty diagram on the tag states it does.  Try trudging across miles of muskeg with hip boots, a pack, a bow in a goretex jacket!  No thanks!  You get soaked from the inside.

The cut and fit of the clothing with regard to movement is a key advantage.  I've just found that if I layer polypro, fleece or wool, and some sort of raingear, I'm good for just about any conditions, along with a compressed down vest in my pack.  I am a big fan of Cabela's MicroTex fabrics.  I'm still wearing the original pants from 2000, and I've added in the ultralight stuff for more early season cooling.  I've found that I can hunt in damp, hot, cold, and even rainy weather and stay warm and pretty dry.  The microfibers repel water very well while breathing even better, and the fabric is very durable and tear resistant.  The fabric dries very fast too, which is nice when damp dewy mornings give way to sunny warmth.  Wet pant legs dry very quickly.

So releasing the threadjack side conversation  - sounds like a good deal going at Cabela's for those wanting to try this stuff out!

[WAcoueshunter]

I started with just a pair of the mountain pants and a matching shirt.  Last year I went on a November muley hunt in NM.  I took the set of Sitka along with my cotton camo, with the idea that I'd switch out sets each day so I wouldn't get too stinky.  After I put the Sitka gear back on for the third straight day, I decided I better get some more.  It's not bulky, easy to layer, dries fast, wicks moisture, holds heat, breathes well.  I've worn it between 30 degrees in WA and ID to 85 degrees in AZ.  There may be other brands with similar fabric and fit...I just haven't seen them.  I haven't tried the MicroTex...sounds like it might be a similar fabric?

[280ackley]

Was there today and the sale is still going on.

[yajsab]

I know.  The price is ridiculous.  But I like  it for the fit because I bow hunt.  I know Russell is competing with their similar fabric, but the price is only slightly lower than Sitka.  Also they only have it in treestand color.  Don't really care much about Gore-tex either.  Too noisy for bow hunting.

[Shootmoore]

I sat through the salesman pitch the other day at the archery store where I shoot.  Looks like well made stuff.  Just way out of my price range even at 50% off.  If a person has the extra cash I would say its probably worth it.  I'll stick with my wool for cold weather, it was expensive enough thank you.

Shootmoore

[Bearhunter]

Ill give a quick field report on Sitka gear and what makes it so Good!

The fit, is were its at!  This stuff fits like a custom glove.  I have troubles fitting into a lot of different camo out there it seems there is never a perfect size for me.  Sitka has such a variety of sizes to fit just about anyone.  The clothing is trim, meaning not big/bulky baggy which is great for us bow hunters.  One great option on the 90% pants is the built in removalable suspenders they are great and can be taken off if you dont need them.  The waist line inside the pants is wrapped with a ring of a gripping type rubber that works like a charm for keeping your shirt tucked in when crawling, kneeling or any wide range of motion.  This is a huge plus!  When hunting in Montana in over 1ft of snow all day, my pants never raised up and over my boot tops, resulting in dry boots all day.  I never had to wear gators once, while my hunting partner did with his other brand camo.  The materials that Sitka uses are so far superior than 90% of the other brands out there.  The new Optifade really does work.  I have had pictures taken of myself in multiple types of terrain and the optifade blends in all of them when you look at the photos the proof is there.  As far a Goretex it is what it always has been waterproof, the best you can get!  It may be a little load for bowhunting but the way I look at it, living here in western Washington is:  if its a lite ran I were my 90% gear and layer properly, if its a down pour like most of the time I wear my Goretex, besides when its raining that hard the rain makes it hard for even critters to here that well in.  On my 3 week trip that I just returned from I brought 2 totes of camo and just couldnt get myself to wear 75% of the other stuff I had with me, once you have Sitka on and used it in the field its really hard to use anything else.   Give it a try, youll be hooked and have to get a side job!

[joebear]

I am on the pro staff. Sitka is alot of money but it will be the last system you buy!

[whacker1]

Need a little help -
Which lines for which conditions:
I was looking at the storm front Light pants, the 90% pant, or the ascent.  My understanding is that I am best to get a pair of the ascent for the late september and early october stuff.  But I was debating between the stormfront, stormfront light, and the 90% pant for late October, November and December. 
NE WA, Northern Idaho, and Western Montana is almost all my hunting.

Suggestions?

[Craig]

I went with the ascent set. I could only afford one set. I though the 90% gear was to heavy for early hunting and for november hunting I will just wear a  good base layer. I might need a vest or light jacket. The jetstream jacket looks pretty nice.

[yajsab]

What's the temp in those area?  Are you moving a lot?  Do you sweat a lot?

Just couple questions you might want to think about.  I have the 90% and Celsius.  I hunted in Eastern WA in Sept and usually get cold with my 90% in very early morning.  I'm not moving much during that time.  With layering, I can hunt (still) comfortably in late season in the Celsius line.  The temp is around 25 - 30.

[bullchaser]

How do you guys feel about the gore opta fade pattern I bought a shirt, hat and vest but i am not sure i love that pattern.

[yajsab]

I bow hunt and didn't like the gore stuff due to noise.  The MMC kinda grow on me now, for the terrain I hunted.

[MDGrand]

Well, unfortunately, I am going to have to pick a little fight here..

I am on the Rivers West Pro Team.. and I have to say, Sitka does not compare to Rivers West gear. The one plus I will give to Sitka is it seems mor form fitting. That being said, if you ever pick up a Rivers West garment, they now have a tag that compares all the top gear from Sitka, Rivers West, Browning, etc.. and Rivers West wins in waterproof, insulation, tear strength and warranty. The owner really invented a great piece of technology here and I have to see ANY Gortex item compete. Gortex is noisy.. and no way around it, any waterproof garment worn while doing a lot of hiking will hold in some persperation and feel a little wet.. but when its raining like hell and I also need to stay warm.. there aint nothing better! I hunt from Alaska, Western WA for Roosevelt Elk and East WA for mule deer and Utah and Idaho for Rocky Mtn Elk.. Each of these places have tested the gear I use.. and again.. nothing beats Rivers West.

Best of all.. Rivers West costs less too.. MUCH less than Sitka. Its also home town Washington company located right off 4th Ave in Seattle.

Check'em out!.. I think you'll agree.

[Wile E. Hunter]

Unfortunately, it would appear that Sitka has priced itself out of the market. All the stores I've seen them in (and been blown away by their prices) seem to be putting them on clearance. I have one piece of their 90% system (bought on clearance discount) and I must say it IS NICE. If it weren't so RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE, I'd certainly have more of it.

[actionshooter]

Well, unfortunately, I am going to have to pick a little fight here..

I am on the Rivers West Pro Team.. and I have to say, Sitka does not compare to Rivers West gear. The one plus I will give to Sitka is it seems mor form fitting. That being said, if you ever pick up a Rivers West garment, they now have a tag that compares all the top gear from Sitka, Rivers West, Browning, etc.. and Rivers West wins in waterproof, insulation, tear strength and warranty. The owner really invented a great piece of technology here and I have to see ANY Gortex item compete. Gortex is noisy.. and no way around it, any waterproof garment worn while doing a lot of hiking will hold in some persperation and feel a little wet.. but when its raining like hell and I also need to stay warm.. there aint nothing better! I hunt from Alaska, Western WA for Roosevelt Elk and East WA for mule deer and Utah and Idaho for Rocky Mtn Elk.. Each of these places have tested the gear I use.. and again.. nothing beats Rivers West.

Best of all.. Rivers West costs less too.. MUCH less than Sitka. Its also home town Washington company located right off 4th Ave in Seattle.

Check'em out!.. I think you'll agree.

I bought Rivers West when it came out, then I bought Sitka gear and sold my rivers west for CHEAP just to get it out of my closet, but with all your experience I was probably wrong   

[MDGrand]

Well, everyone has their preferences... I tested all the bargain basement gear for years before finally giving in and getting the good stuff.

Curious though.. did you ever actually try your Rivers West gear before changing to Sitka?

And let me add...I am not saying Sitka gear is not good.. it is, hell it better be for the price! But, Rivers West, which just happens to be a little harder to find because its a smaller company makes something more affordable and in many areas beats Sitka. Just my extremely biased opinion.

[JoeVon]

The Rivers "Wet" stuff that I owned along with the stuff my buddies had leaked pretty bad.  The remedy from Rivers "Wet" was to run rubber cement down the sewed seams on the insides of the jacket, which was pretty much useless after a few washes.  It was also a little to heavy for my liking... 

[Curly]

I have two Rivers West jackets.  One I bought and one I got as a Christmas gift.  I don't like them except for when I'm sitting in the boat.  If I'm hiking, I hate them.  They get soaked inside.  The other thing I don't like is how long they take to dry out. 

[MDGrand]

The Rivers "Wet" stuff that I owned along with the stuff my buddies had leaked pretty bad.  The remedy from Rivers "Wet" was to run rubber cement down the sewed seams on the insides of the jacket, which was pretty much useless after a few washes.  It was also a little to heavy for my liking... 

You're the first person I have ever hear of calling Rivers West as "Rivers Wet." Well.. I suppose there are a few isoloated experiences everyone has. And to each his own.. But for me, Gortex has not lived up to its name.. its noisy, I dont like how Gortex items feel like a thin tarp and its not durrable and can rip. So , I choose Rivers West stuff.. mainly because even if something did happen, they have a 10 year guarantee and a "loaner for life" program.. I have yet to see any hunting clothing manufacturer come to the table with that kind of guarantee.. now that is standing behind your product!

[yajsab]

I owned River West before Sitka came out.  I still have my RW, but I will not put the RW on unless it's pouring.  I don't sweat but still got wet from the inside.  And it took a long time for the RW to dry just on the inside so you can put it back on in the morning.  I'm not bashing the RW.  They're great for waterproof.  On the other hand, I know the Sitka that I had were not advertised as waterproof.  If I have the Sitka on and it's pouring, I expected to get wet.  But it hasn't happen yet.

[6x6in6]

Rivers West did me OK for quite a few years.  No real issues with it.
Sitka is now my camo of choice.
I still use the Rivers West, around the campfire after the hunt and after the Sitka is removed and put away.