I’ve got a truck load of the Sitka clothing. My son wears it and every birthday, Father’s Day and Christmas he buys me more so I have accumulated a lot. I wouldn’t buy any base layers. To me, they are no better than long johns I've had for years. The outer layers are excellent. They are well made and will last a lifetime. If I was going to buy just one set for Alabama hunting, I’d buy the Stratus pants and jacket. It’s windproof and what I wear 90% of the time. My son likes the bibs but I’m just not a bibs kind of guy so I go with pants and a jacket. Their gloves are expensive and fair at best. For really cold weather, go with the Fanatic pants and jacket. It’s a bit bulky especially for bow hunting but you will not get cold, I promise. I’m packing now for a 10 day trip to Illinois and the Sitka gear is the first thing in the bag.
I have the Stratus jacket and pants and they're good enough for 98% of the cold weather in Alabama. If you make trips to colder climates it may be worth it to pony up for the Fanatic gear.
Pro Tip. Some stores hold sales with big discounts on Sitka gear. Reynolds in Opelika and 2nd Amendment Outdoors in Corinth, MS have good sales towards the end of season. 2AO may start sales in November and they now carry First Lite Gear so you can compare side by side.
