Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum First Lite/Sitka Gear

Ha ha! Well played… I definitely chuckled a little! Good to know! Will be looking on marketplace for some of the outer Sitka and will get the baselayers from snipes when they come in

I have the Sitka stratus bibs and jacket and also the fanatic jacket. The stratus is okay in cold weather but I got cold a few times last year in it. Now the fanatic jacket is legit. I've never had anything that seals in heat like it. Its the warmest thing I've ever owned and I bought all of mine on sale. Sitka does run small to me, if youre a large get the extra large

I have a fair bit of experience with Sitka and a little with First Lite and Kuiu. One thing I will say is that Kuiu makes a better all around pant than Sitka or First Lite IMO.

Obviously you can mix or match any of this, but these are the items I have stuck with. I am sure I forgot something but you get the idea.

Early Season for Bow and Warm Rifle Days
Lightweight Base if needed, I chose Minus 33 layers over First Lite due to durability
Kuiu Kutana, Tiburon or Sitka Equinox Guard Pants - Tiburon are the lightest most breathable, but pull pretty bad in briars.
Kuiu Gila Hoodie, Sitka Lightweight or Equinox Guard Hoodie

Midweight/Layering Stuff
Minus 33 Midweight Base
Kuiu Attack Pants (sold the Sitka Mountain and Grinder Pants after trying these out. Quieter and don't pull as bad with briars)
Sitka Fanatic Hoodie (very versatile and can be used at as layer or outer)
Sitka Ambient Jacket (very versatile and can be used at as layer or outer)
Kuiu Encounter Jacket (Very quiet and in between warm weather and when you would wear the Sitka Stratus. No wind liner)
Kuiu Axis Hybrid Jacket (Soft shell jacket that I replaced my Sitka Jetstream with. The Jetstream was loud IMO.)
Sitka Stratus Jacket and Pants (tried the bib thing and they just weren't for me. My core would always get too hot and they are a pain to pack in)
Sitka Midi or Gradient Pants (Do not wear these around briars if deciding to wear as an outer layer. No wind protection either.)

Cold Weather
Minus 33 Heavyweight Base Layers with zip off pants
First Lite Furnace w/ zip off pants (note that the Furnace is not as warm as the heavyweight Minus 33)
Midi/Gradient Pants (Great layer for cold weather. Have worn them on their own with a heavyweight base)
Sitka Ambient Jacket (great mid layer)
Fanatic Jacket
Incinerator Jacket (my favorite for packing in since it rolls up small, but I do not think it is as warm as the Fanatic)
Stratus Pants (pair with midi/gradient pants and a base will keep me warm into the 20s easily)

Look at Code of Silence clothing before you drop that much

I used to make fun of my son saying he was wearing it as a status symbol. Then he let me wear his jacket one afternoon and I became a believer.
Buy once cry once, just like optics

I saw where Teacher One stated that the sitka incinerator jackets and bibs could be found occasionally for 250ish. If anyone see that kind of sale and wouldn't mind letting me know, I'd appreciate it. My old hydro fleece are on their last leg.
Thanks Heath 205 six 47 three 294

I have some Sitka but more Chene. Personally, I'd go with Chene just because you can get it in Mossy Oak. They are about to come out with a Whitetail line up. I have the long underwear top and bottom, a couple sixty series, over/under jacket, flyweigh jacket, field pant, bonded fleece field pant, scout boot and floodline cornerstone boot. All of it is great quality and warm. The floodline boot is nice before it comes with two different insoles so you can put the thicker in when you are wearing thin socks and the thinner one in when you wear thick socks.

I've got first lite base layers & sitka outerwear. You will be amazed at how much difference keeping that wind from seeping through your clothing makes.

If it was a standard low of 35- high of 55 day, I would wear the following:

light merino socks + uninsulated hiking boots
kiln base layer bottoms
furnace base layer top
stratus bibs
stratus jacket

If it was a low of 15 - high of 35 type day. I would wear the following:

hollow socks + uninsulated hiking boots
furnace base layers top & bottom
celsius midi jacket
stratus bibs
fanatic jacket

I've got a kelvin jacket that I mostly use turkey hunting or bow season. I've also got an incenerator jacket that rarely get's used unless it's cold and raining/snowing.

I wear KUIU, for the type of hunting I do it is just better. I don’t sweat to death in it and it keeps me warm. I’m a big fan of the Proximity series for colder weather. I have yet to get cold in Alabama in it and it’s light weight, it makes it way easier to move around the mountains and climb trees without losing 10lbs of water weight. I run the attack pants and a guide series jacket during bow season and it’s perfect.

I only buy during sales, about the only way I can afford it. I need to sell all my cabelas stuff for cold weather, warm gear just heavy.

Appreciate everyone’s replies.

Looking at the stratus jacket and bibs. I’m 6’1” 190. What size would you get for these? Large?

I am getting the kiln bottoms in med both top and bottom. I think this is a good starting spot

No man get the extra large

I've been trying to figure out sizing also. Heard they run a little small. I where XL in my browning hydro fleece, but that was made before the move to skinny jeans. I'm 6'4" and 245, I'm thinking XXL tall for me.

I have the 1/4 zip top and love it. My cold weather clothing is Day One Camo, custom bib, jacket and vest. All fleece, lined and insulated. Not sure he is making those anymore.

6'0 190 and I wear large in the stratus jacket and finatic vest. I bought the XL Finatic hoodie and it swallows me.

Im about the same size and I wear a 2XL top and XL bottom Stratus. I'm wide across the shoulders and any top less than 2XL restricts my movement.

Fanatic bibs will handle anything we see in Bama

The heavy fanatic jacket is very nice but I recently purchased the cabelas heavy instinct jacket and I think I like it more. I like the pocket positioning and camo of the instinct and it has a removable hood. You're lucky to find a sale on the fanatic for less than $300 and the instinct is $250 ish.

$

I've hunted all over the country in temps down to 0 with Stratus jacket & pants, Fanatic hoodie, Fanatic Vest & stratus mid to heavy base layers. At home, I rarely break out the Fanatic vest or heavy base layers, but often wear Stratus set with Fanatic hoodie. Last year I bought some Kuiu gear and I wear the guide jacket and attack pants a lot while hunting at home.

I've got the FL Obsidian, corrugate, and catalyst pants and I really like them all.