Walmart is the best for cheap. I like the Idea of turning them inside out when you wash them. I have a pair that is insulated and a pair that is regular. I wear the insulated in the winter and the regular in the fall. It works for me.
I really like my sitka gear. I like the camo but more importantly, the fit and function is superb. The wicking ability is great, the fact the clothes move with you instead of against you really makes it nice when you're climbing stands, hanging stands or crawling around on the ground.
Yep. I'm a fan of Sitka. I like the way it fits first and foremost. I will be adding to it with a Merino Zip T, and possibly the fanatic jacket this year.
This year for the start of the season I am going with Scent blocker but when it comes keeping warm when it gets really cold outside and I am trying to stay free of burs and everything else that can grab a hold of you in the woods. I would say there is nothing better then max 4 D camo
Such a loaded question but I'll give my thoughts. I have personally jumped on the Sitka/Kuiu bandwagon. These two companies have been leading the way in the layering systems for mountain hunts and now have been putting more attention toward what whitetail hunters need. Traditional camo is the cotton shirts and the really bulky coats for late season. For some it might be a great fit, but for myself and obviously others, it just won't cut it. These layering systems preach low bulk to high warmth ratio. A way to do this is to use wool along with windstopping material. You could have several layers on without having the marshmallow effect. As you can see I have yet to mention camo patterns because I could care less. Wise words from Grant Woods, "The best camo is a can of sit still". Yes, I was once stuck into thinking I have to look good to hunt, decking myself out in the pretty patterns that do nothing. I have now grown up, so to speak, and worry only about breaking up the outline of my body. Walmart camo, homemade camo, high priced camo - it will all get the job done. The only difference is how comfortable you will be in the stand or stalking. I chose to pay a pretty penny so I could stay out all day in cold temps, snow/rain, and extreme heat without it bothering me. Clothing, to me, has now become an essential part of my hunting. It's just as important to me as my bow and I will spend as much as it takes to get the best.
He's right about not needing camo, but blue jeans would be a bad choice, according recent studies that show blue is the one color deer can see easily. I wear fleece because it doesn't absorb much water, is always dead quiet, and is warm when wet (similar to wool). For extreme cold, I have been liking my down vest, which packs really small and doesn't obstruct my shooting. As an outer layer, last year I got a leafy wear jacket. Deer definitely have a harder time seeing me in it. Wish I did it years ago.
I have both those and they are top notch. I want to add the stratus pants and jacket for when temps start to drop but not cold enough for the fanatic bibs and jacket. Would like to have the downpour pants and jacket as well but this 4 items are around a $1000. Fanatic jacket would he nice too:p
I have the status jacket and bibs, and the fanatic jacket and bibs, and also the fanatic vest. They all have there place but there is a lot of over lap, and honestly I don't need them all. I just added the early season pants to the mix also... Sitka has always had great gear for all my western and mountain hunting, but they have came a long way with there whitetail line up. The fanatic series is second to none. One thing I am sure of is that I never been as comfortable as I am now.
I opted to not get the Stratus series. Ended up with the Early season jacket and pant for early October, then the Fanatic jacket and pants for everything else. That along with some good wool base layers will cover 95% of my hunting for whitetail. Rain gear will be my next purchase which will be that other 5%.
I have a short time in the early winter where the stratus would be nice, mid to low 40's weather. The fanatic is overkill for me and the ESW pants and ascent jacket just aren't enough, FOR ME, (atleast when it dips into the 40's)even with the merino and traverse base. The stratus bibs might be too much but the pants and jacket would be really nice. The stratus pants along with the fanatic vest might be another option as well and not get the stratus jacket.
The stratus jacket sees a lot of use. And I wear my fanatic vest over it... It's covers a really big chuck of my season. I use my status bibs right into late season with a heavy merino wool base layer. And then I use my fanatic jacket over them. In fact fanatic bibs see the least use as unless in sitting all day they are just too warm for me coupled with the jacket. The ESW paints are a new addition this year and I will most likey use them with my ascent jacket.
I'm fairly cold natured so the fanatic bibs get a lot of use. Right now they get used when it hits 40 but they are too much. I need them in the 30's. I have the Kelvin vest and pants for when it gets cold. I actually use them a lot riding the 4 wheeler when it gets cool out to retrieve stands and such. If they had a quiet shell, I would use them for early season sits.
I use my ESW with the ascent and i usually end up layering under them to get through until it's time for the fanatic, but there definitely is a gap. I think Santa will be bringing me some stratus pants and fanatic vest. That should cover it.:p
I use my ESW with the ascent jacket and I usually end up layering under them to get through until it's time for the fanatic, but there definitely is a gap. I think Santa will be bringing me some stratus pants and fanatic vest. That should cover it.:p
This is my first year so I don't have it all figured out, just assuming that it will work. Might end up with the stratus. Also have some open country pieces so I'll mix and match if needed.
My full set of under armour clothing is PERFECT!!! Couldn't ask for better clothing! I have a speed freak jacket for warmer days and rut scent jacket and pants for those cold fall hunts along with the frigid late season hunts. I swear by under armour. They are unbelievably warm with no bulk! The scent containment also works wonders! Can't beat UA!!
