The Sitka thread has me thinking. I've hunted the last three seasons with my ASAT 3d suit, and layered underneath with a variety of garments (Cabelas Fleece Vest, UA ColdGear, Predator Fleece, etc). This setup is actually quite effective for me for most of the time until I start getting in the chillier time of the year. Couple that with the ASAT suit isn't the best for mobile hunting (which I do more of in the later months during our rifle season driving for members of our club), and I'm considering other options (not sold on anything yet). I know GWW is highly touted here, so I'm curious what everyone's thoughts are on the most ideal layering system for the NE. Would I be better of simply getting unlined garments and layering with "off" brands underneath? I know the comfortmax lined wool clothing is highly recommended, but how warm is it for mid season hunts? How tight to the body are his clothes? One thing that is attractive to me about Sitka, is how athletically cut the material is. It's warm (as a layering system), but very little bulk (which would be great when I'm up moving around). Granted, I would say 95% of my hunting is done mostly stationary in a stand, but I still hate having bulky clothing on as I feel it restricts my movement too much. With that being said, GWW guys, what would you recommend for a good system to be used from early October through December (of course layering comes in to play here)? If there's any Sitka guys who also owned GWW, any comments or comparisons?
I've really come to appreciate quality outdoor clothing ever since moving up the the resort. I spend much more time outdoors than I used to. I still scrounge when I can, so I have quite an eclectic mix of camo. I think you can get away with some off brand stuff, but I've found that much of it is crap. My thoughts, spend the cash on your next to skin layer & or outer layer. Then you can use off brand as filler.
Matt, I've only got a couple minutes and I've got to head out the door... But I use Scentblocker's merino wool system as my base layering beneath my GWW... not because I care one iota about any "scent adsorption" claims, but because I believe they have some of the best merino wool for the price in the industry. I mix up using their lightweight, midweight and heavyweight base layers beneath unlined GWW and it's served me well throughout the entire time frame you mentioned.
Predator Fall Gray unless you are hunting in cat-tails. That's the only place I'd give ASAT the advantage. I hunt in and around trees, not catails.
I have suits in all the linings that GWW offers. If you only want to buy one suit, go with Greg's recommendation. If you're not against buying two, the comfortmax lining is awfully nice when the cold November wind is blowing. I have pretty extensive experience with both, I would give my nod to the ASAT 3D being the more effective pattern. Both are highly effective, I have just had many more "WOW" experiences with ASAT 3D than Predator.
I own a unlined suit and I wear base layers underneath. I own a wolfskin lined vest for added warmth when the temperatures really drop. I think the vest has to be the most versatile piece if clothing I own for hunting.
One thing I have no shortage of is clothing. Heck I remember when saddle cloth clothing came out as the new material. Since then, its very apparent that many changes have taken place since then. For me, since I spend some time in the west, I have learned the importance of functional clothing while being able to save space in the pack. Since 2005 I have used Sitka for my western trips which soon became my choice of apparel hunting in the Great Lakes region of Northwest Pa/western Ny. As far as a comparison, I honestly can't give you one. However what I can say is I am glad I spent the money. As they say, you usually get what you pay for.
Thanks for the input, guys. I love ASAT, and my 3D suit is great, it's just not the greatest for low bulk and/or moving around. I have to wonder if I really NEED to get new camo, but I think having something that is moisture resistant, snug fitting, and durable would be great all around. I see on the GWW site, they recommend you taking measurements with under garments on, but no layering. Did you guys take measurements with just an undershirt on or what? I don't want the camo to be hanging off me or bunching up at the waist, arms, etc. The one thing I really like about the Optifade camo (from what I hear), is that it's cut to fit like athletic clothing (low bulk, no restrictive movement, etc). I'm still not sold on the pattern, however.
Matt, I think I took my initial measurements with a t-shirt on... the thickness of one really won't make any discernible difference really. I understand the need for an athletic cut; it's one of the things I've enjoyed a great deal about all my GWW: I can have it custom-tailored just for me. Sometimes it's hard to find stuff for a 44" chest and 32" waist. I'd suggest just calling up Jeff at GWW and having him walk you through the process of your initial fitting and explaining to him what you're looking for.
One good thing is you have some time to make your decision. I would suggest surfing around to get as much input as you feel is necessary to help you with the decision. However, there is a reason Sitka is at the level at which it is and mostly for the the things you mentioned. If you look at the Kuiu site, if your not happy with the fit you can exchange it or get a refund...hard to beat that. Which ever you choose, good luck. Seems like buying clothing has become as techinal as a bow purchase...lol
Matt, as a fellow PA hunter, I think I can give you insight on my setup. I use GWW Wolfskin with comformax lining only. Both in my jacket and pants. For early season, I don't wear the jacket as its a bit much and find myself wearing a light weight predator jacket I bought a few years ago over top of a light weight set of Under Armor. From about mid October on, I vary my layers underneath that GWW jacket to meet the conditions. If the temps are really starting to dip, I wear UA coldgear, Polartec Heavy weight fleece and a Cabelas Wool fatique sweater (probably the single best insulating garment I own). I have some other layers too that I use depending on my needs, but the above gets me through the typical PA archery season weather well. I think one of the biggest things about here in PA that gets guys in trouble with the cold is that for some reason, our weather is damper most years. Not from rain or snow, but humidity. It saps the warmth right out of a guy. Thats why I think its important to wear a few layers of good wicking materials to help keep you as dry as possible. A couple of years ago I was in Montana in March fishing. It was in the 20's in the mornings. I would load up on layers before heading out and couldn't believe how warm I would get. There isn't the humidity there that we deal with here.
I agree! I have a set of UA cold gear, but I'm considering getting some 2.0 or 3.0 material as the standard cold gear really seemed more suited for early to mid season. Thanks for the information. I'm still back and forth between the comfortmax and unlined, but seeing as you said it's (the comfortmax lined) is too warm for early season, I could always just resort to my ASAT before the temps start to drop a bit.
I've got about every piece of GWW imagineable, plus a lot of custom stuff I commissioned Jeff to make for me that I couldn't find but had an idea for... I've got a complete suit that's Comformax lined, and I generally still go only with what I referenced in my first post (unlined with some form of Merino wool below), but I do find myself using my Comformax-lined jacket as a top quite often. I've also got a Comformax-lined wool vest that's quite possibly the nicest piece of hunting clothing I own (with the exception possibly of my Comformax- and Liteloft-lined wool bomber jacket) and it really comes in handy. I've also got a Comformax- and Liteloft-lined wolfskin vest, but it can be a bit bulky with both linings in it; if I had to pick just one, I'd go Comformax in wool. If I could have just a couple items... unlined wolfskin (paired with Merino wool underneath) and a Comformax-lined wolfskin jacket. That'd take you to most days into the 20's around here.
I've also been looking at the 2.0 and 3.0 stuff as well. I'm looking for maximum wicking and warmth. It amazes me how if I really pay attention to not getting too hot on my way into a stand, putting layers on after climbing in and cooling down for a while, that I can stay much warmer with less layers even in temps in the teens.
