Sitka Sub-20 Weather Gear Opinions (Overall Sitka Discussion)

It took me a couple seasons to acquire all my Sitka gear and I only have the whitetail items. I searched through several means to get a few deals here and there. Definitely an investment.

 

I’m really afraid if I get the whitetail stuff I’m going to like it so much I’ll NEED the waterfowl stuff


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Need....LOL.....that word has been tossed around a lot by the wife I FINALLY get to use it in reverse. I told her I need this camo as much as she needed the new purse each spring for the last 7 years.....

Problem is though she looked up cost.....let's just say either she gets a new purse every month or I get to fund this myself LOL!

 

Luckily I dont' waterfowl hunt! But there is the slight chance I start looking into out west hunts. Might "NEED" open country!

 

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you on this.

As to the question of how "loud" the Incinerators are ... all I can tell you is what I read others say. I have held the Incinerator gear in hand, at various trade shows and in stores. In those environments, it doesn't seem loud to me. But guys who own them say the colder it gets the louder it gets when you move. I honestly think it is all so subjective. When we are in the woods and there is no wind, a chipmunk fart could be considered loud. Some guys say the noise is an issue, others don't think it matters much. There is no arguing that the Fanatic stuff is quiet though.

Regarding the waterproof aspect, the Fanatic is not waterproof. That being said, I have not hunted in my Fanatic gear in the rain, as rain tends to become snow by the time I break the Fanatic gear out. Snow will cling to it pretty good. I've looked like a snow man in the stand before when it really comes down ... LOL. But I've never gotten wet. I do have to hang the gear up when I am done hunting and let the snow melt and then dry though. No big deal for me.

I keep going back to the burr issue. If burrs are a problem in your area, then I would get the Incinerator bibs at the very least, and possibly the coat. Like I said, I have learned to avoid burrs to and from my stands because I am able to manipulate my properties using mowing equipment or routes where burrs don't exist. If I have to go after a downed deer through the woods, then my Fanatic stuff gets taken off before I start tracking. I made the mistake one time of getting into burrs with them. 4 hours of picking out burrs out of that berber material was all it took to teach me to be careful.

 

The noisiest aspect of the incinerator suit is where the rubber grippers on the bibs straps rub against the inside sleeping bag material of the incinerator jacket. This could easily be fixed by putting something between the bib straps and the jacket so they do not rub together.

I cannot say I ever recall any unwanted noise loud enough to mention coming from the bibs (other than the strap noise). I have a time or two heard a little crinkle sound in the jackets sleeves while moving my arms. It's not frequently or very loud but the noise was there none the less.

I had the fanatic suit for three seasons. Many times while I was hunting in the fanatic suit I wished I had the incinerator suit. I wore the incinerator suit probably 10 to 12 times this season and never once while wearing it did I wish that I was in the fanatic suit instead.

However, in November I generally hunt dark to dark whether there's rain forecast the day I'm hunting or not. I had quite a few all day sits in the rain this year that I would not have been able to do in the fanatic unless I had also packed in my downpour rain gear set. I do not want to have to deal with bringing extra outer layers that I may or may not need considering how far I generally have to pack my stand and gear in.

I did keep the fanatic vest, but never used it once this year. I used the shacket quite a few times though, it is more versatile than the fanatic vest, but I am starting to get off topic here.

 

I also had the Fanatic vest and it never got used. I sold mine and have never regretted it. I am sure there is a place for it, but I never found it in my needs.

OP and others ... I'd say that Buckeye's experience with the Incinerator is probably a sound one (no pun intended) to build your decision on. Personally, I don' think you can go wrong with either as both sets (or a combination of them) are excellent choices. It all depends on your personal needs.

 

Good deal...I am leaning for the bibs for sure...but I love the design and layout of the Fanatic top, you have the Incinerator top as well if I understood you correctly?

The Shacket is definitely on my list before a vest...I can always use my scentlok fleece windstopper vest for an extra layer under a top if I want core to be warmer...the reason I wear a vest so much is the arms being free of a ton of material, the shacket with the short sleeves offers more warmth and protection than a vest but keeps forearms free like I like!

 

I usually go with my old Kelvin vest in the original Elevated pattern under my jacket when I need core insulation. It is a permaloft filled vest. In the subalpine and OC products they have a Kelvin Light vest which is the same principle. I've not tried the Shacket, but a lot of guys either love it or hate it ... not a lot of middle ground on it from what I keep reading.

 

I've also now noticed the Downpour Pants and Jacket...they are also catching my eye for the waterproof aspect but still think I'll go Incinerator Bibs...just need to pick a jacket...could go with the Downpour top and layer under for warmth when needed. My only worry with the Incinerator bibs is the overheat aspect as they sound INCREDIBLY warm.

 

I have used the Incinerator for 3-4 years maybe longer.
I shoot a P&Y buck at 5 yards -0- degrees and -0- wind.
The buck didn’t know I was there.
I had Incinerator top and bottom on.
Incinerator isn’t that noisy IMO.

When it’s single digits and high winds in the Midwest the Incinerator is the only garment that will keep me in the stand.

Super cold I wear First Lite base layers, Sitka Traverse, a thin outer garment.
Walk to stand in this and put the Incinerator on at the base of the tree.

Very cold I may add a Kelvin vest.

Do not try to walk any distance with the Incinerator on.

I can’t comment on the Fanatic as I have never used it.

Hope this helps.


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I have the fanatic line and love it. Very warm and quiet. But in cold weather you can still hear the wind breaker material crinkle when you move, so it's not completely quiet. I have shot my last 3 bucks in it and the longest shot was 10 yards. Also I pulled back my bow while all 3 were under 10 yards, the deer never heard me. I also have the down pour jacket and pants. But don't like packing them in. If I could do it all over again, I would have just bought the incinerator line. I have put them on before, but never hunted in them, so I have no real world experience.

 

I'm thinking perfect world I get the Incinerator top/bottom, Shacket and maybe hoodie (or thin layer)...and fanatic gloves and gator. IF I can grab a pair of pants I could use this for all but the earliest quite warm time frames...otherwise my Scentlok gear for non-frigid weather suits me just fine really.

Love the reviews and discussion fellas! Keep it coming!

 

I own the incinerator and use open country light weight layers (bought for elk hunting) as base layers. Love the gear, but would never pay full price. I buy everything 50% off. 750 for the incinerator, I hunt 10-20 hunts a year In it. If it lasts 5 years that's 7.50 - 15.00 bucks a hunt to stay warm. No brainer

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Not paying full price was why I originally chose Sitka finally over First Lite.

 

I love it, I've never had a piece I don't like, but it's expensive. I haven't bought true base layers yet cause it just seems like too much

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My baselayers will be all from Minus33. LOVE the midweight I added this season and will be getting their heavyweight line (expedition) for this coming season as well should I raise enough for both Sitka and them.

 

If your looking for a lighter weight layer in sitka, try the fanatic hoody. I love that thing! I wear it for almost ever hunt this year. Thinking of buying another so I don't have to wash it so much. It has the thumb holes in the sleeves, so when putting on a jacket it doesn't pull up. Also has built in gloves and a face mask.

For a late season hat, definitely get a incinerator hat. Very warm and water proof. It also has the flip down flaps to go over your ears. I favorite feature is the short brimmed visor on it, great for bow hunting!

 

Not to get you off topic but have you ever tried a heater body suit? I guess I just don't understand the reason you would spend so much money on high end extreme cold weather clothes when you can be so much warmer for so much less for stand or blind hunting. I love my Sitka gear as much as the next but as often I need something for the extreme cold I can find better use of my $$$.

To give you an idea last day I hunted it was 7 degrees, -25 with the windchill and I was still hunting from a pocket I cut out of a cedar over an open feed field for 3 hours.

Cloths:

Merino wool top and bottom base layer.
150-gram insulated pant
Tech weight base layer top
Fleece zip-up hoodie
tech weight face mask
fleece neck gator
merino wool stocking cap
2 hand warmers - no gloves
400-gram boots, wool socks

The only thing that ever was the slightest bit cold was my nose during my sit. I did freeze my ass off walking back to the truck at dark!

Anyway, if you haven't ever tried one it might be worth a look. Your mobility is second to none as you have to wear a minimal amount of clothes even in the coldest conditions.

 

I have liked the idea of this and the Iwom...but being a treestand hunter the huge blob outline of them turns me off...my pops loves his HBS and I especially think hunting in a blind I would prefer this over wearing a bunch of layers.