CapnJack
New member
Has anyone tried the new SITKA GEAR clothing line. Seen it advertised in a Schnees catalog.
Sitka Gear
- Thread starter CapnJack
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sayak
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Sitka gear
Sitka gear
As I remember Sitka gear in the 70s, it consisted of a Woolrich "halibut jacket", X-tratuf red rubber boots ("Sitka sneakers"), a halibut hat (something like a golfers hat but canvas), if you were a logger, you wore "cork" boots. Some folks wore Filson "tin pants" or wool pants. Had to have your Uniroyal (or was it Goodyear?) rain gear handy to top it off for those days of liquid sunshine.
I suspicion that people today are wearing Patagonia pyle, and Columbia Titanium jackets. Don't know about any new lines of apparel, but I bet it isn't what we wore (and did everything from hunting goats to fishing for humpies).
Sitka gear
As I remember Sitka gear in the 70s, it consisted of a Woolrich "halibut jacket", X-tratuf red rubber boots ("Sitka sneakers"), a halibut hat (something like a golfers hat but canvas), if you were a logger, you wore "cork" boots. Some folks wore Filson "tin pants" or wool pants. Had to have your Uniroyal (or was it Goodyear?) rain gear handy to top it off for those days of liquid sunshine.
I suspicion that people today are wearing Patagonia pyle, and Columbia Titanium jackets. Don't know about any new lines of apparel, but I bet it isn't what we wore (and did everything from hunting goats to fishing for humpies).
sayak
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P.s.
P.s.
It was all made in the good ol' U.S.A. Try to find that nowadays!
P.s.
It was all made in the good ol' U.S.A. Try to find that nowadays!
Sitka Pants
Sitka Pants
My brother and I both wore these on our sheep hunt.They worked great,dry fast and stretch good and should last.They did have a thread coming undone,they overnighted a new pair and threw in a very nice belt.Pretty good custumer service,I would recomend them.COUES
Sitka Pants
My brother and I both wore these on our sheep hunt.They worked great,dry fast and stretch good and should last.They did have a thread coming undone,they overnighted a new pair and threw in a very nice belt.Pretty good custumer service,I would recomend them.COUES
Sitka gear is great. I truly do not understand how clothing so light can be so warm. The Kelvin layer with appropriate undergarmet and water repellant jacket such as their Celcius line is unreal. I sold all my other gear. My son had some and I really did not believe that it would work until I purchased some and tried it. Worth the price.
Roger45
Well-known member
Found on this forum the Mountain Archery Site http://www.mountain-archery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=414 and have bought a number of Sitka pieces on-sale from them. Every few days they have something on sale, and they have a clearance section. I have never been disappointed. I have save 50% on a regular basis just waiting for the latest "Sale". Fast and professional web site.
alaskadianhunter
New member
yeah sitka gear is awesome untill it gets real wet, then it dosen't dry for days.
stid2677
Well-known member
What Sitka gear have you had that experience with?? All the stuff I have used from them has been awesome, I wear it for 60 days each year in the field. The only piece that ever failed was a pair of rain pants that split at the crotch, sent them in and got a new replacement pair for free.
Steve
well i've been wearing some of the sitka gear this past season, something over 100 days in the field with them. storm front (not the lite) has worked great, actually been suprised with it...i hate gor-tex but this stuff actually worked. and the ascent pants...love the pants, wore holes in them in one season though, so not impressed with the durablity factor, but the comfort was great, like the stretch and the suspenders...super nice when packing a load, my pants will sometimes fall down...they've all dried incredably fast, even the rain gear. i probably won't ever wear their base layer stuff, i'm to sold on merino wool to trying anything else at this point. but i will be buying more ascent pants..mabye a vest too..i like the idea behind that.
tyrex13
New member
From what I've heard about their customer service, I wouldn't be surprised if they replaced your worn pants.
LuJon
Moderator
I am not a fan of their durability. The have "cool" camo patterns and their warranty is great but I have had enough failures in the field to lose faith in the products. So far, blown seams in mtn pant, blown crotch in ascent pants, failed zipper on 90% jacket. I do really like the ascent jacket though. For pants there are other brands that I prefer. I also wear exclusively merino wool base layers.
tyrex13
New member
Thanks for replying, that's good to know.
hodgeman
New member
I've debated myself with Sitka gear for a couple of years and the reports of failures just turned me off given the price I usually see it at..
I bought on a friend's recommendation some of the Sporthill gear for a boat based hunt and couldn't be happier. Not hardly an identical product but it works well for me. It dries faster than anything I've ever seen. Be warned it can be too warm for some folks in the early season. I always use merino base layers during colder temps.
I bought on a friend's recommendation some of the Sporthill gear for a boat based hunt and couldn't be happier. Not hardly an identical product but it works well for me. It dries faster than anything I've ever seen. Be warned it can be too warm for some folks in the early season. I always use merino base layers during colder temps.
goosepilot
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I have bought a few pieces, all at a fraction of regular prices in the off season. I really like the 90% jacket. The vest is alright, I don't know that it is anything special, other than it matches the jacket. Bought a Nimbus rain pant, but haven't used it a whole lot, usually use my HH Impertec. Tried a zip T base, but it stinks as bad or worse in less than a day than anything else I've tried. I've got some very inexpensive synthetic with X system silver that stink less after 3-4 days or merino wool. Can't bring myself to buy the Ascent pants because of pocket layout and short inseam. I like my Cabelas MicroTex pants and shirt over merino or x system base and then what ever else over that depending on conditions.
Bighorse
New member
I've got a Coldfront jacket on the way at a discount price. I think the three layer Gortex could work from what I've heard. I'll give it an honest test this year and report back.
I had the 90% gear before and wore through the crotch and had a zipper failure. It also faded badly.
I had the 90% gear before and wore through the crotch and had a zipper failure. It also faded badly.
6XLeech
Well-known member
Growth, evolution, learning story maybe?
Growth, evolution, learning story maybe?
To me, it seems that Sitka Gear (http://www.sitkagear.com/) - sorry, Sayak
! - has come a long way since the 2007 season when I first noticed their stuff. By 2010 their gear included many high-tech, well-made items, most of which fared well in field reports. Big improvement overall from the 2007, 2008 and 2009 lines. I know SG's had some growing pains - they outsourced production when they upscaled (the year they were picked up by Cabelas) apparently complicated by some quality control issues between SG and the new factory... but on a couple visits to Barney's Sports Chalet (Anchorage) during those years, Bob Hodson mentioned he was continuing to talk to SG owners at trade shows. Maybe he saw something in those guys at SG. By and by, SG's quality/durability began to improve. Their 2010 top-end outerwear, the $500-plus raingear pieces for instance, are made of GoreTex Pro Shell; same materials/construction and similar prices as other gearmakers' top end rainwear.
Mr. Hodson, from comments he's made the few times I've seen him in the store, pays close attention to how his inventory (SG and all others) is doing for his customers. I noticed that Barney's carried 2007 SG line, then dropped it after some disappointments. They picked up the SG line again in 2009 (?). Then for the 2010 season, Barney's carried a bunch of SG. The 2007, 2008 and 2009 SG lines have improved each year - and by 2010 was a much better value, similar in quality/construction (and price) to other high-end hiking/climbing tech apparel companies.
If it's true that SG began with two cold, wet hunters who figured hunting clothing should benefit from better materials and features available to other sports, but knew little about the tech and business aspects, then the ups and downs aren't surprising. I'd say they learnt pretty quick and pretty well. As new,better (esp raingear) materials begin to replace GT ProShell (and similar), SG will probably lead the hunting apparel market with these new materials too. I keep an eye out for end-of-season sales.
Growth, evolution, learning story maybe?
To me, it seems that Sitka Gear (http://www.sitkagear.com/) - sorry, Sayak
! - has come a long way since the 2007 season when I first noticed their stuff. By 2010 their gear included many high-tech, well-made items, most of which fared well in field reports. Big improvement overall from the 2007, 2008 and 2009 lines. I know SG's had some growing pains - they outsourced production when they upscaled (the year they were picked up by Cabelas) apparently complicated by some quality control issues between SG and the new factory... but on a couple visits to Barney's Sports Chalet (Anchorage) during those years, Bob Hodson mentioned he was continuing to talk to SG owners at trade shows. Maybe he saw something in those guys at SG. By and by, SG's quality/durability began to improve. Their 2010 top-end outerwear, the $500-plus raingear pieces for instance, are made of GoreTex Pro Shell; same materials/construction and similar prices as other gearmakers' top end rainwear. Mr. Hodson, from comments he's made the few times I've seen him in the store, pays close attention to how his inventory (SG and all others) is doing for his customers. I noticed that Barney's carried 2007 SG line, then dropped it after some disappointments. They picked up the SG line again in 2009 (?). Then for the 2010 season, Barney's carried a bunch of SG. The 2007, 2008 and 2009 SG lines have improved each year - and by 2010 was a much better value, similar in quality/construction (and price) to other high-end hiking/climbing tech apparel companies.
If it's true that SG began with two cold, wet hunters who figured hunting clothing should benefit from better materials and features available to other sports, but knew little about the tech and business aspects, then the ups and downs aren't surprising. I'd say they learnt pretty quick and pretty well. As new,better (esp raingear) materials begin to replace GT ProShell (and similar), SG will probably lead the hunting apparel market with these new materials too. I keep an eye out for end-of-season sales.
stid2677
Well-known member
The guys that formed Sitka Gear sold out to GORE, they are have formed a new company called KUIU. Their web site says that they will release their clothing line spring 2011.
http://www.kuiu.com/
Should be worth looking at anyway.
Steve
http://www.kuiu.com/
Should be worth looking at anyway.
Steve
6XLeech
Well-known member
New: Sitka Gear forges ahead merging with Gore. Kuiu, new company for 2011
New: Sitka Gear forges ahead merging with Gore. Kuiu, new company for 2011
Thanks, Steve. I didn't know that.
Found more stuff on the topic. I guess Jonathan Hart and Jason Hairston, founders of Sitka Gear and have now split.
SG + Gore, now led by Hart alone:
Informative radio interview with Jonathan Hart of SitkaGear and David Dillon of WL Gore on their merger from Petersen's Bowhunting Radio, 10May10: http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/blog/?tag=sitka-gear. It sounds like Jonathan Hart continues to lead SG after merger with Gore and SitkaGear will be WL Gore's channel for high-tech hunting outerwear. SG seems to have diversified their product line to meet the needs of cold-weather stand hunters now as well as the lightweight, comfortable gear for climbing/backpacking hunters as before.
Kuiu, new company being launched by Hairston mentioned in this link, titled "Building Kuiu": http://kuiu.wordpress.com/about/ . And Kuiu gear descriptions:http://kuiu.wordpress.com/. It sounds like Hairston plans to stay focused on (very) lightweight, comfortable (hiking/backpacking hunters) high-performance clothing only, doesn't it?
New fabrics:
Kuiu's Primeflex fabric sounds like one of the new generation of waterproof/breathable (wp/b) tech fabrics based on brand new fabric technology (or applications). Gore isn't sitting still though; launching a new fabric called "Active Shell", based on Gore Activent fabric. Several other companies also have new wp/b fabrics which are supposed to outperform older fabrics. Be interesting to see how these new fabrics do in the field the next few years - the claims aren't new. Truly better? Tough enough? (REF: "Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: An Emerging Revolution in Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – It’s Not Just Gore-Tex Versus eVENT Anymore!" at: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...rapup_waterproof-breathable_technologies.html (membership req'd).
High tech competitors?
So, Kuiu will be a competitor to Sitka Gear now, with the 2 companies (Kuiu & SG) each led by the 2 former founders of SG? Sort of the new Arc'teryx vs Mtn Hardware of camo activewear. Product lines differ some with Kuiu focusing the ultralight end of the weight/insulation spectrum and SG offering lightweight plus heavier/insulating end maybe. Competition (in the arena of high-tech fabrics in well-designed, lighter, more comfortable hunting apparel) should be a good thing for innovation and variety - though prob not lower prices.
New: Sitka Gear forges ahead merging with Gore. Kuiu, new company for 2011
Thanks, Steve. I didn't know that.
Found more stuff on the topic. I guess Jonathan Hart and Jason Hairston, founders of Sitka Gear and have now split.
SG + Gore, now led by Hart alone:
Informative radio interview with Jonathan Hart of SitkaGear and David Dillon of WL Gore on their merger from Petersen's Bowhunting Radio, 10May10: http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/blog/?tag=sitka-gear. It sounds like Jonathan Hart continues to lead SG after merger with Gore and SitkaGear will be WL Gore's channel for high-tech hunting outerwear. SG seems to have diversified their product line to meet the needs of cold-weather stand hunters now as well as the lightweight, comfortable gear for climbing/backpacking hunters as before.
Kuiu, new company being launched by Hairston mentioned in this link, titled "Building Kuiu": http://kuiu.wordpress.com/about/ . And Kuiu gear descriptions:http://kuiu.wordpress.com/. It sounds like Hairston plans to stay focused on (very) lightweight, comfortable (hiking/backpacking hunters) high-performance clothing only, doesn't it?
New fabrics:
Kuiu's Primeflex fabric sounds like one of the new generation of waterproof/breathable (wp/b) tech fabrics based on brand new fabric technology (or applications). Gore isn't sitting still though; launching a new fabric called "Active Shell", based on Gore Activent fabric. Several other companies also have new wp/b fabrics which are supposed to outperform older fabrics. Be interesting to see how these new fabrics do in the field the next few years - the claims aren't new. Truly better? Tough enough? (REF: "Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: An Emerging Revolution in Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – It’s Not Just Gore-Tex Versus eVENT Anymore!" at: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...rapup_waterproof-breathable_technologies.html (membership req'd).
High tech competitors?
So, Kuiu will be a competitor to Sitka Gear now, with the 2 companies (Kuiu & SG) each led by the 2 former founders of SG? Sort of the new Arc'teryx vs Mtn Hardware of camo activewear. Product lines differ some with Kuiu focusing the ultralight end of the weight/insulation spectrum and SG offering lightweight plus heavier/insulating end maybe. Competition (in the arena of high-tech fabrics in well-designed, lighter, more comfortable hunting apparel) should be a good thing for innovation and variety - though prob not lower prices.
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454casull
New member
Kuiu will only be sold by Jason at wholesale prices from his California headquarters, therefore resulting in reduced cost. No retailors will be involved. Kuiu gear is built in Canada instead of China. We can look forward to higher quality and better pricing from Kuiu. Jason has came out with a couple of super light packs also. All of this with a new camo pattern that looks like it should work very well to dissolve the human outline.
