If you have been using the Sitka fanatic system, hunting in a TREESTAND, I'd like to know these things:
1) Temperature through your hunts 2) average sit time 3) your comfort level.
Why am I asking? I have a system with which I am content, and will not likely change it (reasons include cost). But I have several folks that are not willing to do what I do, and want something that will give them what I have now: napping-level comfort in very cold temperature (0-15 degrees). I keep hearing Sitka buzz and would like to hear from EXPERIENCED users. But NOT if you can't provide the details.
For example, like so: Temp: 20-30 f 10-15 mph wind Duration: 4 hours Comfort level: I'll be warm enough to go longer. Not shivering or longing to leave. Or.. Warm as toast all day. Or.. about the same as XYZ that I used before
NOT this:
"Where I hunt it gets real cold but I stay warm"
Thanks folks. I just don't want to steer friends based on marketing, and who knows, if the feedback is good I may go that way.
I currently have Gray Wolf clothes and layer like this.
1)First Lite Llanno Top and smart wool bottom with Cabelas liner socks
2)Then First Lite Chama and Allegheny bottom with thick cabelas wool socks
3) First lite Springer vest no other bottoms
4) Gray wold insulated vest no other bottoms
5) Gray wolf insulated coat and bibs with Danner 1000gram boots
Other Items: Hand warmer muff with warmers (probably the single most important thing that helps me)
Hat: Stocking cap
My goal this year as will have another baby is to sit ALL DAY on the limited days I will have to hunt. Thus, want to really get it right.
Hoping to add a fanatic line and a layer of down but am on the fence now between the KUIU and the Kelvin by Sitka for the mid layer????
Thanks guys
Ok.. that's part of the rub that gets me… I hear from the "scientists" that if your hand and feet get cold, that means your core is too cold…
That said, I have VERY little faith in or respect for what is called, in this age, science
Remember the key is being able to draw and release without interference as well and that's where the Sitka system shines.
I hunt Illinois daily from Christmas until mid-January so I experience really cold weather. The wind speed is the controlling factor to getting cold.
Good luck Hawkeye!!
I hunt in the northeast primarily. Last weekend was a high of 12 with 20-30 MPH winds. I was warm and comfortable with my Sitka Fanatic gear. I sat from 6:15 until 9:30 and could have sat longer with this gear in the noted temperatures.
Base layers: under armour cold season leggings and top.
Mid layer: Merino Sitka shirt. Kelvin down pants. Traverse top.
Top: Fanatic bibs and fanatic jacket.
Sitka stratus beenie. Hand muffs.
All I can say is that it gets tough if you have to move too much. I knew I was sitting for the morning and would not be moving, otherwise I would overheat.
I have sat in minus 20 with consistent winds up to 25 MPH and have been comfortable in the Incinerator suit. There is no question this jacket and bib combo is the warmest on the market.
I second what folks have said about hands and feet. These are often the first to go. I have found the muff with handwarmers to keep me going, but feet are often the issue. I know my core is not cold because when my hands can't take it i will put them inside my coat against my chest to warm up from my body heat.
What is everyone's best secret for warm feet when trying to sit all day?
I ice fish with a guy who wears tennis shoes on the ice, and claims his feet never get cold. I fish with others who can't handle it for more than a couple hours wearing Mickey Mouses.
For stationary hunting in extreme cold (or ice fishing as cold as -40) my best boots are a pair of Proline Blizzard Plus boots with thinsulate imbedded within the rubber bottom half, with a removable reflective felt liner. They have the best features of a Mickey Mouse with the added benefit of removable liners to dry out at night.
I ice fish with a guy who wears tennis shoes on the ice, and claims his feet never get cold. I fish with others who can't handle it for more than a couple hours wearing Mickey Mouses.
For stationary hunting in extreme cold (or ice fishing as cold as -40) my best boots are a pair of Proline Blizzard Plus boots with thinsulate imbedded within the rubber bottom half, with a removable reflective felt liner. They have the best features of a Mickey Mouse with the added benefit of removable liners to dry out at night.
In the Boot Blankets, I have placed hand warmers both under the toe area and above it too.
Like others, I too am going to die someday of cold hands & feet!
I have used Sitka Kelvin vest, jacket & pants sitting for 5 hours this year at 20f with a ~10 mph wind with higher gusts. I was toasty warm, but almost expired from overheating getting to the spot! : )
I just ordered a 2014 model Fanatic jacket. I love Sitka gear!!
>>>>-------->
I always feel like I have to layer up like crazy, but maybe less is more. . . I'm still testing
Anyways, my coldest sit of this year was 2 degrees when I got into the stand. Warmed up to around 10 degrees mid-day when I finally got down about 1 p.m. 6-10 mph wind.
I was not warm until the sun came up and it warmed up to about 10. I was not freezing either. I was at that spot between comfort and uncomfortable. I was able to sit there, and could have sat all day if necessary, but I killed at mid-day so got down.
Another cold sit with it was 8 or 9 degrees, with a biting 10-15 mph wind right into my face. I was cold, and could have toughed it out, but left around 9:30 to get to work
Bake
That may be bullcrap, but it's what I think :)
I sat till 2:30. My core never really did get cold. I use a large chemical hand warmer in the pouch with light gloves. Can't stand bulk on hands.
My feet were cold. I had 7mm Aeros on and I opted for the toe warmer. 90% sure my feet sweated early and screwed me for the rest of the day.
My feat were cold.
My knees were always cold in my old stuff. No matter what I did my knees got cold early. I've NOT YET had this issue with the fanatic.
TOP & BOTTOM Base is 200 Icebreaker Traverse Mid layer- I like the thumb holes. Jacket/Bib.
I've not experimented with any additional insulation(kelvin or similar)
I have room for it in the jacket, but I think the bibs would be tight.
I noticed a huge difference in the sizing between Large and X-Large. I opted for the XL jacket since I wanted the room to not feel "bound-up" when I was drawing a bow. XL bibs were huge. Stayed with Large for them. 5'11" 200lb
Its a good jacket/bib setup. I've not had sound be an issue as others have said with the windstopper fabric. In fact until Pat mentioned it in the other thread, I wouldn't have even thought of it.
Now for the other end. I've gotten hot in this stuff. Its not meant for walking at all. Has leg vents but nothing on the jacket. Walk slow if you are wearing it in. I hate putting bibs on when I get somewhere although the leg zips work well. Just something about walking through the woods with briars on in my underwear in the dark seems a bit wrong.
Hope my rambling helps
Curious that no one has mentioned using the Blizzard stuff for crazy cold rather than Fanatic… but then I did ask about the Fanatic stuff...
Neither of these are remotely close to the Fanatic in the "quietness" department.
SteveB's Link
Here is one at Cabelas:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Icebreaker-Insulated-Boot-Blanket-Overboots/748998.uts
I add my fanatic bibs when the temps hit the low 30's. As for layering I usually just wear a light to midweight merino base layer.
When the temps are in the low 20's I add the kelvin jacket and pants. I wear a medium in both the fanatic and the kelvin. It is snug but I still have plenty of mobility to shoot comfortably.
As the temps get into the single digits and below this setup will let me hunt for a couple hours. I wont be warm but I will be out there. What I have moved to under these conditions is the Cabelas stand hunter coveralls.
When I am hunting I like don't like of hint of chill seeping into my body. My hands are never cold wearing a merino glove and using the chemical handwarmers and the fanatic pouch. On my feet I use thermacell footbeds and icebreaker over boots.
All of the above mentioned temperatures include at least 10 mph winds because the wind always blows in south dakota
Does anyone find "noisy" bibs acceptable if the jacket/parka is "totally" silent? Or is it the general consensus that noisy bibs just won't hack it silence, even if the upper wear is "noiseless"?
In my case its been the jacket/parka that generates the noise. I actually wear a frog togs bottom over my wool bibs, and its been ok for me for years. Yes, I often hunt in dead silent woods… very (0f) cold, hardwoods, and snow on the ground.
I'll say though, that I need 50y of warning to get away with it. If a deer was directly under the tree… Nope.
I know one thing: There's no such thing as too warm on stand. Man I'd like to be able to feel and check out the outer material on that Blizzard.
