Is it worth investing into a system? For those who have bought the high end stuff Sitka etc. was it worth it or am I just as good getting the stuff at walmart for cheap and picking up stuff out of the bargain cave?
Maybe I am just a tight wad and life is too short to hunt in second rate cammo.
As far as success I have no problem killing elk, just wondering if I am missing something...
For archery I like my clothes nice and light and cool
They're light, they stretch when you climb and don't bind. And mine have lasted some hard use since 2010. I've had to have my aunt sew some holes closed, and one bigger patch job, but they've stood up well in my opinion.
I use them for spring turkey, elk, whitetails, and pretty much everything else where I want light and cool
Bake
I really like First Lite gear. I like the idea of the wool. I have also the Sitka wool shirt.
For me it's like all hunting/outdoor gear. I can hunt in jeans and a t-shirt and sleep in a Walmart tent but I really like Sitka/First Lite and sleeping in a trailer. To each his own.
About half of my gear was used and the other I bought new at discount prices. You can pick up some really good used pieces on the various hunting forums if you do your homework and move fast.
If you have no new stuff I would buy a technical top, either a synthetic like Sitka or a merino like First Lite and try then out. Be advised the merino is not close to durability of the synthetics but the synthetics will funk after a few days.
I love my Sitka Ascent pants for Sept elk hunting and the same goes for my First Lite merino wool shirt.
Rain gear is another area where it's nice to have the nice stuff.
I had a few issues and First Lite went above and beyond to make me happy.
Since then, I wear them a lot. Boundary Waters canoe trips, spring turkey hunting, fall bow hunting, fall deer hunting, Alaskan moose hunting.
The pants are very light, tough, and dry quickly.
I also have Sitka merino top and bottom base layers. They are also worth the extra money.
Like another poster said: watch camofire or other sites and pick up a piece here and there. The price seems much more reasonable that way.
That said, I strongly believe digital camo does the best job of breaking up your outline.
For the past few years, all of my hunting clothing is either Sitka or KUIU. Both are top-of-the line stuff that have revolutionized hunting clothing. KUIU is less costly, but only because they only sell direct, thereby avoiding retailer mark ups
that.
The tech stuff is normally more comfortable, more athletic cut, covers a wider range of conditions and temps, lighter, less bulky. Normally.
We have to fly in everywhere. Clothing is both weight and bulk. If I can cut out several pieces as well as it being lighter and less bulk... awesome.... comfort isn't a bad deal either.
I know a few old school guys that won't use it for the simple reason they are old school and want to use what they are used to using and/or have general dislike for tech. They put tons of animals on the ground too. The tech stuff, no matter the camo, will not make you a better hunter. But like many things it will buy you a bit of comfort and save some weight. Personally, that's enough for me.
Cost? Can't take it with ya I'm told... but actually some good quality tech gear... least ya can be buried in it.... =D
I hunted elk, early and hot, for ten days last year. I wore one pair of pants the whole time. (I did hand wash them on day seven or eight.) I was not going back to my Predator cotton pants ever again.
The pockets are all in the right places. Quiet. Comfortable. Awesome stuff.
For Sale: Four pair of Predator pants.
As said, camo is in the eye of the beholder...I'm more interested in fit and wear...
If you are going to go sit in a tree stand in relatively nice weather, the added benefit of the high end materials probably won't be worth it. But if you are in more extreme conditions or are a very active hunter (as many elk hunters are) the better materials and better construction will make for a much more comfortable day.
For me, I don't worry too much about which camo pattern I have on, and I mix and match a bunch of different brands (Sitka, Core4element, badlands, etc). The first thing I would do is get some wicking underwear and T shirts. Having a quick drying layer next to the skin will greatly improve your comfort if you sweat a lot while hiking. If you want to try out some of the high end camo, for most September elk hunts I recommend you start with some good pants that move well with you. I have Sitka and Core4 pants. The Sitka are better for me and seem to be holding up a little better, but the core 4 stuff is really good too (definitely worth what I paid for it). Then start building base layers, shirts and jackets. A good pair of long underwear bottoms will make your lightweight pants cover most of the conditions you will encounter in September.
Unless you will be hunting in very cold temps, will be sitting in a treestand in more extreme conditions or you are someone who is constantly cold, I would get lighter weight stuff and you can do some layering to match the conditions. I rarely wear the heavily insulated stuff that I have.
All of the above is obviously just my opinions. The advice is free, and I hope it is worth at least that much.
I am content
Good luck, Robb
A couple years ago I had a pair of outfitter Camo rain pants. I laid them out on an avalanche chute. I walked 40 yards away. I could not see them. I didn't spot them till I was 8 yards away from them. They blended in perfect with the rocks and little bit of grass that was there.
