Sitka Apex
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Shrewski
23-Apr-18
Shrewski's Link
I was able to go to SCI this year. While I was at the Sitka Gear booth I spent a lot of time going over the new Apex pieces. I forgot I had pre ordered it and was VERY pleased to see this box waiting for me after a trying day at work.
From: Shrewski
23-Apr-18
The most intriguing piece of the Apex (to me) is the Apex Hoodie. It is a WOOL blend. They have blended the merino with some nylon so it keeps its shape and basically springs back after stretching. I’d call it a mid weight; perfect for throwing over a base layer shirt and chasing bugles.
It has a nice kangaroo pocket low on the shirt (below your bino harness) for “stuff”. Just to give a size I put my 10-15 Leica Duovids in it and snapped a pic. You can see there are also two smaller divided pockets in there as well.
From: Shrewski
23-Apr-18
The hoodie has the normal built in face mask you can easily get on or out of the way but it has a twist I have not ever had on a shirt...elbow pads.
I love all my Sitka pants that have the knee pads and I can see right away these elbow pads will be something I’m not going to want to give up going forward. I snapped a couple pics of the pad and pocket as it is well thought out and shaped.
The other thing I noticed are certain areas of the shirt (like around the elbow pads) have “bumps” to promote air circulation. Brilliant.
From: Charlie Rehor
23-Apr-18
All Sitka, all the time.
Simply the best!
From: Shrewski
23-Apr-18
The Apex pants. I’d say they are right between the Ascent and the Mountain pants in weight; really September perfect in my mind. They have the articulated knee pad I have grown to love and the entire interior of the pant has those same circulation promoting fabric bumps. Love that non slip band around the waist to keep your shirt tucked in.
I think this will be a great set for turkey hunting too and am glad it got here now.
From: kota-man
23-Apr-18
Nice! Mine is on the way as well. Really gonna be a nice multi purpose set I believe.
From: Shrewski
23-Apr-18
I got the Apex pack as well. This is not a haul out your elk pack, this is a stealthy day pack. It sits low on your shoulders and molds around your back. It’s got lots of typical Sitka organization pockets. I stuffed some clothes in and a bugle tube and snapped a couple pics.
From: Shrewski
23-Apr-18
Ok...when I try to rotate the second pack photo, no matter which “image tools” box I tap, I have the first image showing???
From: kota-man
23-Apr-18
I can’t figure out that one either Shrewski. The pack looks like it would be a nice tree stand pack as well?
From: Shrewski
23-Apr-18
Kota-for sure. It may be my turkey vest too; lots of nice little belt organizer pockets.
From: Bou'bound
23-Apr-18
Nice pattern.
From: Shrewski
24-Apr-18
Bou-I think it is their best pattern yet. I do buy into their “science of nothing”. But it sure helps IMO when it blends in to the human eye as well. Hunting elk in September for two weeks in AZ I was never picked off as close as 5’. Was also perfect for late November on Kodiak I apologize this is a rifle buck but think it shows how nice the browns blend in.
From: Brotsky
24-Apr-18
The pattern is fantastic. I'm an admitted Kuiu fan boy but this apex set has my interest. I absolutely love the sub-alpine. Hunting with my daughter decked out in it the past year has convinced me it is the best pattern out there right now easily for the terrain we hunt.
From: ELKMAN
24-Apr-18
BY FAR the best pattern in the industry for western hunting...
From: Herdbull
24-Apr-18
I used the subalpine pattern in the mountain pants last year in Alaska, and after looking at photos and video I noted that the pattern almost changes color as its background. Sometimes the same pants look more brown and other times look more green. I talked to John Barklow from Sitka who helped design the pattern, and he agreed to this chameleon affect. I have not tried the Apex yet, but hope to this season. Mike
From: Whip
24-Apr-18
Good review and great looking gear.
From: 'Ike' (Phone)
24-Apr-18
Ahhh, Steve, way to go...Was debating and that may be over now! Lol
From: Ermine
24-Apr-18
So the apex. Just has merino wool to the mix.?
From: Shrewski
25-Apr-18
Ermine—yes, the hoody is 230g, 17.5 micron merino blended to nylon to give it the stretch and rerun to normal. It’s soft like cashmere on the inside but more durable yet still super quiet on the outside. According to the guys from Sitka in Bozeman that I talked with at the show the whole Apex line was done with “quiet” as a priority. They have some super high tech silent room now with all kinds of testing and listening equipment where they can classify and quantify the noise coming off each piece of clothing. One of the whitetail guys was there and he was really excited about what is to come in those pieces in the future.
From: Lost Arra
25-Apr-18
I'm rather simple minded so excuse my ignorance as I've never touched any Sitka hoody: how does the face mask easily go from "on" to "off"? Is it either in front of your face or behind your head? Thanks for the good photos. That camo looks like it would work in a lot of places.
From: smarba
25-Apr-18
Yes Sitka facemask is either in front or behind. Very easy, very effective. I've been using mine on the Core Lightweight Hoody base layer and love the feature!
From: Shrewski
25-Apr-18
If you have the facemask in the “front” position, you can also pull it down under your chin out of the way. It’s pretty slick. Fits good around glasses to for us poor slobs that are handicapped in that ways as well.
From: 'Ike' (Phone)
25-Apr-18
Steve, Apex Pants compared to Mountain?
From: Shrewski
25-Apr-18
Ike—Apex are lighter weight than Mountain no doubt.
I’ve worn Timberline and Mountain pants interchangeably from -23 to say 50. Ascents I find good good from HOT down to say 50. I see the Apex pants with the sweet spot of 30-60, still comfortable above and light base layer below.
IMO they are an even more improved version of the last (2014 I think) iteration of the 90% pant.
From: 'Ike'
25-Apr-18
Awesome...I'm with you, wear my Timberlines with a layer depending and they'll go well below-0...Thanks for the review!
From: kota-man
27-Apr-18
If the pants are the same as the top, they will be perfect for August/September. I really liked the last version of the 90% pants but they really never got much love. These actually appear to be kind of similar. Got my top today, and it is an awesome piece. The weight is between the Heavyweight and the lightweight, similar in weight but different features than the Fanatic Hoodie. I like the Fanatic, but I like this one better. I'd prefer a hand muff to the pocket, but I can live with it. This set will see a ton of use this fall.
From: Bake
27-Apr-18
Why oh why did they make those tight leg pants? I'd buy a pair today if they were cut like the 90% pants. I can't stand pants tight around my lower legs. . . .
From: Shrewski
27-Apr-18
Kota— no wool in the pants, but they do remind me a lot of the latest 90% they had. I’d say those bumps give them a bit more “venting”
Bake, I’m pretty sure the closer cut legs legs are another step in the “quiet” arena...any contact can give the “swoosh”.
From: Bake
27-Apr-18
I understand, but it's a little ridiculous in my uneducated opinion.
From: smarba
27-Apr-18
Everybody fits a bit different. I was pleased that Sitka chopped a little out of the lower leg. A little less fabric to swish and make noise and fits me just fine.
From: Charlie Rehor
27-Apr-18
Me too! I agree that less girth in the lower leg is welcome.
From: Ermine
27-Apr-18
Yea I like the fit of the new accents. I like the “skinny jean” fit of Sitka . Not a fan of baggy gang banger pants. But then again I also shoot pink vanes hahah
From: 'Ike'
27-Apr-18
Lol...^^^
From: Bake
27-Apr-18
;). As a chunky fella, I guess I just prefer that “relaxed fit” between “skinny jean” and “gangbanger baggy”.
It’s too bad, I do like their new camo.
From: ghost stalker
27-Apr-18
For what the "gear" cost they shouldn't be giving you the knee pads it should be the other way around.
From: Ermine
27-Apr-18
What do you mean?
From: kota-man
29-Apr-18
Ermine...I believe he’s saying Sitka should be wearing the knee pads. ;). The Apex stuff is nice. Really nice. I don’t mind paying for really nice.
From: Trial153
29-Apr-18
didnt take long to hear bitching about prices. It gets tedious how of it brought into any tread. Really if you have nothing to add to the discussion the stay out of it. when a walmart clothing tread opens up then jump in with both feet with your infinite experience.
I decide to order the pants as well. Hoping they work better then the latest ascent pants that i hated. lucky for my I have two pairs of the orginal ascents that are like new, open country and tan. If the apex doesnt work i can always return them.
I also ordred the newest version the down hoody the windstoper ...i can see me liking that glassing.
From: Boreal
29-Apr-18
Where do you guys buy your Sitka gear?
From: Bou'bound
29-Apr-18
Online. Check eBay for new stuff
From: COHOYTHUNTER
29-Apr-18
Mountain archery.com has new stuff so does Scheels
From: Trial153
29-Apr-18
One shot gear, coupon code on Rokslide. Bean outdoors...email him. Mt Archery
