My Essential Sitka Product Recommendations For Active Hunters On A Budget

Vol. 11

Sitka offers the most dialed, cohesive layering systems available anywhere. But, Sitka stuff is also pricey. At the request of one of my friends, here’s my suggestion for an essential cool to cold weather big game system with everything you need, and nothing you don’t need to waste money on. 

Base Layers: Core Lightweight crew and tights ($140)

A very light synthetic baselayer, these things are just right in pretty much any condition. They’re made in like an even more micro version of the micro grid fleece you’ll be familiar with from active mid-layers, so they’re both warmer, and breathe better than you’d expect. And they dry virtually instantaneously should you get them wet. Every time I try to wear something else, I regret not wearing these. 

Pants: Ascent Pant ($190)

Sitka’s lightest, most breathable synthetic pant, these things are surprisingly weather resistant, hold up better than they have any right to (mine are four years old and show no signs of wear), and dry instantaneously. The other night I waded a river with some buddies. They had to stop and roll up their pants. I just walked right through in the Ascents, and was dry 15 seconds later. Buy these in a pyrite so you can wear them fishing, hiking, backpacking and whatnot too. Add the $20 knee pads. These are another item that I regret not wearing any time I try and use something else. 

Midlayer: Kelvin Active Jacket ($289)

John Barklow, the guy who designs all Sitka’s big game product, used to design clothing systems for special operations forces. While doing that, he set across the table from Polartec’s designers, and together they came up with Polartec Alpha, the most breathable insulation ever made. Warmer than a heavy fleece, but as breathable as a t-shirt, Alpha has to be experienced to be believed. It’s an ideal outer layer in mild weather, the best performing mid-layer under any sort of shell, and an ideal layer of added warmth inside a sleeping bag. Nothing will keep you drier. I wear this in any temperature under about 60 degrees, and only need to take it off if I’m doing literal mountain climbing in temperatures above 32 degrees. 

Soft Shell: Mountain Jacket ($279) or Jetstream Jacket ($349)

If you need to cut weight and packed size, get the Mountain Jacket. If you’re not backpacking, get the Jetstream. Both are made using a Gore Windstopper membrane, so are less breathable, but significantly more weather-resistant than stretch-woven soft shells. Here in the Rockies, where rain tends to come through in brief storms rather than persistent, day-long showers, these are all the protection I need. Combined with the Kelvin Active mid-layer, you’ll be set for any active hunting. The Mountain is very minimalist, and very close cut. The Jetstream is a heavier, warmer, more cozy alternative. 

The cheapest you’re getting out of any of that system is still $900. But the level of comfort you’re going to get across a huge variety of weather conditions is going to feel like a whole lot more money. 

I obviously really like, and wear, the rest of Sitka’s product range. But these are the items that brand does with unique merit. You can add puffy jackets, fleece sweatpants, rain shells, and whatever else from your existing gear closet. But no one makes anything better, or anything that works as well within this system, than these items, together.