Description of SITKA bowhunting gear purchased on a $1000 budget. Whitetail Fanatic clothing for Michigan late season hunting. SITKA Gear can be expensive, but some bargain hunting and patience can pay off!
Well done! I live and hunt in the Upper Peninsula, and I can assure everyone watching this review, Sitka gear is THE perfect clothing for hunting in cold weather. I also purchased the Fanatic hoodie, jacket, and bibs. I layered my old merino wool top and bottom with my old mid-layer Mossy Oak top and bottoms. I stayed warm in the teen- range temperatures. This year, I purchased the Celsius midi-jacket and Equinox midi-pants. Being on a budget, I’m building from the outside in. In early to mid-season, the Fanatic Hoodie, Celsius jacket, and Equinox midi-pants can be worn alone, when temperature drops to the lower 40’s, I’ll wear the Fanatic jacket and bibs for all-day sits. I also purchased Dry Shod camo pattern boots and Sorel Artic Winter boots. I slide a couple of hand warmers down inside to the arch of my foot and I stay warm. The Sitka system is an investment.
Sounds like you have your system working well! I’ll likely wait another year before any further investment. But thanks for the info! I’d love to know how the whole system works for you…
Lol! Likewise, you are tempting me to go over landing. I have a very similar vehicle and love the idea of going off grid for a few days, being self-sufficient. A camping/hunting/fishing adventure would be awesome!! What did you hunt previously?
@@northofdetroitoutdoors7404 Lol just like hunting, it can definitely be addictive and expensive! I'd love to see your build if you ever choose to go that route. I'm from MS and we mostly hunt whitetail and small game. I'd love to get up north though for those big bucks I hear y'all have.
Brother, can’t believe I just now came across your channel! You do fantastic reviews and have a great demeanor, so please keep doing what you do, as I’ll definitely be watching😎👍
@@northofdetroitoutdoors7404 I actually grew up in Westland, MI, and now live in Alaska, so Sitka gear is all I use up here for moose, caribou, and bear. The quality and well thought out designs with the end user as the guide is why I will stick with Sitka for the foreseeable future. Stay safe and have a bountiful hunting season!
Great review! I don’t usually talk to Michigan people but I stumbled across your channel and really liked it. I also purchased a bunch of Sitka gear on sale at Field&Stream last Black Friday. I Haven’t had a chance to use it yet but I’m looking forward to it this season. You have a fan down here in the Buckeye State! Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing your review after using it. We’ll have to compare notes. Take care and go Bucks! I
No worries! We welcome everybody here, even…uh…(clears throat)…Buckeyes!? 😂 Thanks for reaching out! Once you get in the field it would be great to compare notes. I used mine quite a bit last season and I’m prepping my review as we speak. Look forward to ur perspective. Have a great season! Of course, you know what I’ll be targeting…Bucks!
Great information on the, Sitka Gear. I have been using Badlands for the last 3 years, but due to their sizing issues with their pants I am looking to make a switch. This review helped to put Sitka on the list with First Lite. If you have any first lite gear which do you prefer?
I don’t have any First Light gear but they have a great reputation. Again, I’m a bow hunter so the details in the design were a big selling point for me. But personal recommendations from fellow hunters (and online reviews) about how warm it is was the primary reason I went with Sitka. Good luck with your decision!
Great video! I can’t decide between the fanatic or stratus bibs. I’m in Alabama and it only gets in the 20s or lower maybe a week or so in winter. I already have the fanatic hoodie and equinox hoodie. Which one would you recommend?
Thank you! We’ll, it depends on what the average temperature is apart from the rare 20 degree days. If in the low 30s, I recommend the fanatic bibs. If in the high 30s/low 40s, I recommend the stratus bibs. Another consideration is your tolerance for cold. I don’t tolerate it well so I always err on the side of being warmer. Hope that helps!
At 5’9” I typically wear medium sized clothing. I went with large with my Sitka gear after trying them on as the medium was too constricting. Hope this helps.
Everyone who questions if sitka gear is worth it, I always advise them to go buy the neck gaiters and see for themselves. I always offer to buy it from them if they aren't happy with it. I've never had to buy one back lol. Best investment a hunter can make is sitka gear and specifically the fanatic jacket! I've got the fanatic beanie as well. Yes it wears like a helmet, but when your as bald as me you need it lol
Thanks for watching! So far I’m pleasantly surprised by how warm the Sitka gear is. The lowest temp I’ve tested so far has been 21degrees (little wind) and it stood up very well! I’m a believer so far! Hey I’m in that balding club too, I get it! LOL!!
@@northofdetroitoutdoors7404 I do not. Just doesn't get cold enough in TN to justify it. I've read that many people prefer the first lite Merino to sitka but after that sitka reigns supreme
Man it’s hard to do Sitka gear for $1000. I own every piece in the Whitetail line except the Incinerator bibs and jacket. It was well above a $4000 investment Even though some of the pieces I got on sale. Hands down best gear out there
I've got both incinerator jacket and fanatic jacket and I honestly think the fanatic is warmer!! Have the fanatic bibbs too. Best stuff ive ever owned.
@@larrywilliams9368 Good to know. I didn’t buy the incinerator because if it’s that cold in my area it will be snow not rain. I have no issues with the fanatic in the snow. I always stay dry and warm
@@jayonez137 the one thing I will say about the incinerator is that it's thin enough to layer under the fanatic so if it's in the negatives even with high wind I'm still comfortable with minimal base layers. Really impressive stuff
@@larrywilliams9368 I made the mistake of buying the fanatic in an XL thinking I would need extra room for layering. I found out quickly that it’s warm enough as a standalone unit so I sold the XL And bought my normal size large. The only thing I will wear underneath my fanatic is the fanatic hoodie and the Merino heavyweight base layers. I’ve done all day sits in -10 degrees in this set up and stayed warm all day. You really do not need to layer much underneath the fanatic. At least not for me. I would die if I put the incinerator underneath the fanatic. If it got any colder than -10° I could wear my Celsius Midi jacket underneath it with enough room
