SITKA SAVED MY LIFE. My treestand ladderstick broke last year and I fell 20ft breaking pelvis in 2 places, broke back in 3 places, and broke my right arm in half at the elbow. Wind chill was in the teens and I had on the fanatic series bibs and jacket, fanatic hoody and a light weight thermal. I was on the ground for a long time literally laying on a brick of ice. Had it not been for the Fanatic System I'm pretty sure the outcome would have been catastrophic for me. Sitka is totally worth the money and it saved my life. Yes, it all got cut off of me however its since been replaced. You have to expect the unexpected and glad Sitka had my back.
I was the frigid shaking guy my entire life and then switched up how I layer after hearing Barklow on a podcast a few years back. Completely changed my experience as a hunter. Top three biggest influences on my hunting for this lesson alone.
Light weight merino as my next to skin layer and I go into the woods as stripped down as need so as not to sweat. Fanatic hoody or ambient hoody over that. Status or Fanatic over that. Basically lightweight merino, lofted insulation, wind blocker. As long as I have those three things I can mix and match as needed but stay comfortable. I have done this with a few different brands but Sitka's is definitely the most technical and streamlined. Hope this helps! @@dirtymotovation
Don’t know if they will ever be able to formulate alpaca into a baselayers that holds its shape, but I concur. As far as whitetail socks, my alpacas are indispensable
100% agree. With both responses regarding alpaca wool. I’m wearing coolmax synthetic Injinji toe socks under layered alpaca socks and my feet have never been happier. Total game changer system for me last year and worth every penny of the investment. I also noticed less bulk compared to my previous Darn Tough and Smartwool merino sock systems. I bet can down size my footwear 1/2-1 size and be warmer & drier with the alpaca system compared to where I was was previously with my merino system. If they could armor wool with alpaca and it not stretch out, I think synthetic base layers would be done for…
@@fishinguns4975 which alpaca socks are you running?… I got mine from a saddle hunting website called Eastern Woods Outdoors. I’d be interested in what all is out there
@@fishinguns4975do you have a recommendation on the alpaca wool socks? Looking to implement a better system for keeping my feet dry/warm this fall. Links to both socks in your system would be great!
The Base layer needs to serve two functions at the same time. Not an easy assignment. First it has to be a vapor transport system that can move the moisture away from the body and second be able to insulate keeping warm dry air next to the body. The mid layers function is to move the moisture it has absorbed and move it to the outer layer Shell garment which is wind proof.not water proof allowing the water vapor to pass through the wind shell and also out the bottom of the untucked wind shell. If it is raining the outer shell can be a rain jacket with vents to allow the body moisture to exit out the bottom of the jacket and out the vents.. I'm not sure why Americans are not aware of Fishnet underwear. It has been in use since at least World War One. I first started using it in the late 60's. With fishnet underwear you can use either wool or poly fleece as your mid layer. Next to my skin I have my fish net. My mid layer is a tee shirt weight merino wool, My second base layer if need will be a tight weave wool shirt or an Alpaca hooded weft weave sweater. Sometimes my second base layer will be a zippered mid weight poly fleece. The advantage of sheep and alpaca wool is that wool has a thermal range from 5 F to 15 F degrees. Poly fleece cannot thermal regulate and you have to match the layer to a specific temperature. Fishnet has 2/3 inches spaces in the netting. Today there are three variations on the fishnet available in long or short sleeve and bottoms. The warmest is the fibers made of a wrap of merino wool and poly fiber. The Traditional cotton and poly pro shirt fishnet are year around shirts. I wear mine 365. Cool in summer and warm in winter. Fish net is available in both the USA, Canada and Europe. The fishneting wicks the moisture away from the skin and to the mid layer. The holes in the fishnet are dead air insulation trapped by the merino midlayer. The fish net stays dry because it is the wick. No wet base layer against the body. Brynjie 1021 West Main Boise, ID 83702 Brynji of Norway.
It takes a lot longer to dry than synthetic, not “slightly longer”. Furthermore, it retains UP TO (depending on the grade and the type of material made from it) 80% of its insulating properties when wet with up to 30% of its dry weight in water. that is not considered wet that is considered damp at best for wool. Anymore and it loses all of its insulating properties.
@@AlexanderMason1if you're wearing a wool layering system, 30% of the weight of the garments is quite a lot.... I like blended base layers because they do transport moisture quickly but if outer layers are also wool it gives the total sytem a large amount of moisture handling capability
I agree with this wool is definitely superior in any warm weather. More breathable and wicks sweat. I work out side wool socks are best bar none no matter hot or cold
I don’t believe in polyester it’s me out of oil material. Then, when you start sweating, you absorb that crude oil into your body. And it goes into your bloodstream. But I found it awesome. You guys are working with Wool is awesome. But I think it’s important to spread your awareness but I do get you guys are trying to sell this product.
Wool mesh layer is the best? Not regular merino...several polar expeditions use mesh. Better isolation of skin from adsorbent material above. Maybe regular merino baselayer above wool mesh baselayer. Questioning this.
Would it be practical to wear 330 merino over top of core light weight top and bottom for layering and warmth? Or is it better to put heavy core weight layers over top of light weight top and bottom?
Hey Trent, if those are the products you already have to work with, that would work just fine. If you are purchasing a system, we would stay with Merino or Synthetic to get the most use out of your technology.
Curtis-great question. We don't advise to double up on your next-to-skin merino layers. Utilizing any merino base layers as your next to skin and pairing it with proper insulations and outer shells, will give you a much greater performing system.
I bought the core lightweight top and bottoms I hunt in Michigan Bow hunt OCTOBER thru late NOVEMBER That seems perfect for warmer conditions Would I be wise to invest in MERINO for colder late season hunts?
Hey Brannon - Much of this comes down to your personal preference. However, most of us in the office would use a merino layer over synthetic when the temps drop.
@@SITKAGear I’ve decided to return the core lightweight set as I just bought them never used and go with the Core Merino 220 set yes a lot more expensive but I think this will be a great Whitetail base layer both early and late season 👍
I moosehunt and I love merino wool for my hunts. We do a lot of hike into a spot and wait and call, so for me it's the best at keeping me warm which we need in those very cold northern temps.
I treestand bowhunt in MI too... I opted for Synthetic so I could also use it for mobile/mountain hunts out west. But if I was only treestand or blind hunging whitetails, I would go merino. It is slightly better for warmth...and better for odor control. Although I have had no issue wearing the same clothes for 5 days in the mountains...so, Sitka's Polygeine tech works pretty well.
