Gear Review: Sitka Fanatic Series
When you think high-performance hunting clothing there is a short list of companies that come to mind, Sitkabeing one of them. I have experimented with several brands and was presented with the opportunity to give the Fanatic Seriesa test this fall hunting whitetails here in Illinois. I have had my eye on their gear for a while and once I found out they had a series targeting stand hunting for deer I couldn't resist. I've tried it all and can say that up to this point I've managed, but haven't come across an article or set of clothing that really impressed me. That is until now.
Most of my previous investments were simply targeted at keeping me warm during long montionless sits perched high above the forest floor. When hunting from an elevated stand you are completely exposed to all elements and to tell you there are several times I've simply been miserable. Even when I've managed to stay warm there just always seemed to be something that just wasn't right about the fit or features. The team at Sitka really listened to whitetail hunters and absolutely nailed the fanatic series to meet the needs and conditions of hunting out of tree stand.
Initial Thoughts
The outerwear material is a thick fleece with a soft brushed lining. The fit is "sporty" but by no means restrictive. One of the first things I noticed with the bibs was the shoulder straps had strips of a rubber material that prevented them from sliding down. Just one of the many small aspects of the detail put into this clothing that makes it truly built for the hunter. The base layers had a waffle type knit and fit snug, but not tight, as to easily allow for layering over them. Out of the box I couldn't wait to get these into the field.
Base Layers
I specifically tested the Core Heavy Weight Bottomin Optifade Elevate along with the Fanatic Hoodyin Optifade Elevate. I'm 6' 175 lbs and the size large bottoms were a perfect fit. I went with the XL in the top and have no complaints in the fit either. I may have been able to get away with a large but certainly wasn't impaired or unhappy with the XL. One thing to note is the use of
odor control technology in these garments. The technology behind Polygiene is to prevent the odor causing bacteria and fungi created when sweat meets fabric. If you've bow hunted whitetails then you know the importance of staying as scent free as possible. This is also a good quality to have during extended back country hunts if for nothing else so you don't gag yourself each morning putting them on after day one of the hunt! Another benefit of these base layers is you can use them for your wintertime training as well. I ran in mine several times and they were certainly build for perfmance on many levels.
Disclaimer: I received the clothing in this review at no charge for an honest and unbiased review. I did my best to inform you of my thoughts and experiences. Bottom line, this stuff is amazing. I receive no additional compensation if you choose to purchase any Sitka products but you'd be silly not to.
