BEAT THE HEAT WITH SITKA GEAR’S HOT WEATHER CLOTHING (REVIEW)

Looking for quality clothing for those hot weather hunts?

Well Sitka Gear has quite a solid selection for those extra hot hunts.

I got a chance to test out their hot weather clothing in GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment Subalpine and here is how well it did.

Summer is here in Ohio. It’s no secret that I am not a fan of the extreme heat and humidity of an Ohio summer. I would rather take a cool fall day or even a frozen landscape over sweating profusely in the unrelenting heat. Being an all year outdoorsman my activities in the wilds do not stop no matter what the season is. Coyotes, groundhogs and a host of other pests still need to be kept in check even as the mercury climbs in the thermometer. That is where a quality set of hot weather hunting clothes can really pay off in comfort and performance. With that in mind I requested to review the very best that Sitka Gear currently has to offer the hot weather hunter.

Let’s take a look at the features first of the Core Light Hoody:

• GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment Subalpine is designed for stalking and ambushing ungulates from ground level in tree-covered and vegetated terrain.

• Weight: 6.6 oz. // Size: L

• Body and Hood Fabric: Quick-Dry, Lightweight Comfort Stretch Knit (100% Polyester)

• Facemask Fabric: Quick-Dry, Lightweight Stretch Mesh (88% Polyester/12% Elastane)

• Polygiene® Odor Control Technology safely neutralizes odor caused from sweat.

• Stretch Thumb Loops: Shed layers with ease without compromising your foundational layer.

• Built-In Ultra Breathable Mesh Face Mask: Conceal your face on the move and increase your success rate.

• • GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment Subalpine is designed for stalking and ambushing ungulates from ground level in tree-covered and vegetated terrain.

  • Weight: 12 oz. // Size: L

  • Fabric: Stretch CORDURA Nylon Woven Blend (60% CORDURA, 30% Nylon, 10% Spandex)

  • Articulated Fit: Delivers a maximum range of motion with minimal bulk.

  • 4-Way Stretch: Lightweight and ultra-breathable like the rest of the Ascent line, the Ascent Pant features a quick-drying, 4-way stretch brushed nylon fabric to keep you cool when the heat is on.

  • Mesh-Backed Pockets: All pockets are mesh backed for additional ventilation.

  • Polygiene® Odor Control Technology safely neutralizes odor caused from sweat.

  • Mesh knee pad pockets offer optional protection if desired.

  • Zippered cargo pockets are on both legs along with regular open pants hand pockets.

Don’t forget your hat to block the Sun’s hot summer rays from your eyes. The Icon Mid Pro Trucker Hat is made from cotton twill mesh that vents well in hot weather and also keeps away the biting flies from your head. 

The Sitka Gear Ascent Shirt looks great and performs on a top notch level.

• GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment Subalpine is designed for stalking and ambushing ungulates from ground level in tree-covered and vegetated terrain.

• Weight: 4.7 oz. // Size: L

• Fabric: 20-Denier Stretch-Woven Nylon Ripstop, Quiet Knit Polyester Grid Jersey, Mesh Underarm Panels

• Body-Mapped for Breathability: Thoughtfully mapped fabrics offer air-conditioned comfort – the Ascent Shirt has a lightweight but durable nylon body and polyester knit sleeves for the ultimate in fit and function.

• Knit Panels: The knit panels in the Ascent Shirt provide stretch in key areas.

• Polygiene® Odor Control Technology safely neutralizes odor caused from sweat.

• 29 UPF with no chemical treatment.

• Flip up collar for sun protection.

I really like the flip up collar on the Sitka Gear Ascent Shirt for sun protection. It also doubles as an insect shield against mosquitoes and biting flies. Where I wander in the wilds there is certainly no shortage of those winged pests. The two roomy chest pockets have secure zippers for game calls or any other lightweight gear you don’t want to lose but keep handy.

How well does it blend in? Well with the open Subalpine camouflage the animals tend to look through you instead of at you during testing. Darker camouflage in my previous experiences have also attracted more attention that the lighter colorations as you become a solid shadow. Lighter colored camouflage patterns add space between the darker colors avoiding the dreaded shadow affect. Hunkered down by this crabapple tree I blend in quite well.

Now the testing against an all green background such as summer tall grasses has interesting results. While not completely concealed the camouflage looks at least to my eyes as an open spot in the underbrush. Choosing a tree to sit against on a hunt or some dry grasses certainly would blend in a bit better than the all green grasses to the human eye. Of course, what do the hot weather game animals see? We may never truly know.

After testing in the hot and humid Ohio summer I can honestly tell you I am a fan of how comfortably cooler this Sitka Gear outfit actually makes you feel. A slight breeze travels through your clothing and the perspiration dries very quickly in the clothing itself. The Apex Pant has the water repellant treatment that keeps the morning dew from soaking the pants while traveling through waist high swamp grass. I really like the Core Light Hoody for the fact of the lightweight cooling material really keeps the sweat in check and also for the attached hood and mesh facemask. The hood and face mask are out of the way when not needed but still can protect the back of your neck from sun and insects. There is also a zippered chest pocket that is the right size for the average sized cell phone or other gear.

While this selection of Sitka Gear is not cheap it is solid gear that will certainly give you the edge in the scorching summer or early fall wilds. It’s a far cry from the bargain priced all cotton heavyweight camouflage outfits from the big box retailers that soak with sweat quickly and hang on your body like a wet beach towel. You certainly get what you pay for with Sitka Gear.

Do I have any improvement recommendations after reviewing? Well I prefer on my warmer weather hunting pants to have a draw string option on the bottoms. This way insects such as ticks can be sealed out better and it allows the pant legs to be tucked in easier in higher boots and out of the mud. I did get used to that many years ago when wearing army surplus jungle fatigue pants that seem quite heavy in weight for hot conditions now after trying the Apex Pant. Maybe zippered back pockets too? It is true though that back pockets allow gear such as your wallet to be sat upon for long uncomfortable hours. Overall though I really appreciate the quality and coolness this outfit allows when most hunters have left the woods to be poolside with a tall cool drink.

While Sitka Gear is well known for their fall and winter clothing and gear selections certainly don’t overlook them for your hot weather needs. Check out the GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment Subalpine and all of their other well made and well thought out products on the Sitka Gear website. Invest in comfort and performance while afield.

Do you like articles about the outdoors? You can follow him @ericthewoodsman on Twitter, The Classic Woodsman on Facebook, and @theclassicwoodsman on Instagram, The Classic Survivalist, and The Classic Woodsman YouTube Channel.  

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