As age has increased, my shopping for hunting apparel has changed. Cold temperatures are not my friend any longer unless my gear is up for the task. Over the past few years, obtaining gear that will keep me warm and dry has become priority as that equates to being able to stay in the field longer and enjoy the time more. Before spending money on purchases, I do the homework to justify the investment. So, for those of you that might feel the same way, I can tell you after testing both the Sitka Fanatic Hoodie and the bibs, the money is going to be well spent.
Fanatic Hoodie
When I first pulled on this hoodie I thought there was no way it was going to keep me warm even as a layering garment, as it feels lightweight even though the website description bills it as “heavyweight”. Here is what I found out. I had to try out a predator caller, and I decided to do that on a day after the East Coast’s recent snow and ice storm. The temperature was 22 degrees with a feel like 17 degrees due to the wind whipping up a bit. The ice-covered snow was so hard that my 210 pounds did not break through it as I walked on it. It was cold, simply put. However, while I was messing around with the predator caller and checking on the farm animals, I wore only the hoodie and the Fanatic Bibs. I felt the chill on the exterior of the hoodie on my upper body, but I was not cold. I was dressed like this for over 45 minutes and could have easily gone another hour without the Fanatic jacket. Perhaps sitting still in a blind or on stand for over an hour I would have wanted the Fanatic Jacket. I am very pleasantly surprised given how easily I get cold. This hoodie is very comfortable and has a lot of great features that most of us hunters would not expect. For a layering piece, it is great.
Fanatic Hoodie Specs and Features
- Weight is 16.6 ounces for the Large. I had the XL
- Fabric is heavyweight comfort stretch fleece made of 93-percent Polyester and 7-percent Elastane on the body and hood. Facemask is built in with breatheable mesh that is quick dry (great for your breath constantly exiting with moisture) lightweight and stretchable with 88-percent Polyester and 12-percent Elastane
- It has Polygiene Odor Control Technology which safely neutralizes odor caused from sweat.
- It has flip over hand mitts that keep your hands a bit warmer and the thumbholes help with pulling on the Fanatic jacket and layering.
The Gore Optifade Concealment Elevated II is designed for whitetail hunters in an elevated position according to Sitka. I also find it nice for sitting on the ground in beech woods or snowy situations predator hunting as well.
The Polygiene Odor Control got a good test with me. I sweat easily and the garment tag says to skip one wash or even more for best results. I did that, and unlike my other shirts or hoodies, this one does not stink or beg for the washing machine 4 hunts later! The handwarmer pocket is a nice addition, as is the small chest pocket on the left side.
I really like this hoodie and look forward to wearing it for the rest of predator season and next season for deer again. I would recommend highly, particularly for those that hike to a stand or need a layering piece.
Fanatic Bibs
The bibs impressed right out of the package. I could tell right away they were high quality, quiet and most importantly for me, warm! I put these on in my basement, and before I could pull on my boots (I learned to put on the boots first and then pull the bibs on just before I go outside and zip the full-length zippers down) I was already getting very warm. I would even say if you have a long hike, pack them, then pull them on at the stand after you cool down a bit. These bibs are loaded for any late winter adventure whether it is ice fishing or hunting.
Fanatic Bibs Specs and Features
- 100-percent windproof featuring Windstopper by Gore-Tex Labs,
- An exterior Berber fleece fabric, an interior Windstopper by Gore-Tex Labs liner, and PrimaLoft Silver insulation.
- They are very quiet, which that allows you to draw a bow or shift a rifle without noise.
- The mapped burr resistant textile on the hem and seat helps prevent those nasty pick ups we hate.
- The garment is treated with DWR to repel light moisture and precipitation
- The interior lower leg liner has a three layer Gore-Tex with polyester knit interior and a DWR finish to prevent wet boots when traversing streams and wet vegetation
- Large multi-chamber cargo pockets with silent snaps provide stealthy access to gear, customized storage for a wind indicator or phone, and secure zippered storage
- Streamlined, adjustable suspension eliminates cumbersome buckles and offers an easy-to-operate custom fit
- Lightweight at only 53.1 ozs. in a size large (I tested an XL in Optifade Elevate II)
When I tested these the wind was whipping and the temperatures were 22 and below each time I had them on. Wind chills were even less. I was not at all chilled or even thinking about the cold. The bibs are very quiet, and I like that, as I hate to get busted when hunting by a “swishing” noise. I have not worn the bibs in a rain, but the snow is not an issue.
The pockets are amazing. There is a big cargo pocket on each leg you can put a lot of things in such as snacks, maps, calls, GPS etc. The snaps really are quiet. The vertically zippered pocket outside the big cargo pocket is great for things you need to stay secure. My cell phone goes in there when I am on the move. There is an outside pocket on top of those two that also will hold a cell phone or snack to keep it accessible.
Then there are slash zippered pockets that are deep on both sides. Additionally, up high at the chest level there is a big handwarmer type pocket on both sides. Some of these pockets are incorporated into the bibs so well you won’t notice them right away. The “no slip” material on the straps is a great addition, and I really liked the hook and loop type of adjustment on the straps. Many straps get stretched out too easily. These have easy “locked in” spots to adjust as you need and leave them.
The Sitka Fanatic bib is my all-time favorite cold-weather bib. The designer of this bib did a lot of thinking, and either was a hardcore hunter or consulted with many hardcore hunters to get it right. I cannot find a thing to nit-pick about these bibs at all. The waist high side zippers make getting them on and off after a hike or long day in the field a simple task. Why can’t all hunting clothes be designed this well? Both of these garments get a big thumbs up from me and are now my go to pieces for extreme cold weather. sitkagear.com
