Sitka is a premier brand that guides, outfitters and serious hunters often turn to for their outdoor needs. After testing a few of their products last season I can see why. The price tag on quality gear can be a bit intimidating at first. But, after doing some math and asking ourselves how many trips get cut short by being cold or wet, or how many times our other gear is getting replaced within a few years and then realizing how many potential missed memories or opportunities we could have had, one comes to the realization that doing the gear purchase correctly the first time is the way to go.
This particular review is on the Sitka Blizzard Pro Parka. I enjoy being out in the cold, but I do not want to be cold while I am hunting, hiking, fishing or doing farm chores.
The Blizzard Pro Parka gave me a great first impression. I am a bit over 6 feet tall and weigh in a tad over 200 pounds. I like to have room to move in my clothes, but I do not want them to snag or catch when I go to mount a gun or swing around. Admittedly, having clothing that has room to move but moves with you and does not catch on surrounding objects is a tall order. The Blizzard Pro passed this demand with ease for me. What surprised me about the Blizzard Pro is how lightweight and yet how warm it is compared to the three other parkas I have used over the years for waterfowl hunting. I like the other parkas I used previously, but if I am being honest, they are bulky and very “puffy,” so I cannot move as well as I can with the Blizzard Pro. I tested the Blizzard Pro when we had a long cold spell—the wind chills were actually single digits at times a few evenings, and once at 0 and below. The duck dog needed his evening walk as did the other duck dogs, so walk we did and I wore the parka during the slipping and sliding down the long driveway across the ice and so on. I wore the parka outside at other times while taking care of chores and getting photos, and my upper body was toasty even in the high winds coupled with the cold. The snow and freezing rain did not make a difference.
There are several things besides the great fit and the warmth of this parka that impress me. The number and size of the pockets was a great start. There are two zippered “dump” pockets at the bottom of the parka that are big. I put a box of Hevi shotshells in one and had plenty of room for other things in there too. The zippers and openings are large enough to get into the pocket even with gloves on. The exterior left chest zippered pocket fits my cell phone and keeps it close by, and again the zipper is large to grab with gloved hands. I like the high magnetic close chest pockets that I can stuff a snack into or backup gloves. Inside the parka, there are two massive cargo pockets where you could shove extra gloves, food, a towel ... the list is endless what you could put in those pockets.
The Blizzard Pro I tested is in Optifade Marsh pattern and it looks great and blends well. The fabric is said to be very durable. I have not had the parka long enough to honestly attest to that, but friends that have Sitka parkas and bibs walk through some rough brush and have had no issues. The material feels extremely durable, and I would not think twice about grabbing dirt in a corn stubble field if a flock of birds showed up unexpectedly and I was out of the blind. The length of the parka is great. It sits below my waist, which means the cold air is not blowing up my back or stomach. There is a drawstring cord to snug the bottom up too. Pair this with the Blizzard Pro Bibs (I plan on that!) and there is no way you will get cold. The hood on this parka is one of the best ones I have ever used. There are adjustments that keep the wind and water out, and the hood snug enough to not interfere with hunters “side eyeing” approaching geese or ducks without moving their heads. The stiff brim allows water to drip off forward of you to keep it from easily running down your face and into the parka.
Specs and Features:
- Breathable 100-percent waterproof Gore-Tex fabric is guaranteed to keep you dry
- 75-denier ripstop polyester face provides lightweight durable performance
- PrimaLoft Silver 60/40 gray duck down blend provides superior lightweight warmth in the upper body and hood
- 170g PrimaLoft Gold with Cross Core technology adds uncompromised warmth in the lower body and sleeves
- A fully adjustable hood adds protection from the worst weather
- Zippered chest pocket keeps essentials secure and in reach
- Large, zippered dump pockets are used to stow accessories or ammunition
- Magnetic-closure high hand pockets offer comfortable hand placement when calling
- sitkagear.com
When I have an opportunity to do some very cold-weather hunting, this is the parka I am wearing. If things are extreme, I will take a base layer along to be sure, but the recent temps in the single digits did not dampen my spirits or internal thermostat at all while wearing this parka. The numerous, well-designed pockets, the fit and the hood make this parka a real keeper. I doubt I will ever need to purchase or use a different parka. Sitka nailed it with this one!
