The ultimate hunting coat/parka for stand hunting

[Bullmark]

I'm dangerously close to pulling the trigger on either the Kuiu Gale force or the Sitka Blizzard..... but I can't decide.
Both are totally waterproof and have a fair amt of insulation.....and right now the price is identical.
Anyone own either of these budget busters? I think either will do well with a good base and insulation layer under it....
I already know the fabric is noisy but these are not stalking coats.....I would mainly use late season and be in ground blind, tower, or ladder stand, and sitting all day.
I also know the Kuiu stuff runs really small....Sitka does as well but not as drastic as Kuiu. Normally I'm a large or in some clothes (that run small) I'll order an XL. Whichever I choose I'm going XXL to be able to layer up
I'd love to hear some thoughts
Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.

 

[Jim’s Hunt]

I'm dangerously close to pulling the trigger on either the Kuiu Gale force or the Sitka Blizzard..... but I can't decide.
Both are totally waterproof and have a fair amt of insulation.....and right now the price is identical.
Anyone own either of these budget busters? I think either will do well with a good base and insulation layer under it....
I already know the fabric is noisy but these are not stalking coats.....I would mainly use late season and be in ground blind, tower, or ladder stand, and sitting all day.
I also know the Kuiu stuff runs really small....Sitka does as well but not as drastic as Kuiu. Normally I'm a large or in some clothes (that run small) I'll order an XL. Whichever I choose I'm going XXL to be able to layer up
I'd love to hear some thoughts
Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.

Anything Kuiu if you have lots of Washington and Lincoln's. If not Cabelas has some really good stuff

 

[jg1990]

I own quite a lot of Sitka and I wear their gear at least 60 days a year. I recommend it.

 

[Bullmark]

I have a bunch of Sitka....including the incinerator coat and bibs. They are great, gore Tex and down....like a waterproof sleeping bag. My issue was the coat was too tight to layer much underneath, especially through the arms. I just sold it, it was an XL. So I thought I'd buy another in xxl or better yet go with the blizzard parka because it's not so short on the torso and insulated around the waist (the incinerator has no insulation at the waist bottom).
Then I spotted the Kuiu Gale Force and wondered if it would be better. I have a couple Kuiu items, mostly Sitka, and Kuiu must do their sizing in the land of the munchkins. I'm not a big enough guy to be wearing XXL....I'm 6ft 190lbs, pot belly and skinny legs. But when it's bitter cold and I'm sitting all day I need quite a few layers to stand it. I'll probably buy the Sitka and hope the XXL is big enough but doesn't swallow me.
For the record, the Sitka Incinerator Bibs are the ticket. Zip all the way up the hip, quiet brushed exterior, Gore Tex water proof, and the softest thick down filled interior u can imagine. It needs to be really chilly to pull those out or you'll get hot.

 

[Ua26fitter]

Kifaru Lost Park Parka. Uses better quality insulation and made in USA.
You can even get the pants to go with.

I found that hunting in a stand in cold weather I really like my Body Heater Suit. Check them out. They really work well and help keep scent in better.
I didn't own my Kifaru coat at that time but wish I did.

Kris

 

[338 dude]

I have a bunch of Sitka....including the incinerator coat and bibs. They are great, gore Tex and down....like a waterproof sleeping bag. My issue was the coat was too tight to layer much underneath, especially through the arms. I just sold it, it was an XL. So I thought I'd buy another in xxl or better yet go with the blizzard parka because it's not so short on the torso and insulated around the waist (the incinerator has no insulation at the waist bottom).
Then I spotted the Kuiu Gale Force and wondered if it would be better. I have a couple Kuiu items, mostly Sitka, and Kuiu must do their sizing in the land of the munchkins. I'm not a big enough guy to be wearing XXL....I'm 6ft 190lbs, pot belly and skinny legs. But when it's bitter cold and I'm sitting all day I need quite a few layers to stand it. I'll probably buy the Sitka and hope the XXL is big enough but doesn't swallow me.
For the record, the Sitka Incinerator Bibs are the ticket. Zip all the way up the hip, quiet brushed exterior, Gore Tex water proof, and the softest thick down filled interior u can imagine. It needs to be really chilly to pull those out or you'll get hot.

Not necessarily for walking around but that could be a benefit when I walk I generally get too hot and have to take layers off and then put layers back on when in the stand but have you ever looked at the heater bodysuit? you don't have to layer up so much with your walking around clothes but when you sit for extended periods and get very cold it works very well and it's easily shed to take the shot

 

[Muddyboots]

I gave up trying to find either in a normal size Shrek. I think their sizing is based upon metric that somebody screwed up the conversion factor. I ended up with Redhead 4 piece parka that has goretex, wind proof, comes in tall and 3XL that is actually true. Is it high tech? No, but very functional and serviceable. Sometimes I think we need to pull our noses down and find out gear without glitzy names can be darn right pretty good. I just don't understand lack of larger sizing options by the so called top gear companies. Or if it is offered, the sizing seems to be more like its Lycra or Spandex skin tight. Its like I had an airport rental car and it was a Suburu Forester and was considered "full size", OMG that was funny and sad at same time.

 

[JTH]

The First Lite sanctuary parka (and bibs) has served me well for late season Wisconsin bow hunting. Fits closer than what ive been accustomed to for bulky late season clothing, almost sent it back. Really glad I didn't. If the weather is really cold throw a light puffy jacket under it and I'm good for long sits in single digits, maybe colder if the feet don't get too cold.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I have the Sitka Blizzard and love it. It has synthetic insulation and down insulation. The down has been treated to prevent losing it's loft and insulation qualities when wet. The exterior is water resistant Gore-Tex, so as the ad says 'like wearing a sleeping bag'. I normally wear an XL in Sitka, and I got the XL in the Blizzard. The cut is designed to allow layering underneath. I think the 2X would have been too large.

 

[Bullmark]

Well, I just got my Blizzard delivered and was like a kid at Christmas ripping it open. I ordered the 2XL, and wanted it to be roomy. Specifically I was wanting more space in the arms and pits. I had the incinerator in XL and it was great in every way except the narrow arms/pit opening didn't allow me to layer as much as I needed. It also fell a little short on length and wouldnt cover my back belt line when seated. So I thought I made a wise choice w/ the Blizzard, it has a longer tail and was a size bigger.......then I tried it on.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that two of me could have fit into the body and it would have zipped up no problem. The arms were perfect.....I thought they may be a touch long on me but they were not.....I'd say closer to too short than too long, but roomy. But the body of the parka was something to call in the family to look at. It was beyond huge.
So it's packed up for return and I've ordered the XL. I debated trying another incinerator in 2XL but, if the noisy fabric is not an issue, the Blizzard seemed like the ticket.
FYI....I always, I mean always, get ahead of myself. If would have read the Sitka site thoroughly I would have learned that the Blizzard is cut differently than the incinerator. The Incinerator is an "athletic cut" meant for minimal layering. Blizzard is "outerwear cut".....hence why the 2XL swallowed me. I'm 5'11", 200-205 by the way. I'll report back.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Well, I just got my Blizzard delivered and was like a kid at Christmas ripping it open. I ordered the 2XL, and wanted it to be roomy. Specifically I was wanting more space in the arms and pits. I had the incinerator in XL and it was great in every way except the narrow arms/pit opening didn't allow me to layer as much as I needed. It also fell a little short on length and wouldnt cover my back belt line when seated. So I thought I made a wise choice w/ the Blizzard, it has a longer tail and was a size bigger.......then I tried it on.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that two of me could have fit into the body and it would have zipped up no problem. The arms were perfect.....I thought they may be a touch long on me but they were not.....I'd say closer to too short than too long, but roomy. But the body of the parka was something to call in the family to look at. It was beyond huge.
So it's packed up for return and I've ordered the XL. I debated trying another incinerator in 2XL but, if the noisy fabric is not an issue, the Blizzard seemed like the ticket.
FYI....I always, I mean always, get ahead of myself. If would have read the Sitka site thoroughly I would have learned that the Blizzard is cut differently than the incinerator. The Incinerator is an "athletic cut" meant for minimal layering. Blizzard is "outerwear cut".....hence why the 2XL swallowed me. I'm 5'11", 200-205 by the way. I'll report back.

Yes, I agree regarding the "fit". I replied this morning, but it probably didn't do you any good since you had already ordered your jacket. I am 5'11" 225, and the XL Blizzard fits perfectly, and allows for layering underneath.

 

[Bullmark]

That's good to hear, I carry all of my weight in my gut and around my shoulders....in other words skinny legs and beer belly. That thing seals up so tight everywhere I could probably get away with 2-3 layers underneath and deal with the coldest temps I encounter. I've got this fairly thick heavyweight wool hoody and as long as it will fit under the Parka, I'll be good to go.
I was gonna buy the Kuiu Gale force parka but their hand warmer pockets aren't lined...I'd have to use a muff, which is something else to keep up with. It looks like the two coats are very similar with the outer fabric and both aren't very quiet. But aside from the pocket issue, I feel better going with the down that Sitka uses for insulation.
Not to be long winded, but hands down the warmest stuff I've owned was the Ravenwear Parka and Bibs. I just sold bith but I got them to wear in Saskatchewan, and they were the ticket. Just so incredibly heavy you can't pack it anywhere and wearing it anywhere but a box or ground blind is not easy. It was pure heft and thickness. If I went back I think I'd trust the Sitka Blizzard along with my incinerator bibs. With my luck I'll buy all this cold weather gear and two weeks or so I get to spend out of town seriously hunting will be record hi temps.

Yes, I agree regarding the "fit". I replied this morning, but it probably didn't do you any good since you had already ordered your jacket. I am 5'11" 225, and the XL Blizzard fits perfectly, and allows for layering underneath.

....

 

[Quintus]

I am a bit of a hunting coat junkie. I used to guide duck and goose hunters in Minnesota and had many ill-prepared customers. I started buying and trying every coat and pant and bib I could get whenever I found a sale and in multiple sizes. Alot of that cold cold weather gear got dual use in the deer stand. Cabelas used to have tons of great options as well as Herters and Drake had some ok stuff later on. I used alot of Sitka gear for layout hunting and the lighter stuff is great for dragging boats and setting up. Columbia was always disappointing. I started with Kuiu gear a few years ago and most of it, especially pants I like much better than Sitka. I have accepted the fact the pants have to go to the tailor to get shortened a bit. the best cold weather coat of all (I have roughly 40) is the Browning quad parka. Down liner, Gore-Tex shell that is as quiet as any I have. Just long enough and just big enough for a base and thin mid it is still good for shooting and climbing. I can pack it out and put it on when I get to my stand and it will hold my walk in heat for hours. It has remained 100% water proof for 20 years. I do not us it until it hits 10 degrees or so and have sat still in it for 5 hours at 20 below. I too am in between sizes for layering with Sitka and Kuiu. I am 5'10 and 2 bills and large is too tight in the shoulders and XL leaves me swimming.

 

[rammac]

I'm 5'11" and I weigh 210lbs, I have a Large Sitka Kelvin Down Hoody and it works perfectly for me. I hunt in the western mountains of Montana and have worn my hoody in sub zero weather with just my 5-11 long underwear and standard shirt on under the jacket and was perfectly comfortable sitting on the ground for several hours.