Theres nothing wrong with any of that stuff. Treat it similar to anything else and use it in layering, be smart about said layering and experience the same results. Most of us are into the higher brands because we prefer the minor details and would like to throw any chance of retirement right into the outhouse.

I may be living out of a kifaru sawtooth in the end, but at least ill be enjoying myself

Seriously, use whatever fits your system. I even have stuff from hiking companies. Theres nothing wrong with rocking a high pile green walmart fleece.

 

Keeping your hunting clothes as scent free as possible matters more than the brand!

 

In reality, this makes zero difference.
You’re a stinky predator, and that is what deer will smell...no matter what perceived ‘scent control’ measures you take.

To the OP’s question- Id look at used top shelf clothing (especially for cold weather) vs 2nd or 3rd shelf new clothing.

 

Was in Cabela’s the other day looking at some Sitka and noticed there Cabela brand redhead.
If I didn’t already have the Sitka I would take a serious look at their product, significant savings

 

Redhead is a Bass Pro brand, not like it matters cause BP bought out Cabelas. It’s good stuff. I’ve never forked out Sitka money on hunting clothes & been just fine.


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I'm slowly switching over to all 2nd and even 3rd tier clothing. Lot of Cabela's, some drake, predator camo, asat, and even some Carhartt stuff going into the rotation. I've had all First Lite in the past but tired of wearing holes in it

 

drake makes some really good waterfowl stuff, never tried it in the stand though. i wasnt impressed at all with banded, but that was when they first came out and i havent tried them since, maybe its gotten better.

 

I personally feel Midway USA's clothing is a one of the best bangs for your buck going right now. Especially if you can find it on one of their sales and with free shipping.
This coat right here is a darn good, windproof jacket for $69.99
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/939205447
Just picked up a set of youth coveralls for the oldest boy also that I though were reasonably priced at $79.99 for windproof, insulated, waterproof coveralls.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/939470316

I've been very pleased with just about all the clothes I've purchased from them....it's not Sitka or First Lite but its half the cost (or more) so it shouldn't be. For my needs and the $ though it fits the bill perfectly for me.

 

I echo his sentiment. Midway has some really good stuff for really good prices.

 

This last off season I purchased the Nomad Harvester coat and pant. It seems extremely comfy and I have to say I got everything for $130 on clearance at my local Gander. Not bad at all. Everything a bow hunter could ask for in clothing plus some. Dead silent, warm and also has the “scent technology” in it.

 

I have had great luck with Nomad clothing. It is quiet and warm. They fit well with and without layering. Interested in trying the new Elevated Whitetail pattern.

 

I have several sets of miss matched camo outfits. None is the pricey stuff. I buy quiet clothes, camo patterns that work where I hunt, and what fits. When hunting I layer as appropriately and am not the least bit handicapped by not spending hundreds for a single piece of camo clothing. No doubt that high end stuff is good, but it’s not remotely worth the cost. In my opinion.i do have friends that buy the latest and the best. They’re no more successful or comfortable.

 

I never got caught up in expensive clothing hype.
As long as it keeps you warm, doesn't make noise, and is camo anything works.
I have probably killed most of my deer in cheap camo sweatshirts when it is warm, or a camo Carhart when it is cold.

Thats for treestand hunting though. I imagine things might be different if I was running around the mountains chasing elk.

 

there are only so many materials and 3rd world sweat shops....bangladeshian childrens tears can be the real difference makers.

The premium brand are nice don't get me wrong but sometime the marginal spend isn't there!

 

Drake non typical is good gear.

Also watch the various sites for lasts years browning gear. Brownings gear is to legit to quit too, lol...

 

cabelas for deer but sitka worth money for western hunts plus you can usually find it on sale at different times of year

 

I bought some cheap cold weather jackets from Sportsmansguide. Wore it out in Illinoisan single digit treestand Hunting. Kept me warm as can be.

Came back to Florida and bought another in a different camo. Paid less than $50 !!!


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Guys -

I know this will sound crazy, but I have found on those crazy cold and or wet days that a pair of 5mm neoprene waders are the cats tush in a tree stand. Total wind proof total water proof. hands down awesome. Most of the water fowl waders even have some sort of camo pattern on them as well. I am sold on the wearing waders in a tree stand.

 

ive worn waders in the stand. only trouble is i sweat in them so for long walks they arent so great. short walks they do work well though.

 

I've already created a negative backlash among the Sitka/First Lite/Kuiu crowd by contending in a previous thread that you don't need the expensive top name clothing to be comfortable or successful in the woods. I could not afford really good camo when I started out as a late teen working through college, so I bought what fit my body and my wallet. Over the years I purchased ASAT knit in the 1990's that is still going strong today....no worries about 2017 vs. 2018 vs. 2019 "upgrades".....just hang it outside to air out and wear it in the woods. Same for my Cabela's Outfitter fleece and Wooltimate.....I killed my biggest buck to date wearing Outfitter fleece. I custom ordered a set of Day One ASAT fleece and it is awesome stuff....at significantly less cost than used Sitka on the AT classifieds. This year I found a set of Kryptek Highlander.....piece by piece....on the AT classifieds for my early season hunting duds....less than $200 total for a shirt, pants, new vest, beenie hat and ball cap. Try some brands out and report back on your findings....I think you will be pleased overall.

 

It's not that you can't get the job done with cheaper camo or even plainclothes... that's not what I read in most of these threads... what I read and what I think most people react to is people telling each other how to spend the money they earned.

Want to spend $200 on a hunting shirt? There's a brand and market for that.

Want to spend $20 on a hunting shirt? There's a brand and market for that, too.

Buy what works for you within your budget, and don't let anyone else tell you that you made the wrong choice when it comes to spending your money how you want to.

 

Until they were bought out by BPS, I would have suggested the Cabelas Outfitter Fleece and the Wooltimate as well. I have multiple sets of both and I'm very glad I purchased them when I did. If you can find it here in the classified section,buy it.

 

I bought a Wooltimate set new in store last year and it's been great

 

You can purchase very good condition used Sitka on the classies for less than 50% of retail....great clothes for the stand hunter, especially if your packing outer layers in/out. I have some 'second tier' outers that work great but they are 2x or more heavier/bulky so 'comfort' is in the situation which you find yourself hunting. I have never regretted any Sitka purchase but I am usually packing in/out a ways...and hunt when it is cold.

 

I don't have any firsthand experience with it but Huntworth Gear has some decent reviews... https://huntworthgear.com/

I wear a mashup of brands...Predator, Prym1, Under Armour, Nomad. I still have some Core4 stuff that I love too but you can't get that anymore.

 

I usually buy military surplus from Sportsman's guide. Some of it's not great but if you look at the reviews and only buy stuff with positive feedback you can get some great stuff pretty cheap. Some of the camo patterns are ugly but some of it's pretty good. I especially like USA, UK, Canadian, and Australian gear.

 

I like the Cabela's stuff. Especially the Wooltamate.

 

Drake makes some good clothes that can be found at a decent price. I would say the best bang for the buck tho in my opinion is the Midway brand Camo. I have a couple coats from midway one that I use as an all purpose coat from tracking deer to rabbit hunting and cutting firewood it’s is probably close to five years old and have yet to wear a hole in it.

 

Interesting, I’m looking at Midway now, a couple of the jackets look nice. The Fraser Ridge and Hunter’s Creek look good. Anyone have either of these?

 

I wouldn’t consider Drake a 2nd tier line. Their outerwear keeps you warm and dry, and is made for waterfowling. I duck hunt more than I deer hunt so all of my camo is made for getting wet. You don’t realize how important that is until you are wet in a cheap jacket.

I know a lot of duck hunters that put the Sitka in the closet and pulled the drake back out.


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Really depends on what type of hunting you are planning for. I have the full Core4Element system that I bought on Camofire for a great price. It is an awesome system for spot and stalk whitetail or elk hunting out west. But this same system in the treestand during late season is not even close to being what I need. For treestand in cold conditions I picked up Cabela's Wooltimate on sale and it is incredible.....not bulky, fits well and is extremely warm. If you watch for sales or buy on the Classifieds/Camofire you can get both these systems at very good prices. Big deer have been killed with the cheapest of camo and the most expensive of camo.....buy what keeps you comfortable and what you can afford.....cause the bottom line is staying in the field as long as possible is the key to success, but you still have to be able to pay your bills.

 

Redhead silent stalker is good warm clothing.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/REDHEAD-SILENT-STALKER-ELITE-PARKA/2816402.uts

The bibs are nice too

https://www.cabelas.com/catalog/pro...?productId=2811464&type=product&WT.z_btnclk=YMAL-2811464&WT.z_pg_ref=prd2816402

comparable to sitka fanatic