Elk guru, Zach Bowhay, spent his 2024 elk season testing different clothing from outdoor apparel kingpins. Last month, Bowhay reviewed items from Kryptek and KUIU. This month, Sitka and Browning are on the agenda.
by Zach Bowhay
Aside from KUIU and Kryptek, Sitka and Browning are heavy hitters in the clothing arena and two brands hunters need to know about. Sitka almost single-handedly started the technical hunting apparel craze, and Browning has been a big player in our industry for decades.
From 2007 to 2013, Sitka was my go-to brand before switching to KUIU. I was thoroughly impressed with Sitka’s quality and performance, which set a high standard. Even after transitioning to KUIU, I continued to appreciate the functionality and durability of Sitka gear.
I only had a brief experience with Browning clothing in 2015 during a late-season elk hunt for Western Hunter TV. While the clothing was satisfactory, I found the fit behind other brands. However, my experience with Browning was several years ago, and I was excited to see if improvements were made.
As with the last article, I evaluated fit, comfort, durability, what I liked, and what I thought could be improved or changed. The specs of each product are not listed here; you can follow the links to view the details. Instead, I provided my honest thoughts about fit and functionality.
Sitka Gear
My Sitka expectations were high. I had excellent experiences with their gear before and assumed their new gear was even better. I was right. Sitka still makes top-notch products. Their gear fits well, is lightweight, and promises maneuverability.
The Optifade Subalpine pattern blends well into timber and mountainous terrain but is light enough in color to blend well in more semi-open terrain.
When ordering the camo, I told Sitka I wore 38-inch waist pants and XXL tops in most technical clothing. I mentioned if the clothing fits in a smaller size, I would rather size up one size than have them fit too tight.
The Intercept Pant ($289) was created with the bowhunter in mind. Made from a bonded merino-wool blend to resist odor, manage moisture, regulate temperature, and be whisper quiet, these pants are a win.
The pants do all the things I just mentioned and are supremely comfortable. They fit true to size. Plus, the pants have a nice stretch, are comfortable, and not bulky. The pocketing is nice, and the hip vents are excellent when it gets warm. The removable knee pads are comfortable when kneeling. However, I am not a huge fan of most knee pads, and once I removed them, I didn’t put them back in.
My only critique is that the pants taper more than I like. This doesn’t hinder function, though. Instead, it likely enhances it. They taper quite a lot for me with a 38-inch waist, and I like the “look” of a not-so-tapered leg, but I am nitpicking here. I wore these pants a lot in 2023, and they held up beautifully and showed no signs of wear.
I’m officially penning that the Core Lightweight Hoodie ($129) is one of the most excellent tops I’ve ever worn. Made from a quick-drying 100 percent polyester material, this shirt is as comfortable as it gets. The top is lightweight, quick-drying, and crafted from one of the softer materials I have worn. I love lightweight shirts with hoods that keep the sun off you and provide a little barrier against the cold in the early mornings. This shirt-style garment also has a lightweight facemask that you can stow behind your head when not in use and pull over when you want extra concealment. Sitka hit a home run with this piece.
The Ambient Hoodie ($168) is an active insulation garment. Active insulation clothing keeps you warm but dumps heat and dries quickly while actively hunting, unlike a static insulation layer like a down jacket that keeps you warm while sitting. T
Sitka is discounting the Ambient Hoodie and replacing it with other new pieces in the Ambient line; however, I can speak to the line itself. This jacket is perfect for elk hunting when temps are too cold for a base layer and too warm for heavy, soft-shell jackets. It’s ultra quiet and ideal for bowhunting. The hoodie is soft and comfortable and fits perfectly in size. My only complaint is that it needs pockets.
Sitka has released several new Ambient pieces. Because I like this jacket so much, I am excited to check out more in this collection.
Another Sitka winner is the Kelvin Lite Jacket. I wore the jacket on some cold September evenings and some frigid October days last fall.
The Kelvin Lite has a Primaloft 900 fill synthetic/ down blend treated with DWR. While sitting still glassing for long periods, the jacket kept me plenty warm. The outer shell is robust, and although I was careful, I didn’t worry about it ripping as much as I do some down jackets. It fits well, and I could easily layer it over a base and a mid-layer without sizing up.
Unfortunately, this jacket is being phased out this year. Have no fear, though—the new HyperDown is like a Kelvin Lite on steroids.
Browning Gear
I was suspicious of Browning’s clothing from my past experiences. However, my worries quickly disappeared. I found the Ovix pattern pleasing to my eye and effective in the areas I hunt.
I gave Browning the same size parameters as the other companies, and they sent me XXL tops. However, the pants were one size larger and fit me perfectly. So, if you are on the fence, I recommend sizing the pants up by one size.
I prefer pants that aren’t too warm for bowhunting in August and September. I’d rather wear a base layer that I can peel off as temperatures rise than wear pants that are too warm. The Early Season Pant ($90) is a great option and is the perfect weight for my style.
The open-weave fabric and slightly larger cut allow air to move freely and keep you cool. The pants have a nice stretch, and the pocketing is standard. I wouldn’t mind seeing some hip vents added to help dump heat even further.
I wore these pants extensively last fall and this spring, and they have held up well. They pick a little, meaning threads sometimes snag when in the brush. It doesn’t affect the structure of the fabric; it’s just something worth noting. For $90, these pants offer the best value among the clothing I have tested. I could wear these pants for all of my August and September hunts and be a happy camper.
Next is the Early Season ¾ Zip Shirt ($65) and Early Season Hooded Shirt ($70). Both are great options, just like the early-season pants. They feature odor control from Silvadur technology and 50+ UPF sun protection. The lightweight fabric with mesh underarms and back panels lets the breeze blow through and keeps you cool.
The front zipper on each garment also helps to remove unnecessary heat. Both shirts fit true to size and make excellent additions to anyone’s kit. I prefer the hooded version, but if hoods aren’t your preference, the ¾ Zip Shirt is a solid choice.
The Pahvant Pro Jacket ($180) is a quality soft-shell jacket that fits true to size and is designed not to be bulky. The jacket includes chest and handwarmer pockets and two internal chest pockets. The 2L soft shell fabric is durable, the fleece liner keeps you warm, and the DWR coating helps the jacket shed water and keeps the wind out. This substantial soft-shell jacket features a hood and adjustable cuffs. It also includes pit zips for heat regulation. While some may find it a bit heavy for backpack hunts, its still a solid soft-shell option.
Browning’s Soft Shell Vest ($105) is another excellent piece in Browning’s layering system. I find vests particularly useful when moving at higher elevations. This vest features a durable, windproof, water-resistant outer fabric with a soft microfleece backer. The tall collar keeps your neck warm, and the beard guard prevents whiskers from snagging in the zipper. It includes one chest pocket and lower hand warmer pockets on each side, offering ample storage for essentials.
When I purchased the Packable Puffer Jacket ($210) it wasn’t available in the Ovix camo, so I opted for Major Brown. While I seldom use an insulating jacket while hunting—reserving it for times when I need warmth while sitting or glassing—this jacket proved excellent.
The polyester micro-ripstop fabric is tougher than many down jackets I’ve used. This provides peace of mind.
Along with its durable build, the water-repellant 650 down-fill ensures exceptional warmth. It includes hand warmer pockets, an adjustable hood, and elastic binding on the waist hem and cuffs to seal the elements out.
Final Thoughts
From experience, I knew I would be impressed with the Sitka gear. The pants are wonderful, just like I remember, but they taper more than other brands, just like my old mountain pants.
The shirt and the jacket are two of the better pieces I have used. They are both well-thought-out products worthy of the attention of any serious western hunter.
From what I can tell, it would be hard to go wrong with any of the products in their extensive collection. They are undoubtedly on the higher end, and their prices reflect that, but Sitka Gear has a reputation for being durable and lasting. You can find comfort in knowing you’re making a good investment.
As Browning goes, I am beyond happy with their new gear. I don’t exaggerate when I say this gear is among the best bargains regarding mountain hunting apparel. For $720, you could buy every piece I reviewed, and you can’t say that about many higher-end hunting brands.
I’m not sure they are as “technical” as some other companies, but their gear is well-built, functional, and comfortable.
