Brentster7189
New member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2010
- Messages
- 398
So after months of trying different gear, going to the various stores and looking first hand, and browsing reviews and descriptions of gear over and over again (a lot of you know what I'm talking about), because this gear is not cheap, and sometimes just because it's more expensive doesn't mean it's better. I decided to take the plunge on some of this stuff and see how it performed.
I started off with a pair of Danner Pronghorns during grouse season and did some elevation with them, they were a little loose for me considering I would be chukar hunting with them too in the future, as well as elk hunting. I took them back and sprung for a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Boots. Just putting them on was a new boot experience, I had never had something fit snuggly like they did, and at first was a little concerned with it. Granted during my break in period I got some blistering on my heal, but nothing some duct tape couldn't temporarily fix. After many days of elk hunting and some upland hunting, I have to see these boots impress me beyond belief. I've gotten sore feet before in other boots just hunting, but my feet were not sore at all after all day long in the Kenetreks. I thought they might be because the boots are so firm and solid on the bottom, but I guess that is what actually prevented them from getting sore and fatigued. My feet also stayed warm and dry through some wet conditions. So on those...I'm very happy I got them, now for that price...I hope they last a really long time!
So then it was on to some Sitka gear, I spent quite a while trying to pick a system based on when I would be hunting, which would be mid October - late November. After trying some stuff on, and layering it up I went with the following:
Having never actually spent a lot of money on gear like this before I was once again skeptical of clothing that was so thin yet supposed to provide such incredible performance and protection. I'm pretty sure that the 4.54 lbs of this gear was a lot less weight compared to my old stuff that really offered no protection from the elements.
Having worn it for a week of elk hunting...I am double impressed. I can agree that the trick is the layering, and since the clothing is lightweight and compact it is easy and quick to change your layers. I usually started off with most on in the morning, and in the evening, and took the jacket off during the day. The bandit, gloves, and beanie work good for sitting on areas, all that you expose are your eyes, and you stay pretty warm. I didn't wash it all week, and it didn't smell, even the SS Crew I wore right against me. The Jetstream Jacket is impressive...truly windproof in every sense of the word. Wearing the gear was like not wearing anything, it was so comfortable, and did it's job with the elements. Having gear that does it's job and you can devote your time and concentration on what your supposed to be doing...well, there is no substitute.
I'm very happy in my choices, because it works for me, and how I hunt. I defiantly recommend this stuff if you can afford it.
I started off with a pair of Danner Pronghorns during grouse season and did some elevation with them, they were a little loose for me considering I would be chukar hunting with them too in the future, as well as elk hunting. I took them back and sprung for a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Boots. Just putting them on was a new boot experience, I had never had something fit snuggly like they did, and at first was a little concerned with it. Granted during my break in period I got some blistering on my heal, but nothing some duct tape couldn't temporarily fix. After many days of elk hunting and some upland hunting, I have to see these boots impress me beyond belief. I've gotten sore feet before in other boots just hunting, but my feet were not sore at all after all day long in the Kenetreks. I thought they might be because the boots are so firm and solid on the bottom, but I guess that is what actually prevented them from getting sore and fatigued. My feet also stayed warm and dry through some wet conditions. So on those...I'm very happy I got them, now for that price...I hope they last a really long time!
So then it was on to some Sitka gear, I spent quite a while trying to pick a system based on when I would be hunting, which would be mid October - late November. After trying some stuff on, and layering it up I went with the following:
- Open Country Ascent Pants
- Open Country Crew Shirt SS
- Open Country Traverse Zip-T
- Open Country Traverse Beanie
- Open Country Bandit
- Open Country Traverse Gloves
- Open Country Jetstream Jacket
Having never actually spent a lot of money on gear like this before I was once again skeptical of clothing that was so thin yet supposed to provide such incredible performance and protection. I'm pretty sure that the 4.54 lbs of this gear was a lot less weight compared to my old stuff that really offered no protection from the elements.
Having worn it for a week of elk hunting...I am double impressed. I can agree that the trick is the layering, and since the clothing is lightweight and compact it is easy and quick to change your layers. I usually started off with most on in the morning, and in the evening, and took the jacket off during the day. The bandit, gloves, and beanie work good for sitting on areas, all that you expose are your eyes, and you stay pretty warm. I didn't wash it all week, and it didn't smell, even the SS Crew I wore right against me. The Jetstream Jacket is impressive...truly windproof in every sense of the word. Wearing the gear was like not wearing anything, it was so comfortable, and did it's job with the elements. Having gear that does it's job and you can devote your time and concentration on what your supposed to be doing...well, there is no substitute.
I'm very happy in my choices, because it works for me, and how I hunt. I defiantly recommend this stuff if you can afford it.