SITKA SAVED MY LIFE. On November 17th, 2023 My top ladderstick broke just as unhooked harness. I fell 20 ft, it was 15 degrees with a stiff windchill. Took a few hours to find me. Broke pelvis in 2 places, broke 3 vertebrae in my back and my right arm broke in half at the elbow. I couldn't 😮😮walk or even move at that. The lucky part of this was I had on a sitka t shirt, fanatic hoody with fanatic jacket and bibs. That set of gear kept me from hypothermia. Now, I didn't have gloves and fingers were getting frost bite. Lucky for me I had fanatic hoody and those built in hand muffs saved my fingers. I don't care what others say about Sitka and the cost it literally saved my life. Of course all of my Sitka got cut off of me in the trauma center. Sitka replaced it for a song with a get well note. I highly doubt there are more than 1 or 2 companies that would go that for above and beyond. As far as the ladderstick, it is a piss poor design and the top 16 inch section is a death zone.
@fieldseriesreview They were notified and we shall say my cloths were replaced at no charge. Of course whomever sent them the story included proof. They also included a get well card. All I can say is I am so thankful I had on Fanatic series. I had already sat in stand for 6 hours without moving. Then add a tad over 2 hours on ground in the dark at those Temps to boot. I'm lucky to be alive
@@garner1509I’ve had a couple times where I needed Sitka customer service, and I will say that they went above and beyond. Sitka customer service is top notch. I wasn’t surprised you said they replaced your Sitka clothes free of charge, that’s something Sitka would do. One of the top 3 best customer service of any company in the world, seriously, better than big companies like Sony or Samsung.
I have the hoody and I LOVE IT. Super comfy and very warm BUT, the durability is so bad that it’s turned into a social jacket not a hunting jacket. I never wore it as an outer but after one season it’s got burrs and pills. I think the other key factor is about this jacket that makes it so expensive is the technology. This jacket is meant to be active insulation. Nothing I’ve ever worn will regulate your body temperature while working hard in cold weather. You don’t sweat while setting up or hiking, and then you stay warm when you’re seated or in your stand…that’s what makes this a great garment. Great jacket for hiking or skiing, if it’s gonna be an every hunt type of jacket for me, they need to make it more durable.
I love the way this jacket feels on. It absolutely blew me away. However what i get stuck on is I had bought this as a piece to wear walking to my stand then throw my stratus on when i get there. This is how they advertise it and is exactly what I had been missing in my setup..BUT! It absolutely can not handle the briar n such even though Sitka claims its extremely tough. If I could walk across an open field it would be fine but I don't have that option. So while i highly desire to wear it on the walk in im torn because i dont want it to be.. torn! 😊😒
I agree, I bought the discontinued midi because of the negative reviews. I’m interested to see if he likes the ambient better or at least equally as much. Especially for warmth considerations.
I have the gradient jacket that I wear under the delta wading jacket when it’s usually below around 30°. Anything above I just wear the duck oven. Would you say the ambient is more breathable, but still as warm as the gradient?
I have a lot of Sitka and Kuiu stuff, but this ambient jacket is my favorite. I figured it would be exactly what it is and purchased the solid mud color. I've been living in it like a sweatshirt for a week now, sleeping in it, living in it, lol. It's fantastic! The jacket with a hood would be perfect. I guess I could buy the womens with a hood in like 2XL
Very timely video, thank you! I know this will be lighter… but how much warmer (or is it) than the traverse? I am debating between the two… mostly mid layer, but traverse seems to have the upper hand from a versatility perspective… real question is warmth under stratus?
Thanks again for your reply… really like your videos… I just ordered the traverse yesterday… it felt significantly warmer in the store than the ambient…🤷🏾♂️… might regret it… but my budget allowed me to either get the ambient jacket or the traverse AND Fanatic hoody… the combo of the two seemed better than just the ambient by itself. Maybe someday I’ll get them ambient…
Thanks for making this review. I’ve gone back and forth between picking up an ambient hoody for the exact reasons you listed. It’s hard to stomach the $289 price point when something so stout as a Duck Oven is $349. I really like your feather analogy for the Ambient. A big point of appeal to me is how light weight and packabke the hoody is. With the end of year Sitka sale, I was able to pick an Ambient subalpine up for $169! Now it’s a steal in my mind! I’ll be picking up a Duck Oven as a top layer next. Thanks.
The only bad part about the ambient hoodie is that you can't really wear it in brush as an outer layer because it will get shredded up. I will say that other than that it is the best jacket that I own and layers well with anything.
I got the Sitka aero head hoody or whatever you call their military line they had. And wish I had the jacket with pockets. It’s incredibly breathable but very fragile. I would love to see this in a base layer pant maybe a little lighter.
I bought the ambient jacket last year and only used it one time ducking hunting because of the snagging issue was so bad. Only use it as a town jacket now.
Where the Ambient shines is as a mid-layer with some activity - walking to the tree stand, Kayaking to your duck spot, etc. Now you aren't sweating when you stop, which is a killer. Add a windproof outer at the final destination and you are Golden. Oh, and the hoody doesn't have lower pockets, AND its a lighter-weight insulation than the Jacket. Personally, I think it's the better option but doesn't come in Marsh pattern. Not a big issue as you are probably using it under something like a Delta Wading Jacket over it and tucked into your waders. I've also used it doing section hikes of the Appalachian trail last winter. Used a core lightweight base, ambient hoody, and dew point jacket down to mid-20s and up to low 50s.
I love my ambient hoodie. It’s one of my favorite pieces. I wear it over my core Marino 330 hoodie all the time as a standalone piece in warmer temps, or under my stratus or fanatic in colder temps.
@@BigMeatyClaws212 Way less than my fanatic hoodie does. Very very little. It’s almost non existent The performance from this piece out weighs that tiny issue 100 times over.
@@jayonez137 good to know, I’ve been interested in the new ambient 100 hooded jacket, but was concerned that would be an issue. Don’t wanna drop $300 of it’s gonna pill so bad right away
@@BigMeatyClaws212 you’ll be good to go. You’ll love it. When I bought my ambient hoodie and jacket They did not have the hooded jacket out at that time. However, I like the full zip non-hooded ambient because it’s 150 grams of insulation The ambient hoody and full zip hoodie is only 100 grams. I like it so much I have 4 ambients now Solid for everyday Full zip non hood in EV2 Ambient 1/2 zip hoodie in EV2 And ambient 1/2 zip hoodie in Sub Alpine 😳
SITKA SAVED MY LIFE. On November 17th, 2023 My top ladderstick broke just as unhooked harness. I fell 20 ft, it was 15 degrees with a stiff windchill. Took a few hours to find me. Broke pelvis in 2 places, broke 3 vertebrae in my back and my right arm broke in half at the elbow. I couldn't 😮😮walk or even move at that. The lucky part of this was I had on a sitka t shirt, fanatic hoody with fanatic jacket and bibs. That set of gear kept me from hypothermia. Now, I didn't have gloves and fingers were getting frost bite. Lucky for me I had fanatic hoody and those built in hand muffs saved my fingers. I don't care what others say about Sitka and the cost it literally saved my life. Of course all of my Sitka got cut off of me in the trauma center. Sitka replaced it for a song with a get well note. I highly doubt there are more than 1 or 2 companies that would go that for above and beyond. As far as the ladderstick, it is a piss poor design and the top 16 inch section is a death zone.
Man that’s nuts! I’m glad you are ok ! Have you shared that story with anyone at Sitka?
@fieldseriesreview
They were notified and we shall say my cloths were replaced at no charge. Of course whomever sent them the story included proof. They also included a get well card. All I can say is I am so thankful I had on Fanatic series. I had already sat in stand for 6 hours without moving. Then add a tad over 2 hours on ground in the dark at those Temps to boot. I'm lucky to be alive
Wow
@@garner1509I’ve had a couple times where I needed Sitka customer service, and I will say that they went above and beyond. Sitka customer service is top notch. I wasn’t surprised you said they replaced your Sitka clothes free of charge, that’s something Sitka would do. One of the top 3 best customer service of any company in the world, seriously, better than big companies like Sony or Samsung.
I've heard so many stories like this..most are fatal or paralysis. Good to hear you made it out!
I have the hoody and I LOVE IT. Super comfy and very warm BUT, the durability is so bad that it’s turned into a social jacket not a hunting jacket. I never wore it as an outer but after one season it’s got burrs and pills. I think the other key factor is about this jacket that makes it so expensive is the technology. This jacket is meant to be active insulation. Nothing I’ve ever worn will regulate your body temperature while working hard in cold weather. You don’t sweat while setting up or hiking, and then you stay warm when you’re seated or in your stand…that’s what makes this a great garment. Great jacket for hiking or skiing, if it’s gonna be an every hunt type of jacket for me, they need to make it more durable.
I love the way this jacket feels on. It absolutely blew me away. However what i get stuck on is I had bought this as a piece to wear walking to my stand then throw my stratus on when i get there. This is how they advertise it and is exactly what I had been missing in my setup..BUT! It absolutely can not handle the briar n such even though Sitka claims its extremely tough. If I could walk across an open field it would be fine but I don't have that option. So while i highly desire to wear it on the walk in im torn because i dont want it to be.. torn! 😊😒
I have the Celsius midi? Do you think the ambient is an upgrade? Or worth upgrading
I agree, I bought the discontinued midi because of the negative reviews. I’m interested to see if he likes the ambient better or at least equally as much. Especially for warmth considerations.
Video idea, Battle of the layers. Ambient vs kelvin areolight - Jetstream vs dakota - core vs merino
Dakota Vs Jetstream and Core vs Merino is coming . I’ll look into picking up the areolight
Love the ambient hoody as a midlayer just wish it had lower pockets/kangaroo pouch
I think primaloft gold would have been better in this ambient
Sitka wader review next!! 🙂 Thank you so much for all the hard work you Put into your reviews
I have the gradient jacket that I wear under the delta wading jacket when it’s usually below around 30°. Anything above I just wear the duck oven. Would you say the ambient is more breathable, but still as warm as the gradient?
Yes, I replaced my Gradient with the ambient . Just as warm but less bulky
You still married bro? I thought I remember seeing a wedding ring in your other videos.
Hahaha yea man I’m married. I shot this right after the gym.
I have a lot of Sitka and Kuiu stuff, but this ambient jacket is my favorite. I figured it would be exactly what it is and purchased the solid mud color. I've been living in it like a sweatshirt for a week now, sleeping in it, living in it, lol. It's fantastic! The jacket with a hood would be perfect. I guess I could buy the womens with a hood in like 2XL
Very timely video, thank you! I know this will be lighter… but how much warmer (or is it) than the traverse? I am debating between the two… mostly mid layer, but traverse seems to have the upper hand from a versatility perspective… real question is warmth under stratus?
The Ambient is way more versatile than the traverse . It’s warmer, lighter, and more mobile. I’ll do a traverse vs ambient jacket this week.
Thanks again for your reply… really like your videos… I just ordered the traverse yesterday… it felt significantly warmer in the store than the ambient…🤷🏾♂️… might regret it… but my budget allowed me to either get the ambient jacket or the traverse AND Fanatic hoody… the combo of the two seemed better than just the ambient by itself. Maybe someday I’ll get them ambient…
Thanks for making this review. I’ve gone back and forth between picking up an ambient hoody for the exact reasons you listed. It’s hard to stomach the $289 price point when something so stout as a Duck Oven is $349. I really like your feather analogy for the Ambient. A big point of appeal to me is how light weight and packabke the hoody is. With the end of year Sitka sale, I was able to pick an Ambient subalpine up for $169! Now it’s a steal in my mind! I’ll be picking up a Duck Oven as a top layer next. Thanks.
Why wouldn't they give the men's jacket a hood??? Now I'm thinking of buying the women's smh
The only bad part about the ambient hoodie is that you can't really wear it in brush as an outer layer because it will get shredded up. I will say that other than that it is the best jacket that I own and layers well with anything.
Asking to like and sub before the video has started its subject matter is a no , Instagram is a fuck no .
Wish I’d bought the ambient jacket instead of the traverse jacket. I think it would’ve fit my needs better.
How does the ambient Match up against the new scree hoodie?
I got the Sitka aero head hoody or whatever you call their military line they had. And wish I had the jacket with pockets. It’s incredibly breathable but very fragile. I would love to see this in a base layer pant maybe a little lighter.
Do you have their nomad luggage bag? I have a few questions about if so.
I bought the ambient jacket last year and only used it one time ducking hunting because of the snagging issue was so bad. Only use it as a town jacket now.
What I figured... I'm gonna go the merino 330 hoodie
Thanks, man. You make Sitka make sense.
Where the Ambient shines is as a mid-layer with some activity - walking to the tree stand, Kayaking to your duck spot, etc. Now you aren't sweating when you stop, which is a killer. Add a windproof outer at the final destination and you are Golden. Oh, and the hoody doesn't have lower pockets, AND its a lighter-weight insulation than the Jacket. Personally, I think it's the better option but doesn't come in Marsh pattern. Not a big issue as you are probably using it under something like a Delta Wading Jacket over it and tucked into your waders. I've also used it doing section hikes of the Appalachian trail last winter. Used a core lightweight base, ambient hoody, and dew point jacket down to mid-20s and up to low 50s.
Would the traverse hoodie/ jacket equal the equinox middy pants in warmth as a mid layer
Yes, the traverse jacket/hoody is the same material as the equinox midi pants.
Ok good I was trying to make sure the layers were equal until my stratus bibs and jacket and my downpour jacket and pants
I love my ambient hoodie. It’s one of my favorite pieces. I wear it over my core Marino 330 hoodie all the time as a standalone piece in warmer temps, or under my stratus or fanatic in colder temps.
Have you had durability issues? I’ve heard people have issues with this pilling even when just worn as a midlayer.
@@BigMeatyClaws212
Way less than my fanatic hoodie does.
Very very little.
It’s almost non existent
The performance from this piece out weighs that tiny issue 100 times over.
@@jayonez137 good to know, I’ve been interested in the new ambient 100 hooded jacket, but was concerned that would be an issue. Don’t wanna drop $300 of it’s gonna pill so bad right away
@@BigMeatyClaws212 you’ll be good to go. You’ll love it.
When I bought my ambient hoodie and jacket
They did not have the hooded jacket out at that time.
However, I like the full zip non-hooded ambient because it’s 150 grams of insulation
The ambient hoody and full zip hoodie is only 100 grams.
I like it so much I have 4 ambients now
Solid for everyday
Full zip non hood in EV2
Ambient 1/2 zip hoodie in EV2
And ambient 1/2 zip hoodie in Sub Alpine
😳