New Hunting Gear: Sitka Fanatic Jacket

Sitka has taken their 2014 Best-of-the-Best Fanatic jacket and made it even better for 2015—especially for late-season treestand hunting. I know because Whitetails columnist Scott Bestul and I used it—along with the matching bib—while bowhunting deer in brutally cold temperatures and relentless winds this past November. This stuff kept us in our stands almost all day, saving our hunt.

Like last year’s Fanatic, this one has the Windstopper membrane, PrimaLoft insulation, diagonal front zipper, kangaroo hand-warmer pocket, as well as the rangefinder and grunt-tube pockets. What’s new this year—and makes a huge difference when it gets really cold—is the Berber fleece outer layer. This stuff not only adds to the garment’s warmth but make is significantly quieter. The new Fanatic also features Elevated II camo, which is perfect when the leaves are down and the days are gray.