As a white-tailed deer hunting addict, I’m constantly looking for hunting gear that enhances the hunting experience, especially during the harshest conditions. When temperatures drop below freezing, I turn to my Sitka Fanatic Jacket and Bibs to keep me warm, even during all-day sits.
I’ve been wearing Sitka Gear since they were making it in Realtree, which was the second year of production, I believe (don’t hold me to that date though). Through the years, I’ve seen plenty of hunting brands and clothing options come and go, but nothing better than Sitka. I am excited to share my detailed and unbiased review of the Sitka Gear Fanatic Jacket, as well as the Fanatic Bibs in a later review. The Fanatic Line is designed to conquer the coldest days and is crafted with the utmost precision. The Fanatic Jacket is a testament to Sitka’s commitment to quality and innovation and here’s my honest review, including the good, the bad, and whether or not you should buy one for yourself.
Sitka Fanatic Jacket Review
The Fanatic Jacket is the total package for ultra-quiet warmth, utilizing the most advanced sound-suppressing fabric in the hunting world. Built with deadly quiet high-loft Berber fleece face, an ultra-quiet GORE-TEX INFINIUM with WINDSTOPPER Technology barrier for 100% windproof warmth and PrimaLoft Silver Hi-Loft Ultra insulation for the coldest days in the stand.
Price: $469.00
• Best for Cold Weather hunts
• Windproof
• Built for the Bowhunter
• Silent fleece design
Features
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GORE OPTIFADE Concealment Elevated II is designed for whitetail hunters in an elevated position.
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Weight: 46.2 oz. // Size L
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Face Torso Fabric: High loft jacquard berber fleece with DWR finish.
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Face Hem and Seat Fabric: Polyester stretch fleece with DWR finish.
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Liner: 2-layer GORE-TEX INFINIUM with WINDSTOPPER Technology and polyester micro-grid fleece knit interior.
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Torso Insulation: Mapped 120-gram PrimaLoft Silver Hi-Loft Ultra Insulation.
- Sleeves Insulation: Mapped 80-gram PrimaLoft Silver Hi-Loft Ultra Insulation.
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Science of Sound: The new Fanatic system allows a hunter the ability to move with more confidence by cutting the audible engagement distance in half.
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Intentionally designed pockets: Stow away critical whitetail accessories with ease.
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Front Zipper Pocket: Keep your essentials safe and accessible.
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Ultra-Quiet, Diagonal YKK Vislon Front Zip: Reduces noise when layering, plus ensures low-profile handmuff and handwarmer pockets are designed into jacket.
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Constant-Connect SITKA Safety Harness Port: Eliminates the need to disconnect from your harness when adding or subtracting layers.
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Body-Mapping In Sleeves: Enables optimal bow string clearance along left arm and reduced bulk in right draw arm elbow.
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Mapped burr-resistant textile on hem and seat: Helps prevent burr pickup in key areas.
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GORE-TEX INFINIUM with WINDSTOPPER: Offers complete windproof protection through a durable, lightweight, and breathable membrane.
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PrimaLoft Technology: PrimaLoft products are the ultimate in insulation technology for hunters. Ultra-fine fibers are engineered to retain maximum warmth even when wet.
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Magnetic Stow Collar
Windproof Warmth and Uncompromising Protection
During the bitterest cold, the Fanatic Jacket stands as a nearly impenetrable barrier against the elements. Its windproof warmth is thanks to the two-layer Gore-Tex Infinium fabric, complete with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish. Staying warm isn’t an issue with the Fanatic Jacket but keep in mind that it’s not waterproof. If it were, you’d lose the silent fleece finish that makes this the ultimate cold-weather bowhunting jacket. What I have noticed is that if it’s cold enough to wear the Fanatic Jacket, typically it’s too cold for it to rain. Snow will stick to the fleece jacket and over time the moisture will sink into the coat, but not enough to avoid the snow.
This jacket excels in the cold, especially during windy conditions. Wind Chill factors can drastically make a difference in how cold it feels outside and the Fanatic Jacket does an excellent job of protecting the body from the cold wind. The high-loft jacquard Berber fleece and silver hi-loft ultra insulation work in unison, providing exceptional insulation technology and maximum warmth retention. Even in the harshest conditions, we can rely on the Fanatic Jacket to shield us from the biting winds and keep our body heat locked in.
Silent But Deadly: Ultra-Quiet Gore-Tex Infinium and Deadly Quiet Berber Fleece
When you are moments away from drawing your bow on your target buck, silence is our greatest ally. The Sitka Gear Fanatic Jacket effortlessly combines ultra-quiet Gore-Tex Infinium technology with a deadly quiet high-loft Berber fleece face. This strategic combination ensures your movements remain undetected, even when at full draw! The jacket’s body-mapped construction incorporates the most advanced sound-suppressing fabric, subtracting layers of noise from our surroundings.
Bowstring Clearance and Flawless Draw Cycle
As a bowhunter, I understand the criticality of optimal bowstring clearance to ensure your arrow finds its mark. Sitka’s constant-connect Sitka system ingeniously tackles this challenge, providing seamless functionality. The jacket’s design incorporates a right draw arm elbow, granting us unrestricted movement and enhancing our shooting precision. I haven’t had any issues with string clearance in the past but if you load down the pockets with grunt calls and other accessories, you could create a serious problem. However, that’s not to say that it wouldn’t happen on any other hunting coat on the market as well.
Unique Features that Make the Sitka Fanatic Jacket the Ultimate Cold-Weather Hunting Jacket
Sitka’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the Fanatic Jacket’s design. The jacket features a diagonal YKK zipper pocket strategically positioned for easy access to essential gear, ensuring we stay focused in the field. The low-profile hand muff and handwarmer pockets offer much-needed warmth during chilly mornings, while the elevated position of the jacket provides comfort and ease of movement. Additionally, the integrated safety harness port allows for hassle-free integration of critical whitetail accessories, ensuring safety and convenience.
Whitetail-Specific Features and DurabilitySitka Gear recognizes the unique needs of whitetail hunters. With the Fanatic Jacket, they have introduced the new Fanatic System, utilizing burr-resistant textiles in key areas to prevent burr pickup during our hunts. The design also accommodates the placement of critical accessories with precision. From the right draw arm elbow to the integrated safety harness pass-through port, Sitka Gear has engineered this jacket to be the ultimate solution for dedicated whitetail hunters. I will say that this jacket is not burr resistant but there are areas of the jacket that are. Burrs are a nuisance and can increase the noise generated when moving in this jacket, as well as increase the level of discomfort in the field. Keep in mind, that this is a soft Berber fleece exterior designed to keep you warm and quiet, not burr-free. If you’re looking for burr-free hunting clothing, this isn’t the one.
Building a Cold-Weather Clothing System w/ the Sitka Fanatic Jacket
For a more detailed example of what I’m wearing when the temperature dip below freezing, check out the Ultimate Guide for Choose the Right Sitka Gear for Your Next Hunt blog post. When the temperatures drop below freezing, I like to bundle up and stay warm. Typically, I’m not running and gunning, so keep that in mind.
- Outer Layers: Sitka Fanatic Jacket, Sitka Fanatic Bibs, Sitka Fanatic Beanie, Sitka Downpour Gloves
- Mid-Layers: Sitka Stratus Jacket (rarely)
- Base Layers: Sitka Core Heavyweight Bottoms, Sitka Fanatic Hoody
Photo Credit: Josh Berry – Hunt Season
Product Improvements Ideas: Sitka Fanatic Jacket
You can’t have an honest and unbiased gear review without talking about places for improvement. We will first start with the price because this jacket is nearly $500! After taxes, you’ll have a grand in the set when you buy the Bibs to match. That’s steep but for some, it’s worth it. I’m only buying expensive products like this when they go on sale and if you’re looking to save money, be sure to sign up for the Hunting Gear Deals Daily Deal email newsletter.
Next, let’s discuss the issue of not having a hood. As a stand-alone jacket, it should come with a hood. However, once you put the pieces of the system together, you don’t really need a hood. For me, it’s the Fanatic Hoody as a baselayer and the Fanatic Beanie. Those two products combine to be much better than any built-in hood. When it’s really cold, the neck gaiter is a must-have item!
The Fanatic Jacket is not waterproof and burrs still stick to it. It’s not like you’re going to be wearing it in the rain, only the snow. Why you ask? This jacket is built for the cold and anything near 32 degrees Fahrenheit and below and it’ll be snowing. Snow doesn’t seem to saturate clothing nearly as bad, so this has never been an issue for me and I’ve spent countless hours in my Fanatic Jacket and Bibs.
Lastly, the fact that burrs stick to the fleece jacket. Duh! It’s fleece, they’re going to stick. Sitka made some improvements in certain areas to reduce the amount of place that burrs can stick to the jacket, but it’s inevitable, you’re going to get burrs. If it burrs didn’t stick, the garment would be made of noisy material and it just wouldn’t have the same great qualities that a late-season bowhunter needs to succeed.
Sitka Fanatic Jacket Review Summary
As I wrap up this review, it is evident that the Sitka Gear Fanatic Jacket is a game-changer in the bowhunting world. It’s not for everyone, especially with the high-end price tag. Also, if you only hunt in warm climates, cold-weather hunting gear like this might not even be on your radar. However, if you’re chasing whitetails in temperatures below freezing, investing in the Fanatic line-up is a must. Its ultra-quiet Gore-Tex Infinium fabric, flawless bowstring clearance, and windproof warmth make it the quietest and most reliable hunting jacket I have encountered. The Fanatic Jacket’s advanced design, including the deadly quiet high-loft Berber fleece face and body-mapped fit, keeps me warm and cozy when the temperatures drop. When the temperatures drop, I actually get excited to break out my Fanatic Jacket and Bibs because I know I’ll be snug as a bug in a rug!
So, would I recommend buying the Sitka Fanatic Jacket? For hunters that want to beat the cold, there’s no better option when the temperatures begin to drop. Bookmark HuntingGearDeals.com and pay attention to the best times to buy Sitka Gear to save you money.
If you’re looking for more information on what Sitka Gear items are best for suited for your hunt based on temperature, be sure to check out our popular blog, The Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Right Sitka Gear for Your Next Hunt.
Photo Credit: Chad See – Mount’n Critters Taxidermy Studio
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Ready to buy? The Sitka Gear Fanatic Jacket can be found at a variety of online retailers, such as Black Ovis, Cabela’s, Scheel’s, Bass Pro Shops, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and more.
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AUTHOR BIO
Hi, I’m Camron the owner of Hunting Gear Deals. I’m an avid bowhunter with a knack for finding good deals on hunting gear and love to help you save money on hunting gear. I’m also the owner of the popular Bucks, Bulls, & Bears email newsletter that’s built to educate and entertain hunters. If you haven’t subscribed, you’re missing out! Last but not least, I’m proud to say that I work for Whitetail Properties as a Land Specialist in Ohio. If you’re in the market for hunting property, shoot me an email and I’d love to help you find your dream property.
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