As an eager hunter, I’m always on the lookout for gear that enhances my outdoor experience. And I’m okay with spending more money for quality gear that serves multiple purposes and will last a long time. But does Sitka Gear stand up to the hype?

In this Sitka camo review, I’ll share my hands-on experience with six different Sitka Gear products, focusing on the three that I now regret not buying sooner: the Sitka Mountain Pant, the Sitka Core Lightweight Long Sleeved Crew, and the Sitka Jetstream Jacket.

If you just want to know what the best Sitka gear is and what’s worth getting vs leaving behind, keep reading because I won’t waste your time with fluffy opinions about junk.

And if you’re more of a visual person, check out my Sitka Gear video review on YouTube!

DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on a link we may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Why Trust Our Sitka Camo Review

I got a whole new set of Sitka camouflage clothing gear last fall and put it to the test. I wore it all season long on multiple hunts, some successful and some not. From warm days in the early season to late season mornings in near zero degree temps, I formed a few opinions about what I was wearing all that time.

I evaluated each item based on features, camo pattern effectiveness, noise levels, weather resistance, durability, versatility, and comfort (including fit, sizing, and mobility).

In short, I have used all the gear I talk about extensively and I test gear for a living. My only objective here is to provide firsthand insight based on my own experience. I hope it helps you make a decision to buy or not to buy, either way is fine with me.

Sitka Mountain Pant

The Sitka Mountain Pant is a true jack-of-all-hunts. Although it’s not waterproof, I found it comfortable in both the heat of late summer and the cold of winter.

Best Pants

SITKA Gear Mountain Pant

Why We Like It: It's versatile and works for almost any hunt.

Pros:

• Comfortable with some stretch
• Two-way zipper on fly is brilliant
• Works in warm and cold weather
• Durable and abrasion resistant
• Quiet when rubbing against brush

Cons:

• Not waterproof
• Kneepads are annoying to put in
• Belt loops too small

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Compare prices at: Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Black Ovis, Sportsman’s Warehouse

My favorite feature of this pant is that it has two zippers on the fly. The top zipper tucks underneath the button, providing a secure fit and preventing you from getting ribbed by your hunting buddies for having your fly down. There’s a second zipper at the bottom that you can open upwards, allowing you to answer nature’s call without unbuckling your belt or your backpack. I think every pant should have this feature.

The fabric feels excellent both inside and out. It’s smooth, yet durable. Most importantly, it’s quiet! Accidentally spooking a deer when brushing against some alder is far less likely in this pant than others I’ve worn, including those from Pnuma or generic brands.

The pockets are well-positioned with good closures, including low-profile zippers that are quiet and don’t dig into your leg. The cargo pockets, in particular, are spacious. They have plenty of room for gloves or snacks. They even have an outer zipper pocket that’s suitable for your tags or wallet. There’s only one back pocket, but I think that’s smart since I dislike sitting on bulky items during all-day spotting and stalking.

The Sitka Mountain pant is not waterproof or insulated, but I didn’t miss that feature. A light sprinkle sheds off the pant well enough, but a downpour will undoubtedly leave you wet.

Ultimate Comfort and Mobility

The Mountain pant doesn’t restrict movement at all like a stiffer pant would. The fit is relaxed but not loose. It has somewhat of an athletic fit, yet I still found them extremely comfortable, even with a bit of a belly these days. They stay up and in place, which can be hard to find, thanks to the numerous belt loops.

Speaking of belt loops, some of them have MOLLE loops to attach gear, which is a neat feature. However, one drawback of this pant is that the belt loops are rather narrow. It makes it difficult to run my belt through them (I suppose it’s thicker than some). That’s a bit annoying, but not a dealbreaker.

These pants fit true to size in my experience. At 6’1″ and 220 lbs, I ordered a 36R, which is what I normally get, and they fit perfectly.

The pant has kneepads if you like those. I don’t use them, but they are functional, albeit a bit of a hassle to get in and out. You pretty much have to take your pants off to do so.

Sitka Core Lightweight Crew LS: Breathable and Silent

The second piece of Sitka Gear that I would definitely recommend is the Core Lightweight Crew Long-Sleeved shirt. This is a very simple piece of clothing. Admittedly, my first impression was that it was overpriced – a simple polyester long-sleeve shirt for 80 bucks?!

However, there are a few key aspects I love about it that I think make it worth the price.

Best Shirt

SITKA Gear Core Lightweight Crew Long Sleeve Shirt

Why We Like It: It's useful from the hot early season through the cold winter season.

Pros:

• Functional year-round
• Lightweight and breathable
• Thumb loops
• Long tail in back

Cons:

• Fabric catches on rough surfaces
• Pricey for a polyester shirt

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Firstly, the main reason I wear camouflage when hunting is to try and conceal myself from game. If I were a highly skilled hunter, I probably wouldn’t need camo. But I’m not, so I do. The Sitka Core Lightweight LS covers my entire upper body while remaining comfortable, even in hot weather.

When it’s cooler, I wear this shirt as a base layer.

The fabric is nothing remarkable. In fact, it can get caught on rough surfaces like wood, which can pull threads and cause wear. But it truly is lightweight and comfortable while still maintaining a consistent appearance of the camo pattern.

Even after wearing it several days in a row it didn’t smell funky. It does an admirable job at scent control.

I got a size XL, and it fits snug, but not too tight. In my opinion, it’s between a relaxed and an athletic fit. I’d probably get an XL-Tall next time. It’s nice that they even offer tall sizes, and I have a long torso.

The tail of the shirt is longer than the front, which is great for covering up a well-fed man’s backside like mine.

The little thumb loops at the end of the sleeves make it easy to keep from bunching up when adding layers on top.

Despite not being fancy or ultra-technical, the Core Lightweight Crew is so comfy and practical that I found myself putting it on every day I went hunting, even though I had alternatives.

Sitka Jetstream Jacket

The final item I would definitely recommend is the Sitka Jetstream Jacket. Just like the other two items I recommended, I find the Jetstream jacket to be highly versatile. Ultimately, that’s why I’d be willing to fork out the substantial sum it takes to buy it.

This is not a single-purpose piece of gear like a rain jacket or a waterfowl jacket. This jacket can be taken on every hunt you go on, all year round.

Best Jacket

SITKA Jetstream Jacket

Why We Like It: Quiet, versatile outer shell for all-season use.

Pros:

• Makes almost no noise
• Water and wind resistant
• Uses real Gore-Tex
• Comfortable with max mobility
• Great for layering

Cons:

• Pricey for a softshell jacket
• Not as durable as first gen Jetstream
• Not warm enough on its own in cold

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Compare prices at: Black Ovis, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops

Features I appreciate include:

• Waterproof taped zippers (also camouflaged themselves)
• Soft bill inside the hood for shedding water and sun
• Numerous adjustments on the hood and waist for the right fitment
• Well-positioned pockets with quiet zippers (including an inside pocket)
• Effective pit zip vents that are in the right place and do the job well, and even zip from either end

Perhaps my favorite aspect of this jacket compared to others I have used in the past, like the Pnuma Waypoint, is that this jacket is incredibly quiet. It makes it easier to sneak up when you’re stalking a deer. There’s no jacket-on-jacket noise, and the jacket-on-vegetation noise is minimal. Plus, the fabric is soft and comfortable inside and out, ensuring maximum mobility.

The Jetstream jacket has a relaxed athletic fit like the Mountain pant and Core Lightweight Crew. It also has a longer cut tail like the latter. I got an XL and find it true to size. They have tall sizes available too.

Washing the Jetstream jacket was no issue. Not much dirt really even stuck to the material, but even blood came off easily in the washing machine after a hunt.

Weather-Resistant Protection

This jacket is quite popular, and I have the second-generation version. Many of the original fans are not happy that they slimmed it down with newer, thinner materials and claim that it is not as weather-worthy, wind-resistant, or waterproof as the old version. I can’t speak to that directly, but in my experience, this hunting jacket does everything I require.

I always had this in my pack this year, even on warmer days. It was just right to fend of the chill of early mornings out West in early fall, and I could add a puffy jacket or layers underneath in winter. I found that it kept the wind and rain out sufficiently well. It does have a real Gore-Tex membrane, after all. I didn’t feel a need to carry another shell all year. This was always my outer layer.

Despite what some advertisements say, one thing this jacket is not is super warm. It’s warm enough for cool weather, but not for cold weather. It’s a soft shell, not an insulating layer. If you use it like that, you’ll be happy. However, I would have been freezing my tail off if I didn’t add layers underneath when temperatures dropped below about 40 degrees.

Take It or Leave It on This Sitka Gear

Of all the Sitka Gear I acquired, here are a few items I found a bit underwhelming.

Sitka Traverse Cap

I actually really liked how this cap fits. It’s comfortable with a bit of stretch to it. It’s cool enough when it’s hot out and doesn’t get that salty sweat band that a lot of hats do. And unlike most of Sitka’s products, it’s relatively inexpensive.

SITKA Gear Traverse Cap

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However, one thing that irritated me was the Velcro strap at the back. The “hook” part of the hook and loop strap faces outward. When you put on a hood with a fleece or soft material inside (like the Jetstream jacket hood), the hat sticks to the hood. It’ll stick and unstick, making an unpleasant noise right by your head. And when you turn your head, your hat doesn’t always turn with it because it’s stuck to your hood. Dumb.

Sitka Traverse Gloves

The Sitka Traverse Gloves are nothing to get excited about. They are also one of the cheapest items on the Sitka menu, but there’s a reason for that. They have no frills and really only put camo on your hands.

SITKA Gear Traverse Glove

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I may still use them for that during spring turkey season, but I find them inadequate for big game season. They’re not warm, the seams at the ends of the fingers are a bit uncomfortable, they have little to no grip, and they’re not durable. Next time I’ll either opt for an off-brand at the same price point to get something better, or just save up a bit more money for a more versatile glove.

Sitka Mountain 2700 Backpack

The Sitka Mountain 2700 is a worthy hunting pack, but it’s as noisy on a hunt as my kids are at church. All kinds of heads are twisting around to see what’s making a racket when everything else is dead silent.

SITKA Mountain 2700 Hunting Pack

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Compare prices at: Black Ovis, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops

The design is simple enough, with a big main compartment, a hydration bladder pouch, a top pocket, and two optics pockets. It has the necessary features like a waist belt, chest strap, and lightweight frame. But it’s pretty lackluster for the price point and the first thing I thought of after using it was, “I need a different pack.”

It would be fine for a long weekend backpacking or scouting trip, but it’s too underbuilt to pack out game and it’s too bulky and loud for day hunts. Something like a KUIU Pro Bag might be a bit more versatile than the Sitka Mountain 2700 pack.

Go With the Subalpine Camo Pattern

Selecting the right Sitka camo pattern can be overwhelming, but if you’re unsure, the Gore Optifade Subalpine pattern is a versatile choice. It blends well in both deserts and forests throughout the year.

While it’s difficult to objectively test camouflage patterns, I have anecdotal evidence of the Sitka Subalpine pattern’s effectiveness.

Just after sunset, but during legal shooting hours, I found myself with both a fall turkey and deer tag, carrying a rifle and shotgun.

I was positioned against a tree on a hill near a turkey roost. Hearing movement behind me, I stood up to see two does browsing, unaware of my presence. Within seconds, a group of turkeys appeared 60 yards ahead, and a mature 4-point whitetail buck stood 120 yards in front of me. I was standing up like a prairie dog with my shotgun in hand.

Frozen, I decided to go for the buck who was staring right at me. Despite my lack of stealth, he continued browsing, unaware of my presence!

I crouched, put the shotgun down, and reached for my rifle. Adrenaline surged, and I made a hasty, shaky shot.

The buck jumped and escaped, the turkeys flew to their roost, and I was left alone with my regret.

My camo did its job, but I didn’t do mine.

Price Considerations and Recommendations

Sitka Gear makes great hunting camo clothing, but it comes at a steep price. The three items I recommend have a combined cost of almost $700. For about half the price you could set yourself up with a good quality camo outfit from TrueTimber, MossyOak, or RealTree.

You don’t have to spend that kind of money to get out and hunt. But if Sitka Gear fits your budget, I’d start with the Mountain Pant, the Core Lightweight Crew LS, and the Jetstream Jacket, all in Optifade Subalpine camo. That covers your whole body in comfortable, capable camo gear that can be used in pretty much every season, any environment, and for any game.

The post Sitka Camo Review (3 Items I Regret Not Buying Sooner) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

One of the most well-known companies producing high-quality, durable camouflage is SITKA Gear. Sitka camo patterns encompass every kind of North American terrain and habitat. 

Sitka uses a family of camouflage patterns referred to as GORE® OPTIFADE Concealment. Gore® Optifade was developed by W.L. Gore & Associates who owns the famous GORE-TEX brand. Optifade technology is used on Sitka camo gear in five color variations designed for different environments.

Optifade is based on the science of how deer and other animals see space and color. It is a breakup pattern designed to conceal the hunter from being recognized as a predator as opposed to more traditional mimicry-based camouflage, which makes the hunter match his surroundings.

In this article, we cover each of the camouflage patterns produced by Sitka and the environments for which they are best suited.

What Camo Patterns Does Sitka Have? 

There are five major Sitka camo patterns in their catalog that cover the bases of most environments in North America. The Sitka pattern names are:

• Optifade Open Country
• Optifade Subalpine
• Optifade Elevated II
• Optifade Waterfowl Marsh
• Optifade Waterfowl Timber

Each has a distinct look and purpose, with patterns that conceal a hunter in the environment.

For instance, Subalpine and Elevated II have a digital pattern that uses pixelated patches of contrasting colors that break up shapes well.

The Waterfowl patterns have a scale-like base pattern, covered with swirling patterns ranging from black to every shade of brown.

Open Country was the first pattern created by Sitka using any form of digital camouflage, and its pattern is reminiscent of 1980s food court cups. A solid slate-like base is covered with stripes resembling claw marks, ranging from purplish grey to brown and black.

Each pattern specifically targets prime hunting habitats throughout the United States. End users must be able to distinguish which pattern is right for them. Below, we go into detail about each Sitka pattern name, the environment it’s intended for, and some of the best gear Sitka offers in that pattern.

Waterfowl Timber

Species: white-tailed deer, waterfowl, varmint

Ideal locations: Southeastern US

Environments: swampland, forested wetlands, Southern forests, cypress swamps

Waterfowl Timber is one of the patterns I have the most experience with. It’s optimal for southern United States woodlands and marshes.

Excellent for duck hunting in marshes and deer hunting in tree or box stands, the pattern was designed to blend into the marsh brush and water surfaces to conceal a hunter’s presence from incoming ducks.

This pattern does an excellent job of concealing humans at close range from the prying eyes of ducks and deer. Perfect for hunting inside 50 yards, the waterfowl timber pattern is a durable, breathable camouflage pattern that accentuates the dark, earthy tones of the marshes and woodlands of the Southeastern US.

Gear Recommendation

Temperatures rarely drop beneath 30°F in the Southeast. Most of the hunting season in my home state of Louisiana and of neighboring Mississippi is usually between 35° to 70°F. So heavy, bulky clothing is suboptimal for hunters looking to sit in tree stands for an extended period of time.

With hordes of mosquitoes buzzing about, early bow season can be uncomfortably warm to wear conventional camouflage. Sitka’s Core Lightweight Hoody has a conveniently built-in pull-up face cover. Paired with the Gradient pants in the Waterfowl Timber pattern, it makes for excellent bow hunting attire in warm weather. 

Waterfowl Marsh

Species: white-tail, mule deer, waterfowl, dove

Ideal locations: Southern and Central United States

Environments: cane, corn, wheat or other fields, marsh grass, tall grass, high weeds, open marshland

The first time I observed Waterfowl Marsh was during a 2020 dove hunt in southern Alabama. Blending in perfectly with the cane fields, the hunter clad in this extraordinary pattern was nearly invisible to the incoming birds and used this to his advantage.

While the rest of us sat just inside the tree line, he used the high-contrast pattern designed to blend into standing marsh grass, tall crops, dead cane, and wheat to stake his claim much closer to the field’s center. Needless to say, he limited out quickly. 

While the Waterfowl Timber works well in heavily forested swamps and wetlands, the Waterfowl Marsh pattern is perfectly tailored for open marshland. With its large pockets of open water dotted with weeds and tall grass islands, this design fits right in.

Designed to confuse bird and deer depth perception, the colors incorporated into the Waterfowl Marsh pattern create a 3D flurry of swirls and scales that baffles even the human eye at a distance. 

Gear Recommendation

One of the best products in this pattern is the Delta Zip Wader. Completely waterproof, the Delta Zip Wader cloaks a hunter from the knees up in the Waterfowl Marsh pattern.

Reinforced knees and shins with foam padding ruggedize the wader against everything the brush and frozen marshes can throw at it while you’re out chasing birds. This wader can also serve as an outer layer of insulation for a deer hunter in a ground blind in marshy terrain.

One of the best products Sitka has ever come up with is the Jetstream Jacket. And it’s a game changer in the Waterfowl Marsh pattern.

This wind stopper, lined with microfleece, retains warmth while staying breathable and somehow still sheds rain and repels wind. This jacket is perfect for an open marsh duck hunt or ground blinds. It allows hunters to remain unaffected by ever-changing weather conditions.

If it sounds like this jacket can do it all, that’s because it can. It sits as one of my all-time favorite Sitka Products.

Subalpine

Species: elk, mule and white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope

Ideal locations: broad range throughout the US from the Northeast to the Mountain West, can be used in most states 

Environments: correlated open terrain with heavy ground vegetation mixed with forest, lower portions of mountains, foothills, backcountry, grassland

Probably the most recognizable pattern Sitka has available, Subalpine looks like a video game camouflage to the naked eye. Up close, it can seem over-digitalized, pixilated like a 2000‘s computer game, but it would be a mistake to underestimate the concealment the Subalpine pattern has to offer.

Subalpine is the most versatile camouflage pattern Sitka has available. This pixelized pattern is designed for on-the-ground stalks where hunters will be in vegetation-filled terrain, having to close within 50 yards to make shots. It’s an excellent choice for big-game bowhunters.

One of the benefits of this unique pattern is that it helps conceal hunters on the move. Staying away from conventional stripes, swirls, or scales, the obtuse digital pattern breaks up the upright human frame into contorted splotches. Because of this, it is nearly impossible for an animal to identify hunters correctly.

Gear Recommendation

Two of the best Sitka gear in Subalpine are the Traverse Pants and the Ambient Hoody. As previously mentioned, Subalpine allows hunters to move well without being detected. The Traverse Pants are made of polyester that is water repellent, quiet, and 4-way stretch.

This combination of mobility, stealth, and insulation ensures that hunters can move freely and dry on a stalk without fear of being given away from fabric-on-fabric noise.

The Ambient Hoody blends lightweight with insulation. This pairing creates the perfect combo of Sitka gear for hunters on the stalk for sharp-eyed and keen-eared muleys or elk.

Elevated II

Species: white-tail, elk, mule deer

Ideal locations: throughout much of the US, especially the Northeast and Great Lakes regions

Environment: heavily to moderately forested locations with tall trees, from a treestand, best in environments that frequently receive snow

For those late-season hunts where the temperature is at its lowest, the snow has fallen, and the deer are their wariest, it seems hunters can do no right with their camo selection. Sitka attacked this problem with their Elevated II pattern.

It combines the grays and whites of cloud cover with the browns of a forest background. This creates the ultimate tree stand camouflage. 

Made with a proprietary polyester fabric that is ultra quiet, this line of camouflage is perfect for skittish whitetails. But it works just as well when hunting muleys or elk. Elevated II is a blend between Subalpine and Open Country in its pattern, with pixelated splotches and chalky streaks, designed for hunters looking to take longer shots. 

While it’s not a pattern for stalking, this camouflage will conceal hunters hidden in a tree stand. It combines many colors to blend the wearer into the skyline and foliage, making them a ghost to the unsuspecting quarry. 

Gear Recommendation

Two of the best products Sitka makes in Elevated II are the Fanatic Jacket and the Downpour pants. The Fanatic is possibly the quietest hunting jacket I’ve ever worn. Its Berber fleece face makes it virtually mute, without restricting movement, when you need to draw a bow or check behind the stand. 

One of the unique factors and reasons I love the Elevated II Fanatic Jacket so dearly is its pass-through port for treestand safety harnesses.

Rather than affixing an external harness outside your camouflage, disrupting both the pattern and bumping into your gear, the pass-through port allows hunters to clip into a harness beneath their outer layer for seamless movement and unbroken camouflage.

The Downpour Pants are the bottom half answer to noiseless camo in bad weather. They use 3-layer Gore-Tex fabric to repel rain without giving off that hard splat tech shell that rain-repellent pants are known for.

Open Country

Species: moose, goat, sheep, elk, mule deer

Ideal locations: Central and Northern portions of the continental US, Alaska

Environments: above the tree line, mountainous, rocky terrain

Open Country lives up to its name as the premier camouflage for big game animals. Sitka created the first ever digital pattern to dissipate the human form into the background, hiding the bipedal predator from its quarry. 

Meant for hunting locations where trees are sparse and rocks are plentiful, this is many hunters’ choice when targeting big horn sheep and mountain-dwelling goats due to its swaths of every shade of brown, black, and chalky slate.

While the pattern to me is reminiscent of old-school wax cups, it is on the cutting edge of camouflage technology. It enables hunters to seamlessly blend into some of North America’s most rugged and austere terrains. 

Most often used above the tree line, I have seen this pattern used in locations such as Alaska, Canada, Colorado, and Utah by big game hunters searching for prey at elevation. This is not a sit-and-wait camouflage but rather closely resembles Subalpine, a stalker-friendly pattern that breaks up movement with its pixelated design.

Gear Recommendation

Two of the best products in the Open Country pattern that Sitka makes are the Kelvin Lite Down Jacket and ¾ Pants. At altitude with little cover, the elements can be brutal to hunters. The Kelvin Lite down Jacket sets the gold standard of insulation and comfort but it packs down small and light so you’re not carrying extra weight in the Alpine.

The ¾ Pants are a unique product from Sitka, stopping just beneath knee pads but above the boot to maintain insulation without excess material when ounces equal pounds in open country. A built-in nylon belt helps ensure a snug fit.

How to Choose Sitka Camo

Sitka camo should be selected by two criteria:

1. Terrain
2. Weather

Terrain is the basic building block of your camouflage pattern selection. It includes the vegetation on location, the kinds of soil or rock background you will encounter, and whether you will be stalking, sitting in a tree stand, in a duck blind, or hiking through mountains.

Weather changes far more than terrain ever will. It can turn a great day of hunting into a bust with a simple change in the wind. While the weather is a factor in the pattern you select, it has the greatest impact on the actual type of hunting clothing you’ll want to wear. So pay close attention to the weather during hunting season.

Selecting a Sitka pattern that doesn’t match the environment can end a hunt before it even starts. For instance, if you purchase a Subalpine Core Lightweight Hoody and Traverse Pants expecting to hunt in Montana before snowfall, this would be a safe bet.

However, later in the season, when the ground is laden with snow, casting the entire terrain in white snow, hunters will stick out like a sore thumb in the digital Subalpine pattern.

When selecting the Sitka pattern for your next hunt, consider the time of year and location. Through a quick Google search, hunters can look at photos of their target area during each season or call the local game warden to help determine the camo patterns they need.

Final Thoughts

Sitka is one of the most reputable camouflage brands in the outdoor and hunting industry. Combining high-quality materials with advanced camouflage patterns, Sitka provides some of the best outerwear for hunters available on the market today.

Some of Sitka’s line has even been adopted by tier 1 units inside the United States military for their quality designs and realistic camouflage patterns.

Having worn several different Sitka camo patterns while hunting, I can speak firsthand to their effectiveness in the field and ability to conceal hunters from their prey. The material that makes each piece of clothing is incredibly durable, season in and season out.

Unfortunately, mine no longer fits as it is not built to withstand a growing beer belly.

The post Sitka Camo Patterns Explained: What They Are & What You Need appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

This year we started with snow and freezing temps, then moved on to rain and finished with warm and sunny bluebird days. It was the perfect time for me to test out and review some camo hunting clothing from Pnuma Outdoors.

Whatever camouflage clothing you wear when you’re out hunting needs to break up your pattern and keep you warm (or cool) and dry. In my experience, Pnuma gear does the trick.

Pnuma camo hunting apparel is made from high-quality technical fabrics built to repel water and keep hunters comfortable in the elements. While it comes at a higher price than some other camo brands, the build quality is as rugged as they come and they offer a lifetime guarantee.

Pnuma Outdoors

Pros:

• Caza Camo pattern is both effective at concealing your position and looks cool
• High quality fabrics block wind, are extremely durable and are abrasion-resistant
• Relaxed fit and tall sizes accommodate many different body shapes
• Lifetime warranty covers more than just manufacturer defects
• Waypoint series makes no noise when moving and very little when rubbing against trees and brush
• Useful for multiple hunts, including deer, turkey, elk, bear, and more

Cons:

• Hard to find in stores, so it’s hard to try on before you buy
• Water resistance is limited to light rain and snow on most products, not extended exposure to water
• Jacket vent placement is easy to confuse with side pockets

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Use code: OUTDOOREMPIRE20 for 20% off your purchase at Pnuma Outdoors for a limited time only!

In the first half of this article, I will briefly overview each Pnuma item I have personally used. Then in the last half, I’ll analyze the different criteria I based my conclusions and explain my recommendations.

Hands-on Review of Pnuma Camouflage Hunting Apparel

Fortunately for me, I was able to get outside a lot this spring and chase turkeys around the mountains of Idaho. Unfortunately for me, as a turkey hunting newbie, I ended up empty-handed with an unfilled tag, but oh well! 

I was able to wear Pnuma camo clothing in the woods for at least six days of hunting in all kinds of weather, plus one day of pre-season scouting in the snow. Having hiked, ebiked, driven, slept, and sat in this gear for countless hours and miles, I’ve got a pretty good idea of how good the gear is now.

Pnuma offers multiple product lines for different conditions and pursuits, and I spent a fair amount of time himming and hawing over which setup to get. The items below are what I’m hunting with now and they make an excellent kit for most conditions, except for really warm weather.

Pnuma Waypoint Jacket Review

If I could only get one item on this list of Pnuma camo gear, it would be this jacket! 

The Pnuma Waypoint Jacket is a rugged, midweight, softshell hunting jacket. It is comfortable (and dry) in snow, rain, cold, and mild spring temperatures.

With tall sizing available, the fit is ideal. With plenty of well thought out vents and pockets, it’s a versatile hunting jacket you can use while chasing any game, and I’ll be taking it with me on every trip from now on.

It’s not fully waterproof, so if you’re going to Alaska or someplace really wet, you’ll probably want to add some real rain gear to your kit.

Pnuma Waypoint Pant Review

The Pnuma Waypoint pants are versatile, comfortable, and weather-resistant like its accompanying jacket. I found them comfortable in both below freezing temperatures and well into the 70s. The relaxed fit allows easy layering and the numbers of sizes accommodate a wide range of waists and inseams.

At first, I found the zipper vent locations to be curious, right in the upper “V” of the crotch. But when I got warm and opened them up, wow! I get it. Let the breeze in right where it counts.

The removable knee pads are clever, and the abrasion-resistant beehive overlays on the knees and inner ankles look cool and are indeed functional. I also like the angled pockets because it keeps your keys from jingling.

Pnuma Merino Wool Base Layer Pullover Review

Perhaps I was just desensitized, but I swear the Pnuma Merino Wool Base Layer Pullover still didn’t stink even after four days in the field. In fact, I only washed it once at the end of the spring turkey season. 

It wicks moisture super well so that even after hiking uphill and working up a sweat with my jacket on, once I took my jacket off, I dried out and cooled off lickity split.

The quarter zipper allowed for added ventilation when I was hot and sealed off the drafts when it was cold. And it didn’t even pull on my beard hairs. The generous sleeve length and thumb holes made it nice and comfortable too.

The only thing I wish was different on it is the length. I got a size large because I wanted it to fit snug on me as a base layer, which it does. However, it was short enough that it didn’t always stay tucked into my pants when I sat and stood back up or hiked around. Not a dealbreaker, though. An XL probably would have been fine.

Pnuma Caza Camo Trucker Cap Review

Over the years, I have become pickier about the ball caps I wear. It’s got to fit and feel perfect when I put it on my head the first time, or I’ll never wear it again. The Pnuma Caza Camo Trucker Cap is one of only three in my current rack of about 20 hats that passes the test. It just feels good on the head!

I attribute this mainly to the fact that it is a low-profile hat with both the adjustable trucker snapback and an elastic band for a flexible fit. It’s a truly comfy hybrid hat.

Another thing I found unique about it is that it doesn’t have a button on top where the panels all come together. Good riddance to profanity-inducing head bonk bullseyes on low tree limbs and truck roofs!

Pnuma Recon Balaclava Review

Since I was turkey hunting and I hate face paint, I wanted a camouflage face covering. The Pnuma Recon Balaclava was perfect when it was cold or cool outside. But it was a bit overkill and hot when the weather warmed up later in the season.

I liked how the stocking cap part was attached to the neck gator. It helped keep your neck warm and the gator in place. I also liked the breathing holes, which helped reduce breath recoil. Its weight was great for cool and cold weather, though you’d probably want to add a heavier beanie in extremely cold temps.

I didn’t love that the inside of the fabric was white because when I was only wearing the neck gator part, there was often a big piece of white fabric exposed that may not look exactly natural to a wild turkey.

The beanie part also tended to bunch up and work its way to just under my chin when I wasn’t wearing it. But overall, it’s a great bit of gear.

Pnuma Recon Element Proof Glove Review

The Pnuma Recon Element Proof Gloves were different than I anticipated. They feel almost like silicone material with limited stretch. Not very thick, but just warm enough for spring and most fall outings, though I wouldn’t count on them in freezing temps.

The fit was excellent like they were molded to my hands. Just make sure you get the right size (and maybe a size up) because they can be hard to pull on and off, especially with any moisture inside.

That is my one complaint about them, that they don’t breathe at all. So when your hands get hot, sweat builds up inside, and then they’re hard to pull off. On the flip side, they are waterproof, keeping the elements out.

You might want a pair of warm weather gloves and another pair of really cold weather gloves, but the Recon is awesome for everything in between. They’re super grippy and not bulky at all, which makes them great for carrying, aiming, and firing a gun. And the cuffs easily slip under your jacket sleeves for a rainproof seal.

The Pnuma Waypoint Gloves look like a nice midweight alternative that might breathe a bit better. Though I imagine that comes with less water resistance.

Pnuma Chisos Backpack

Pnuma Chisos backpack review here.

Pnuma Gear Review Analysis

Below are the criteria that really matter to me when evaluating hunting apparel, along with a summary of how I think the Pnuma gear performed in each category.

Functionality

Regarding function, high-end and more expensive technical camo apparel needs to do an excellent job at concealing you from being spotted by game animals. It also needs to keep the elements at bay. And since you’re often paying a premium, it’s reasonable to expect a few bell and whistle features.

Pnuma Caza Camo Pattern

The Pnuma gear I have uses a proprietary camo pattern called Caza. The pattern itself was developed by Veil Camo, a respectable camouflage pattern developer out of Wichita, Kansas. They claim to use mathematical theories and science to create patterns that blend in with the natural world.

While I can’t authoritatively claim that this pattern is highly-effective on animals with any kind of scientific evidence, I can say that I had multiple encounters with whitetails where I was able to remain undetected.

Even when I found myself freezing in place in plain view of deer, after raising their heads and looking around, they went back to browsing and minding their own business. 

At one point, I was sitting posted up against a tree in the shade at a pinch point when three elk came strolling by. The cow and her two yearlings walked from a beam to my right, passing straight in front of me, then around and beyond a beam to my left. Then they turned around and reversed out of there.

While I think they finally winded me, they never saw me and never ran. They were within 25 yards of me the whole time!

With a nice mix of colors from greens, to browns, to grays, I think the Caza Camo does the job in nearly any environment, and it looks pretty cool too.

Noise

As far as the noise Pnuma camo makes when you’re trapsing through the woods, I’d give it 4 out of 5 points.

I’ve used other cheap camo that is super noisy when walking through the woods or even moving an arm. I also have a Cabela’s Wooltimate hoodie that I absolutely love and is dead quiet but can catch on stuff.

Pnuma camo is not as quiet as the soft fabric of the Wooltimate, but it is much better than your average polyester-based camo clothing when it comes to noise reduction.

The weave of Pnuma gear is very tight, so it doesn’t catch on branches, twigs, or even thorns. This keeps it from whiplashing or simply scratching branches against your gear and making a racket. When I was in really thick new growth or brush in the understory, it definitely wasn’t silent.

Although, it is silent when you are just moving your body, drawing your weapon, or walking. It is far quieter than most outdoor apparel I’ve used.

Weather Resistance

Pnuma has a few different apparel lines, from lightweight early season gear to late season insulated waterproof gear. I have the midweight Waypoint series pants and jacket, which are considered all-season hunting clothing.

When I was out in heavy wet snow, I stayed dry. Sitting in the rain, I stayed dry. When I walked through long grass wet with early morning dew, my legs stayed dry from my pants, even though my not-so-waterproof boots left my socks sopping wet.

I do think this midweight option would be insufficient in torrential downpours or persistent rainstorms, but for typical spring and fall conditions in the West, when you can experience three seasons in one day, it’s ideal.

I had the Pnuma Merino Wool Base Layer Pullover on under the Waypoint jacket, and it was just right on days when I was starting right around freezing temperatures. On a couple of freezing mornings, I added a puffy vest under the jacket which worked great.

There is plenty of room for layers with the way Pnuma camo fits, so cold weather is not a big issue.

Slightly more challenging was the warm days. Once the outside temperature rose to the 60s I was a bit warm in the same setup. The jacket has nice vents, but I wanted to take it off quickly. So having a camo base or mid layer is key.

Lastly, the gear held up well in the wind. While I haven’t yet worn it in harsh winter winds, the regular gusts of early spring did not penetrate the clothing in a way that made me cold at all.

Thoughtfully Designed Features

Perhaps I like the Pnuma camo the most because of the many thoughtful design elements. The integrated kneepads, for example, are fantastic for certain hunts, but I’m glad I could remove them most of the time.

The angles of the pant pockets are such that lose change, keys, or whatever slide down into a corner that doesn’t rub or restrict mobility and also doesn’t jungle around and make a bunch of noise. And there are plenty of well-placed pockets throughout.

Rubberized grip patches in the waistband and leg openings along with extra belt loops help the pants stay where you want them and despite there being a hood on the jacket, there is still a soft, windbreaking collar even when the hood is off. This lets you listen to game without sending a chill down your neck.

More thoughtful touches I like on my Pnuma camo include the following, just to name a few:

• Thumbholes in merino base layer
• Flexible and adjustable hybrid fit of a trucker cap
• Touchscreen compatible gloves so I can still use OnX with gloves on
• Air gap between back and frame of Chisos backpack for excellent ventilation

Durability

Pnuma gear really shines when it comes to durability. I was hunting many clear cuts thick with new timber growth and brush. So there was a lot of scraping. I also spent plenty of time on the ground sitting or crawling and riding my QuietKat ebike through the mud.

I wore the pants day in and day out and the jacket 75% of the time. Now that the season is over and I ran the gear through the wash for the first time, you’d think it is brand new.

The fabric used on the gear is extremely tightly woven, seams are well sewn, and zippers are not the cheap breakable kind. There is a lot of rubbery reinforcement on high-impact areas like the shoulders (backpacks, gun slings) and knees (even has removable knee pads for comfort while stalking like a real predator).

None of that shows any sign of wear yet.

Awesome Lifetime Guarantee

Durability is one area I’m not worried about in the least in regards to Pnuma. Especially given they offer a lifetime warranty on all their apparel, even if something does wear out down the road, they’ll cover it.

This is pretty unheard of in the hunting clothing world. We see this kind of guarantee from some optics companies like Vortex or Maven, but not so much from apparel.

Versatility

I don’t want to own 10 different sets of camo hunting clothes. So one of the main things I look for in camo is whether or not I can use the same gear for almost everything I do.

Given the Caza camo pattern is a breakup pattern and not mimicry-based, it is a great print for just about any big game hunting. I will continue to use it for turkey and deer. If I get into elk, bear, or even pronghorn antelope hunting down the road, I’ll likely use this same gear.

The only real limiting factor is the type of weather conditions your Pnuma camo is designed for. The Waypoint series I have is probably the most versatile since it is comfortable in most conditions. I think it is plenty rugged for a late fall or winter hunt in Idaho so long as I layer up.

However, I believe I will be getting another set of lightweight camo for warm weather hunts since the Waypoint series is too warm once you hit temperatures in the 70s or higher.

Comfort

I’m at the point where I care very little about how “in style” an article of clothing is, but I care a lot about how it fits and feels when I’m wearing it. If a pair of pants or a shirt doesn’t feel good when I first try it on, I won’t keep it.

Since Pnuma is primarily direct to consumer brand, trying them on before buying them isn’t really an option. Despite not knowing exactly what to expect, I am pleased with the comfort of my gear.

The fabrics were all soft and high quality, especially the inner linings. The zippers didn’t catch on or pull my beard hairs, which as you may well know, can make you impulsively yell out a curse word that would be sure to scare off any nearby game.

Fit and Sizing

Overall, Pnuma clothing runs true to size and has a relaxed fit. 

At 6’1” and about 220 pounds, I have a long torso but my shoulders are not broad. So I often find size L shirts and jackets to be shorter than I’d prefer while size XL is baggy around the chest. I was pleasantly surprised to find out Pnuma offers Tall sizes on most of their clothing. This is a rarity in performance hunting apparel. 

The Waypoint jacket I got is a size Large-Tall. It fits very nicely with plenty of room for layers. I wouldn’t call it a slim athletic fit, it’s more relaxed. But that is, at least in part, due to my body shape. I really liked the extra torso length of the tall-sized jacket, though the sleeves were a hair longer than I’d prefer.

Pant sizes are tricky for me since sometimes I am a 34 and sometimes a 36, depending on the brand. I got the Waypoint pants in 36W x 32L and they are a little loose around the waist but not too baggy. I probably could have gotten away with a 34×32. 

The Recon gloves fit really snug, so if you’re not confident in your glove size, maybe order a size up at least on that model.

Mobility

When I was doing a lot of hiking uphill, the loose pants combined with how the backpack sat on my waist would make the pants ride down a bit and restrict the mobility of my legs to the point where it was annoying. I mostly resolved this by getting this awesome belt that I love because it holds tighter and better.

Besides that, I loved the relaxed fit of the pants and jacket. They were very comfortable hiking all day long or even sitting under a tree in wet grass while calling a gobbler. The pockets are strategically placed not to allow whatever is in them to be uncomfortable to carry.

What Sets Pnuma Apart

The build quality, materials, and design of Pnuma camo gear compete with the likes of Sitka, Kuiu, and First Lite. However, Pnuma doesn’t have the same brand awareness or retail availability as some leading camo brands.

So it can be a hassle to buy a bunch of Pnuma gear online just to try it on, then send back what you don’t want.

On the other hand, Pnuma has the most lenient warranty compared to these other brands. They will repair or replace your damaged gear for more than just manufacturer defects.

I’ve also observed that they tend to overbuild their gear compared to others. It is super robust.

The fit is also more relaxed than some other brands and it’s available in numbers and tall sizes. This makes it accommodate a wider range of body types and belly sizes. Not all of us are still 5’10” tall and weigh 160 pounds!

Is Pnuma Camo Right for You?

There are many good options these days for technical hunting apparel, but Pnuma camo is near the top in terms of build quality, durability, versatility, and comfort.

People shopping for camo on a limited budget or who just need some simple lightweight hunting clothes for warmer weather that rarely dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit probably won’t find much value in Pnuma camo.

However, if you live in the northern half of the US, where there are all kinds of weather over four distinct seasons, and you want one set of gear that you can wear when targeting multiple species, Pnuma camo is a great option. It was perfect for my spring turkey hunt and will work just as well for deer or elk in the fall. 

If you are a big and tall guy or don’t like the slim fit of some other performance hunting apparel, you’ll likely love the fit and additional sizes available from Pnuma.

Pnuma Outdoors

Pros:

• Caza Camo pattern is both effective at concealing your position and looks cool
• High quality fabrics block wind, are extremely durable and are abrasion-resistant
• Relaxed fit and tall sizes accommodate many different body shapes
• Lifetime warranty covers more than just manufacturer defects
• Waypoint series makes no noise when moving and very little when rubbing against trees and brush
• Useful for multiple hunts, including deer, turkey, elk, bear, and more

Cons:

• Hard to find in stores, so it’s hard to try on before you buy
• Water resistance is limited to light rain and snow on most products, not extended exposure to water
• Jacket vent placement is easy to confuse with side pockets

View on Amazon View at Pnuma Outdoors

Use code: OUTDOOREMPIRE20 for 20% off your purchase at Pnuma Outdoors for a limited time only!

Note: This Pnuma camo gear was sent to me so that I could test it out and write this review, but this is not a sponsored post and no one paid for my favorable opinion. What is written here is what I really think. It’s the same thing I would tell my brother about Pnuma.

The post Pnuma Camo Review: Technical Hunting Clothing Tried & Tested appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Some people will contend that you do not need camo clothing to be successful while hunting, which is true to only a certain extent.

While lots of animals have been harvested over the years by people not wearing camo, concealment is definitely on a long list of details that each make you just a little more successful. 

Many animals seem to key in on movement more-so than color or shape, but some animals like ducks and coyotes do a very good job of picking out unconcealed people, even if they are holding still.

Good camouflage that matches your surroundings might not be essential in every situation, but it definitely does not hurt your chances. 

For the most part, if you are going to buy clothing that is designed for hunting, your options are all going to come with camouflage prints. Whether you are perusing online or walking through a store, the wide variety of available patterns can be overwhelming.

The intent of this article is to make the process of choosing the camo pattern that is right for you and your hunting scenario a little easier.  

Types of Camouflage 

Your first consideration when selecting camouflage clothing is deciding on the type of camouflage pattern that will work best for your situation. This primarily means picking between three different choices:  

1. Mimicry-Based Camouflage 

Mimicry camo clothing borrows its strategy from a host of animals that use it as their primary defense against predators. The concept is to make yourself look like something you are not.

In the terms of camo patterns, this means looking like the vegetation you are hunting in.

For years Mossy Oak and Realtree brands have dominated the camouflage hunting apparel market with printed patterns that include imagies of tree bark, leaves, sticks, and grass.

They have made clothes meant for hunting open desert, dark timber, snow-covered areas and everything in between.  

As the two most prominent players in the field with many patented patterns, manufacturers have paid for the rights to use these patterns on their apparel, guns, boots, vehicles, and accessories.

While other brands have attempted to design their own mimicry camo patterns, none have been so popular as Realtree and Mossy Oak.      

2. Breakup Camouflage 

Breakup camo is what probably pops into many people’s minds when they hear the word “camouflage.” The idea behind breakup camo is to blur your body’s outline so you blend in with your surroundings. 

Instead of trying to look like what you are standing in front of, breakup camo is designed to make you disappear into it.

The traditional brown, green and black military camo pattern is a basic example of breakup camo.

Today, digital breakup camo patterns are common for both military and hunting applications. Dedicated brands like Pnuma make camouflage apparel with unique patterns to conceal a hunter.

One major advantage of a breakup camouflage pattern over a mimicry pattern is that it makes movement harder to detect. By blurring your outline into the surroundings, there are less hard edges to be seen as you sneak through the woods.  

Sitka and Kuiu are two major players in the high-end hunting apparel market and both have played a role in making breakup camouflage more popular. By designing their own digital camouflage pattern, they have avoided paying to use another proprietary pattern and they have made the pattern a huge part of their brand identity.  

While a Mossy Oak jacket could be made by a variety of different brands, it is easy to identify someone as wearing clothes from the Sitka line. 

Like mimicry patterns, breakup patterns are made in a variety of color combinations, each ideal for a different setting.  

3. Three-Dimensional Camouflage 

While not the most practical for moving around in, 3D camouflage is probably the end-all for going unseen. You may see some mimicry or breakup patterns marketed as 3D.

However, the products that actually fall into this category literally use the third-dimensional plane as part of their system.  

This means added texture and volume in the form of fake leaves, grass or other excess material. An example of 3D camo that many people are familiar with is the Ghillie suit. Most Ghillie suits are full body outfits covered in several inches of multi-colored grass. 

Because 3D camo clothing is difficult to move in and becomes caught on things easily, it is best used when the hunter will be stationary. An example of when 3D camo would be somewhat practical is stand hunting for predators.  

For most big game animals 3D camo is cumbersome and overkill, especially since most animals in that category are not necessarily known for having great vision in the first place. 

Picking the Right Camo 

After narrowing down the camouflage choices available to you, you’ll need to select the best option for the setting in which you’ll be hunting and for the species you pursue.  

By Setting 

In order to get the full benefits of camo clothing, you must pick a pattern that works well for the area you hunt in. A dark Mossy Oak pattern may work great in heavy timber, but if you use it in open, snowy country, the contrast could make it worse than no camo at all.  

In any given state, there could be three or four types of terrain that all have significantly different plant life. Each of those different settings will also change colors over the course of seasons.  

In a perfect world, you might have three or four different sets of camo to cover all the areas you hunt. However, anyone who has purchased a quality hunting jacket knows that one set of clothes is expensive enough, let alone several.

Consider the areas that you hunt most, and try to pick a pattern that matches the backdrop. It may be that one of the top mimicry brands makes something that is ideal for the area you hunt, which would make it a good choice.

Some of the digital camo patterns are a little more versatile because they have incorporated various colors that do a good job of blending in with a variety of backdrops.  

Some of the modern military camo patterns were designed to help conceal personnel that spent time in several different settings but only had one pair of fatigues.

Hunting camo designers have followed that model with their patterns, so you should be able to find a pattern that encompasses most of the areas you visit.

Snow can be a big game changer, so a lot of people go with one lighter color set and one darker color set. 

A lot of times, the type of terrain the pattern is designed for is included in the name. Sitka uses “Optifade Open Country,” “Subalpine,” and “Waterfowl Timber” or “Waterfowl Marsh.” Mossy Oak uses “Mountain Country” and “Duck Blind.”  

This is a tactic that other brands use to some extent, but there are a lot of names out there that are not indicative of what they are intended for (like “Elevated” or “Obsession.”).

If a name from the list does not jump out at you as matching your setting, you will have to use the eye test instead.

By Species

In a lot of ways, it is probably easier to talk about various camo choices based on the species being targeted. You can certainly identify a few major sectors of what is available.

Waterfowl is one area that has distinctly different patterns because most of the hunting is done around water or in flooded fields with tall grass or cattails. For the most part, the yellow hues of grass blade camo do not blend in well with big game locations.

Likewise, unless you are hunting flooded timber, the patterns designed for woods hunting are pretty dark and obvious in a duck hunting setting.      

As mentioned in the discussion of 3D camo, a full Ghillie suit may work out well for hunting coyotes or other predators. This is especially true in situations where you do not have a good blind, or the cover is a little limited.

A full 3D camo suit will allow you to become a bush just about anywhere there is vegetation. 

Most other camo patterns are made to be used in big-game hunting situations, or animals found in similar areas to big game (like turkeys).  

Other Considerations 

While Mossy Oak and Realtree have done well to hold down a huge share of the hunting camo market for so long, many of their patterns are designed for very specific applications. This is true with many mimicry patterns.  

What Sitka and Kuiu have discovered with their camo options is that by having a few different patterns that are a little more versatile, their camo choices rarely prevent someone from buying their products.

And, if you make top of the line apparel, the last thing you want to do is offer it only in camo patterns that are a deal-breaker for hunters.   

Although this article is focused on the camouflage element of concealment, remember that many animals rely heavily on scent and sound to detect predators.

Some of the clothing brands make clothes that include a scent barrier or have a material finish that is much quieter than others.  

So, for species like deer and elk that are better at catching movement than they are spotting still objects, other attributes of the apparel should be taken into consideration as well.   

Conclusion 

Because there are countless different hunting settings, most of which change color over the course of the year, there is no single right answer for which camo to use in any specific region.  

Your best bet is to consider the areas you will be hunting the most and what they look like when you hunt them. Then pick a pattern that matches the colors reasonably well. Camo that is not quite right for the terrain you are hunting is still more helpful than blue jeans and flannel. 

The post A Guide to Hunting Camo Patterns (By Type, Location, Species) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.