NAPA, CA--(Marketwire - December 7, 2009) - Sitka today announced that it will launch a new
system of performance hunting gear optimized for wooded environments. The
Sitka forest system features base layers, mid-layers and outerwear to keep
hunters comfortable, protected from the elements and effectively concealed
from their prey. Napa-based Sitka has been manufacturing performance
hunting gear for open country hunters since 2005.
The launch of forest gear is a significant step into a new market for the
fast-growing Sitka brand. Up to 78% of the more than $10.7 billion hunting
gear market consists of hunters who hunt whitetail deer in forest
environments.*
"Sitka's guiding principle has always been to design and manufacture the
highest quality gear for the performance hunter," said Sitka Founder,
Jonathan Hart. "Whether that hunter is actively stalking prey in the
mountains, or poised for hours in a tree stand, we want him to stay
comfortable, concealed and focused -- improving his chances of success."
Managing Heat and Moisture
The Sitka system of gear relies on basic scientific principals of heat and
moisture management.
Moisture-wicking base layers keep skin dry -- cooling hunters in warm
environments and highly active hunts, and keeping hunters warm in colder
temperatures. Sitka outerwear uses a combination of insulation like down
and PrimaLoft® and high-tech protective textiles -- including waterproof,
breathable GORE-TEX® and windproof, breathable WINDSTOPPER™ technical
fabrics -- to shield the wearer from the elements. Hunters can layer
Sitka gear in combination to suit the conditions they face in the field.
Sitka designed the new forest system of gear to address the specific
challenges of hunting in a forest environment, which often requires hunters
to endure long sedentary periods in adverse conditions, including extreme
cold and precipitation.
"Until now, the Sitka system was suitable for active cold-weather hunts,
where there is an expected level of exertion and heat generation from the
hunter," commented Hart. "With the introduction of the forest line, our
gear now can provide ultimate warmth and comfort in severe cold even when a
hunter needs to remain still."
Key pieces of gear in the new Sitka forest system include:
-- Incinerator Jacket and Bib
The Incinerator Series combines down and GORE-TEX® for waterproof warmth.
A GORE-TEX® shell protects a cozy 700-fill down interior from rain,
snow and wind. Heavy articulation through the arms, seat, and legs
enhances a finished fit for a full range-of-motion and minimally restricted
climbing and bow or rifle shooting.
-- Downpour Jacket and Pant
Downpour outerwear features the waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX®
Paclite® shell with a lightly brushed face for quiet whitetail forest
encounters. The minimalist build of the jacket enhances its packability
and the fully articulated legs of the pants maximize fit for extended
sitting situations.
-- Stratus Jacket and Bib
Made with the WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell, the Stratus Jacket keeps hunters
protected from the wind while giving them the freedom of movement. Its core
features are ideal for extended periods of time sitting in treestands and
its fully articulated arms give this jacket a full range-of-motion. This
Bib features a clean pocket system -- pockets only where you need them --
and lower leg zips that make it easy to extend over boots. The Stratus'
mid-weight lofted backer is appropriate for freezing and above
temperatures.
-- Dutch Oven Vest
The Dutch Oven Vest, available in Sitka's Forest system and Open Country
system, runs on an Ardica personal power system, providing continuous heat
for up to eight hours without recharging. The rechargeable, lightweight
lithium-ion battery system also provides enough juice to power GPS, cell
phone, iPod® or other personal electronic devices.
Other Sitka items available in the forest line include:
-- Kelvin vest, jacket and pant
-- Ascent Pant
-- Core and Traverse base layers
-- Gloves, accessories and packs
Concealing the Hunter
Outerwear in the Sitka forest system features a lightly brushed surface to
reduce noise. All Sitka forest gear also features a new GORE™
OPTIFADE™ Concealment pattern specifically designed for wooded
environments. Like the original GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment Open
Country pattern, the new GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment Big Game Forest
pattern is based on how deer and other hoofed animals see, and was created
with the aid of animal vision and concealment experts. The Big Game
Forest concealment pattern takes into account circumstances unique to
hunting whitetail in a forest environment, including:
-- The elevated angle of attack common in tree stand hunting
-- The vertical effect of trees, which can make detection of a hunter
easier for the prey
-- Closer engagement distances than those in open country hunting
Sitka's new forest gear will be available at retail by early summer 2010.
Sitka will showcase the gear for retail buyers at the Archery Trade
Association (ATA) and SHOT shows in January.
About Sitka Gear (
www.sitkagear.com)
Established in 2005, Sitka is known for its commitment to using the best
technology, fabrics, designs, construction and partners to produce the best
products available in the hunting market. Sitka: Turning clothing into
gear. 870 Napa Valley Corporate Way Suite N, Napa, CA 94558. Phone #
(877) SITKA-MG or 877-748-5264
About W.L. Gore & Associates (
www.gore-tex.com)
Perhaps best known for its consumer products like GORE-TEX® fabric and
ELIXIR® guitar strings, Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of
advanced technology products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics and
medical markets. The company is headquartered in Newark, Delaware, posts
sales of approximately $2.6 billion, and employs almost 8,500 associates at
50 facilities throughout the world.
For more information about GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment visit
www.optifade.com.
GORE, GORE-TEX, WINDSTOPPER, OPTIFADE and designs are trademarks of W. L.
Gore & Associates, Inc.© 2009 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., 295 Blue
Ball Rd., Elkton, Maryland, 800-431-GORE, gore-tex.com.
*According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of
Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation