Gear Review: Sitka Incinerator Jacket and Bibs
For a more in-depth review, click on the video above.
Today, I'm taking a deep dive into my experience with Sitka Gear’s Incinerator jacket and bibs. I've been putting this suit through the coldest of conditions for the past six winters or so and I’d like to share with you my honest opinion regarding its performance. My Dad purchased this suit for me as sort of a bounty to take a certain buck out of the herd. Some would refer to this buck as a “cull buck”. You can catch the video titled "The Story of Sitka 5" and see how I landed this suit over on our YouTube channel. I’ll link it at the bottom of the page.
Overview of the Sitka Incinerator Suit
Let's start with the basics. The Incinerator jacket and bibs are a top-of-the-line option that comes at a hefty price point, retailing around $670 for each piece—a significant investment for any middle to lower class family. The suit features the Optifade Elevated II pattern which is purpose-built for whitetail hunting in late winter and is designed to minimize bulk while maximizing warmth—a critical factor for enduring long, cold hunts.
Material and Build Quality
Constructed with Gore-Tex fabric, the suit boasts excellent waterproofing, wind protection and durability. Despite years of wear in harsh conditions—mud, briars, you name it—the fabric remains intact, and the color hasn't faded a bit. The zippers, initially stiff, have softened with use but remain solid and reliable. To this day I've never washed the suit, yet it miraculously doesn't retain odors—a testament to Gore-Tex's quality.
Features and Functionality
The jacket's exterior shell provides two waterproof pockets near the upper chest for essentials like phones and wallets and is complemented by fleece-lined handwarmer pockets near the waist. Inside the jacket, there are also two large pockets that provide ample storage for gear and even help extend your electronics' battery life in cold weather by keeping them warm—a definite plus during long sits in the stand.
The bibs also provide plenty of pockets on both legs for storage and feature a smart design with a two-way zipper that extends the full length of the legs allowing for easy access when you already have your boots on.
Performance in the Field
Warmth: This suit excels in keeping you warm, even in sub-zero temperatures. I’m rating it a perfect 5 out of 5 for warmth, it's been my go-to gear for bitterly cold hunts. However, its insulation is so effective that it's impractical for long walks—reserve it for short approaches to your stand.
Durability: Another 5 out of 5. The suit has endured everything I've thrown at it without a tear or malfunction. It's a piece of gear built to last.
Functionality: The suit scores 3 out of 5 for functionality. While it excels in pockets and features like a grunt tube pocket and rangefinder pocket, the right-side orientation of these pockets can be cumbersome for right-handed shooters like myself.
Quietness: For quietness I’m going to rate this suit a 2.5 out of 5. While it's reasonably quiet, the fabric can generate noise when it rubs against itself—something to consider in stealthy hunting situations.
Price: This is the lowest scoring category with a rating of 1 out of 5. The suit is too expensive for most hunters to afford. If it wasn’t for me winning this in a bet, I wouldn’t own it. However the price is more justifiable when you look at it as a piece of gear. I believe I will get 15+ years out of this suit. That type of longevity in hunting apparel is unmatched.
The Verdict
In conclusion, the Sitka Incinerator jacket and bibs have been an integral piece of gear in my hunting endeavors the last few years. The unparalleled warmth and durability make it hard to live without now that I’ve experienced it. Despite undesirable drawbacks with the functionality of the hood and noisiness of the gear, these are minor when compared to the overall performance and longevity of the gear.
For those considering an upgrade, Sitka now offers the Incinerator Aerolite series, featuring a lighter synthetic fill.
That wraps up my review of the Sitka Incinerator suit. If you're in the market for serious cold-weather gear, this is definitely worth considering—just be mindful of its warmth and bulkiness when planning your hunts (don’t be making long walks to the stand in this gear, you will have a heat stroke).
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