Sitka Ambient vs. Heavyweight Hoody - Field Tested Review

[@jikkyosun]

Love your reviews and already signed up for the community. Food for thought, I would love to see more b rolls included in these long form review videos to help break up the single camera focus. I watch a lot of clothing review videos, not just for hunting, and the b-rolls and close ups of the fabric/pieces really help focus attention of the viewer.

[@MindfulHunter]

It’s good feedback. I need to schedule better so I’m not rushing the filming. Appreciate the constructive input!

[@Michael.Outside]

Great review. I’m sure some people think it’s overkill but with what technical gear costs, deep dives are necessary. Any additional thoughts on the Ambient’s durability? I read some really critical reviews about it falling apart after a few hunts/washes. Thanks again!

[@MindfulHunter]

I’ve been wearing mine for over a year with 50+ field days and it’s in great shape. I would not recommend regularly busting through thick brush with it though.

[@Michael.Outside]

@@MindfulHunter That’s great to know. Thanks! I always take the worst reviews with a grain of salt.

[@ponce1521]

@@Michael.Outside heres my 2cents. I love Sitka gear. I have a full waterfowl system of theirs and a couple lifestyle pieces. Everything up until this Ambient Jacket/hoody has exceeded my expectations. Now getting back to the Ambient. Its durability is very poor. And i mean very poor. I dont recommend. If you wear it with absolutely nothing rubbing on it then yes it will last a while. But once you put anything abrasive on it like straps from waders or even Bino straps it eats up the fabric. I just in good conscious cant recommend it to some one. If it was in the 150-180 dollar range then maybe. But at 300$ no. If you plan on babying the Ambient then its great. It does what it says. But for practical hunting scenarios no.

[@clunesadventures]

Solid review as per usual! Gotta say I love my Ambient. Most expensive hoody I've ever bought but damn was it versatile across a multitude of weather conditions last year.

[@MindfulHunter]

100% man. Expensive as hell but love mine.

[@MileHighMallards]

Love the Sitka reviews. Plz keep them coming

[@MindfulHunter]

No problem I have a shitload of Sitka lol

[@Darianparsi]

Hey Jay I got a technical question for u... When glassing on mountain top instead of wearing a puffy on the outer layer, since puffy is delicate, can I wear the fanatic jacket instead? The only thing I would think of that could be a negative is sleeping with the fanatic jacket I guess right, it might not dry your cloths till morning right? What do u think ?

[@MindfulHunter]

Worth trying.

[@Rickityrektson]

Awesome review! Keep up the great work. If there’s any chance you could review Sitka’s new Mountain Evo Jacket that would also be very informative and appreciative as well. From my understanding, the Ambient and Mtn. Evo work really well together.

[@MindfulHunter]

Thanks man. Let me see what I can do.

[@Rickityrektson]

@@MindfulHunter Of course! Thank you for your service as well and happy memorial day!!❤️🇺🇸

[@vancejohnson1778]

Great review man!! Definitely thinking on upgrading my layering system with some sitka at some point. I would dig a full video on ur system where u go over each of ur gear pieces and go over when and where to us what together 👌

[@MindfulHunter]

I did one maybe a year ago called 7 pieces of clothing you need for a sheep hunt but I can do an updated one for sure.

[@vancejohnson1778]

@@MindfulHunter thanks man, and ya I have seen that one may need to go rewatch it again, but ya an updated one would be cool,

[@MindfulHunter]

On it.

[@fb1273]

Thanks… great job as always!

[@MindfulHunter]

My pleasure

[@andrzejtaramina2709]

Another great comparative reivew, Jay! Loved the cat's butt part way through and the way you shrugged your shoulders when posing...must be the bodybuilder part coming out....lol

[@MindfulHunter]

Love Purrcy’s cameo lol. 8 weeks out bro? 💪

[@andrzejtaramina2709]

@@MindfulHunter Good luck at the competition!

[@13hawks32claws]

I think Purrcy is the official mascot of Mindful Review. 🐈💪

[@MindfulHunter]

@@13hawks32claws that my friend is a great idea!

[@maxhunter953]

I got Amibent jacket. Super warm, feel no cold at -5c with a T shirt and the jacket. No idea with hoody From Sitka, We can wear Coreheavy as the base layer. I tired, worked well. So, CHeavy maybe more versatile

[@MindfulHunter]

I have definitely worn the HW Hoody as a base layer in colder temps.

[@maxhunter953]

@@MindfulHunter oh sorry made a mistake, I guess my jacket is Anoth something, not the Amibent. Like a hybrid between mid and insulation

[@damienm3597]

If you keep modeling hoods with that beard a battle axe propped against the wall behind you wouldn’t be put of place. Have you ever used the Arcteryx Atom LT and have a comment on where it fits with these two pieces?

[@MindfulHunter]

I am getting a lot of Viking comments lately 🤣🤣🤣 I have not used that piece but I’ve heard great things.

[@sinepari9160]

I am around your height/weight with a 46-48'' chest and a 34'' waist, so I feel your pain about the shoulders being snug and bottom loose. I've been using the heavyweight hoody for 10 years (a fantastic piece of gear) and was looking at the ambient, but I also have the Kelvin Lite down hoody, so it might be a redundant piece.

[@MindfulHunter]

I use the kelvin aerolite jacket for my static insulation over the ambient. But it did basically make my heavyweight hoody redundant. I still think a puffy is a necessary piece thiugh.

[@sinepari9160]

I can understand that. I run pretty warm, so a base, light mid (heavy hoody), puffy, and shell are enough for me to get to zero and below. I'm thinking about dropping the $$$ on the blizzard aerolite and using it alone as a wet-weather late-season shell. I saw it on sale for $500 on black friday.. should have pulled the trigger.

[@MindfulHunter]

I have it. It’s great for truck or sled based hunts but not appropriate for backpack hunts.

[@sinepari9160]

Good to know! I may just keep bringing my dewpoint gear and keep it light.

[@OntarioOutdoorAdventure]

Awesome review as always

[@MindfulHunter]

Thanks bro!

[@Cyclone546]

Thank you for this in depth review. Do you think there’s a reason to have both? I just ordered the ambient because I actually found one at a good price and now I feel like I could let my heavyweight hoody go to a new home.

[@MindfulHunter]

For 95% of people I’d say sell it absolutely. The only use I’ve found for it is as an additional base layer on extremely cold hunts. I wear it under the ambient sitting for whitetail in -25 to -30c. Other than that have never worn it again.

[@Cyclone546]

@@MindfulHunterThank you for getting back to me and for helping this minimalist clear out some redundant gear 👍

[@weekendwarrior8334]

How is the durability on the Ambient Hoody? I’ve read several reviews of it being pretty fragile. Thanks

[@MindfulHunter]

I was concerned about that myself. I’ve been pretty hard on it and it’s showing no signs of deteriorating yet.

[@weekendwarrior8334]

@@MindfulHunter Thanks. Just very nervous to invest this much in a piece of gear. I had the Kuiu Kenai as a breathable insulation piece and the fabric looked horrible after using it a couple times with a pack and bino harness.

[@lycheeznuts]

really well done

[@MindfulHunter]

🙌

[@edricheson]

In other words, don’t get married and have kids. You will then have the $ for this gear

[@MindfulHunter]

I dunno. I’m married and have a kid and I have a ton of gear. I always just worked more when I wanted more stuff.

[@tomcolgan8339]

Too long...

[@MindfulHunter]

@@tomcolgan8339 too short…