During the spring I didn't get the chance to really test the pack to extreme weights. The weight I did put on the pack felt like half. I was extremely pleased with the overall performance.

I tried to pack everything I would have for a 3 to 5 day hunt. The only thing I was short on was extra food and my tent. I only kept enough food for two days. With that being said I was still hauling roughly 35 to 40 lbs.

After a few days and right around 12 to 15 miles of rough country I was blown away that I didn't have near the shoulder or hip fatigue I usually get. I felt like I could hike all day and night without having to take it off at all. Normally I'm ready to shed my pack after just a couple of miles.

I had very high expectations for this pack, but I worried I may have set the bar too high.  Well it definitely wasn't set high enough.  The creators of this pack, Steve Speck and Lenny Nelson, far surpassed everything.  I was able to pack everything I needed with extra room available.  The gear was easy to access and I found a specific place for my equipment to keep it all organized.  The weight of the pack is hard to beat.  The overall design of the pack held up to what was stated on the site.  The load stayed even on my back, once the straps were tightened there was no give, and for the majority of the days I couldn't even tell the pack was there.

I did have one question on the pack as far as being noisy. As I answered them I don't know if there is a true whisper quiet material out there but the material the Exo is made out of is a lot quieter than I expected. I was very impressed with how quiet it actually is. I wasn't sure how it would be as out of the box I did notice it to be somewhat noisy. After my tough hike and having to climb out the bottom of a chute to my pickup I continually ran into branch after branch. The material held up and was much quieter than I thought it would be. So all in all it's a very tough quiet material.

I did run into one issue and that was having the back support slip up on the titanium rail, which made the pack uncomfortable for a period of time. Once I figured out the problem and readjusted it was back to normal.

The biggest things I was happy with was being able to organize my gear with ease of access, the amount of ways to attach gear, the durability, ride of the pack, lack of adjustment after hiking for miles, and having more than adequate room to keep me out longer.

One feature that I was very pleased with is the outside stretchy pocket. I was able to add and remove layers as needed an never had to worry about knowing where each item was.

Another nice feature is the strap keepers. They are very simple by design but keeps everything together an leaves no excess straps to catch on things.

One thing that also caught my attention was the lumbar pad. It was amazing how much that feature helps. It is a gracious amount of pad, but made such a huge difference even with only the normal weight I carry. The padding will definitely show what it has to offer once a hind quarter from an elk is added or any other significant weight.

I was also very surprised that I had little to no sweat on my back. The only sweat I noticed was just normal sweat you would have from hiking even without a pack.

I'm very excited to add some accessories to the pack to give it a little more customization. I have already added some Velcro to things I attached to the hip belt, but the items coming out specifically for the pack will be a great addition.

I couldn't find a whole lot that I would do different to the pack. The only things I found I may change was a little more padding to the back padding between the shoulders. Not that it isn't adequate by any means it was the only area that had a little discomfort. It definitely wasn't a discomfort that made the pack horrible it was just an area I felt a little more than other areas. A lot of that had to do with it slipping up. Most likely it was an adjustment error on my part.

Another area was pockets. This was an area I mentioned in part 1 as well and it's just a preference for me to keep gear just a tad more organized. With that being said I was still able to keep very organized. This was mainly due to the main compartment zipper which gives you access to equipment from both top and bottom as well as the small mesh pocket in the main compartment, and the top lid pocket.

In the end I'm still blown away by this pack. I have truly found my extended an day pack. Overall I give the pack a 9.5 out of 10. The only negatives I feel are just me being picky.

If you are in the market for a new pack I would strongly suggest getting your hands on this pack. It will serve me for my day hunts to as long as 7 day excursions. I look forward to putting this pack to the test this fall. My next adventure will be archery antelope of drawn followed by a lengthy archery elk hunt where I should be able to really tax the pack.

Here are a few photos of my use in the field.

I recently received my pack.  The anticipation for the pack to arrive was driving me crazy.  I kept in contact with one of the makers of the pack, Steve Speck, who made the decision to purchase this pack much easier.  Once the pack arrived I was blown away.

I have decided to put together a 2 part review of the pack.  For the 1st part I will be going over the initial feel for the pack out of the box.  I will highlight the features of the pack with pictures included.  For the 2nd part I will go over a more comprehensive review after I get some field testing done.

I always kept in the back of my mind that I may have not made the best choice in buying a pack without trying it on and getting a feel for it.  As with most hunting equipment now days things become an investment due to prices.  If you are going to get the best gear on the market it is going to burn a hole in the pocket book.  After getting the pack it was a very wise investment and there is absolutely no regrets with this pack. 

The design and function from what I have seen so far has exceeded my expectations.  I have been in the market for a pack that I could use as an everyday day pack, but also allow me to go on a hunt for 3 to 5 days at a time.  The Exo 3500 is exactly what I was looking for as it is spacious enough, but not overly large to where I will feel I'm carrying too much.  Plus there is also the 5500 pack available in the near future if I were ever to need more room.

I was very pleased to find the size of the pack isn't overwhelming, but spacious enough to keep me comfortable for a multi-day hunt.  The weight of the pack is unbelievable.  Most packs in this size range are usually significantly heavier.  For me I like to be minimalistic when it comes to weight.  The less I'm carrying the more comfortable and longer I can go.  Plus once you add the weight of a critter on the frame every additional ounce counts.

When I look at the outside of the pack I can't believe the areas that are available to add gear to or the options to secure things to the outside.  Although I would have liked to see more pockets on the pack I don't mind the sacrifice for the added weight of extra pockets.  Even though I say there isn't many pockets there is plenty of room and the ones that are on the pack were obviously very well thought of and put together to add plenty of space.  I already having in my mind how I'm going to set all of my gear up and their specific places. I have already begun to strap things on and fill the pack up in preparation for bear season.

The adjust ability of the pack allows to find that exact fit for me.  I was able to select the exact waist belt size I needed.  The straps and buckles area of very high quality and gives me lots of confidence in wear and tear.  My initial thoughts have me thinking it is going to take a lot of abuse to wear this pack out. 

It is also a great relief there is a lifetime warranty on the pack.  It is also hard to deny the pleasure that the pack is made her in the USA.  Although not a selling point for me I know it can be for others.

To sum up my initial thought out of the box are that I feel I have made the best choice I could have made on finding my go to pack.  From what I have saw thus far I believe this may be the pack of the year and look forward to seeing how it performs in the field.  With that I will now go into the specific details of the pack.

For the lid at the top of the pack there is a ton of room.  This is the area where I keep all of my quickly needed gear.  It can quickly be accessed from opening the zipper at the top.  I generally will keep extra gloves, warm hat, GPS, maps, headlamp, and snacks to keep me going.  This is an area for me when taking breaks that I can grab things quickly.  There is a ton of space just in this pocket alone for gear. 

The lid has a reverse buckle system, which allows easy access to the main compartment even when packing out meat, which is hauled between the pack and frame.  This is very well thought of and a smart addition to the pack.

Also on the back of the pack there is an easy access to a stretchy pocket by simply lifting up on the bottom of the lid.  This is a great area to keep additional jackets and layers for ease of access.

The main compartment is the largest area of the pack obviously and has the most room.  There is two ways to access the main pocket, which can be done by unbuckling the lid and opening a drawstring.  The other option is a vertical pocket on the outside of the pack. 

Once in the main compartment you will find a waterproof layer on the outside, which is an option I think that is sometimes overlooked.  There is nothing worse than being miles from the pickup and it begins to snow or rain and now you have wet gear and a miserable hunt.  It is one feature of the pack I was very glad to see.

Another option is that the waterproof layer is a very bright color.  The tag on the pack pointed out that this allows the user to easily identify gear when it's dark out.  Another option I would not have thought of, but will make a big difference after a long hike all day.  It's nice to be able to get to camp and find exactly what you are looking for.

There is also a mesh pocket immediately located near the vertical zipper.  This will come in handy, and will be an area that I put licenses, knives, batteries, and other small pieces of equipment I may not immediately need access to.

After seeing the size of the pocket there is plenty of room for all of my gear.

For the back of the pack I will start with the two horizontal straps.  For me this will be where I secure my bow to the pack while I'm hiking.  There is a ton of strap available so the options are endless.  They also have keepers attached to the straps that allow you to keep them together so that they are not flailing all over.

As with all of the buckles located on the pack they are extremely durable and will stand up to any test that can be thrown at them.  There is also 7 set of separate webbing where additional misc. equipment can be attached. 

Finally there is a stretchy fabric on the very back.  This fabric forms a pocket and will be great for holding rain gear or additional layers that can be shed throughout the day.  This can easily be accessed at the bottom of the day lid.

There are two identical pockets on both the left and right of the pack.  There is two separate pockets.  One pocket runs vertically the entire length of the pack, and the other is made of the same stretchy fabric as the back of the pack.  This is a great location for a water bottle. 

The stretchy pocket is designed as to let you grab whatever is in there while the pack is on you.  The long pocket is a great location for a spotter, tri-pod, rifle, and I will use it for my two man tent.

There is also a tab in the long pocket that can be used to attached a water bladder.

There area three straps located on each side.  Two straps run vertical, which will be necessary once a load of weight is placed between the pack and frame.  The way the straps are designed is to push the weight up and keep it from sliding down to the bottom of the pack.  The third strap is located at the top of the long pocket and is the closure for the pocket.

The shoulder harness and waist belt are packed full of options.  For starters they are not overly large, but not too small to hurt your shoulders.  The padding is very adequate and comfortable. 

The shoulder straps contain the logo of the pack, a stretchy elastic band for a hose from a water bladder or an area to add additional gear, and adjustable chest strap.  The load lifters are also attached at the top.  I had never used them, only read about them.  After putting the pack on and playing with them a little bit their purpose became very clear.  These will be essential when a heavy load is attached.

The shoulder harness is incredibly adjustable and can be set to the specific user's choice.  It only took a couple of minutes and I had the pack fit to my measurement.  This is simply done by a buckle located below the shoulder padding that hits the middle of your back.  Once adjusted the shoulder straps simply move up and down the two titanium rods.

Now onto the waist belt.  There is a very large lumbar pad.  The lumbar pad is very noticeable when you put the pack on, but not so much where it is uncomfortable.  I can definitely tell this pad will be very helpful with a heavy load as well and it has a sticky outside to keep it in place.

The hip pads area great size to where they are not overly large yet not too small.  It is a nice stiff padding and from fist glance will work great after a long hike and should not have much hip fatigue. 

The straps on the waist belt have a reverse pull on them.  I had used a similar system on my Cabelas Alaska frame and loved the concept.  It is so much easier to make sure everything is nice and tight.  This plays a huge factor once you strap a hind quarter from an elk on.  I have gotten the waist belt tight, and then super tight.  There is no give in the waist belt once tight, which is great as I hate having to adjust as I'm hiking.  From what I can tell there is no limit to how tight the belt will go.  I was very impressed and this feature was very well thought out.

Each side also has a an additional strap that can be opened up and gear can be added to the hip belt.  There is Velcro on the inside and I have added Velcro to some of my equipment I plan to add on.  I was very glad to see this feature as I like to have certain things close at hand so that I can get access quickly.  I will be attaching a bow holder, my rangefinder, and bear spray.  There is also a new hip pouch that is close to being done.

Another great feature is a strap on each side that connects the pack to the waist belt.  By tightening this strap it prevents some side to side motion as the frame is made to move with you.  I used to have a problem with my frame pack being so rigid it would begin to rub the outside of my hips and thighs.  This is prevented with the design of this frame.  The only issue with the movement in that the pack can pivot is that there may be a balance issue.  These two straps make the load more stable as you are hiking.

Overall the shoulder harness and waist belt are very well thought of and put together with a purpose and function.

The heart and soul of this pack in my mind is the frame.  It is specifically designed to carry a ton of weight.  By far one of the lightest frames I have thrown on my back.
If you look at the website you can see it is made with a titanium rod, which outlast me that's for sure.  The frame is very rigid up and down, but left and right it is allowed to move with you as it pivots near the bottom of the pack.This is a great feature as I just mentioned in the area of the waist belt I had problems with other packs being too rigid around my hip area.

The pack can be removed from the frame, which allows you to go out with an extremely light weight frame alone.  I know there is a couple of accessories that can be purchased such as a water bladder and meat shelf, which will be a great addition to run with just the frame and leave the pack the truck.

I have always been interested a pack that I could keep on me and also be able to have a frame to haul meat out with.  This pack meets that requirement.  You simply remove the load lifters, pull the buckle through a hole and unbuckle four straps.  The pack can no be pulled away from the frame.  There are two horizontal straps on the frame, which allows you to secure the meat to the frame.  Next you simply pull the pack back over the meat and re-buckle the straps on the side of the pack.  The straps are designed at an upward angle, which keeps the meat lifted and the majority of the weight on you back and not the hips.  The bottom of the pack is also designed so that the weight doesn't sink to the bottom and remains more in the middle of the pack.  After those are secure you simply re-do the load lifters and you are set.  Once all straps are set I don't think there is anything you can throw on this pack that will make it uncomfortable.

Having the luxury of hauling that first load back tot he pickup rather than walking back to the pickup to get a frame is imperative.  It saves time and can help make sure you get your meat back to the pickup before it spoils.  As stated before all of the buckles and straps are made very durable and will take a beating.

In closing, at first glance the pack appears to be a simple design, but it is very complex and very well thought out.  The lightweight durable design of the pack will have others drooling over it.  Like I stated earlier in this I believe this will be the pack of the year and I have no regrets buying this pack before I tried it on or got my hands on it.

I'm sure there is more features to the pack that I missed, but I am very excited to now hit the mountain and get some field testing done.  The guys from Exo Mountain Gear hit a home run with this pack and I can't wait for the accessories to come out.  At this point I see myself picking up the rain fly, hip pouch, and bow carrier.

I look forward to seeing what this pack is made of and I'm afraid it is much more than I will be able to put to the test.  I am also looking forward to putting together a more comprehensive review of in the field testing and heavy loads.  I'm hoping I can capitalize in a couple of weeks as I will try to put together my usual 3 to 5 day pack and come out with a bear.  At this point I feel it's very wishful thinking that I will have a bear attached, but unless you are out in the field it won't happen.

If you have any questions go to my contact form and let me know.  You can also have questions answered at exomountiangear.com.  Make sure and stop by the site and place an order, you won't be disappointed.  There is some great photos and videos on the pack.

I recently made a trip out after antelope and tried the new iPhone app called onXMaps.  It is created by Hunting GPS Maps and offers the same maps you can order from them for $99 per chip for a much smaller cost and the luxury of not having to purchase a new GPS if you already have an iPhone or iPad.  The quality of the map was amazing and easy to use.  It is an app that can turn your iPhone or iPad into a GPS.  I was able to use my phone in the field mode, which allowed my maps to continue to be used even without any data or cell phone service. 

To use the field mode you simply go into the settings on the Hunt onXmaps app and turn on the field mode.  The key is to find a wifi connection for your iPhone or iPad and cache maps of the areas that you plan on hunting.  Make sure and do this before the hunt.  Another reason to make sure and do this wifi connection is because if you don't you may run over your allotted data for your cell phone plan.  Once your maps are cached you now have the ability to access those maps while out in the field without any service.  While in field mode you can't click on the individual landowner and gov't areas to see the data, but you can still see the names on the maps that are cached.

One of my favorite features of the maps is that you can view them in an aerial format, and it is clear enough that you can depict specific trees or other landmarks to show you where the  boundaries are without walking over to them or trying to tell by topo maps.  You also have the ability to use markups where you can mark trails, take photos, and use symbols such as where your camp or vehicle is at.  I have an older GPS and the new app offered by Hunting GPS Maps is as up to date and on the cutting edge and it is a must have. 

The only drawback to the app is the battery life that your phone has.  It won't drain your phone in a couple of hours, but you aren't going to have the same battery life as a GPS.  I was aware of this issue and simply made sure to throw my GPS in my pack as a back up.  Another way to solve this issue if you don't already have a GPS is to look at investing into a backpacking solar panel.  By the time you pay for the app on your phone, which can be purchased straight from the phone for $35 or $30 from the Hunting GPS Maps website, and a solar panel you are set to go at a much lower cost.  Keep in mind that it is a yearly subscription and not a one time fee.  You may not be able to cache the entire state you are hunting like the chip offers, but have the ability to cache specific areas and hunt areas already planned out ahead of time.  Again these maps allow me to hunt individual sections and half sections and have the confidence to know exactly where I'm at and hunt more areas than ever before. 

This app is a must have as I stated before and something that once you have will wonder how you ever hunted in the past.  These maps give you the ability to access areas you only wished you could access in the past.  The only negative thing I have found with the app is the battery life, but that was known before I even went out with it.  Again as I stated that is an easy fix with a simple investment into a solar panel.  If you are unsure if this is something you will enjoy simply create a profile when you get the app and you get a free trial period of 7 days.  In my opinion you will love the app in the first few minutes you try it.  I can't say enough good about the app or the maps and they are one piece of equipment that is vital to my success in the field.

The one piece of Sitka Gear I wear more than any other is the Jetstream vest.  I not only wear this during hunting season, but pretty much everywhere I go.  I love this vest and is a very essential piece to my Sitka Gear system.  There has been countless times where I have been hiking in cooler weather where I only need my core zip t and when I stop to take a break or glass for a bit it can get a little chilly.  This is the ideal time to throw on the vest as it keeps your core warm, which in return will keep you completely warm.  On those colder days I will layer with the core zip t and 90% jacket.  Sometimes it just isn't enough and again this is where the Jetstream vest fits in great.  It works great as both an outer layer over the 90% jacket and inside of it.  For even colder days I use a Traverse zip t over my core, which keeps me out there longer.  The more time spent in the elements means more chances at filling tags.  I also love the fact of not having a bulky sleeve and still having the capability of warmth.  The Jetstream vest is cut to form fit, which keeps the bulk out of the way.  It can make a huge difference when in thick cover trying to shoot.  It's tough to beat the Jetstream vest for versatility.  There isn't a trip out hunting I go on that my Jetstream vest stays home.  Right at 1 lb it is lightweight and easy to pack along.

The vest comes with 1 chest pocket and 2 side pockets, which is just enough to place gear you need available yet not too many to where you are searching for things.  It has a soft outershell with a fleece lining.  It is made to keep you warm from the wind and does a great job at it.  Every piece of Sitka Gear serves a specific purpose and without putting together a system you are truly missing out.  I wrote earlier in review of the system I have put together suggest by the system builder on the Sitka site and it has worked wonders.  Sitka Gear just re-vamped their website and offers lots of videos and information to any questions you may have. 

Pros:

• Lightweight, great wind protection, warm, very little bulk, high collar to keep your neck warm, and one of the most versatile pieces available.  The one piece you will never regret getting.

Cons:

• Again hardly any cons to this piece of Sitka Gear.  The only problem I have had is along the chest pocket, the seam around the zipper began to come up from the fabric, but was easily taken care of with a little glue.  It is an issue that you can send back to Sitka and they will take care of it.  It is just a piece I use so much I took care of it myself.

Quickly becoming one of my favorite elk calls is the "Who's Yrr Daddy" (WYD) open reed elk call from Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls and Supplies.  I recently have been practicing a ton with diaphragm calls made by them, but I still love using the open reed calls due to the ease of use and realistic sound.

Using a diaphragm call is great and you can do so much with them, but I like the ease of the open reed call as well.  I really have no preference of one over the other.  I have used other open reed calls in the past and had good success, but I have not used one with as much sound adjustment and clarity as the WYD.  As I keep practicing with the diaphragm calls they will most likely be my go to calls this fall during archery elk, but I will always pack my open reed calls.  I don't think you can ever take too many calls hunting as you never know what sound they are wanting to hear.

They WYD call is great because of its small size and various sounds you can make.  There is a button on top which allows you do more of an estrus call as well as a rubber sound dampener on the end.  To use the call you simply use your top and bottom lip starting towards the close end to your mouth on the reed, slide your lips down, and release a little pressure to give the low note.  Without using the button you can make great calf sounds as well as a great cow sound.  If you use the button you can sound like an older cow and your estrus sounds.  Also as the elk get closer you can squeeze the rubber end and make your calls softer and quieter.  It is a great cow call with lots of features that most open reed calls don't account for.  The only capability that this calls doesn't have is the ability to bugle.

If you are having trouble getting used to a diaphragm call and you want the versatility of a cow call that can do it all, the WYD is the one to look at.  There is also a WYD "Signature Series" call that comes in wood barrel and is signed by Rockie Jacobsen.  This along with several other calls offered by Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls will be with me this upcoming fall.  Like I said before you never know what sound they will want to hear so having a variety is your best bet.

To pick up these calls go to www.buglingbull.com or look at your nearest dealer.  To find a dealer close to you, that information is on the site as well.

One of the newest tools I put in my pack is Hunting GPS Maps.  This little chip will change the way you hunt.  I have hunted with a GPS for the past several seasons, and have previously used mapping software that showed where public and private ground is at, but not to the extent I can now.  With the new addition of knowing who the landowners surrounding the public ground has helped a ton.  I now hunt with total confidence as their site says. 

I think the biggest help I have gained from this software is the PLAT maps for Google Earth.  This addition has helped by allowing me to scout without leaving home.  Recently on their website there was a blog added about locating elk with their products and is a great read and resource.  It can be as simple as looking for things that any animal needs; food, water, and cover.  In the past it was hard to do this with just Google Earth or putting your feet on the ground and finding those areas.  Now with the Google Earth overlay maps you can do it right from home and know right where you are at.  You can also create trails you want to try by simply using Google Earth components and hooking them up to your GPS.  After hooking up your GPS you can take it in the field and follow the trail you just added on your computer.

I hunt public land the majority of the time and this is one product that has allowed me to go where I never thought was possible.  It makes hunting and accessing single section areas a breeze.  It can be difficult trying to navigate effectively guessing and thinking that you are in the right place.  I never second guess where I'm at now and have no fear of going onto ground to follow an animal.  In MT most boundaries are not marked at all and if they are it can be tough distinguish where you are at.  It can get very costly by trespassing on private land and I'm one who respects private land and understand why it can be such a huge issue.

The maps are only compatible with Garmin GPS line.  It is best to get a GPS with a color screen as the maps are colored for specific areas.  They have a list on their site for the models that will work as well as an area where you can purchase them. They have several state chips so you can pick and choose what areas you want maps for.  For a minimal cost you can get yourself on the road to becoming a more efficient hunter down the road and help you hunt areas untouched in the past.  Take it from me this is the best tool out there to accessing more land and having the confidence to travel further from the road and know where you are at, at all times.  This is one purchase you won't regret and make you wonder why this stuff wasn't available in the past.

I'm a huge fan of Sitka gear and love the stuff.  Before investing in their performance clothing, I will admit I was a little skeptical.  I had a hard time paying the price they wanted for their clothing.  After wearing the stuff I can tell you that it is worth the investment.  I was fortunate enough that Leah was able to get me my system at a discounted rate.  I also made the decision to off load all of my other camo so in the end it ended up costing me right around $100.00 by the time my other camo and hunting items were sold.  If you are wondering why I call it a system, go to their site at sitkagear.com and read about how to put a system together.  They make it easy on you with their system builder.

Since I have owned my Sitka Gear I can honestly say it will be one of the best decisions you can make if you can afford to do so.  I know not everyone is willing to fork out upwards of $1,000.00 for a set of clothing.  If you are looking for a go to set of hunting clothing that will last you a long time Sitka Gear is the stuff for you in my opinion.

My system consists of the following, all in Optifade Open Country Camo:

• 90% Jacket
• Mountain Pants
• Core Zip T
• Traverse Zip T
• Jetstream Vest
• Traverse Gloves
• Traverse Beanie
• Traverse Balaclava
• Shooter Gloves

This system allows me to hunt comfortably from heat in excess of 90 degrees, to cold temperatures as low as 15 degrees.  There are items that will allow you to hunt in more extreme cold, but most of my hunting is done in the temp. ranges above. 

The piece of gear I will touch on today is the Mountain Pants.  They are one of my favorite pieces of the system.  When I first looked at getting my system set up I was torn between the Mountain Pant and Timberline Pant.  In the end I chose the Mountain Pant as it fit most of the hunting I would be doing from hot to cold weather.  Here are some of the pros and cons to these pants.  Later I will try to touch on all of the Sitka Gear I use as a system.

Pros:

• Material - The material really makes the pants the best I have ever used.  It is made of a polyester weave, which makes them very comfortable and will not irritate your skin.  They are also very lightweight.
  
• Quick Drying -  If you get them wet they dry very quickly which makes it nice if you are hunting in a slight rain or get sweated up.
• Quiet - From material to pockets, zippers, and snaps they are all around quiet.  If the material rubs against itself it doesn't make a sound.
  
• Knee Pads - They come with removable knee pads, which are great for spot and stalk hunting.  I usually use them without during early season at times as they can be hot when worn.  It also depends on what I'm hunting. If I'm hunting antelope, I usually always have them in as I am crawling around a lot trying to close the gap.
  
• Built In Belt - Nice low profile belt that you don't even notice is there.
• Pockets - As with most hunting pants there are lots of pockets.  The pockets and zippers on the pants are great because they are super quiet and easy to access.  The snaps are also very quiet.  They are higher on the the thigh which makes the access easier.
• Very Well Thought Out - As with all Sitka Gear their items are very well thought out a head of time.  Every pocket, zipper, and other addition the pants have really get used and is made very simple.

Cons:

• There are no real cons to these pants other than I had some stitching come out, which was taken care of by their customer service.  The only other real con I guess I can say is that they can be hot during very hot days, but it is tough to find a pant that will keep you cool on those days.  For a pant to look at to keep you cooler is the ascent pant.
  

The camo pattern that is used is Gore Optifade.  Gore has came out with three patterns that Sitka Gear uses.  The optifade patterns are hunting specific.  They are not made as a mimicry pattern as most camo is, but made to conceal you by how an animal sees.  There is open country, forest, and waterfowl patterns.  Open country is for the hunter who is on the ground doing spot and stalk, or ambush hunting.  The forest pattern is for someone who is in a tree stand, and of course the waterfowl patter is for the hunter going after waterfowl of course.  To learn more about the camo patterns, sitkagear.com has information on their site for that as well.

I am very pleased with these pants over all.  I haven't used any of the other pants Sitka Gear offers, but if you are looking for that all around pant the Mountain Pants are the way to go.  Like I had stated before they provide me with comfort during cold temperatures as well as hot temps.  If you need to be out in extreme cold all that you need to do is add a base layer underneath and you are good to go.  I have not tried the pants with the traverse bottoms, core bottoms, or Merino wool bottoms, but any of those would be a great layer to add for that extra warmth.  If you are like me and on the move a lot they are plenty warm.  If you are looking for a little more durable pant as well I would look into the Timberline Pant.  The Timberline Pant would be the way to go if you are in very rocky terrain as they have added features to help them last in the tougher terrain.

If you have any questions on these pants, or any other Sitka Gear items I use, feel free to email me on the contact form.

This will be my first gear review, and I wasn't really sure where to begin.  After thinking for a while I figured I would start with a new piece of equipment I got this year and put to use.  I don't have this item on my gear and equipment tab, but this is surely becoming one of my favorites.

I received the knife when I renewed my subscription to Eastman's Bow Hunting Journal.  I had watched my brother Todd use one a couple of years back, and always wanted to get one, but just never did.

This isn't a serve all knife, but when you use it for what it's intended for there is no better.  There is definitely some pros and cons to this knife.

Pros:

• The sharpest knife you will ever use.  So sharp you have to really pay attention when you are using it, and make sure you have a 1st aid kit near as mistakes can happen.  The reason for the sharpness is because you are using a surgical scalpel blade, which is replaceable and allows you to always have a sharp blade.
• Lightweight.  It is definitely the lightest knife I have, which makes it a no brainer to throw in my pack. 
  
• Blaze orange color.  Love the face it comes in orange.  I continually use knives without color and can be time consuming locating them and dangerous.  No matter where I set my Havalon down at I can easily locate it.
• Inexpensive.  Even just starting price is reasonable for the knife, but the replacement blades are great at a doz. blades for under $6.

• Best skinning knife I have ever used.  Makes the job quick as the only time you have to pause is to quickly put on a new blade and get right back after it.  An elk will use up a couple of blades, but one or two works perfect for deer and antelope.

Cons:

•  I can only think of a couple of cons and they are that the knife isn't a serve all knife and you will need a trusty heavier duty knife.  The blades break, which will happen to you the first few uses.  Other than that it is a great knife and one that will always be in my pack.

As you can see I am a big fan of this knife and I hope I have helped in any way if you have any doubts or questions about this knife.  They also have a great line of other knives, but I only have experience with the Piranta.

Where to begin, other than amazing.  I had recently been out hunting and found that my mountain pants had a seam burst around the zipper.

I called Sitka Gear and informed them of my dilemma.  I was hoping to get to hunt the weekend of the 5th through the 7th, but I wasn't sure if my return would get to them in time to enough to have them return mine back in good shape.  I knew they were still under warranty so I figured it would be no cost to me to have them either fixed or replaced.

I immediately spoke with customer service and explained to them how the seam appeared to be a fabric flaw.  I was informed they would email me a return form, and they would be either fixed or replace, and would most likely be replaced with a new pair due to them being still under warranty.  I received my email in minutes.  I told them I would need them soon as the weekend coming up I was planning on hunting.  Apparently their customer service guys must hunt as well because I could tell they wanted me out in the field just as bad as I wanted to be or more so.  They explained to me to just send them back, and they would see what they could do.

So I sent them back to them and tracked the shipping I sent them out on 9/25.  I found out when they got to the return store in CA on so I called them to see how soon the turn around would be so that I could make it out hunting.  They told me to call the next day and they should be able to get them out.  I called back the next day and never got upset, and understood that it can sometimes take longer than you expect.  The paperwork from CA to the store in MT had not made in time for them to get shipped to me.  I had elected to pay for 2 day shipping in order for the pants to get to me in time.  I continued to stay in touch with customer service, and they continually treated me great over the phone.  The paperwork finally came in!  I again spoke with customer service and he informed me that he had good and bad news.  He said the good news was that my pants would not be repaired and they would just send me a brand new pair.  The bad news was that they would not be able to ship them in time.  I was OK with this and understood.  I asked if they could possibly call Cabelas in Billings, and have them set a side a pair of pants for me to pick up.  He said he would call back.  Pretty soon my phone rang.  It was customer service.  He explained to me that they could not authorize for me to go to Cabelas, and the only way would be if I had a return to take to Cabelas...understandable.  I told him that was fine, and I would wait.  The pants could be overnighted, but it was expensive and more than I wanted to pay.  I thought, OK I'll just have to wait until they get here the following week.  Well to Sitka, that wasn't good enough.  The customer service gentleman tells me not to worry and my pants were on their way.  Not only were they one their way, but they would be at my front door the next day.  He told me that I sounded like I always had a smile on my face and treated them very well over the phone during the whole process.  He went on to tell me that they were going to pay the overnight shipping and get my pant to me in time to go hunting!!!!  I can't thank them enough for the way they treated me. 

It goes to show you that with a little patience, and treating that person on the other line, customer service, with kindness you will get kindness back and sometimes get the unexpected.  Although the weekend didn't bring me any success, it got me out hunting with my brother Kirk, which without Sitka, never would have happened.  There isn't enough thanks to their business for the way I was treated.