Where men and women can find the best clothing for the outdoors

I had heard the buzz about a new outdoor clothing store that was opening up. The store is called “Sitka Gear” and they have six stores beside the one that just opened in Vernon Hills, a stone’s throw from the Hawthorne Mall, near the intersection of Route 60 and Route 21.

I first heard about Sitka Gear when they opened their Atlanta location. People lined up to get in close to 48 hours prior to the official opening. Sure, there were some giveaways for early birds, but there was a huge buzz for the opening event. Vernon Hills didn’t draw customers two days prior, but the grand opening attendance was impressive.

Outdoor apparel is a huge market. I’ve been to Brainerd, Minnesota, during the hunting season and was surprised to see what many stores looked like. Hardware stores were filled with orange hunting apparel and, of course, sporting good retailers were crammed to the gills with orange hunting wear. Heck, even grocery stores had racks of orange togs on hand. We’re not as hunting crazy as our friends to the north, but you get the idea, I am sure.

Sitka Gear is not this kind of store. Sitka Gear carries a much better cross section of hunting and lifestyle apparel. I was very impressed to see the quality of the merchandise they had on hand.

Good hunting gear is expensive. It would be difficult to fork out what it would take to replace all of your clothing with top-shelf stuff all at the same time. I would recommend that you purchase a single piece of clothing and keep replacing your gear as you can afford it.

Sitka Gear isn’t just stocked with hunter’s orange gear. They have some, but the beauty is in the fact that they have excellent wear that can be used for most of the shooting sports. You can buy an all-purpose jacket or a waterfowl jacket or upland game jacket and buy an inexpensive orange vest to cover it up with. Now you have a great coat for all uses and you haven’t broken the bank.

Sitka Gear carries an extensive lineup of everyday clothing that would be ideal for wearing anywhere, but also in the field or on the range or at the hunt club. Their stuff really looks good.

You know, I have often complained that women get the short shrift when it comes to sporting goods. I’m no sexist, but I believe that men and women are built differently. Call me crazy. If a woman needs a fishing rod she has to buy a smaller man’s rod. Women need a shorter rod and they need one that has a reel seat that fits differently than a men’s rod.

If a woman wants to go hunting, she probably has to borrow or buy clothing from a small man or teenager. They don’t make a very good selection of women’s clothing for hunting and that is not fair.

This problem is solved by visiting Sitka Gear. They have an incredible assortment of outdoor clothing for women on hunting patterns and colors and also in everyday apparel just like they have for men. It’s about time.

Sitka Gear clothing is very well made and carries a great warranty. Its waterproofing is absolutely incredible. I plan on going back in the near future. Now I hope I get home before my wife finds my credit card bill in the mail.

• Daily Herald Outdoors columnist Steve Sarley can be reached at sarfishing@yahoo.com.