Sitka Fanatic vs. Asio Late Season Jacket: Which One is Better for Cold-Weather Bowhunting?

A few weeks ago, I compared the Sitka Fanatic Jacket to the Pnuma Highpoint Jacket, breaking down insulation, features, and overall performance. That video set the stage for what I’m doing in this review—using the Sitka Fanatic as a benchmark and putting it up against the Asio Late Season Jacket to see how they stack up in extreme cold.

I have worn the Asio Late Season jacket and bibs through two bow seasons now and have been really happy with its performance. This year, I finally got my hands on the Sitka Fanatic. After wearing it, I found that the hype didn’t seem to match my field test results in every area. That made me begin my quest to compare it to other flagship cold-weather hunting jackets.

The Sitka Fanatic has long been considered the standard for cold-weather bowhunting. But is the Asio Late Season Jacket a better option? Let’s find out.

What They Have in Common

First, both jackets share a few key features:

• 100% Windproof – No wind is cutting through either of these. Sitka’s Windstopper tech has been around for a while, and Asio’s windproofing is equally solid.
• Durable Water-Resistant (DWR) Treatment – Both repel light moisture, but the Fanatic’s Berber fleece outer layer will soak up water over time, while the smooth exterior of the Asio jacket sheds water more effectively.
• Quiet Materials – Both jackets are designed for bowhunters, but Sitka’s Fanatic is the quietest hunting jacket on the market. The Asio jacket is quiet but has a slight noise difference in certain areas.

Key Differences: Insulation & Warmth

The biggest difference comes down to insulation type and weight.

• Sitka Fanatic – Uses 120g of PrimaLoft Silver insulation in the body and 80g in the arms.
• Asio Late Season – Uses 180g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation throughout.

Heat Retention Testing Results

Here’s the Sitka Fanatic vs. Pnuma Highpoint comparison with accurate test data and a breakdown of what it means for real-world hunting.

Here’s the heat retention graph comparing them over a 90-minute warm-up and 120-minute cool-down period.

What the Data Says

Key Takeaways for Real-World Hunting:

1. Heat-Up Phase (0-90 min)

• The Asio Late Season jacket reaches a slightly higher peak temperature (85.1°F) compared to the Sitka Fanatic (83.6°F).
• The faster heat-up time of the Fanatic makes it feel warm sooner, which may be useful if you’re stationary right after putting it on.
• The Asio takes a bit longer to warm up but stores more heat, keeping you warmer for longer.

2. Cool-Down Phase (90-210 min)

• The Asio retains heat better over time, cooling down more gradually than the Fanatic.
• After 2 hours, the Asio jacket holds more residual warmth, meaning it’s more efficient for extended sits in frigid temps.
• The Fanatic loses heat slightly faster, partly due to its Berber fleece exterior, which can absorb moisture and create heat loss over time.

What This Means in Real Hunting Conditions

PrimaLoft Gold is 15% warmer than PrimaLoft Silver, which gives the Asio jacket an automatic advantage. On top of that, the Asio Late Season has more insulation (180g vs. 120g/80g), making it significantly warmer.

Some hunters claim the Sitka Fanatic feels warmer, but this is likely due to how long each jacket takes to warm up. The Fanatic’s lighter insulation warms up faster, but the Asio Late Season retains heat longer due to the heavier insulation.

If you take both jackets straight from a cold truck and put them on, the Fanatic might feel warmer at first—but after 30 minutes, the Asio will be noticeably warmer and will hold its heat longer.

This is exactly why I recommend pre-warming your jackets inside before heading to the stand—especially for a heavily insulated jacket like the Asio Late Season.

Durability & Brush Busting

• Sitka Fanatic: Berber fleece outer layer catches on brush easily and isn’t as durable for walking through thick cover.
• Asio Late Season: Smooth, durable outer fabric handles thick brush much better and won’t pick up burrs like the Fanatic.

If you’re sitting in a tree stand, this doesn’t matter much. But if you walk through thick brush, the Asio Late Season is the better choice.

Fit & Mobility

• Sitka Fanatic: Slightly more streamlined fit with less insulation in the arms for easier movement.
• Asio Late Season: Bulkier due to the 180g insulation, but still allows for a full draw with a bow.

One thing I noticed is that the Asio sleeves are a little looser at the wrist compared to the Fanatic. If you’re in between sizes, you might want to size down.

Price Comparison

• Sitka Fanatic Jacket – $469.00 – See the latest price here
• Asio Late Season Jacket – $379.00 – See the latest price here (Get 20% off w/Code: ARCH20)

You’re looking at a $90 price difference per piece, meaning the full Sitka Fanatic system (jacket + bibs) is around $180 more expensive than the Asio Late Season set.

That said, both jackets go on sale at the end of the season, so keep an eye out for discounts.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Buy?

• Get the Sitka Fanatic if:
  • You hunt in absolute silence-required situations.
  • You prefer a lighter-feeling jacket that warms up quickly.
  • You don’t mind the higher price tag.
• Get the Asio Late Season if:
  • You hunt in extreme cold and want maximum warmth.
  • You walk through brush often and need a more durable jacket.
  • You want better value for your money.

In terms of warmth alone, the Asio Late Season (See my review from last year here) is in a different category. If I had to pick one for a brutally cold hunt, I’d take the Asio Late Season over the Sitka Fanatic.

If you want a full breakdown of how these jackets performed in head-to-head heat retention tests, check out my full heat retention testing of 7 hunting jackets.

If you missed my Sitka Fanatic vs. Pnuma Highpoint review, you can find it here.

Product Links:

• Sitka Fanatic Jacket – Check the latest price
• Asio Late Season Jacket – Check the latest price

Drop a comment if you have questions or if you’ve used these jackets in the field. I’d love to hear your thoughts!