Sitka Equinox Guard vs. ASIO Lightweight Hoodie

If you are looking for a lightweight hunting hoodie for hot early-season conditions, the Sitka Equinox Guard and ASIO Lightweight Hoodie are two of the best options I have tested. Both are quiet, breathable, and comfortable enough to wear against your skin, but they solve the early-season problem in different ways.

When I originally wrote this comparison, I tested the ASIO Lightweight Hoodie against the Sitka Core Lightweight Hoodie. After spending more time in both and later testing the Equinox Guard, I realized that was not the best comparison. The Core Lightweight works primarily as a moisture-wicking base layer. The Equinox Guard is a much closer match for the ASIO because both are designed to be worn as lightweight hunting tops in hot weather.

I have now used these hoodies while scouting, hiking, climbing trees, and hunting through hot, humid early-season conditions. The Sitka is thinner, cooler, dries faster, and includes built-in insect protection. The ASIO is more comfortable, more durable in thick cover, and considerably less expensive. Both are basically silent.

If I had to choose only one, I would buy the Sitka Equinox Guard because it provides the most complete early-season solution. That does not make the ASIO a bad choice. Depending on your budget, the cover you hunt, and the camouflage pattern you need, it may actually be the better choice for you.

My recommendation: ASIO is the better value. Sitka is the better complete early-season solution. I own and use both, but the Equinox Guard is my clear overall winner.

How I Tested the Sitka and ASIO Hoodies

I did not make this decision by comparing product descriptions. I wore both hoodies in the conditions they were designed for: summer scouting, hot walks to the stand, humid early-season hunts, tree climbing, saddle hunting, and close-range bowhunting.

I paid attention to how each one handled sweat, how quickly it dried, whether the fabric made noise, how it moved while I drew my bow, and how it handled vegetation. I also considered insect protection, fit, camouflage, and price because those factors influence whether a piece of clothing earns a permanent place in my system.

I wear a large in both hoodies. I am 5 feet 8 inches tall and weigh about 185 pounds, with a thicker build through my chest and arms.

Sitka Equinox Guard Hoodie Review

The Sitka Equinox Guard Hoodie is one of the thinnest and coolest hunting tops I own. It feels extremely light when I put it on, but it still provides full coverage, an integrated hood and face mask, odor-control treatment, and built-in Insect Shield protection.

What separates it from the ASIO is moisture management. The Sitka wicks sweat away more effectively and dries faster after a hard walk. The fabric also feels cooler when the heat and humidity are at their worst.

The hoodie is basically silent and does not restrict my draw. The hood and mask give me useful concealment without making my face feel excessively hot. It works as a complete hot-weather hunting top instead of feeling like a base layer with camouflage printed on it.

The thin fabric creates a tradeoff. It catches jaggers and rough vegetation more easily than the ASIO. I have not ripped mine, but I am more careful pushing through brush while wearing it.

For my complete findings on the hoodie and matching pants, read my Sitka Equinox Guard Hoodie and Pants review.

ASIO Lightweight Hoodie Review

The ASIO Lightweight Hoodie is also designed around warm-weather bowhunting. It is light, breathable, quiet, and comfortable enough to wear by itself during the early season.

The first thing I noticed was how comfortable it felt. The fit is less restrictive than the Sitka, and the material feels good against my skin. It moves well while hiking, climbing, and drawing my bow.

ASIO also wins the durability comparison. It does a better job moving through jaggers and dense vegetation without grabbing everything it touches. If I knew I would spend the day forcing through heavy cover, I would have more confidence wearing the ASIO.

Its biggest disadvantage is the lack of factory insect protection. ASIO uses antimicrobial treatment for odor control, but that does not repel ticks or mosquitoes. I eventually sent my ASIO hoodie to Insect Shield and had it professionally treated. That gave me the protection I wanted, but it added another step and additional cost.

See my updated ASIO Gear review for more of my long-term experience with the brand.

Which Hoodie Is Cooler?

The Sitka Equinox Guard is noticeably thinner and cooler. It wicks sweat away more effectively and dries faster after a hot walk, climb, or scouting trip.

The ASIO still performs well in warm weather, but it does not feel quite as light against my skin. When temperatures and humidity are at their worst, I would rather wear the Sitka.

Which One Is Quieter?

This category is a tie. Both hoodies are basically silent. I have had no problems drawing my bow, climbing trees, or moving in the stand while wearing either one. Noise should not be the deciding factor between them.

Which One Is More Durable?

The ASIO is considerably more durable. It handles thick cover and jaggers better and does not seem to grab vegetation as easily as the thinner Sitka material.

I have not ripped either hoodie. The Sitka’s thin material is part of what makes it so effective in extreme heat, but it also creates a durability tradeoff. I simply pay more attention to the path I take while wearing it.

Which One Fits Better?

Both fit me well, but the ASIO is more comfortable overall. The Sitka wears well and gives me plenty of freedom to climb and draw my bow. The ASIO simply feels a little better against my body, although it is not as thin or cool as the Equinox Guard.

Which One Provides Better Insect Protection?

The Sitka wins this category easily because the Equinox Guard comes with built-in Insect Shield protection.

The ASIO has antimicrobial odor control, but that is not the same as insect protection. I sent mine through Insect Shield’s clothing-treatment service. The treatment worked well, but the Sitka provides that protection as soon as you buy it.

Raptor Camo vs. Sitka Elevated II

I like both camouflage patterns, but I use them in different situations. ASIO Raptor works especially well for me in darker, denser hardwoods. Sitka Elevated II works better in more open trees and later in the season after leaves begin falling.

The right choice depends more on where and when you hunt than which pattern looks better in a product photograph. I explain this further in my guides to the best camo for deer hunting and best treestand camo.

Which Hoodie Is the Better Value?

The ASIO Lightweight Hoodie is the better value by a considerable margin. It is quiet, comfortable, durable, and designed specifically for bowhunters. If price is a major part of your decision, the ASIO gives you a lot of performance for the money.

The Sitka costs more, but some of that additional cost buys meaningful performance. It is cooler, dries faster, and includes insect protection. Whether those advantages justify the price depends on the conditions you face.

Which One Would I Buy?

Honestly, I would buy both—and I have.

The ASIO is more comfortable, more durable, and considerably less expensive. It is an excellent choice for hunters who frequently move through thick cover or want a dependable early-season hoodie without paying Sitka prices.

The Sitka Equinox Guard is still my clear overall winner. It is thinner, cooler, dries faster, and includes insect protection. Those advantages matter more to me during hot early-season hunts, especially when ticks and mosquitoes are at their worst.

The Equinox Guard costs more, but it does the best job of solving the complete early-season problem.

Why My Original Core Lightweight Comparison Changed

My original test compared the ASIO Lightweight Hoodie with the Sitka Core Lightweight Hoodie. That test still provided useful information, but the products were built for different jobs.

The Sitka Core Lightweight is the foundation of a layering system. It works primarily as a moisture-wicking synthetic base layer that can also be worn by itself. It feels closer to the body and provides a little more warmth than I expected from an early-season top.

The ASIO Lightweight is a hot-weather hunting hoodie. It has a looser, more comfortable fit and feels more like a standalone shirt. That is why the ASIO appeared to win several categories in my first comparison. I was not comparing two products designed around the same purpose.

I still recommend the Sitka Core Lightweight Hoodie for hunters who want a versatile all-season base layer. I just would not use it as the primary comparison against the ASIO today.

Watch My Original Comparison

Watch the Sitka Core Lightweight Field Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sitka Equinox Guard cooler than ASIO?

Yes. The Equinox Guard is thinner, wicks sweat more effectively, and dries faster. I prefer it during the hottest and most humid conditions.

Which hoodie is quieter?

Quietness is a tie. Both hoodies are basically silent and work well for close-range bowhunting.

Does the ASIO Lightweight Hoodie repel ticks?

It does not include factory Insect Shield treatment. ASIO’s antimicrobial treatment helps with odor, not insects. I sent my hoodie to Insect Shield for aftermarket treatment.

Is the ASIO more durable than the Sitka?

Yes. The ASIO handles jaggers and thick vegetation better. I have not ripped either hoodie, but the thinner Sitka requires more care in heavy cover.

Continue the Clothing System

Read the Complete Sitka Equinox Guard Review
See my detailed findings on the hoodie, matching pants, insect protection, durability, and seasonal range.

Compare the Best Early-Season Hunting Systems
See how Sitka and ASIO compare with First Lite, KUIU, FORLOH, and other systems I have tested.

Build Your Insect-Protection System
See the treated clothing, socks, sprays, and send-in treatment I use for ticks and mosquitoes.

Explore the Everyday Bow Hunter Clothing System
Learn how I layer clothing for heat, cold, movement, wind, and changing conditions.