SITKA Gear is a hunting apparel brand designed in Bozeman, Montana, but most of its clothing is made overseas rather than in the United States.
Most SITKA garments are manufactured in countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and Singapore.
SITKA carries an imported label on the large majority of its product line.
The company has kept its design, testing, and headquarters operations firmly in Montana even as production stayed abroad.
This article covers where SITKA Gear is actually manufactured, who owns the brand, its founding story, and how it compares to its closest competitor.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Is SITKA Gear Made in the USA?
SITKA Gear is not primarily made in the United States, despite being headquartered and designed domestically.
SITKA Gear, official site sitkagear.com, operates out of Bozeman, Montana, where its design and product development teams work, but its clothing is manufactured mainly in Asian factories.
The company does not publish a clear list of any specific US made items.
Who Owns SITKA Gear?
SITKA Gear was founded in 2005 by Jonathan Hart, and later co led with Jason Hairston.
In 2009, the brand was acquired by W. L. Gore and Associates, the company behind Gore Tex fabric technology, and it remains under Gore ownership today.
That acquisition also moved SITKA’s headquarters from California to Bozeman, Montana.
Where Did SITKA Gear Come From?
SITKA Gear was founded in 2005 by Jonathan Hart.
Jason Hairston later joined and helped co lead the brand as it grew a reputation for technical, high performance hunting apparel.
The 2009 acquisition by W. L. Gore and Associates reshaped the company, moving its headquarters to Bozeman, Montana and tying its product line closely to Gore Tex fabric technology.
Where Is SITKA Gear Manufactured?
SITKA Gear apparel is manufactured across several countries in Asia, most commonly Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and Singapore.
These countries have deep manufacturing expertise in technical outerwear construction, including waterproof seam taping and fabric bonding techniques SITKA relies on for its Gore Tex based product lines.
Why Does SITKA Manufacture Overseas?
Like most performance outerwear brands, SITKA manufactures overseas because the required construction techniques are concentrated in specialized factories in Asia.
This includes seam sealing, fabric laminating, and technical stitching.
SITKA Gear vs KUIU: Who Makes Each?
KUIU is SITKA’s most direct competitor in the technical hunting apparel space.
KUIU’s founder, Jason Hairston, previously helped build SITKA before departing to start his own company.
Like SITKA, KUIU manufactures the bulk of its gear overseas, primarily in China, with some apparel produced in Vietnam.
SITKA is based in Bozeman, Montana and KUIU is based in Dixon, California.
What Is Next for SITKA Gear?
SITKA Gear continues to be positioned by W. L. Gore and Associates as a premium technical hunting apparel line.
Its product identity remains built around Gore Tex waterproof fabrics and Primaloft insulation.
That reliance on specialized materials means SITKA’s manufacturing base is likely to stay concentrated in the Asian factories that have the expertise to work with those fabrics.
For more brand supply chain breakdowns like this one, see our guides on Ariat Boots and Glock.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where SITKA Gear Is Made
Who owns SITKA Gear?
SITKA Gear is owned by W. L. Gore and Associates, the parent company that also invented and manufactures Gore Tex fabric.
The acquisition happened in 2009 and moved SITKA’s headquarters to Bozeman, Montana.
Is SITKA Gear the same company as KUIU?
No, SITKA and KUIU are separate, independently owned companies.
They do share a founder in Jason Hairston, who helped start SITKA before leaving to found KUIU in 2010.
Why is SITKA Gear so expensive?
SITKA Gear commands premium pricing because of its use of high end materials like Gore Tex and Primaloft.
That is combined with the specialized overseas manufacturing required to build technical waterproof garments.
What materials does SITKA Gear rely on?
SITKA relies heavily on Gore Tex waterproof and windproof fabrics along with Primaloft insulation.
These materials are central to its product lines built for cold and wet hunting conditions.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.