I’m constantly looking for hunting gear that enhances the hunting experience, especially during the harshest conditions. When temperatures start to drop in late October and Novemer, I turn to my Sitka Stratus Jacket and Pants to keep me warm and comfortably protected during cold, windy days.
I’ve been wearing Sitka Gear since their second year of production. Through the years, I’ve seen plenty of hunting brands and clothing options come and go, but nothing better than Sitka. I am excited to share my detailed and unbiased review of the Sitka Gear Stratus Jacket in Optifade Cover, as well as the Stratus Pants in a later review. The Stratus Line is designed to be the most versatile hunting outer layer for deer hunters that you’ll get the most use out of throughout the hunting season. The Stratus Jacket is a testament to Sitka’s commitment to quality and innovation and here’s my honest review, including the good, the bad, and whether or not you should buy one for yourself.
Sitka Stratus Optifade Cover Jacket Review
The Ultimate Bowhunting Jacket – The Sitka Stratus Jacket is versatile and 100% windproof, as well as ultra-quiet thanks to a WINDSTOPPER by GORE-TEX LABS Technology membrane sandwiched between warm & silent micro-grid fleece. The Stratus line-up has been trusted by deer hunters for more than a decade!
Price: $359.00
• Windproof
• Micro-fleece
• Built for the Bowhunter
• Durable Water Repellent Finish
Features
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Weight: 23.9 oz. // Size L
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Warm micro-fleece with WINDSTOPPER by Gore-Tex Labs technology
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Constant-connect SITKA Safety Harness Pass-Through Port
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Removable hood with direct hearing ports
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Fast-access grunt tube holder
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YKK zippered chest and hand pockets
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Durable Water Repellent Finish
Windproof & Warmth When It Matters Most
During cold November mornings, the Stratus Jacket stands as a nearly impenetrable barrier against the chill of the cold air, thanks to the WINDSTOPPER by Gore-Tex. The Durable water-repellent (DWR) finish holds up to small amounts of precipitation but it’s not waterproof. If it were, you’d lose the silent fleece finish that makes this the ultimate bowhunting jacket.
The Stratus Jacket has got your back for those long chilly days in the stand. This versatile jacket is 100% windproof and ultra-quiet thanks to a WINDSTOPPER by GORE-TEX LABS Technology membrane sandwiched between warm & silent micro-grid fleece. A removable hood with specialized hearing ports that improve the ability to hear deer approaching and double layer PolarTec Alpha Direct panels retain heat. The innovative Constant-Connect SITKA Safety Harness Pass-Through Port with Cobrax secure slide-to-lock snap and magnetic closure eliminates the need to disconnect from a harness when adding or removing gear keeping you safer and quieter in the stand. Comfortable enough to stand on its own into mid-season, but also fitted for insulation under layering to take you well into November too.
This jacket excels in windy conditions when temperatures range from 50 to 35 degrees. Wind Chill factors can drastically make a difference in how cold it feels outside and the Stratus Jacket does an excellent job of protecting the body from the cold wind. I can wear this jacket once I get to the stand in temperatures in the 60’s but I don’t walk to and from the stand with it on. As temperatures vary throughout the season, simply switch out your base layers and mid-layers for the appropriate conditions.
Unique Features that Make the Sitka Stratus Optifade Cover Jacket
Sitka’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the Stratus Jacket’s design. The jacket is constructed from a warm micro-fleece with WINDSTOPPER which protects you from the chill of the wind on cold days. The removable hood is equipped with direct hearing ports but I’m not sure they’re very effective as I don’t use the hood when I need to hear an approaching deer. Typically, the Sitka Fanatic Hoody covers my head and face anyway.
The coolest feature is the fast-access grunt tube holder. It sets on the shoulder and you simply turn your head and make a soft grunt to help you lure that buck into bow range when the time comes. Additionally, the integrated safety harness port allows for hassle-free integration of your harness to stay safe and comfy in the tree.
Building Ultimate Whitetail Deer Hunting Clothing System w/ the Sitka Stratus Optifade Cover Jacket
For a more detailed example of what I’m wearing when the temperature fluctuates throughout the season, check out the Ultimate Guide for Choose the Right Sitka Gear for Your Next Hunt blog post. When the temperatures drop during the whitetail rut, the Sitka Stratus has been my go-to for a decade or more. The versatility of layering as temperatures decrease helps me utilize this jacket for the majority of the hunting season.
Product Improvements Ideas: Sitka Stratus Optifade Cover Jacket
You can’t have an honest and unbiased gear review without talking about places for improvement. We will first start with the price because this jacket retails for $359! After taxes, you’ll have more than $700 in the set when you buy the pants or bibns to match. That’s steep but for some, but in my opinion, it’s worth it. I’ve got buddies that buy hunting clothing every season but I still have my first Sitka piece from 2008 or 2009, so it’s hard for me to argue that the price isn’t worth it in the end. Now I’m only buying expensive hunting products like this when they go on sale and if you’re looking to save money, be sure to sign up for the Hunting Gear Deals Daily Deal email newsletter.
The Status Jacket is not waterproof and burrs tend to stick to it. It’s by design that it’s not waterproof because this outer layer is designed to be quiet and waterproof garments are never quiet. It is water resistant to an extent, but if you plan on hunting through a rain event, pack some rain gear or duck for cover.
Lastly, the fact that burrs stick to the fleece jacket. Duh! It’s fleece, they’re going to stick. Sitka made some improvements in certain areas to reduce the amount of place that burrs can stick to the jacket, but it’s inevitable, you’re going to get burrs. If it burrs didn’t stick, the garment would be made of noisy material and it just wouldn’t have the same great qualities that a late-season bowhunter needs to succeed.
Why Buy the Optifade Cover Pattern?
OPTIFADE Cover is engineered for environments with heavy vegetation and tree canopies, particularly in the Eastern U.S. Backed by scientific research, this advanced pattern effectively disrupts the vision of deer and turkeys, making it harder for game to detect hunters.
“OPTIFADE Cover takes concealment to a new level,” said Todd Barker, Marketing Director at SITKA Gear. “It’s not just about blending in—it’s about becoming undetectable.”
Science-Backed Stealth
The collaboration with the UGA Deer Research Lab allowed SITKA to study ungulate and turkey vision in depth. Deer have 300-degree peripheral vision and can detect movement four times faster than humans. Turkeys, with their heightened UV sensitivity, also pose a challenge to hunters. The result of this research is OPTIFADE Cover, a pattern that incorporates micro- and macro-breakup elements to prevent animals from tracking human outlines.
UV spectrometer testing was also conducted to ensure that the colors used in OPTIFADE Cover adhere to the visual constraints of game species. This innovative pattern is perfect for hunters in heavily vegetated regions, helping them remain unseen.
Regional Effectiveness
OPTIFADE Cover excels in various regions across the Eastern U.S.:
- East: Optimal for early season hunting with dense tree cover.
- Southeast: Provides year-round concealment in thick, diverse vegetation.
Sitka Stratus Optifade Cover Jacket Review Summary
The Sitka Status Jacket has been a staple in my whitetail deer hunting arsenal for more than a decade and I still have the same Elevated II Jacket in my line-up that I started with. However, when the new Optifade Cover pattern was released, it was my opportunity to go up a size because it was way past time to move into a size larger.
The Stratus Jacket didn’t disappoint and continues to be the most versatile outer layer I’ve ever used. From temperatures ranging from 30 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, I can utilize the same clothing outer layers with a mix of different base layers. Now, the Optifade Cover isn’t for every hunting scenario. It’s designed for greener hunting environments, such as early cold-season fronts and pine trees. At least that’s what the marketing and science behind the camouflage tells us. However, I’ve been using it all season long in the ground blind, as well as hunting scenarios where the foilage is anything but green and I have zero complaints.
So, would I recommend buying the Sitka Stratus Jacket in Optifade Cover? Yeah, it’s a no-brainer for whitetail hunters and you’re doing yourself a disservice by not investing in a quality windproof outer layer fleece layer that’s quiet and durable. If the price is an issue, then be sure to sign up for HuntingGearDeals.com Daily Deal email so you never miss a deal or sale, and read the best times to buy Sitka Gear blog post to help you save money on Sitka Gear.
If you’re looking for more information on what Sitka Gear items are best for suited for your hunt based on temperature, be sure to check out our popular blog, The Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Right Sitka Gear for Your Next Hunt. As for the photo below, the Sitka Stratus line-up might not be made for duck hunting but it worked out for me on my first ever waterfowl hunt this year!
PROS:
CONS:
Ready to buy? The Sitka Gear can be found at a variety of online retailers but the Stratus Jacket in Optifade Cover isn’t available most places.
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AUTHOR BIO
Hi, I’m Camron the owner of Hunting Gear Deals. I’m an avid bowhunter with a knack for finding good deals on hunting gear and love to help you save money on hunting gear. I’m also the owner of the popular Bucks, Bulls, & Bears email newsletter that’s built to educate and entertain hunters. If you haven’t subscribed, you’re missing out! Last but not least, I’m proud to say that I work for Whitetail Properties as a Land Specialist in Ohio. If you’re in the market for hunting property, shoot me an email and I’d love to help you find your dream property.
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