Warm, Windproof, and Breathable: SITKA Stratus 2.0 Jacket and Bib Review

After a long 14-hour day in the whitetail woods, it felt good to sit down at the table and eat some dinner. It had been a tough day, with temps in the 80s and limited deer movement. I pulled up the weather app, and a smile came across my face. Temps in the 40s tomorrow morning: The cold front I had been waiting for all season was here. I went into the closet and stuck the SITKA Stratus 2.0 bibs and jacket into my hunting pack.

The next morning, I had a grueling hike into the stand. After crawling up near vertical topography to get on top of a prime ridge, I was pretty sweaty. The wind started ripping, and my sweat began to chill, sending shivers down my back. I pulled the bibs and jacket from my pack and threw them on. After a hot Tennessee summer, my body sure as hell wasn’t accustomed to the cold.

Once at the top of the tree, I watched a beautiful sunrise as a few does ate acorns underneath me. My target buck never showed up, but thanks to my gear, the cold and wind were kept at bay, and I was happy as a clam. Fall had arrived.

In short: I absolutely love the fall. But it gets cold, and I need good gear to stay in the field. As a whitetail hunter, a solid jacket and bib combo is essential. The SITKA Stratus 2.0 system ($400 for the jacket, $400 for the bib) is one of the best I’ve used. Yes, the pieces are expensive, but they’re windproof, warm, and surprisingly breathable. Outside of the warmth and weather resistance, other small, well-thought-out features make this the whitetail system I’ll be relying on for the foreseeable future.

Compare the SITKA Stratus with the best hunting pants and best hunting jackets.

The Stratus 2.0 System as a Whole

The Stratus 2.0 system is designed to be SITKA’s mid- to late-season whitetail bib and jacket set. I’m reviewing both here, but since they’re individual pieces with the same construction and purpose in mind, I’m going to start off with the overall build and performance of the set, then dive into the nitty-gritty details of the individual pieces later.

The system is constructed with windproof WINDSTOPPER by GORE-TEX, a brushed polyester face fabric, and a polyester LMC fleece liner. Each piece also has synthetic panels, which increase breathability and durability in key areas.

After wearing these pieces, I’d say this is one of the more versatile whitetail systems available. The breathability, warmth, windproofness, and waterproofness all combine for a kit that will keep you comfortable through most, if not all, of the season.

Breathability of the SITKA Stratus 2.0 System

The bibs and jacket are shockingly breathable, something quite difficult to pull off with insulating layers. It’s probably the most impressive part of the set.

In the case of insulating layers, you can’t expect breathability similar to lightweight apparel. Breathability on insulating pieces comes down to the ability to dump heat when temperatures start to rise or when you begin to exert more effort while hiking. Most “breathable” insulating layers are pretty bad at that. There’s too much fabric to get through, and by design, they keep warm air trapped against your body, which leads to sweat.

So no, the Stratus 2.0 system isn’t “breathable” like an early-season top. But it is one of the best in terms of whitetail bibs and jackets. In the hottest, sweatiest areas of your body, SITKA removed one layer of insulating fleece and lined the exterior with a true, breathable synthetic membrane.

I was worried those areas would get cold with less insulation, but I really didn’t notice it. It was a clever design move, and it works great.

I’ll break down where those are on each piece later, as well as other cool features that allow you to dump heat when you need to most, but across the board, SITKA really nailed having warm gear that lets you shed heat when you need to.

Warmth of the SITKA Stratus 2.0 System

When it comes to long sits in the stand, warmth is arguably the most critical piece of the puzzle in hunting clothing. The Stratus 2.0 system is not the warmest of the SITKA lineup, and that’s precisely why I like it.

Don’t get me wrong, the Stratus 2.0 pieces are warm, but not aggressively so. There are two layers of fleece, with the exterior layer fairly thick and “brushed.” The interior fleece is a comfy, grid-patterned fleece. Combined, they offer a somewhat hefty, but not overbearing, amount of insulation.

When I was hunting during the first cold front of the year, I walked in wearing only super-light pants and a breathable, synthetic top. As I found myself shivering in the mid-40s, the Stratus system was perfect without any additional insulating layers. As the temperatures started to climb midday, the jacket/bib combo never got too hot.

When things start to get really cold, you can add additional layers to get you through long sits. With a heavy baselayer, a mid-season hunting pant, and a couple of midlayers stacked under the jacket, the Stratus 2.0 system will keep most people comfortable in sub-freezing temperatures. For versatile, all-year use, it’s great.

But I could see myself wishing for more insulation in temps below 10-15 degrees. If you only hunt the late season or plan on hunting in sub-zero temps, you may want to look at the Fanatic system instead. But for most, the Stratus will provide all the warmth you need.

Windproofness

When I was in the Army, we were issued massive fleece jackets that were awesome for keeping us warm — until the wind kicked up. It cut through the jacket like it wasn’t even there, and I spent many days freezing in that dang thing.

But now, I’m a civilian and get to pick my own gear. And let me tell you, a big part of the Stratus 2.0 system’s warmth is its windproof construction.

One day this season, I found myself up in a tree that was swaying at least 3 feet back and forth due to the wind. In the 30+ mph gusts, I never once felt the dreaded chill of the wind, thanks to the Stratus 2.0 bibs and jacket.

Without the wind cutting through my clothes, the insulating properties of the set kept me nice and toasty. I may have had to change my drawers afterward, though. Anyway, I was impressed with the wind performance. I can unequivocally say this set doesn’t let wind in.

As a side note, the windproofness makes it an excellent jacket/bib combo for driving a bass boat on cold days on the water, something I’ve also used it for.

Waterproofness

The SITKA Stratus 2.0 system is not waterproof, and does not claim to be. It has a DWR finish, and the synthetic fleece will keep you warm when wet.

Now, since it’s a soft fleece exterior for noise reduction, water doesn’t bead and roll off like it would on something with a slick finish. It does bead, but it kind of just sticks on the fleece fiber.

Still, I’ve found it to work quite well, and I’ve worn my Stratus 2.0 kit in slight rain with no water penetration at all. In heavy downpours, I got wet, especially around my shoulders, but the entire suit wasn’t soaked through. The insulation still worked, and it was impressive how warm I stayed, even after multiple hours in a steady rain.

If the forecast calls for scattered rain or a light, relatively dry snow, the water protection from the Stratus 2.0 Jacket and Bibs will suffice. If it’s anything more than that, you might want to bring a waterproof shell, depending on how long you plan to be in the field.

The SITKA Stratus 2.0 Bibs

Now, to get into the individual pieces themselves, starting with the bibs. This is where the Stratus 2.0 system really starts to stand apart from the competition. There are great little design features that make this one killer bib.

Zippers for Days

The SITKA Stratus 2.0 bibs have a 7/8-length leg zipper. That means the zipper runs from the bottom cuff up to the upper hip. It allows hunters to easily put on and remove the bibs without having to take their boots off. It’s also really nice to have while walking longer distances, as it allows for increased airflow when left completely open

There’s also a chest zipper running down the front of the bib, which some competitors omit. Like the leg zips, the chest zipper makes for easier removal, but I love it for the additional breathability. When things start to heat up in the stand, I can unzip it and get more airflow across my chest and midsection, which is fantastic.

If I have a relatively short hike to the stand, I wear the bibs on the hike and leave them completely unzipped. I don’t burn up and get caked in sweat.

Pocket Layout

On each side of the chest zipper are two hand-warming pockets. Both sides of the interior are insulated, which provides 360-degree warmth. But they aren’t zippered, so they’re pretty bad from a storage standpoint. I use them solely to keep my hands comfortable.

Luckily, the pockets on the front of the thighs are huge and provide all the lay-flat storage you could need. But they expand out for more room if you need it. I can cram my phone, wallet, release, and snacks in them with plenty of room to spare.

The closures are noiseless buttons, and each one has a small open pocket on the exterior for anything you need quick access to. With the thigh pockets being so large, I’ve never once felt like I didn’t have enough storage in the bib.

Strap System and Belt

I love the strap and belt system on the bibs. The belt is on the interior and constructed with an elastic band hidden in a sleeve, and Velcro pull tabs on each side.

It’s a really minimalist belt system that offers a wide range of adjustability. I love that the entire thing is made from cloth and is thin, because I hunt in a saddle. Big belts can cause annoying pinch points in a saddle, and I don’t notice this one at all.

The strap system is equally as minimalist. There are no buckles, which is fantastic for gun hunters, as there’s nothing to mess with your gun mount. They are adjusted entirely with the hook and loop system SITKA uses on all strapped pieces, and you don’t have to mess with adjusting stretchy elastic through a clip, which gets annoying. You unhook from one loop and hook into another. Easy peasy.

The inside of the straps has rubberized texturing that runs the full length. This keeps the straps on your shoulders, and even when I’m wearing them loose, they stay put.

Breathable Panels

In addition to being able to unzip the legs and chest for increased breathability, there are those breathable panels I discussed earlier on both the crotch and the lower back. The one on the lower back has no insulation at all, which is a huge benefit

When hiking, it’s common for my lower back to sweat against my backpack. By eliminating any insulation in that area, I get less sweaty and end up being drier and thus warmer, thanks to that breathable panel.

The SITKA Stratus 2.0 Jacket

I relied on the first iteration of the SITKA Stratus jacket on many an outdoor adventure, and it quickly became one of my favorite pieces. For the last few months, I’ve been able to mess around with the 2.0, which is much the same, with a few differences.

Removable Hoody

The hood on the jacket is removable, which is a big plus when I need to layer with the jacket. Having a bunch of hoods gets really annoying when you’re bundling up. This jacket lets you roll either way.

Four buttons line the collar and keep the hood attached. Along those buttons, you’ll find another button and magnet system that acts as a passthrough for a tree stand harness.

The hood itself is very warm, and it cinches up tight from the back. On each side, there’s also a mesh port by the ear that allows you to hear better. With the hood up, I can still hear far-off movement in the woods, and don’t feel like things are as muffled as they are with other hoods. Thanks to the warmth and that feature, I’ve ditched beanies altogether.

Pocket Layout

The pocket layout is the most noticeable change from the first iteration of the Stratus jacket and the 2.0. There is now a pocket for a grunt tube on the front right chest, which is a much better placement than the weird shoulder sleeve thing on the last version of the Stratus. With a vented port at the bottom, there’s no need to pull the call out of the pocket to use it.

Right next to that, there’s a large open rangefinder pocket. You can tether it to a small loop placed just above the pocket. You also get two zippered waist pockets and a zippered chest pocket on the left for all of your other essentials.

Excellent-ish Fit

I understand, excellent-ish is a bit of a confusing term, but here’s the skinny: The jacket has an excellent fit, but the sizing is tough to nail down.

On the back, a little bit of length was added, which I’ve found ensures I don’t get pesky breezes across my back. I really like that cut. The cut overall is athletic, and doesn’t get in the way of drawing a bow back.

But man, the sizing is just plain weird on this one. I am 6 feet tall and 195 pounds. Usually, a large is perfect, and that’s what I ordered when I got the first iteration of the Stratus. Unfortunately, it was just a touch too short in torso length, but not really. Clear as mud, right?

It was borderline. When reaching my arms up, my torso didn’t get exposed, but it was very close. Since the arms were a perfect length and the rest of the jacket fit well, I didn’t return it. I figured an XL would be way too big.

So this time, I opted for a Large-Long. Boom, that was the answer. It fits perfectly. If you’re on the lankier side of your sizing, I’d definitely roll with the long version.

No Pit Zips? No Problem

The last iteration of the Stratus didn’t have pit zips, which I didn’t like. This version doesn’t either, but it has something better.

Those breathable, very lightly insulated panels line the underarm of the jacket from the mid-rib cage down to the elbow. Like I said earlier, I was worried that it would cause me to get cold, and I initially wished for a zipper I could close off or leave open.

However, this middle-of-the-road approach really does work great. I don’t notice any cold in that area, and it does breathe well. To top it off, I don’t have to sit there and fumble with a zipper under my arm. It’s a better way to skin the cat.

Is There Any Room for Improvements?

On the jacket, I’ve developed a love/hate relationship with the removable hood. I love it for the reasons outlined above. However, it is annoyingly easy to remove. I’ve accidentally pulled it off numerous times when pulling it out of my backpack or when taking my backpack off my back. To make matters worse, it’s not nearly as easy to put back on as it is to take it off.

It only happens on about a third of my hunts. But for some reason, it really grinds my gears. Either make it harder to remove, or make it easier to put back on.

The bibs are pretty much perfect, and I can’t find anything to complain about. Good work, SITKA.

As a whole, I do wish there were a more “middle of the road” camo color. The Optifade Cover is great for earlier seasons, and it’s perfect when there’s still green in the woods. The Optifade Elevated II is one of the best on the market for late seasons, and it blends in perfectly in the stand when the leaves are down. Unfortunately, you have to pick one or the other.

Something with no green or white, just drab colors all around, would be nice. For now, I think the Optifade Cover is the more diverse of the two.

Oh, and don’t forget the price. It’s steep, and I obviously wish it were cheaper. But the prices are in line with other brands of similar quality. So it is what it is. Deal with it, or don’t.

Final Thoughts on the SITKA Stratus 2.0

A good bib and jacket combo is arguably a whitetail hunter’s most important piece of equipment. A fancy bow, expensive optics, and a sweet knife do you no good if you call it quits early because you got cold. There are places to skimp and save money, but your insulating layers shouldn’t be one of them.

There are a bunch of jackets and bibs available to whitetail hunters now, and most of them are expensive. I pick up the occasional shift at the local bow shop and talk to a lot of hunters about clothing. They take the decision of what jacket and bib to invest in very, very seriously, as they should. It’s a lot of money, and you’ll likely be stuck with your choice for many seasons.

Just about all of the high-quality, expensive whitetail systems will keep you warm, and from that standpoint, you can’t really go wrong. But in my eyes, the breathability, as well as all of the other small details, make the SITKA Stratus 2.0 jacket and bib combo stand above the rest. If you buy them, I don’t think you’ll regret the choice, and you’ll be happy in the stand for years to come.