When it comes to hunting, it’s hard to find a trip where you don’t need a jacket. Whether it’s cool nights, chilly mountaintop breezes, or freezing rain, a jacket’s a must have.

Some people settle for sweatshirts, the cheap, yet comfortable option. Others decide on an inexpensive outer layer or windbreaker. And then there’s those who live by the Sitka Jetstream Jacket.

Have you ever wondered why? So have I.

After various hunts and field tests in Alaska, Idaho, and Utah, here’s some things I thought you might want to know about Sitka’s Jetstream Jacket before you decide on some layers for next hunting season.

For The Comfortable Hunter

You know what sucks?

Being stuck on a rock, on a ridgeline, it’s raining, it’s blowing, and the temperature is not on the rise. You know those deer aren’t coming out for a while, but camp’s too far away if you want a shot.

You’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. And it sucks.

You know what would help. A decent jacket.

After testing this jacket against the elements, here’s a few things I thought a “comfort guy” might want to know.

#1: Windproof

Sitka advertises their  Jetstream Jacket as following, “The WINDSTOPPER® laminate stops those heat sapping winds right in their tracks.”

During an Idaho shed hunt I got the chance to put Sitka’s claim to the test. After being hit with heavy rain, and finding only one antler low in the foothills, I decided to scale ridgelines, glassing hillsides as I went. Little did I know, but the relatively gentle breeze below erupted into a full-on torrent of wind above.

Sitka lived up to it’s claim. While my hands and legs were cooling down fast, my upper body stayed warm. The Jetstream Jacket stopped that wind right in it’s tracks.

Generally, wind will blow up under your windstopper or take your hood right off your head, but not with this jacket. Elastic cords tighten around your waist or hood, keeping wind out and hoods on.

#2: Waterproof

Wind saps the heat right out of you on a hunt. You know what can sap the heat out of you quicker?

Wind and rain. The perfect storm.

On that same Idaho shed hunt I mentioned above, not only was I blessed with strong winds, but cloudy, rainy weather as well.

I was actually surprised at how well Sitka’s Jetstream Jacket held up against rainy skies. The fabric itself does not have that slick, smooth feel like most rain jackets, but it did a great job keeping me dry during several hours of hiking around in the mountains. The hood of the jacket sticks out, like the bill of a hat, keeping rain away from the face, and I had no problems with water seeping in through seam lines or zippers

#3: Fabrics and Materials

You’re by the fire with some buddies and some beer. Wind’s gone, rain’s gone, life’s good.

You’re not worried whether a jacket can shed water or stop wind anymore, you’re concerned whether or not it’s comfortable.

After a few lazy nights of testing (one which is currently happening) I noticed a few things about the comfort of Sitka’s Jetstream Jacket.

Much of the jacket’s interior, including the hood, is made of a soft micro-grid fleece material. The fleece has a nice, warm, comfortable feel, yet the seam lines inside the jacket are a bit irritating when wearing short sleeves. When wearing a long-sleeve shirt or another layer, the seam lines were not easily noticeable.

The jacket’s exterior seemed to be made from the same 4-way stretch material as the Sitka Timberline Pant. I find this to be an especially nice feature found in many of Sitka’s products. The material stretches, removing any pinch around your arms or torso and allowing for added mobility.

For The Detailed Hunter

Being detail-oriented is hard. Everything’s got to be perfect, and little things throw you off.

Your hands don’t quite fit in the pockets. Your jacket turns into a belly shirt every time you raise your arms. Or maybe you just can’t handle the zipper tab that broke on the first hunt.

Here’s some smaller things I thought to point out for those of you that enjoy knowing every little detail.

#4: Pockets

Sitka’s Jetstream Jacket comes with 6 pockets.

One on the left sleeve over the forearm, 2 over the left side of the chest, 1 over the right side of the chest, and 2 pockets on either side of the zipper at the bottom of the jacket.

I’m not a big fan of pockets over the arm, and have never really put the forearm pocket to use. The pocket opens up and is split into two sections, large enough for small game calls to be placed inside.

The chest pockets work great for phones, rangefinders, and anything of similar size. The left side comes with an exterior pocket that sits in front of any waterproof material, but works perfectly on sunny days for my phone. The other two chest pockets sit behind waterproof material, and are slightly larger in size. My iPhone likes to slip sideways when placed in these pockets, a small, yet annoying detail.

The two bottom pockets are spacious. Roomy enough to fit your hand and wrists inside with a few extra items. Inside the pockets are pull tabs for the elastic cord that runs around your waist. The bottom pockets also zip shut, which is a nice feature considering you don’t want to lose valuable items to the wilderness.

All of the zipper tabs are made from cord, making them flexible and easy to replace if lost.

#5: No Wrist Straps

A small detail that bugs me on rainy or windy days is the Jetstream’s lack of straps around the wrist. Although the sleeve does fit well, I prefer other jackets which have a strap around the end of wrist, allowing you to tighten it down, keeping water and rain out.

#6: “Tall Size Variation”

If you’re the same height as an NBA player, I’m sure you understand the struggle of finding a jacket that doesn’t make you look like a hairy teenage girl in a belly shirt. Lucky for you, Sitka’s Jetstream Jacket also comes in a tall size variation.

I measure in at exactly 6 feet tall. I generally wear a large, which I ordered, but in hindsight I wish I would have ordered the “tall” variation. My Jetstream Jacket fits a little too short for my liking. When I raise my arms or sit, the jacket likes to slide above my belt line.

Unfortunately, the choice of ordering a “taller” jacket is only available in the Sub-Alpine or Open Country coloration and in the M, L, XL, XXL sizes.

#7: Pit Zips

Sometimes it can be difficult to find that “perfect” temperature while hunting. If you’re on the move, you get too hot and take off layers. As soon as you slow down, it’s too cold and you put on layers.

The pit zips in Sitka’s Jetstream Jacket are designed to eliminate that constant change in layers. When you begin to heat up, you simply open the zipper underneath the armpits to let out heat and any moisture built up. When you begin to cool down you re-close the zipper to keep heat in. The pit zips open from either end, although I have had difficulty opening them from the bottom side.

For The Practical Hunter

If you’re anything like me, you know that comfort and “Gucci” hunting features can take a backseat to practicality.

What’s the point in buying hunting gear if it’s going to tear after a few trips out, or if it’s only useful for a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic polar bear hunt.

I get it, you want to get your money’s worth. $329’s worth to be exact. After using this jacket during several different hunts and seasons, I found a few things that you might find important.

#8: Durability

Long treks up rocky slopes, fighting through thick, nasty brush in Southeast Alaska, and crossing barbwire fences countless times while hunting “honkers”, this jacket has proven durable.

The exterior is made from polyester, which has a reputation for being tougher and lasting longer than cotton products. The stitching is well done, and I have had no problems with splitting seams, only a few loose threads here and there.

This jacket is tough as scrub, and I would highly recommend it solely based on it’s resilience to wear and tear.

#9: Versatility

Buying an expensive piece of gear is daunting, especially when considering the fact that you might only use it once or twice a year.

After having purchased the Sitka Jetstream Jacket, I put it to the test in multiple environments.

The camouflage works well. I have the Sub-Alpine coloration of the jacket, and it blends well in the mountains where greens and browns are likely to show up. The Open Country coloration works better in areas dominated by sage brush and duller grays.

After having used the camouflage while “jump shooting” ducks, I was convinced at its ability to blend in. I was able to sneak in close, and had several ducks fly back into me. If you don’t believe me, read Billy Kennington’s article “Sitka Review – 5 First Pieces“, where he also claims game saw “through him”.

This jacket works well in a variety of temperatures. On a warmer day, the jacket works fine by itself, and is light enough to be easily stashed away in your pack without adding too much weight. In colder weather, the jacket works great as an outer shell with other base layers underneath.

Conclusion

There’s rain jackets.

There’s windbreakers.

There’s hoodies and fleece layers.

And then there’s the Sitka Jetstream Jacket.

A “jack of all trades”. It keeps you from losing valuable heat while shedding rain and backing down wind. If you’re looking for next season’s grab-and-go jacket, this is the one. I still use my Jetstream on a regular basis, even while out on the town.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your own and get out there.

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