HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS-GEAR REVIEWS FOR HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY, HUNTING: 2009 Sitka Gear Stormfront Jacket With Gore-Tex Performance Shell

2009 Sitka Gear Stormfront Jacket With Gore-Tex Performance Shell

The 2009 Sitka Gear Stormfront Jacket with Gore-Tex Performance Shell and the new Optifade camouflage. At last, a true mountaineering style shell for those that hunt...man or beast.

We have been waiting for this jacket for a long time and I am not just talking about the Sitka Stormfront Jacket. Regular readers know that I have been calling for a technically correct shell layer for trigger pullers for as long as this site has been on the web. Now, thanks to Sitka Gear and its new relationship with Gore-Tex, it is finally here.

The Stormfront Jacket is very nice and compares with anything that I have seen from Arcteryx or TAD Gear in terms of quality construction and materials. I have not had it in the field yet but it sure looks like what we have been waiting for. Good hood configuration with a separate stand up collar, nice pocket set, efficient design, pit zips, Optifade camouflage and light weight. The size XL that I have weighs in at 22 ounces which is better than I had hoped for.

If I had to nit pick anything at this early stage it would be noise but that is not a Sitka problem, it is a technological one. We need an advance in the state of the art. You can have quiet and moderate weight with the Gore Softshell or medium noise and light weight with the Gore Performance Shell but low noise and low weight just doesn't exist yet in a waterproof breathable shell. It is hard to quantify but I would describe it as middle of the road for sound which will be just fine for most of you.

If this Stormfront Jacket doesn't push the Sitka Nimbus Jacket off the top of my list and become my favorite I will be very surprised. It is a beautiful piece.

When you order make sure you get the size right. I am, nine times out of ten, a straight forward XL Regular in tops and bottoms from most manufacturers but I had to go with an XXL in the Sitka Nimbus Jacket to properly accommodate my heaviest insulation layer pieces. I think that I will have to do the same for the new Stormfront. It is not as bad as what Mountain Hardware calls an XL but Sitka could stand to use a fit model that is a little broader across the back and thicker in the shoulders.

So far, so good. Well done and congratulations boys. I think you nailed it.

I will have a full review on the field performance of the Stormfront Jacket and other pieces in the 2009 Sitka Gear line later.

Thanks.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

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