Kora Stratam Hooded jacket

This mid-to-heavyweight two-layer yak wool/synthetic hybrid jacket is a stylish garment that is very comfortable and is equally functional. The Stratam Hooded Jacket successfully transports moisture away from the body, and is quite water resistant to light rain/precipitation. Ideal as a piece of active-wear, this jacket is ideal for people wanting a double-duty midlayer that is constructed in an environmentally-friendly way.

Born at Altitude: Kora Outdoor’s mantra tells a story, linking their garments to the core of the product—yak wool. This 350gsm (grams per square meter) weight mid-layer is not only incredibly warm, but the comfort of natural yak wool terry interior is truly splendid. 

Total jacket weight: 21oz, 580g

Fit & Comfort

A quick look at the Stratam Hooded Jacket may seem like a straightforward mid layer, but this fitted garment (a women's model also available) has a specifically unique trick up its sleeve. Below the elbow, the jacket is cut rather form-fitting down to the thumb looped cuffs. This highlight really works well with a midlayer; layers both over and under the garment stay well in place. Glove/mitten use is also zero hassle. 

The Stratam jacket has use for all seasons, outside of the hot summer months. Although ideal for active outdoor activities, this midlayer is also stylish enough to wear around town. 

Note the close-fitting wrist cuff may be tight for some people. Although there is little stretch in the fitted wrist area, the jacket has a bit of stretch.

Wristwatch use may be found to be difficult, due to the streamlined cuffs. 

Size large tested well, 5'10" 160 lbs. The jacket has plenty of freedom of movement during activities, without constraint.

Additional Features

The Stratam Hooded Jacket has two soft terry-lined external zippered pockets

Two internal "baguette" pockets securely store keys, gloves, even narrow water bottles. 

A lighter weight 230gsm fabric is used for side ventilation, and the hood. 

The hood stows by rolling alongside the collar, functioning as a neck warmer.

Stowing the hood can be difficult due to the way the buttons secure the hood. 

Water Resistance, Breathability

Light rain and snow showed to be little concern with the hoody regarding water resistance. Although the outer layer has additional weather resistant properties, this garment was specifically designed to be worn under a hard-shell jacket in inclement weather. 

Mild October days backpacking in West Virginia exhibited excellent breathability, despite its 260 gsm weight. 

Warmth & Layering

The Kora Stratam has been found to be an exceptionably versatile jacket. The hoody was warm enough in the 40°F range over a Patagonia Capilene 2 T-shirt, while not overheating in the 70°F range. Lower limits have yet to be seen, but temperatures below 20°F with little wind felt comfortable combining the jacket with several base layers underneath. "Whereas merino is like spaghetti, yak wool is like rigatoni… it’s got added insulation, it is like double-glazing."

Construction & Durability; Abrasion

The Kora Stratam Hooded Jacket is manufactured as a hybrid of natural and synthetic fibers—the main body insulator is a 350gsm (grams per square meter) yak wool blend called Hima-Layer Stratam fabric. 

 The Stratam is machine washable, which is a plus for a wool garment.

The fabric inner is woven into an ultra-soft terry cloth weave. 

The side panels, portions of the sleeves, and the hood are constructed with a 230gsm Hima-Layer Shola fabric.  

 Zippers are snag-free and have very comfortable zipper-pulls.

The outer surface fabric is made from DuPont Sorona, a hybrid biopolymer that is said to be 30+% less energy consumptive than nylon, and release 56+% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. 37% of the polymer is made using annually renewable plant-based ingredients. The revolutionary Bio-PDO compound turns a formerly chemical process into an eco-efficient biological one. Additional content on DuPont Sorona can be read here.

The garment is beginning to show signs of wear on the external fabric after approximately two months of use, where hip belt friction occurs. The shoulders have shown no wear at this point in time. It is difficult to forecast future wear—expect a future update on durability soon. 

Conditions

The Kora Stratam Hooded Jacket has been tested in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA from October 2021 to January 2022. As the jacket sees additional use, look for additional updates to the review.   

For those looking for a naturally-based mid layer that breathes well, and excels in cool/cold weather, the Kora Stratam Hooded Jacket is a strong contender for your outdoor ventures!

A sincere thank-you to the people over at Kora Outdoor for the opportunity to test the Stratam Hooded Jacket for the Trailspace Gear Review Corps!

Background

This is the first yak wool product I have tested; however I have been increasingly using natural fiber-based layering since 2007 or so. Also being the first product tested from Kora Outdoor, I am looking forward to this company’s future products.