Open main menu

Kora Stratam Hooded jacket

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
photo: Kora Stratam Hooded jacket wool 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.

Pros

  • Very weather resistant
  • Very good breathability/moisture transport
  • Heavier weight garment for cool/cold weather
  • comfortable thumb loop/very trim fit from elbow to wrist
  • Extremely soft and comfortable

Cons

  • Apparent abrasion wear
  • Hood stow difficult to button/bulky when stowed
  • Not easy to view wristwatch
  • Price, but responsibly manufactured
IMG_4911.jpg

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. 

IMG_5710.jpg
Kora is Tibetan for movement around a sacred place or mountain

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. 

DSC02092.jpg
The wrist/thumb loop is a trim fit 

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.

IMG_5731.jpg
Kora logo appointment on left wrist

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

IMG_5734.jpg

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

DSC02120.jpg

 

Additional Features

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

IMG_5764.jpg
Hand warmer pockets are generously sized

 

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

IMG_5716.jpg

 

IMG_5720.jpg
1L water bottle for reference

 

IMG_5719.jpg

 

IMG_5721.jpg
Pocket will easily hold a pair of gloves 

 

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

IMG_4914.jpg
Flat locked stitching is comfortable under a pack

 

IMG_5727.jpg

Note the hood stow buttons 

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

IMG_5741.jpg
The hood stowed may feel a little bulky

 

IMG_5752.jpg
The front collar stays comfortably away from one's neck

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

IMG_5746.jpg
Note the buttonhole

 

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. 

 

2588C708-C8B0-478A-AEE8-A4B0A1E5F088.jpg
Morning briefing in Monongahela National Forest (West Virginia)

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. 

IMG_5705.jpg
Close-up of stitching

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

IMG_5704.jpg

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

IMG_5711.jpg
The inner terry-weave is very soft to the touch

 

IMG_5741.jpg
Note the inner side panels to aid in ventilation

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

DSC02094.jpg

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

IMG_5730.jpg
Close-up of the thinner hood material

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.

IMG_5760.jpg
Difficult to photograph, the inner terry lining is becoming visible

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.   

IMG_4912.jpg

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!

DSC02100.jpg

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.

Source: received for testing via the Trailspace Review Corps (Sample for testing and review provided by Kora)

About the Author

Sean Van Cleve spends much of his free time as a backcountry guide in the mid-Atlantic USA. A certified Leave No Trace Trainer and Wilderness First Responder, Sean focuses on outdoor education with friends and clients alike. Whether it is recreational high-pointing, section hiking on the Appalachian Trail, or leading multi-day backcountry trips in West Virginia, practicing outdoor ethics is at the forefront of the experience—preserving the land for future generations. 

Your Review

Where to Buy

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews.

You May Like

Specs

Men's
Price Historic Range: $135.00
Fabric weight Body—Hima-Layer Stratam fabric, 350gsm / Side-panels, sleeve, hood—HimaLayer Shola fabric, 230gsm
Item weight 580 g (large)
Cut Fitted (layers over a base layer)
Uses All mountain, casual
Perfect for Winter weekends, epic back-country days, mountain expeditions, summer camping
Women's
Price Historic Range: $135.00
Fabric weight Body—Hima-Layer Stratam fabric, 350gsm / Side-panels, sleeve, hood—HimaLayer Shola fabric, 230gsm
Item weight 484 g (medium)
Cut Fitted (layers over a base layer)
Uses All mountain, casual
Perfect for Winter weekends, epic back-country days, mountain expeditions, summer camping
Product Details from Kora »

Recently on Trailspace

Black Diamond FineLine Stretch Rain Shell Review