SITKA Optifade Cover After-Action Report 

SITKA's Latest Camo Pattern Was Made For Rocky Mountain Hunts

I wore SITKA's new Optifade Cover camo while archery elk and mule deer hunting in Colorado. Here’s my honest take on its performance. 

When Colorado’s draw results hit my inbox this spring, my mouth dropped open. I drew both of the early season tags I put in for: archery elk and mule deer doe. When SITKA announced its new Optifade Cover camouflage pattern, I knew it could be a gamechanger. Not only was it specifically designed to break up a hunter’s silhouette, it features colors that coat Colorado in September. 

Fall colors in Colorado usually peak in late September, and the leaves cling onto the trees until October. As a result, a warm season camo pattern with green and gray accents would conceal me in the spruce-aspen forests during my hunting season. Although Optifade Cover was designed with southern hunters and thick, green whitetail habitat in mind, I contemplated its effectiveness and hypothesized that Optifade Cover would perform well out west, too. 

My hypothesis was correct. Optifade Cover exceeded my expectations in the field even though I hunted in the interior Rocky Mountains. Additionally, SITKA did not compromise its high-quality craftsmanship when integrating this new pattern into its lineup. I stayed comfortable while hiking three to ten miles in 30 to 80+ degree weather all month.  

Optifade Cover Performance In The Rockies 

To really test a camouflage pattern’s effectiveness, you have to encounter animals at close distances. Still hunting was a great way for me to do just that, whether creeping through elk bedding areas or river bottoms full of mule deer.  

Truthfully, I went into the season thinking I was terrible at still hunting. In the past, I’d only filled tags while spot-and-stalking or using blinds to hunt big game. But based on my experiences wearing Optifade Cover, perhaps I wasn’t the problem: my old camo patterns were. 

Although I never had a shot opportunity while archery elk hunting, I enjoyed several close encounters. On the first night of the season, I crept within 100 yards of a herd of grazing elk. Then, the wind switched, and I watched as 30 of them burst out of the meadow and ran down the mountain, never glancing in my direction. Optifade Cover effectively hid me in a small stand of green aspen suckers at the edge of the grassy meadow. 

Another afternoon, I called in a beautiful bull. He left his herd of cows several dozen yards away while he closed the distance between us. The bull walked within 40 yards of me before returning to his herd. Although the brush was too dense to shoot through, I was stoked to have called in a big bull and remain undetected through our entire encounter. Perhaps he might not have come so close had I been wearing a different camo pattern, but I’ll never know. 

Just before filling my doe tag, I’d been still hunting a deer trail along a river. While taking a few steps among scratchy serviceberry bushes, my Mystery Ranch pack caught a branch. The loud swiping noise scared a doe, and I dropped to the ground, hoping she didn’t see me.  

Her head bobbed around as she walked towards the mysterious noise, a classic deer behavior exhibited when they’re equally curious and unsure about something. I realized I might actually have a shot opportunity since this doe didn’t run for the hills. In fact, she was closing the distance! 

When she looked behind her, I raised my rifle. Then, she turned her body to the right and stood broadside, offering a perfect 30-yard shot. Still hunting actually worked, and Optifade Cover made all the difference. Its color profile and decreased reflectivity concealed me during those final seconds with a hyper-aware deer. 

Although elk are exhilarating to hunt and filling my doe tag was an experience I’ll never forget, my favorite animal encounter while wearing Optifade Cover occurred with a cow. A moo cow, that is. 

Cattle grazed in my elk hunting spot. While I maneuvered into a good hunting position, I bumped a dozen of them down towards the creek. They moseyed on and I figured the small herd was gone. A few minutes later, I heard desperate mooing in the distance. A cow had forgotten her calf, and the little heifer was determined to catch up with her mom.  

Cows are prey animals with eyes for predators. After all, Colorado cattle have to watch out for bears, mountain lions, and now wolves out of the range. I decided to stand stock still in the middle of the cow trail and see if the calf would detect me or not.  

She came over the hill, completely unaware of my presence. She came within 50, then 30, then 10 yards of me, still oblivious to the human blocking her path. That cow walked within mere feet of me, and to avoid getting kicked, I twitched my hand. The cow freaked out, clearly terrified by the predator who appeared out of thin air, and sprinted away, mooing for her mom. 

That’s when I knew Optifade Cover was a next-level camo pattern. 

Early Season Layers Available In Optifade Cover 

When it comes to September weather in Colorado, hunters can experience everything from windy 80+ degree days to the first major snowstorms of the year. It’s important to be prepared for whatever outdoor conditions Mother Nature may throw at you. With this in mind, I added SITKA's Core Lightweight Hoodie, Fanatic Hoodie, and Cadence Pant in Optifade Cover to my closet.  

SITKA Gear’s Core Lightweight Hoodie 

Honestly, this ultra-lightweight hoodie quickly became my favorite piece of clothing to hunt in. After the morning’s chill melted away with the afternoon sun, I opted to wear this hoodie as a shirt every day (well, except for the day it snowed).  

It’s extremely lightweight, very breathable, stretchy, and utilitarian. At a mere six ounces, this sun shirt disguised as a hooded sweatshirt can’t weigh you or your pack down while you chase big game across the landscape.  

SITKA's Fanatic Hoodie 

I have zero shame in admitting that three Fanatic hoodies can be found in my laundry pile at any given time. Arguably, there’s no better fall layer to have on hand.  

The Fanatic is warm and cozy. It’s durable, blocks out wind, and shields you from light amounts of moisture. It has added features like thumbholes, a facemask, and a zippered pocket that increase its utility. The athletic fit layers neatly over wool shirts and under jackets without bunching up or feeling weirdly tight. 

Even if you’re not a hunter and just an outdoorsperson looking for high-quality adventure clothing, strongly consider snagging a Fanatic Hoodie (they come in solid colors as well as camo). Trust me, this piece goes from the backcountry to your backyard with style and functionality. If it didn’t, I wouldn’t own three of them. 

SITKA's Cadence Pant 

If you’ve ever researched women’s hunting pants, Sitka’s Cadence always comes out on top. Not only are they highly functional, nearly silent, and breathable, they feel like sweatpants. Who doesn’t want to feel like they’re hunting in pajamas? If I’m going to be wearing these pants for 12 hours a day, I certainly want to feel comfortable, especially if I’m napping under a tree, butchering a deer, or hiking that last mile back to camp. 

What SITKA Products Are Available In Optifade Cover? 

Want to test Optifade Cover out in your neck of the woods? Do it up! Most of SITKA’s styles are now available in Cover. When it comes to women’s gear, in addition to what’s been previously mentioned, the women’s Fanatic Jacket and Fanatic Bib are also now available in Optifade Cover. Many accessories, including hats, bow slings, optics harnesses, and gloves are offered in the new camo pattern, too. 

Although this camo is marketed for early season hunting in the South, I’m confident it will perform beautifully in any shadowy hunting grounds with hints of green. It’s more versatile than its advertising lets on. 

See if your local deer population will detect Optifade Cover at sitkagear.com.