An essential piece of hunting gear, the hunting jacket is essential to a successful hunting experience, from spring grouse hunting and early deer stalking, all the way through winter elk hunts in Colorado.

Selecting appropriate layers, materials and insulation according to weather and time of year is the key.

Base Layers

KUIU provides some of the top hunting clothing base layers on the market, designed to offer comfort between you and an insulated shirt or jacket. Utilizing moisture-wicking fabrics that move perspiration away from your body quickly, KUIU’s lightweight garments keep you warm and dry during your hunt.

In the past, most base layers were composed of budget cotton that held moisture without effectively wicking away heat or long johns; but now performance fabrics offer much better insulation against body heat loss and retention. Spending extra on such vital garments could make or break your comfort on the trail.

When shopping for the ideal base layer, lightweight materials like fleece, merino wool or polyester should be your priority – lightweight yet breathable and quick drying materials like these make for ideal wearer experience. Also take into consideration size – too tight-fitting shirt/long johns can restrict movement while loose ones will not help manage temperature effectively.

Mid-Layer

The mid layer’s purpose is to wick moisture away from your skin while aiding the second base layer in maintaining body heat. As such, it should be made of lightweight materials like fleece that quickly dry and breathe; thinner fleece may be better for high output activities while thicker mid-to-heavy weight fleece may be preferable in cold climate conditions for prolonged stationary time periods.

Performance mid layers may include thumbholes built into their sleeves to keep your hands warm without needing to take your gloves off, and insulation mid layers certified according to either the Responsible Down Standard or Wool Standard guaranteeing that its components have been responsibly sourced.

Merino wool mid-layers provide hunters with environmentally-friendly alternatives. Soft yet breathable while remaining warm, these garments also offer anti-odour capabilities for an added advantage.

Outer Layer

The outer layer provides protection from rain, snow, wind, and any other form of inclement weather during hunting trips. Furthermore, it should also provide enough ventilation so as to remain comfortable without overheating.

Mid-layer options exist to add comfort to any ensemble, whether that means layering jackets over them or wearing something with a hoody or crew neck that can easily be layered under jackets. Merino wool and synthetic blend materials work best as they wick away sweat while keeping you dry and warm.

Cotton clothing should be avoided for cold-weather hunting as it retains moisture, delaying drying in case you step in puddles while hiking or traversing rough terrain, leading to serious skin issues over time. An ideal mid-layer should trap body heat so it does not escape while remaining lightweight enough for proper function in the backcountry.

Shell

Your outer layers should keep you dry and comfortable when hunting, including waterproof jackets and pants to provide adequate protection from rain, cold air and wind.

Traditional upland hunters of the 19th century would wear clothing that provided protection from thorns such as thorn proof breeks (mid calf length britches that allow range of movement while trampling through dense thistle), heavy knit natural wool sweater and vest with features like pit zips to vent heat as well as breathable fabrics that would allow sweat and odors to escape.

Merino wool jackets and vests, which provide insulation, sweat-wicking and odor-controlling properties. When worn with a fleece liner for extra warmth and versatility, these garments pair perfectly with durable all-weather rubber boots which whitetail deer hunters often opt for due to their scent control abilities; rubber helps absorb any odors produced while being easier to wash than leather or synthetic options.