What is true about dressing in layers for hunting?

  Jackie Holbrook   FeaturedGear   October 27, 2020

Daylight will filter through the branches any minute. Sitting in the darkness, you keep picturing that big buck from your trail camera photos. As morning’s shade grows lighter, you’re that much closer to finding him.

It’s opening day. You spent all summer scouting and dialing in your bow, and you’re now sitting in a treestand hung in the perfect pinch point. You did everything right, except one thing: You forgot to check the weather forecast.

If you had glanced at a weather app before dressing, you would’ve learned the season’s first snowstorm was blowing in. That oversight explains why you threw on some light clothing and headed out into the dark. The excitement of the season’s first sit spurred your brisk hike to your treestand, soaking your base layers in sweat. It’s still dark and you’re already freezing.

Too many bowhunters learn that lesson the hard way. Understanding what to wear makes you a better bowhunter. How you dress and layer your clothing is as vital to your success as scouting and practice-shooting.

“I pack my outer layers when I walk to the treestand during late season,” said Alex Templeton, a Missouri rancher, hunter and Sitka gear ambassador. “Once I start sweating, there’s a better chance I’ll get cold, so I put on my layers once I’m in the tree.”

When bowhunters talk about “layering” they mean their clothing layers and the order they’re worn. You might dress to impress at your workplace, but a hunter’s wardrobe is more about function. It must regulate scents and temperatures while blocking out the wind, rain and snow.

How Layering Looks

Avoid wearing cotton as your base layer. Photo credit: Alex Templeton

Layering systems should be easy to add or shed to handle activity levels and changing temperatures. Here’s what many bowhunters use for layering:

• Base layers (top and bottom long johns)
• Fleece hoody
• Pants (quiet and weather-proof)
• Vest (fleece or puffy)
• Jacket, insulated (down or synthetics)
• Jacket, shell (no insulation, water-resistant and windproof)
• Bibs (heavy insulation for sitting)
• Neck gaiter
• Stocking cap
• Gloves
• Rain pants and jacket

Choose the Right Fabric

Hunters ask much of their clothing. It must be quiet, comfortable and functional. That’s why each clothing item in your system might be made of different fabric. What you wear next to your skin isn’t the same material as found in your jacket.

“Cotton kills” is a popular saying among hunters. Cotton absorbs sweat, so it stays wet. It’s uncomfortable in warm weather, but it can cause hypothermia when worn wet in cold weather. Most hunters use quick-dry fabrics for base layers, such as merino wool and polypropylene fabrics, both of which regulate temperature and absorb moisture.

When shopping for outer layers like jackets and pants, hunters prefer fabrics that resist or block wind and water. Many hunters carry an insulated jacket and external shell. Insulated jackets usually feature down or synthetic fibers. These “puffy coats” are warm, but they don’t usually perform well in rain, which is why many hunters also carry a shell. A jacket shell doesn’t have insulation so it can be worn with or without the puffy jacket. Shells typically use fabrics built to handle wind and rain.

“Waterproof” doesn’t mean “water-resistant.” Most hunting jackets resist wind and water to keep hunters warm in bad weather. In a downpour, you’ll want waterproof pants and a raincoat to stay dry. Waterproof fabrics, however, are usually noisier and less breathable.

Dress for the Weather

Even if it’s cold in the morning, that will likely change throughout the day. Carry your outer layers in your backpack. Photo credit: ATA

Why must bowhunters put so much thought into clothing? Being comfortable keeps you afield longer, increasing your odds. Plus, if you’re shivering or sweating you’ll struggle to hold steady for a shot. Most bowhunts occur in fall, when temperatures can rise from subfreezing before dawn to mid-80s in the afternoon. Such swings make layers mandatory.

“Having the correct base layer, midlayer and outer layer creates a system that will adapt to temperature and precipitation changes throughout the day,” Templeton said.

Late-season hunts bring different challenges, like extreme wet and cold weather.

“An effective layering system is most important when hunting in cold temperatures,” Templeton said. “Here in Missouri, late-season temperatures can be brutal. Rain, snow, dampness, wind … We see it all.”

Use Your Layering System

Layering systems let you add and subtract clothing as temperatures/weather conditions change. How you hunt is also a big factor.

“Sitting in a treestand waiting on a whitetail to walk by, and stalking a bull elk are completely opposite,” Templeton said. “For treestand hunting I focus on wearing baselayers that let me stay warm while sitting still. I’m not creating excess body heat by moving around, so I need my layering system to provide as much warmth as possible.”

Spot-and-stalk hunting, however, can seem like a constant cycle of putting on clothes and taking them off. It’s tempting to dress warm on cold mornings, but you’ll shed that heavy layer or two quickly if you do any hiking, especially uphill. As soon as you sit to glass, you’ll add layers, especially if you worked up a sweat during the ascent.

Bowhunting is often a balancing act. You’ll want to carry a light backpack while preparing for anything. It’s always smart to pack extra layers. Even if precipitation is unlikely, always carry rainwear. Gloves and a stocking cap should also be staples in your pack.

Proper layering is yet another skill that boosts success. With the right clothing on your body and in your pack, you’ll be ready for anything.

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Because hunting is often done in cold weather, special consideration must be given to staying warm.

• Dress in several layers of clothing to provide insulation. Also, layers can be added or removed to regulate body temperature.
• Start with a layer of synthetic underwear designed to wick away moisture from the skin, which will keep you drier and warmer.
• Select outerwear that is suitable for the weather.
  • Many types of cold weather synthetic fabrics, such as fleece, are available. Synthetics are quiet, are water-resistant, and add warmth without weight.
  • Wool clothing is an excellent insulator, even when wet. Wear it over synthetic undergarments to eliminate the itchy feeling of wool.
  • Goose-down insulation is very lightweight and an excellent insulator. However, unless treated, down garments lose their insulation qualities when they are wet.
  • Cotton clothing (underwear, T-shirts, jeans, flannel shirts) is a poor choice for cold, wet weather. When wet, cotton loses its already limited insulating ability and can cause rapid transfer of heat away from the body, increasing the risk of hypothermia.
• Be sure to cover your neck and head since a large amount of body heat is lost through these parts of the body. A neck gaiter or turtleneck pullover will reduce heat loss. Insulated hats will reduce heat loss from the head. Avoid hats with long bills that will get in the way when you shoot. Water-repellent hats are a wise choice if wet weather is expected. In extremely cold weather, insulated hoods on hunting coats or pullover-type caps will provide the best protection.
• Choose footwear that is sturdy and suitable for your hunting conditions.
  • Many hunters prefer rubber boots that will help eliminate human scent from footwear. When purchasing boots, be sure to try them on with the type of socks you plan to wear when hunting. While you may have to purchase boots a size larger to accommodate more layers, keep in mind that loose boots can cause blisters.
  • For extremely cold weather, insulated boots are available. Find a size that fits snugly but allows you to wiggle your toes, which will help keep your feet warm. Waterproof boots, such as those with Gore-Tex liners, are ideal in wet conditions.
  • Wise hunters always carry one or two extra pairs of socks. Wet socks in cold weather make a hunter very uncomfortable.

Gore-Tex is a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates.

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For wet weather conditions, several types of waterproof or water-repellent garments are available.

• Coated nylon or plastic is certainly waterproof, but it will not let perspiration escape. It won’t be long before the inside of your rain gear is wet from condensed perspiration.
• Although it’s more expensive, rain gear with a breathable membrane, such as Gore-Tex, is a better choice. It prevents rain from entering the garment but allows perspiration vapor to pass through to the outside. Another advantage is that the fabrics are available in camouflage with soft-nap finishes that reduce noise. Hats and gloves are also available.
• A traditional poncho is a poor choice. It’s nearly impossible to shoot while wearing this type of garment.
• Quality rain gear may be expensive, but it’s money well spent if it keeps you comfortable during long hours of waiting on a stand.