There are several considerations to ponder when selecting wet-weather outfit, including warmth, versatility, noise, comfort and convenience. Listed here are seven main features that provide major benefits while hunting, including good examples that highlight the “latest and greatest” garments from popular manufacturers.
BREATHABLE COMFORT
Today’s high-tech waterproof/breathable garments are the most popular choice among deer hunters, and define versatility––combining comfort, stealth, concealment and waterproof protection in a wear-it-everyday hunting suit. Cabela’s Guidewear Rain Extreme Parka and Bibs features soft, quiet, tough-as-nails waterproof/breathable GORE-TEX laminate construction, combined with CoolMax moisture-wicking mesh lining that pulls perspiration away from your body. www.cabelas.com
INSULATION
For cold-weather hunting, select well-insulated garments. Browning’s XPO Big Game Insulated Parka and Bibs features Browning’s Pre-Vent waterproof/breathable fabric and ultra-warm Thermore insulation. The parka also features one-piece, set-in, no-seam sleeves with watertight neoprene cuffs for extra warmth. www.browning.com
SCENT CONTAINMENT
Being odor-free increases your chances of tagging a big buck. Medalist’s Silvermax Max Jacket and Pants are lightweight, packable garments that feature both a waterproof/breathable membrane and DWR weather-proof finish. Silvermax uses 99.9 percent pure silver technology twill lining for bacterial-killing, scent-free protection that requires no activation or complicated maintenance. www.medalist.com
STEALTH
Staying quiet is the name of the game while in the whitetail woods. Use weather-proof garments already treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating by the manufacturer; this added protection helps in drizzles, light rains or heavy morning dew, but won’t keep you dry in a total downpour. Rocky’s S2V Parka and Pants couples a moisture-wicking sculpted fleece lining with a stylish and silent outer shell that features a highly water-resistant treatment. www.rockybrands.com
VERSATILITY
For hunter’s who utilize both blaze orange and camouflage during various deer seasons, choose a reversible garment. Gamehide’s Chameleon Parka and Bibs features two layers of soft, quiet, weather-proof HunterHide DWR-treated fabric in Mossy Oak Treestand and Blaze Orange Branch camouflage, stuffed with warm HeatTech tubular-fiber insulation and coated with Outcast water-beading treatment. www.gamehide.com
PACKABLE
When rain is in the forecast, stow away some protection. Under Armour’s Denison Jacket and Pants weighs only 2 pounds and stuffs away in its own built-in pocket. The garments utilize Armourstorm waterproof, breathable membrane, taped seams, featherweight construction and full-stretch fabric for ultra mobility. www.underarmour.com
LAYERED
Adjusting warmth based on adding or removing garment layers is a smart concept that isn’t new. However, Sitka’s Stormfront Jacket and Pants is tailored specifically to fit together with Sitka’s next-to-skin and first-layer garments to eliminate bulk and decrease overall weight. Stormfront outerwear features waterproof/breathable GORE-TEX fabric, and GORE-SEAM watertight tape technology, and is available in GORE’s new OPTIFADE concealment, camouflage technology. www.sitkagear.com
Get the gear that beats the bad-weather blues and keeps you in the woods longer. Do this and you’ll have a better shot at tagging your buck!