Hunting Clothing
Hunters use a wide variety of clothing in their pursuits. Some of it is the same clothing worn for outdoor work. Some of it doubles in other outdoor recreation activities. Some of it is extremely specialized and designed for a specific hunting purpose.
Hunting poses a wide variety of conditions, and hunting clothing is designed to meet those conditions. It provides protection from heat, cold, moisture, (from perspiration to driving rain or snow), offensive insects, briars, thorns, or even snakebite. It helps to prevent cuts, bruises, scrapes, sprains, and strains. While doing all of this, it makes the hunter obvious to others or hides him/her from their quarry. It also provides for carrying a variety of cargo, from basic survival gear, ammunition, and field dressing equipment top field lunches, fluids, and game or game parts. It does all these things while keeping the hunter comfortable and focused on the hunt.
Comfort means that the body is able to maintain its preferred temperature through changes in weather, activity, and other factors. Maintaining body temperature is critical to human beings. Metabolism, the body’s furnace, produces heat as well as supplying nutrients to the distribution system. Our normal thermostat keeps the body core at a temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. All the enzymes that control body functions are adapted to operate best at that temperature. If the core temperature climbs too high (hyperthermia) or drops too low (hypothermia) the body ceases to function properly. Extreme changes, which may be as little as 8-10 degrees Fahrenheit, can result in severe problems or death. The comfort zone is smaller than that, and clothing should be selected to maintain reasonable comfort. Beyond the effect on body function, comfort allows the hunter to focus attention on the task, remain still and unobserved, or shoot effectively.
One of the ways the body maintains its high working temperature is to warm the air immediately surrounding it. Cold temperatures, windy conditions, or moisture on the skin can strip that warmed layer away. Hot temperatures can result in the body needing to use evaporative cooling to lower its temperature as heat loss to the air is prevented.
Under cold conditions, the body tends to lose heat in several ways. Direct contact with cold objects, like boat seats, firearm barrels or actions, bow handles, rocks, or logs causes the body to lose heat by conduction. The warmer body simply transfers heat to the cooler one. Convection and radiation result in heat loss as warmth is transferred to cooler air. Air movement tends to increase that loss by stripping away the warm envelope of air the body generates. Of course, air movement aids in evaporative cooling when the hunter is too hot as well. Contact between the cooler air and bare skin, particularly on the head, neck, and hands tend to be the major sources of convective or radiative heat loss. Evaporation results in heat loss when body heat is used to convert liquid water into gas. It works regardless of temperature. Thus, while it is critical for cooling in hot weather, exposed wet skin can cause extreme heat loss under cold conditions.
Heat is constantly being lost from our bodies. The important thing is to regulate that heat loss for comfort and well being. Proper selection of clothing is part of that regulation process. One of the primary factors in regulating heat loss is weather. Hunters are afield under a tremendous array of weather conditions – hot to bitter cold, dry to heavy precipitation, nearly calm to high winds. Clothing must just be matched to those conditions.
A second factor affecting heat loss and its regulation is the hunting technique. A hunter who posts on a stand, waiting for game to come to him or her produces much less heat than a hunter who is still hunting or stalking game. Muscle use generates heat, so the active hunting method requires less insulation than the more sedentary one. The stand hunter, however, may have had to walk or climb rather briskly for a mile or more reaching or leaving the stand site as opposed to hunting from it.
The type of terrain being hunted also affects clothing comfort. Hot desert conditions might call for light clothing, but tough pants and boots may be required to protect the legs and feet from thorns or spines. Rugged, broken terrain requires much more ankle support in the boots and lighter clothing (because of the effort involved in movement) than does open country that is relatively easy to cross. Climatic differences associated with different types of terrain from marsh to bayous to high deserts and mountain slopes affect the clothing required. Wise hunters also enter the field prepared to cope with any sudden changes in weather that the area and season may create.
Ease of movement is important in hunting clothing. Hunting is usually an active sport where ease of movement is vital to the act of hunting itself. This usually supports the use of full-cut clothing that does not restrict either movement or blood flow. Clothing that feels fine in the store may bind or restrict movements when the hunter is in the act of shooting, and care should be taken to make sure that freedom of movement includes shooting positions.
Layering
Most hunters adhere to the principle of layering in their hunting clothing. Layers are added or deleted to adjust the level of protection and insulation to their needs. Some sources view the layering process as a set of three layers: a foundation layer, an insulating layer, and a protective layer.
The innermost layer of clothing, or foundation layer, serves two primary functions. It traps warmed air next to the body and wicks moisture away from the skin, or it acts as an absorbent layer to distribute moisture and allow greater areas of evaporative cooling. Fabric choices for this layer vary with the needs and purpose. Cotton is an outstanding choice for hot or mild weather. It is comfortable against the skin, non-irritating to almost everyone, and absorbent. In many fabrics, it allows air movement and encourages evaporative cooling. Under extreme cold conditions, however, cotton is a relatively poor choice. It can become damp during periods of high activity and dries slowly once it has become saturated with moisture. Wool is an excellent outdoorsman’s outerwear and insulating layer, but it is less useful as a foundation garment. It has the ability to maintain its warmth even when it is wet; but it often becomes wet easily, and many people find it uncomfortable or irritating against the skin. Several synthetic fibers are better choices for the foundation layer during cold weather. These fibers tend to transfer moisture readily to the outer layers of clothing without becoming saturated with moisture themselves. They hold their shape and loft well in laundering, and they are generally comfortable against the skin. Many of them, like polypropylene and Orlon, have most of the advantages of wool without the disadvantages and feel very comfortable to the wearer.
The bulk, weight, and thermal qualities of the insulating layer vary with the conditions being met. Most insulation can be disregarded under hot or even mild conditions, but cool, cold, or severe conditions may require several layers. The primary function of this layer is to increase the thickness and effectiveness of the warm air next to the skin. A wide variety of materials may be used to provide an insulating layer, and these materials vary in thermal qualities as well as weight, thickness, durability, and retention of their actions when they become wet. The best materials for heat retention fall into two categories. Some of the newer materials, like Thinsulate or urethane foams, have a high R-value for their thickness and mass. These are used almost as films in clothing that is light, compact, and warm. Most other materials depend upon their loft – the ability to trap large amounts of air within the material. Goose or duck down, Dacron fillers, and the various hollow filler fibers, like Hollowfill or Qualofill, operate on this principle. These materials are light, but most of them require a fair amount of bulk to reach their best insulating qualities. Some of them crush easily for packing yet spring back to their original shape when removed from the pack. Down suffers from a loss of loft if it becomes wet and matted, while the newer hollow-fiber fillers do not. Many hunters who hunt areas where daily temperature extremes can vary widely will include a down or hollow-fiber filled jacket or vest in their gear, using it early and late and storing it in a day bag during the heat of the day. Stand hunters will find a similar use, going light on the way to and from the stand and adding the extra insulating layer once they have reached a stand site.
The upper body and head are most important as areas of heat loss (up to 80 percent) and as areas that must be kept warm. The lower body, composed primarily of large muscle masses that heat themselves when used is less susceptible to cold. The body’s core is found in the deep tissues of the upper body, so protection of the abdomen, chest, neck, and head is essential.
Under warm or hot conditions, the protective layer may be the only one required aside from light underwear. As those functions become more stressful for humans, the importance of this layer increases. The function of the protective layer varies with the type of conditions encountered. Wind, precipitation, cold, or hot weather or combinations of those conditions dictate different types of outerwear for protection. In general, a hunter’s outerwear should have several characteristics. It should be wind resistant unless wind penetration to the body (as in hot weather) is an important factor.
Wind chill has a pronounced effect on the apparent or realized loss of heat. Often, simply blocking the wind from the body is adequate to make the hunter comfortable. Where precipitation is a factor, outerwear should be moisture resistant to completely waterproof. Under rainy conditions, both the upper body and lower body should be protected to achieve the highest level of comfort. Clothes that permit perspiration to move away from the body while preventing precipitation from wetting it are ideal for those circumstances. Several selective films are available that achieve this dual purpose, with Goretex being the most commonly known.
The purposes for which the outerwear will be used should be carefully considered as well. If the garment is meant for a single purpose, it can be selected with that specific purpose in mind. If it is to serve multiple functions, it may need to be a compromise among competing factors. Some of the factors that need to be considered in buying hunting clothing include: cost, durability, utility, weight, quietness, effectiveness for the purpose, color and pattern, cargo carrying capacity, and compatibility with other uses.
Clothing for Extremities
Since the head and hands are often exposed and their bare skin radiates much of the body’s heat, particular attention is required in selecting head gear and hand wear. An almost bewildering array of styles and types of headgear is available. Hats and caps in a wide variety of styles and materials are commonly used, with many regional favorites. Felt crushers or even cowboy hats are commonly used in some areas. Others prefer various weights of caps designed around the common baseball cap style, wither with or without ear warming flaps. Still others prefer some type of stocking cap or Balaclava with or without a face shield of some type. Ventilated caps or straw hats are much cooler during hot weather hunting sessions. Archers may prefer the short bill of a Jones-style hat as well as the possibility of folding down the sides and back of the hat to conceal their ears and break up their head outline.
A hat or cap may be used in a layering process when the wind and temperature make conditions severe. A coat with a hood can be used over the cap or hat to increase the heat-trapping capacity. In addition, face masks or frost shields can be used to further reduce the heat loss from the face or to increase the built-in insect netting can be extremely helpful as a combination of camouflage and protection from insects like mosquitoes and black flies.
Gloves and mittens can be used to keep the hands warm, but they are used for a variety of other purposes as well. Light shooting gloves can be used to improve the grip on firearms, to cover and disguise hands, or to prevent insults from thorns, briars, and other objects. Heavier or insulated gloves can be used to keep the hands warm and functional and to prevent chapping under cold weather conditions. Mittens are much warmer than gloves of like weight, but they tend to reduce dexterity or shooting speed. Field dressing gloves can be used to keep the hands clean and prevent contracting blood-borne diseases or allergic reactions to stomach contents. Waterfowlers will find trapper’s gauntlets or other waterproof gloves (even kitchen gloves will help) very useful in picking up decoys when water and air temperatures are low. A light pair of cotton or wool gloves inside the gauntlets will keep them dry and keep the hands warm while the picking up process is finished. Wet hands rapidly lose dexterity, and continual wetting and drying will produce hands that crack and chap. Under severe weather conditions, gloves may be layered inside mittens for additional protection. Hand warmers or chemical heat packs can be great benefits to the hunter when hands tend to get cold easily.
Footwear
Like other types of hunting clothing, footwear needs to be matched to the use and conditions. Hunters may use stalking moccasins or sneakers in some situations and insulated waders in others. Boots that perform just right on a dry upland hunt in early fall may be miserable on a rainy day hunt or one over boggy ground or in wet snow. Short rubber boots may be great for wet conditions or shallow water crossings, but they offer little support for the ankles and may cause the fete to look like wrinkle factories in warm, dry weather. Felt-lined packs are great for severe cold, but they are bulky and extremely hot under warmer conditions. Mountain boots with their tough vibram soles and strong ankle support are essentially useless in a waterfowling marsh.
Weather combines with terrain and hunting style to dictate the best type of boot for the hunter. Style, sole or tread type, height, and other factors, like insulation or waterproofing, enter into the decision. Where one pair of boots must fit a variety of uses, preparing for either the most common conditions or those that are most demanding is often a good alternative. Even the type of hunting technique has an influence. Stand hunters need warmer boots as well as warmer clothing than do hunters using techniques that are more active. The upland bird hunter or still hunter needs boots that will keep his or her feet comfortable over many miles of country. That means that the boots must fit!
Feet are the real “all terrain vehicles” of the hunter, and proper fit is essential to taking care of your feet. Well-fitted, well-broken-in boots prevent blisters and sore feet, two of the best fun killing conditions a hunter can encounter. Wearing a new pair of boots enough to get them broken in before the season is essential. Wearing them on daily conditioning walks is a great way to get that process handled.
Boots are the protective layer for the feet, but socks make up the foundation and insulation layers. Socks cushion the feet with each step, aiding the shoe’s sole in that process. They handle the perspiration from the feet, either absorbing it or wicking it away to another layer. They also act as friction transfer devices if properly used. A relatively light cotton or acrylic sock worn under a heavier boot sock can cause any friction between the boot and the foot to be transferred to the interface between the socks, eliminating the abrasion of the skin and potential blisters.
Dry socks are important for both warmth and comfort. In fact, one of the most refreshing things a hunter can do for his/her feet in the middle of the day is to substitute a clean, dry pair of socks for those that have been collecting sweat all morning. The sensation rejuvenates both the feet and the spirits, and it keeps the feet healthy.
Materials for the Outdoorsman
The array of materials available in sporting clothing can be almost bewildering. Experience with various types, weights, and weaves can help you to select fabric and cuts that fit your needs well. Both natural fibers and synthetic fibers are extremely useful to the hunter, with the appropriate choice depending upon a whole suite of conditions and use options. Talking about potential choices with experienced people can be an excellent source of information in making specific selections, but new materials and combinations are being developed all the time.
Cotton is one of the most common natural fibers used in hunting clothing. It can be very light and airy or it can be woven in a tight, tough pattern to make it stronger and more resistant to briars and similar insults. Denim and twill weaves are among the more common types found inn cotton clothing for the outdoors. Sometimes cotton pants are reinforced at the front of the legs with Cordura or canvas (a heavy cotton fabric) to make effective brush busters. Chamois cloth is cotton that is soft to the touch, warm and quiet. Cotton absorbs water readily unless it is treated with a water repellant. It is comfortable against the skin and makes excellent mild or hot weather clothing.
Wool is a naturally quiet fiber. It retains its warmth even when wet, but it wets easily and becomes extremely heavy when wet. Wool clothing may be knitted (sweaters, socks) or woven (pants, coats, shirts). It comes in a wide variety of weights that can be matched to the conditions. Its colors may tend to bleed when it becomes wet, but almost every hunter in the country uses some wool clothing. Wool may be obtained in very hard weaves, like whipcord, or in weaves that leave a napped finish. The harder the weave, the more durable is the fabric.
For many years, goose down was the premier insulating material. It remains one of the best today, even though some synthetic fibers and fillers rival or surpass it in thermal qualities. Down is an outstanding insulator when it is dry, but it tends to clump and lose its loft when it gets wet. Wet down needs to be refreshed with a down soap and a tumble-dry before it can be restored to its full insulating value. The lightweight and crushability of down make it an excellent choice for garments that may spend some of their time in a day bag or pack during each day’s hunt. They add lots of insulation for very little weight. Both duck and goose down may be used in down garments.
Synthetic fibers are used in a wide variety of filed clothing as well. These fibers are engineered for their qualities. Nylon is one of the oldest of the polymer fibers. It is available in a wide variety of weights, from extremely thin and airy material to 1000 denier Cordura. Ripstop nylon is used in may packs and windbreakers. Nylon or rayon, a related fiber, is used in sleeping bag linings and covers as well. Nylon is light for its strength, but it is noisy. That makes it a poor choice for big game hunting, although Cordura is an excellent pack material or facing for upland bird pants. It is also used in conjunction with water barrier films in making boots.
Orlon is a water wicking material that is often knitted into socks and sweaters. It is soft, resilient, and warm to the touch. It is also durable and machine washable, making it a good choice for field gear.
Polypropylene is a plastic fiber. It is water repellent, making it a good wicking material. When spun and woven or knitted into fabric it is used in making underwear, glove liners, socks, and similar clothing. It is an outstanding choice for cold weather undergarments.
A whole host of hollow polymer fibers are available as insulation. Early ones were nearly equivalent to down as a crushable insulator. The more recent one improve on down’s performance by retaining their insulating qualities even when they are wet. They are also machine washable and are easily dried.
Several new fibers, fabrics, or blends have come on the market under a wide variety of names. Thermax, Worsterlon, and pack cloth are among some of the brand names used in garments made of these fibers. All of them combine some characteristics of wools and synthetics for excellent field performance.
Thinsulate is an insulation layer that is used in many boots and outdoor garments. It has high insulation value for its weight and thickness, providing warmth without bulk. Goretax and other water barrier films are popular with many outdoorsmen because they will permit moisture to move out from the body in a vapor or gaseous state, but they will not allow water to pass through their pores. These materials also have the wind stopping power of a wall, making them a great barrier or protective layer under wet, windy conditions.
Camouflage and High Visibility Clothing
High visibility clothing, like blaze orange fabric, is a legal requirement in many states and provinces. It allows hunters to be seen by other hunters, keeps them in touch with their hunting partners, and may save some lives. It is available in many weights and finishes, and it has little impact on hunting success rates where upland birds or big game animals are hunted with firearms. It is seldom used in hunting waterfowl or turkeys, and it sees little use in bowhunting because of the need to get very close to game or its obvious visibility to birds. Mammals may see it well, but humans see it extremely well. Wise hunters use it to be seen, even if the law does not require it. Some states permit the use of alternative high visibility clothing, like fluorescent chartreuse.
Camouflage clothing is designed for concealment. It aids the hunter in avoiding detection by game animals. It may also avoid giving the appearance of a game animal in some hunting situations, like spring turkey hunting. Camouflage acts by braking up the outline of the hunter – disruptive camouflage, by allowing the hunter to blend into the background – cryptic camouflage, or both. Disruptive patterns often place sharply contrasting blocks of color next to each other, disassembling the hunter’s image into separate blocks. High contrast is often needed to accomplish this task, and disruptive patterns are found in most military camouflage and the traditional “woodland” camouflage. Cryptic patterns are designed to make the hunter blend into the background. An increasingly large assortment of patterns is available, representing bark, leaf, brush, rock, or other backgrounds. Some waterfowling camouflage even imitates the vertical structure of green on green or tan on tan found in marshland plants. White or black on white camouflage works extremely well under snowy conditions or when the hunter is “hiding” in a snow goose spread.
Blaze camouflage is a combination of blocks of color, designed to give the appearance of woodland camouflage to animals that do not see the red end of the visible light well. It offers hunters the chance to be seen by others without the risk of being as obvious to some big game animals.
Relatively recent information shows that some game animals see with a different visual spectrum than do humans. They may be able to detect wavelengths in either the infrared or the ultraviolet range. Since many of today’s fabrics and detergents have color enhancers that fall in the ultraviolet range for reflectance, companies have developed products that act as UV “killer, reducing the ultraviolet reflectance of camouflage clothing.
Regardless of the type or pattern of camouflage clothing used, effectiveness is the responsibility of the hunter. Movement will reveal your presence almost immediately to any wary animal. Noise, either human noises or the noise of fabric being scraped can also act as a distant warning system to game animals. A sky-lined hunter has a distinctive predatory shape, and uncamouflaged parts of the body like the face, hands, or eyes can act like beacons in attracting the attention of the animal being hunted.
Summary
Hunting clothing and footwear must be matched to the weather, climate, terrain, hunting technique, and personal preferences of the hunter. Clothing is not magical. It does not make or break the hunt, but using the proper types of clothing can make it much more pleasant. New developments in clothing for hunters are being made all the time, and wise hunters try to stay abreast of new developments that can make their time afield more pleasant.
