Guide to Choosing the Ideal Hunting Jacket: What You Need to Know?

Finding the right hunting clothing isn't always a simple task, given the wide range of conditions encountered in the field. Whether you are a seasoned hunter or a beginner, choosing the right jacket can make the difference between a successful hunt and uncomfortably freezing. Our range covers every scenario – here is how to narrow down your selection.

Define Your Purpose Before Buying

The basic rule when choosing hunting equipment is adapting to the activity. A jacket for dynamic driven hunts must be breathable and allow freedom of movement, while a jacket for stand hunting in winter must primarily retain body heat. Also, consider the terrain – mountain hunting requires different material performance compared to hunting in plains or forests.

Balance Between Protection and Silence

Many hunters look for a "universal jacket," but it is important to understand the technological compromises involved. Models with a high degree of waterproofness and wind protection usually feature membranes (such as Gore-Tex). Although they protect perfectly against bad weather, they can produce a slight noise when moving. In contrast, materials like wool or fleece are almost noiseless – ideal for stalking – but offer less protection against heavy rain.

Adjust Expectations to Real Conditions

A common mistake is insisting on complete waterproofness for every situation. If you mainly hunt from a closed blind (high seat) in winter, a water-repellent loden jacket is often a better choice than a synthetic membrane. Loden is quiet, breathable, and provides excellent warmth, which is more important in static hunting than extreme rain protection that you won't feel under a roof anyway.

Key Features of Hunting Jackets: A-Z Glossary

Hunting jackets are much more than just ordinary outdoor clothing. Every detail and material has its specific function designed to make your time in the field easier. To help you choose the ideal model, we have prepared explanations of the most common features and technologies you will encounter in our range.

Weather Protection and Thermoregulation

• Waterproofness and Membranes (e.g., Gore-Tex): When a jacket has an integrated membrane and welded seams, water cannot penetrate inside. This is crucial for hunting in heavy rain. Gore-Tex is the most well-known technology that guarantees dryness.
• Water Repellency and Teflon: This is not the same as waterproofness. Water-repellent materials (often treated with Teflon) repel moisture and dirt – droplets "roll" off the surface. This is ideal for damp mornings in the forest, but not for downpours.
• Windproofness: A membrane that prevents wind penetration. This is crucial for retaining heat, as cold wind drastically lowers body temperature (windchill effect), even when it's not freezing cold.
• Breathability: The ability of the material to let sweat and body moisture escape without losing heat. A key feature for active hunters to stay dry on the inside.
• Ventilation Zips: Usually located under the armpits. They allow for rapid temperature regulation during strenuous walking or retrieving game, preventing excessive sweating.
• Lining (Thermal Insulation): A warm lining is essential for winter stands, but keep in mind that it increases the jacket's volume and can limit mobility compared to thinner models ("shell" jackets).
  
  

Field Functionality and Materials

• Silent Materials (Low Noise): For stalking, this is the most important feature. Materials like loden, fleece, or special soft fabrics do not rustle when moving, allowing you to approach wary game unnoticed.
• Thorn Resistance: Densely woven, robust outer materials (often reinforced with Cordura or similar fabrics) prevent the jacket from tearing when passing through dense vegetation, brambles, and undergrowth. Essential for beaters.
• Stretch: Elastic materials that follow the body's movements. They provide maximum comfort and freedom of movement, which is particularly important for quick aiming.
• Reversibility (Reversible): Jackets that can be worn on both sides. One side is usually camouflage or green for blending in with the environment, while the other is in a signal color (orange/red) for high visibility and safety during group hunts.
  
  

Additional Details That Make a Difference

• Game Pocket (Rear Pocket): A large, spacious pocket located on the lower back. It serves for carrying small game, but also dog leashes, hats, or gloves.
• Hood: Check if it is detachable. If you plan to wear the jacket as a mid-layer under a thicker raincoat, a fixed hood can be an annoyance. For an outer layer, a hood provides excellent protection.

Selecting the ideal jacket based on hunting style

Hunting adventures are unpredictable, just like the weather conditions that accompany you. That's precisely why gear that works in one situation can be completely wrong in another.Experienced hunters know that there is no one "magical" jacket that covers all scenarios – from summer heat to winter blizzards. The key to comfort lies in specialization: choose a jacket according to the terrain and the way you hunt.

The ideal jacket for stalking (Still hunting)

In active hunting, where you move a lot and stalk game, the priorities are clear: silence and elasticity.The jacket must follow your movements without tightening (models with plenty of elastane/stretch are the best choice). Also, the material must be "mute," meaning it must not produce noise upon contact with branches.

Protection from wind and rain

For this type of hunting, complete waterproofing is often not necessary because it reduces breathability. A quality windproof jacket (windstopper) that is slightly water-repellent is usually quite sufficient. It will protect you from dew and wind, while allowing the body to "breathe." If a downpour is brewing, it is much more practical to have a lightweight raincoat in your backpack to put on over it, than to sweat in a heavy jacket the whole time.

Equipment for mountain hunting: The layering strategy

Mountain hunting is one of the most demanding forms of hunting, both physically and logistically. Unlike hunting in the lowlands, there is no car nearby where you can change clothes. Everything you need is carried on your back, so every gram of equipment is important. Additionally, mountain weather is fickle – sunshine quickly turns into a snowstorm.Therefore, instead of searching for one "thick" jacket, experienced mountain hunters use the system oflayering. This approach allows you to regulate temperature by adding or removing layers. Here is how that system works:

First Layer (Base against the body):This is the foundation. Its role is not to warm, but to wick moisture (sweat) away from the skin. Wet skin means rapid cooling. Choose base layers made of synthetic material or merino wool. Forget about cotton – it absorbs sweat, dries slowly, and chills you.

Second Layer (Insulation):This layer retains your body heat. A lightweight down jacket, a synthetic "puff" jacket, or a quality fleece/sweater is an excellent choice. The point is for the material to create an "air pocket" that serves as an insulator.

Third Layer (Wind Protection):Heat is useless if the wind "blows it away." A thin, wind-resistant jacket (windstopper) is crucial for keeping the warm air trapped against the body.

Fourth Layer (Rain Armour):This is your lightweight, 100% waterproof jacket (raincoat/hardshell). You usually carry it in your backpack and take it out only when heavy rain or snow starts. It's important that it is lightweight and takes up little space.

How to choose a winter jacket for hunting in low temperatures?

The offer of winter jackets is vast, but experienced hunters know that a thick jacket alone is often not enough when the mercury drops below -5°C, and you sit motionless for hours. That's why the layering system is also applied in winter.

The Foundation of Warmth: What Goes Under the Jacket?

What you wear underneath plays a crucial role. The first layer must be quality thermal underwear (preferably merino wool). Over that come one or two middle layers of fleece or wool. Only at the end do you put on the insulated winter jacket. This system traps warm air and prevents the body from cooling down.

Waterproofing vs. Breathability

Many people make the mistake of seeking complete waterproofing in winter. At extreme sub-zero temperatures, it rarely rains (dry snow falls), so the membrane is less important, especially if you hunt from an enclosed blind (čeka). In that case, it is more important for the jacket to "breathe" (breathability) so you don't sweat, as sweat leads to freezing.If, however, you hunt from an open blind, the priority becomeswind protection (windstopper), as wind drastically accelerates heat loss.

Silence or Membrane?

For hunting cautious game (wild boars, deer), sound is crucial. Jackets with membranes (such as Deerhunter Muflon or Harkila Norfell) offer superior protection but may rustle slightly. If absolute silence is your priority,Loden(fulled wool) is a better choice. Although classic Loden lets strong wind through, modern models made of densely woven, thick Loden provide quite solid wind protection along with complete silence.

When even the jacket is not enough: "Heavy Artillery"

For extreme cold and long night waits, even the best jacket has a limit. The best solution then is a stand hunting bag (Ansitzsack). It is pulled over your complete clothing and footwear, creating an isolated air barrier around you that guarantees warmth even on the coldest nights.

Jackets for dog handlers and tracking (Blood trail)

Being a dog handler in a hunt or tracking wounded game is one of the most demanding tasks. Here, the equipment undergoes extreme stress – pushing through dense thorns, thickets, and inaccessible terrain is an everyday occurrence. That is why these jackets must be exceptionally robust and tear-resistant (often reinforced with materials like Cordura or Kevlar).

Thermoregulation During High Exertion

Given that tracking is a physically demanding activity where the dog often pulls you,breathability is key. Jackets for this purpose should not have thick thermal lining because you would quickly overheat in them. Instead, look for "shell" jacket models that haveventilation openings (zippers) under the armpits, so you can regulate your body temperature while moving.

Safety First

In dense vegetation, visibility is a matter of life. The jacket must be insignal colours(bright orange, red, or yellow) so that your fellow hunters can always clearly see you, even in low-visibility conditions. Reflective details are an added plus for safety.

Pocket Functionality

These jackets are "work stations." They must have specific pockets for the gear a handler carries: a pocket for a GPS device/radio, spacious pockets for a leash, gloves, and even dog treats. Everything must be within easy reach.

Loden Jackets – Natural Technology for Hunters

Although we live in an era of synthetic materials, traditional Loden (fulled fleece wool) remains the supreme choice for many hunters, and for good reason. This natural material possesses properties that modern synthetics can hardly copy.Loden is naturally water-repellent (without chemical coatings) and provides superior thermal insulation. Its biggest advantage is thermoregulation – it keeps you warm even if it gets damp, which is rare for other materials. Additionally, Loden is extremely durable, resistant to sparks (from fire), and, most importantly, completely silent.

➜ Our advice: If your priority is silence (e.g., hunting wild boar or deer), Loden is the superior choice. It is ideal for stalking (pirš) and long winter stands (čeke), as it allows you to move and position your rifle without a single sound, while the wool protects you from the cold.

Why Every Hunter Needs a Softshell Jacket?

If you are looking for a jacket that offers the best balance between wind protection and freedom of movement, Softshell is the solution. As the name suggests ("soft shell"), these jackets are made of elastic fabrics that are quieter and more comfortable than classic rustling jackets

These jackets are true chameleons in your wardrobe:

As an outer layer: Ideal for windy days without heavy rain.

As a middle layer: In winter, they are perfectly worn under a thick jacket because they retain heat without creating too much bulk.

As a middle layer: In winter, they are perfectly worn under a thick jacket because they retain heat without creating too much bulk.We particularly highlight models like the Deerhunter Rogaland series – these double-sided jackets often have a fleece surface bonded to a membrane, which makes them perfect for hunting where silence and wind protection are needed.The difference compared to rain jackets (Hardshell)Hardshell jackets are your armour against downpours – they are completely waterproof, but often stiff and noisy. Softshell, on the other hand, focuses on comfort, skin breathability, and wind protection.

➜ Our advice: Don't choose between these two types; combine them. Wear the Softshell 90% of the time for comfort, and keep a thin Hardshell raincoat in reserve for extreme rainfall. That is the winning combination.

Fleece Jackets – The Universal "Soldier" in the Hunter's Wardrobe

It is difficult to imagine serious hunting gear without at least one quality fleece jacket. Its greatest strength lies in incredible versatility: they are available in various thicknesses (grammages), from thin models for spring mornings to thick winter variants.

How is fleece worn?

Fleece is the king of layering.As a mid-layer: In winter, it is worn under the main jacket, where it serves as the primary heat insulator. Models with thumb holes on the sleeves are particularly useful here, preventing the sleeves from riding up and bunching when putting on the outer jacket.As an outer jacket: During transition periods (spring/autumn), a thicker fleece can quite adequately replace a jacket, especially if it is quiet and comfortable.

Standard Fleece vs. Fiber Fur (High Loft)

A special category consists of fleece jackets with long fibers (often called "fiber fur" or "teddy bear" fleece). Unlike classic, smooth microfleece, this material has a structure similar to natural fur. The long fibers trap a larger amount of air next to the body, making this type of fleece a superior insulator for extreme cold.

➜Tip:If you are looking for a fleece that will serve as a jacket for windy days, choose models that are impregnated or have a windstop membrane. They offer the warmth of wool along with wind protection that an ordinary sweatshirt does not have.

Reversible Jackets – 2-in-1 Solution

Reversible jackets represent the pinnacle of practicality in hunting gear. Instead of buying two different jackets for different types of hunting, this design offers you "two birds with one stone": perfect camouflage and high safety in a single garment.The concept is simple yet ingenious:

Side for stalking and stands: One side is in neutral tones (olive green, brown, or natural camouflage). It serves to blend into the environment when you are hunting alone and want to remain unnoticed by the game.

Side for driven hunts: By simply flipping the jacket, you get a side in signal orange or red. This is mandatory during driven hunts or group hunts for your safety, so that your colleagues can clearly see you.

These models do not lag behind in technical characteristics either – most possess windproof membranes and dedicated pockets for radio devices or GPS, which are accessible from both sides of the jacket.

Camouflage Jackets – The Art of Invisibility

While signal colours serve to make you visible, the goal of camouflage (camo) jackets is exactly the opposite: to make you invisible to the sharp eye of the game. The essence is not just in the colour, but in breaking up the contours of the human figure, allowing you to blend into the background and get closer than ever before.Almost every type of jacket in our offer – from lightweight fleece, through Softshell, to thick winter models – is also available in a camouflage variant.

How to choose the right pattern?

Today's market offers countless patterns, but they are generally divided into two groups:

Realistic (natural) patterns:

Faithfully copy branches, leaves, reeds, or tree bark (e.g., RealTree).

Digital (pixelated) patterns:

Use "micro-patterns" that deceive the eye and make it difficult to focus on the object.It is important that you do not make your choice based on what you aesthetically like, but according to the terrain you hunt on. A pattern that is perfect for an oak forest will be a "black smudge" in a field of dry reeds.

When is camouflage essential?

Camouflage jackets are an absolute imperative when hunting feathered game (hunting ducks, geese, crows). Birds have extremely well-developed vision and recognize the human silhouette from great distances. Without good camouflage, success in this type of hunting is significantly lower.

How to choose the right size for a hunting jacket?

The correct size of a hunting jacket is not just a matter of comfort, but also of warmth. The key is the purpose: are you wearing the jacket as a thin mid-layer or as the final armour against the cold?

The Air Pocket Rule

It is important to understand the physics of heat: your body warms the air located between the layers of clothing.

If the jacket is too tight: It compresses the layers underneath (sweater or fleece), pushes the air out, and insulation is lost. You will freeze faster in a tight jacket.

If the jacket is too wide: The body cannot warm the excessive amount of air circulating inside the jacket, so heat "escapes."

Shopping Tip:For outer (winter) jackets, it is often wise to take a model that is slightly looser (or one size larger). You must leave enough room for a thick fleece or wool to fit underneath without anything constricting you while sitting on a stand (čeka).On the other hand, jackets that serve as a middle layer (softshell, thinner fleece) should follow the line of the body so they don't create bunches under the main outer jacket.