Since the beginning of hunting, not being seen has been one of the most pivotal aspects behind the success of the hunt.
What you wear into the woods can also determine if you safely come home or end up in a situation where you are having to hunker down, or call for help, due to poor weather and planning.
Cotton used to be the go-to for all types of clothing and apparel. Over the course of the last 30 years, and especially over the last decade, synthetic and natural fibers more suited to active outdoor pursuits have become the choice of hunters throughout Colorado. Fast-drying, moisture-wicking and low-odor are key clothing attributes sought by hunters.
Synthetic and wool-based clothing has major advantages over cotton, particularly because such clothing dries faster after becoming damp. This is important for two reasons. One, if you are working hard (as so many are when hunting), then your perspiration will be wicked away from your skin and produce a more comfortable hunting experience. Second, and perhaps most importantly, if you are drenched in a downpour and the weather turns cold, wool and synthetic products dry faster and offer more insulating properties than cotton.
Kyle O’Connell has been an employee at First Lite Camouflage since 2023. During his time with the company, he has seen countless hunters benefit from advancements in the camouflage industry. Growing up in Idaho, he has been a big game hunter for most of his life and has personally experienced the hunt-enhancing moments that can come with the right apparel.
For hunts of up to several days, one of the most important things to consider is access to either a washing machine or a change of clothes. Hunting, especially during the early warmer seasons, results in perspiration that can impact the comfort level of clothing as well as the ability for an animal to smell the hunter. For that reason, O’Connell recommends that wool-based apparel be used and swapped out after a day or two of hunting.
“It stays fresher, longer,” said O’Connell. “They are not going to smell you as easily as if you were wearing a synthetic-based fabric.”
Hunters should consider using a wool base layer with a synthetic outer layer. This is particularly important for hunters who are pursuing game in rougher terrain with boulders and scrub brush. While a wool outer layer may seem more ideal, wool can prove to be much less durable in extreme terrain. Another important consideration, especially in hunts that are out in the open, is sun protection. For this reason, hoodies are growing in popularity as a way to avoid overexposure to the sun and also camouflage the hunter’s head.
“For these types of hunts, the name of the game is versatility,” said O’Connell. “You want to have something that is comfortable, breathable, and can get you through a lot of different situations.”
Also, consider the variability of weather in the early season. Afternoon thunderstorms, particularly on Colorado’s Western Slope, necessitate that hunters are prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions, which means having a set of high-quality rainwear. While many hunters scoff at the necessity of such gear, it is important to remember that it can also double as an important heat-retaining layer if the situation calls for it.
“With rain gear, it should always be in your truck at least, especially in the early season,” said O’Connell. “It’s hard to know the weather for sure, especially if you are hunting in Colorado during monsoon season.”
If pack weight is a consideration, he recommends skipping the rain pants and ensuring that a rain jacket is on tap if there is even the possibility of precipitation.
As you transition from early season to the cooler midseasons, the type of material and the thickness of it becomes more important to consider. O’Connell explained that these sorts of hunts often ideally require outer layers with light to medium insulation built in, as opposed to early season outer layers that are often just a shell, shirt or noninsulated jacket. Hunters might want to consider the addition of a middle layer as well, which can be shed as temperatures climb.
“My go-to is a synthetic grid system,” said O’Connell. “It’s great when you pair that with a base layer that gets sweat off your skin and is still breathable while moving around.”
He also pointed out that adding a thicker form of static insulation, such as a down jacket, is instrumental when the temperatures start to drop or when you stop moving while glassing or setting up on an animal.
“When you are stationary, it gets really cold, or if you are in a survival situation, you do need to have that extra layer of warmth,” he said. “If you have the ability to get multiple down jackets, it is good that they are different weights.”
Late season is when the stakes are highest, both in terms of the necessity for the highest quality gear and the short nature of available light to hunt. A lightweight base layer, with a more insulated yet breathable midlayer, are the foundation upon which a heavier synthetic outer layer should be placed. Also, inclement weather might steer a hunter toward products that are both windproof and waterproof. Not only does this ensure comfort, it also protects the layers underneath from becoming soaked and losing their heat-retaining capabilities.
One common big mistake hunters make is overdressing for the conditions, which can be just as dangerous as underdressing. When a hunter is wearing too many layers and is working hard, heat stress can become an issue. Further, perspiring can lead to hunters having to stop and dry off, even with highquality materials, in order to remain comfortable and enjoy the full protective properties of their clothing.
“It is just really personal preference,” said O’Connell. “If you are car hunting, you don’t really need to have the most breathable clothing. If you are out there on a backpack hunt … really focus on layering so you don’t get super sweaty and put yourself in a dangerous situation.”
Lastly, deer hunters from eastern regions of the country often think that their whitetail and mule deer hunting layers will suffice in the Rocky Mountain west. O’Connell explained that often those hunters will find themselves drastically overheated, or possibly very cold, if they do not consider purchasing hunting clothing suited to the unique environments of the mountains, plains and deserts of Colorado.