These Expert-Recommended Hunting Jackets Will Keep You Warm and Dry During Long Outings

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Hunters place some serious demands on their outerwear. It needs to be weatherproof and comfortable for all-day wear, but also quiet, scent-free, and help conceal hunters from their quarry.

Luckily, hunting jackets have come a long way since the bulky workwear of a few decades ago, thanks to hunting brands adopting technical innovations from the ski and outdoor apparel industries. Leading manufacturers have also engineered lots of helpful features just for hunters, such as high-tech camo patterns, quieter fabrics, and specialized tethers and pockets for gear.

A fancy hunting jacket won’t guarantee you a trophy, but a dry, comfortable hunter can stay in the field longer than one whose jeans and Carhartt hoodie got soaked walking into the treestand.

There are so many options for hunters now that you can buy jackets that are specifically tailored for your climate and style of hunting. Western hunters that hike 10 miles a day can get jackets that cut the cold while staying breathable, while whitetail tree stand hunters can benefit from the latest and greatest in insulated jackets that keep them warm through long, mostly static hunts. With all these choices comes some confusion, so I’ve broken my picks down into categories to help you find the right jacket for how and where you hunt.

Best Hunting Jackets

• Best Overall Hunting Jacket: Eberlestock Trinity Peak 2.0 Jacket

• Best Budget Hunting Jacket: RedHead Silent Stalker Elite Parka

• Best Rain Hunting Jacket: Sitka Dewpoint Rain Jacket

• Best Budget Rain Hunting Jacket: ScentBlocker Drencher Rain Jacket

• Best Cold Weather Hunting Jacket: Sitka Aerolite Incinerator Jacket

What to Look For in a Hunting Jacket

Layering Systems

Hunting jackets should be considered in the broader context of a layering system. That sounds more scientific than it actually is. Layering—basically an approach to clothing that uses a base layer, various insulating mid-layers, and a weatherproof shell—is essential for hunters so they can deal with a wide range of extremes in a single morning. Even the common experience of hunting whitetail can require a diverse array of clothing to be comfortable for situations ranging from a pre-dawn walk into the woods to sitting for hours in a tree stand exposed to wind and weather.

A good layering system starts with a simple breathable, moisture-wicking base layer of merino wool or synthetic fabric. (In the earliest seasons in warmer areas, that may be all that you wear.) Thicker wool, down, or synthetic mid-layers add warmth. Jackets, or shells, come last (hence outerwear) and are meant to block wind and resist precipitation—and provide more insulation if needed.

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If you hate the idea of trying to figure out your own layering system or if you hunt in a narrow portion of the year with fairly predictable weather, you may want to sacrifice the flexibility of a layering system and look for a middle-of-the-road jacket that fits your hunting season. Still, consider erring on the side of lighter because you can always add a layer under a light jacket, but you can’t make a hot, heavy jacket lighter.

Shell jackets come in two broad categories: hardshell and softshell. Hardshell jackets are typically fully waterproof or close to it, with a waterproof-breathable membrane sandwiched between layers of face fabric. Some have insulated liners that are either sewn-in or zip-in.

Softshells are windproof and water-resistant, but typically not fully waterproof. A softshell is a versatile piece that can also be used as a mid-layer in some situations. Many hunting jackets—including several recommended here—are softshells since they’re quieter and usually more breathable while still providing some warmth.

Patterns and Colors

An in-depth discussion of camouflage patterns and colors is outside the scope of this article, but suffice it to say there is no shortage of options these days when it comes to patterns. Thankfully, most of the bigger hunting outerwear brands offer at least a few options catered to your location and style of hunting, whether marshland waterfowl hunting or woods-oriented patterns for other game.

If concealment is ultra important to you, consider searching first for the pattern you prefer and seeing what options are available. Look for a brand that makes pants as well, so you can keep your camo consistent.

Some hunters don’t sweat camo and prefer to rely on concealment and other means of going unnoticed. For disciplines like upland bird hunting, where you’re on the move trying to flush birds out of brush, you’re not exactly trying to stay invisible. If you fall into these categories, there are a much broader range of garments available to you, including general outdoor jackets.

Materials

Most of today's hunting jackets use modern materials in their outerwear, which means multilayer exterior fabrics with a breathable weatherproofing membrane like Gore-Tex. Whether Gore-Tex or another system, waterproof-breathable membranes exist on a continuum with different levels of breathability and water protection. You may not need a fully waterproof jacket if you’re unlikely to stay out hunting in the rain.

Many hunting jackets use Gore-Tex’s Infinium which is less waterproof than normal Gore-Tex but is more breathable, soft, and quiet. Christy Haywood, Applications Engineer at W.L. Gore, explained to me that “Gore-Tex Infinium products are for use when waterproof is not as important, but softness, comfort, and stretch are a priority. They offer water resistance and wind protection but are not fully waterproof like [other Gore-Tex products].”

Since many hunters carry separate rain gear and prefer quiet, more breathable fabrics when actively hunting, hunters can opt for less-waterproof layers and bust out the rain gear when weather really turns bad. If you hunt in the Pacific Northwest or another particularly wet area, you may want to prioritize waterproofing.

In addition to full waterproofing, look for outerwear with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating that helps water bead and roll off the jacket's surface rather than soak the exterior fabric which limits breathability. Note: Because it’s a coating, a DWR finish will wear off over time and need to be refreshed with products like Nikwax’s TX Direct.

The only material to avoid is cotton. As the saying goes, “cotton kills,” and that’s because it absorbs water readily and moisture transmits temperature faster and more efficiently than air. Staying dry means staying warm.

How We Selected These Hunting Jackets

My selections are based on conversations with other hunters, brand reps, and from my own firsthand experience testing several different jackets throughout several hunting seasons. I have worn a wide range of jackets from cheap and flimsy to technical and expensive. What I've found is that the best jacket is the one that you’re comfortable in and that’s appropriate for your particular type of hunting and climate. A comfortable hunter stays in the field longer and is more likely to be ready in critical moments.

I focused my selections on the more common brands that show up in outdoors stores such as Cabela’s and local outdoor shops in North America, as well as online. Our category picks offer guidance if you’ve already narrowed down your search.

Trinity Peak 2.0 Jacket

It’s hard to recommend just one jacket as the “best” given the diversity of climates and styles of hunting there are, but for most hunters who want to buy a single jacket for the entire fall and winter hunting seasons, I recommend a waterproof shell like Eberlestock’s Trinity Peak 2.0 Jacket.

Many companies sell hyper-specific layers for each situation: a rain shell for rain, a windbreaker for cool windy days, a softshell for warmth, and so on. But if you want a simplified hunting wardrobe, I’d start here.

The Trinity Peak blocks wind and is 100-percent waterproof, seam-sealed, and has waterproof zippers. It also has a 30K breathability rating, which is on par with that of the best technical mountaineering and ski jackets. This means you can wear it all day in wind or rain without completely wetting out your base layers.

You’ll still need a softshell, or some other insulating layer to wear underneath for the coldest days, but this covers most of what you want a hunting jacket to do in one piece of outerwear. The price tag is high, but it’s still a lot cheaper than trying to buy a different hunting jacket for every possible scenario.

Silent Stalker Elite Parka

The Silent Stalker Elite Parka is what ski outerwear companies would call a “3-in-1” because it has a removable inner liner jacket. You can wear the two jackets together and either the inner or outer jacket on their own for three total jacket options. Systems like this are great because they’re essentially a pre-made layering system. You can wear what you need based on the conditions.

With all three jackets combined and 200 grams of insulation around the body, this parka is warm enough for long sits in a cold tree stand, but wearing the inner jacket alone is suitable for earlier, warmer season days.

You get plenty of pockets in all configurations. The TrueTimber Strata is a modern camo pattern on the waterproof exterior, but it also comes in another camo pattern and blaze orange. The best part is you get three jackets for a fraction of the price of one higher-end brand’s offering.

Dewpoint Rain Jacket

I always keep a rain jacket in my pack, and if you hunt in especially rainy regions, you may need to always keep one on your back. Most packable rain layers are cheap but can be bulky and prone to tears (which defeats the purpose of a rain jacket).

My favorite part about Sitka’s Dewpoint rain gear is that it’s a streamlined build (no pockets to bulk it up) with advanced Gore-Tex 3L construction that’s waterproof but also highly breathable.

Most rain gear is thick, heavy, and takes up a lot of space in your pack, which makes you want to gamble and leave it at home to lighten your load—which almost guarantees you’ll end up needing it, no matter what the weather report says. With the 12.5-ounce Dewpoint Jacket, I don’t even think about it and it lives in the bottom of my hunting pack so it’s there when I need it.

Because it’s built like a ski jacket, the Dewpoint is noisier than a normal modern hunting jacket, but if it’s pouring, your noise will be less of a concern anyway. You may hunt in a rain jacket or it may just be to stay dry while you retreat to camp or your vehicle, so you can choose from Sitka’s two primary camo patterns or one of several solid-color options. The solids are nice because then the Dewpoint can stay in rotation beyond the fall hunting seasons as a biking, hiking, or even warm-weather ski jacket.

I hunt mostly in the arid Mountain West, but if you hunt in consistently wet conditions, you may be okay with a heavier, less-streamlined rain jacket such as Kuiu’s Yukon TR rain gear set. It includes a more full-featured jacket built for all-day wear while actively hunting, so it has lots of accessible pockets and reinforced in high-wear areas for wading through destructive brush.

Both of these options are pricey, so if you’re on a tighter budget, the simple but effective Magellan Outdoors Realtree Edge Rain Jacket is another great packable option.

Drencher Rain Jacket

ScentBlocker's technical hunting apparel, which sells for less, has a Drencher Rain Jacket that sure sounds like a rain slicker, but it's really more of an all-around hunting-oriented shell that just happens to use a waterproof, breathable membrane.

It retails for under $100 and comes in a range of modern camo patterns from Mossy Oak and Realtree and, more importantly, has all any hunter really needs in a hunting jacket. It repels water but remains breathable and unlike general outdoor shells, it has a softer face fabric that’s more quiet than crinkly.

True to the brand’s name, it also helps manage odor build-up in the jacket by infusing anti-microbial silver which kills the bacteria that cause the stink that grows in synthetic clothing over time.

It’s lightweight enough for cool-but-not-cold days, and you can layer under it with an insulation option when you need to, making it something you can use all seasons. Buy it as a rain jacket, but you can use it as an all-rounder even when skies are clear.

Aerolite Incinerator Jacket

Staying warm in cold, wet weather in a treestand can seem next to impossible and often results in hunters trudging out to their stands in bulky, Michelin Man-type outfits.

Sitka’s new Aerolite Incinerator delivers extreme warmth and waterproofing without rendering you immobile. The 2L Gore-Tex shell has serious breathable weatherproofing, but unlike comparable ski jackets, the brushed polyester face fabric isn’t stiff or crinkly, so you can keep quiet in the stand.

The quilted inner liner hides the synthetic PrimaLoft insulation bolstered with aerogel—a near weightless insulation material used in astronauts’ space suits—which keeps you warm even if it gets wet.

I tested this jacket on cold days for hours in a tree stand and even sat through several mornings of freezing rain, sleet, and snow with the hood up, indifferent to the weather aside from when the wind would turn and put sleet right into my eyes.

The Aerolite Incinerator costs as much as a high-end ski jacket, but if you regularly hunt from a stand in miserable weather and have the budget, it’s worth every penny.

Mountain Evo Jacket

If you’re an active hunter, most off-the-rack hunting jackets are far too insulated to wear for more than the first 5 minutes of your hunt. Sweating out your layers in a puffy winter jacket is a great way to get cold when you stop, so I prefer a lighter “windbreaker” style jacket like Sitka’s Mountain Evo unless it’s cold enough to snow.

The Mountain Evo Jacket is meant to breathe, so it isn’t the regular, stuffier 3L Gore-Tex—it isn’t waterproof and there’s no insulation. It uses Gore Windstopper instead, and I reach for it on cold mornings and evenings when I want to keep the chill off me but know I’ll be too hot for an insulation layer.

Helpfully, the back and underarms use an even lighter, more breathable polyester fabric to vent heat more efficiently. It’s also lightweight and small, so it takes up minimal room in your pack and weighs less than a pound.

The scuba hood is a nice option to protect your head, but it’s a bit thick and noisy for any active listening. The exterior Windstopper fabric is stretchy enough for active hunting and hiking, but is also fairly durable for brush-busting on the way.

This is a tailored fit, so if you want to layer an insulation piece under it, you could try going a size larger. However, I'd recommend using this as a base layer for colder outings, and you could then add another layer on top.

The Mountain Evo probably isn’t the only hunting jacket you need, but for early season active hunting, this is the jacket I reach for most often.

Pro 3-in-1 Jacket

For hunters that don’t want to build a layering system from scratch, a 3-in-1 jacket is a cost-effective, foolproof way to cover your bases for an entire hunting season. The concept is popular with ski jackets for the same reasons.

The Magellan Outdoors Pro 3-in-1 combines a waterproof shell exterior jacket with fleece-lined puffy jacket that zips snugly inside the shell. Wear each layer on its own, or combine them for maximum warmth on the coldest days in the woods.

Aside from the basic utility and versatility, this 3-in-1 has lots of hunt-specific features such as the camo patterning on both face fabrics, scent-control tech, and a back opening for a treestand safety harness.

Unlike some other puffy jackets, this product’s inner jacket is also wind- and waterproof, though I’d stick with the shell for serious precipitation. With a sticker price just over $150, the entire system is cheaper than most single technical outwear pieces from bigger brands.

Silens Jacket

Fleece is making a comeback in outdoor apparel generally, but also in hunting specifically, where whitetail hunters have rediscovered it as one of the quietest materials available.

If you’ve spent much time in a tree stand, you know that sometimes the slightest swish of a jacket can turn a savvy old buck’s head, which is a boon to considering fleece.

The biggest drawback here is that fleece is windproof but definitely not waterproof, so you’ll still want a rain shell on-hand just in case. There’s body-mapped insulation that’s thicker in the chest and back and lighter on the sleeves to keep your core warm but let your underarms breathe a bit.

It’ll be overkill for hot early fall days and might not be enough for subzero sessions, but the Silens is perfect for staying quiet and keeping the chill off during crisp fall sits.

Women's Cloudburst Jacket

The Cloudburst from Sitka is a technical outerwear piece not unlike a high-end ski jacket. It’s made with Gore-Tex 3L construction that consists of a waterproof yet highly breathable membrane and a tough but flexible two-way stretch face fabric for active hunting.

Sitka and other hunting brands have a lot more options for women these days, from softshell jackets to vests and puffies, but if you’re only going to own one hunting jacket, this is probably the most versatile.

While marketed as a rain jacket, this is more of a technical shell than a dedicated rain jacket, and the breathability and stretch means you can hunt all day in it when the weather demands.

This jacket is also sized and tailored for women, so unlike some women’s hunting gear, it’s not just a men’s garment embellished with some touches of pink.

DryDown Reversible Jacket

One of the gripes with purchasing hunting clothing is that you buy an entire (expensive) wardrobe to use for one week of the year for most hunters.

Duck Camp is a relative newcomer to the hunting scene with apparel that performs but has a casual flair, and their new DryDown Reversible puffy is true to that ethos. Not only does it have a hunt-casual look, but most colorways feature concealment camo on one side and a solid color on the other so you can wear it out and about for the other 355 days of the year.

Also, it's not too bulky, with a 700-fill down that’s treated to be water-resistant, and the face fabric has a DWR treatment to keep moisture from getting to the down in the first place.

Cirque Vest

Stone Glacier does down as well as any brand in or outside of the hunting space and their hooded Cirque Vest is one of my favorite midlayers to carry for chilly morning and evening hunts.

Stone Glacier’s Grumman puffy is great as well, but sometimes a full puffy can be a bit much, especially when layered under a shell or rain jacket. The Cirque Vest leaves your arms free for movement and greatly reduces bulk and bunching when you layer on top of it.

This style is less likely to become uncomfortable when you start moving because you’re able to shed heat and moisture from your underarms, even when wearing an outer jacket that has pit zips. And, like most of Stone Glacier’s apparel, it’s a good-looking, solid-color piece that you can wear year-round.

Known for its amazing down pieces, Stone Glacier's PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation used here keeps you warm if it gets wet, while the Pertex Quantum face fabric blocks wind and offers a bit of resistance to light precipitation.

LST Guardian Double Down Eqwader Jacket

Any good hunting shell that’s waterproof and breathable can serve as a waterfowl jacket, but when wearing waders, there are some unique challenges that Drake solves with their split-level LST Guardian Jacket.

The jacket features a two-layer waterproof shell construction up top on the chest, shoulders, and arms, while the portion covered by waders is a polyester that Drake says is 15 times more breathable than the upper. Synthetic insulation stays effective when wet throughout for those cold, still sits on the water in late season.

Quiet Magnattach pockets for calls and whistle are another indication that this is a waterfowl-first jacket. There are four other pockets for phone, shells, and other items. Cuffs are robust hook and loop straps that exclude water and can seal over or under gloves. The hood and face area are lined with a plus fleece that keeps you comfortable when you have to seal up against the weather.

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Can I use a hunting jacket for other outdoor adventures like camping or fishing?

Absolutely. While hunting jackets have some features especially designed for hunters such as tree stand tether ports that may not be useful for more general outdoor use, at their core they are just good outerwear pieces. Most hunting jackets are so good now that many people even use them for skiing rather than buying a similar and expensive separate jacket just for a week-long ski trip.

The biggest question when shopping for a hunting jacket that can do double-duty is this: do you mind having a camouflage pattern? Camo won’t look out of place around a campfire or casting a fly rod but might be a deterrent for some people for wearing it around town. Luckily hunting brands such as Sitka, Kuiu, Eberlestock, Stone Glacier, and others make many of their jackets in solid color options if you aren’t married to camo for your hunts.

What should be my top consideration in choosing a hunting jacket?

Versatility. There is a hunting jacket for almost every situation these days, but I like to have jackets that can adapt to changing conditions through smart layering. A heavily insulated parka is great for the coldest days of the year but it’s a liability on an unseasonably hot fall hunt where you’re hiking a lot.

Most of the jackets I’ve recommended above work best as part of a smart layering system so you can add and remove pieces as needed depending on the conditions. Not only will this approach help streamline your hunting wardrobe, but it’ll also save you money.

What is the longevity of one of these? And is it worth it to spend a bit more for my first hunting jacket?

There is no standardized durability rating that can tell you how long a jacket will last. The lifespan of a jacket will depend on the type of hunting you do and how often you do it as much as how well the garment is made.

Unfortunately for our wallets, the more expensive jackets are also often the most durable, so it does make sense to spend a bit more for a higher-end jacket if you want it to last. Things such as water-repellent coatings and face fabrics tend to lose effectiveness faster on budget jackets than on the bigger brand name options. These brands also tend to have better warranty and repair policies to keep the jackets in rotation.

That said, if you’re a more casual, infrequent hunter, a properly cared-for cheaper option such as the budget picks recommended above should last you several seasons.

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