The Best Hunting Clothes for Fall and Winter 2026

Updated September 17, 2025 10:07AM

Choosing the best hunting clothes and footwear could mean the difference between staying out longer—and coming home with meat—versus calling it quits early because your gear couldn’t stand up to the elements. After all, patience is the name of the game, whether following sheep across unforgiving miles or hunting deer from a treestand mid-January. While trying to fill your freezer, the last thing you should worry about is your gear being too sweaty, cold, or loud—or worse, blowing out mid-climb.

To help you find the best hunting clothes for your needs, terrain, and game, we tested over nearly 40 pieces of apparel and footwear this year, including an assortment of jackets, pants, vests, base layers, socks, and boots. Five new pieces stood out, joining the ranks of those that continued to surpass expectations across two full hunting seasons of testing. We’re delighted to report that last year’s best hunting apparel list was solid—testers’ updates were consistent with their initial thoughts. We hope this year’s 14 picks will also stand the test of wear and time.

Updated September 2025: We added five new pieces to our list of best hunting clothes, including a late-season deer hunting outfit, waterfowl hunting jacket, women’s hunting pants, mud boots, and a pair of socks we wear for everything. We also updated pricing.

At a Glance

We tested the Sitka HyperDown Jacket and Pant during some of the coldest days of the white-tailed deer season in Wisconsin. These hunts were brutal, and our tester sat for hours in sub-zero and single-digit temps waiting for deer.

Luckily, his hunting fit was dead-on—the jacket and pants were roomy enough for layers underneath without being baggy yet low-bulk enough to comfortably fit beneath a shell jacket and hunting bibs. “The comfort is seriously next level—feels like you’re wrapped up in a lightweight sleeping bag, but somehow still able to move around without restriction,” he said.

For down clothing, our tester was impressed with the durability of the set. Both are constructed with a 27D ripstop polyester face and 10D ripstop nylon lining that resists snags and tears—the pants are double layered at the seat and knees. So far, the combo has held up well through deer hunting from a blind, being crammed into a pack, and getting thrown around the truck. However, he cautions against busting through brush with them—the pieces are made for stationary hunting, not for spot and stalk. When possible, wear them under protective outerwear.

The HyperDown combo shines best in 20 degrees and below. In addition to late-season deer hunts, we would also wear them for predator calling at night and ice fishing—any cold-weather activity where you’re stationary for long periods of time. The 230 grams of 800 fill power Primaloft Gold insulation performed phenomenally, trapping heat that kept us warm and comfortable even when temperatures tanked. They made waiting in below-zero less miserable.

Plus, the set breathed well enough that we never felt swampy or clammy with sweat when layering up and walking to a blind. One tester didn’t feel weighed down and suffocated when on the move, typical of other heavily insulated clothing he has worn in the past. “It’s a serious tool for serious cold,” he said. It’s one more reason to love the brand, as our other tester in Alaska noted: “While this may seem trite, I would say that Sitka Gear is in a renaissance phase.”

The Uncompahgre Foundry jacket was designed for rifle use in the mountains, meaning it’s fine that the outer laminate material isn’t super quiet because rifle hunters shoot from a much longer distance than archery hunters. Plus it is both windproof and waterproof, which makes this puffy jacket a warm, protective outer layer during unexpected alpine weather.

A turkey and deer hunter tested the Uncompahgre Foundry jacket while scouting in late winter in northern Minnesota. The body-mapped synthetic insulation kept her comfortable down to 20 degrees without layering, and the two-layer laminate shell provided excellent wind protection during sudden gusts. She gave the jacket two thumbs up for comfort due to its cozy internal lining and plush tricot hand warmer chest pockets.

Thoughtful features also helped the Uncompahgre excel during testing. We especially liked the cuffs, which trapped heat at the wrist without bunching. Our tester also noted that the jacket’s unique vents were much easier to open and close one-handed than traditional armpit vents thanks to their location on the triceps, which was especially helpful when wearing a pack. She appreciated the loops sewn inside the two front magnet-closure dump pockets that allowed her to clip keys and store other valuables securely. Two large internal mesh dump pockets let her stow extra gear like a beanie, gloves, and a small first-aid kit.

“I’m extremely impressed with all of the features—normally, you don’t see so many all bundled together in one product. They went all out and did it well,” she said.

The Super Down LT is a durable, lightweight, midlayer puffy that’s suitable for a variety of mid-season hunting, whether backcountry rifle, waterfowl, or upland game hunting.

The Super Down LT’s outer nylon ripstop fabric is water-resistant, warm, and durable (though it’s too noisy for bow or spear hunting). One big game and goose hunter doubted the jacket’s wind resistance because it’s so thin, but her skepticism was immediately extinguished on a blustery December day when all she wore underneath was a T-shirt while working outdoors in the unforgiving Sandhills of Nebraska. She fully expected to freeze, but the jacket kept her toasty. She also caught the Super Down LT on barbed wire and, later, on a jagged culvert while checking minnow traps, and the jacket didn’t tear once—which she says she had never experienced previously with ultralight down gear.

Testers loved the details, too. You won’t find shiny face fabric on this down jacket—the Super Down LT features a dull, matte finish for better concealment. It self-stows in the right-hand pocket, with enough room to include the Super Down LT Pant. The pouch can then be used as a camp pillow, or a secondary cinch can compress the jacket to half the size.

When checking back with our tester over a year later, she said the puffy has held up well and remains one of her favorites to wear when hunting during the late season. One ding though: Kuiu no longer offers camouflage options for women.

After putting the ThermoNeutral Down Hooded Jacket through a couple months of harsh, wintry conditions in Nebraska, we have no qualms recommending it to the most hardcore of waterfowl hunters and ice anglers—the ones who still go out in the worst weather. When temperatures dip below 40 degrees near water, this is the hunting jacket to keep you warm and dry.

Although the jacket’s 880-fill insulating power is the main draw, it was the jacket’s breathability that impressed us most. During more strenuous activity or when the temperature suddenly changed—as it often does in the Midwest—the ThermoNeutral Down Hooded Jacket remained comfortable. While hunting for Canada geese during late season in Nebraska, our tester never felt overheated, sweaty, or chilly, and later in the year, it kept him warm in negative temps while ice fishing in late winter and early spring. The jacket would also be useful for still-hunting deer, spot-and-stalk hunting, and upland hunting during the late season, when the combination of extremely cold temps and sweat can become a problem.

Despite its warmth and DWR weatherproofing, the jacket does not feel bulky or cumbersome in any way, thanks to underarm gusset panels for increased range of motion. Also, the elastic binding at the hood and sleeve cuff openings block out icy wind without feeling constrictive; elastic cinch cords at the hem and hood help to trap in heat. Our tester also appreciated the large zippered front pockets that are big enough to fit hands while wearing gloves. The jacket fits true to size yet is roomy enough for additional layers underneath. After a season of walking through marshy grass, climbing in and out of blinds and setting decoys, the jacket shows little wear because of its military-grade 40D ripstop nylon construction.

It comes in three colors: Forloh green (solid), black (solid) and MarshField camo for waterfowlers. We’d love to see more camouflage options for deer hunting.

Whether worn as an outer layer during the mid-season hunts or an insulating layer during frigid January days in the duck blind, the Flyway Insulated Vest kept testers comfortable from sub-zero temperatures to 60 degrees. It’s designed to protect waterfowl hunters who often meet wind, rain, and snow, thanks to its stitch-free baffles coupled with warm, high-loft synthetic insulation, and waterproof, windproof, ripstop DWR outer material. It will also keep you warm when you have to be stationary in the cold while deer hunting in a ground blind or tree stand.

Despite its extreme warmth, testers found the vest non-bulky—slim enough to fit comfortably underneath a shell jacket—and easy to move in thanks to its stretch fabric construction.

“Excellent fit combined with a top-notch zipper and magnetic pockets, it’s hard not to love,” said one tester. Kuiu’s Valo colorway also matches the grasslands and forests he typically hunts in Nebraska, Iowa, the Dakotas, and the thicker woods of Tennessee. The vest’s mixture of lighter browns and tans blend in well with the drab colors of fall and winter everywhere.

The Smartwool Intraknit base layer excelled when mobility, durability, and moisture management were essential, making it excellent for upland bird hunting, small game hunting, and spot-and-stalk hunting for big game.

Our Colorado tester wore the Intraknit base layer top while backcountry snowboarding and grouse hunting in the Flat Tops Wilderness of Colorado. The 53 percent merino yarn provided warmth and comfort, while the knit mesh venting in the crew top was effective in wicking away moisture during periods of intense activity in the snow-covered mountains. While grouse hunting, the ribbed elbows allowed unrestricted movement and provided amazing durability against abrasion in Colorado’s dense forests and brush.

“The Intraknit thermals stand out as the best wool base layer set I’ve ever used. The combination of exceptional breathability, warmth, mobility, and durability makes it a top choice for hunters,” said one tester.

The Kiln Hoody should stay in your vehicle year-round. It can be worn as an outer layer while hiking or fishing in the first days of September or as a midlayer during the coldest winter days in the duck blind. Mountain hunters will appreciate the Kiln Hoody’s versatility and thermoregulating properties.

We tested the Kiln Hoody while turkey hunting, fishing, and hiking in Nebraska and Minnesota, where testing conditions were wooded and brambly. Both our male and female testers raved about the fit—the body length and arm lengths were perfect for their average builds, providing coverage while bending and crawling in awkward positions. A Nebraska turkey hunter said that he liked how it hit right at his hip. The five percent spandex also allowed for uninhibited movement across all activities.

The 250-gram, 95 percent merino, 5 percent spandex, interlock knit material is moisture and temperature regulating, and when worn underneath a shell, it kept us comfortable on chilly days from fall through spring. On warmer days, one tester wore the Kiln by itself, and the hoody held up to snags while bushwacking through thick woods.

Testers appreciated the quarter-zip for dumping heat during steep climbs and the scuba-style, form-fitting hood that kept their head warm during frigid, windy conditions. Our Minnesota-based hunter and angler also loved how the modified shoulder seams didn’t rub underneath a day pack. Meanwhile, another tester, who hunts everything from deer to doves, found the First Lite Specter color to be suitable for both forest and field in Nebraska thanks to the versatile camouflage pattern.

Two dings: While one tester felt the merino fabric was extremely comfortable even when worn next to the skin, another found it itchy. Also, there aren’t any hand pockets for those cold days when you need to quickly heat up your digits.

One tester first wore the Sitka Core Merino 330 Legging while hunting for red stag in New Zealand in winter 2024, and the base layer has continued to be her go-to for numerous big game and goose hunts. Hunters with sensitive skin will appreciate the soft hybrid construction with a merino blend exterior and recycled synthetic interior that quickly moves moisture away from the skin. While the 330 line kept our tester warm in frigid temps, she doesn’t sweat as much as she normally does during strenuous activity, and she dries more quickly, too. Plus, the merino outer layer fabric, wound with nylon threads, is not only lightweight, but it’s also stronger than traditional merino wool. The only downside: She found the legging to be a tad short and fit more like capris on her (She is 5’10” and tested a size large).

This year, Sitka replaced the Women’s Core Merino 330 Half-Zip top—which received high marks last year and remains part of our rotation—with the Women’s Core Merino 330 Hoodie, which we did not test.

Upon receiving the Ascent Pant, one tester’s initial reaction was “yuck.” She’s not a fan of wearing leggings outdoors, especially for hunting, and the Ascent’s light material and close-fitting cut too closely resembled a tight. However, after convincing herself to wear the pants for the sake of the test, she didn’t want to take them off.

She tested the Ascent Pant while pheasant hunting in South Dakota, goose hunting in a layout blind in central Nebraska, and hiking to her box blind for deer. She has schlepped through upland fields full of stickers and cockleburs, and pokey cedar brush to check on her deer stand. Although the Cordura construction feels delicate, it’s by no means cheap or flimsy. The pants have held up through a season of heavy use.

The Cordura nylon fabric is lightweight, breathable, and provides four-way stretch, which makes it incredibly comfortable and layerable. The pants held their shape and didn’t sag after a long day of activity. The fabric’s breathability was a plus, especially when setting up decoys—strenuous work for those who haven’t done it. Our tester didn’t get sweaty in the pants, which meant she didn’t have to wait for birds in an uninsulated layout blind while cold and wet.

The Optifade Subalpine camo pattern was incredibly effective when goose hunting, especially when hunting from a layout blind where the smallest movement or anything unnatural-looking to birds could make them flare. During her last goose hunt, she didn’t get the chance to conceal her blind adequately. “Other camo patterns under the same circumstances would have [alerted] the geese, but the Optifade didn’t even faze the birds,” said our tester.

A couple asks: More pockets and belt loops for clipping a knife and concealed carry.

Hunters often don’t have the option of staying on a well-maintained trail, and it’s not uncommon to traverse muddy fields, creeks, wet grass, and small ponds. While many prefer traditional hiking or backpacking boots, there’s a large segment of hunters who like the calf-height protection of mud boots—such as the Sitka VentLite GTX Boots that we’re dubbing the best hunting mud boots. And don’t worry: They’re way more technical than the clunky, uncomfortable rubber boots many of us keep in the garage for light chores around the house and garden.

One tester wore the VentLite GTX Boots on several weekend-long turkey hunts across Wisconsin and Illinois. Conditions ranged from wet and muddy fields to dry, rocky hillsides. The boots were exposed to a solid mix of steady and uneven ground as well as periods of standing while calling for turkeys. He also wore them while working around his property.

The polyurethane exoskeleton never punctured, and the robust Vibram outsole and tread handled the toughest terrain. Yet the boots are noticeably lightweight for what they are—just 35 ounces per boot—a huge upside when covering ground. The tall boots offered him just enough ankle support while crossing uneven terrain without feeling stiff. Stitching, soles, and overall materials have held up better than he expected for how light they are. After several weekends of hard use, there’s no noticeable wear or issues.

Fit was spot-on and true-to-size. Boots usually need a break-in period, but the VentLite GTX were comfortable straight out of the box. They fit snug in the heel with extra room in the toe box to splay. Even after full days of hunting and farm work, his feet never felt sore or beat up.

Breathability is difficult to achieve in a mud boot, but Sitka did it. While the GORE-TEX lining kept his feet dry, the boots stayed breathable enough that his feet never felt swampy—thanks to the PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation that locks in warmth during cold weather and expels excessive heat and moisture when conditions heat up. Best between 35 and 70 degrees, we recommend them for spring and fall hunts for turkey, early-season white-tailed deer, upland bird hunts and even light spot-and-stalk trips.

One of our testers has been on the hunt for the perfect hunting boot for over a decade, and he claims that the Meindl Eurolight Hunter 300 boots fit the bill. He wore them while hunting for barbary sheep in New Mexico, and while hiking and spring bear hunting in his home state of Alaska during late winter and early spring, when there was usually still snow on the ground, requiring snowshoes on occasion. True to their name, the boots are lightweight, yet offer a wide sole and a durable, supporting leather upper that provide a stable foundation while walking through heavy timber, brush, and uneven, wet terrain.

The boots were comfortable right out of the box, which sometimes reflects poor leather quality, but the Meindls held up over 25 days of rough miles without showing any signs of blowing out. After his bear hunt, our tester carried hundreds of pounds of meat over soggy, bumpy ground and post-holed across pockets of snow and never worried about injuring his feet or ankles thanks to ample support from the boot’s nine-inch height. He found the 300 grams of synthetic insulation just right for winter and early spring, keeping his feet warm but not overheated.

“My boot needs vary, but for most of the year and most of my hunts, I want a lightweight, leather boot that offers some ankle support and exceptional traction. The EuroLight Hunter provided all of these,” he said. The Meindl Eurolight Hunter is notably lighter, more nimble and the sole is less clunky than tester favorite Kenetrek Mountain Guide boots, though the Meindl is less burly.

One ding: After getting soaked, they took a full day to dry out with newspaper stuffed inside them. With extra wax and gaiters, however, they stayed mostly dry on hunts.

After hunting in these boots for over a year, our tester reported they are still “excellent.”

A big game tester wore the Glomitt Gloves during a dog mushing mission north of Fairbanks, Alaska that spanned late winter to early spring, and they didn’t fail him once. While the outer polyester layer did wet out, the waterproof inner HDry membrane kept Ebbers’ hands dry even during a full day of slushy snow. The Primaloft Gold insulation in the back of the hand and Primaloft Eco Grip insulation in the palm kept his digits toasty. Despite temperatures dropping to near 0 degrees, the independent index finger and thumb provided enough warmth and dexterity for him to operate a camera. The leather palm provided superior grip while mushing.

“These gloves are burly,” he said. “They’re going in my pack on any hunt past September and before April 15. I see them as a safety measure, a comfort measure, and a necessity.”

A couple dings: They are not suitable for waterfowl, upland, or bow hunting where a quick trigger or arrow release is required as these gloves are not quite dexterous enough in the forefinger and thumb. Also, the polyester outer layer takes on liquids, which makes blood difficult to rinse off. Overall, these gloves are great to have on hand whenever there is danger of extremely cold or unpredictable weather, like during pack hunting or glassing in the mountains over multi-day trips.

An update from our tester: The gloves have held up through two Alaska winters and are still going strong.

Paka’s Trail three-quarter Crew Socks have been tested and approved by marathon runners, mountain bikers and professional athletes—and now, the company can add hunters to the list. One tester spent over a year hunting, hiking, and working in these socks, and she loved them so much that she bought six more pairs. She said they’re the most comfortable socks she’s ever worn, and she now wears them every day.

Made mostly of alpaca wool and recycled nylon, the socks are naturally odor resistant and moisture wicking. The large heel cushion is luxurious and provides all-day comfort. It was the ribbed compression at the ankle and tightened compression at the arch were what sold her. Although she initially thought the arch area was too tight, she noticed her feet felt considerably less achy and tired at the end of a long day on her feet. Outside of hunting, she averages four to five miles of walking each day to keep herself fit for future hunts and doing chores around the farm.

“If I run out [of socks] because I haven’t done laundry, my feet suffer,” she said.

The Paka socks have been a gamechanger in helping to relieve chronic back pain that shoots down her legs, and after wearing them nearly everyday over two hunting seasons and for general hiking and ranch/farm work year round, our tester hasn’t found any faults. At the reasonable price of $24 per pair, the Trail ¾ Crew Socks are absolutely deserving of space in your drawer.

These youth duck hunting waders provide every bit of the durability that adult hunters have trusted on with Chêne’s original line. Our 12-year-old tester wore the waders while hunting ducks and geese near creeks, fast-flowing rivers, lakes and marshes in eastern Nebraska. He wore them in 10 to 40 degrees, treading across water that came up to an inch from the top of the waders. He admitted to stumbling often in the field (which is not unusual for a learning hunter), yet despite his falls he has yet to find holes on his Chêne waders—unlike the cheaper waders he’s worn in past years.

The waders are made of waterproof and breathable nylon oxford 4-layer fabric, which provides better abrasion resistance, tensile strength and long-term durability than traditional polyester. Mechanically bonded, stitchless seams in critical areas below the belt held up after a full season of heavy use—he said they were still completely waterproof.

Although the cost of these waders is difficult to swallow, Cêne’s youth wader program makes the purchase more convincing to parents. It allows kids to trade in youth-sized waders multiple times as they grow, for a flat $125 fee. Children who outgrow the youth sizes can receive a full-sized pair of waders and be eligible to exchange for a larger size one additional time while they’re still in the program, until they turn 15.

“I came close to filling them multiple times and not one drop of water has been inside those waders,” our kid tester said. “These waders are insanely comfortable and lightweight. I’m able to go and walk for a while in these things.” His only gripe is that the shoulder straps slightly dig in after a long day in the field.

After two seasons of abuse in the marsh and getting in and out of the duck blind, he reported that the waders are still solid.

Other Products We Tested

How to Choose Hunting Apparel

Hunting clothes are an investment. If you’re a beginner looking to get into the sport, don’t rush out and buy the most expensive and technical gear possible. While top-rated hunting gear certainly helps with comfort, it won’t make game animals appear nor will it improve your shooting.

Big-box stores such as Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops generally offer decent mid-tier products. In some parts of the country, even Walmart carries cheap hunting gear that will get the job done, albeit with less comfort and durability than more expensive options. Once you’re committed to the sport, that’s when it’s time to look at the top-tier products that will last a long time and ultimately save you money.

If you’re already a backpacker or hiker, you can wear the clothing you already own—lightweight and moisture-wicking are features that are also desirable in hunting. Choose pieces in muted, natural colors, or black when hunting in a ground blind, as it will help you blend in with the dark interior. Unless you’re hunting in open country and doing a lot of spotting and stalking, expensive camouflage is not required—staying comfortable and warm is more important.

For guided hunts, reach out to your guide with any questions about layering and insulation. For example, what you might wear for a drop hunt in Alaska will be drastically different than hunting deer in a tree blind in the Midwest. Also, areas that see drastic changes in temperature and precipitation from early to late season will require you to pay close attention to the forecast when choosing what to bring and wear.

Lastly, don’t forget to check state regulations for hunter orange requirements, a safety precaution that makes you more visible to other hunters. Although it’s not required in every state, wearing hunter orange is strongly recommended. Learn more here.

How We Test

To find the best hunting gear, eight testers put 62 pieces of gear—25 accessories and 37 pieces of apparel—up against the elements this season: from warm early-season archery deer in the Midwest to the extreme limits of winter in Interior Alaska. Testers encountered subzero temps, ice, mud and extreme wind. They hunted across a variety of terrain, including the rolling sandhills and steep canyons of central Nebraska, in the dramatic wilderness of Alaska, mule-deer habitat in New Mexico, and in turkey country in the rocky hillsides and prairies of Wisconsin and Illinois.

Meet Our Testers

Category manager and lead tester Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley spent her teenage years camping and backpacking in California. She began hunting in her early 20s and currently resides in Nebraska as an outdoor writer, photographer and wild game cook.

Nolan Dahlberg runs Dahlberg Digital out of Wisconsin, where he spends a considerable amount of time hunting white-tailed deer on his family farm. He also travels to hunt grouse, elk and mule deer.

Angie Kokes shot her first shotgun at 3 years old and grew up hunting with her dad to pursue upland birds in Nebraska. After teaching herself how to rifle and archery hunt for deer, Kokes learned how to spear hunt. She also has hunted big game with her spear in Africa and New Zealand.

The Best Hunting Clothes for Fall and Winter 2026

Table of Contents

At a Glance

Best Late-Season Deer Hunting Outfit: Sitka HyperDown Jacket and Pant

Best Cold Weather Jacket: First Lite Uncompahgre Foundry Jacket

Best Women’s Down Jacket: Kuiu Super Down LT Hooded Jacket

Best Men’s Waterfowl Hunting Jacket: Forloh Men’s ThermoNeutral Down Hooded Jacket

Best Waterfowl Hunting Vest: Kuiu Men’s Flyway Insulated Vest

Best Men’s Baselayers: Smartwool Men’s Intraknit Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew Top and Thermal Max Merino Base Layer Bottom

Best Shoulder Season Midlayer: First Lite Kiln Hoody

Best Women’s Baselayers: Sitka Women’s Core Merino 330 Half-Zip Top and Legging

Best Women’s Hunting Pants: Sitka Women’s Ascent Pant

Best Mud Boots: Sitka VentLite GTX Boots

Best Hunting Boots: Meindl Eurolight Hunter 300 boots

Best Cold Weather Gloves: Kuiu Northstar Glomitt Gloves

Best Hunting Socks: Paka Trail ¾ Crew Socks

Best Youth Duck Hunting Wader: Chêne 2S Youth Wader

Other Products We Tested

How to Choose Hunting Apparel

How We Test

Meet Our Testers