Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Best multipurpose hunting jacket

After not hunting much for the last few years, I’m ramping up to hit it this year.

I live in the Pacific Northwest in Kennewick WA on the dry side of WA.

I’m looking for a general purpose hunting jacket. Temps range from 30-60*F and although this side is a desert, snow or rain is always in play.

Suggestions?

Backpack or camper hunting.

Tag.Good question.

Best?

Layers...

Top layer then.

Top [outside] layer that is always in my pack will handle rain/wet snow, be breathable, have pit zips and a stow away hood. Marmot Precip works for occasional use and is probably the best value in outdoor gear that I have found.


mike r

I really like the Kuiu Guide jacket for that role.

* A N Y *.

I agree....

I also agree

Left mamma a Father’s Day hint for the kuiu Guide.

Which camo pattern is best?

That's a matter of terrain and preference.

Too many choices and I've not tried enough to scratch the surface of options. You are talking about all conditions within a range of possible hypothermia.
That said, I recommend what others already said, but tell you why.

If or when your outer layer of goretex or whatever fails, as anything can, you need to deal with wcs.

Worst Case Scenario is that you are soaked thru and in a bad place, lost direction, or injured, fill in the blanks.
Wool against the skin will retain heat better than anything I am aware of when wet.
Marino is normally comfortable and odor resistant.
Over that, you could go with a fleece or something insulative, but I like wool for mid too, IF the friction is not a factor. It depends on fit and distance walking. Friction means more resistance and fatigue. However the better trade off is breathability and warmth when wet. I like button ups better than pull overs for temp regulation.

IMHO, go from there with the latest greatest favorite camo or blaze. That matters less than old fashioned high tech wool. Jesus made sheep and man made synthetics have their place, but hard to beat the multiple benefits of wool.

PS:. If you are backpacking, you need to consider the sweat and ventilation necessary.
While still or packing meat, you must go with zip buttons, or snap mid layers. Think breathable over insulation. Carry an extra layer in the pack for still /stand. When you move with a heavy pack, you'll be tempted to trudge on when you should shed a layer. That is one reason why I described the importance of under layer system trumping outer.

If you like camo, check out the kryptek Highlander.
Best by far over multiple elevations in my opinion.
Mandrake is for warmer weather woodlands...shades of green. The other is three or four seasons. It will shift brown in low light, fall/ winter. The green emerges in that environment.
Colors on fabrics that I'm familiar with change appearance with environment. Break up is amazing.
Some fabrics are drab, while others ( mainly polyester) are reflective slightly, but this is true of other patters and dyes.

Whichever you prefer. It makes no difference to the animals whether you wear camo or any subdued plain color. They see movement, not colors. All the fancy patterns are to sell gear, not to help you get game.

yep

wool t shirt, wool long sleeve, soft shell, good light rain jacket pit zips. marmot or kuiu, , soft shell vest, good boots, I like a light fleece hoody by kuiu, gaiters, prana Zions or Walmart wrangler pants.

if you're rifle hunting no Camo is needed. muted colors and you're wearing blaze orange anyway

I have KUIU and Sitka gear, choices often come down to which fits best. I have a KUIU guide jacket and really like it, you can't beat the stretch material when you are on the go.

Though I've not pulled the trigger on it, the HPG windcheater checks a whole lot of boxes for me:

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/4/ProductID/57

The Kuiu Guide (thanks for that suggestion) looks to check alot of those same boxes, I'm just wonder if it's too warm for what I'm looking for.

I prefer the Sitka Jetstream over the Guide Jacket. Seems warmer and blocks the wind better than the Guide.

I like the biggest outer layer shell I can get. I found one on sale many years ago and it has been down the grand canyon and up the divide with me. Worth it's weight in gold.

There seems to be a bias toward Kuiu vs Sitka Gear? Is there a real difference?