For many of us, hunting clothing will make up for most of our concealment and in turn overall success. In many cases, the clothing itself becomes the blind and keeps those wary game animals from noticing us. Many hunters choose not to even use ground blinds and tree stands and instead simply sit or stand with their back to a tree disguised by their camouflage. Choices of hunting clothing are many and it depends largely on region, weather, and game being hunted as to what you eventually decide to use. Having a variety of different choices available to you will enable greater success through your ability to adapt to varying conditions.

A few key questions to ask yourself when selecting hunting clothing are:

What weather conditions will I be hunting in? Will it be hot/cold?

Is there going to be rain/snow?

Will I be in a tree stand or ladder stand? Am I going to hunt inside of a ground blind?

For a number of us, the better part of our hunting takes place in colder climates and seasons. Being able to dress with the correct amount of insulating layers and still maintaining movement can be almost an art form. Many bowhunters have missed their only opportunity of the season to take a trophy whitetail from a tree stand because their bulky jacket sleeve interfered with their shot. Selecting a jacket that keeps you warm while allowing freedom of movement with silent fabrics can be critical for your future hunts. There are a number of different waterproof, breathable fabrics like Gore-tex„ or filling materials with different weights of insulation such as Thinsulate„.

The truth is, these performance fabrics will increase your overall comfort while hunting and that in turn will increase your overall success. Several hunting apparel brands use moisture-wicking technology to move perspiration away from your skin to keep you feeling dry. This is just as fantastic in humid, rainy conditions as it is in dry, hot summer conditions. Being able to wear long pants and sleeves comfortably on a warm spring afternoon or summer day can work to keep you well concealed and also dry from perspiration.

Performance fabric tips:

Select hunting jackets that are both waterproof and breathable.

Bottom layers, such as thermals, should be moisture-wicking to remove sweat from your skin.

Silent or quiet fabrics allow for freedom of movement without detection.

Camouflage is almost a category of it's own with all the choices available for hunting clothing. This can seem like the most critical decision for hunters to make but having a pattern that is close to your hunting environment will still yield good results. I would focus more on the performance of the fabrics than anything else as many of the newer camo patterns can be used in a variety of different situations with the same success. Spot and stalk hunters or those hunting turkey without a blind will be more critical of their use of camo than someone hunting in a tree stand or ground blind. In those latter cases, the hunter is not as concerned with what camo pattern is being worn since they are in less of a position to be seen. Let your environment and situation play a role in dictating which type of hunting clothing is more appropriate.

Things to consider when selecting camouflage patterns:

What type of surroundings will I have? Is there heavy brush or grasses around me?

Will I be in a wooded area on my hunt?

Whatever choices you eventually make on your hunting clothing selection, you may still wish to consult experts that can share quality product reviews. I have found a website in particular that has evaluated dozens of top apparel products well suited to many hunting situations. Included in those reviews on are factors that make those particular items stand out among the pack. If you're headed to Alaska this spring or New Mexico next fall, be sure to bring a variety of clothing to match the varying conditions that you may face.