Jackets layout

Hunting in the cold weather can be any hunter’s worst nightmare if you aren’t geared appropriately for the occasion. There’s nothing worse than sitting out in your stand, patiently observing your prey, and realizing you are so cold that you aren’t likely to get a clean shot off if you have the chance.

The bottom line is if you go hunting in the fall or winter, you know it’s cold out, and the cold is your enemy. You must stay warm and hidden, but also be able to move quickly. To keep warm and dry, you’ll want to be prepared with the right hunting jacket for your hunting expedition.

If you haven’t done your research, there’s plenty of different types on the market today, adding to the confusion of what you “need” versus what would be “nice to have.”

In this article, we take a look at some of our favorite options for hunters on a tight budget, as well as what you should be looking at if money is not an issue.

We’ve got our two favorites below, followed by a little bit more detail on each model and a detailed buyer’s guide on seven great options if you are the type of hunter that needs a little bit more in-depth research.

Good luck out there!

Best Overall Pick: Legendary Whitetails Men’s Canvas Jacket

Budget Pick: ArcticShield Men’s Classic Parka

Buyer’s Guide

Hunting jackets come in all shapes, forms and sizes. They all have features that come in handy when you’re out on a small game or big game hunting trip.

But picking the right winter hunting jacket comes down to a handful of considerations.

Your winter hunting jacket should be light, making it easy to move around more. It should also be warm, but not bulky. The top winter hunting jackets use classic hook-and-loop fasteners, particularly around the wrist and neck closures.

They should also have multiple pockets for storage, both interior, and exterior. These pockets should be deep enough for holding onto the gear you need to keep close.

It should also allow for freedom of movement so you can keep optics that you’ll use close at hand. Read on to learn what else makes up a great cold-weather hunting jacket.

1. Construction & Durability

The right winter hunting jacket will always be durable, well-constructed, and made of materials that are right for the application. Here’s what to look for:

• Noise: The last thing you need in any hunting jacket is noise. Put the jacket on to see if it creates a surprising amount of noise when the jacket arms brush against the sides. Waterproof jackets are especially noisey. So find something that doesn’t blow your cover.
• Fabrics: The right material will not only be quiet, but tough and durable enough to handle the brush and moving around in the deep woods. Camo winter hunting jackets shells with poly-tricot are super-quiet and hold up extremely well under difficult conditions. Other shells to consider are the ones constructed from micro-suede or microfiber.

Any hunting jacket worth its salt will be both waterproof and windproof. They should tape the seams of your hunting jacket to block the wind. Pockets for duck hunting or other waterfowl should also be self-draining.

Make sure the zippers, collar and wrists all seal to prevent the cold, wet weather from entering. Such seals are often hook-and-loop.

Light is the watchword for camo winter hunting jackets. Err on the side of a lighter jacket and buy it up to a size larger if you want to accommodate under-layers.

If you’re doing bow hunting, you’re going to need a thinner jacket than someone who doesn’t need the range of motion that drawing a bow requires.

The lining material must be both lightweight and capable of retaining your core body heat during periods of little to no movement. Fleece or 100 percent polyester with a polyester fill will keep you warm.

Some camo winter hunting jackets have a removable liner to make them easier to wash. If you go for a removable liner, make sure they tape the seams.

2. Linings, Hoods & Seams

When you return the liner to the shell, make sure the seams seal properly. You don’t want to get a cold, wet surprise when during a downpour on your next hunting expedition.

Camo winter hunting jackets with hoods is a must. Many hunters know that one of the secrets to staying warm is keeping your head covered. Being able to draw the hood tightly around your face also provides a camouflage effect.

Having a detachable hood comes with its advantages. Hoods attach to the jacket with either a zipper or a button.

They come off easily when the weather doesn’t warrant a hood or if you need to clean it.

Some hunters prefer to leave their hood off to hear what’s going on around them more clearly, too.

The collar on camo winter hunting jackets will keep your neck warm and shield you from heavy winds and rain. Collars should have a fleece lining, with hook-and-loop closures to ensure weather integrity. They should also rise up to fit snuggly under your chin.

Taped seams are an essential element of the top camo winter hunting jackets. If you expect your jacket to remain waterproof and windproof, make sure they tape the seams. Likewise, there should be similar closures around the zippers to lock the warmth in and keep the weather out.

Many camo winter hunting jackets are straight cuts. So if you have a little extra around the middle, you’ll need to order a size up to get a good fit. Also, if you plan to hunt in extremely cold weather, you’ll want to get a larger jacket size to accommodate the extra layers.

Our Top Picks

 1. Legendary Whitetails Canvas

The Legendary Whitetails Canvas is one of the top camo winter hunting jackets for hunting and regular outdoor use. It holds up extremely well when moving through heavy brush, yet it’s lightweight enough to make moving comfortable and easy.

The jacket is straight-cut, so the chest size is identical to the waist size. Take this into consideration when ordering to ensure a good fit, especially if you use layers when the weather gets deeply cold.

This is a tough hunting jacket with a shell of heavy-duty, 10-ounce sanded canvas. It features 210 grams of insulation as well. The shell is 100 percent cotton, and the lining is 100 percent polyester. The fill is also 100 percent polyester, making this a warm, durable jacket.

The zip-up hood is perfect for hunting, allowing you to keep the hood on for maximum warmth or remove it so that you can hear a rustle in the forest. Legendary Whitetails is a company known for making durable products, and this winter hunting jacket is no exception.

---

2. Coleman Men’s Waterfowl Fleece

The Coleman is the second top camo winter hunting jacket on this list. Although it is great for duck hunting, it is also the choice for cold weather hunting. The most surprising thing about this jacket might be how inexpensive it is compared to some of the others. The outer shell features classic mossy oak duck blind camo. Also, it is extremely quiet when you’re moving around.

This is a surprisingly durable jacket that will serve you well for quite a few years. It will hold up under the toughest use. The fleece liner is both windproof and waterproof. The insulation is thin enough to allow freedom of movement, which is important if you’re a bow hunter.

They cut this jacket to accommodate layers, so when it gets below 30 degrees, you add a sweater. As a waterfowl jacket, it’s cut to the waist, allowing for waders. The neckline is high enough to keep the wind out, too.

---

3. Browning Pheasants Upland

Browning makes a wide variety of hunting gear, and the Pheasants Forever jacket is an excellent option for hunters. It is lightweight, yet warm. It has an orange/tan pattern to stand out when hunting in the woods or timber. The outer shell is a cotton canvas. The canvas material is both durable and whisper-quiet. The jacket has a lined interior, and zipper cuffs with slash pockets both inside and out.

One of the great things about the Natural Gear Waterfowl Jacket is that it has a bloodproof front load game bag for easy cleaning.  But whether you’re hunting waterfowl or deer, this jacket will keep you comfortable during the long stretches of sitting in a blind. This hunting jacket is easy to manipulate, even with gloves on, making it a great choice for cold weather.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a hood, but you can pair it with a hoodie, making this the overcoat to keep you extra warm.  The heavy-duty zipper that closes it up makes it easy to get in and out of. The numerous pockets give you lots of places to store your gear. The jacket’s thick insulation keeps you warm yet it doesn’t inhibit you when the time comes to move.

---

4. Onyx-Arctic Shield-X-System

If you’re looking for the ultimate in warmth without the heavy bulkiness with many camo winter hunting jackets, the Onyx-Arctic Shield X System jacket is the way to go. This jacket is windproof and water-resistant. It also uses Arctic Shield technology to capture and return up to 90 percent of your body heat.

The jacket shell features the popular Realtree camo pattern. They made it of micro-suede, which ensures both durability and silence when you’re walking through the woods. The liner and the fill are polyester, too.

The wrist cuffs are neoprene and have adjustable hook-and-loop tabs, allowing you to seal them tightly and keep the wind out. The jacket also features a two-way front zipper and several pockets on the outside with an interior patch pocket. The waistband is elastic for additional comfort and fit, while the collar has a fleece lining for the same effect.

You may need a breathable outer raincoat for wet weather, although the jacket is water-resistant. Its wind protection will perform well even under extreme conditions. If you’re looking for a lightweight, warm, quiet, and compact jacket, this is for you, especially if you plan on sitting for long periods of time.

---

5. Carhartt Men’s Quilted Flannel

This Carhartt Men’s Quilted Flannel hunting jacket is a great choice for any hunter. It is windproof, waterproof, and breathable, providing warmth and comfort. It features two snap-secured front pockets that are deep, along with several other pockets to store your stuff. There’s even a protected interior pocket for your cell phone or walkie-talkie.

The side-entry pockets have a fleece lining for warmth, and it has a bi-directional zipper in the front, which is protected with a storm flap. There’s a detachable drawstring hood with hook-and-loop and snap closures for extra security. Also, this jacket has netted cuffs so they’re extra comfortable and retain heat. They also seal with the classic hook-and-loop strap.

They made this jacket for use with zippered bibs, which makes using the outdoor facilities much easier. This is a great option for hunters that are on a really strict budget. This is one of the camo winter hunting jackets that fits true to size. It keeps you exceptionally warm even under the coldest of conditions and long stands.

---

6. Rocky ProHunter Insulated Parka

This is a lightweight and warm jacket especially designed for late fall hunting. It will keep you warm in cold temps down to 38 degrees F or 20 degrees F if you wear the right extra layers. The jacket is stormproof, waterproof, and comes with a removable hood to keep you extra warm and dry when Mother Nature is having a fit.

The insulation consists of high-quality polyfill fabric (don’t expect down at this price point), cuffs are adjustable to keep cold air out and warmth in, and the front zipper comes with a handy storm flap. The storage capacity of this hunting jacket is impressive too. There are inner pockets for your valuables and two exterior pockets for your whatnots.

Plus, the material feels great, the pattern looks amazing, and the coat is true to size.

---

7. Banded White River Wader Jacket

The maker of this hunting jacket claims that the coat has “40 grams of the world’s most advanced insulation.” Indeed, the jacket comes with a down filling that can keep you toasty down to 32 degrees F (we haven’t tested it in subzero temps yet). The waterproofness of this coat has let us a bit down. The jacket is more water-resistant than waterproof which is a big difference.

The Banded White River Wader Jacket is durable, warm, and can stand up to a lot of abuse when out in the woods. The extra features like magnet-close bellowed shell pockets, fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, and the zip-out liner that can be worn on its own are some nice additions that can be rarely found in such abundance at this price point.

Be wary though that the jacket runs a bit small. If you’re a tall guy, check out Banded’s sizing chart first as you might need to order the next size up.

---

Parting Thoughts

Any of these seven camo winter hunting jackets will help you stay warm when you’re out in the cold woods or sitting in a blind during a varmint hunting trip.

The right camo winter hunting jacket will also give you the freedom of movement at the right time to make a big shot count. With any of these jackets, you’ll be ready to brave the cold and concentrate on the hunt.

You should always have the “>right gear at your side if you are planning on having any type of successful hunting trip.  There are so many things that go into planning how to track your prey, that worrying about the elements shouldn’t be on the top of your list.