The Best Hunting Jackets – Top 10 Reviewed

The right hunting clothes, in most scenarios, can significantly improve your chances of success. Every avid hunter knows that a hunting jacket is integral in any well-equipped hunting apparel. From keeping you warmer and drier to providing camouflage, the benefits of a good hunting jacket are too numerous to ignore. There are tons of reasons to invest in the best hunting jacket that the market has to offer.

But here is the tricky part, getting an ideal hunting jacket is easier said than done. You have to factor in camo, weatherproofing, thermal quality, among other numerous things. The chances are that you might not have the time or the necessary skills to figure out all the must-have features in a good hunting jacket. Not to mention, there are hundreds of brands to sift through.

This article saves you the trouble by providing an in-depth review of the best waterproofing hunting jackets that are unique in style, quality, and with a rugged look that copes well with the rigor of outdoor life.

Recommended: Top 5 Hunting Jacket For All Seasons

1. Legendary Whitetails – Best Value for Summer and Winter

2. Carhartt Men’s Quilted Camo Active Jacket – Best Value for Cold Winter Night

3. SITKA Gear Men’s Windstopper Jacket – Best Uses for Waterproof and Windproof

4. Gamehide Deerhunter Parka – Best Camo Jacket for Deer Hunting

5. ROTHCO Special Soft Shell Jacket – Best Value for Casual Wear

10 Best Hunting Jacket Reviews

1. Legendary Whitetails Men’s Jacket

Legendary Whitetails Men’s Jacket is a revolutionary camo jacket that spots big game camo accents and a signature buck logo. The jacket has a heavy-duty canvas shell made of 100% cotton. It’s a fabric that’s comfortable both for summer and winter wear. The shell is sanded to provide a soft feel and to eliminate weird noises as the sleeves rub against each other. Plus, it offers excellent water repellent properties and is rugged enough to cope well with rough treatment.

The lining is 100% polyester, a material that does not wear down quickly. Better still, it is flexible and doesn’t shrink. This is a wicking polyester, which, unlike cheap polyester, is exceptionally comfortable and breathable. As for thermal comfort, you get 210 grams of polyester insulation. This helps combat cold weather and trap more body heat without adding a lot of bulk to the jacket.

Another desirable feature is the zip-off hood that’s cool to wear regardless of the season. It gives extra protection from adverse weather conditions. Plus, it provides a low-profile fit for a clear field of vision. As for storage, the jacket has double interior pockets. The pockets and the front closure use smooth-action heavy-duty zippers that offer easy access besides guaranteeing long service life. Legendary Whitetails Canvas jacket is available in Small to 5XL sizes.

2. Rothco Special Ops Soft Shell Jacket

Rotho Special Ops jacket is an excellent tactical outdoor casual wear. This jacket has a 3-layered construction that offers a ton of benefits. It comprises an outer polyester shell, a sandwich layer, and a fleece lining. The polyester shell gives the ultimate protection from everyday situations by repelling water and deflecting wind. The sandwich layer, on the other hand, releases moisture, making the jacket more breathable. As for the fleece lining, it helps retain heat to keep you warm.

Another heat retention feature, besides the fleece lining, is the stand-up collar. It traps body heat and sustains warmth, making it a great winter companion. Six zippered pockets make Rotho Special Ops a truly fully-loaded hunting jacket. With them, you have ample storage for most hunting essentials and other personal items. The jacket has a concealed hood for extra protection from the elements.

Two-way zippers provide easy access. Beneath the arms are ventilation zippers that keep you fresh. Adjustable wrist cuffs provide a secure fit should you plan to wear gloves. Plus, you get a loop shoulder patch where you can attach a morale patch. This tactical outdoor jacket is available in X-Small to 7XL sizes.

3. Carhartt Men’s Quilted Flannel Lined Camo Active Jacket

The Carhartt Men’s Quilted Camo Active Jacket works for you everywhere you need to hide. It boasts a neutral and realistic Realtree camo, which is versatile and effective in blending with the real-life effects of nature. The jacket has a duck canvas shell, a tightly woven fabric that is weather-resistant and machine-wash friendly. Plus, it has a smooth surface that prevents tearing and snagging. A quilted flannel lining makes you cozy and comfy during the cold winter nights.

A hood adds a sense of style and keeps you soft and warm. This camo jacket has split Kangaroo pockets, which are large enough to fit both hands. The waist and the cuffs use rib knit fabrics that offer great elasticity. Hence you can stretch them out without the risk of tearing. Carhartt camo jacket comes in different sizes ranging from Medium to 2XL.

4. MAGCOMSEN Men’s Tactical Army Outdoor Jacket

Magcomsen Men’s Tactical Army Outdoor Jacket is a medium-range hunting jacket but with a quality that rivals others in the same range. One of its most notable specialties is the soft-textured sharkskin shell, a favorite among light winter jackets. The sharkskin shell makes this tactical jacket authentic classic wear. Plus, it is closely woven for wrinkle-free wear.

Another great benefit of the sharkskin shell is that it self-regulates temperature. Furthermore, it’s waterproof, windproof, and breathable, meaning it can take a beating no matter the weather conditions. Inside is a fleece lining that is effective at trapping body heat and retaining warmth.

The jacket has a concealed hood to offer extra protection from the elements. It has six zippered pockets (both large and small) to accommodate your essential items and hunting accessories ranging from headlamps, gloves, maps, two-way radios, to small electronic devices. Drawstrings on the waist and hood make it easy to pull over and secure in place. Underarm zippers make the jacket more breathable. Magcomsen tactical jacket is available in XS to US XL sizes.

5. Gamehide Deerhunter Parka

Gamehide Parka is a classic style, hip-length Realtree camo winter wear. To many, it’s among the best camo jackets for deer hunting. One unique feature of this hunting jacket is the innovative HunterHide fabric. It creates a softshell that is weatherproof for use in light rain, sleet, and snow. Plus, it’s quick-drying, fade-free, and offers excellent resistance to burrs.

Another notable feature is the high loft fleece lining, which takes thermal warmth and comfort to a whole new level. It does so by creating large air pockets that help retain more thermal heat. Plus, it’s incredibly lightweight, soft, and highly compressible.

Gamehide Parka has large front pockets (two dump pockets and two side entry pockets) and inside security pockets for hunting accessories and other essentials. It appears with a removable hood and a drawstring that adjusts to create a perfect base at the hem. This hunting jacket is available in 2XL sizes. This hunting jacket is very essential when you go survival bow hunting.

6. North Mountain Gear Super Natural Camouflage Leafy Hunting Suit

North Mountain is an excellent choice for a 3D leafy hunting suit. This is a suite that gives you an edge blending into your surroundings. It does so by eliminating the human outline while remaining breathable, lightweight, and compact. Plus, it’s fully-fledged hunting wear comprising a jacket and pants.

The jacket has two zippered front pockets for storage. It comes with an attached hood for added weather protection. Apart from that, you get elastic cuffs that offer a secure fit for gloves. Moreover, you get an elastic waist for easy on and off. Both the elastic cuffs and waist give a comfortable snug fit for free blood circulation. This green hunting suit feels comfortable in both bulky and light underclothes. Available sizes are XL and 2XL.

7. Gamehide Flatland Deer Hunting Parka

Gamehide Flatland Parka makes excellent wear for your next deer hunting trip. One feature that makes this jacket stand out is the hunt-specific waterproof HushHide fabric. It creates a soft, lightweight, and wrinkle-free shell that offers a fade-free performance. Also, the fabric doesn’t produce noise when rubbed together. Better still, it packs easy and small, making it an excellent choice for travel.

The jacket has two front dump pockets to hold your items and hunting accessories. A detachable hood comes in handy to give extra protection from weather elements. Gamehide Flatland Parka is available in three camo options including Blaze Camo, White Camo, and Realtree. Available sizes for this hunting jacket are Small and Medium.

8. SITKA Men’s Jetstream Jacket

SITKA Jetstream is an everyday hunting jacket that combines smart design and advanced fabric technology to better your hunting experience. The jacket has an all-weather GORE-TEX fabric, which is a gold standard for weatherproofing qualities. It protects against the adverse effects of wind and remains lightweight enough to give greater freedom of movement. Another unique property of this fabric is that it repels liquid water but allows moisture to pass through for excellent breathability.

The lining consists of ultra-fine fibers that provide ultimate insulation even when wet. Moreover, it neutralizes odors to keep your hunting jacket scent-free. Large zippered chest pockets create room for personal items and hunting gear. The arms are fully articulated for an improved range of motion. Furthermore, the jacket has a hood for an added level of protection. Available sizes for this jacket range from Small to 3XL.

9. UDRES Men’s Fleece Liner Tactical Jacket

UDRES is a high-quality jacket tactfully designed and built to last. The jacket has a softshell stretch polyester. This is a fabric that forms a workhorse of most workout fabrics. Hence, you get durable wear that can take a beating. It’s lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and extremely breathable. Plus, it’s non-absorbent, which provides excellent moisture-wicking properties.

This tactical jacket comprises a fleece lining that is very effective at trapping and sustaining body heat. Six zippered pockets offer plenty of room for storage. A large velcro hood provides maximum shielding of the face from the elements. Available sizes for UDRES tactical jackets range from Small to XL.

10. Yukon Gear Men’s Waylay Softshell Hunting Jacket

Yukon Gear hunting jacket boasts one of the newest fabric inventions, polyester elastane. It’s a comfortable, woven polyester material offering excellent resistance to wind, water, and wrinkles. Better still, it’s machine-wash friendly.

The jacket is fleece-lined for excellent heat retention. The sleeves extend in one piece to the collar, a feature that offers an improved range of motion. Wrist gaiters come in handy to seal out the cold. The jacket comprises welded pockets to keep your hunting accessories secure and safe from the elements. Plus, you get a hood for extra warmth and comfort. Yukon Gear hunting jacket is available in Medium to 2XL sizes.

Best Hunting Jackets: Complete Guide

You should be careful not to select a hunting jacket that will turn out impractical for your hunting requirements. One sure way to do that is to use a guide that outlines the must-have features of the best hunting jacket for cold weather. Plus, there are other tough requirements to be met before you pull the trigger. In this guide, we break down what you need to look for in a good hunting jacket.

Material

The jacket material is very crucial. Ensure to select an odorless fabric that will disguise your scent. Plus, make sure it excels in terms of comfort and breathability. And since you’ll be exposed to the elements, look for something weatherproof. Also, consider a waterproof jacket that copes well in the more difficult hunting conditions. Regarding construction, we recommend a 3-layered hunting jacket that regulates insulation while keeping out rain and wind.

Size

Picking a hunting jacket that fits seems too obvious. But then, what exactly is the right size chart? What you need is a jacket that fits snug, which also helps cut down on the noise. Go for a jacket size that is comfortable enough to provide freedom of movement. Also, consider the length of the jacket, more importantly, the sleeves and the hem. You don’t want sleeves that pull up or a hem that is too short. That said, you’ll need to pay a lot of attention to the sizing charts.

Pattern

Which pattern do you need? Well, there are numerous possibilities. However, you need a design that blends well with the area you plan to hunt. Some favorite patterns include Woodland, Duck Hunting, Grass, and Orange. Ensure the one you choose offers excellent camo to help you close more on your target.

Pockets

Select a hunting jacket that has multiple pockets, both interior and exterior. Deep pockets are a preference in the case of large gear. After all, bigger is better when it comes to storage. In case you want to stay connected via mobile phone, consider chest pockets that will keep your phone within easy reach at all times.

Hood

Having a jacket with a hood is more of an individual preference. However, a hood gives you an extra edge. First and foremost, it improves your camouflage. Secondly, it provides added protection when hunting in the rain or cold weather. Consider a hood that is easy to remove when needed.

Adjustability

Comfort requirements differ from one person to another. That said, select a jacket that is easy to adjust. For instance, look for an adjustable waist or cuffs. A drawstring is one of the best options owing to its simplicity.

Cleaning

Hunting jackets clean differently. Some will need the services of dry cleaners while others can easily be cleaned at home. We recommend machine-wash friendly hunting jackets. These are low-maintenance wears besides being the most practical.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Is camo necessary in a hunting jacket?

A. Camouflage is a good recommendation if what you need is only a break-up pattern to keep you hidden. However, camo ranks low when it comes to the primary reasons you get busted up by an animal. According to the Quality Deer Management Association, the number one cause of detection is scent followed by the hunter’s movement. Camo pattern comes third on the list. However, you don’t have to do away with your camo as long as it is not blue or has a ton of UV brightness. The right colors to consider are orange and green.

Q. What’s the difference between a waterproof, water-resistant, and water-repellent hunting jacket?

A. A water-resistant hunting jacket resists the penetration of water, but only to a certain degree. A waterproof hunting jacket, on the other hand, is impervious to water. Water-repellent jackets fall in between. These have a coating that isn’t easily penetrated by water. Overall, waterproof jackets provide the most protection followed by water-repellent and lastly water-resistant jackets. However, be careful as most manufacturers tend to use the terms interchangeably.

Q. From where can one check the jacket sizes?

A. All hunting jackets come with a size chart. The easy way to access it is by clicking on the product link.

Q. Are there any useful washing and cleaning tips for a hunting jacket?

A. Use warm water for good cleaning without significant shrinking or fading. In the case of bright or dark colors that bleed, consider washing in cold water that is around 80°F. Plus, ensure to use the appropriate detergent for your hunting jacket. Also, you might want to consider using baking soda to eliminate odors. When dry, we recommend that you store it in a sealed place, such as a plastic bag to keep your jacket from ambient odors.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve gone through our options and seen our checklist, which is the best hunting jacket for cold weather? Regardless of what you are after (scent-blocking jacket, weatherproof jacket, or budget-friendly jacket), one of the above hunting jackets will serve the purpose. So, take your time and pick accordingly.