Hats & Gloves

A hat plays a bigger role in your hunt than many people realize. In warm weather, it provides critical sun protection, helps manage sweat, and shields your eyes for better visibility and glassing. In cold conditions, an insulated hat or beanie helps retain body heat. Hats can also break up your silhouette and reduce glare, helping with concealment. Whether it’s a trucker hat for early-season archery or a fleece-lined beanie for late-season rifle hunts, the right hat adds both comfort and functionality to your kit.

The best gloves for hunting depend on your environment and activity level. Lightweight gloves are ideal for early-season or high-output hunts where breathability and dexterity are key. Midweight gloves often add light insulation and wind resistance for variable conditions. For cold weather or long glassing sessions, insulated or layered glove systems offer better warmth retention. Some gloves are designed specifically for shooting or bowhunting, providing trigger-ready fingertips or minimal bulk where precision matters.

Yes — a glove layering system lets you adapt to changing conditions just like clothing layers. A thin, moisture-wicking liner can be worn alone in mild conditions or layered under an insulated shell in colder weather. This approach helps manage sweat during high-output movement while still offering warmth when glassing or sitting. It also allows you to remove just the outer glove when handling optics or gear without fully exposing your hands to the cold.

Your headwear should match the season and level of exertion. Lightweight caps or breathable trucker hats work well for warm-weather scouting and early-season hunts, offering sun protection and ventilation. Beanies or insulated hats made from merino wool, fleece, or synthetics trap heat and wick moisture — ideal for cold mornings, glassing sessions, or snowy late-season hunts.

Merino wool is a top choice for its warmth-to-weight ratio, odor resistance, and moisture management. Synthetic blends like polyester and fleece dry quickly and often add wind-blocking properties. Leather or softshell reinforcements in gloves improve durability and are especially useful when busting through brush, climbing over deadfall, or navigating rocky terrain. Choose materials that match your hunt conditions and how much sweat, abrasion, or precipitation you expect.

Many modern hunting gloves come with touchscreen-compatible fingertips, allowing you to use phones, GPS devices, or rangefinders without removing your gloves. This feature is especially helpful during cold-weather hunts when you want to preserve warmth while navigating or dropping pins. Touchscreen compatibility varies by glove model, so check product descriptions for details if it’s a priority for your kit.

Yes — early-season gear prioritizes breathability, sun protection, and moisture control, while late-season gear focuses on insulation and weatherproofing. A lightweight cap and liner glove might be all you need for archery elk in September, but you’ll want insulated beanies and weather-resistant gloves for late-season mule deer or elk hunts. Having seasonal options lets you fine-tune your comfort and avoid overheating or freezing in changing conditions.