Vests

Vests offer core warmth without sacrificing mobility, making them ideal for higher-output activities like hiking, or still-hunting in moderate conditions. By freeing up your arms while retaining body heat, a vest becomes a strategic layering piece, especially during the shoulder seasons or when temperatures fluctuate throughout the day.

Each vest type serves a different purpose in your layering system. Insulated vests (often filled with synthetic or down) are designed to trap body heat and are ideal for static activities like glassing. Fleece vests offer lightweight warmth and breathability, great for layering during active movement. Softshell vests provide wind resistance, light weather protection, and quiet fabric, ideal for stalking or active hunts where stealth matters.

Blaze orange vests are legally required in many states during firearm hunting seasons for safety. Even when not required, wearing blaze orange increases visibility to other hunters without spooking game, as most big game animals don’t see color the same way humans do. A lightweight, breathable orange vest layered over your outerwear ensures compliance and safety without compromising comfort.

Vests are most effective when used as part of a layering system. They’re typically worn over a baselayer or midlayer, and under a shell or jacket if added weather protection is needed. For active hunts, a vest over a merino or synthetic baselayer can regulate heat and prevent overheating. In colder weather, use an insulated vest between a warm fleece and your outer layer to trap core warmth without bulk in the arms.

Key features include quiet, durable fabric, weather resistance, and strategic pocket placement for accessibility while wearing a pack or harness. Consider athletic fit for layering, stretch panels for mobility, and lightweight insulation for warmth without restricting movement. Some softshell vests also offer windproof membranes, ideal for exposed ridgelines or windy glassing points.

Yes, many hunting vests double as excellent off-season or everyday wear, especially in neutral solids or earth tones. They’re great for scouting, hiking, range days, and general outdoor use, offering the same lightweight warmth and utility in a more casual or travel-friendly piece of gear. Brands like Sitka and Stone Glacier design vests that transition well beyond the field.