Best Way To Stay Warm While Hunting: What Gear Do You Need?

best way to stay warm while hunting

Introduction

There is nothing worse than being freezing cold while you hunt.

Fortunately, there have been a lot of advancements in warming technologies over the past decade.

We have done the research and put together this comprehensive guide on the best way to stay warm while hunting.

Let’s get started.

Wear The Right Outer Gear

Legendary Whitetails Men's Standard Huntguard Reflextec Hunting Jacket, Big Game 360, Large
The best way to stay warm while hunting is to invest in a proper hunting jacket – without a proper hunting jacket, you and destined to be cold while out in the field.

Fortunately, there have been major strides over the past decade in creating jackets that are both warm and functional.

We are huge fans of the Legendary Whitetails HuntGuard Camo Hunting Jacket, which is a water-resistant and breathable hunting jacket.

The jacket comes with removable outer shells which allow you to comfortable hunt in the early season, late season, and everything in between.

The Legendary Whitetails HuntGuard Camo Hunting Jacket, or another jacket of comparable quality, is an absolute must-have to stay warm while camping.

Legendary Whitetails Men's HuntGuard Reflextec Camo Hunting Bibs
 We also like the Legendary Whitetails Huntguard Hunting Bibs, which come with the same removable fleece technology and will definitely keep your legs and torso warm during the hunting season.

Having a proper jacket and bibs system will ensure that the cold has no chance of ruining your hunt, even into the late season.

Use A Base Layer

Smartwool Men's NTS Mid 250 Zip T Top Black T-Shirt MD
One of the best ways to help retain heat is by wearing a base layer.

We are huge fans of SmartWool Men’s NTS Zip T Top, which is made completely out of merino wool.

This layer will help keep your core extremely warm by retaining heat, and it will also wick sweat away, keeping you dry and comfortable.

It is also extremely comfortable, which is a huge plus when you are going to be spending hours outdoors in the cold.

Use A Hand Warmer System

Hunter Safety System Muff Pak Hand Warmer, Realtree, Standard
In our opinion, this is absolutely one of the best ways to keep your hands warm while hunting.

A proper handing warming system, such as the Hunter Safety System Hand Warmer will help keep your hands, and thus your whole body, warm all day.

It utilizes a polar fleece, and is extremely comfortable while standing, sitting, and shooting.

The Hunter Safety System Hand Warmer is a must-have investment – you will thank us for recommending it.

Additionally, it is highly functional and has tons of pockets to help make your hunting experience much easier. We highly recommend it.

Pick Up Socks That Can Handle The Cold

DG Hill Winter Thermal Socks - Warm Socks for Men Women Cold Weather Insulated Sock - Heated Socks Thick Snow Sock
Many hunters start to feel the cold creep in through their boots and regular socks, and eventually this cold compromises their whole body.

Fortunately, there are now incredible moisture-wicking socks such as the Arctic Extreme Heat Trapping Thermal Socks, which are top-of-the-line socks that will keep you warm in even the coldest of temperatures.

These socks have been crafted to be comfortable, heat-retaining, and moisture-wicking, meaning you do not have to worry about sweating and then developing cold feet.

Pick up a few pairs and make sure your feet are warm during the coldest parts of the hunting season.

Stick Cardboard In Your Boots

best way to stay warm while hunting

A great trick that many hunters use is to just stick a piece of cardboard underneath the sole of your boots.

It may seem like a silly thing to do, but actually lining your shoes with cardboard will soak up the cold, thus helping to keep your feet warm.

Make Sure You Have The Right Gloves

BANDED Men's Insulated Gloves
When it comes to staying warm in the field, it is crucial that you have gloves that are both warm and provide mobility.

Many hunters turn to fingerless wool gloves – these work, but they also get wet easily and thus can start leaving your hands warm.

Instead, we recommend picking up a dedicated pair of insulated gloves, such as Banded Men’s Insulated Gloves, which are both waterproof and breathable.

These will help keep you warm and won’t get wet like traditional wool gloves.

Wear A Face Mask

Ergodyne - 16833 N-Ferno 6823 Balaclava Ski Mask, Wind-Resistant Camo Face Mask, Hinged Design to Wear as Neck Gaiter, RealTree Camouflage, One size
Many hunters remember to cover their entire body in the best heat-retaining clothing, but then forget about their face.

This is no good at all – as any experienced hunter can tell you, a cold wind chill can seriously freeze your entire face, especially deep into the late season.

We recommend using a high-quality, camo face mask that has wind resistant technology such as Ergodyne N-Ferno 6823 Face Mask.

This face mask will help keep you warm and is extremely comfortable.

Pack A Winter Hat

best way to stay warm while hunting

This one is a classic for a reason – it works!

When putting together your hunting bag and gathering all of your necessary gear, it can be easy to forget about bringing a winter hat.

Make sure you bring one and wear it throughout your hunting expedition.

We even recommend bringing two, preferably made out of different materials. If it gets really cold while you are in the great outdoors, you can double up.

This will allow your head to retain heat and stay warm.

Use Disposable Hand Warmers

HotHands Hand Warmers - Long Lasting Natural Odorless Air Activated Warmers - Up to 10 Hours of Heat - 40 Pair
Disposable hand warmers are one of the easiest, simplest things you can bring to help stay warm on your hunting expedition.

Throw a few pairs into your jacket pocket, gloves, or handwarmer system and they can help you stay warm all day.

We like the HotHands Hand Warmers because they last up to 10 hours.

You can also stick these in your socks or boots if you have enough room, but make sure you test this out before you head into the great outdoors to make sure you are comfortable.

Drink Hot Water Constantly

S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle - 17 Fl Oz - Hunting Green - Triple-Layered Vacuum-Insulated Containers Keeps Drinks Cold for 41 Hours and Hot for 18 - with No Condensation - BPA Free Water Bottle
Picking up a properly insulated water bottle can help ensure that you have access to hot fluids throughout the day.

Many hunters simply turn to disposable water bottles because they are cheap and easy to use, but unfortunately, they do not have heat-retaining abilities.

Instead, we recommend picking up S’well Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bootle, which can keep your fluids hot for up to 12 hours.

Additionally, in the summertime, this same water bottle can keep your fluids cold for up to 24 hours, meaning it can be used year-round.

Make Sure Your Boots Are Secure

ArcticShield Onyx-Arctic Shield-X-System Men's Boot Insulators (Real Tree)
As you can imagine, hunting boots take an enormous beating each and every hunting season.

This is why it is crucial to inspect your boots before you go out, each and every time.

Yes, we know it can be a little tedious to pour over each and every detail of your beat up, dirty hunting boots, but it is important.

Look for any type of puncture, tear, or hole. If you see any of these, it is crucial to get your boots fixed right away.

You can have all the latest advancements in warming camo jackets and face masks at your disposal, but we promise you that if your boots are punctured and letting in the cold air and dirt you are going to be cold.

Additionally, for added warmth, feel free to pick up some boot covers, such as ArcticShield Onyx-Arctic Shield-X-System Men’s Boot Insulators, which you can use to help keep your boots insulated and warm on even the coldest mornings.

Quality boot covers will help insulate your feet from the cold and the elements, thus allowing you to retain heat and actually extend the life of your boots.

One of our favorite tricks is to actually place a couple of disposable heat warmers inside of your boot cover, which will keep your feet quite warm.

Snack The Right Way

best way to stay warm while hunting

Eating a steady stream of snacks throughout the day can help keep your body warm, just make sure you do not overdo it with carbs.

Instead, stick to things like meat, trail mix, nuts, granola, and jerky. In addition to help to keep you warm, it will also keep you focused throughout the day.

Don’t Sweat Along The Way

There is a good chance that if you wear all of your hunting gear on the way to your favorite hunting spot you will start sweating.

This is one of the worst things you can do!

Remember to only wear the necessary layers and suit up once you get there.

Additionally, allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.

Don’t rush – instead, move at a slow and relaxed pace. This will also help keep you from sweating.

Additional Tips To Stay Warm While Hunting

  • Hands-On The Handwarmers – Whenever possible, try and keep at least one hand on a hand warmer at all times. We know that oftentimes while hunting you need one free hand, but whenever possible, keep that other hand in your hand warmer system with a nice toasty disposable hand warmer. This will help keep you feeling warm throughout the day.
  • Don’t Get Wet – This may be an obvious one, but when you get wet, the effectiveness of your insulated clothing goes way down. This is especially true for boots, so try and watch where you’re walking.
  • Keep An Extra Pair Of Socks With You – If you do get wet, make sure you keep an extra pair of fresh socks in your truck. Trust us, you’ll be happy to change into them when you get back to the car.
  • Don’t Skimp Out On The Bibs – Many people think they can get away with hunting without bibs, but if you are dealing with extremely cold temperatures, do not even think about. Invest in a set of bibs to keep you warm, dry, and insulated from the biting cold.
  • Add Disposable Heat Packs To Your Core – If you are facing cold temperatures, it is important to keep your core warm and insulated. The various layers you are wearing will oftentimes have small pockets – use them to your advantage. Stick disposable hand warmers in these pockets to stay warm.
  • Use Your Hood – Most hunting jackets come with a hood, but many times it can be easy to forget about just how useful a hood can be to help keep in your body heat and keep out the wind, rain, and cold. Use your hood to your own advantage.
  • Put Some Antiperspirant On Your Feet – Sweaty feet always turn into wet and cold feet. The night before your hunt, rub some antiperspirant on your feet – this will stop them from sweating the next day. It may sound strange but it works.
  • Bring A Sled – If you are hunting deer in the winter, there is a chance you will have to recover it from a snowbank. Bringing a sled with you can make this a much easier and dryer process.

What Are The Key Takeaways When Trying To Stay Warm While Hunting?

The best way to stay warm while hunting is to pick the right gear and to wear layers. 

We have provided suggestions for a ton of great warming products on this list, and we recommend wearing them all – it will ensure that you are warm and comfortable throughout your hunt.

On top of the base layer, we recommend wearing long johns, which will also help you retain heat.

On top of that you can wear a middle layer, then a vest if need be, and then your coat and bibs.

Keep in mind you may need to carry everything from your middle layer up out into the field in order to avoid overheating initially.

It is also crucial to stay hydrated and eat the right foods throughout your hunting expedition – many hunters overlook this and end up being low on energy and cold.

Will All Of This Gear Affect My Shots?

Yes, regardless of what you are shooting with, using all of these fantastic high-tech hunting gear will affect your shots.

This is why it is paramount to practice shooting in a controlled environment with all of this gear on before you head out into the great outdoors.

Conclusion

As you can see, staying warm while you are hunting really comes down to a mixture of preparing with the right gear, and also combining a few great tricks to ensure your warmth.

Now you know the best ways to stay warm while hunting!

We hope you have found this guide to be useful, and we hope you have a great (and warm!) hunting season.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions.

For more information on related topics, check out our articles on the best cold weather duck hunting gloves, and cold weather tents with stoves if you want to do some winter camping.