High Quality Hunting Clothes

[jessebain]

I guess I've got the bug. I'm an avid hunter and have been since I was 12 but this Africa hunt I have planned for November has me obsessed! I guess there could be worse things to be addicted to. Anyways, I am looking for opinions on hunting clothing. As many hunters know there is a wide range of quality in hunting clothing. Example: Anything I buy from BSP Redhead brand only last 1 hunting year before starting to fall apart. I am looking for advise on brands of HIGH QUALITY boots, convertible pants, shirts, and hats so that I can start gearing up for the hunt. Thanks for any suggestions!

Jesse

 

[Bobpuckett]

Welcome to AH Jesse! As far as clothes I wouldn't get myself rapped around that to much any hunting clothes you use here will be just fine, Just no bright colors. And if you happen to end up on another farm hunting open range animals the owner of the farm will give you a farm hand to show you and your PH around and most times they'll be dressed in something like blue coveralls. a nice camo realtree shirt is nice and at the end of the hunt if the trackers are about the same size as you you can leave them with the trackers as gifts they love that stuff and it'll free up room in the suit case for gifts to bring home for friends and family.

 

[1ObsessedHunter]

I guess I've got the bug. I'm an avid hunter and have been since I was 12 but this Africa hunt I have planned for November has me obsessed! I guess there could be worse things to be addicted to.

We all feel your pain. As far as boots and clothing goes...I swear by Danner boots and Cabelas clothing. For my first trip I bought 5.11 TDU ripstop pants. They're very convertable pants and I did not get hot wearing them. They have plenty of pockets too. BP is right....you dont need to much as far as clothing goes, laundry is done daily. Good Luck!

 

[sestoppelman]

I like the Danner Jackal boots, very light and comfortable. Clothing is tougher. I have pieces I bought in the 80's that I still wear and others I bought two years ago that are full of holes! I hate to say it but the biggest dissapointment for wear is the Cabelas Serengeti shirt. Two hunts and pretty much a work shirt now. The one I got was called Grass color. My PH in Zim bashed it saying it was too light in color, something to consider. Camo is legal is many places and a good way to go, just check with the outfitter to make sure its legal where you are going. Good luck!

 

[enysse]

Cabelas makes a majority of their money on clothing, the profit they make from it on daily basis would blow you mind. I never buy clothes from Cabelas.

 

[Heym 88]

Jesse I feel your pain. Iv'e been looking myself and have a hard time. First of all I hate Velcro with a passion. Sand in it...too noisy etc. I like buttons and or brass snaps. There are very few companies that have the good stuff. As far as boots...I was lucky enough to find two pairs of Russell PH boots on a auction site. Both fit me like nothing else. Very supple, quiet, and light on the foot. Keep at it..you'll get there.

 

[sestoppelman]

Cabelas makes a majority of their money on clothing, the profit they make from it on daily basis would blow you mind. I never buy clothes from Cabelas.

If I read this correctly you wont buy clothes from Cabelas because they make too much profit? How much profit should they be allowed to make?

 

[enysse]

I buy the bare minimum from Cabelas and it's usually shooting supplies. They are allowed to make a profit, I just don't care the way they do business. And most of this has to do with the way they strong arm people into giving them huge advantages to build a store at location.

 

[Stan-Elephant Trail]

Hi Jessebain,

You should be more concerned on the material and weather than the brands of clothing. Avoid any materials that are noisy when you move or rub against the bushes. Natural materials like cotton and wool work best for me as well as fleece. Match your cloths to weather and areas where you hunt.

For boots, full leather boots work best as it would not allowed fine sand goes into your socks and feet. In the past three years I have bought thirteen boots, including the two famous brands in Africa, but they were not worth it. The best boots for me is "Lowa". It is the best quality boots I have bought so far. I would recommend Lowa Men's Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot. Good luck with your hunt.

 

[jessebain]

Thank you to everone that has responded. I'll take your advise to heart when choosing new gear. I'm looking forward to my first African adventure and the many more to come!

Jesse

 

[joester]

If you will be hunting in RSA or Namibia where wearing camo is generally no big deal, consider military surplus shirts & pants. High quality at a low price. And, don't be afraid to check out charity thrift shops. My wife & I pretty much outfit ourselves at these places, with good quality clothing. We then leave all of it behind for the trackers/ staff and startbour " hunt" anew for our next trip upon returning home. A win-win : the charity store gets $ and the trackers get new duds.

 

[David K]

Try Eddie Bauer. Go online to the sportshop.

 

[Divernhunter]

When we went I ended up leaving some of my stuff there so I could bring home more things I bought in Africa. I suggest you not buy expensive clothes for that reason.
I also took 2 pair of boots and a pair of tennis shoes for when not hunting. Mistake. Only need one pair for hunting.
I ended up leaving a couple pair of pants there also to make room/weight for the t-shirts I bought while sightseeing. Also that bottle of Red Heart Rum

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Two pairs of boots is by no means a mistake. I took two pair the first two times to Africa and didn't need them. Last trip, I only brought one pair of boots because I was planning to buy a particular kind of boots while I was there. Well, the company that made the boots in Africa closed up shop and somehow the boots I brought with me got destroyed on the plane. In my carry on!!! I hot by the first day in sandals and then ended up borrowing a pair of boots. Fortunately my PH and I have the same size feet and for this particular hunt, there wasn't much walking involved.

Boots are absolutely mission critical. So, two pair, well broken in it is for me. And one pair will be on my feet on the plane from now on.

I am very particular with my gear and a bit more into clothing than most men. (think bespoke shirts and pants). But, as far as hunting clothes go, I just wear some solid color BDU pants and either a T-shirt or a golf type shirt. At < $30.00 for a pair of pants, they don't have to last long for me to get my moneys worth. They are roomy enough to be comfortable. I prefer to remove the thigh pockets if I have time: all I do is put crap in there that I don't need and that makes them both hotter and less comfortable than needed.

But boots matter.

 

[Vinootz]

Good quality hunting clothes and boots can be expensive. The great thing about outdoor activities is you don’t have to spend a lot of money on clothes if you don’t want to. It’s actually more practical to use stuff you don’t mind beating up. Personally, I use both. Depends what mood I’m in, more so how rough the terrain will be for the hunt. If I know it’s going to get down and dirty, the good stuff stays home. Hence, high end quality stuff stays in the closets and draws at home. Wearing the expensive clothes is like using heirloom rifles. I pay a little more attention to prevent beating them up in an effort to preserve their fine quality. More often than not, I’ll opt for clothes I don’t mind beating up. As for boots , I always go for quality brands; preferring good support on my feet. Top of the line boots provide good support and are made to last.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Old thread, not sure why it pitched up again, but worth a post or two. Clothes are a part of the hunt, they perform the role of keeping you warm in the cold, or cool in the heat, keeping the sun off, the ticks out and preventing some scratching. But they also lend some style and formality to the noble pursuit of hunting majestic animals. I recall a photo of a character in gym shorts and a T baggy shirt with flip flops standing next to an elephant he had just shot. All it was missing was the cap on backwards. No respect at all.

 

[Dinsdale]

Old thread, not sure why it pitched up again, but worth a post or two. Clothes are a part of the hunt, they perform the role of keeping you warm in the cold, or cool in the heat, keeping the sun off, the ticks out and preventing some scratching. But they also lend some style and formality to the noble pursuit of hunting majestic animals. I recall a photo of a character in gym shorts and a T baggy shirt with flip flops standing next to an elephant he had just shot. All it was missing was the cap on backwards. No respect at all.

Oh no, I havent tucked my shirt in when hunting, what a fashion faux pas.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Forget

Oh no, I havent tucked my shirt in when hunting, what a fashion faux pas.

the fashion, you get a tsetse fly up there, or a Chewore Buzzard and you will be jumping!

 

[Luvthunt]

Dark green shirt(s) by Carhart and light color shorts or pants by any cotton manufacturer you want. Boots by Danner. Do not forget gaiters if boots are 6”.

 

[Philip Glass]

In my experience Sitka gear is some of the most durable as far as hunting clothes. For most of Africa anything works However. On boots I highly recommend you look at Kennetrek and Lowa. I stay with the lighter weight hiking boots.
It is ok to overthink it. We've all been there!
Have a great time planning your safari.