Topic: The Ultimate Hunting Gift Guide for Women (Read 48 times)
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The best trait of a good baselayer is that you don’t notice it, and icebreaker makes some of my favorite Merino layers. Their soft wool is both warm and breathable, and their leggings and tops are sewn with flat seams to eliminate chafing and that bulky Christmas-Story effect on late-season hunts. My top choice for active cold-weather hunts—a spot-and-stalk in December, say, or dragging out a deer after a long morning sit—is the 260 Zone set from Icebreaker. The top and leggings are a heavier weight layer that regulates your temperature during “highly aerobic” days in cold weather. If that setup doesn’t sound right for you, you can choose from a whole range of wool weights (ultralight, lightweight, midweight) to stay co*fy all season long. Best of all, Icebreaker layers co*e in a range of cool prints and colors. Different patterns help me keep track of different warmth layers, as well as what’s dirty and what’s not. And sometimes, it’s just nice to ditch the drab baselayers we’ve been seeing for years and wear something with a little personality.
I’m notorious (or trailblazing—depends who you ask) for mixing my gear on hunts. I don’t care which camo patterns are on my clothes or what pursuit my gear was originally intended for, as long as it all works. And these hiking pants from Helly Hansen are no exception. They’re not built as brush-busting upland pants, but they’re perfect on Western hunts, while camping, or for flying under the radar when scouting public spots. They’re moderately windproof and will repel water in a light drizzle, but these pants shine when it co*es to their durability-to-weight ratio. They’re super lightweight, with reinforced insteps and a boot-hem lock system. Even better, they’ve got a 7/8 side zip with two zippers for ventilation from either direction.
I’m a sucker for a good quarter-zip hoodie that pulls triple-duty as a baselayer, mid-layer, or even outer layer, depending on how hot I get in the field (or how behind I am on my laundry). This Merino hoodie from Helly Hansen is killer for cold mornings, and still works well on days that warm up or demand more activity. I opted for the men’s hoodie, simply because it used to co*e in green; I wanted to be able to blend in even if I overheated and had to strip off my outer layer (which I did on a desert hunt last fall). The women’s hoodie co*es in three colors (light blue, gray, and black), all of which would make great base layers for colder hunts. The high gaiter of the hoodie helps keep your neck and core truly warm, even in frosty, windy conditions.
Usually, a pair of hunting sunglasses that looks normal on a dude somehow makes a woman look like she borrowed her grandma’s prescription sunglasses. Happily, these Katmai lenses from Leupold can pass as regular sunglasses for men or women, since they’re almost as sleek as a pair of Ray-Ban-style shades. I never realized how useful hunting sunglasses were until I spent a week last fall hiking around the glaring Arizona desert in search of Coues deer. Baseball caps can’t control my hair and always cause me to overheat anyway, so I usually ditch them ten minutes into my hunt and just squint into the sun. These Katmai sunglasses, however, finally did the trick. I was able to ditch my hat without co*promising my vision. They also protected my eyes from the spiky mesquite branches and dagger-like yucca I was always pushing past. Just make sure to pick a pair with non-reflective lenses so the sun doesn’t catch their reflection and spook whatever game you’re hunting.
Good socks are the unsung heroes of any successful hunt, no matter how, when, or what you’re hunting, and Swiftwick is the latest addition to my list of approved hunting socks. The Tennessee-based brand makes natural Merino wool socks here in the USA, all of which are packed with wicking and co*pression-fit tech. My favorite pairs for hunting are the Pursuit Hike socks, although the Pursuit Ultralights are great too.
This women’s boot from Lacrosse is a weirdly wonderful blend between a warm rubber boot (1200 grams of Thinsulate Ultra) and a highly-mobile fit for active hunts. The Alpha Agility boots somehow keep your heels in place while you hike to your stand or drag out a deer—without weighing you down. The pair weighs 4.3 pounds, and the co*bination of neoprene and rubber keep the rain and snow out while the Jersey-knit lining wicks away sweat. If you’re looking for an uninsulated boot, check out the Alpha Burly Pro in Realtree Edge.
These co*pletely waterproof, elbow-length gloves are perfect for keeping hunters dry and warm while setting decoys or scooping birds in water. Plenty of waterfowl gloves only go to your wrist, leaving open the threat of water splashing over the top or exposing skin to the cold. The superior length, wrist strap, and drawstring closure keep out the frigid, marshy conditions that acco*pany waterfowl hunts. They’re also lightweight with great mobility. The wearer can even use their phone with the touch screen fingertips. Rugged yet incredibly co*fortable, they’re insulated with 60-gram Thermolite fill and the cuffs are lined with cozy butter pile fleece to keep out the chill. A durable water-repellent (DWR) finish protects against surface moisture, downpours, and dunks. SHE Outdoor Waterfowl Gauntlet Gloves make the ideal gift for the waterfowl hunter in your life that gets after birds in any weather. —Ashley Thess
Last fall, Hoyt joined the small pool of manufacturers who make a serious women’s bow, putting some of the co*pany’s flagship technology into a co*pound with a short axle-to-axle (29 inches) height, a lightweight frame (3.7 pounds bare), and cams optimized for the shorter draw lengths that many female bowhunters need. The Hoyt Eclipse is available for draw lengths from 23.5 to 25.5 inches and 26-28 inches, and draw weights are available in ten-pound increments from 20 to 60 pounds.
A pack that can pull double-duty in the field or at the range will co*e in handy many times over, and the RUSH pack series from 5.11 is the definition of versatile. The backpack features durable nylon construction, MOLLE webbing, and extra touches like a hydration co*partment (one feature I can’t hunt without). The pack co*es in a handful of colors and three sizes, including 24, 37, and 55 liters.