During my first few hunting seasons, I borrowed a lot of gear from my husband and his friends. I didn’t have the cash to invest in high quality camouflage, a brand new bow, a set of binoculars, or any of the remaining laundry list of items one needs to get started. And in order to figure out if hunting was even for me, I first and foremost had to get out there and immerse myself.
So borrowed gear was the way to go.
Rather quickly, I made the decision that bowhunting was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I also decided that it was time to start slowly investing in gear of my own. At the time, there was little available for women when it came to hunting apparel and specific gear. Nearly 10 years later, a lot has changed and offerings for women are continuing to expand. But is buying women’s specific hunting gear worth it? In most cases, yes! And here’s why.
No matter the pursuit, a pair of well-fitting and functioning pants are one of the most important pieces of hunting apparel you can buy; and men’s pants will never cut it. The specific style of pants you choose depends on your objective, but with brands like Sitka, First Lite, and KUIU expanding their line up, women now have options for extremely functional high quality hunting pants that actually fit.
I also like to look beyond the hunting industry and into the outdoor rec arena for some of my women’s apparel. There isn’t always a camouflage option, but it’s not always necessary. Brands like Fjallraven and Kuhl make great pants built for the outdoors.
The specific times where a men’s jacket hasn’t worked for me have all been in bowhunting scenarios. Men’s jackets have extra fabric that gets in the way when you draw your bow creating excess noise and bulk, so the second women’s specific apparel item I’d prioritize is a jacket.
Cold weather women’s hunting jackets fit so much better and often contain more insulation than men’s versions, which is much appreciated on chilly mornings.
When it comes to bows, women’s specific isn’t always necessary. It ultimately comes down to finding a bow that fits your specs and is enjoyable to shoot. In general, women’s versions will offer shorter draw lengths, lower draw weights, and may have smaller grips, but it’s all personal preference.
Visit your local archery shop and shoot a bunch of models. Go for the bow that feels best for you; in my opinion it does not matter whether it says “women’s” or not.
For backcountry hunts and other highly physical adventures where items such as framed backpacks, sturdy boots, and sleeping bags are necessary, seeking women’s specific versions is definitely worth it.
In these situations when relying on your gear can be more of a safety issue rather than one of comfort, it is important to be detail oriented. Make sure to do your tinkering and testing in the offseason.
So in summary, yes! Women’s specific hunting gear is worth the investment and will enhance your experience in the woods. Efficiency and comfortability shouldn’t be undervalued. I’d recommend adding or upgrading 1-2 quality pieces of gear every year.
Before you know it, you’ll have a fully loaded closet composed of high quality women’s hunting gear that will last for many seasons to come.
