Modern Hunting Clothes?

[rybohunter]

I see a lot of discussion about the old school wool clothes and flannels and stuff.

Does anyone wear modern clothes? Or is that taboo when carrying a traditional bow? I'm not particular on actual camo patterns, but I do find that much of the base layer materials & water proof outerwear makes for a very comfortable hunt in many types of weather.

[jimmerc]

I WEAR A COMBO OF BOTH OLD SCHOOL WOOL AND MODERN CAMO, THE WHOLE IDEA IS TO BREAK UP THE OUT LINE! EARLY SEASON, I'LL WEAR WOODLAND MILT. CAMO PANTS AND FLANNEL SHIRTS WITH TEES IN COLORS OF BROWN OR OLIVE! AS THE SEASON WEARS ON AND THE TEMPS DROP I'LL ADD RED AND BLACK WOOL SHIRT OR GREEN AND BLACK,BUT I ALSO ADD WOOL BASE LAYERS! IN NOVEMBER WHEN THE RUT IS ON AND YOU WANT TO SIT IN STAND ALL DAY, INSULATED MOD CAMO BIBS WITH WOOL SHIRTS,AND MOD CAMO EXTREAME PARKA IF THE TEMPS DROP BELOW 15 F! I'M NOT SURE WHAT TRAD CLOTHING REALLY MEANS BUT KNOW WHAT IT IS TO HUNT WITH TRAD BOWS!

[kctreeman]

Like Jim, I wear a combination of old and new.I have some modern stuff that's so old I consider it traditional.Some of the new base layer and scentlock stuff can't be beat for stopping the wind and rain.

[Jerry Jeffer]

I wear both. I gotta be warm and comfy.

[JDice]

$.02 - hunting clothes made of modern fabrics, patterns, and designs have their place - so do hunting clothes made of wool.

[woodchucker]

Why NO rybohunter,It's absoluely NOT "taboo"!!!!! We're just having FUN!!!!!

Traditional bowhunting is kinda "old-school".....We're just taking it one step further,wearing "old-school" clothing.

Kinda like hunting with a back quiver,instead of a bow quiver.....    

[Daddy Bear]

I'll often hunt out of a backpack for days at a time. Just about every year I'll find myself in temps below 50degrees where it stays wet for days straight. After two or three days of this, everything will become wet and it will be nearly impossible to dry out. I'll be wet from the outside from moisture in the air and wet from the inside from sweat. This is where I prefer wool as a base layer over synthetics. Synthetics by their nature will develop odor and will not return a great value of heat when wet. Using ultra light base layers of wool such as made by Icebreaker or Smartwool will not retain odor and will return a greater value of heat when wet. For me, by the 4th or 5th day there is a world of difference between the two.

When it comes to the outer layers, for the same reason as noted above, I dislike goretex as the pores will become over saturated with moisture, sweat and grime turning it into poor gear. I prefer real rain gear such as Impertech by HH which has a multidirectional give, is 100% waterproof and manages ventilation through proper design and vents. You then use wool underneath to manage moisture while staying comfortable. Wool has the ability to absorb 60% of its weight in moisture and feel dry.

Now if going to higher elevations with dry air and the ability to dry out gear, weight is usually a big factor and I'd generally replace wool outer layers with more modern synthetics. But, I still prefer the ultra light base layers of wool over synthetics for multi day hunts.

I'm not super big on camo paterns, but anything that helps break your outline is a good thing.

I'll add that the latest scientific reports I've read on the deers ability to detect cool colors such as green on the color scale while seeing warm colors such as red on the gray scale, indicated that red better hides movement by blending into the background. Add to this that deer see on the UV scale, most synthetics glow like a ghost to deer whereas wool does not. The bottom line was the testing indicated that the most ideal camo for deer hunting was probably the old school red and black plaid wool outer garments.

later,
Daddy Bear

[Steve B.]

I've never heard of a taboo on clothing.  It would scare me if there was one and I would like to sit and have long coversations with those who hold to them, especially those shooting laminated bows.

I just finally found and bought a set of lightweight poly/nylon camo clothing for hot weather hunting that I am looking forward to using this year.  I've only ever been able to find cotton clothing in the lightweight variety until I found this Field and Stream stuff that resembles the lightweight fishing outfits that usually come in tan or greys.  

When it gets cooler I wear Microtex and carry or wear merino wool longies if need be.  I also carry an uninsulated camo rainjacket/hood in case of rain, unexpected overnight stay, or as a windbreaker and/or added insulation when stand hunting when cold.  It's the quiet-cloth stuff so a little heavy.
I carry a synthetic beanie and glove/mits for the same reason.

[Orion]

Though wool has been around a long time, I don't consider it old.  It's being woven in different ways and weights, put into new, updated designs, etc.  Most of my hunting clothes are modern and they're all wool.

[WidowEater]

sometimes the best clothing you can get is actually the modern stuff, other times you just have to go with Filson, which is also modern but traditional. Just like a brand new recurve or longbow.

[Gary Logsdon]

Guess this makes me old fashioned . . .

 

[Ken Taylor]

I love the best of the old stuff and there is some great new stuff too.

Like others have already said and similar to my choice of wearing  solids, plaids, and camo, I mix.

I do not however, use "scent eliminating" type clothing.

I have also had bad luck with the laminated Gortex type of waterproofing material, especially when it is used in boots so I now use old and new alternatives (although I am still "wearing out some "breathable" waterproof stuff I have).

[upatree]

Just think one day our modern clothing will become "old stuff" and we will be in style again.

I have plenty of modern clothing and it's just to expensive for me to start buying "new" older style hunting clothes.  Also, it's so hot down here that I like the advantage of the micro type garments to help keep me cool.

[Chuck Mullaley]

Over the years my 'old school' clothes have shrunk up pretty bad - apparently from repeated washings...

 

[Shawn Leonard]

I wear both, for years I was pretty superstitious and had an old wool hat every time out. I killed over 50 deer with that hat, lost it oneday and was devastated, but still killed lots more deer. I use what works for me and really could care less what ya wear. Ask Woodchucker what I wear going into my stands!     It is pretty much the oldest type of outerwear!     Shawn