My Favorite Women’s Activewear That’s Great for Hunting

Finding more neutral-colored athletic apparel that works for hunting trips isn’t impossible. Check out our picks for non-hunting women’s activewear that’s also great during the rut.

When it comes to women’s clothing in the hunting industry, the “shrink it and pink it” philosophy is slowly evolving into something new. Lines from companies like Sitka Gear and First Lite completely eschew the philosophy, building women’s clothing from the ground up.

It’s made for us. Plain and simple.

But, as a multidimensional outdoorswoman, I don’t wear my technical camouflage or hunting-specific clothing on a daily basis. And I like owning duds that can fit in the sagebrush as well as they do in the yoga studio. Mostly, this comes down to two things: wearing clothes I enjoy being active in and finding colors that fit into the earth tones of the backcountry.

Every summer, I scour brands for shirts, jackets, and yoga pants that can also accommodate all of my backcountry adventures. That list includes fishing, backpacking, and hunting. Here are a few of my favorites on the market right now.

Patagonia Hampi Rock Pants in Pesto: $79

These pants are designed for climbing, meaning the durability and breathability are on point. A flat and thick waistband works with both a climbing harness and the hip straps on your pack.

Combine the technical aspects of the pant with the fabric blend of hemp, spandex, and polyester, and this would be a great option for the bowhunter or early-season rifle hunter.

Under Armour UA Tech Tactical Tee in Federal Tan: $25

This tee is not only odor wicking and quick drying, it’s the perfect dun-colored item for any day in the field. It’s difficult to find a legitimate neutral in women’s athletic tees due to the industry’s propensity for white, black, and bold colors. But this tee nails everything on the technical level, from color to performance specs. And at $25, it’s a must-have for the everyday outdoorswoman.

JoyLab Women’s Plus Premium High-Waisted Legging: $36

I don’t know a single woman who doesn’t own at least some sort of athleisure piece by Target. I do know that there are a lot of plus-size ladies left out of the hunting clothing machine.

These spandex-blend, forest-green pants can act as a base layer and work as an active pant for the field. At under $40, you pretty much can’t beat the price tag.

Columbia Women’s Heavenly Jacket: $130

This jacket has a swath of amazing reviews, touting its lightweight, breathable, packable nature. This is a go-to spring skiing coat and cool-weather hiking addition, with a touch of sunny-day rifle season mixed in.

The pretty quilting might make it into your daily fall wardrobe, and the Nori green is a color that works across the board.

Icebreaker Sports Bra Line: $42–$75

Let’s talk about that moment when you’re packing into your favorite spot and a cool wind blows through your technical wool shirt. It chills your sweaty boobs in their supposedly quick-drying material that never actually gets the chance to dry. Enter Icebreaker’s line of merino blend sports bras.

Icebreaker is known for killer base layers that embody the amazing nature that is washable merino, and these bras are no different. With a few different options, these can help complete your technical wardrobe to a tee.

Lululemon All the Right Places II Pant $128

Lulu has a cult following for a reason, as its line looks as good as it feels. The brand’s technical yoga clothes are designed for hot rooms and movement, and this particular cut is an all-sports compression design.

If you’ve missed out on the compression movement, this is the pair of pants to throw some money down on. The sage color is a gimme for hunters, and you might just want to invest in a few pairs once you’ve taken these out in the field and in the studio.

Mountain Hardwear Exponent Rain Jacket $75

Another highly rated jacket from a top mountaineering company, Mountain Hardwear’s Exponent jacket can be combined in a layering system to keep you dry in a downpour.

The beaked hood stays stiff to keep your visibility clear, and the adjustable hood and cuffs create a customized fit that can move with you on the go.

These are just some of our favorites. But keep your eyes open for great pieces outside the hunting aisles — you’ll probably find something fit for backcountry adventures.