From early to late season, and everything in between, deciding what to wear for whitetail deer hunting takes some forethought - but it doesn’t have to be complicated. This comparison guide highlights our best options in each layering category to help narrow down your search for the best gear for your whitetail hunts.
Quiet Hunting Jackets & Insulated Outer Layers
Known for silence in the stand, these synthetic insulated and soft-shell jackets are ideally worn over a base layer and mid-layer fleece for increased warmth in cold conditions. All jackets are ranked warmest to lightest.
Super Down Haven Hooded Jacket
CONDITION: FRIGID
Ranking as our warmest whitetail hunting jacket, the Super Down Haven blends the warmth of Quixdown insulation with next-level quiet fabrics into the perfect system for the coldest conditions.
KUIU Proximity Hooded Insulated Jacket
CONDITIONS: COLD, FRIGID
Spec’d with an ultra-quiet outer layer fleece with a windproof Synthacell foam coating, 3DeFX synthetic insulation, and Silvadur odor-resistant treated liner, this insulated jacket is purpose built for whitetail hunting in cold conditions.
KUIU Proximity LT Hooded Jacket
CONDITIONS: COLD, FRIGID
This ultra-quiet windproof jacket is perfect for layering in variable cold conditions. It features a soft-brushed exterior with a bonded grid-fleece interior, and a removable hood.
Kenai Jacket
CONDITIONS: COLD, FRIGID
Built for mountain hunting, the ultra-quiet Kenai is a fantastic crossover piece for whitetail hunting. Built with Stunner Stretch face fabric and body-mapped 3DeFX+ insulation, it offers balanced breathability and wind resistance.
Encounter Jacket
CONDITIONS: COLD, FRIGID
A silent, early- to mid-season soft-shell jacket with a jacquard fleece interior that provides remarkable wind resistance and warmth in a broad range of conditions.
Guide PRO
CONDITION: COLD
This crossover piece is made from a durable yet quiet Primeflex® Nylon with an ultra-soft micro-fleece interior, it features superior wind resistance, stretch, and durability, all at a reduced weight.
Whitetail Hunting Vests
Made from our quietest materials, these synthetic insulated and soft-shell hunting vests add warmth to the core. All vests are ranked warmest to lightest.
KUIU Proximity Insulated Vest
CONDITIONS: COLD, FRIGID
Spec’d with an ultra-quiet outer layer fleece with a windproof Synthacell foam coating, 3DeFX synthetic insulation, and a Silvadur odor-resistant treated liner, this vest is purpose built for whitetail hunting in cold conditions.
Kenai Vest
CONDITIONS: COLD, FRIGID
Built for mountain hunting, the ultra-quiet Kenai is a fantastic crossover piece for whitetail hunting. Built with Stunner Stretch face fabric and body-mapped 3DeFX+ insulation, it offers balanced breathability and wind resistance.
Encounter Vest
CONDITION: COLD
A silent, early- to mid-season soft-shell vest with a jacquard fleece interior that can be layered in for a broad range of conditions and temperatures.
Whitetail Hunting Base Layer Bottoms
These thermal bottoms aren’t your typical long johns, made from premium merino wool or high-loft fleece, they keep you warm and comfortable for all-day hunts. All bottoms are ranked warmest to lightest.
Vital PRO Insulated Bottom
CONDITIONS: FRIGID
Our warmest base layer thermal bottom featuring body-mapped insulation for targeted warmth and strategic single-layer paneling for added breathability.
100% Polyester high-stretch insulation – 80 g
Encounter 290 Fleece Bottom
CONDITION: FRIGID
This heavy-weight thermal bottom with a high-loft brushed fleece interior is designed to keep you warm and comfortable throughout an all-day sit in frigid conditions.
Encounter 200 Fleece Bottom
CONDITIONS: COLD, FRIGID
This mid-weight thermal bottom is engineered with a focus on whitetail hunting in cold- to frigid-weather stationary situations. Its high-stretch jacquard fleece comfortably moves with your body, while its negative space traps pockets of warm air for ultimate warmth and comfort.
ULTRA Merino 160 Bottom
CONDITION: COLD
Built from an ultralight Nuyarn® Merino Wool, with an innovative spinning process that drafts merino wool fibers over a high-stretch nylon core. The ULTRA Merino 160 features a comfortable next-to-skin fit making it perfect for all-day wear.
Whitetail Hunting Pants & Insulated Pants
For whitetail hunting, you need pants that aren’t just quiet for sitting in a stand, but also durable and ventilated for all the hiking, tracking, and hauling that comes with a successful hunt. Pants are ranked warmest to lightest.
Super Down Haven Bib
CONDITION: FRIGID
The first of its kind, the Super Down Haven Bib blends the warmth of Quixdown insulation with next-level quiet fabrics into the perfect system for the coldest conditions.
KUIU Proximity Insulated Pant
CONDITIONS: COLD, FRIGID
Spec’d with an ultra-quiet outer layer fleece with a windproof Synthacell foam coating, 3DeFX synthetic insulation, and Silvadur odor-resistant treated liner, this insulated pant is purpose built for whitetail hunting in cold conditions.
Encounter Pant
CONDITION: COLD
A silent, cold-weather soft-shell pant with a jacquard fleece interior that provides remarkable wind resistance and warmth in a broad range of conditions.
Encounter LT Pant
CONDITIONS: MILD, COLD
For early season whitetail pursuits, the Encounter LT Pant answers with a quiet, odor-resistant, and moisture wicking fabric. Built for stand hunting, its 4-way stretch, suede-like, low sheen material are what you need for close encounters in warm to cool conditions.
Base Layer Tops
Our versatile tops are worn next-to-skin as a standalone shirt in mild conditions, or as the foundation to your layering system in the cold. Built from premium odor-resistant materials, they wick sweat and dry quickly to keep you feeling comfortable. All base layer tops are ranked warmest to lightest.
Vital PRO Insulated LS Crew
CONDITIONS: FRIGID
Our warmest base layer featuring body-mapped insulation for targeted warmth and strategic single-layer paneling for added breathability.
ULTRA Merino 145
CONDITIONS: MILD, COLD, FRIGID
Built from an ultra-soft and comfortable mid-weight Nuyarn® Merino Wool, it outperforms heavier weighted competitors and offers unmatched thermoregulating, natural odor resistance, and low-sheen concealment.
ULTRA Merino 120 LT
CONDITIONS: MILD, COLD
Built from an ultralight Nuyarn® Merino Wool, with an innovative spinning process that drafts merino wool fibers over a high-stretch nylon core. It offers all the benefits of merino wool with unprecedented stretch, comfort, and regain.
Gila
CONDITION: MILD
Keeping you cool in the hottest conditions, the Gila line-up is purpose built with highly breathable, odor resistant, and cooling fabric, it's the ultimate in hot weather protection.
Whitetail Hunting Shirts
Worn on their own or over a base layer, these shirts offer functional pocketing, concealment, and comfort in mild conditions. All tops are ranked warmest to lightest.
Encounter LT Shirt
CONDITIONS: MILD, COLD
For early season whitetail pursuits, the Encounter LT Shirt answers with a quiet, odor-resistant, and moisture wicking fabric. Built for stand hunting, its 4-way stretch, suede-like, low sheen material are what you need for close encounters in warm to cool conditions.
Mesa
CONDITION: MILD
Made of moisture-wicking fabric with UPF 50+ sun protection, the Mesa shirt features mesh-lined back vents optimized and aligned for pack use. It keeps you ventilated, comfortable, and protected on warm and sunny days.
Tiburon Hybrid Snap Shirt
CONDITION: MILD
This hot-weather snap shirt combines an ultralight AirMatrix Technology® woven fabric with micro-openings across the upper and chest, with a comfortable yet durable knit fabric across the back and underarm.
Whitetail Hunting Mid-Layer Tops
Worn over a base layer, a mid-layer is often all you need for a crisp fall day, or to add a level of protection under insulated outer layers for cold to frigid conditions. All tops are ranked warmest to lightest.
Encounter 290 Fleece Zip-T
CONDITIONS: MILD, COLD
Built from a heavy-weight brushed fleece, this half-zip mid-layer is designed for the whitetail hunter in stationary situations for keeping warm and comfortable throughout an all-day sit.
Encounter 200 Fleece Zip-T
CONDITIONS: MILD, COLD
This versatile mid-weight Zip-T is engineered with a whitetail focused feature set for cold-weather stationary hunting situations. Its high-stretch jacquard fleece comfortably moves with your body, while its negative space traps pockets of warm air for ultimate comfort.
Whitetail Hunting Packs
Designed specifically for stand and treestand hunting, our whitetail hunting packs are crafted from ultra-quiet Encounter material with specialized features tailored for deer hunters. These backpacks offer comfortable, padded shoulder straps and waist belts for all-day carry, efficient organization pockets for gear access, and stealthy, noise-free performance to help you slip in and out of the woods undetected. Whether you're packing calls, binoculars, or extra layers, these packs deliver reliable concealment and functionality for successful whitetail deer hunts.
Encounter Divide 2800
Built for mobile treestand hunters, with multiple storage options and versatile hunt configurations for extended outings.
Evolution 1800
An ultra-quiet day pack featuring efficient organization and a built-in tree hanging system for easy access during stands.
Scout 1000
An ultra-quiet waist pack with removable shoulder straps, ideal for minimalist day hunts. Perfect for carrying essentials without bulk.
