The days of making do with men’s gear are long gone. Women hunters now have serious choices when it comes to technical jackets that fit, function, and perform in the field. Whether you’re layering for a late-season rifle hunt, pulling on a softshell for early-season elk, or reaching for a waterproof shell when storms roll in, the right jacket can mean the difference between heading back to the truck or staying out when the animals are moving.

　　A good hunting jacket is never a standalone piece. It’s part of a layering system built to keep you warm, dry, and mobile in whatever conditions your hunt throws at you. The challenge is figuring out which pieces deserve a spot in your kit. That’s where this guide comes in.

　　I pulled together the best hunting jackets available to women this season, from budget-friendly picks to premium shells, puffies, and whitetail-specific options. Each one on this list was chosen for its performance, fit, and value in real-world hunting situations. For the guys, check out our mens hunting jackets buyers guide.

　　Editors Note: We updated this buyers guide on August 29, 2025, by revamping it with all new award winners. We also included a new buyers guide, value and price, and FAQ section.

　　The Best Womens Hunting Jackets of 2025 Best Overall KUIU Women’s Guide PRO Hooded Jacket 9.1/10 Rating Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at KUIU Best Budget New View Womens Hunting Jacket 7.8/10 Rating Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at Amazon Best Late Season Womens DSG Kylie 5.0 3-in-1 Jacket 8/10 Rating Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at Scheels Best Early Season First Lite Womens Catalyst Soft Shell Jacket 8.2/10 Rating Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at First Lite Best Whitetail Jacket SITKA Womens Fanatic Jacket 8.7/10 Rating Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at SitkaCheck Price at Bass Pro Shops Best Rain Jacket KUIU Womens Chugach TR Rain Jacket 8.9/10 Rating Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at KUIU Best Puffy Jacket SITKA Womens Microdown Hooded Jacket 7.8/10 Rating Jump to review BUY OPTIONS Check Price at SITKACheck Price at Scheels See more picks KUIU Women’s Guide PRO Hooded Jacket Check Price at KUIU

　　9.1 How we rate products Rating Details Warmth 8.6 Waterproofness 8.0 Durability 9.6 FIt 9.5 Specifications Price: $279 Weight: ~24 oz Material: Primeflex polyester softshell with fleece backer Waterproofing: Highly water resistant, DWR finish Insulation: None (relies on layering) Sizes: XS–XL Colors/Camo: Verde, Valo, Vias, plus solids Pros Excellent balance of warmth and breathability Durable face fabric for brush-busting hunts Athletic cut designed for mobility Wind resistant Cons Not fully waterproof On the pricey side Nicole Qualtieri If one jacket could do it all, it would look a lot like the Guide Pro DCS ($279). I’ve had this coat on everything from elk hunts in the high country to late-season mountain lion tracks in the snow, and it hasn’t let me down. It layers clean over a puffy when it’s cold, breathes when you’re grinding uphill, and shrugs off enough weather to keep you hunting instead of digging for rain gear.

　　What makes it shine is balance. Too many jackets either trap sweat or let wind cut straight through. This one threads the needle, keeping you dry without cooking you alive. The fit is athletic without being restrictive, so you can climb, crawl, or draw without fighting fabric.

　　Is it waterproof? No. If you need bombproof rain gear, look to KUIU’s Chugach. But if you want one jacket that works in almost every situation, the Guide Pro DCS earns that spot. It’s the jacket you’ll throw in the truck, the pack, or over a chair and realize you’ve reached for it more than any other.

　　Best Budget New View Womens Hunting Jacket Check Price at Amazon

　　7.8 How we rate products Rating Details Warmth 8.0 Waterproofness 7.5 Durability 7.0 Fit 8.0 Specifications Price: $60–$80 (varies by retailer) Weight: ~28 oz Material: Polyester with fleece lining Waterproofing: Water resistant Insulation: Midweight fleece insulation Sizes: S–XXL Colors/Camo: Realtree-style camo patterns Pros Very affordable Warm enough for mid- to late-season sits Multiple camo options Plenty of pockets Cons Bulkier than premium jackets Durability not on par with top-tier brands Nicole Qualtieri Not every jacket in your system has to cost a fortune. The New View Women’s Hunting Jacket ($80) proves you can stay warm and comfortable without handing over half a paycheck. At a budget price, it offers a fleece-lined interior that holds heat during brisk mornings and long sits, while the water-resistant exterior fends off light rain and wind.

　　It’s not a piece built for ultralight packability or the harshest mountain storms, but for hunters who want a reliable jacket that covers the basics, it hits the mark. Multiple pockets make it easy to keep tags, calls, or snacks within reach, and the camo patterns give you options for blending in.

　　This is the kind of jacket that gets the job done when you’re starting out or just don’t want to drop several hundred dollars on technical gear. It may not carry you through a decade of hunts, but it’s more than capable of keeping you comfortable in the field season after season.

　　Best Late Season Womens DSG Kylie 5.0 3-in-1 Jacket Check Price at Scheels

　　8 How we rate products Rating Details Warmth 8.9 Waterproofness 8.8 Durability 7.9 Fit 7.0 Specifications Price: $220 Weight: ~35 oz Material: Polyester outer shell Waterproofing: Waterproof with taped seams Insulation: 100 g body, 80 g sleeves Sizes: XXS–5XL Colors/Camo: Realtree Edge, Blaze Orange, Blaze Pink Pros Excellent warmth for frigid hunts True waterproofing Size-inclusive to 5X Removable hood Cons Too warm for active hunts Bulk makes it less packable Bulk also makes it harder to be agile in Nicole Qualtieri When temperatures plummet, the DSG Kylie 5.0 ($220) steps in as a reliable shield against the cold. This jacket is fully waterproof with taped seams, meaning snow and sleet won’t cut a hunt short. Synthetic insulation delivers impressive warmth, and the mapped design balances heavy insulation in the core with lighter fill in the sleeves for mobility.

　　What sets the Kylie 5.0 apart is its inclusivity. Offered from XXS all the way to 5XL, it’s one of the few technical hunting jackets built to fit almost every body. The addition of blaze orange and blaze pink options makes it legal and visible for firearms seasons without the need for an extra vest.

　　This isn’t a jacket you’ll want to wear for high-output hunts, but for treestand sits, glassing in subzero weather, or late-season rifle hunts, it’s built to keep hunters comfortable when conditions get ugly.

　　Best Early Season First Lite Womens Catalyst Soft Shell Jacket Check Price at First Lite

　　8.2 How we rate products Rating Details Warmth 7.0 Waterproofness 6.0 Durability 7.8 Fit 9.0 Specifications Price: $240 Weight: ~20 oz Material: 2-layer stretch polyester with fleece lining Waterproofing: DWR treated, water resistant Insulation: Fleece lining only Sizes: XS–XL Colors/Camo: Cipher, Fusion, solid options Pros Quiet and durable for archery hunts Excellent stretch and mobility Breathes well during active hunts Stain resistant Cons Slim athletic fit may be tight for some Not waterproof Nicole Qualtieri The Catalyst ($240) is the jacket you reach for when it’s too cold for just a base layer but you’re not ready to lug around the bulk of a full-blown coat. First Lite nailed the balance here. It moves with you, it stretches when you crawl or climb, and it’s quiet enough that a buck at ten yards won’t hear you breathe.

　　The fleece lining takes the edge off chilly mornings, but it won’t roast you alive once the sun hits. That’s a win for hunters who actually cover ground instead of babysitting a blind. It sheds light rain and dew just fine, though you’ll want a true shell if the sky opens up.

　　The fit leans athletic, which is great for bowhunters who hate baggy sleeves catching a string. If you like room for bulk layering or prefer to size up, you’ll feel like you’re wrestling yourself into it. Still, for early-season elk, September whitetails, or any hunt that demands quiet movement and comfort, the Catalyst earns its place.

　　Best Whitetail Jacket SITKA Womens Fanatic Jacket Check Price at SitkaCheck Price at Bass Pro Shops

　　8.7 How we rate products Rating Details Warmth 10.0 Waterproofness 8.5 Durability 7.8 Fit 8.8 Specifications Price: $469 Weight: ~44 oz Material: Berber fleece with GORE-TEX INFINIUM Windstopper Waterproofing: Water resistant Insulation: Mapped microfleece insulation Sizes: XS–XL Colors/Camo: Cover, Elevated II, and Black Pros Silent fleece exterior ideal for treestand hunts Extremely warm for long sits Harness pass-through for safety gear Pockets positioned for bowhunting Cons Expensive Heavier than most Bulk can make climbing into a stand difficult ALL THE COCKLEBURS Nicole Qualtieri The SITKA Fanatic ($470) is made for the kind of hunts where your breath freezes in your nose hairs and the deer still aren’t moving. I’ve sat through bitter late-season mornings in this jacket and never once thought about climbing down early. The warmth is impressive, plain and simple.

　　Silence is where the Fanatic really flexes. The fleece is so quiet it almost feels unfair. You can shift, draw, or reach into your pocket without sounding like a tarp flapping in the wind. The diagonal zipper system is genius, and the pocket placement proves someone at SITKA actually bowhunts. Cold fingers fumbling for gear at first light suddenly make sense with this design.

　　That said, the Fanatic does have a dark side. It’s basically a burr magnet. Walk through cockleburs and you’ll spend more time picking than hunting. Brush against the wrong tree, and the fleece can cling like it doesn’t want you to leave. At nearly five hundred bucks, those quirks sting a little.

　　Even so, if your deer season means long sits in the kind of cold that convinces lesser mortals to stay home, the Fanatic is worth its weight in freezer meat.

　　Best Rain Jacket KUIU Womens Chugach TR Rain Jacket Check Price at KUIU

　　8.9 How we rate products Rating Details Warmth 6.9 Waterproofness 10.0 Durability 9.0 Fit 8.9 Specifications Price: $319 Weight: ~14 oz Material: Toray Torain 3-layer stretch nylon Waterproofing: 30,000mm waterproof rating Insulation: None Sizes: XS–XL Colors/Camo: Valo, Verde, Vias, solids Pros Fully waterproof and breathable Lightweight and packable Stays dry inside even when layered over insulation Excellent hood design Cons Pricey for a shell Not insulated (if thats what youre looking for) Nicole Qualtieri The KUIU Chugach TR ($320) is the jacket you hope to never need but always carry. When storms roll across the mountains, it’s the shell that lets you keep hunting instead of heading back to the truck. With a 30,000mm waterproof rating, it blocks everything from a steady drizzle to an all-out downpour.

　　At just 14 ounces, it vanishes into a pack. When it’s time to wear it, the cut layers cleanly over insulation without turning you into a noisy, plastic-wrapped statue. The hood cinches exactly where it should and stays put even when the wind tries to rip it away.

　　This jacket doesn’t provide warmth. What it does is protect every other piece of clothing you have on. For backcountry hunts or any place where the weather changes without warning, the Chugach TR is an essential part of the kit.

　　I credit this jacket with literally saving my life at elevation when my tent sprang a leak. I would have otherwise frozen to death on the side of an unforgiving mountain.

　　Best Puffy Jacket SITKA Womens Microdown Hooded Jacket Check Price at SITKACheck Price at Scheels

　　7.8 How we rate products Rating Details Warmth 9.0 Waterproofness 6.9 Durability 6.8 Fit 8.0 Specifications Price: $279 Weight: ~15 oz Material: Polyester ripstop Waterproofing: DWR treated, water resistant Insulation: 700-fill PrimaLoft Gold down blend Sizes: XS–XL Colors/Camo: Subalpine, Elevated II, solids Pros Incredible warmth-to-weight ratio Packs down small Quiet fabric for hunting Layer-friendly fit Cons Not fully waterproof Face fabric less durable than a shell Shorter fit for tall hunters Nicole Qualtieri The SITKA Microdown Hooded Jacket ($300) is built for hunters who want warmth without bulk. At just 15 ounces, it stuffs down into a pack and disappears until the moment you need it. The 700-fill PrimaLoft Gold blend provides reliable insulation that stays warm even when damp.

　　The fabric is quiet, which matters when you need to move without spooking game. The cut is trim enough to layer under a shell while still leaving room for a base layer. It’s a versatile piece that can carry you through chilly mornings, glassing sessions, and long sits when the temperature dips.

　　The jacket isn’t flawless. The lightweight ripstop face fabric doesn’t handle rough brush as well as a heavy-duty shell. Taller hunters may also notice the cut runs shorter than expected. Even with those drawbacks, this puffy remains one of the most practical insulating layers available to women hunters.

　　Best Womens Hunting Jackets Comparison Chart

　　(Photo/Rachelle Schrute) As GearJunkie’s Hunt Fish Editor, I had my hands on nearly every jacket you see here. A few of our contributors pitched in, but the bulk of the testing fell to me, and I tested the hell out of them. While in the field, I also tested the best womens hunting pants.

　　Most of the miles were put on in Montana, where a hunt can start in sunshine and end in a snow squall. I also dragged these jackets through the deserts of Texas, the grasslands of Nebraska, the fields of Oklahoma, and into some seriously rugged parts of coastal and northern Alaska. If there’s a place that will expose a gear weakness, it’s one of those.

　　(Photo/Rachelle Schrute) Every jacket went hunting, hiking, sleeping, and more. They were pulled on for cool morning archery antelope stalks and stripped off for long climbs after elk. These jackets sat tree stands for whitetails, soaked through in bear country during miserable rain, and kept me moving on mountain lion hunts when the thermometer read ugly. They even got their share of abuse in the badlands chasing mule deer across country that really likes to eat gear for breakfast (why is everything so sharp out here?).

　　The jackets that made this list earned it. They proved themselves for warmth, weather protection, breathability, and durability. Most importantly, they fit women hunters the way a hunting jacket should. If youre looking for pants to pair with your jacket, check out our Best Womens Hunting Pants guide.

　　Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Women’s Hunting Jacket

　　(Photo/Lindsey Mulcare) A women’s hunting jacket isn’t just about warmth. It has to fit correctly, move with you, and hold up in conditions that can swing from sweltering to bone-numbing in the same day. Here’s what to consider before you invest.

　　Warmth and Insulation The biggest factor in choosing a jacket is warmth. For early-season hunts, you’ll want a lighter piece that breathes well while you’re on the move. A softshell or midweight layer often does the trick.

　　As temperatures drop, insulation becomes critical. Down jackets (like the SITKA Microdown) pack incredible warmth into a small, light package but lose loft when wet. Synthetic options (like the First Lite North Range) are heavier but continue to insulate even if soaked. A good system often means pairing a puffy with a waterproof shell.

　　Waterproofness and Weather Protection

　　KUIU Guide Pro DCS; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) Not every hunt needs a fully waterproof shell, but when you need one, nothing else will do. A rain jacket like the KUIU Chugach will keep you dry and serve as the final barrier against wind and storms.

　　For many hunts, a water-resistant softshell strikes the right balance. These pieces fend off light rain and dew without the weight and clamminess of a hard shell. If your hunt involves constant exposure to weather, invest in a dedicated rain jacket.

　　Breathability

　　(Photo/Rachelle Schrute) Women hunters often cover serious miles on foot, which means sweat management matters. Overheating in an insulated or waterproof jacket can leave you chilled once you stop moving. Look for pit zips, breathable fabrics, and body-mapped insulation.

　　A breathable midlayer or softshell will keep you more comfortable during active hunts, while puffies and shells are best for sitting, glassing, or waiting in a stand.

　　Fit and Mobility

　　(Photo/Lindsey Mulcare) Fit is especially important for women’s jackets. An oversized men’s coat can block your draw cycle or catch your bowstring. Look for jackets with articulated sleeves, gusseted underarms, and longer hems that stay put under a pack.

　　For layering, consider sizing up on outer shells to leave room for a puffy underneath. On the other hand, treestand hunters often prefer a snugger fit in the arms to keep fabric clear of bowstrings.

　　Value and Price Hunting jackets span a wide range of prices, from affordable basics to premium shells that cost more than your first shotgun. Price usually reflects performance, durability, and features, but that doesn’t mean you always need the most expensive option. Here’s what to expect at each level.

　　Budget Budget jackets run under about $150. At this price, you’ll often see heavier builds, less breathability, and fabrics that don’t always handle wet weather. They can still keep you warm and comfortable in the right conditions, especially for newer hunters or anyone on a tight budget. A good example here is the New View Women’s Hunting Jacket, which packs in warmth and storage without draining your bank account.

　　Mid-Tier Mid-tier jackets fall in the $150 to $300 range. This is where you start finding technical features like better breathability, lighter weights, and designs tailored for women instead of resized men’s gear. These jackets often strike the best balance between price and performance. The First Lite Catalyst and the KUIU Guide Pro DCS both sit in this range and cover a wide range of hunts without compromise.

　　Premium Premium jackets typically start at around $300 and can exceed well past $500. These pieces use high-end fabrics, advanced waterproofing, mapped insulation, and smart designs meant for specific conditions. You’re paying for performance and durability when the weather or the hunt demands the best. The SITKA Fanatic Jacket delivers unmatched warmth and silence for late-season whitetail sits, but its going to hit your wallet hard.

　　Frequently Asked Questions Do I really need a waterproof hunting jacket? That depends on where you hunt. In arid climates, a water-resistant softshell may cover most of your needs. In wetter or alpine environments, a true waterproof shell like the KUIU Chugach is worth every penny. Many hunters keep a shell in their pack year-round and only pull it out when weather turns ugly.

　　Are women’s hunting jackets really different from men’s?

　　(Photo/Lindsey Mulcare) Yes. Women’s cuts account for different proportions in the shoulders, chest, and hips. A jacket that actually fits reduces bulk, improves mobility, and keeps fabric out of the way of your draw cycle or rifle mount. The difference is especially noticeable with softshells and puffies designed for movement.

　　What should I avoid wearing while hunting? Skip cotton. It soaks up moisture, loses all insulating ability when wet, and will chill you quickly. Stick with wool or synthetic fabrics that wick sweat and keep you warm even when damp.

　　What should I layer my hunting jacket with? Think of your jacket as just a part of a system. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer. Add a breathable midlayer for early-season or active hunts. For colder hunts, pack an insulated puffy. Top it all with a waterproof shell to lock out wind and moisture. This system lets you adjust quickly to changing weather and activity levels.

　　Base layer for moisture management Midlayer or softshell for breathability Outer Layer/Waterproof shell for wind and rain protection Puffy for insulation if needed Do I need camo, or can I use solid colors?

　　Camo not required; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) Camo is useful in close encounters or when treestand hunting whitetails, but many hunters prefer solids for versatility. Solid earth tones like olive, brown, or gray work well for most big-game hunts and double as everyday wear. Just remember, our parents and grandparents were hunting in flannel and jeans. Solids will do the job in most scenarios.

　　The Best Womens Hunting Boots of 2023 From the best elk hunting boots to the warmest boots for the treestand, youre bound to find something in our list of the best hunting boots for women.

　　The Best Hunting Knives of 2025 A hunting knife has a single purpose: processing meat after a kill. We did the research to help you find the best hunting knife for your needs and budget.