Best Apparel, Footwear and Accessories for Hunting in Alaska in 2016
Caddis Durabreathable Hybrid Waders
The FW19801-2W waders by Caddis are built for harsh weather in tough conditions. The bottoms of the one-piece wader are constructed from 5mm DuraStretch neoprene with reinforced knees and feature two large cargo pockets on the hips. The tops are a super-duty polyester material with CaddisDry breathable technology, which is ideal for hiking and moving about while hunting. These hybrid waders are super tough but still soft and comfortable. They come with an easy-access ammo pocket with shell loops, a lined hand-warmer front pocket and soft shoulder suspenders. Max-4 camo and built-in 1,200-gram Thinsulate boots make them the perfect all-around wader for float hunting and more. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Kenetrek Hunting Gaiters
Kenetrek Hunting Gaiters provide a weather-tight seal around any boot. They are made from Storm Blocker waterproof and breathable membrane, with the interior section reinforced with 1000-denier coated nylon oxford to resist boot abrasion, all integrated to a heavy-duty, removable, Hypalon rubber boot-strap. The front of the gaiter comes together with a 2-inch-wide hook-and-loop closure system that remains closed with a snap at the bottom, and the bottom edge houses a hook that secures the front of the gaiter to the boot. The gaiter also incorporates a strap at the top edge to provide a snow-tight top closure. We wore these gaiters through wet terrain on multiple excursions in 2015 and they kept the water and snow out of our boots.
Oakiwear Kids Camo Waders
Get the kids out hunting and fishing early, and they will spend that quality time with you for a long time after. In order to do that you have to keep them warm. Enter the Oakiwear camo waders for kids with a built-in rubber boot. The waders are neoprene, sturdy, warm and ideal for everything from puddle jumping to putting them on their first Sitka blacktail deer.
Gamehide HECS Journey II Pant/HXP
Waterproof hunting pants that are built with aiding the stalk in mind. They are suitable for warmer weather and also built roomy to layer-up in cooler weather. The grid in a HECS garment is meant to block human electrical energy waves. You do not notice this feature in the texture and comfort of the product and it is machine washable
Kenetrek Hardscrabble Hiker
Our tester loved these quality waterproof hiking boots. He said they provide great support, are comfortable to wear and are well-suited for rugged terrain. The 7-inch tall boot features a thick 2.8 mm full-grain leather upper with a heavily-padded collar to provide solid support with exceptional comfort. The outsoles provide incredible traction, while the stiff midsoles help with stability and reduce the chance of slipping on difficult terrain. The boots integrate a Windtex membrane, which assures that your feet will stay dry. They are available innarrow, medium and wide options in a large range of sizes.
Eddie Bauer Men’s Waterproof Shooting Jacket
This comfortable, waterproof and breathable jacket is well-designed for field use and incorporates several large pockets for carrying extra gear. It’s cut to allow uninhibited arm movement and to reduce bulk in the jacket—both of which we appreciated when taking to the woods with gun in hand.
GH Unders (GHU) Long Sleeve Mock Turtleneck Top and Tights
GH Unders base-layer products are the best we’ve used in years. The special fabric provides four-way stretch, which allows a comfortable form fit. The fabric transfers moisture from the inside to the outside. This leaves an inner dry layer against your skin, keeping you dry no matter how many outer layers you have on. The fabric is proven to work in a wide range of temperatures, helping to keep you cool in the heat and warm in the freezing cold. We wore these layers while hunting blacktail and waterfowl in the fall. Being in this industry, we’ve tried many different base layers and the one we reach for now is GHU. The non-compression fit of the top is a welcome change. The tights feature a Roo-Fly. Compared to other base layers, the Roo-Fly provides a great fit and ease of access when nature calls.
Kryptek Alaios Field Pant
These pants are lightweight, comfortable and well-designed. They feature ten pockets, an adjustable waist, belt loops, moisture-wicking material and an athletic fit that is well-suited to high-energy hunts throughout the season in Alaska. We like how quiet and comfortable they are, and how the highlander pattern helps us blend into the landscape.
Icebreaker Ika Long Sleeve Half Zip Real Tree
This base layer comes in the Real Tree camouflage pattern, is made from 100%, 200-gram merino wool and is breathable, non-itching, odor- resistant, wicks moisture and dries fast. We like the half-zip model because it allows a hunter to vent heat when moving and then zip all the way up when it gets cold.
Oomingmak Igloo Cap
Made from 80% Qiviut and 20% silk, this winter hat kept us warm when glassing in 2015. Like other products made by Oomingmak, this hat performs well in the Alaska climate.
Filson Alaskan Heavy Weight Zip Top & Pant
Hunt Alaska testers never leave for a hunting or fishing trip without wool base layers. These are long-lasting and the warmest, best-quality set we have tried in many years of field-testing for Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska magazines.
StormR Stealth Jacket
The Stealth has been designed for waterfowlers and incorporates call holders and tether, as well as two large shell pockets and interior gear pockets, in a jacket that provides inherent floatation, flexibility and extreme warmth. We loved how warm and functional the jacket was when hunkered down in the duck blind in 2015. It is constructed to keep you warm and dry in the foulest weather, combining StormR’s Neoprene Core Technology with features like a full-length storm flap, glued, blind-stitched and thermal taped seams, a splash-proof zipper, extended interior collar, internal neoprene cuffs and a two-way adjustable hood.
Grundéns Gage Weather Watch Hooded Jacket and Bib Trouser
This rain gear is lightweight, packable, tough and 100% waterproof. We wore it when sitting in the woods in the rain while glassing for big bucks. The jacket has several pockets and the front zipper is covered by a double storm flap to further inhibit water from penetrating the rain gear. We also like the Kryptek Highlander camouflage pattern.
Wood N’ Stream Instinct VGS boots
We put these boots through many hard workouts in wet and muddy as well as steep and rocky terrain in 2015. They were good to our feet and kept them warm, dry and protected from the harsh elements that Alaska so easily doles out. The boots are light, comfortable and allowed our feet to breathe, while remaining completely waterproof.
Lorpen Midweight Hiker
A quality wool sock with a snug fit, these are more than suitable for your outdoor Alaska adventures. The socks are constructed in three layers: PrimaLoft Eco Polyester for warmth without bulk and water-resistance, Merino wool for warmth and softness, and a layer of Nylon and Ea. Lycra for durability and to ensure that they don’t fall down.