Camouflage for women

Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
1,793
Location
East Wenatchee, WA
Looking for recommendations for quality camo for my girlfriend. Companies like Sitka, Kuiu, First Lite, Kryptek, etc. don't offer sizing specific to women. What I'm really looking for is a quality rain shell like a FL Stormtight. She's got plenty of quality outdoor clothing that I know will keep her warm and comfortable, but on the occasions that she's out with me while hunting and is trying to fend off the elements, I'd like her to be able to throw a shell over the top of her down puffy. Looked at the stuff from Prois, looks good, also looked at the stuff from Cabela's and Bass Pro, anybody have any experience or input on any of this? Thanks for your help.
 
First lite has some stuff coming I think. Look at Prois, they make some nice stuff. My wife had some but sold it because she actually liked the Cabelas OutfitHer stuff better.
 
Maybe try UnderArmour. My wife is the same size and we are in the same boat, need to make purchases by fall. Please report back what you find that she likes.
 
My wife loves the BowChic gear. Its poly, so its not as nice as the merino wool. And the pants are NOT very durable, but she loves the camo pattern. And honestly the base layers performed nicely for her last year.

Her Prois gear is nice too, but EXPENSIVE. Like $500 for late season top and bottom. She's had it for a couple years and its kept her warm and dry..so maybe it will be worth it in the long run.

First Lite has excellent merino wool gear for women, but they will only have the Guide pants available in late June. They will be more early/mid season, but very durable. No outerwear top sizing until next year.

https://www.sandsarchery.com/First-Lite-Women-s-Clothing-s/234.htm
 
My best recommendation is that you stick to solid colors from quality mountaineering/outdoor companies that offer technical women's outerwear. companies like arcteryx, OR, mountain Hardwear, Westcomb Mountaineering and Rab have great offerings designed for women, and they flat out preform because they are designed for women who use them in the toughest conditions.

I have tried on offerings from Prois, SheSafari, Under Armour and the cabelas OutfitHer line and they charge a premium price for "women's camo" but fail to deliver products that are as technically competent as the offerings from the high end mens hunting companies. To be blunt, they are often more concerned with making women look good than they are with providing quality gear that will keep ladies warm and dry during high impact activity and under the toughest weather conditions.

As far as women's specific offerings from high end hunting companies, the options are rather limited but I expect that to continue to change.

The First Lite women's line is top quality, and their Artemis Hoody is amongst my favorite merino tops ever. The Women's Guide Pant (available to the public this summer I believe, I tested a prototype last fall) are also excellent...quick drying fabric, with 4 way stretch for ease of movement and large capacity, FUNCTIONAL cargo pockets with zippers. I believe they eventually hope to expand to women's rain gear, but I have not heard a timeline for that at this point.

Kryptek offers their gear down to a men's size extra small, which may accomodate some women if you can deal with a men's cut. I have used the Koldo jacket and pants in a size small and felt they worked well with layers for me (I am 5'3, 130ish).

Kifaru's Lost Parka in size small fits me quite well.

Otherwise, the majority of my most used clothing is from the mojntaineering companies I listed above. Westcomb mountaineering makes an excellent women's breathable rain jacket, and Rab makes a breathable rain pant with full zips so those are what I use for raingear on the majority of my summer and fall trips. For puffy gear, I alternate between the Kifaru Lost Parka and Mountain Hardware Compressor pants (when I want synthetics) and a treated down Jacket made by GoLite with a pair of Western Mountaineering flash pants.
 
My wife has and loves Prois, along with some of the outfit her line from cabelas, along with some under armor, along with some different hiking clothes... some of it mens x-small.

Her favorite pieces are Prois Generation X pants, and the Xtreme jacket.

Looking forward to more of the FL woman's line to come out... my wife hates merino wool.

She usually layers:
UA baselayers, lightweight pants - either cabelas men's small generic pants, or some sort of hiking pants - columbia, cabelas, pategonia etc,

lightweight/midweight shirts - Outfit her from cabelas,

heavy weight top - Under armor or outfit her,

heavy Outerwear - Prois Gen X Pants , Prois Extreme Jacket,

Rain wear - Cabelas Men's Rain wear in small or something lightweigh like marmot or Costco rain jackets

Something along those lines

Hope that helps!
 
Found a men's XS Kryptek Koldo in Highlander for $176 shipped to the house, hopefully it fits well and she likes it. Thanks again to everyone for your input.
 
I have loved my kuiu gear but just like you stated it may be too big. First lite is coming out with base layers, otherwise I think under Armour is another safe choice. I tried some of the prois and hated it, was too noisy for my liking. Last time I wandered through cabelas I looked at their branded apparel and it seems like nice stuff. If I was looking to try something new I would buy it.
 
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