Historically, finding quality women's hunting clothes has been challenging for outdoorswomen. When female participation in hunting started trending up around the year 2000, the hunting industry responded by "shrinking and pinking" men's gear in a half-hearted attempt to make it more appealing. Thankfully, the offerings have come a long way in the last two decades.
I've experienced these improvements firsthand. As a hunting guide for a female-owned and -operated outfitter that specializes in teaching women to hunt, I've come across hundreds of pairs of women's hunting pants and witnessed how they performed in the field.
Trust me: The hunting pants you choose to wear can make or break your experience, from hiking deep into the backcountry to sitting in a blind for hours at a time. Find a pair that's both functional and fits great, and you'll enjoy your time in the field that much more.
Best Women's Hunting Pants
- Best Women's Hunting Pants Overall: Fjallraven Keb Trousers W
- Best Budget Women's Hunting Pants: Mossy Oak Women's Cotton Mill Flex Pant
- Best Plus-Size Women's Hunting Pants: DSG Outerwear Bexley 3.0 Ripstop Tech Pants
- Best Early-Season Women's Hunting Pants: Sitka Gear Women's Cadence Pant
- Best Late-Season Women's Camo Hunting Pants: Sitka Gear Women's Timberline Pant
- Best Women's Hunting Rain Pant: KUIU Women's Chugach TR Rain Pant
- Best Women's Hunting Base Layer: Sitka Gear Women's Core Merino 330 Legging
- Best Hunting Overalls for Women: Dovetail Workwear Freshley Drop Seat Overalls in Thermal Denim
- Best Women's Hunting Waders: Gator Waders Women's Shield Insulated Waders
Best Women's Hunting Pants Overall
Fjallraven
Top Pick: Fjallraven Keb Trousers W
Size range: 2 to 18, in lengths 30, 32, and 34 inches | Weatherproofing: Optional wax (sold separately) | Season: Mid-season | Colors: Eight, including one camo
For the best women's hunting pants, look to Fjallraven's Keb Trousers, my pick for all-around mid-season champs. The legs are fully ventilated with side zippers, which helps you dump heat and cool off in warmer conditions, or you can keep zipped and layer beneath when temps start to drop.
Fjallraven constructed these with strategic stretch panels and a proprietary fabric, G-1000, that blends recycled polyester and organic cotton for flexibility, breathability, and durability. Additionally, you can apply the brand's Greenland Wax to the legs, butt, and pockets to make these pants waterproof—a good call for upland hunting where you expect to walk through tall, wet grass in the early morning.
If the straight cut of the standard Keb Trousers doesn't suit your shape, you may prefer the Women's Keb Trouser Curved, which cinch tighter at the waist and fit looser over the hips. Between the two—and with the massive selection of colors—there's a hunting pant for every outdoorswoman.
- Available in both straight and curved versions for the best fit.
- Stretchy, comfortable, and durable.
- Huge size and color selections.
- High-quality materials and stitching that will last for years.
- Double-reinforced knees and butt.
- Full-length zippered leg vents.
- Made from recycled and organic materials.
- Pricier than many.
- Mid-season weight may not work for extreme temps.
- Reviewers report the vent zippers may chafe.
Best Budget Women's Hunting Pants
Mossy Oak
Top Pick: Mossy Oak Women's Cotton Mill Flex Pant
Size range: XS to 2XL | Weatherproofing: None | Season: Mid-season | Colors: Three camo options
Mossy Oak is a household name when it comes to affordable hunting gear. The brand's Flex Pant is a go-to pair for women who hunt everything from whitetails to wild turkey—and prefer not to spend a lot on clothes.
The pants' three-season, cotton-polyester-spandex fabric blend is stretchy, breathable, and quiet when you move around. You can also easily add a layer or two underneath for added warmth. The gusseted crotch won't bind up when you squat, stride, or climb in and out of the treestand. The waist's adjustable straps help conform it to your body, while the elastic portion keeps a snug fit without being too tight.
The only drawbacks we can see are that they're best for fair-weather hunts, as they lack water- and wind-proofing.
- Wallet-friendly price.
- Three-season fabric.
- Available in a variety of camo patterns.
- Stretchy, quiet, breathable fabric.
- Relaxed fit is easy to wear layers under.
- Not weatherproof.
Best Plus-Size Women's Hunting Pants
DSG
Top Pick: DSG Outerwear Bexley 3.0 Ripstop Tech Pants
Size range: XXS to 5XL | Weatherproofing: Water-repellent | Season: Early season | Colors: Three camo options
DSG Outdoors has the most inclusive women's sizing for hunting apparel by far, with most products ranging from size XXS through size 5XL. This includes the Bexley 3.0 Ripstop Hunting Pants, which also feature an adjustable-length inseam from 29.5 inches to 33.5 inches. Available in three varieties of Realtree camo, there's a pattern that will work for you whether you're chasing mule deer in Wyoming or elk in New Mexico.
The Bexley 3.0 pants are designed to keep you cool and dry while staying concealed. As these pants are lightweight, DSG recommends wearing them in temperatures 55 degrees and warmer, though you can layer underneath them if you like. Their material is treated with DWR, so it's water-resistant enough not to soak through when you hike in dew or light rain. The darts at the knees make crouching and kneeling more comfortable, and the cargo pockets give you plenty of spots to stash gear.
- Inclusive sizing selection.
- Adjustable inseam length.
- Ripstop fabric is water-repellent.
- Available in three camo patterns.
- May be too lightweight to hunt in all seasons.
- Unavailable in a solid color.
Best Early-Season Women's Hunting Pants
SITKA
Top Pick: Sitka Gear Women's Cadence Pant
Size range: 25R through 40R | Weatherproofing: None | Season: Early | Colors: Three camo options plus solid gray
These abrasion-resistant Sitka Gear pants are incredibly breathable and weigh practically nothing, and the pockets are mesh-lined for added airflow. For hot, early-season hunts, you can't ask for anything else. With three camo patterns to choose from, you're bound to find one that matches your environment, whether you hunt waterfowl, doves, or deer. I love that there's a non-camo option—solid gray—available as well.
Many women report that the waist runs small and doesn't stretch much. We recommend ordering up a size for the best fit; you can always wear a belt if the thighs fit perfectly but the waist is a little loose. Though not weatherproof, the material is audibly swishy, so you'll want to watch your movements when you're in pursuit.
- Super lightweight for warmer weather.
- Durable fabric.
- Stretchy and comfortable fit.
- Practical knife sleeve.
- Stylish fit looks great.
- Runs small in the waist; consider ordering up a size.
- Somewhat loud, swishy material.
Best Late-Season Women's Camo Hunting Pants
SITKA
Top Pick: Sitka Gear Women's Timberline Pant
Size range: 25R through 34R | Weatherproofing: Water-repellent and wind-resistant | Season: Late | Colors: Camo (Optifade Subalpine) and solid gray
Sitka Gear's Timberline pants are an excellent option when it comes to late-season hunting. In fact, they're my go-to cold-weather camo hunting pants, being wind- and water-resistant, warm and thick, and durable in tough outdoor conditions. With all of these features, you'd think these pants would be stiff and uncomfortable. Unbelievably, that's far from the truth. Their fabric is super stretchy and soft inside and out, which means you can comfortably bend in any direction and avoid chafing all day.
Not only that, the reinforced knees come with kneepads for you to insert when needed. These pads make all the difference when you're skinning an elk or belly-crawling over rocks to get within shooting range. The inside of the waistband is printed with rubberized brand logos that keep base layers tucked in while you're field-dressing animals or crouching into place.
Additionally, each front pocket has a zipper so tags or other small objects won't fall out mid-hunt, and each cargo-style pocket has a flap that closes with silent snaps. That's right; These snaps don't click when you open and shut them, which helps keep you stealthy in the woods when you reach for your phone, elk call, or pocket knife.
The biggest complaint: These come in a fairly limited size range, so not everyone will find a fit.
- Water- and wind-resistant.
- Stretchy, warm, durable fabric that feels soft on skin.
- Removable knee pads.
- Zippered front pockets and silent-snap cargo pockets.
- Athletic fit.
- Pricier than many.
- Limited size range.
- Limited color options.
- No back pockets.
- No air vents.
Best Women's Hunting Rain Pant
Top Pick: KUIU Women's Chugach TR Rain Pant
Size range: XS through XL | Weatherproofing: Waterproof | Season: All-season | Colors: Three camo options
KUIU's Chugach TR Rain Pant is the best of the best when it comes to women's hunting rain gear, being completely waterproof—which is exactly what hardcore hunters expect in a camo outerlayer. The Chugach's four-way stretch fabric is breathable and comfortable as well as quiet when you move. Weighing a mere 10 ounces, these pants won't crowd a daypack or a frame pack to layer on as a shell when wet weather rolls in. Whether you hunt with a bow, rifle, shotgun, or all three, you can guarantee you'll stay dry in wet weather when wearing these hunting pants.
All of these incredible features come with a hefty price tag, particularly when you consider they're wet weather-specific and not everyday hunting pants. Still, if you find yourself in rainy or snowy weather often enough, you'll appreciate having brought these along.
- Waterproof fabric and zippers.
- Full-length leg ventilation, if desired.
- Ultra-packable; weighs only 10 ounces.
- Quiet material.
- Three camo options.
- Pricier than many, particularly for an outer-shell pant.
- Not available in a solid color.
- No pockets.
- Runs a little small.
Best Women's Hunting Base Layer
SITKA
Top Pick: Sitka Gear Women's Core Merino 330 Legging
Size range: S through XL | Weatherproofing: N/A | Material: Merino | Season: Late season | Colors: Black
Sitka Gear offers a slew of women's hunting base layers. Honestly, I really like every single one of them. However, if it's cold enough outside to require a base layer, I support the notion of "go big or go home" with Sitka's women's Core Merino 330 Legging, my favorite base layer to wear while hunting.
These leggings are super flexible, breathable, and soft; plus, they slide easily into my hunting pants without bunching up at the ankles. The 330-gram Merino wool keeps me warm during late-season hunts, and the synthetic inner layer wicks perspiration from my legs so I never catch a chill if I work up a sweat. That said, I especially love wearing these underneath my hunting pants when I sit down to glass for extended periods. They fit sleekly underneath my insulated waterfowl hunting waders, too, and they make for pretty cute camping PJs—it's this versatility that makes them worth their higher-than-most price.
- Fit comfortably underneath hunting pants and waders.
- Soft, warm, and flexible.
- Merino wool outer material offers warmth.
- Inner synthetic layer wicks moisture.
- Itch-free and chafe-free with flat-lock seams.
- Limited size range.
- Heavier than some wool base layer options.
- Only comes in black.
Best Hunting Overalls for Women
Freshley
Top Pick: Dovetail Workwear Freshley Drop Seat Overalls in Thermal Denim
Size range: 000 through 24 with inseams from 28 to 34 | Weatherproofing: None | Season: Late season | Colors: Black or gray
If you've ever gone hunting with me, you've probably noticed that I tend to wear workwear more than camouflage. I have no real reason for this; I think I just really love my versatile workwear. The products made by women-owned and -operated Dovetail are a significant reason for my ever-shrinking closet space, and the brand's Freshley Drop Seat Overalls are among my go-to hunting clothes.
I love wearing overalls for hunting because it's impossible for my pants to sag when they're strapped over my shoulders. However, when I have to use the bathroom outdoors, I hate having to undo the straps, dangle them between my legs, and try not to pee on them. With the hidden drop seat on these, I don't have this issue. And thanks to the large zipper pull, it's super easy to use even while wearing gloves.
These overalls have tons of other features, too, including thermal lining to keep you warm, a gusseted crotch that won't cause uncomfortable wedgies, reinforced knees with pockets to insert knee pads (sold separately), and reinforced legs, front pockets, and hems. I'd argue it's worth investing $150 in a pair of overalls you can use all fall, winter, and spring instead of $250 on a pair of camo pants you'll wear 10 days a year, but that's just me.
- Durable, warm, and cozy without the bulk.
- Drop seat makes bathroom breaks easier.
- Thermal lining made of recycled insulation.
- 14 pockets for ample storage.
- Very inclusive sizing.
- Non-thermal overalls also available.
- Only available in two colors.
Best Women's Hunting Waders
Gator Waders
Top Pick: Gator Waders Women's Shield Insulated Waders
Size range: S through XXL with boot sizes ranging from 6 to 10 | Weatherproofing: Waterproof | Season: Late season | Colors: Six camo options and solid brown
On your next waterfowl hunt, imagine wearing a waterproof quilt that you can walk around in. That's what Gator Waders' Women's Shield Insulated Waders feel like; they're incredibly warm and cozy.
When it comes to waterproofing, these waders don't mess around. Every seam is dual-stitched and double-taped. A four-way poly material keeps them flexible and breathable, and it's lined with a waterproof membrane to seal wetness out. The innermost layer is that super cozy quilted cotton thermal insulation. The rear seat and leg gaiters are reinforced, and these waders even have a hand-warming pocket and six shotgun shell holders for quick reloading. Finally, the attached hunting boots have rugged lugs on the bottom so you won't lose traction when trudging through mucky, muddy areas. The Gator Waders come in a variety of camo patterns, so you're bound to find a pattern that blends in with your neck of the woods.
My only gripe with these waders is that, for some reason, the knee area gets wet over time. Water hasn't leaked through yet, but I have to wonder why that area seems to retain water when nowhere else does. But, as it's not soaking through to my skin, I don't really mind this little con.
- Completely waterproof.
- Quilted thermal cotton interior makes them incredibly warm.
- Easy to wear layers underneath.
- A level up from neoprene waders.
- Variety of camo pattern options.
- 12-month warranty.
- Expensive.
- Knee area can become wet over time.
- No boot half-sizes.
What to Look for When Buying Women's Hunting Pants
Depending on where you live, the habitats you usually hunt in, and what animals you like to hunt, you'll want to consider the seasonality of your hunting pants. Hunting seasons are divided into three categories: early, mid, and late.
- Early season tends to refer to those first few hunts of the year that open up in Southern states; think dove hunting in Texas in early September.
- Mid season includes Octobery hunts where it's cold in the morning and warm, maybe even borderline hot, during the day. Think early rifle seasons in Colorado where the temp starts out at 20 degrees and the daytime highs are in the 60s.
- Late season is when it's cold day in and day out. Think of hunting whitetails in Minnesota in December.
As you might expect, the weight and warmth of your pants will be dictated by the time of year and climate in which you plan to hunt. If you hunt in the early season, consider getting thinner, breathable pants. If you're hunting in the late season, look for rugged, warm, water-resistant soft-shell pants.
It goes without saying that you want your hunting pants to fit you well. They shouldn't be so snug that they're uncomfortable, and they shouldn't be so baggy that they drag on the ground or swish loudly any time you move—a Goldilocks-type situation.
You want your hunting pants to be comfy in the waist without binding or slipping down under your pack—waistbands with an elastic component can help here. You want legs that are long enough and fit snugly around the top of your boots; some pants have adjustable inseams, which can help with length. You also want your pants to be just loose enough through the legs to fit a base layer underneath if need be, but not so roomy that they can't trap in body heat when worn alone.
Another aspect is the versatility of the hunting pants you're buying. Do you want a full-camo option that makes you look and feel like a bad-ass hunter, but that you might feel weird wearing into the grocery store post-hunt? Or are you more interested in a does-it-all work pant that's also great for hunting? Personally, I favor versatility, but I also work in the outdoors industry; your needs and desires may vary.
Women's hunting pants range up to several hundred bucks a pair. When considering the price you're willing to spend, think about both what you need and what you're paying for. Typically, dollars translate into quality; but if you only hunt a handful of times a year, you may be able to save a few bucks on a pair of cheaper pants, knowing you may only get use of them for a season or two. On the other hand, you might prefer to spend the money now to get pants that last you for many seasons to come, regardless of how frequently you wear them.
Your Questions, Answered
Hunting pants are simply pants that you wear while hunting. But what that means is that they're pants that you don't mind getting dirty and potentially bloody. They should also be tough enough to hike off-trail and not rip or snag easily, and be comfortable enough that you could wear them all day for several days straight on a hunting camping trip.
Pants marketed specifically for hunting often come in camo patterns or solid earth tones such as green or brown. It's not recommended to wear brightly colored hunting pants, especially if you're hunting turkeys or waterfowl because of their incredible eyesight. However, blaze orange pants exist, if you want to go that route.
When deciding what kind of pants you should wear hunting, first think about the type of hunting you'll be doing. If you're waterfowl hunting, look for highly camouflaged and even waterproof options. If you're big-game hunting, look for rugged, breathable pants that you feel good moving in. If you're small-game hunting, shop for puncture-resistant pants that can withstand brushy cover.
Today, women have many options in shopping for hunting gear, especially when it comes to pants. Pants are designed for women's bodies, including having gusseted crotches and flexible fabrics; pant material quality isn't sacrificed; pant size ranges are far more inclusive; and "special" pink logos on women's gear are a thing of the past.
Personally, I prefer to wear workwear pants rather than "hunting pants," as I find these to be durable and versatile without the hefty price tag of many hunting-specific brands
Regardless of what you hunt, your hunting pants should fit you well, be comfortable, and keep you safe, dry, and warm in the field.
As your only layer, no, it's not recommended to hunt in leggings. Women's leggings don't offer any protection against the elements and aren't rugged enough to withstand brush. For cold-weather hunts, though, you may opt to wear leggings beneath your hunting pants.
DSG Outerwear has the most inclusive sizing options for women's hunting pants. In fact, the brand's size range is really incredible for all of the products it offers, with most items coming in sizes from XXS to 5XL. No other women's hunting pant brand beats this size range.
Who We Are
Gabriela Zaldumbide is a professional hunting and fishing guide with Uncharted Outdoorswomen. In both her job and her personal life, she's worn all kinds of hunting pants in all sorts of weather. She knows exactly what to look for in high-quality women's hunting pants and can tell you all about the disappointing features she and other women have experienced, too.
Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Spaces are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
