Just down the road from me lies the pretty little village of Mendlesham. It has a pub, a school and a few streets of ancient timber-framed houses, so commonplace in my part of Suffolk. Not a lot goes on in Mendlesham. However in 1943, the peaceful idyll was transformed into…
Shooting Clothing
We advise you on what to wear shooting. (Photo courtesy Campbells of Beauly)
Getting your shooting clothing right isn’t just a case of looking the part. You also want to make sure that you’re protected against the elements – staying warm and dry in winter and cool in summer.
Should you wear a tweed cap?
Different clothes for different disciplines
Shooting etiquette demands different clothing for different disciplines. If you’re at a formal shoot then it’s going to be tweeds, or moleskins for less formal. If you’re stalking you might want to look at camouflage. What should you wear clayshooting? If it’s summer, maybe just a light gilet.
What’s best to wear on your feet and should you wear a cap? Read on and find out the answers.
Here’s the information you need on choosing the right kit for shooting.
What to wear
Gilets and waistcoats
Coats and jackets
Breeks and trousers
Footwear
Socks
Shirts
Gloves
Camouflage
Six of the best waterproof shooting jackets
The warmest days of the year are now behind us. When you’re heading out into the field you’re going to need something that protects you from the wet weather and the chill in the air. If it’s pouring out then any of these coats below will keep you dry. Tweed might…
12 of the best socks for shooting, beating and picking-up
Best socks for shooting – some tips Whilst all the socks below are washable, make sure you look at the washing instructions carefully. If you wash and dry them too hot, they could well end up shrunken, tight and unwearable. When you’re buying socks, look for those which have a…
Seven of the best tweed shooting coats
Top tips for buying tweed shooting coats Tweed is naturally water repellent due to its lanolin content and it is also hard wearing. A good quality tweed shooting coat will last you years without getting shabby. But despite being water repellent, no tweed is fully waterproof in a deluge. The…
9 of the best wellies for the field
Jack Pyke Ashcombe Part of Jack Pyke’s recently launched Ashcombe range, which includes neoprene topped and gusseted versions, this zipped boot features a 3mm neoprene lining and a high-grip rubber sole. Buy Jack Pyke Ashcombe now at Amazon £70 Seeland All Round Our tester said: “These boots from Seeland have…
Seven of the best quilted shooting jackets and gilets
1. Seeland Hawker quilt jacket £64.99 This lightweight quilted jacket gives versatile warmth even when wet. Designed as either an outer or mid-layer, it is packable and comfortable to wear all year round. 2. Aigle Crochy padded body warmer £105 This smart yet relaxed padded body warmer is inspired by…
The best gaiters for walked-up shooting
Gaiters are a key part of your shooting kit, particularly if you’re roughshooting on moorland. If you’re wearing breeks and your smartest shooting socks, they’ll protect your lower legs from ticks, mud, heather scratches and allow you to splosh through streams without getting your feet wet. Never be tempted to…
Eight of the best shooting breeks
Getting a pair of stylish shooting breeks on your bottom half doesn't necessarily have to break the bank. You just have to know where to look.
10 of the best smocks for shooting and stalking
There are times when only a smock will fit the bill. Here are ten to consider, picked out by Sporting Gun, Shooting Gazette and Shooting Times. Prices correct at time of writing. 1. Hoggs of Fife Struther Waterproof Smock Field Jacket £69.95 A waterproof and breathable 3/4 length field smock…
10 of the best boots for shooting
1. Meindl Glockner Boots RRP 294.99 Very hard-wearing. Robust nubuck leather uppers, with a GORE-TEX lining for waterproofing and breathability allow you to use these in complete comfort in any environment. 2. Le Chameau Men’s Chameau-Lite LCX 10″ Stalking Boot RRP £299 Better known for its leather-lined rubber boots,…
What to wear shooting
We advise you on what to wear shooting, whether at the clay ground or in the field
How to wear your gameshooting socks when you’re out in the field
When game shooting, what is the correct way to wear long socks/stockings with plus-twos or breeks? Is it socks on the outside, on top of the plus-two, or socks against the leg and the plus-two on top?
9 of the best shooting coats for the season ahead
Shooting coats vary more than any other kind of shooting kit, but this pick of the best shooting coats span every level of requirement and budget
15 of the most stylish women’s shooting shirts for the season ahead
We’ve scouted around for shirts cut to fit the female form, which allow you to move freely, swing the gun and look stylish all at the same time. Here are some country shirts for women that caught our eye. Alba shirt £24.95 A lightweight shirt with a cosy, warm, brushed…
Nine of the best shooting shirts for men
Our pick of the best shooting shirts will have you looking smart and feeling comfortable even when you're in the field
Why Aigle wellies are in step with fieldsports lovers
Aigle wellies may not be quite as mainstream as some other well-known brands but once you’re a fan, you’re a fan. I’ve had a pair for around five years that have faithfully followed me up hill, down dale, through mud and river and they’re still as waterproof and comfortable as…
Some of the best fleece gilets around
The best fleece gilets for shooting are warm but not too hot, comfortable without being scruffy and easy to care for
6 of the best camouflage jackets
The last thing you want when hunting is to be conspicuous or you will risk scaring your intended quarry before you take your first shot. You can give yourself an edge by getting kitted out in a camouflage jacket that will help to keep you unseen, quiet and comfortable. Here…
Stalking gear for women – we test out Harkila’s Freja range
In Norse mythology, Freja was a warrior goddess. By naming its new woman’s stalking jacket and trousers after such a character, Härkila is making a very positive statement. Stalking kit designed for the female form isn’t always easy to find, so I was keen to review the latest Härkila offering.…
We asked some keen Shots how they stay warm on a bitter day out in the field. Here’s what they said.
John Sugden runs tweed outfitters Campbells of Beauly, is a keen stalker and goes out in all weathers. “I wear Musto thermal trousers as a base layer when it’s really cold in January and I’m stalking hinds and at the ducks. If it’s really wet I wear my John Field…