Evolution of Hunting Gear

Gear utilized to hunt big dangerous mountains and access rugged remote backcountry has evolved drastically over the last century and gratefully so. To bag the trophy of a lifetime and live to tell the tale around future campfires, the pioneers of technical hunting gear had to be as tough as the nails in their boots, and the blood in their veins. To fully grasp todays innovations, and to gain a greater respect for the old ones, we aim to take you on a nostalgic journey as we examine the then & now of technical hunting gear.

In the Beginning

For decades, Old-Timers would use a string of pack mules and stout mountain ponies to hunt areas far from any road or trail head. Because the animals did the bulk of the heavy lifting, the weight of gear was not a big deal. Gear consisted of cast iron pots and pans, massive canvas tents, canned food, and heavy cotton and itchy wool garments.

However, this method of hunting posed one big challenge. Livestock needed to be watered and fed daily. This meant camp had to be situated in close proximity to a good supply of mountain pasture and a hearty water source. This limited the areas where the old boys could set up camp. Consequently, these horse camps were not always near the best hunting spots, which forced hunters to venture out, sometimes many miles from base camp. This meant lugging a heavy canvas frame pack filled with heavy provisions. Then technology happened.In the 1930s, a number of DuPont Chemical researchers led by Wallace Carothers were furtively creeping their names into the archives of history through a prototype polymer identified then as "fiber 6-6." Wallace’s squad originally set out to research commercial uses for polymers, which are large “building block” molecules that are now used in everything from hunting pants to rain gear. 

Best of all, these new synthetic fibers and fabric inventions offered many of the same performance qualities: light weight, excellent insulation, water repellency, breathability and durability.

Technical Hunting Gear

It wasn’t long before mountaineering pioneers and outdoor junkies lept at the opportunity to craft outdoor apparel utilizing these newfound synthetic wonders. In 1965 North face was founded, followed by Patagonia in 1973 and Marmot in 1974. The revolution in technical outdoor gear had begun and was a foundational platform for the production of technical hunting gear.

Consequently, it took the hunting industry 30 years before they took full advantage of the technical revolution. Maybe this was a blessing, considering many of the specialized fabrics invented almost 50 years ago, were even more scientifically advanced than before. Once the hunting industry caught the technology bug, the rest they say is history.

To say lightweight hunting gear has come a long way in the last two decades would be a gross understatement. Hunting gear is lighter and more resilient than ever and for the first time in two decades, hunters have choices. Lots of choices! Consequently, performance hunting clothing 30 years ago, offered very few options in concealment (camo) patterns. Who can forget Grandpa’s Woolrich red and black plaid pants and collared shirt? Sure, Paul Bunyan and old Babe would have been proud, but these bold and trendy patterns did little to conceal a hunter’s silhouette.

In recent years, all that has changed. Presently, there are some pretty dang good choices in lightweight hunting gear offered in a variety of camo patterns and performance features. Enter SKRE Gear.

Layering System at it's Finest