WOMEN
by Jen Ripple
SIMMS FALL RUN INSULATED HOODY
The Fall Run Insulated Hoody ($170) is the perfect three-season garment, marrying heavyweight warmth with minimal bulk to perform well as layering under waders or as a stand-alone jacket. Originally crafted in 2014, Simms returned this versatile piece to its product line this year, only with better styling, more recycled materials and a much-improved women’s fit. PrimaLoft Black Eco water repellant insulation keeps you cozy, even when wet, while a 60% recycled polyester ripstop exterior and lining reduce your carbon footprint. There’s a three-panel hood that :fts snug with adjustable elastic binding, along with an invisible zippered chest pocket for storage. Lined hand-warmer pockets are a nice touch, as is a drop-tail hemline that provides plenty of coverage when you’re rowing a drift boat. There’s also internal quilting, which makes for a smooth, streamlined front while providing abrasion resistance when worn under waders or bibs. But the bigger story here is the evolution of the Simms women’s line, which began in the mid-1990s and continues to raise the bar when it comes to style, contour and performance at a time when more and more women are discovering the sport. Available in black or dark clover/riffle green. www.simmsfishing.com
FREE FLY BREEZE PULL-ON JOGGER PANTS
Finding the perfect pair of pants is harder than one might think, especially when your hobbies include a variety of activities and destinations. You want something stylish, but without constraint. Something ultralight, but with ample sun protection. It needs to be packable, but without looking like it spent 12 hours crammed into your suitcase. What you want is the Breeze Pull-On Jogger ($88) from Free Fly Apparel, my ultimate comfort pick for 2024. Made from a four-way stretch polyester and Spandex blend, the pants are incredibly lightweight, offer UPF 50+ protection and feel like a second skin. I’ve worn them on the river, at the clays course and while tackling household chores. They’ve traveled gracefully for every adventure and road trip I’ve taken in the past year, performing admirably in virtually every scenario imaginable; as an excellent buffer under my waders; an ultralight bottom while casting from the bow of a flats boat, and as my go-to pants for most any laid-back occasion. A wide elastic waistband always stays put, as do the elastic cuffs, and there are hand pockets and a hidden stash pocket for storing keys and phone. The real challenge is trying not to wear them every day, but then again, why fight it? www.freeflyapparel.com
LAKSEN SPORTING TWEED SHOOTING VEST
Everything about upland hunting embodies sophistication and style, be it the graceful dogs, fine shotguns, stylish leather bags or ruggedly refined clothing. Indeed, it sometimes seems as though donning well-tailored attire is as much a part of the experience as the shooting itself. That’s why you’ll fit right in with the Tweed Shooting Vest ($498) from Laksen Sporting, a Denmark-based company that has been making premium hunting and fly-fishing products since its inception in 1977. With elegant European styling and attention to detail, Laksen has elevated the shooting vest from mere accessory to a timeless, essential classic. Crafted from exquisite Scottish wool tweed with a vibrant, jewel-colored lining, this vest is the perfect complement to your Italian over-and-under, an 18-year-old single malt and a well-bred setter. Featuring a pair of secure cartridge pockets, along with Amaretta shoulder pads and adjustable sides—ensuring a flattering fit for everyone—this vest will prove to be a breathtaking addition to your sporting wardrobe, enjoyed year after year, to be passed down to the next generation. If you’re purchasing in Europe, you can learn more about the vest and the brand at www.laksen-sporting.com, but here in America your best option is www.orvis.com
SITKA GEAR CORE MERINO BASE LAYERS
Sitka Gear has built an enviable reputation for creating exceptional apparel for hunters who are not averse to taking on the worst conditions, be it chasing elk in the snowy Idaho backcountry or sitting for ducks in the frigid Dakotas. And while it does not yet carry an extensive line of women’s hunting gear, much of what it has created so far is second to none. As a highly mobile hunter who spends most of the season in warmer regions, I know all too well that temperature regulation is crucial if I’m going to stay in the game for extended periods. That’s where Sitka’s Merino Base Layers ($119) enter the picture, keeping me cool and dry during sweltering early season hunts while maintaining performance under variable conditions as the year progresses. Options abound, with leggings, bottoms, crews and hoodies available in Sitka’s proprietary ArmorSpun merino wool, which naturally reduces odor, eliminates the itching often associated with traditional wool, minimizes bulk and adds durability. Grain weights range from 330 for the coldest conditions all the way down to 120, which proves perfect for sunny fall afternoons that transition into cool, crisp evenings. Available in black, along with a variety of Optifade patterns. www.sitkagear.com
