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Jesse's Hunting > Hunting Articles > Hunting Articles Archives > A Visit to the SHOT Show-from the Feminine Perspective
A Visit to the SHOT Show-from the Feminine Perspective
Julia Lloyd - JHO Pro Staff
November 15, 2003
In the last two days I have looked at, talked about, listen to, and played with more hunting related equipment than I have in my life. There is a trinket, goodie and solution for just about every need in the hunting community except for one… camo clothing and equipment for women.
The Shotshow 2003 brought out every major company involved in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry. I did my absolute best to talk to them all. After two days I have some good news and some bad news.
Since I want this article to end on a positive note, I will start with the bad news first. Just about every major manufacturer of hunting related clothing has concluded that the market for women’s camo is just not there. In some cases these companies carried a line but couldn’t convince the stores to carry it. And in other cases, they just don’t see the profit potential in targeting 10% of a shrinking market. The good news is that there are a few notable exceptions. Browning, Remington, Beretta and Itasca are offering small lines of gear for women.
There are some newer companies out there that might be something worth pursuing. These younger companies want to find all the markets they can and can therefore willing to respond to the niche markets. Most of these are offering new camo patterns as well. Right now they want to get their product out there and if that means making it in women’s sizes, they are willing. Spec is currently in contact with a couple of the more promising and I will get more information when it is available.
While I am happy to see more items offered, there is still not much variety. In talking with so many manufacturers it is obvious that they fail to see the potential. The representative for Beretta said that there is a catch there. “If you make it and no one will stock it, how can you make money?” However, it they make it and women never know about it, how can we go out and buy it? In talking with Dennis Disser of Remington footwear, I found there is hope on the horizon. (Remington footwear is coming out with a new line of boots just for women. I will detail a bit more of this in my boots article… stay tuned.) According to Disser, more and more buyers for major outfitters are women. As women move into these traditionally male roles, they are more willing to chance on products made for the outdoorswomen. That is probably the best news I got at the whole shotshow. Disser also has some advice for us; Ladies, do not remain quiet. If we fail to see clothing made for us, ask the store manager. Let the retail and catalog stores know that you are looking for it and will buy it if they stock it. The more noise we make, they more they just might listen.
Product Information:
Browning:
Browning has a line of bibs, cargo pants and jackets that are hitting the market this year. The insulated bib and jacket pieces are made of Hydro-fleece fabric with Gore-tex waterproofing and DuPoint insulation. They felt lightweight and looked roomy enough to layer under if you needed to add more warmth for hunting in the colder climates. The uninsulated jacket and cargo pant pieces are made of Quantum micro fiber cloth with Gore-tex waterproof lining. The jacket stuffs into it’s own pocket and the pants come with a stuff bag. Again, these looked rooming enough to layer under for those chilly west coast morning hunts. Both lines feature adjustable hoods and zippered cargo pockets and came in a New Mossy Oak Break-up camo pattern.
Browning also offers various long sleeve field shirts worth mentioning. They are either full camo or have “Reactor” pad pockets for recoil pads. But by far my favorite item was the Upland Epic Jacket. As soon as I put it on, I was smitten. The jacket actually ended at my waist. What a luxury. I was told it is made with a patented Nextec canvas that is windproof, water resistant and still breathable. Wouldn’t I love to put that to a field test? The jacket is tan (they call it acorn) with blaze orange shoulders and pocket flaps and features zip-off sleeves, double entry front load game bag, and zippered rear game bad with blood proof lining. There are also some matching Upland Epic pants that completes the outfit. The pants have flap back pockets and on seam extra deep front pockets.
All the Browning line comes in S (4-6), M (8-10), L (12-14), XL (16-18). In trying on my size, I found the cut to be right on. These were priced about going market prices (the insulated bibs were $150.00 suggested retail and my upland jacket was suggested to retail at $192.00). If there is one thing I could say to someone at Browning, it would be that the marketing spiel in their catalog is whimpy. It shows gear that is obviously made for hunting but the pictures and description sound like a Betty Crocker ad. The catalog shows a woman sitting around the campfire with her children sipping a warm drink. She is the only one in full camo. Why? Why not show her in a tree stand taking aim, or out with her dogs working the fields for pheasants or something to show how her clothing can handle the tough part of hunting and is not just for her to look like a hunter when sitting around the fire.
Itasca:
Itasca has a full line of hunting boots for women. The Torino is a waterproof boot that comes with 200 grams of Thinsulate. This boot comes in either Mossy Oak Break-up or Timber. Itasca also has the Hawk 600 that comes with heavier insulation, 600 grams of insulation, for the colder weather hunts. The hawks also have a sturdier outsole. Finally, there is the Falcon 1000. This is a waterproof, 1000 gram of Thinsulate boot with a heavy duty outsole and comes in the Mossy Oak Break Up upper. All boots come in women’s sizes 5-10 including half sizes. I have requested more information from the company and will let you know what else I find out.
Beretta:
If you are only into upland game hunting or clay shooting, then check out Beretta’s line for women. The pieces are constructed out of 100% cotton canvas with 500 Denier DuPoint Cordura Overlay, just like the men’s line. However, the Lady Beretta is cut for a woman and comes in sage green.
The Upland Overlay Jacket features Bi-swing action back, removable wool blend liner, double front pockets and a large, blood proof game bag pocket in back. The Upland vest has a meshed lined back and left and right gun patches.
The Upland Overlay Pant comes in a 31” inseam, and offers full front leg overlay for protection. There is a matching shirt with a large gun pad and overlay from the elbow to the wrists. Jackets, shirts and vests run in S, M, L, and XL and the pants come in sizes 6-16.
Prices are again steep. Jacket is suggested at $150.00 and the shirt is $46.00. But the Baretta line is known for its quality and should last many years.
The clay shooting vests are nice, well fitted for a woman’s curves with adjustable side waist tabs. Sizes range from 6-16 and suggested price is $100.00.
Beretta offers waterfowl and big game hunting clothes for men, but not women. Guess what they told me. You got it… they just don’t see the market!
Remington Footwear:
Remington is introducing a new line of hunting boots for men and women. All Remington boots are made with Rem-techÓ waterproofing. The “870” model is being offered in women’s sizes 6-10 in both medium and wide. The 870 for women is an 8- inch lightweight, waterproof boot with an oiled leather and 1,000 Denier Cordura upper and a sturdy rubber Bob-trac outsole. This boot has a removable antibacterial comfort cushion that included molded arches. The boot is currently offered in only brown but the men’s model does come in Mossy Oak camo patterns. Suggested pricing is around $79.95 and that is right in the middle of the market from what I have been looking at.
I spent a good deal of time talking with David Tuffs, President and Dennis Disser, Marketing director. It is obvious to me that they put in the extra touches to set their boots apart for what is already out there. The lightweight and light insulation was what I liked in the descriptions, but the molded arches sounded great. Imagine your feet feeling good at the end of the hunt. I can’t wait to bring you more information on these boots. The web site for Remington Footwear is not up yet so I am limited to what I picked up from the shot show. However, I am discussing a field trial with Mr. Disser right now.
~ Julia Lloyd
JHO field writer & pro staff
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