You don’t have to be a top marksman to care about the way you look in the field. Whether it’s your first day behind the gun or your fiftieth, updating your grouse shooting clothing for the beginning of the hunting season ensures you have gear that works with you, not against you.
And it’s a brilliant way to get your head in the game for both casual and formal sessions – because when you dress the part, you truly feel the part. So, allow us to show you how to dress for grouse shooting.
What is Grouse Shooting?
A traditional British field sport, grouse shooting involves the killing of red grouse, a bird species native to heather moorlands. After its first appearance around 1850, the sport became increasingly popular during the late Victorian era as a fashionable sport for the wealthy. Knowing this, it’s no surprise we have grouse shooting clothing collections today – if you can’t look good in the field, where can you?
Types of Grouse Shooting
Driven Shooting
This category of grouse shooting involves lots of moving parts. Beaters (individuals who intentionally drive game towards guns) use dogs to guide grouse into the path of eager shooters.
Walked-Up Shooting
Involving far fewer moving parts to get the job done, walked-up shooting is much more casual and laid-back. Shooters simply shoot as they go about their countryside venture.
When Does Grouse Shooting Season Begin?
The season runs from August 12th to December 10th each year. Known as the Glorious Twelfth, avid sportsmen don’t even need to mark the iconic start date in their sporting calendar. However, there’s one occasion when the shooting season can be postponed – and that’s if the 12th falls on a Sunday. Shooting on a Sunday is prohibited in every county across the United Kingdom, meaning it would have to begin on the following Monday.
But as the season takes place across a period of rapidly changing British weather, it’s incredibly difficult to know how to dress for grouse shooting. So, let’s make it simple, shall we?
The Tradition of Grouse Shooting Attire
Dressing for shooting grouse on the moor is rooted in tradition – tweed jackets, waistcoats, and breeks have long been associated with shooting style. Brilliantly smart-looking with a durable and water-resistant finish,
Not only do they look smart, but tweed’s natural durability and weather-resistance make it a practical choice for long days in the field.
For formal shoots, gentlemen often wear a full tweed shooting suit while ladies may opt for a tweed skirt or tailored jacket. However, practicality is just as important as appearance, which is why many combine tradition with modern fabrics, like rustle-free fabric.
How to Dress for Grouse Shooting
As the shooting season spans throughout some of the wettest, coldest, and most miserable months of the year, getting prepped for harsh weather is critical. Not least because you’ll likely be spending hours in the field at a time. So, it’s time to level up your grouse shooting clothing collection to ensure you’re well-equipped during every hunt.
Grouse Shooting Jackets & Coats
It’s inevitable that you’ll be exposed to cold winds and rain during shooting season. So, getting your outerwear right is a good place to begin, and there are some key features we look for when on the hunt for a shooting jacket:
- Weather-resistant properties to shield from wind and rain
- Ample insulation to lock in the heat
- Natural colours to help you stay low-key
Lucky for you, Rydale has a huge selection of thick, rain-resistant men’s shooting coats and jackets guaranteed to keep you warm, dry, and disguised while out on the moorland.
- Tweed Shooting Jacket
For the style-conscious country gent, our men’s Derby tweed shooting jackets are perfect for looking and feeling the part. Each tweed shooting jacket has been crafted from a hard-wearing wool-rich tweed blend for ultimate durability and protection. And they have a soft quilted interior lining to maximise comfort and warmth without sacrificing manoeuvrability.
- Fleece-Lined Shooting Jacket
If you care more about function than form, our fleece-lined shooting jackets might be a little more up your country lane. There’s nothing worse than feeling cold and uncomfortable while out on the hunt, so it’s crucial to stay well-insulated – and our Gembling II men’s fleece-lined shooting jacket is our top choice. Combining waterproofing with breathability and a thoughtful design to stay camouflage, it really does it all, doesn’t it?
- Wax Shooting Jacket
If you’re eager to combine style and practicality, take a peek at our men’s wax shooting jackets. Flaunting a traditionally British wax coat design and a weather-resistant exterior, our Stamford men’s padded wax jackets are perfect for staying warm, dry and stylish.
- Fleece Shooting Gilet
Layering up on those freezing cold December days? A fleece shooting gilet sits beautifully underneath heavy jackets, adding much-needed warmth to your grouse shooting ensemble. But it can also be worn as a standalone item during the warmer months. Consider it a brilliant all-rounder and a non-negotiable essential in your shooting armoury.
- Tweed Waistcoat
As shooting season begins in the middle of summer, a thick, heavy-duty jacket probably isn’t necessary. So, why not go for a waistcoat instead? Lightweight and breathable, our men’s tweed shooting waistcoats keep your body insulated whilst allowing for unrestricted arm movement.
Grouse Shooting Trousers
Whether out on the moorlands or treading through long grasses, having a pair of trousers that works with you, not against you is important for grouse shooting. And whether you prefer a smart, traditional look or you’re more of a practical dresser, we have expertly-designed options to suit.
- Shooting Breeks
You always want to look the part on the field, don’t you? And although much of today’s grouse shooting clothing looks outdated (compared to modern day trends), breeks are one thing that will never go out of style – try and convince us otherwise.
But it’s their functionality that makes them such a well-loved clothing item during shooting season. Featuring a clever below-the-knee cut, your boots take the brunt of the wet and muddy environment, leaving your legs clean and dry. Rydale has a huge range of men’s tweed shooting breeks to choose from, and they pair perfectly with a tweed jacket to create a full tweed shooting suit.
- Waterproof Overtrousers
For more formal shoots, breeks are perfect, but their stiff, tailored aesthetic is a little over the top for casual prowls. Plus, day-to-day, practicality is likely to be your top priority, and waterproof overtrousers are the top applicant for the job. Full-length and completely waterproof to keep your legs dry throughout the hunt, Rydale’s coated polyester overtrousers are the perfect pants for wet conditions.
How to Layer Grouse Shooting Clothing
Obviously, when you’re out in the field, poised and ready to shoot, you won’t be moving around too much. So, you’ll probably feel the chill much quicker than if you were on the move. And that’s why knowing how to layer up is a pretty important element of how to dress for grouse shooting.
Lock in Heat with Wool Jumpers
Wearing a thick woolly layer will keep you much warmer than wearing two or three thinner layers. And there’s a science behind it – the fibres have natural kinks that cleverly trap body heat once it gets inside. So, throwing on a wool jumper between your base layer and your outerwear is a pretty good idea.
Add an Insulating Fleece
Nothing beats the snug feel of a fleece, does it? Slim-fitting and lightweight, they’re a brilliant choice for layering. Each of our styles is designed in-house and has a unique Rydale thermal rating. Ranging from 1-5, we help you choose the right fleece for your adventure, so there’s no excuse for being cold this shooting season.
Complete the Look with a Hat
Did you know? You lose around 10% of your body heat from the head when you venture into the freezing cold outdoors without a hat. So, it’s always best to have a cap nearby, and our traditional tweed flat caps are an obvious choice for both casual and formal shoots.
Grouse Shooting Footwear
Arguably, the most important item of grouse shooting clothing is your footwear. Given that shooting trips can last for hours on end (throughout the most miserable months of the year), it’s vital that your feet stay comfortable – especially when trudging through dense, mucky terrain.
Even if (by some miracle) that’s not the case, there’s every chance the moorland could still be wet with dew or rainfall. So, picking the right footwear is essential – here’s a tick list of shooting footwear must-haves:
- Exceptional grip to tackle the most precarious of grounds
- Protection from wet and muddy conditions
- Impressive insulation for the coldest shoot days
Wellington Boots
The obvious choice for keeping your feet dry while out grouse shooting is a pair of reliable Wellington boots, isn’t it? With thick treaded soles, they’re ideal for ensuring you stay steady on your feet when taking on the most uneven terrain. But they also keep your trousers and socks dry thanks to the below-the-knee cut.
Want a little extra warmth? Opt for a pair of our men’s neoprene lined Wellington boots to see you through the coldest months of shooting season.
Brogue Shoes
Designed with a rugged sole and constructed from hard-wearing leather, brogue shoes are a fine choice of footwear for formal shoots on those dry, crisp days. Smart yet practical, they certainly make you look like a pro long before you’ve even taken aim (no matter your shooting proficiency).
Grouse Shooting Accessories
Neck Gaiter
Nobody needs the faff of a scarf in the field, do they? That’s why a neck gaiter is a brilliant alternative for keeping your neck and lower face warm – just use the draw-cord to tighten and lock in the heat.
Game Bag
In preparation for a successful day on the prowl, a game bag is an essential throughout grouse shooting season. With sizable mesh pockets for small game, easy-to-reach cartridge holders, and a generous compartment for bigger kills, we’ve thought of everything.
Shooting Tie
Your shooting suit isn’t complete without a tie – especially for formal shoots. Consider this the finishing touch to your ensemble, giving you a winning edge (if only aesthetically) in the field.
FAQs: Grouse Shooting Clothing
Is tweed a requirement for grouse shooting?
Not strictly, but it remains the traditional choice for grouse moor clothing thanks to its durability, weather-resistance, and timeless style.
Do I need waterproofs for shooting?
It’s best to have some in your armoury – British weather is unpredictable. Waterproof jackets, overtrousers, and wellington boots ensure you stay dry and comfortable throughout the day.
What do I wear under a shooting jacket?
Layering is the way to go. Start with a cosy thermal layer, add a jumper or fleece to really lock in heat, and accessorise with a gaiter for neck warmth.
What do ladies wear grouse shooting?
Ladies often wear tweed jackets, skirts, or breeks paired with smart shirts and boots. Practical layers and weatherproof outerwear are just as important as tradition.
What are the best tweed jackets for shooting?
Jackets that combine a wool-rich tweed blend with waterproofing, breathability, and insulation are ideal.
Got a question about how to dress for grouse shooting? Our brilliant customer service team is always happy to assist – get in touch!