If you’ve ever walked into an Academy, Bass Pro, or Cabela’s you know that there are hundreds of different fabrics being used in today’s garments. Most garments today use synthetic fabrics like polyester and a few use natural fibers like wool. While all have their benefits and weaknesses we’ll discuss the choices we’ve made.
When designing for hunters one requirement bubbled to the top and that was the need to have a product that was quiet in the field. Garments that minimized noise ranked above other features like moisture wicking, odor control, or even the camo print itself. It was kind of a surprise because with all the technical fabrics on the market that claim to do everything except make you invisible you would think that some other feature would have been a top priority. But when you think about how hunters move in the woods it makes sense. By showering, moving carefully, playing the wind most deer hunters (Western Style backpack hunting is a bit different) can control things like odor and moisture. But there’s nothing more irritating than pulling back on a deer only to have a garment make all kinds of noise and give away your location.
Because of the feedback, our Kanati Jacket is made of brushed polyester fabric and lined in fleece that minimizes sound when in the stand. The synthetic nature of the fabric allows for other features like moisture wicking and because it’s an outer layer at some point moisture will come into play. When moisture is at play synthetic material will retain its insulation properties and keep you reasonably warm even when wet.
The Kanati Long Sleeve Shirt which sits against the skin is designed to wick moisture from the skin and either send it to the surface of the fabric to eventually evaporate or pull it into an outer layer where it will eventually evaporate.