Gear

Best Blaze Orange Hiking Gear for Hunting Season Safety 2025

Hiking during hunting season? Blaze orange hiking gear is essential for safety. From jackets and hats to backpack covers and dog vests, the right blaze-colored gear keeps you visible, reduces risks, and helps you enjoy autumn trails with confidence.

A simple blaze orange pack cover is a lightweight way to boost safety while backpacking in hunting season.

When autumn rolls in, many trails and forests become shared spaces for hikers, backpackers, and hunters. That means it’s extra important to make yourself highly visible on the trail. The easiest and most effective way to do this is by wearing blaze orange hiking gear (sometimes called hunter orange or safety orange).

Hiker lying on a foam pad in the forest wearing a blaze orange jacket and hat for visibility during hunting season. — Staying visible even during a trail break: blaze orange jackets and hats are one of the best ways to stay safe while hiking in hunting season.

Whether you’re heading out for a long backcountry trek or just a quick walk in your local woods, blaze-colored clothing and accessories can help keep you safe and seen.

In this guide, we’ll cover why blaze gear matters, what types of blaze gear are most effective, and the best blaze orange hiking gear for hunting season safety.

Why Blaze Orange Matters

Blaze orange is specifically designed to stand out in natural environments. Hunters are trained to recognize it instantly, and in many states, it’s legally required for hunting safety. Unlike other bright colors, blaze orange doesn’t blend in with fall foliage or the muted colors of winter landscapes.

Hiker in blaze orange jacket standing on a high alpine trail, staying visible against rugged mountain terrain during hunting season. — Bright blaze orange apparel stands out in mountain terrain, making it one of the safest gear choices for autumn hiking. This shade of blaze orange being the least impactful, it still works!

For hikers and backpackers, wearing blaze orange is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of accidents during hunting season. It’s about giving hunters every chance to identify you as a human, not wildlife.

Tips for Staying Safe While Hiking During Hunting Season

Along with blaze-colored gear, here are a few extra steps you can take to stay safe:

Wear Blaze on Your Upper Body – A blaze orange jacket, vest, or hoodie is the most noticeable piece you can wear.
Add Accessories – Blaze hats, gloves, backpacks, and rain covers all increase visibility.
Dress Your Dog in Blaze Too – If you’re hiking with your pup, a blaze orange vest or bandana is essential.
Make Noise – Talk, sing, or use a bell on your pack so hunters hear you coming.
Stay on Trails – Avoid wandering through dense brush where hunters are more likely to be scanning for movement.
Check Local Regulations – Some areas have specific rules about blaze orange requirements for hikers during hunting season.

Best Blaze Orange Hiking Gear for Hunting Season Safety

Here are some of the top blaze orange gear picks to keep you safe in the backcountry this season:

Blaze Orange Clothing, Jackets and Vests

Outdoor Research blaze orange hiking jacket with hood, built for visibility and safety on the trail during hunting season. — Blaze orange jackets like this one from Outdoor Research provide lightweight protection and essential visibility.

Minus 33 Blaze Orange Wool Vest: Find it here!
Minus 33 Merino 1/4 Zip: Find it here!
Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie (Save 15% with code SouthwestHikes): Find it here!
Stio Women's Glide Power Stretch Half Zip: Find it here!
Outdoor Research Women's Ultima Soft Shell Hoodie: Find it here!
Outdoor Research Men's Helium Down Hoodie: Find it here!
Fjallraven Hoja Adventure Vest: Find it here!

Blaze Orange Hats and Accessories

Pair of blaze orange knit gloves designed for hiking safety and warmth during hunting season. — Small details make a difference! Blaze orange gloves help boost visibility while keeping hands warm.

Minus 33 Merino Beanie: Find it here!
Minus 33 Lightweight Gloves: Find them here!
Fjallraven Safety Cap: Find it here!
KUIU Flexfit Delta Cap: Find it here!

Blaze Orange Backpacks and Rain Covers

Blaze orange KUIU hiking backpack shown from front and back, designed for visibility and safety during hunting season. — The KUIU Divide 1200 blaze orange backpack keeps you safe and visible on the trail while offering performance features for serious hikers.

Mystery Ranch Blaze Orange Pack Fly: Find it here!
KUIU Divide 1200 Backpack: Find it here!
KUIU Pack Rain Cover: Find it here!
Fjallraven Bergtagen 38 Backpack: Find it here!

Blaze Orange Dog Gear

Bright blaze orange dog harness for hiking, designed to keep dogs visible and protected during hunting season. — Keep your trail companion safe with a blaze orange dog harness! Visibility matters for pets too. Hunters can easily mistake an off-leash dog for something they'd like to shoot.

Amazon has a solid array of blaze orange dog gear: Find it here!
Ruffwear Web Master Harness: Find it here!
Blaze orange bandana: Find it here!

When Are Hunting Seasons?

Colorado dates here
New Mexico dates here
Utah dates here
Arizona dates here

Packing It Out

Hunting season doesn’t mean you need to stay inside, it just means you need to be smart. Wearing blaze-colored gear is one of the most effective safety measures you can take when hiking or backpacking in the fall and early winter. Not only does it make you visible to hunters, but it also gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy the crisp air, colorful leaves, and quiet trails without worry.

Blaze orange Mystery Ranch pack cover on hiking backpack for improved safety during hunting season. — The Mystery Ranch blaze orange pack cover is an easy, packable option to increase visibility in hunting areas. I've used the same one for a decade and it's held up shockingly well!

If you’re building your kit for the season, start with the basics: a blaze orange jacket, a hat, and some accessories for your pack or your dog. A little bit of blaze orange goes a long way in keeping you safe on the trail.

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