5 Best Thermal Underwear for Hunting in The Cold

Hunting is a masculine, primal hobby enjoyed by manly men who like manly things. Or so we’ve been told. But when out in the wilderness scouting for prey, there are some common problems, In particular, it can be hard to go hunting while freezing your butt off waiting behind some tree for the deer to please appear.

Thermal underwear is absolutely essential for any hunter who wants to find quarry in cold climates, but many men forget to wear it. This leads to short hunting sessions, uncomfortable shivering, and shriveled junk because many of us are growers, not showers.

If you don’t want to experience this situation, we’ve outlined some of the best thermal underwear for hunting. We’ve taken into account your need for mobility, as well as general functionality and warmth. Protect yourself before you wreck yourself and prove just how much of a man you are.

Top 5 Best Thermal Underwear for Hunting

1. Thermajohn Men's Ultra Soft Thermal Underwear

Order the Everything Special: There’s a reason this underwear is listed as number one. The Thermajohn Men’s Ultra Soft Thermal Underwear is the ultimate underwear for hunting because they combine tons of beneficial features in a pair of tighty whiteys. This underwear comes as a double set with underwear for your top and bottom. It is made from a 60% cotton/40% polyester blend and sits close without being restricting or riding up and down.

These underwear are moisture wicking, meaning they will move sweat away from the body while preserving body heat. They also are quick-drying, have lots of stretch, are odor resistant, and also have a fly you can actually use while on the go. If you hunt often in a variety of climates and want to make sure you’re warm and comfortable – and not smelly when you get home – then these are the thermal underwear for you.

If you buy a legitimate pair of Thermajohns, you are set for the next decade or until you size out of them. Unfortunately, this brand experiences a lot of cheap knockoffs that get sold from less than reputable sellers. A pair of real Thermajohns will be comfortable and have no zipper, so make sure you get the right product!

2. Duofold Men's Mid-Weight Wicking Thermal Pant

Say NO to Ball Sweat: Guys. Guys. We need to talk. When wearing thermal underwear, there is always the uncomfortable issue of sweaty balls and junk that make things uncomfortable and turn our butts into swamps. One of the greatest features of the Duofold Men’s Mid-Weight Wicking Thermal Pants is that these underwear keep you warm while also eliminating the moisture so you don’t wind up sweating to death while stalking your quarry. No more do we need to be uncomfortable in our skin while trying to find an animal to skin.

Some other great characteristics about the Duofold thermal underwear is that they are made of polyester and cotton, which keeps the body warm while ensuring the clothes stick close to the body. This means they won’t bunch up or start falling down or riding up while you’re trying to move. The underwear is also machine washable, so you don’t have to hand wash them at home.

If you do like these thermal underwear, the only thing to watch out for is the sizing. These underwear actually tend to run small, and no one want’s their junk pinched. Size up when possible or if you’re unsure of the fit. Then you’ll see just how much fun moisture wicking is.

3. ColdPruf Men's Basic Dual Layer Bottom

Tell the Deer to Freeze Instead: One of the best features of the ColdPruf Men’s Basic Dual Layer Bottom is that these thermal underwear are ideal for hunting because they work well in cold and freezing weather. The 100% polyester design traps body heat and prevents it from escaping, ensuring hunters in the most frigid conditions can protect the family jewels and backside without suffering frostbite.

These pants are soft and comfortable, and fit tightly around the ankles and waist to prevent slipping and sliding while moving around outdoors. They are available in black and white, so you don’t have to worry about scaring your quarry with garishly colored underthings.

Besides these features, the ColdPruf thermal underwear is quite basic but includes some nice additions like being machine washable, fitting around the natural waist, and having an easy to use front fly. We’ve all had to pee while hunting. There’s no shame in wanting easy access.

One of the only potential downsides with buying ColdPruf thermal underwear is that the sizing is a bit off. Measure your waist and leg length and then buy one size smaller than usual. While the waist and ankles are supposed to fit to the body, the legs tend to be a bit roomy. The company seemed to expect buyers to be larger than usual, so just follow these instructions to get some serious cold protection!

4. Outland Men Thermal Performance Underwear Set

Protect Your Top and Bottom: One of the biggest disappointments when trying to buy thermal underwear for hunting is only finding long johns when everyone knows your chest gets cold too. You could wear a coat, but that just adds bulk. So why not invest in the Outland Men Thermal Performance Underwear Set and get some underwear that protects your top and bottom without leaving you exposed?

These underwear by Outland are stylish and comfortable, made of 92% polyester and 8% spandex. They come in black, white, and gray as well as a variety of sizes, making them an excellent option for those of us who’ve packed on a little extra girth as we age. They even have big and tall sizes, running up to a 6XL. No longer do we heavier men have to worry about being freezing while trying to enjoy our hobbies.

The only real con with this set of underwear is that they are designed to be more form-fitting, meaning they sit close to the body. This isn’t a true con for some but can make some men feel self-conscious – let’s be honest, we worry about our body image too – or feel like they can’t move as much. Luckily, you still can! You can also enjoy how inexpensive this underwear is, seeing as how a whole set can cost less than $20.

5. St. John’s Bay Men's Thermal Underwear

Why Play Tag with a Tag?: The St. John’s Bay Men’s Thermal Underwear is a classic example of waffle thermal underwear that combines practicality with comfort and style. These underwear look like the pants of long johns and come in a variety of colors, including blue, gray, and white. One of their best features is that they are tagless, so you never have to worry about being out hunting and then feeling that telltale tag riding up your butt.

The full blend of these thermal underwear is 60% cotton and 40% polyester. The cotton is great for maintaining a warm body temperature and being comfortable, but the polyester can be a sticking point for some. It helps keep the underwear close to the body but also reduces some warmth and practicality while also making the pants hard to fold and maintain.

However, this is only a minor issue. These underwear are effective to temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit and can be worn by men and women, so beware your wife or girlfriend stealing them when you’re home!

Thermal Underwear for Hunting: Buying Guide

Not all thermal underwear is the same. Some is close-fitting, some is moisture-wicking, and many are made of different fabrics and materials. With the rise of an international world and online shopping, it seems like everyone and their mother is trying to cash in by making shoddy knockoff products or clothing that just doesn’t fit right.

We’ve identified some of the key characteristics necessary to find the best thermal underwear for hunting to help you avoid these bogeys. They are fit, fabric, and overall efficiency of the product.

While we recommend combining cotton and polyester, each of the common fabrics have their own pros and cons that should be taken into account when finding the best thermal underwear for hunting.

Cotton and wool provide the most warmth and are amazingly comfortable, but they hand on to moisture and don’t have much give when you move.

Spandex, polyester, and other synthetics are great because they move easily, often have moisture wicking properties, and can stretch with you. The downside is they can release heat more easily if not properly used.

Avoid buying underwear that is solely made of synthetics, though, as the material will then keep you ridiculously hot by preserving sweat and leaving you bathing in your own moisture.

It’s never pleasant.

Efficiency

Whether or not thermal underwear works is absolutely essential to whether or not you should use it. If you’re not going to be kept warm by your underwear, then there is no point in wearing it.

As a baseline, thermal underwear used for hunting should at a minimum survive in temperatures of 30 degrees Fahrenheit and should be able to reach 20 degrees without leaving you freezing.