Jumpers & Cardigans

In a high seat before dawn or stalking through wet undergrowth, your back chills first, once the wind cuts through a plain shirt. Jumpers and cardigans for men in this category work as a mid layer - they hold warmth, stay quiet moving through branches, and fit under a jacket or waistcoat. The range includes Harkila, Seeland, Chevalier, Alaska and Thermowave models in natural earth tones and camouflage patterns, built for stalking, driven hunts and long motionless hours in a high seat.

Who these jumpers and cardigans are for

These garments suit men who spend hours outdoors across different seasons, from a cool autumn morning to a winter hunt. They act as a second or third layer, holding body heat when you move little or sit still for a long time. Unlike everyday sweaters, hunting models are cut from quiet fabrics that do not rustle against branches or brush, and they often have zipped pockets so small items stay put while you climb into a high seat or cross boggy ground.

Types available in this range

The assortment covers several main groups, which differ in fabric, warmth and use case. Pick one based on whether the jumper needs to be a standalone outer layer in mild weather or a mid layer under a jacket in cold conditions.

Fleece jumpers

Fleece is light, dries fast and still insulates when damp. Harkila Kamko Fleece, Harkila Njord fleece and Seeland Hawker Storm Fleece fall into this group - they work as a mid layer in autumn or as the sole outer layer on a mild day walking out to the hunting ground.

Hybrid models

Hybrid jumpers combine fleece with tougher, wind-resistant panels at the shoulders and elbows. Harkila Borr Hybrid fleece and Harkila Tidan Hybrid half zip suit hunters who push through dense cover or climb rocky ground, where extra protection against abrasion and wind matters.

Camouflage jumpers

Camouflage models such as Harkila Deer Stalker camo AXIS MSP or Seeland Power Camo InVis green help you stay unseen while stalking deer or roe at close range. They are usually worn as the outer layer in mild weather or under a jacket once temperatures drop.

Half-zip and full-zip models

A zip at the neck or chest lets you adjust warmth quickly - open it once you reach the high seat out of breath, close it when you need to sit still and quiet. Harkila Metso full zip and Harkila Tidan Hybrid half zip are typical examples in this group.

Thermoactive models

Thermoactive jumpers, such as the Thermowave with the Vytis emblem, are built to sit close to the skin - they move moisture away from the body and help you stay dry even while active, dragging game or climbing hilly terrain.

How to choose the right jumper

A few points are worth checking before you buy, since they decide whether the jumper gets worn outdoors on a regular basis or ends up too warm or too thin for the season you need it in. A common mistake is buying one all-purpose jumper for the whole year - autumn stalking and a winter sit in a high seat usually call for different thicknesses.

• Decide whether it will be your outer layer or a mid layer, since this sets the thickness and fabric you need
• Check whether you need camouflage or a plain earth tone (green, brown, olive) is enough
• Look at pocket count and closures, since small items should not fall out in a high seat or a vehicle
• Choose a size that still fits under a jacket or waistcoat without restricting your arms when raising a rifle or bow
• Pay attention to fabric noise, since dense or glossy weaves can rustle moving through brush

Layering for a day in the field

One jumper rarely covers every condition across a season, so hunters usually wear several layers at once. A base layer moves sweat away, the mid layer - this jumper or cardigan - holds warmth, and the outer layer (jacket or waistcoat) blocks wind and rain. In autumn a single fleece layer under a light jacket is often enough, while a winter sit in a high seat calls for a thicker hybrid model that you can top with another waistcoat.

Moving through a driven hunt raises body heat faster than sitting still in a high seat, so a lighter, more breathable jumper with a zip you can open as conditions change suits that pace better. Sitting through a long early-morning wait in a high seat, breathability matters less than heat retention, so a thicker, closer-fitting model works better there.

Fabrics and colours

Fleece, soft-shell fabric and blends with tougher panels at friction points dominate this category. Colours - green, brown, olive and their shades - are chosen to blend into woodland or open field rather than stand out. Camouflage patterns such as AXIS MSP break up your outline further when stalking at close range, while plain models suit general use on driven hunts or at the range.

Fabric density at the shoulders and elbows deserves attention too, since that is where a jumper most often rubs against bark, fence wire or the frame of a high seat. Reinforced panels in these spots extend a garment's working life more than overall fabric thickness does.

Care

Fleece and soft-shell garments are usually machine washed on a gentle cycle without fabric softener, since softener reduces the fabric's ability to hold warmth. Zip everything closed before washing so zips do not snag other items in the drum, and dry at room temperature rather than near direct heat.

Camouflage and technical models often carry a water-repellent finish that fades with repeated washing - if a jumper starts soaking through faster or takes longer to dry, refresh the treatment with a dedicated product rather than just washing it more.

Brands in this range

The range includes Harkila with the widest model selection, from classic fleece to the camouflage Deer Stalker line, Seeland with the Power and Hawker Storm Fleece models, Chevalier with the Mainstone jumper, Alaska with the Elk Hunter and Sniper models, and Thermowave with a thermoactive jumper built for close contact with skin. Each brand runs its own fabric technology, so it is worth comparing not just colour but the intended use of a given model - some are built for stalking, others for hunts that demand more movement.

Check related categories too - jackets, waistcoats and trousers, to put together a full layering system for hunting. If you are not sure which model suits your season and hunting style, write to us and we will advise.