A shooting waistcoat is one of the most practical pieces of traditional shooting clothing. It keeps your core warm between drives, holds cartridges within easy reach and sits neatly under a coat or on its own on a mild day. When the birds start coming, a well-cut waistcoat lets you concentrate on the shot rather than on what you are wearing.
Shooting Waistcoat or Shooting Vest?
The terms are often used interchangeably. In Britain, a shooting waistcoat usually means a tailored, buttoned garment in tweed or moleskin, while a shooting vest often describes a more technical or clay-style design with large cartridge pockets and a padded shoulder. Both serve the same purpose: warmth and storage without restricting your arms. Our range covers both, with shooting vests for men and women in traditional and modern styles.
Tweed Shooting Waistcoats
A tweed shooting waistcoat is a classic part of driven-day dress, often worn as part of a matching three-piece with jacket and breeks. A tweed shooting vest adds warmth and texture under a coat, and on warmer early-season days it can be worn with just a shirt and tie. Look for cartridge pockets with secure flaps, a lined back for comfort and a cut that lets you mount and swing without pulling across the shoulders. Moleskin waistcoats are a warm, washable alternative that suits regular use. Brands include Harkila, Seeland, Deerhunter and Laksen.
Fit and Layering
A mens shooting waistcoat should sit close enough to keep warmth in without restricting the mount, with enough room underneath for a shirt and light jumper. Womens shooting waistcoat styles are cut for a proper fit through the waist and bust. Check that pockets open easily with gloved hands and that flaps stay closed when you bend. Wear your waistcoat as the middle layer between a base layer and a waterproof shooting jacket, with shooting trousers and boots suited to the conditions. For a softer, sleeveless layer, take a look at our shooting gilets.
Shop Shooting Waistcoats at ArdMoor
Browse our full range of shooting waistcoats and shooting vests below. For more options, explore gilets from Hoggs of Fife and Jack Pyke, our wider gilets collection or our main shooting range. A waistcoat is also a well-received present for any shooter.