Hengittävä metsästyspuku - miksi hengittävyydellä on väliä?

Breathable hunting suit - why does breathability matter?

Metsästysvaatteet

June 19, 2025

REPO

When you go into the woods, you are usually there for long periods of time – in all weathers, moving and waiting. It is not enough for your hunting clothing to keep water out, it must also let moisture from the inside out.

Breathability is one of the most important features of a hunting suit, and other outdoor clothing as well. The moisture produced when sweating should not remain inside the clothing – otherwise, discomfort and, in the worst case, coldness will set in faster. This is especially emphasized when hunting on the move, where the body alternately gets hot and then cools down again when the hunter stops.

A breathable hunting suit is the be-all and end-all, whether it has a membrane or not.

Filmless
or a membrane hunting suit?

That's the eternal question! Some of us swear by membraneless suits, while others want to be better protected from the outside weather. So what's the difference between the two in terms of breathability?

Non-membrane suit(without waterproof membrane)
breathes naturally better. Such suits are usually lighter and more comfortable, especially during hard exercise, but it should be remembered that they are not waterproof. However, they can be made moisture-repellent with, for example, a DWR treatment, which is often already on the surface of the garment when it comes from the factory. This is also the case with our cottonIn a Tokka hunting suit.
Membrane suit(e.g. 2- or 3-layer laminate) contains a membrane that prevents water from entering, but allows moisture to escape. A high-quality membrane makes the garment completely waterproof up to a certain point, but still effectively breathable. However, it is worth noting that the level of breathability depends a lot on the quality of the membrane, and is practically always weaker than in a suit without a membrane.

How is the breathability of a hunting suit measured?

When you use it, you will quickly notice whether the suit breathes or not. If you have already decided in your mind to go with a membrane suit despite all the benefits of a membraneless suit,
version, it is also worth checking the breathability of the membrane. In membrane suits, breathability is indicated as a value of g/m²/24h, which tells you how many grams
of water vapor one square meter of fabric lets through in 24 hours.

We understand that those numbers by themselves don't tell you much, so let's look at a more plain-language explanation of what you can expect from any breathability rating in practice;

5,000 g/m²/24h= suitable for basic use
10,000 g/m²/24h= good breathability for active use
20,000 g/m²/24hand above = very breathable even for demanding movements

In addition to the membrane's breathability values, when choosing a membrane suit, it is also worth checking other features that affect breathability, the most important of which is the number of ventilation holes. In practice, they are an essential accessory for a membrane suit, as they significantly increase air circulation. Also remember that the ventilations must be opened when you start moving, because if you start sweating, they will no longer be of much use.

REPO suits from a breathability perspective

Each suit we make is made for a specific use – and breathability is taken into account depending on the situation.

REPO Alpha G2

A 2L membrane suit suitable for harsh conditions, with very high breathability, over 20,000 g/m²/24h. Particularly suitable for active hunting or hiking in late autumn, especially in variable or humid weather. Completely waterproof, but still breathable - a real performance suit for demanding use. Good ventilation in the jacket under the armpits and in the pants at the front!

REPO Karelia xFade

A membrane suit with a reversible jacket, with
breathability 10,000 g/m²/24h. Well suited for situations where you are sometimes on the move and sometimes on the go – an excellent all-rounder for autumn and early winter. No taped seams, which in turn improves the suit
Breathability! The pants also have ventilation holes on the thighs to enhance breathability.

REPO Tokka

A non-membrane and very quiet hunting suit. Breathability is top-notch thanks to its cotton material, but there is almost no water resistance here. Designed especially for hard, active movement from early season to late autumn. Perfect for hunting deer or fowl in drier conditions.

Summary: choose breathability according to your intended use

For the mobile hunter; a membraneless or highly breathable membrane suit, such asHerd.
For variable conditions; a good breathable membrane suit with ventilation, such asAlpha G2.
For cold weather or for a breathable membrane suit, but with waterproof and windproof properties as its number one priority. For exampleKareliais a great choice for group yachts.

If you are unsure, ask us – we will help you choose the right suit for you.