A cool start, wet grass and a brisk walk across the fields can make choosing what to wear surprisingly difficult. Add a spell of rain followed by a long wait between drives, and the clothing that felt right first thing may need adjusting.
For gundog handlers, comfort also means being able to move. You need room to raise an arm, bend down to your dog and reach a lead without fighting against your jacket.
At Sporting Saint, we would start with layers you can adapt throughout the day. In this guide, we look at choosing autumn field clothing, from a useful warming layer to waterproof protection, with practical checks before your next training session or day’s picking up.
Start with the Day You Have Planned
Think about how much time you will spend moving and how much you will spend standing still. A short, active training session needs a different approach from a full day outdoors with pauses between drives.
Check the forecast, but consider the ground as well. Wet grass and dripping cover can soak ordinary trousers even when the rain has stopped.
We would also check the shoot’s expectations for clothing before your first visit. Choose an outfit that suits both the conditions and your role on the day.
How to Layer Clothing for Autumn Gundog Training
Start with a Comfortable Base
Start with a layer that feels comfortable against your skin and suits the amount of walking you expect. Avoid adding so much underneath that your outer clothing becomes tight across the shoulders or waist.
Add Warmth You Can Adjust
A fleece or gilet gives you flexibility as the temperature or your activity changes. A gilet can be particularly useful when you want warmth around your body while keeping your arms free.
Our Sporting Saint Gilets are lightweight layering pieces with an adjustable hem, available in men’s and ladies’ styles. Try your chosen gilet beneath your field jacket to check the combined fit.
On a mild, dry morning, a gilet may be all you need over your usual clothing while you are active. As conditions change, you can add your outer jacket without having to rethink your entire outfit.
Choose a Field Jacket You Can Work In
Weather protection is important, but pay just as much attention to how a jacket feels when you handle your dog. Try it on with the layers you expect to wear beneath it.
Raise both arms, reach forwards and bend at the knees. Check that the jacket stays comfortable across your back and that you can still reach your pockets.
These small checks matter when you are giving a handling signal, putting a dog back on the lead or moving between training exercises.
The Burley Field Jacket
Our Burley Field Jacket is waterproof and windproof, with a cotton and polyester ripstop outer. Available in men’s and ladies’ fits, it is designed to accommodate layers underneath.
Its zipped front pockets and whistle storage are useful for organising smaller essentials. The adjustable hood and cuffs allow you to alter the fit, while the scooped tail provides additional coverage.
For an autumn clothing setup, we would make the Burley the outer layer and adjust what you wear underneath to suit the day. Check the product’s size guide rather than automatically choosing your usual coat size.
For a closer look at its features in use, read the Burley Field Jacket field review.
Remember Waterproof Protection Below the Waist
A waterproof jacket only covers part of the problem. Walking through wet grass or kneeling beside a dog can leave your trousers damp early in the day.
Waterproof over-trousers give you an extra layer over your usual trousers when conditions call for it. Check that there is enough room to bend and step comfortably, and that the leg length works with your boots.
Our Ladies’ Waterproof Over Trousers have an elasticated waist with a drawcord and three-quarter-length leg zips with poppers. They are a practical option to consider for wet training grounds and fieldwork.
Keep your over-trousers somewhere accessible so you can put them on before your usual trousers become soaked.
- View the Mens’ Waterproof Over Trousers
what-to-wear-autumn-gundog-training-picking-up - View the Ladies’ Waterproof Over Trousers
Keep Your Whistle and Leads Accessible
Once you have your layers on, check where your whistle and leads will sit. Adding a jacket over a gilet can make a familiar pocket awkward to reach.
Give regularly used items a consistent place. Keep wet or muddy equipment separate from your phone, and avoid loading pockets so heavily that they pull your clothing out of shape.
Before setting off, run through the movements you use most often. Can you reach your whistle, take out a lead and put it away comfortably with everything fastened?
Adjust Your Outfit as the Day Changes
For a Mild Training Morning
A lighter combination may be comfortable while you are active. Keep suitable weather protection available if conditions change, particularly when training away from the vehicle.
For a Wet Day’s Picking Up
Plan for rain and damp ground from the outset. Check your hood and cuffs, and have your over-trousers ready. Think about where you will keep any layers you remove during the day.
For Colder Days and Longer Waits
An extra warming layer may be useful when you expect to spend more time standing still. Adjust your clothing as you warm up during walking, rather than keeping the same combination on regardless of your activity.
Common Clothing Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying on a jacket without your usual layers. Check the fit with the fleece or gilet you intend to wear beneath it.
- Dressing only for the temperature at the car. Consider both active walking and time spent waiting.
- Overlooking wet ground. Grass and cover can remain wet long after the rain has stopped.
- Covering your usual equipment pockets. Make sure your whistle and leads remain accessible.
- Putting damp clothing straight into storage. Allow garments to dry properly before putting them away.
Looking After Your Field Clothing
Follow the care label for each garment. Jackets, fleeces and over-trousers may need different washing and drying methods, so avoid treating everything as one wash load.
Empty pockets, check fastenings and allow clothing to dry properly before storage. Only use cleaning or reproofing products where they are suitable for that particular garment.
A quick check after each outing also gives you the chance to spot wear or damage before your next day in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear for autumn gundog training?
Start with comfortable layers that allow you to move freely. Add suitable protection for wind, rain and wet ground, and consider how active the session will be. A fleece or gilet beneath a field jacket gives you options as conditions change.
Is a gilet enough for a day in the field?
A gilet may suit mild, dry conditions or work as a warming layer beneath a jacket. It does not provide the same coverage as a waterproof outer layer, so plan for the forecast and length of your day.
Should I buy a larger field jacket for layering?
Use the product’s size guide and check the intended fit first. Some field jackets already allow room for layers. You need comfortable movement without excessive loose fabric, so try the jacket with the clothing you expect to wear underneath.
Are waterproof over-trousers useful when it is not raining?
They can be useful when grass and cover are still wet. Consider the ground you will be walking through as well as the weather overhead.
Choose Your Clothing for the Season Ahead
Before your next outing, try your full clothing combination together. A few minutes checking the fit, adjusting layers and organising pockets can make the day easier to manage.
Whether you are heading out for a morning’s training or a full day’s picking up, choose clothing that keeps you comfortable and allows you to handle your dog freely.