Field Tested: Thiessens V1 Whitetail System

I don’t believe “stylish” is an adjective that’s ever been used to describe me, but when it comes to my bowhunting attire, I can definitely be a slave to fashion. I like my outfits to be coordinated from head to toe, and I’ve been guilty of poking fun at more than a few bowhunting buddies whose outdoor wardrobes consist of mismatched camouflage patterns from the 1990s!

All joking aside, I understand why so many fellow bowhunters head afield wearing pants featuring one pattern, a jacket in another and a hat in yet a third — because hunting clothing is expensive! I don’t remember exactly when the prices got so high, but nowadays, it wouldn’t be hard to spend a couple weeks’ pay outfitting yourself in the latest and greatest technical hunting apparel. Granted, a lot of that high-end stuff is really well made, and I would be lying if I told you I don’t wear a lot of it. But I also understand that, for many folks, spending $1,000 or more on hunting clothing simply isn’t in the budget.

Thankfully, there is a new, direct-to-consumer hunting-apparel company — Thiessens — dedicated to making high-performance field wear the average bowhunter can actually afford. In fact, I’ve been hunting in Thiessens (pronounced “T-sons”) clothing for the majority of my 2019-2020 whitetail hunts and am quite impressed with how well the clothing has kept me warm, dry and comfortable in the woods.

As the name suggests, the Thiessens V1 Whitetail System is aimed squarely at deer hunters. With four distinct segments of the line — lightweight, midweight, heavyweight and rainwear — the company offers everything a whitetail hunter needs, regardless of geography. The lightweight garments are perfect for bowhunters in the Deep South and others who hunt in states where early-season temperatures regularly climb into the 70s, 80s or even higher. The midweight garments will carry most Midwestern bowhunters through much of the season, as the clothing is perfect on its own for those first chilly fall days or as an outer layer with some added base layers and mid-layers as the peak of the rut arrives in November. The heavyweight garments offer tremendous warmth and will keep you in the field during even the most serious snowstorms and cold snaps. Finally, the rainwear is there to keep you dry, with packable versions available for those unexpected showers and standard versions for soggy, all-day slogs.

Although the Thiessens name is brand-new to the hunting market, it’s worth mentioning that many of the folks involved in creating this gear are industry veterans who have built high-end apparel for brands you would definitely recognize. Plus, they are avid deer hunters! Given that, it’s no surprise Thiessens garments offer a host of features serious outdoorsmen will appreciate, starting with the fact that all Thiessens garments are offered exclusively in Realtree EDGE camouflage — a proven pattern that will be effective just about anywhere whitetails call home. Combined with the red Thiessens logo and red accents on the pocket zippers, this clothing looks as good as it performs.

Other key features found on Thiessens clothing include: windproof, water-resistant, moisture-wicking, breathable stretch fabrics that are also extremely quiet; articulated construction for a great fit and full range of motion; anti-microbial treatment to fight odors; soft grid-fleece material and Thinsulate insulation for cold-weather comfort; and plenty of storage pockets to keep essential gear handy.

I’m not a hood person, so one of the features I really appreciate about Thiessens’ jackets is the zip-off hoods that can be removed when not wanted or needed. The company also offers a comprehensive lineup of base layers and accessories such as ball caps, beanies, face masks and gloves to carry you from opening day through the late season.

Hopefully I’ve gotten your attention by now, and those of you still wearing three different camo patterns to the stand (you know who you are!) are wondering, OK, but how much does this stuff actually cost? Well, as I said at the beginning, Thiessens sells only through its website and, by cutting out the retail middleman, is able to offer its gear at prices well below what you might expect. For example, its lightweight, long-sleeved T-shirt is $29.99, and the lightweight pants are $59.99. The midweight pants are $69.99, while the midweight jacket is $79.99. The most expensive piece in the entire line, the Heavyweight 3-N-1 Parka, is $199.99. The regular heavyweight parka is $179.99, and the heavyweight pants are $169.99. You can visit Thiessens’ website to see the complete clothing lineup and prices, but my point is this: You can get a full outfit from Thiessens for less than the cost of a single piece of clothing from some other brands.

So, if you are one of those bowhunters who has been milking “one more season” out of your hunting clothing for several seasons now, I would encourage you to give Thiessens a closer look. I’m willing to bet you’ll be glad you did, but you don’t have to take my word for it, because Thiessens also offers a limited lifetime warranty on all of its products. MSRP: Varies by item | thiessens.com

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