Fabric Weight and Layering Guide
Every Hartland™ tee, jumper and jacket lists a fabric weight in gsm. Here's what that number means, how we rate light, mid and heavy, and how to layer it all for hunting in Australian conditions.
What gsm means
gsm is grams per square metre: how much one square metre of the fabric weighs. More grams usually means thicker, warmer and tougher. Fewer grams means lighter, cooler and quicker to dry.
It's a guide, not the whole story. The fibre matters as much as the weight. 150 gsm of cotton and 150 gsm of polyester feel and behave very differently once you start sweating.
Some jacket specs also show g/m² as a breathability rating. That measures how much moisture gets out through the fabric, not how heavy it is, so don't compare the two.
How we rate our weights
Tees get rated against tees, and jumpers against jumpers. A 270 gsm hoodie is a solid everyday jumper. A 270 gsm tee would feel like wearing a tarp.
| Rating | Tees and long sleeves | Jumpers, hoodies and jackets | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | Under 160 gsm | Under 250 gsm | Hot days, base layer, wearing on its own |
| Midweight | 160 to 199 gsm | 250 to 349 gsm | All-rounder, mid layer for cool mornings |
| Heavyweight | 200 gsm and up | 350 gsm and up | Structure and warmth, cold starts, hard wear |
Our gear by weight
| Product | Fabric | Weight | Best as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range™ Stag Lightweight Tee, Emblem Tee (Men's), Classic Tee (Men's) | 100% ring-spun cotton (some colours are blends) | Lightweight, 153 gsm | Base layer or on its own |
| Emblem Tee (Women's), Classic Tee (Women's) | Combed ring-spun cotton (some colours are blends) | Lightweight, 142 gsm | On its own on warm days |
| Emblem Fitted Tee (Men's) | Combed ring-spun cotton | Lightweight, 146 gsm | On its own or under a flanno |
| Emblem Long Sleeve Tee (Men's) | 100% cotton | Heavyweight, 203 gsm | On its own for sun and scrub |
| Emblem Heavyweight Long Sleeve Tee | 100% ring-spun cotton, garment-dyed | Heavyweight, 207 gsm | On its own, or a light mid layer |
| Stag Premium Tee (Men's), Range™ Stag Heavyweight Tee | 100% combed ring-spun cotton | Heavyweight, 220 gsm | On its own on cooler days |
| Emblem Crew, Emblem Hoodie | 50% cotton, 50% polyester | Midweight, 271 gsm | Mid layer |
| Emblem Duck Vest | 100% cotton duck | Heavyweight, 407 gsm | Mid layer under a coat, or on its own on a dry, still day |
| Stag Soft Shell Jacket | Polyester and spandex shell, microfleece lining | No gsm listed | Outer layer for wind and light drizzle |
| Stag Insulated Parka | Oxford shell, polyfill insulation | No gsm listed | Outer layer for cold sits and rough weather |
Layering for Aussie hunting
Most layering advice is written for snow country overseas, where you dress for a long, cold sit and stay that way. Our hunting is usually the opposite: frost at first light, maybe twenty-odd degrees by lunch, and plenty of walking in between. The trick here isn't piling layers on. It's getting them off quickly, before you sweat, and having one handy for when you sit still.
Base layer: next to the skin
Its job is to handle sweat and keep the sun and scrub off you. Long sleeves are worth it most of the year here, for sun, scratchy scrub and grass seeds.
Our 153 gsm cotton tees are soft and quiet, and they work well as a base layer under a flanno or soft shell. The honest catch with cotton is that it holds sweat and dries slowly. If you're climbing hard in cold, wet country, like the high country in winter, go synthetic or merino next to the skin and save the cotton for the drive home.
Mid layer: warmth you can take off
This is the layer for the walk in before sun-up and the first sit. A hoodie, crew or heavyweight long sleeve does the job. It'll probably come off once the sun hits the ridge, so pick something you're happy to stuff in a pack.
Outer layer: wind and weather
A soft shell breathes on the walk and stops the wind on exposed ridges. An insulated parka is for long cold sits, spotlighting and proper rain. A vest keeps your core warm and leaves your arms free for glassing and the pack.
Stalking in close?
Soft fabrics like cotton and brushed knits are quieter than stiff shells, which can swish against scrub. If you're creeping in on a deer, a quiet outer layer matters as much as a warm one.
What to wear, when
| Conditions | Base | Mid | Outer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Summer out west Pigs and goats, 35°C plus |
Lightweight tee, or a long sleeve for sun | Leave it in the ute | Not needed. Cap, sunnies and plenty of water |
|
Autumn rut in the Hunter and on the tablelands Frosty dawns, warm days |
Lightweight tee | Hoodie or crew for the walk in and the first sit | Soft shell or vest if it's windy |
|
Winter in the high country Cold, wet, snow possible |
Synthetic or merino | Heavyweight long sleeve, crew or hoodie | Waterproof jacket or insulated parka |
|
Spotlighting and night sits The temperature drops fast after dark |
Lightweight tee | Hoodie or crew | Parka or vest, plus one more layer than you think you need |
Rules of thumb
- Dress for the walk, not the car park. If you're comfy standing at the ute, you'll be cooked ten minutes up the hill.
- Take a layer off before you sweat, not after.
- Pack the layer you'll want when you stop moving.
- Cover up for the sun. A long sleeve and a cap beat reapplying sunscreen all day.
Our Range™ technical gear is still in development, and it'll go on this page once it's been tested. Questions about fit or weight? Email help@hartlandau.com.