What to Wear Clay Pigeon Shooting
You’ve taken the leap and decided it’s time to book a clay pigeon shooting lesson. You feel the buzz of excitement, as you press the “book” button, and you’re waiting in anticipation for the big day. But as it approaches, a question bubbles around in your mind. What do I wear when I go clay pigeon shooting?
Well don’t panic, we’re here to help.
When it comes to shooting attire, like most sports, there’s a reason people dress the way they do. With most of the clothes you might associate with shooting as a whole (caps, boots, tweed etc), there’s functionality to the fashion. Don’t worry, you don’t need to go all out and buy an expensive tweed jacket. However, there are some things to consider before picking your shooting attire that will help you remain comfortable, functional, and safe.
What to Wear Clay Pigeon Shooting - Things to Consider
Protection - As fun as clay pigeon shooting is, it does come with some safety precautions, you are shooting a shotgun, after all. To protect our eyes and ears, we must have the correct health and safety gear.
Function - Like every sport, being able to move functionally will give you your best shot and a great day. Making sure your clothes aren’t too tight, having a secure footing, and making sure the material doesn’t allow your gun to slip on your shoulder, are all things you need to consider when getting your outfit ready.
Weather - We all know how disappointing it can be to trust the weatherman, only to be caught in a sudden downpour. Even in the warmer months, the weather can change anytime. Soggy clothes can ruin a great day, so being prepared for every eventuality is your best bet.
Clay Pigeon Shooting Attire - What to Wear
Ear, Eye and Head Protection
Keeping yourself safe while you’re shooting is an absolute must, and wearing the correct safety gear is one of the many ways to do this.
The sound of a gun firing repeatedly is enough to damage your hearing, so it’s important if you’re shooting, or around someone shooting, you protect your ears. This can come in a range of ways. From foam in-ear plugs to adjustable electronic ear defenders to electronic in-ear moulds, there is a variety of options to suit each person and budget.
Our eyes also need to be protected, as although the clay targets are at a distance, there’s always a chance the fragments of the target can come into contact with us. It doesn’t take much for our eyes to get damaged, so wearing safety glasses will help keep your sight safe.
You might think flat caps are just part of the shooting style, but there’s a little more to it than that. There are many reasons people wear a flat cap or baseball cap whilst clay pigeon shooting. Firstly, if you’re shooting in sunny conditions, the peak of the cap can help protect your eyes from the sun’s glare. It’s also an extra layer of protection for the eyes if clay fragments come flying from above.
It’s best to opt for an adjustable cap, as this can help to make sure that it’s fitted properly to your head and doesn’t slip.
For the most part, basic PPE is likely to be provided at your lesson, but if you’re unsure, it’s best to check with your instructor beforehand.
Shirt
When thinking about what to wear on your top half, function and fit are the main things to consider.
For women, choosing a sports bra is your best bet when shooting, as straps with mental clips can cause discomfort when mounted into the shoulder on receiving the shot's recoil.
You can wear a simple T-shirt as long as it’s a good fit. You want to be able to move freely but have it fit well to your body so no excess material gets in the way. A classic shooting shirt, or a polo shirt on a warmer day, are also great options. It’s important to note, that even if it is warm, you should be wearing another layer on top, like a vest or jacket.
Vest
A shooting vest has a few functions. Not only do they add an extra layer, which can be useful for the colder months, but they also have pockets which are to hold cartridges so you can reload your shotgun easily.
Some also come with padding or suede on the shoulder, which is for more than just fashion. An extra bit of padding can help to protect you from the gun recoiling and is a place for the gun to sit.
Jacket
When it comes to a jacket, we want to make sure we’re considering the weather, first and foremost. Even in the summer months, something lightweight and waterproof can help you enjoy your day shooting. In the colder months, making sure you’re warm but able to move unhindered is the goal.
Some people opt for layering to avoid wearing a heavy jacket that makes it difficult to move swiftly. The fluidity of movement can be the difference between hitting and missing your target. So, having something that fits well and also keeps you warm should help to cover all bases.
Trousers
Picking what trousers to wear for clay pigeon shooting follows the same principle as the rest of your outfit, you need to consider fit, function and the weather. Much like the rest of your body, your legs need to move without restriction, so nothing too tight fitting.
A well-fitting pair of jeans, trousers, or waterproofs to be extra weather savvy, should be all you need.
Footwear
If you think about shooting as a sport and how you move, you can understand the importance of having a secure base. Being able to hold a steady stance is an important safety measure, as slipping with a gun could be a disaster. Therefore, when we think about footwear, we want to make sure we’re taking this into account.
Boots or wellies with a good grip are always a good option. You want to stay away from shoes that are easy to lose your balance or slip in, like sandals.
How Can a Shooting Instructor Help?
All of our shooting instructors are accredited, insured and committed to providing the highest standard of instruction. When you attend a lesson with a member of The Guild Of Shooting Instructors, it’s the responsibility of our instructors to make sure all health and safety guidelines are being followed, and this includes being dressed appropriately. This will further be reinforced by the guidelines of the shooting ground you attend.
If you want to get the most out of your first lesson, or improve your overall shooting, find an instructor near you today.
Knowing what to wear when you go clay pigeon shooting is one of the many things you need to consider before you step foot on the shooting ground. One of the ways you can make the entire process easier is by making sure you have a shooting instructor who is qualified to guide you in all aspects of shooting, and that’s where we come in.
Here at The Guild Of Shooting Instructors, our mission is to ensure that people are enjoying their shooting lesson, whilst following all safety protocols. Making sure your outfit is the right fit, weather-appropriate and fit for function is a good place to start. If at any point you get overwhelmed, get in touch with your instructor for guidance.
Once you're at the shooting ground, a qualified, accredited instructor should give you the once over to make sure everything you’re wearing is appropriate, and that health and safety standards are met. Once that’s done, you’re ready to go and enjoy your lesson.
